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Named after the Italian explorer who sailed under the Spanish flag (In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue), this city is the largest in Ohio in terms of population with 787,033, and the 15th largest city in the United States-though with only 1.7 million people, the metropolitan statistical area is relatively small (the 31st largest in the nation and the 3rd of 4th largest in Ohio). Major area employers are state government (as the state capital), Ohio State University (the largest student population in the nation) and numerous Fortune 500 companies headquartered here (Cardinal Health, Nationwide Insurance, Limited Brands, etc.). It is a day's drive from one half of the U.S. population and is located at the intersection of I-70 and I-71.
Generally arranged in a really big wheel, I-270 is sometimes locally referred to as a belt, Columbus is the central hub to many nearby cities including (clockwise from the north):
*[wiki=1206c1cb107044f291a52d53fc9ec748]Detroit[/wiki], [wiki=11b915670b63c790160e26af2dac39b7]Cleveland[/wiki], [wiki=83cc8f7934cbdd06e1e93ac4dae2241a]Pittsburgh[/wiki], [wiki=cc8d66016f145d18ca43f658cf893ec8]Cincinnati[/wiki], [wiki=4fba925a7279f52a42d0f614b063e707]Louisville[/wiki], and [wiki=8b9c1179fe8a1c342a1950be99ac9c90]Indianapolis[/wiki].
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By plane
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.
*Rickenbacker International Airport Passenger Charter Terminal/2241 John Circle Dr. +1 614 239-4000. [http://www.rickenbacker.org/charter/] Charter flights.
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By car
Major highways include I-71 & Rte. 315 (north and south), I-70 & I-670 (east and west), and the outer-belt, I-270. US Routes 33, 23, and 40 also converge downtown.
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By bus
Greyhound Station, 111 East Town St, +1 614 228-2266, [url=http://greyhound.com/home.asp].] Hours: 24 hours a day.
*Megabus, +1 877 462-6342, [http://us.megabus.com[/url]. Service to Columbus from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Chicago. Fares start at $1. Buses arrive and depart downtown Columbus near the northwest corner of Nationwide Boulevard and High Street. Buses also serve Ohio State University from a stop at the Ohio Union building on the west side of the intersection of High Street and 12th Avenue.
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By bus
The COTA bus service [http://cota.com] 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 $2.75 for an Express bus and $2.00 for a Local/Crosstown bus. Transfers for a Local/Crosstown bus are free, but transfers between bus types, such as from a Local to an Express route, are subject to an upcharge. Ask for one from the bus driver when you pay your fare.
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By foot
The entire corridor of High St (US Route 23) from Clintonville in the North to Merion Village in the South is extremely pedestrian-friendly, though it does pass through some less-than-scenic areas, particularly the few blocks between campus and the short north.
Downtown Columbus is a walkable city with most attractions located within a 20 minute walk of each other. The Columbus Landmarks Foundation conducts walking tours, too. [http://www.columbuslandmarks.org]
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By car
Columbus is a car-centric city, with usage of a car required outside of the areas directly surrounding downtown. Parking is extensive (and reasonably priced) at almost all major destinations. There are many surface lots and garages around the city. There are only a few areas of the city, like the Short North, where parking can be hard to come by; those locations all feature abundant valet parking at an affordable $5 per vehicle. Keep in mind that U-turns are illegal citywide in Columbus.
Downtown is a short ten minute drive ($20 taxi fare) from Port Columbus (the airport) via I-670W.
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Columbus Crew Stadium, Adjacent to Ohio Historical Society of of I-71. Home to Columbus Crew Soccer and as of 2008 a $2 million dollar new stage has been installed to host big-name concerts. Great location.
*Experience Columbus (the convention & visitors bureau), [http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/attractions.cfm], has a complete list of attractions.
*The Short North Arts District is one of Columbus’ premiere arts and entertainment districts. With dozens of art galleries, shops and restaurants, the neighborhood is well known for its eclectic offerings and dense walkability. The first Saturday evening of each month hosts the Gallery Hop, where thousands of visitors come to experience galleries and shops that stay open late. Every July 4th is the annual DooDah Parade, a wild spectacle where particpants dress in farcical costumes to amuse the crowd. The Short North is also well-known as one of the hubs of the City’s GLBT population. The Short North has ample public art offerings and has recently undergone a boom in apartments, hotel space and microbreweries and distilleries, rounding it out as one of the hottest cultural destinations in the Midwest.
