'''Downtown''' [http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/] is a district of Columbus, Ohio that includes the Arena district and Short North.
Get in
By car
Downtown Columbus is intersected by High St. (SR 23), running N/S and Broad St., running E/W. Broad St., can be accessed from I-71 downtown.
By bus
'''Greyhound Station''', 111 East Town St, +1 614 228-2266, [http://greyhound.com/home.asp]. Hours: 24 hours a day.
'''Megabus''', +1 877 462-6342, [http://www.megabus.com]. Service to Columbus from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Chicago. Fares start at $1. Buses arrive and depart downtown Columbus at the COTA Express Transit Terminal, located at West Spring Street and North Wall Street. Buses also serve Ohio State University from a stop at the north side of the Neil Drive loop next to the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. Neil Drive is located northwest of Neil Avenue and West 12th Avenue.
By plane
<see name = "Port Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH)" address = "4600 International Gateway" directions = "" phone = "+1 614 239-4083" email= "" fax = "" url = "http:\\www.port-columbus.com\home.asp" hours = ". 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 is only 10 minutes and will cost approximately $25. Depending on your schedule and where you are connecting to, it may be worthwhile to check flights to Dayton as well, as they are often cheaper.
Get Around
By car
Downtown Columbus is intersected by High St. (SR 23), running N/S and Broad St., running E/W. Broad St., can be accessed from I-71 downtown. Roads are well maintained and traffic is usually not too bad except during "rush hours" when people are going to or leaving work. Rush hour can be avoided in your tavern of choice where they offer "happy hour" as an alternative to "road rage".
By bus
The COTA bus service [http://cota.com], 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 $2.00 for an express bus and $1.50 for a normal bus. Transfers are free; ask for one from the bus driver when you pay your fare.
By foot
Walking downtown Columbus should be considered safe before mid-night, it is mostly flat, with wide well maintained sidewalks. Bus stops are at regular intervals where you may encounter some homeless in the mix, who may approach you for money or maybe smokes. Usually they present no problem and should be ignored.
See
<see name = "Ohio Statehouse" address = "Address" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-221-4848" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.statehouse.state.oh.us/" hours = ". dmission: Free tours for individuals.
<see name = "COSI" address = "333 West Broad Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-228-COSI" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.cosi.org" hours = "Monday : Closed, Tuesday-Sunday : 10-17:30, Thursdays : 10-20:30. Closed on major holidays.. dmission: Members: Free, Adults: $6, Seniors & Students: $4, Children 5 and under: Free, Admission is free on Sundays. Additional admission fees may be required for special exhibitions.. COSI is an amazing museum, where kids will want to stay forever because of the cool and interactive science and technology exhibits.
<see name = "Columbus Museum of Art" address = "480 East Broad Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-" email= "info@columbusmuseum.org" fax = "" url restaurant.= "http://www.columbusmuseum.org/" hours = ". Free on Sundays. Has a good restaurant.
<see name = "Santa Maria" address = "" directions = "At the corner of Marconi & West Broad Street, at Batelle Riverfront Park." phone = "+1-(614)-645-0351" email= "info@santamaria.org" fax = "" url = "http://www.santamaria.org" hours = ". dults: $3.50, Senior Citizens: $3.00, Children (5-17): $2.00. Santa Maria is a full sized replica of Christopher Columbus' flagship.
<see name = "Studios on High Gallery" address = "686 North High Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(513)-461.6487" email= "info@studiosonhigh.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.studiosonhigh.com/" hours = "Mon-Sat.: Noon - 18, Sun.: 13:00 - 18.
<see name = "pm gallery" address = "726 North High Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(513)-299-0860" email= "maria@pmgallery.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.pmgallery.com" hours = ".
'''Goodale Park''', just north of I-670, west of High St, [http://www.comfest.com]. Great for kids. Home to '''Comfest''' every June. Jazz in the park on Sundays in the summer.
'''North Market''', 59 Spruce St, [http://www.northmarket.com/]. one block north of Nationwide Arena one block west of Greater Columbus Convention Center. 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. Inside dining 2nd floor as well as outside tables. Great food choices at reasonable cost.
<do name = "Doo Dah Parade" address = "" directions = "" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.doodahparade.com/" hours = ".
Do
<do name = "Arena Grand Theatre" address = "175 West Nationwide Blvd." directions = "Arena District" phone = "+1-(614)-470-9900" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.arenagrand.com/" hours = ". Check out the latest movies at this theatre.
<do name = "Columbus Symphony Orchestra" address = "55 East State Street" directions = "Ohio Theatre" phone = "+1-(614)-228-8600" email= "" fax = "+1-(614)-224-7273" url = "http://www.columbussymphony.com/" hours = "Box office hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 08:00 - 18, Friday: 08:00 - 17, Concert weekends: 10:00 - 14:00.
<do name = "BalletMet Columbus" address = "" directions = "Ohio Theatre" phone = "+1-(614)-229-4848" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.balletmet.org/" hours = ".
<do name = "Columbus Blue Jackets" address = "" directions = "Arena District, Nationwide Arena" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.bluejackets.com" hours = ".
