Columbus Travel Guide

  FANS WALKING ACROSS CAMPUS
by Rich62
 
  • FANS WALKING ACROSS CAMPUS
      FANS WALKING ACROSS CAMPUS
    by Rich62
  • THE SIGN
      THE SIGN
    by Rich62
  • How about a snowball fight?
      How about a snowball fight?
    by Iluv2surf2
  • OHIO STATE
      OHIO STATE
    by Rich62
  • Honor Flight
      Honor Flight
    by Iluv2surf2
 

Pro

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  State Capital, Music & Art, Architecture, Great Food 


Con

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  Get a car, cant depend on the public transport! 


In a nutshell

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  Most Important Stop Along Ohio's I-70 Corridor 

 

Explore Columbus

Things to Do  

Thursdays at the Museum...

Thursdays at the Museum..., Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  I was a bit cynical about the Columbus Museum of Art. It appeared to be a very small museum relative to others I have been to (like the famous one in Cleveland).I went on Thursdays when the CMA stays open late. There was an interactive show upon entering that looked a bit... 

Down by the Riverside...

Down by the Riverside..., Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  The Scioto Mile is an appealing and attractive new addition to the Downtown. It provides a continuations of Bicentennial Park North along the Scioto River. I entered just off of South Front Street.The project has a bit of a Northern European flavor about it- especially... 

Head North to the Market

Head North to the Market, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  The North Market is a very bustling place for locals and visitors alike. There is an appealing range of specialty foods available (pricey, however). Some outdoor seating is available as well as an entire upstairs that reminds me a bit of a grain elevator where one may sit,... 

First the Union then the Library

First the Union then the Library, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  The most useful first stop on the OSU campus is the Ohio Union which is very impressive in size and scope of services offered. Plenty of free info and assistance is available to students and visitors, alike. tickets to assorted events can be purchased here.If you leave thru... 

German Village trek

German Village trek, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  The German Village historic district is a remarkable area. Most of these wonderful houses were saved by concerned citizens who took preservation matters into their own hands. I know of no comparable place like it in my travels. Walk, stroll and patronage the blocked streets... 

Hotels  

Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center

 1 Review and 86 Opinions  Easy check-in, excellent parking facilities. Great, hot breakfast included on weekends. Right in the... 

Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Easton

 1 Review and 47 Opinions  I try to stay at this Courtyard whenever I have to come to Columbus for business. The hotel itself... 

Restaurants  

Third & Hollywood: Hollywood Noir

Third & Hollywood: Hollywood Noir, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  I visited the few blocks of bustling Grandview Heights and decided to find a place for a drink. This was the most glamorous restaurant of the entire trip. Perfect for dating couples, married couples and soon-to-be-separated couples! Everyone looks good in a place like this... 

German Village Coffee Shop: A great view from the hotseat

German Village Coffee Shop: A great view from the hotseat, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  So good that I went back a second time (and the waitress even remembered me) even though I sat close to the grill on a 90 degree day. A gem of a neighborhood place that does the simple things very well. Especially loved the omelettes. This is the only place I've seen where... 

Nightlife  

Plank's Bier Garten: Waiting for the bus

Plank's Bier Garten: Waiting for the bus, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  I stayed nearby and only just went in for one, quick drink in advance of catching the bus on my way up to OSU. Very depressing looking place with an even more depressing clientele. Staff very perfunctory- the main action seems to be outside. Casual 

The Jury Room: And the verdict is...

The Jury Room: And the verdict is..., Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  Average! An old timer that has recently be taken over by new management. A very female-centric staff gets the basics done. I stopped-by to watch the Womens' soccer and did so but T.V did not have great reception(bartendress even less enthused). Overall, a blah... 

Transportation  

And now the "COTA" to my travel story

And now the "COTA" to my travel story, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  Now I will explain the good, bad and ugly about the COTA public bus system. The good news is the buses were very nicely air-conditioned, the drivers helpful overall and most are equipped with a automated system for telling riders what stop they are at and the next one after... 

A word about taxis...

A word about taxis..., Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  Taxis are expensive in Columbus. However, especially as the evening wears on, you may need to bite the bullet and use them. It is helpful to make friends with a driver if you are staying awhile and get their number directly since dispatchers are not overly helpful with cabs... 