*German Village is a quaint, historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus. The largest privately-funded historic restoration in the nation, this 233 acre neighborhood has a mix of cobblestone, tree-lined streets lined with a mix of quaint bungalows and grand Italianate houses. Sprinkled amidst this primarily residential neighborhood are numerous restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and shops. The neighborhood is centered around Schiller Park, with gardens, pond, an outdoor theater and lined by large Victorian homes. The Book Loft and its 32 room maze of literary bliss are a must-see for book lovers. Narrow streets and diverse architecture make this neighborhood a prime stop on visitor’s lists.
*Easton Town Center is a mixed use shopping and entertainment district on Columbus’ northeast side. Constructed in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Easton has been one of the most successful shopping districts in the nation, attracting high-end retailers and a range of dining and entertainment options. The center was designed to resemble an outdoor town center, with narrow “streets” lined with shops. Nearby hotels, office space and apartments surround the central shopping area, which is anchored by a large glass central “hall”. Easton is in a suburban location, and a car will be necessary to visit.
*Columbus’ Arena District is an area on the northwest side of Downtown that serves as the City’s main sports hub. Anchored by Nationwide Arena, Home of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, and Huntington Park, home of the Minor League AAA Columbus Clippers, the Arena District has a number of restaurants, nightclubs and bars, making it one of the top entertainment destinations in the City. It is also home to the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (The “LC”), one of the City’s top concert venues. Residences and offices round out this mixed-use district. The adjacent North Market http://www.northmarket.com/ has numerous small artisanal shops and eateries containing food and wares from numerous cultures, as well as a summer farmer’s market.
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Festivals/Events
These are a few of the larger/major events in Columbus:
*All American Quarter Horse Congress, Ohio Expo Center/Fairgrounds, Oct. [http://www.oqha.com/]
*The Arnold Fitness Classic Held once a year in early March at the Columbus Convention Center. Tons of competitions ranging from martial arts to cheerleading to bench press, plenty of "fitness babes" and free supplement samples, and speeches from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. [http://www.arnoldexpo.com]
*Asian Festival At Franklin Park. Annual Event. May. Food, games, market place, health screening. Great location! Free. [http://asian-festival.org/index.do]
*Columbus Arts Festival, festival@gcac.org Downtown Riverfront. June (annual event) Arts, crafts, food, music, entertainment. Big event. [http://www.gcac.org/fest/]
*Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest, River Front downtown, July. Expect 500-700,000 people at this fun food and music event held each year. [http://www.hotribscooljazz.org/]
*ComFest, the Columbus Community Festival, at Goodale Park in June. Music, arts, culture, shopping, fair food, beer & bare feet. Who's who of Columbus musicians and those from elsewhere! [http://www.comfest.com]
*Festival Latino, is held on the downtown River Front in the middle of June each year. Billed as "The largest Hispanic/Latino event in Ohio". Lot's of food, fun, entertainment and feista. Free admission. [http://www.festivallatino.net]
*German Village Oktoberfest, South Grant & East Livingston Ave September.
*Good Guys Columbus Ohio State Fairgrounds, Over 6,000 rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, street machines and trucks thru ’72. July. [http://www.good-guys.com/events/eventDetails.aspx?eventid=09-608]
*Ohio Expo Center. 717 E. 17th Ave. [url=http://www.ohioexpocenter.com/]]Home to The Ohio State Fair. Each month, a variety of shows, expositions and competitions are held at the Ohio Expo Center, over 175 events per year. These range from shopping for antiques to boxing, there is something for everyone at the Ohio Expo Center.
*Origins International Game Expo Origins is run by The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) as one of their two shows for the adventure gaming industry. (The second show, the GAMA Trade Show, is for game manufacturers and retailers only.) Origins is specifically chartered to serve adventure gaming in general, including wargames and miniatures gaming, which tend to be less well represented at Gen Con and Dragon*Con. Board games, trading card games, and role-playing games are also popular at Origins. It is usually compared in size with E3 and GenCon, and is famous for it's Origin Awards. The Origins Award is commonly referred to as a Calliope, as the statuette is in the likeness of the Muse of the same name. Academy members frequently shorten this name to "Callie." [http://www.originsgamefair.com/[/url]
*Red, White & BOOM, downtown, river front. Take a bus, traffic is as bad as it gets in Columbus for this event. Billed as The biggest and best Independence Day fireworks celebration in the Midwest. July. [http://www.redwhiteandboom.org/index.php]
*Experience Columbus (the convention & visitors bureau) [http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event-calendar.cfm], has a complete calendar of events.
