Help choose the location of the 2007 Wikitravel Get-together!

User:Sapphire/Sandbox/Places/Columbus Travel Guide

From Wikitravel

Jump to: navigation, search
A view of downtown Columbus' skyline from street level.
Enlarge
A view of downtown Columbus' skyline from street level.

Columbus [1] is the capital of the American state of Ohio and is located centrally within the state in the Mid-Ohio region. It is the home of The Ohio State University.

Contents

Districts

Understand

Named after the Italian explorer who famously sailing under the Spanish flag (In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue), this city has become the largest in Ohio in terms of population (within municipal borders). A lot of this growth has been fueled by government jobs (State Capitol), The Ohio State University (largest in the nation), the numerous Fortune 500 companies headquartered here (Cardinal Health, Nationwide Insurance, etc.), and its location on I-70, a major interstate corridor running from Washington, D.C., to beyond Denver, CO. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Columbus is the third-largest metropolis in the state (approx. 1.6 million residents), with Cleveland and Cincinnati as the core cities to larger metropolitan areas (approx. 2.9 million and 1.9 million residents, respectively). Unlike its larger siblings however, which struggle to maintain (if not lose) their populace, Columbus continues to grow at a healthy pace of roughly 20,000 new residents a year.

This is key to understanding Columbus:

  • Since the city's growth is recent, the Columbus city limits expanded throughout the 20th century by way of annexing nearly all of Franklin County (at a time when it was still mostly rural) and beyond. In contrast, it's I-71 neighbors, Cleveland and Cincinnati, experienced growth booms during the Industrial Revolution (in the 19th and early 20th centuries) resulting in the establishment of bedroom suburban communities (who have resisted central city annexation) surrounding the densely developed urban cores.

Generally arranged in a really big wheel, Columbus is the central hub to many nearby cities including (clockwise from the north):

Newspapers

  • The Columbus Dispatch - Daily Newspaper [2]
  • The Free Press - Alternative newspaper [3]

Get in

By plane

  • Port Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH), 4600 International Gateway, ☎ +1-(614)-239-4083, http://www.port-columbus.com/home.asp. Port Columbus is served by all the major airlines, with direct flights to most major American cities. Aside from rental cars, the airport can also be reached by the #92 bus, or by taxi. A taxi ride to downtown will cost approximately $25.


By car

Major highways include I-71 & Rte. 315 (north and south), I-70 & I-670 (east and west), and the outer-belt, I-270. US Routes 33, 23, and 40 also converge downtown.

By bus

  • Greyhound Station, 111 East Town Street, +1 614 228-2266, [4]. Hours: 24 hours a day.

Get around

By bus

The COTA bus service, while not by any standard one of the greatest in the nation, can take you to most important places in the city, which should be about 5 blocks away from any conceivable location you need to go to. This service costs $1.75 for an express bus and $1.50 for a normal bus. Transfers are free.

By foot

Downtown Columbus is a walkable city with most attractions located within a 20 minute walk of each other.

See

Columbus' City Hall
Enlarge
Columbus' City Hall
  • The Columbus Zoo, 9990 Riverside Drive, ☎ +1-(614)-645-3550, http://www.colszoo.org. The Columbus Zoo is a wonderful zoo for children and adults. Between 1978 - 1992 Jack Hanna was the Executive Director of the Zoo and instituted an amazing array of changes and helped to spur the growth of the zoo. Admission: Adults (ages 12 - 59): $10.00, Children (ages 2 - 11): $6.00, Children (under 2): Free, Senior (ages 60 & up): $8.00. Parking: $3.00.


  • The Greater Columbus Convention Center Located downtown between the Arena District and the Short North, this convention center houses gaming cons, Sci-Fi cons, teachers association meetings, fitness expos, and almost any kind of large gathering you can imagine. A Hyatt Regency hotel is built into the structure, and several other hotels are connected by skyway tunnels.

