Columbus/Downtown

Downtown Columbus is primarily dominated by a few distinct neighborhoods, all of which are connected by High Street.

• DowntownDowntown proper is the core of Columbus. The Ohio Statehouse lies in the center, surrounded by offices and cultural amenities, as well as other major public institutions.

• The Arena DistrictThe arena district is dotted with major sports and entertainment venues.

• The Short NorthA trendy neighborhood just south of the University district, and just north of the Arena District. The streets are marked with arches and nightlife hotspots. The short north also contains the historic Italian Village neighborhood.

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

  phone: +1 614 228-2266
  address: 111 E Town St

By plane

• John Glenn Columbus International Airport

  phone: +1 614 239-4083
  address: 4600 International Gateway
  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.

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".

• Columbus Commons GarageOne of the largest parking garages in Downtown Columbus. It's located a block from the Statehouse, and is usually a good option if an event has exhausted other parking options. Adjacent to Greyhound and COTA bus terminals.

By bus

• COTAThe 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.

By Bike

Downtown Columbus is fairly bike able

• COGOA docked bike sharing program in Columbus.

  .

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.

Architecture

• Ohio Statehouse

  phone: +1 614-752-9777
  address: 1 Capitol Sq
  This is the Ohio Capitol building, built before the Civil War. It still houses the state legislature, and is surrounded by a large green with various monuments.

• Scioto Mile

  address: Civic Center Dr and W. Rich St.

Museums

• COSI

  phone: +1 614 228 COSI
  address: 333 W Broad St
  COSI is an expansive museum with cool and interactive science and technology exhibits. Has a theater and planetarium.

• Columbus Museum of Art

  address: 480 E Broad St
  Hosts a number of galleries and changing exhibits. Has a good restaurant.

• Santa Maria

  phone: +1 614 645 0351
  Santa Maria is a full sized replica of Christopher Columbus' flagship.

• Central Ohio Fire Museum & Learning Center

  phone: +1 614 464-4099
  address: 260 North Fourth Street
  The Central Ohio Fire Museum is in an old restored engine house built in 1908 (N°16 Engine House). They display a collection of hand-drawn, horse-drawn, steam pump, and motorized fire pumps, ladders, and hooks. It proposes also a fire safety education for any age.

• National Veterans Memorial and Museum

  address: 300 W Broad St
  A national museum dedicated to the experiences of American military veterans. Has artifacts related to daily military life, such as rucksacks, letters, and rations. Video screens display recorded stories given by veterans. Offers a recording booth for veterans or their families to share their stories with the museum. The outdoor section includes a garden for peaceful reflection.

• Kelton House Museum and Garden

  phone: +1 614-464-2022
  address: 586 East Town St

Artwork

• Studios on High Gallery

  phone: +1 614 461 6487
  address: 686 North High Street

• pm gallery

  phone: +1 614-299-0860
  address: 1190 N High St
  North American fine crafts and art. Most of the fine art is locally produced, the fine craft is made by artists from across the country and Canada. You can find blown glass, hand thrown pottery, paintings, etchings, photography and jewelry.

Arts

• Lifestyle Communities Pavilion

  phone: +1 614 461-5483
  address: 405 Neil Ave
  Popular concert venue that draws national acts, this venue has both an indoor music hall and an outdoor amphitheater.

• The Ohio Theatre

  phone: +1 614 469-1045
  address: 55 E State St
  The state’s busiest performing arts facility. The theater was built in the 1920s, and is very ornate.

• Columbus Symphony Orchestra

  phone: +1 614 228-8600
  address: 55 East State Street

• BalletMet Columbus

  phone: +1 614 229-4848

Palace TheatreIt's at the base of the LeVeque Tower on Broad St.; the theatre rarely has a dark night.

Cultural Arts Center

phone: +1 614 645-7047

address: 139 W Main St

Hosts art galleries, events, and classes. The building itself was built in the civil war as an armory.

Sports

• Columbus Blue JacketsThe Ice Hockey team of Columbus. A civil war era cannon is fired if the Blue Jackets win.

• Columbus ClippersThe minor league baseball team of Columbus, and Cleveland Indians affiliate.

Events

• Greater Columbus Convention Center

  phone: +1 614 827-2500
  address: 400 N High St
  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.

• Columbus CommonsLarge outdoor events venue and public space. Concerts and other gatherings are often held here. Functions as a open green space when there are no ongoing events.

• OhayoconOne of the largest anime conventions in Ohio.

• MatsuriconAnother large annual anime convention.