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Sports Teams
Columbus Blue Jackets - NHL Hockey [http://www.bluejackets.com]
*Columbus Clippers - MLB AAA Baseball [http://www.clippersbaseball.com]
*Ohio State Buckeyes [url=http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com]]- The athletic teams representing Ohio State University are one of the city's (and state's) greatest sporting institutions. Members of the Big Ten Conference along with 13 other schools in the greater Midwest region and Penn State in central Pennsylvania, the Buckeyes frequently contend for national honors in a wide variety of sports. The most famous Buckeye team is the football team, playing before regular sellout crowds of over 100,000 at Ohio Stadium. In other sports, a few of the many legendary figures to wear the scarlet and gray of Ohio State include Jesse Owens, Jack Nicklaus, and Bob Knight.
*Columbus Crew - Major League Soccer [http://www.thecrew.com[/url]
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Factory tours
The American Whistle Factory 6540 Huntley Rd. +1 614 846-2918 [url=http://www.americanwhistle.com/index2.html]]The only manufacturer of metal whistles in the United States
*Anthony-Thomas Candy Co. 1777 Arlington Gate. +1 877 226-3921. [url=http://www.anthony-thomas.com/index.html[/url]]Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30AM. to 2:30PM.
* Graeter’s Ice Cream Factory 2555 Bethel Rd. +1 614 442-7622 [http://www.graeters.com/bethel_tour.aspx[/url]
*The Krema Nut Company 1000 W. Goodale Blvd. +1 614 299-4131. [http://www.krema.com/default.asp] One of the oldest peanut butter makers still manufacturing in the United States today! And PB & Jelley Sandwich shop.
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Mature audiences
Gentlemen Clubs Gentlemen Clubs are scattered throughout Columbus and are open to those 18+, and are considered by most to be acceptable entertainment. Some offer alcohol, some are BYOB, some are alcohol free. Most all are open to both male and female; however, most only offer male or female entertainers. Expect to pass through metal detector and provide some form of identity. Current law does not allow total nudity after mid-night.
*Scioto Downs Two miles south of Route 270 on Route 23 South (High Street). [http://www.sciotodowns.com/overview.html] Harness racing and betting.
*Hollywood Casino Columbus 200 Georgesville Rd, Columbus, OH 43228. (614) 308-3333.
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Columbus proper is home to Ohio State University which is one of the largest universities in the US with over 57,466 students. Along with its main campus in Columbus, Ohio State also operates a regional campus system with regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and Wooster. In 2009, The Ohio State University was ranked No. 19 in the country by U.S. News & World Report for best public university, and No. 56 overall, scoring in the first tier of schools nationally. Some of Ohio State Universities graduate school programs were placed in the top 5, including: No. 5 for best veterinary program and No. 5 for best pharmacy program.
Other colleges in the area include Columbus College of Art and Design, Ohio Dominican, Capital, and Franklin University.
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Columbus has a generally strong and diverse economy based on education, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medical research, health care, hospitality, retail, and technology. Because Columbus is the state capital, there is a large government presence in the city. Including city, county, state, and federal employers, government jobs provide the largest single source of employment within Columbus. Columbus is also home to several large noteable companies such as Wendy's, White Castle, Huntington Bancshares, Cardinal Health, American Electric Power, Worthington Industries, Nationwide Mutual Insurance, Red Roof Inn, L Brands, Big Lots, Lane Bryant, Express, Inc., and Abercrombie & Fitch. Other companies such as Honda, Vaisala, JPMorgan Chase, and Owens Corning have a huge presence in the region as well.
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The Short North [http://www.shortnorth.org] is neighborhood of galleries, restaurants and cafes lining High Street, which is the main north-south thoroughfare in the downtown. The Short North lies just north of the downtown on the north side of I-670. The Short North runs until about Third Avenue. In 2005, the overpass of I-670 was finished with shops making a "cap" over the freeway with restaurants and shops. Check out the Gallery Hop the first Saturday of every month when the galleries stay open late and the streets and bars are definitely hopping.
*A spacious indoor market with multiple local vendors featuring a variety of international, gourmet, and organic foods as well as gift shops. It often functions as a popular venue for festivals and music.
*Craft shop featuring handmade clothing, jewelry, gifts, recycled artwork, soaps, and anatomically themed knittery. Designers are from all over the country, but many are in Ohio; thus making this a good place to find Ohio souvenirs because of its showcasing of local artists' merchandise.
*Children's Clothing Boutique serving greater Columbus. In beautiful historic Uptown Westerville, the charm of the 1800's with the amenities of today
*Urban clothing boutique
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The City of Columbus issues approximately 6,000 licenses for a variety of types of food vendors, Franklin County issues about 3,000 for the remainder of the County and the suburban area.
Food Safety - In Columbus, starting late May of 2007, all 6,000 local restaurants must post that reflect the results of the most previous inspection by the Columbus Public Health Dept. Green = passing most recent inspection. Red, yellow or white suggests you probably may want to reconsider your options. The law applies to public pools, tattoo parlors, spas, campgrounds as well as food markets. The sign must be obvious, within five foot of an entrance.