Do


Festivals

  • The Ohio State Fair, 717 East 17th Avenue (Just north of downtown on 17th Avenue off I-71), ☎ +1-(614)-644-3247 (, fax: +1-(614)-644-4031), http://www.ohioexpocenter.com/osf/osf.php. Largest fair of its kind in the world. Famous for its yearly butter sculpture and all sorts of food "on a stick.
  • ComFest, http://www.comfest.com. The Columbus Community Festival, at Goodale Park in June. Music, arts, culture, shopping, fair food, beer & bare feet. Who's who of Columbus musicians and those from elsewhere!
  • Origins International Game Expo, http://www.originsgames.com/. Origins is run by The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) as one of their two shows for the adventure gaming industry. (The second show, the GAMA Trade Show, is for game manufacturers and retailers only.) Origins is specifically chartered to serve adventure gaming in general, including wargames and miniatures gaming, which tend to be less well represented at Gen Con and Dragon*Con. Board games, trading card games, and role-playing games are also popular at Origins. It is usually compared in size with E3 and GenCon, and is famous for it's Origin Awards. The Origins Award is commonly referred to as a Calliope, as the statuette is in the likeness of the Muse of the same name. Academy members frequently shorten this name to "Callie."


Sports

  • The Arnold Classic, http://www.arnoldexpo.com. Held once a year in early March at the Columbus Convention Center. Tons of competitions ranging from martial arts to cheerleading to bench press, plenty of "fitness babes" and free supplement samples, and speeches from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.
  • Columbus Crew, One Black & Gold Blvd (Columbus Crew Stadium), ☎ +1-(614)-447-2739 (fax: +1-(614)-447-4109), http://www.thecrew.com. Major League Soccer


Learn

  • Ohio State University, 154 West 12th Avenue (132 Enarson Hall), ☎ +1-(513)-292-OHIO, http://www.osu.edu/. The second largest university in the nation (U Texas is slightly larger). OSU is home to one of the most storied football programs in history. See The Horseshoe (The Ohio Stadium), The Oval, Mirror Lake.


  • Attraction name, Address, ☎ +1-(513)-555-5555.


  • Attraction name, Address, ☎ +1-(513)-555-5555.


Work

To provide an idea of the diverse mix of Columbus-based business activity, the following Fortune 500 headquarters are in Columbus:

  • Cardinal Health
  • Nationwide Insurance
  • American Electric Power
  • Limited Brands, women's and girl's apparel
  • Hexion Specialty Chemicals
  • Big Lots, discount retail stores

Buy

  • North Market, 59 Spruce Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 one block north of Nationwide Arena one block west of Greater Columbus Convention Center. [5] Arena District, Shop for meats, cheeses, fish, baked goods, produce, ethnic foods, gourmet products, flowers and unique gifts, while enjoying some of the best people watching in the city.
  • The Short North [6] is neighborhood of galleries, restaurants and cafes lining High Street, which is the main north-south thoroughfare in the downtown. The Short North lies just north of the downtown on the north side of I-670. The Short North runs until about Third Avenue. In 2005, the overpass of 670 was finished with shops making a "cap" over the freeway. [7]
  • Easton Town Center, 160 Easton Town Center, [8] This is the finest shopping experience you will see on this half of the country. Filled with a beautiful atmosphere and upscale stores and restaurants, it's great for an evening walk too.

Eat

Budget

  • Hound Dog's, North High Street / Campus / Clintonville , great pizza, open 24-hours.
  • The Blue Danube, North High Street / Campus / Clintonville , cheap bar/diner with a wide variety of food and drinks, open late.
  • City Barbeque, [9] Chain that is primarily in Columbus, with locations in a few of the suburbs. Incredibly good pulled pork, with tastes for anyone interested in BBQ cooking.
  • Yan's China Bistro This is an unpretentious, but incredibly good Chinese restaurant located on North High Street, part of the campus area. Very authentic and reasonably priced.
  • Wendy's headquartered in nearby Dublin, Ohio. Visit the original Wendy's downtown on Broad Street.
  • Aladdin's Eatery, Grandview, High Street, & Dublin locations, Mediterranean fusion. Healthy, fresh, and priced well.

