What to do in or around Columbus (Washington, Franklin: rental car, rental)

[Torn2pieces]

This time of year -

I'm getting a visitor in less then 2 weeks -

What would be fun to do?

Any interesting Sites to see?

Any and all suggestions are welcomed!!!

[LancasterNative]

I always like taking out-of-town guests to Easton, since it's a rather unusual retail/community venue (not every city has one)!

Not sure which weekend your guest's visit will coincide with, but some cool citywide events coming up include Oktoberfest and the Italian Festival.

COSI is always kinda fun, even though the current version is alot more kid-oriented than the old COSI (is your visitor under the age of 11?)

A hike thru any of the Metroparks is always good. And the Zoo is cool, if you're into that...

Just a few ideas, hopefully helpful

Lanc

[streetcreed]

Columbus has a lot to do,
Downtown area has the best potential for visitors, great historical sites, art places, stores, high end restaurants, unique neighborhoods.

Many places people want to live in Columbus or the metro are more boring for your average visitor.

IN downtown

the Ohio Statehouse is a great historical site,
it was open around 1850, and is one of the only statehouses in the US to be modeled after Greek Revival style versus the popular Roman.
The interior is great, and there are tours 10am-3pm weekdays every hour on the hour.
And noon-3pm on the hour Saturday and Sunday
The statehouse is in the center of downtown at broad st. and high st.
Contact Barry Hayden at 614-728-2695 for more information or to schedule a group tour.


The Ohio Theater, Palace Theater, and Southern Theater are all located around the statehouse. On State St. (across from the state house) is the CAPA office where you can get information on tours of the theaters, and upcoming performances.
During the fall there are many symphony performances, ballets, and operas, and touring musical groups in these theaters

The Columbus Museum of Art is on the east side of downtown on East Broad St. It is just a few blocks east of the state house.

In walking distance from the Museum is the Thurber House, a museum and literary center, dedicated to writer James Thurber (who worked for the New Yorker)

COSI, a science center, is on West Broad St. literally only a few blocks from the state house

All of these options are the closest to the center of downtown, and are best for visiting during the day, being of cultural/museum interest

On the Northern Section of downtown is the North Market which is a great market opened until 5 Monday, and 7 Tuesday-Sunday

Just a little outside of downtown is the Ohio State University Campus
The campus is great for walking through or visiting the University District High St. Commercial strip for eating or shopping.

Also, on the Ohio State University Campus..

The Wexner Center for the Arts has great nationally recognized programs; they are closed monday, but are open until about 6pm every other day
right now have a Wegman photography exhibit.
Wexner Center for the Arts is their website
For a nice outdoor park and conservatory:
The Franklin Park Conservatory is located on East Broad St. The Conservatory is just outside of downtown, a 5 minute bus or cab ride could take you there.

For Nightlife:
The northern section of downtown is the liveliest; it is called the Arena District. The Arena District has many restaurants, a movie theater, the PromoWest center for live bands, and clubs, bars, and lounges.


The Short North is the section of high St. just north of downtown and has unique bars and Columbus' main gay club.

On the Ohio State University section of high st. there is also many clubs and bars, and The NEWPORT MUSIC HALL one of the longest running rock clubs in the USA.

For Unique neighborhoods, and boutiques:
The Short North just north of downtown on High St. is a stretch of galleries, clothing boutiques, and home furnishings. Short North Arts District - Official Website - Columbus Short North - Short North Columbus

Victorian Village has a nice collection of Victorian homes lining beautiful Goodale park, Victorian Village is located just adjacent to the short north.

The German Village is located south of downtown and has beautiful renovated homes that were once home to the cities German working class. Local restaurants fill the brick streets.

So far all of the above listing is located near downtown so staying in the Arena District/Short North (northern downtown) would put you in closest proximity to nightlife
and daytime attractions. If you stay in the center of downtown you are near the state house, but there is little to do at night.

Outside of the central city, in Columbus, you should visit (these attractions would take a 10-20 minute cab ride from downtown, or the use of a rental car, or a bus trip)
Easton Town Center, it is a large outdoor/indoor entertainment complex. A visit here could take all day if you want to shop or visit the comedy club or the theater troupe, Shadowbox Cabaret.

Also The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located in the NW section of the city, it is recognized as one of the best zoos in the USA and is growing and expanding by leaps and bounds now (trying to become the biggest in the world)


For Sports:
OSU games happen at one of the many state of the art events.
CREW soccer games at CREW stadium off of 17ave or 1-71
Destroyer Football (summer) at Nationwide Arena in the Arena District
Also at Nationwide Arena is the NHL hockey team the Blue Jackets
and the Washington Nationals affiliate (the Clippers) has a stadium under construction in the Arena District, until then, they place on the west side

for websites with coming events...
Welcome to ColumbusArts.com (arts related)
The Columbus Underground (club related, festivals all on the sites blogs with local's posts)
Wexner Center for the Arts (listings for the wexner center for the arts)
CAPA - Columbus, Ohio | New Haven, Connecticut (brings performers and performances to Columbus' historic theaters)
Columbus Alive (has complete listings of ALL events)

[CHM]

streetcreed, you're a wealth of information.

I may be moving to Columbus soon and this information is great.

Thanks.

[UNT_Eagle]

The Zoo
Ohio State Campus and the "Shoe"
The arena district

Other than that, I can't think of anything else, but I'm not from there, either

[tscrilla]

While none of my suggestions are really in C-bus, they're within driving distance and are excellent things to show a visitor. Just had visitors from the west coast myself and did the following:

See the amish lifestyle in Holmes county. Crazy if you've never seen it before.
Go to Hocking Hills located just off hwy 33 southeast of Columbus about 3-40 mins away.
Granville to the east is a great little town to get out and stroll around.

[streetcreed]

BUMP BUMP, just thought this information would be of assistance to more.

[jmargaret]

What to do in Columbus: OSU football, visit OSU, talk about OSU, send your kids to OSU, read about OSU