Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Columbus University Area - OSU

Sprawling and low density...

by ColumbusGuy

Sprawling and low density Columbus is definitely a car city. Happily, parking is relatively cheap and available (one of Columbus's major industries seems to be parking...) The worst traffic occurs during rush hour on the north side of town. Several construction projects are underway right now, the most noted being the re-construciton of the very useful I-670 connector between I-71 and 315, so going east to west, just north of downtown, is a bit more involved than it used to be. For those wanting to cross the north side of downtown, I'd take 5th ave. For those going east to west across the south side, Broad Stree, Main Street, and I-70 are all fine targets A site for Columbus Traffic Info The COTA bus sytem is useful for those who commute into downtown and abandon the heart of the city at 5:00, but, for the rest of us, it is a time-consuming mess. One execption,: if one lives or is staying within walking distance of High Street, bus transport is a good way to get a feel for a few of the more interesting parts of the city- the Short North, German Village and OSU. Take the Number 2 as far as it will go in either direction to get your bearings.
Due in part to the political efforts of Ohio Governor Bob Taft- (R), an avid bicyclist, Columbus is currently in the process of building a large system of bike trails, which, while fairly useless as commuter routes, nonetheless are worthwhile for the recreational rider. The most established is the Olentangy bikeway which runs from south of downtown (berliner park), all the way up to I-270 along the Olentangy river- with a few well-marked interruptions on minor side streets. The best part of the path runs north from the Whetstone Park of Roses, through a long series of tree-filled parks and riverside views. Antrim park with its half mile long resivior, is a popular spot for joggers and dog walkers. North of route 161, the path winds through the parks along back yards of residential Worthington. At the very northern end is a newly constructed skateboard Park.
A new north-south path, from Bexley's Jeffrey park, on up to Easton Shopping center, is currently under construction, and is due to be finished around 2005. The 'Heritage Trail' is another 'rail trail' that runs northeastward from Hilliard for 8 miles into farmlands. A ride down this path is a good way to get a look at what Ohio farms look like.

The Happy Greek

by lashr1999 about The Happy Greek

The interior of the Happy Greek sports imitation marble columns and murals of places such as the Parthenon. The happy Greek serves traditional fare such as Greek salad, zucchini chicken kabobs, hummus, falafel balls, and grape leaves. Drink some Greek beer or some ouzo with your meal. I ate the Grape leave meal and was quite satisfied with it and the service was good as well.

The Short North Gallery Hop

by ColumbusGuy

The first Saturday of every month, the shops, restaurants and gallerys of the Short North District stay open late, and the comopolitan masses congregate along the street and strut their stuff, nibble on free hors d'ouvres, and check out the new artwork at places like the Riley Hawk or Roy-G-Biv galleries. A hodge-podge of Musicians and other performers shill for tips.

Christopher Columbus Statue on Statehouse Grounds

by atufft

The bronze Christopher Columbus statue located near the southwest corner of the Ohio Statehouse, is the lessor of two significant such statues in town, and was not originally commissioned for by the state. Rather, the statue was constructed by W.H. Mullins company of Salem, Ohio, for the grounds of a Catholic Seminary founded by Monsignor Joseph Jessings. In 1932, the seminary moved to larger location on the north side of the city, and the statue, made of hammered copper plates riveted together, was donated to the state. In 1992, with a great ceremony that was attended by the most important state officials and dignitaries from Genoa, Italy, and from the Catholic Church, the statue was rededicated on the current base that includes a fountain. The statue emphasizes the introspective, intellectual, and discoverer part of the Christoper Columbus persona.

Go Bucks!

by Kahina

"Buckeyes"

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State. Our State university football team is called "The Buckeyes" and they recently became the number 1 team. They are going to the Fiesta Bowl in January.

This is what the buckeye looks like as it's growing on the tree, before it pops out of its shell and drops to the ground.

"Candy"

As far as I know, the nut itself is not edible. However, we make a popular candy called a buckeye which is a ball of peanut butter dipped in chocolate to resemble the famous nut. Is this picture, you see they have surrounded a football cake with buckeye candies.