• ComFestAnnual arts and music convention, with a distinct hippie vibe.

• Doo Dah ParadeA costume parade that occurs on the 4th of July.

Parks and activities

• Idea Foundry

  phone: +1 614-653-8068
  address: 421 W. State St
  One of the largest makerspaces in the state.

• Goodale Park

  address: 120 W Goodale St
  Hosts Jazz in the park on Sundays in the summer.

Because Downtown Columbus is much more dense then the rest of the city, the strip malls and shopping malls that are common in Columbus begin to drop off as you get closer to the city core. Most shops in Downtown Columbus are boutiques and niche shops focusing on specific needs.

• Franklinton Cycle Works

  phone: +1 614-228-1852
  address: 897 West Broad St
  A nonprofit bike shop that specializes in bicycle repair and servicing.

Budget

• North Market

  address: 59 Spruce St
  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 surcharge to get out of parking lot.

• Spaghetti Warehouse

  phone: +1 614 464-0143
  address: 397 W. Broad St
  Downtown. 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

  phone: +1 614 224-2422
  address: 914 W Broad St
  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.

• Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace

  phone: +1 614 824-4673
  address: 248 S 4th St
  A hot dog restaurant with a full bar. Has over several dozen hot dog toppings.

Mid-range

• Basi Italia

  address: 811 Highland Avenue

• Flatiron Bar and Diner

  phone: +1 614 461-0033
  address: 129 E Nationwide Blvd
  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 Modern Italian

  phone: +1 614 224-8259
  address: 445 North High Street

• North Star Cafe - Short North

  phone: +1 614 298-9999
  address: 951 N High St
  Has a number of vegetarian friendly items. The are known for their beet and bean veggie burger, Asian fusion burritos, their own house sodas, and bowls.

Splurge

• Confluence Park

  phone: +1 614 469-0000
  address: 679 W Spring St
  Built directly at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Stunning views of the rivers and skyline. American cuisine, steaks, seafood.

• Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

  phone: +1 614 224-2204
  address: 569 North High Street
  Fine aged steaks and chops, fresh seafood and creative chef specialties.

• Bodega Cafe

  phone: +1 614 299-9399
  address: 1044 N High Street
  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.

• St. James Tavern

  phone: +1 614 294-0064
  address: 1057 N 4th St

• Little Palace

  phone: +1 614 460-8888
  address: 240 South 4th Street
  This 1960s style bar and restaurant has a large selection of locally produced spirits.

• Land Grant Brewing Company

  address: 424 W Town Street
  A brewery with a taproom. Free tours available on Saturdays at 3AM

Budget

• Comfort Suites

  phone: +1 614 586-1001

Mid-range

• Residence Inn Columbus Downtown

  phone: +1 614 222-2610
  address: 36 E. Gay Street
  A restored historic all-suite hotel. Guestrooms include kitchens. Free breakfast, Free Wi-Fi.

• Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Downtown

  phone: +1 614 228-3200
  address: 35 West Spring Street
  A comfortable downtown Columbus hotel in walking distance to Nationwide Arena District. Free Wi-Fi.

• Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center

Splurge

• The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel

  phone: +1 614 228-5050
  address: 50 North 3rd Street
  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.

• Sheraton Capitol Square

  phone: +1 614 365-4500
  address: 75 E. State St
  across fromt the state capitol building.

• The Lofts Hotel

  phone: +1 614 461-2663
  address: 55 East Nationwide Blvd
  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.

• Crowne Plaza

  phone: +1 614 461-4100
  address: 33 East Nationwide Blvd

• Arena District Hyatt Regency

  phone: +1 614 463-1234
  address: 350 North High Street

• The Westin Columbus

  phone: +1 614 228-3800
  address: 310 South High Street

• Hilton Columbus Downtown

Bed & Breakfast

• 50 Lincoln Bed & Breakfast

  address: 50 East Lincoln Street

Religion

• The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral

  phone: +1 614 224-9020
  address: 555 North High Street
  Greek Orthodox services.

• Broad Street United Methodist Church

  phone: +1 614 221-4571
  address: 501 East Broad Street
  United Methodist services.

• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Columbus

  phone: +1 614 224-8434
  address: 457 E Broad St
  Christian Science services.

• St. Joseph Cathedral

  phone: +1 614 224-1295
  address: 212 E Broad St
  Roman Catholic services.

• Columbus Metropolitan Library

  phone: +1 614 645-2275
  address: 96 S. Grant Ave
  Offers public computers and free WiFi