Mid-range

  • Thurman's, a bar with the absolute best burgers in town. It's in the nice German Village area. The Thurman Burger is loaded with all types of meat, including ham and bacon and globs of all of your favorite garnishings. The wings are also rumored to be excellent, but it's difficult to go there and not order one of their fantastic burgers.
  • Schmidt's Sausage Haus, also in the German Village area. Authentic German sausage, schnitzel, red cabbage, etc. Don't leave without trying their microbrewed beer, as well as the fresh-baked vanilla cream puffs (one is enough for two people).
  • Max & Erma's, 220 City Center Drive, +1 614 469-1133, [10]. The quintessential 'burgers and stuff' sort of place got its' start here, and you can find one almost anywhere in town. Adventurers are recommended to try their Garbage Burger, while those with a sweet tooth should get a pan of cookies made fresh for them, or try the sundae bar!
  • Columbus Brewing Company, just west of the Brewery District... fine food at a good price.

Splurge

  • Dragonfly is a nationally known, upscale, 100% vegan restaurant on King Avenue near the OSU campus.
  • Haiku is an excellent Sushi/Japanese restaurant in the Short North. Parking is extremely limited, but they offer free valet service. Food can get pricey, especially if you order a good bit of fresh sushi, but more than worth what you spend.
  • L'Antibes is an intimate French restaurant with a great menu and great service in the Short North.
  • Rigsby's in the Short North has been an anchor restaurant in that neighborhood for 20 years. Excellent food and service. It's not quite as hip and trendy as it once was. Nevertheless, the Mediterranean-inspired menu rarely disappoints.
  • The Refectory, 1092 Bethel Road (About 7 miles North of downtown), ☎ +1-(614)-451-9774 (fax: +1-(614)-451-4434), http://www.refectory.com. The Refectory is known in Columbus as the height in fine dining. Elegant, attention to detail and outstanding service. Rated four diamonds by AAA. $30 +.


Drink

  • The Winking Lizard in Worthington and on Bethel sport a good beer selection.
  • Victorian's Midnight Cafe at the corner of 5th & Neil avenues. Non-smoking, a great selection of beers, very casual. Live music most nights.
  • The Arena District, home of The Columbus Nationwide Arena. Bars include The Frog, Bear, & Wild Boar, Brother's, Gaswerks, and the Lodge Bar, each containing a different personality and young 20-somethings atmosphere. Cabs are easy to flag down, parking is cheap, and each bar has incredible happy hour specials. Don't miss Brothers $1 Thursday mug night, an Ohio State student favorite.
    • The Char Bar across the street from the Greater Columbus Convention Center is a nicely low-key place to get good drinks, many different types of beer, and relax.
  • The Brewery District, located just south of downtown, will get you tore up. Many establishments in a small area.
  • The Short North area, on N High Street above Goodale street combines art galleries with bars. First weekend of the month is "Gallery Hop" and places are open later.
    • Skully's Music Diner is a trendy, but unassuming bar in the Short North.
    • Barley's is a microbrewery in the Short North that is known for its high-quality beers.

