Need to getaway and reset? Hilliard is YOUR destination for a day of relaxation for yourself or a weekend of relaxation with friends! Head into town for the Galentine’s Sip & Stroll on Saturday, February 10 and make it a long weekend. Here are a couple sample itineraries we have compiled through a recent Hilliard relaxation exploration campaign:
This first itinerary is PERFECT for a solo day trip. A day of solitude is something I never would have chosen 10 years ago. Now it is the perfect recipe for decompression. In this itinerary, I have you start your day at Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. The pastries and coffee are delicious and unique. The staff is always ready with a recommendation. Make sure you plan to enjoy your order at one of their tables. To-go orders are good, but to fully experience Qamaria, you must sip on a latte with Adam’s beautiful latte art!
I love massages. My dad swore monthly massages were the key to happiness, so he started gifting me massages years ago. After he passed, I tried to incorporate massages into my calendar several times a year. This means, I have tried a wide varieties of massage establishments and a number of different therapists. My massage with Amber of Hilliard Station Massage ranked at the top of the list. The ambiance was good and I left there feeling amazing. My only complaint was that I only scheduled a 60 minute massage. Hence the 90 minutes allotted in my dream day itinerary.
The Olive Tree Mediterranean Cafe has a host of superb lunch offerings. While I love their chicken shawarma, the greek salad with chicken is the perfect light meal for a day of self-care. If baklava sounds too heavy for a light lunch, order some to go. You won’t be disappointed.
The Paint Shop Nail Studio is a family-run small business. You can feel the love between the family members who work together in the studio. I always look forward to seeing what bath bombs they have at the ready. Bath bombs are available for purchase, but they are also a part of the pedicure experience. The shop stands out with their dedication to providing an all-natural experience. I always choose to get the gel pedicure upon Jenny’s recommendation, as it allows me to leave the studio without worries of messing up the polish.
Mari at IDOLIZE Brows & Beauty creates a relaxing and educational facial experience. The treatment is personalized based on your skin’s needs and Mari is sure to give suggestions for how to keep your skin vibrant and healthy. I indulged in a lash lift and I have been able to skip the eyelash curler in the mornings. I closed out my IDOLIZE experience by getting my eye brows threaded. I am not going to lie. This isn’t all that relaxing – it hurts. But my brows look fantastic, so I would still recommend incorporating it into a day of self care.
When you leave IDOLIZE and head toward Mat Happy Yoga, you will come upon Louie’s Grill Fusion Restaurant. With a menu filled with delicious options, Louie’s is a good option for any occasion. The roasted veggies are a great lighter option for this particular experience. If you were ending your day here, a cocktail with fresh-squeezed juice would be a great choice. Since you are heading to yoga next, perhaps the juice without a kick will hit the spot.
Mat Happy Yoga is a local studio with diverse class offerings and a staff of skilled instructors. I have yet to try a class or workshop that I did not like there. One of my favorite classes is the Mindfulness Flow into Relaxation. I call it the “Spoon a Pillow and Chill” class. This hours is the ultimate tool in finding your reset. The slow flow classes offer a more sweaty form of relaxation. Tiffany’s slow flow classes are another favorite, as her vibe and music bring me joy.
If there isn’t time for a weekend away from it all, this is a fabulous day plan. BUT, if you can make it a weekend away with friends, invite them to the yoga class and take advantage of Hilliard’s hotel accommodations.
For a group-friendly day of pampering, begin your adventure at Coffee Connections on Main Street. This space offers more than tasty treats and fun drinks. You can feel the sense of community inside the quaint home filled with Hilliard history. With local vendor offerings for sale and plenty of space to connect and chat, this is a must stop.
Mod Salon is in a newly-remodeled space in the heart of Downtown Hilliard. With a large menu of services and staff, this is the perfect location to accommodate a friend’s day out. Be sure to schedule well in advance, as they are popular. Most recently, I saw Cassandra for a gel manicure. I don’t normally get my nails done because I wreck them quickly, but I was pleasantly surprised by how durable this manicure was! I also added a little spice with nail art – totally out of my comfort zone, but Cassandra came up with a cute and classy addition.
No weekend trip to Hilliard is complete without a meal at the Starliner Diner in Old Hilliard. My go-to lunch is the Southwest Chicken Salad with a couple modifications: the salsa ranch dressing on the side and the lettuce on top. I know…it sounds weird and high-maintenance, but I am never disappointed when I place this order. The Cuban Chicken was my favorite Starliner offering for 20 years, so you really cannot go wrong with that either. With a sample of the plantains, rice and beans and a slice of cuban bread, the Cuban Chicken entree gives you a well-rounded Starliner experience. If you are feeling extra adventurous, Starliner’s jalapeño margarita is one of my favorite drinks in all of Hilliard. Starliner is also within the boundaries of Hilliard’s DORA, so you can take the drink to go to explore Hilliard on foot.
Hilliard has a variety of retail offerings. A short walk from Starliner Diner is the Shoppes by Westwood featuring MAK Home Furnishings, The Urban Market, Birch Tree Home and Alive Mercantile & Events. Lattimer Square also offers some fun retail including: Brewing Intuition, Packrat Comics & The Happy Closet Boutique.
In the summer HillGarten‘s outdoor biergarten scene is upbeat and exciting. In the winter, reserve a snowglobe for an intimate dining experience with friends. Pop down to Crooked Can and Center Street Market to enjoy the local brewery to extend your day with friends.
Another night of Hilliard accommodations allows the opportunity to schedule a private group aerial yoga class at alive mvmt and close the weekend with a late breakfast at Abner’s Casual Dinings.
A weekend in Hilliard can look very different for everyone. With live music, local shopping events, bowling at Ten Pin Alley and more, Hilliard can also cater to the tastes of families and couples. We can’t wait to hear about your Hilliard experience.
Email me, Samantha Brill, at sbrilll@destinationhilliard.org to tell me about your favorite ways to experience Hilliard!