The Short North Arts District is an eclectic, vibrant area in Columbus full of shops, galleries, bars and restaurants.

“I moved into the area because it was the closest thing to an urban area with some culture and a little fun,” said Brandon Fernandez. He moved into the area from California eight months ago.

The area, a popular destination throughout the week, is at its best on the first Saturday of each month. Local gallery owners hold “Gallery Hop”, where new exhibitions are opened and the area becomes the city’s arts mecca as shoppers flow from gallery to gallery.

The Short North runs along North High Street from the convention center to just south of the Ohio State University. It’s about a 15-block area with around 60 shops, boutiques, restaurants and galleries.

In the 1980s, the Short North was a run-down area of dilapidated buildings, crime and drugs. Short North was the name police gave the area between downtown Columbus and OSU. Redevelopment had already begun in the mid-1970s with people buying these cheap houses and fixing them up. Today the area is clean and the restored buildings are showcases for art, furniture, clothing and restaurants serving up haute cuisine, fusion food or the best tasting steak.

Other renovations have occurred in the area. In the early 1900s, classic wooden arches rose above the streets of the city. In 2002 they came back when new metal arches were installed. Due to a mechanical problem the arches do not light up as they are supposed to, but they are still a beautiful touch.

The next Gallery Hop is Saturday, March 4. Even if you are not into art, it’s great for people-watching.

There will also be wine tastings held by Europia, a winery. This is a great way to taste unique wines while hopping from gallery to gallery.

Global Gallery at 682 N. High St. has been in the Short North for 15 years. They are a Fair Trade gallery, which means they pay a living wage to all of artisans they purchase from. They represent artisans from 40 different developing countries and they buy from women’s cooperatives.

“By buying from a woman in a developing nation, her status is now lifted from being invisible to providing for her family,” said Peggy Lobb, manager.

The gallery is non-profit and relies on volunteers to run the gallery.

Internships are available and interns can earn 5 credit hours for their work.

Another gallery to step into on High Street is Studios. They are one of the longest running galleries celebrating 20 years this year.

The gallery is run and operated by the artists in the area. They exhibit the work of 16 to 18 local artists regularly.

“We showcase a wide variety of work and it does not repeat itself. We show landscapes, still life, abstract, ceramics, sculptures and jewelry,” said Ann Cushman, employee.

But after the galleries close, there are several restaurants in the district to dine at in the evening.

Even on a cold Thursday night people were out.

Josh Jay and Sarah Crabtree, students at OSU, were going to eat at one of Crabtree’s favorites : the Happy Greek Restaurant.

But David Stonecypher and Robin Casey preferred the Skully’s, a restaurant across the street that serves Rueben sandwiches.

Stonecypher and Casey have been coming to the art district for 4 years and said they enjoy the good mix of people, the good music and the food at Skully’s.

While there if you are looking for music then go to Magnolia Thunderpussy, a music store at 1155 N. High St. It has a amazing array of must-have classics.

Little Brother’s, 1100 N. High St., always has a concert going on. If you go down on March 4 for the Gallery Hop and stop into the club, see Wheatus perform. Tickets are $10 at the door. Early Man will be there on March 8 and Serena Maneesh will be in concert on March10.

The Short North Tavern is an inviting bar to step into with its warm wood and whisky feel.

Brandon Fernandez is now a regular at the tavern.

“The bartenders are nice,” he said.

Fernandez also likes Skully’s. He recommends the Burgundy Room for some good food.

One spot to not miss is the North Market. This place is a large market warehouse one block off of High Street. Here you can buy fish from Bob the Fish Guy, produce from North Market Produce, meat from Best of the Wurst and some wine from a shop called Grapes of Mirth wine shop.

“I like the North Market. They have good food and a nice variety,” said Amanda Anderson, who has worked at the Columbus Children’s Theater for a year.

A person is able to spend the entire day in the Short North and not get bored. The galleries, the restaurants, the shops in the Short North are unique to the Short North. You can find one of a kind items here.

“If someone is looking for art they come to the Short North area and walk from gallery to gallery,” said Cushman. “When they get hungry they step into one of the restaurants and get some good food.”