Music

Sleep

Budget

  • Comfort Inn North, 1213 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Phone: (614) 885-4084, Fax: (614) 885-9280.
  • Comfort Suites, 1690 Clara St I-71, Exit 111. Phone: (614) 586-1001. Fax: (614) 586-1002.
  • Comfort Suites, 5547 Keim Circle, Phone: (614) 870-7658, Fax: (614) 878-8366. Easy access to downtown Columbus, shops, restaurants and movie theater within the area. Secure Online Reservations.
  • Comfort Suites - near Port Columbus Int'l Airport CMH on Sawyer Road, 4270 Sawyer Rd. Phone: (614) 237-5847, Fax: (614) 231-5926.
  • Comfort Suites, 5944 Scarborough Blvd., Phone: (614) 552-2525, Fax: (614) 552-2526. Peaceful setting conveniently located off I-70 exit 110. All suite hotel with indoor pool and free continental breakfast bar.
  • Econo Lodge Brice Road, 5950 Scarborough Blvd., Phone: (614) 864-4670, Fax: (614) 864-3404.
  • Econo Lodge North Columbus, 6125 Zumstein Drive. Phone: (614) 436-0800, Fax: (614) 436-0833.
  • Microtel Inn Columbus (Worthington), [11] 7500 Vantage Drive, Phone: (614) 436-0556, Fax: (614) 436-2205.
  • Microtel Inn Columbus West, [12] 5655 Feder Road, Phone: (614) 851-1745, Fax: (614) 851-9787.
  • Microtel Inn Columbus/Grove City, [13] 1800 Stringtown Road, Phone: (614) 277-0705, Fax: (614) 277-0706.
  • Quality Inn & Suites North Columbus, 1001 Schrock Rd., Phone: (614) 431-0208, Fax: (614) 433-9766.

Mid-range

  • Hawthorn Suites Columbus West, [14], 5505 Keim Circle, Phone: Tel: (614) 853-6199. The Hawthorn Suites, Columbus West, is designed to make your stay more comfortable. Each tastefully appointed suite has a living room area which features a pull-out twin sofa sleeper, a television, a VCR, an ergonomic chair and voice mail plus a work desk and data lamp.

Splurge

  • Columbus Airport Marriott, 1375 N Cassady Avenue, +1 614 475-7551, Toll-free: +1 800 491-5717, Fax: +1 614 476-1476, [15].
  • Columbus Marriott North, 6500 Doubletree Avenue, +1 614 885-1885, Toll-free: +1 800 228-3429, Fax: +1 614 885-7222, [16].
  • Westin Great Southern, 310 S. High St., Phone: +1 800 WES-TIN1 or+1 614 228-3800, Fax: +1 614 228-8820.

Contact

WIFI Access

  • Stauf's:, Grandview Village [17] Possibly the best coffee place in Columbus.
  • The Coffee Table, North High Street, near Goodale Park in the Short North. (Editorial from another person: I live in the Short North, and the Coffee Table's wireless access amounts to finding an unsecured wireless network nearby from tenants in the vicinity. Not a great option.)
  • The Waiting Room, North High Street, near 1st ave.
  • Cup O' Joe, Several locations throughout the city including North High Street, German Village, Bexley, , and Olentangy River Road.
  • The ShiSha Loungue, 2367 N. High St, Cafe, hookah bar, live music, DJs
  • Panera, the nation's largest free WiFi provider, has many locations in malls, on High Street, and in the suburbs.
  • Scotty McBean's, two locations in Beechwold and Worthington on High Street.
  • The Ohio State University, Not a cafe, but grab a coffee and plant yourself anywhere near the science buildings, especially Smith. Scientists don't like closed networks, so they are ususally open. (Editorial from another person: Being an employee at OSU in a department in the same college as Physics, the Smith building, I seriously, seriously, seriously doubt this claim. There is no way you can just hop onto a wireless network at OSU)
  • Arena District, [18] Anywhere in the green spaces of the Arena District.


Get out

  • Once you get outside the Columbus city limits, you see a lot of corn and livestock (in fact you can still see some within the city limits)! As stated earlier, there are five other larger cities within a 2 to 3 hour drive.
  • Deer Creek State Park and Resort & Conference Center, 3,100 acres of nature within a 45 minute drive from downtown, 22300 State Park Rd. No. 20, Mt. Sterling, Phone: +1 877 678-3777 or +1 740 869-2020, Fax: +1 740 869-4059.
  • Wayne National Forest is a 45 minute drive to the southeast.


Retrieved from "http://wikitravel.org/en/User:Sapphire/Sandbox/Places/Columbus"
other sites