<do name = "Columbus Destroyers" address = "" directions = "Arena District, Nationwide Arena" phone = "" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.columbusdestroyers.com" hours = ". Arena Football thumb|Cirque Du Soleil
'''Franklin County Veterans Memorial Auditorium''' 300 W. Broad St. +1 614 221-4341 [http://www.fcvm.com/home.htm]
<do name = "Lifestyle Communities Pavilion" address = "405 Neil Avenue" directions = "Arena District, Adjacent to the Nationwide Arena" phone = "+1-(614)-461-5483" email= "" fax = "+1-(614)-461-0297" url = "http://www.promowestlive.com" hours = ". Popular concert venue that draws national acts.
'''The Ohio Theatre''' 55 East State St. +1 614 469-1045. [http://www.capa.com/columbus/venues/ohio_about.php] The state_fs busiest performing arts facility.
'''Palace Theatre''' [http://www.capa.com/columbus/venues/palace_about.php] is located at the base of the LeVeque Tower on Broad St., the theatre rarely has a dark night..
'''Greater Columbus Convention Center''', 400 North High St. +1 614 827-2500. [http://www.columbusconventions.com/home_nf.asp] Attached to Hyatt Regency. Parking for Convention Center is adjacent to Hyatt. Food Court and shopping. More shopping and restaurants across High Street. Most amenities for convention visitors are to the North on High Street.
Buy
Not that there is no place to shop in Downtown Columbus, but places like the City Center are scheduled to close and most consumer items and general merchandise are better sought out at the numerous shopping malls that are off of 1-270. The downtown today is dedicated to office space, government, banking and a somewhat limited retail and restaurant offerings. Many of the previous retail buildings are being converted to condominium offerings. AKA gentrification.
Eat
Budget
'''Benevolence Cafe''', 41 West Swan St. Short North. Between the Greek Orthodox Cathedral and the North Market. +1 614 221-9330. [http://www.benevolencecafe.com/]. Vegetarian/Vegan. All natural, made from scratch ... Earth Friendly.
'''Betty's Food & Spirits''', 680 N. High St., Short North, +1 614 228-6191. [http://www.bettysfoodandspirits.com] No reservations. American eclectic cuisine, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, tortilla-encrusted salmon. Lunch and dinner: daily. No children's menu; cocktails. Entrees: $7-$14. No wheelchair access.
'''North Market''', 59 Spruce St, [http://www.northmarket.com/]. one block north of Nationwide Arena one block west of Greater Columbus Convention Center. 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. Inside dining 2nd floor as well as outside tables. Great food choices at reasonable cost. Caution, if parking in their lot, make sure you get parking ticket stamped by merchant or pay $10.00 surcharge to get out of parking lot.
'''Spaghetti Warehouse''' 397 W. Broad St., Downtown. +1 614 464-0143. [http://www.meatballs.com] Italian cuisine, homemade Italian specialties, spaghetti, lasagna, soups, salads. Lunch and dinner: daily. Children's menu. Cocktails. Entrees: $4.99-$14.99.
'''Tommy's Diner''' 914 W. Broad St. +1 614-224-2422. Home-style and Greek cuisines, pot roast, chicken and dumplings, roast turkey and dressing. Breakfast and lunch: daily. No children's menu; no alcohol. Entrees: $2.75-$7.95. A bit hard to find, but well worth the effort.
Mid-Range
<eat name = "Basi Italia" address = "811 Highland Avenue" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-294-7383" email= "trishandjohn@basi-italia.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.basi-italia.com/" hours = ".
<see name = "Columbus Museum of Art" address = "480 East Broad Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-" email= "info@columbusmuseum.org" fax = "" url restaurant.= "http://www.columbusmuseum.org/" hours = ". Free on Sundays. Has a good restaurant.
'''Flatiron Bar and Diner''' -- 129 E. Nationwide Blvd. +1 614 461-0033. [http://www.flatironcolumbus.com] No reservations. Cajun and Creole cuisines, gumbo, pulled pork. Lunch: Monday-Friday; dinner: Monday-Saturday. No children's menu; patio smoking; cocktails. Entrees: $10-$24.
<eat name = "Martini Italian Bistro" address = "445 North High Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-224-8259" email= "" fax = "+1-(614)-224-8780" url = "http://www.martini-italian-bistro.com/" hours = ".
Splurge
Confluence Park. 79 West Spring Street. 1-(614)-469-0000. ttp://www.confluenceparkrestaurant.com. 16.95-$42.95. American cuisine, steaks, seafood.
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse. 69 North High Street. 1-(614)-224-2204. ttp://www.hydeparkrestaurants.com. Fine Aged Steaks and Chops, Fresh Seafood and Creative Chef Specialties.
RJ Snappers. 00 North High Street. hort North. 1-(614)-280-1070. jsnappers.700@rrohio.com. 1-(614)-280-1090. ttp://www.rjsnappersrestaurant.com. 14-$35. Seafood, sake-marinated Chilean sea bass, king crab legs. Dinner: daily. Children's menu; cocktails. Reservations suggested.