To and From the Airport

To and From the Airport, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  As mention in my COTA saga, there is no direct way to go from the Airport to Downtown Columbus. Best to take a cab ($15-$20) or a super shuttle. The ride is very quick. It took less than 15 minutes from the Hyatt Regency at the Convention Center to the Airport. 

Shopping  

FedEx Office: Internet access

FedEx Office: Internet access, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  I never did find any internet cafe during my entire trip! I settled for this This FedEx Office location; it's in the heart of the Downtown and offers the usual "menu" of services. Print, copy and internet services. 

Warnings Or Dangers  

It is not as bad as you think

It is not as bad as you think, Columbus

 BLW12 Says:  I have lived in Columbus ALL MY LIFE. I have found it a decent place to live. The Short North, and around Campus is where it's very lively, and filled with people during day and night. Downtown is very much awesome to go out, walk around go to club, and restaurants. The "bad... 

south campus and beyond can be scary

south campus and  beyond can be scary, Columbus

 bethpops Says:  My son was robbed at gun point between 8th and 11th aves. and campus area especially south campus, I've heard a lot ofcrime happens there. There is a huge drug area there. Be careful especially at night. 

Don't wander and stray...

Don't wander and stray..., Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  It is a good idea not to stray too far (if any) from the Downtown, Short North and University Heights neighborhoods since crime is an issue. Best to ask a local. I did not see many police in uniform so let's hope the rest of the force is undercover and on the job. 

What to Pack  

These are the musts...

These are the musts..., Columbus

 steedappeal Says:   Rubber soled shoes- especially for walking in German Village. Must have a hat and sun screen/block during hot weather months. Not too many tall buildings to shield you from the sun! One of the best guide books to any where I have read is, fortunately, the one-and-only... 

Off The Beaten Path  

The bridge is out!

The bridge is out!, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  Have always wanted to visit the Columbus suburb of Westerville and nearby Otterbein College. After surviving almost an hour local trip on the #1 line to Westerville, I got off at the bus stop and learned that the bridge to the center of town was under repair!! Ducking into a... 

Maybe next time...?

Maybe next time...?, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  I had wanted to but couldn't figure out how, without a car, to visit the Barber Museum- which is located in Canal Winchester, Southeast of Columbus. Hopefully, you will figure a way since it sounds like a very tonsorial-centric place! 

Favorites  

Read the freebies

Read the freebies, Columbus

 steedappeal Says:  Freebie, weekly events papers are easily available from kiosks all around the city. "Alive" is the most useful and there is a really nice glossy mag "614". I also used "Columbus Cuisine" for restaurant info as well "Short North Gazette". "The Other Paper" is a very alternate... 

 
Explore Deeper into Columbus

The Place

Plan a Columbus vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Columbus locals

Experience Columbus
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Map of Columbus
 

The People

768 Members Live Here
 
Advice from the Locals
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 My Home - This is one of the BEST cities to live in if you have to live in a city. It's friendly, clean and stable. Columbus is somewhere around the 15th-17th largest city is USA. We are the home of The Ohio... 

768 members live in Columbus

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  Going to a Wedding in March and would like to know what kind of clothes and shoes to take. What is the normal weather for march?... 

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A: In the USA there are at least 8 States with a City named Columbus. Which one are you concerned about ? 

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Top Columbus Writers

1

A Walk Along High Street in the Ohio State Capitol

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 Columbus was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and in 1816 became rededicated as state capitol with a street grid plan for development. Although the sport franchise... 

2

Columbus, Ohio, More Than Just a Zoo

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 Columbus, Ohio, was a nice surprise for Jill and I because we knew so little about this city, except that it has a world-class zoo. Fortunately, it has way more than a zoo! We were impressed by all... 

3

My Stay in columbus

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 We have started headed out every evening now as the entire city is gearing up for thanksgiving and Christmas!! All the bare trees are lit up with lights, huge christmas trees are up in every mall and... 

4

Home Sweet Home

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 After a discussion on the Misc Forum I decided why not build a page for my home town. After all who knows more about it than someone who lives here. So here goes. I will be adding tips daily as fast... 

5

Columbus

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 Columbus is the capital of Ohio. It does not have many attractions that would cause a visitor to specifically come here but it does have quite a bit to do. 

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