Columbus/Downtown

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Downtown [1] is a district of Columbus, Ohio that includes the Arena district and Short North.

Downtown
Downtown

[edit] Get in

[edit] 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.

[edit] By bus

  • Greyhound Station, 111 East Town St, +1 614 228-2266, [2]. Hours: 24 hours a day.
  • Megabus, +1 877 462-6342, [3]. 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.

[edit] By plane

  • Port Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH), 4600 International Gateway, ☎ +1 614 239-4083, [4]. 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. edit
  • Skybus [5] is a low-cost airline that flies non-stop out of Columbus to many cities across the US. They offer 10 seats for $10 (one-way) on every flight. If you use any service beyond your seat and carry-on luggage, you must pay for it in addition to the ticket price ($5 per checked-in bag, $2 per soda/juice, etc.).

[edit] Get Around

[edit] 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".

[edit] By bus

The COTA bus service [6], 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Ohio Statehouse, Address, ☎ +1-(614)-221-4848, [7]. Admission: Free tours for individuals.  edit

  • COSI, 333 West Broad Street, ☎ +1-(614)-228-COSI, [8]. Monday : Closed, Tuesday-Sunday : 10-17:30, Thursdays : 10-20:30. Closed on major holidays.. COSI is an amazing museums, where kids will want to stay forever because of the cool and interactive science and technology exhibits. Admission: 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..  edit

Discovery Park
Discovery Park
  • Santa Maria (At the corner of Marconi & West Broad Street, at Batelle Riverfront Park.), ☎ +1-(614)-645-0351 (), [10]. Santa Maria is a full sized replica of Christopher Columbus' flagship. Adults: $3.50, Senior Citizens: $3.00, Children (5-17): $2.00.  edit
  • Goodale Park, just north of I-670, west of High St, [13]. Great for kids. Home to Comfest every June. Jazz in the park on Sundays in the summer.
  • North Market, 59 Spruce St, [14]. 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.
  • Doo Dah Parade, [15].  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Arena Grand Theatre, 175 West Nationwide Blvd. (Arena District), ☎ +1-(614)-470-9900, [16]. Check out the latest movies at this theatre.  edit
  • Columbus Symphony Orchestra, 55 East State Street (Ohio Theatre), ☎ +1-(614)-228-8600 (fax: +1-(614)-224-7273), [17]. Box office hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 08:00 - 18, Friday: 08:00 - 17, Concert weekends: 10:00 - 14:00.  edit
  • BalletMet Columbus (Ohio Theatre), ☎ +1-(614)-229-4848, [18].  edit
  • Columbus Blue Jackets (Arena District, Nationwide Arena), [19].  edit
  • Columbus Destroyers (Arena District, Nationwide Arena), [20]. Arena Football  edit
Cirque Du Soleil
Cirque Du Soleil
  • Franklin County Veterans Memorial Auditorium 300 W. Broad St. +1 614 221-4341 [21]
  • Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, 405 Neil Avenue (Arena District, Adjacent to the Nationwide Arena), ☎ +1-(614)-461-5483 (fax: +1-(614)-461-0297), [22]. Popular concert venue that draws national acts.  edit
  • The Ohio Theatre 55 East State St. +1 614 469-1045. [23] The state’s busiest performing arts facility.
  • Palace Theatre [24] 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. [25] 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.

[edit][add listing] 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.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

  • Benevolence Cafe, 41 West Swan St. Short North. Between the Greek Orthodox Cathedral and the North Market. +1 614 221-9330. [26]. Vegetarian/Vegan. All natural, made from scratch ... Earth Friendly.
  • Betty's Food & Spirits, 680 N. High St., Short North, +1 614 228-6191. [27] 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, [28]. 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. [29] 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.

[edit] Mid-Range

  • Flatiron Bar and Diner -- 129 E. Nationwide Blvd. +1 614 461-0033. [32] 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.
  • Martini Italian Bistro, 445 North High Street, ☎ +1-(614)-224-8259 (fax: +1-(614)-224-8780), [33].  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Confluence Park. 679 W. Spring St., +1 614 469-0000. [34] Reservations suggested. American cuisine, steaks, seafood. Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday. Children's menu; patio smoking; cocktails. Entrees: $16.95-$42.95. Great view of Columbus. Fine dining.
  • Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse 569 North High St. +1 614 224-2204 [35] Fine Aged Steaks and Chops, Fresh Seafood and Creative Chef Specialties.
  • L'Antibes is an intimate French restaurant with a great menu and great service. 772 North High, Short North. [http://www.lantibes.com/index.shtml
  • RJ Snappers 700 N. High St., Short North. +1 614 280-1070. [36] Reservations suggested. Seafood, sake-marinated Chilean sea bass, king crab legs. Dinner: daily. Children's menu; cocktails. Entrees: $14-$35.
  • 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.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Bodega Cafe, 1044 N. High Street, ☎ 614-299-9399. 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. edit
  • Bristol Bar, 132 East 5th Avenue, ☎ +1-(614)-291-0552, [37].  edit
  • Sugar Bar, 525 North Park Street, ☎ +1-(614)-224-7840, [38]. Thurs - Sat 21 - 2:30.  edit
  • High Five Bar and Grill, 1227 North High Street, ☎ +1-(614)-421-2998, [40]. Daily 17 - 2:30.  edit
  • Starbucks, 339 North Front Street (Arena District), ☎ +1-(614)-246-6400, [41].  edit
  • Wall St. Nightclub, 144 North Wall Street, ☎ +1-(614)-464-2800 (), [42]. 19+ are welcomed at the club with proper ID, but on the first Friday of each month everyone must be 21+.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • Comfort Suites, 1690 Clara St I-71, Exit 111. +1 614 586-1001. Fax: +1 614 586-1002.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Splurge

  • The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel, 50 North 3rd Street, +1 614 228-5050, Fax: +1 614 228-2525, [43].
  • 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.
Downtown North of Broad
Downtown North of Broad
  • Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 North High Street, ☎ +1-(614)-463-1234 (fax: +1-(614)-280-3034), [44].  edit
  • The Lofts Hotel, 55 East Nationwide Blvd, ☎ +1-(614)-461-2663 (, fax: +1-(614)-461-2630), [45]. 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.  edit
  • Crowne Plaza, 33 East Nationwide Blvd, ☎ +1-(614)-461-4100 (fax: +1-(614)-461-5828), [46].  edit
  • Arena District Hyatt Regency, 350 North High St., +1 800 233-1234 or +1 614 463-1234, Fax: +1 614 280-3040.
  • Westin Great Southern, 310 S. High St., +1 800 WES-TIN1 or +1 614 228-3800, Fax: +1 614 228-8820. Very nice place!

[edit] Bed & Breakfast

[edit] Cope

[edit] Religion

  • The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 North High Street (Border between Arena District and Shorth North district), ☎ +1-(614)-224-9020 (, fax: +1-(614)-224-5032), [48]. Greek Orthodox services.  edit
  • Broad Street United Methodist Church, 501 East Broad Street, ☎ +1-(614)-221-4571 (, fax: +1-(614)-221-7917), [49]. United Methodist services.  edit

[edit] Contact

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