L'Antibes. 72 North High Street. hort North. 1-(614)-291-1666. hef@lantibes.com. ttp://www.lantibes.com. u.-Th.: 5PM - 9PM. F.-Sa.: 5PM - 10PM. Su.: 11AM - 3PM. L'Antibes is an intimate French restaurant with a great menu and great service.
'''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.
<!--
.
.
-->
Drink
Bodega Cafe. 044 N. High Street. 14-299-9399. Located in the Short North district, they have 50 beers on draft with a killer happy hour (4-8pm weekdays) which is half off all their beers on tap.
<drink name = "Bristol Bar" address = "132 East 5th Avenue" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-291-0552" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://bristolbar.com/" hours = ".
<drink name = "Sugar Bar" address = "525 North Park Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-224-7840" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.sugar-bar.net/" hours = "Thurs - Sat 21 - 2:30.
<drink name = "St. James Tavern" address = "1057 Nort 4th Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-294-0064" email= "info@stjamestavern.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.stjamestavern.com/" hours = "M-F 16 - 2:30, Sat-Sun 19 - 2:30.
<drink name = "High Five Bar and Grill" address = "1227 North High Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-421-2998" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.highfivebar.com/" hours = "Daily 17 - 2:30.
<drink name = "Starbucks" address = "339 North Front Street" directions = "Arena District" phone = "+1-(614)-246-6400" email= "" fax = "" url = "http://www.starbucks.com/" hours = ".
<drink name = "Wall St. Nightclub" address = "144 North Wall Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-464-2800" email= "WSNiteClub@aol.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.wallstreetnightclub.com/" hours = ". 19+ are welcomed at the club with proper ID, but on the first Friday of each month everyone must be 21+.
Sleep
Budget
'''Comfort Suites''', 1690 Clara St I-71, Exit 111. +1 614 586-1001. Fax: +1 614 586-1002.
Mid-range
'''Clarion Hotel & Suites Conference Center Columbus''', 900 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Phone: (614) 888-7440. Fax: (614) 888-7879. An upscale hotel providing affordable accommodations to both leisure and business travelers visiting Columbus - conveniently situated near Historic Worthington and downtown Columbus. Secure Online Reservations.
Splurge
The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel. 0 North 3rd Street. 1-(614)-228-5050. 1-(614)-228-2525. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CMHBR. PM. oon" long= tags=". A comfortable hotel in the downtown area. Rooms are spacious and the beds are very comfortable. The hotel has an outside pool that is despite being heated open seasonally.
'''Hyatt Capitol Square''', 75 E. State St., Phone: ''+1 800'' 233-1234 or ''+1 614'' 228-1234, Fax: ''+1 614'' 469-9664, across fromt the state capitol building.
<see name = "Hyatt Regency Columbus" address = "350 North High Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-463-1234" email= "" fax = "+1-(614)-280-3034" url = "http://www.shortnorth.org/exit.php?id=0563" hours= ".
<see name = "The Lofts Hotel" address = "55 East Nationwide Blvd" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-461-2663" email= "contact@55lofts.com" fax = "+1-(614)-461-2630" url = "http://www.55lofts.com/" hours = ". The Lofts is a renovated urban apartment building tuned exclusive hotel. Beware that anyone under 21 cannot stay at the hotel or the sister Crowne Plaza hotel with out an accompanying 21+ year old adult.
<see name = "Crowne Plaza" address = "33 East Nationwide Blvd" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-461-4100" email= "" fax = "+1-(614)-461-5828" url = "http://www.ichotelsgroup.com" hours = ".
Arena District Hyatt Regency. 50 North High Street. 1-(614)-463-1234. 1-800-233-1234. ttp://columbusregency.hyatt.com. 1-(614)-280-3040" long= tags=".
The Westin Columbus. 10 South High Street. 1-(614)-228-3800. 1-800-937-8461. info@westincolumbus.com. 1-(614)-228-8820. ttp://www.westincolumbus.com. PM. oon" long= tags=".
<!--
" long= tags=".
" long= tags=".
" long= tags=".
-->
Bed & Breakfast
<see name = "50 Lincoln Bed & Breakfast" address = "50 East Lincoln Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-299-5050" email= "50-lincoln@excite.com" fax = "" url = "http://columbus-bed-breakfast.com/50lincoln/index.htm" hours = ".
Cope
Religion
<see name = "The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral" address = "555 North High Street" directions = "Border between Arena District and Shorth North district" phone = "+1-(614)-224-9020" email= "generalinfo@greekcathedral.com" fax = "+1-(614)-224-5032" url = "http://www.greekcathedral.com/" hours = ". Greek Orthodox services.
<see name = "Broad Street United Methodist Church" address = "501 East Broad Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-221-4571" email= "info@broadstreetumc.net" fax = "+1-(614)-221-7917" url = "http://www.broadstreetumc.net" hours = ". United Methodist services.
<see name = "St. Joseph Cathedral" address = "212 East Broad Street" directions = "" phone = "+1-(614)-224-1295" email= "cathedral@columbus.rr.com" fax = "" url = "http://www.saintjosephcathedral.org" hours = ". Roman Catholic services.
Contact