A major test market for most major chain restaurants (though this is not as true as it once was), Columbus has a large density of national chain restaurants, some even having multiple venues in a single neighborhood.
That being said, Columbus has a growing ethnic and upper class dining scene thanks in part to continued immigration (from Africa {especially Somalia and Ghana}, Southeast Asia, & more recently Latin America) and the continued gentrification of the downtown area.
*Liège-style waffles at Taste of Belgium. Homemade sauces at Pastaria. BBQ or Vietnamese, sushi or rice balls, the biggest problem is choosing what to eat, and it's all relatively cheap.
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Budget
Raising Canes, [url=http://www.raisingcanes.com].]Five locations in the Columbus area. Fast food chain that serves excellent chicken fingers in a tasty dipping sauce. Try the box combos that include fries, cole slaw, and Texas toast.
*Penn Station, [url=http://www.penn-station.com[/url].]This chain serves toasted subs using freshly-grilled meats, fries freshly cut from potatoes, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
*City Barbecue, [url=http://www.citybbq.com[/url].]Chain that is primarily in Columbus, with locations in a few of the suburbs. Incredibly good pulled pork, with tastes for anyone interested in BBQ cooking.
*Yau's China Bistro This is an unpretentious, but incredibly good Chinese restaurant located on North High Street, part of the campus area. Very authentic and reasonably priced.
*Udupi Cafe Excellent, inexpensive, entirely vegetarian South Indian restaurant, located on 161 between I-71 and Cleveland Ave.
*Mi Mi Cafe 5858 Columbus Square in the shopping area at Cleveland Ave and 161. Very nice vietnamese sandwiches and noodle dishes. Iced coffee and billiards too.
*Bangkok Grocery & Restaurant 3283 Refugee Rd on the East Side. Thai restaurant and connected grocery store serving the usual Thai, Laotian, and Chinese fare. Very large portions.
*Wendy's headquartered in nearby Dublin, Ohio. The original Wendy's restaurant was located downtown on Broad Street, but has closed.
*El Arepazo, Corner of Gay and Pearl. Venezuelan faire. Delicious and cheap.
*Lunch Wagons called loncheras, or lovingly referred to as "roach coaches" which cater to a Latino labor force, are becoming a common sight around town and are very popular with those in the know. Simliar to the lunch wagons so popular in Hawaii, but with a Latino twist. They are subject to inspection by the health dept. and should not be feared but enjoyed.
*Taco Trucks, All over Columbus. Cheap and tasty Mexican fare. Check out the Taco Truck tracker website: [http://tacotruckscolumbus.com/[/url]
*Tensuke Market Cafe 1167 Old Henderson Road 614 451-6002. A well kept secret for Japanese food, and budget alternative to its posh neighbor, Akai Hana. Features several kinds of Japanese noodles, tempura, gyoza, teriyaki, and potato croquettes.
*White Castle Scattered throughout Columbus, you will find the popular White Castle burger franchise. Fries, burgers, shakes, breakfast. Most are open 24/7 and offer some of the most inexpensive eats in town.
*Whole World Natural Restaurant 3269 North High Street 614 268-5751. Entirely vegetarian with many vegan options. New soups and specials every day, as well as vegan pastries, cookies, and cakes sold at the counter.
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Mid-range
Max & Erma's, [url=http://www.maxandermas.com/].]The quintessential 'burgers and stuff' sort of place got its' start here, and you can find one almost anywhere in town, including the original restaurant in German Village. Adventurers are recommended to try their Garbage Burger, while those with a sweet tooth should get a pan of cookies made fresh for them, or try the sundae bar!
*Schmidt's Sausage Haus, 240 E Kossuth St. [url=http://www.schmidthaus.com/[/url]]This family run restaurant serves up some of the best German food in Columbus. It is famous for their Bahama Mama's and their large cream puffs. Schmidt's has been featured on the food network and on the travel channel's "Man V. Food". Try a little bit of everything to experience the authentic German cuisine.
*Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, [url=http://www.jenisicecreams.com/[/url]]This ice cream shops features exotic flavors that will you keep you coming back. Jeni's has won many awards and has been featured on numerous shows on the food network and the travel channel. All of the ingredients are organic and most of them come from local farms in Ohio.
*My Momma's Sweet Potato Pies, 813 East Livingston Ave. +1 614 444-4282 [url=http://www.mymamassweetpotatopie.com[/url]]Authentic sweet potato pie.
*Columbus Brewing Company, just west of the Brewery District. Fine food at a good price.
*Banana Bean Cafe, 340 Greenlawn Ave. 614.443.2262 [url=http://www.bananabean.com[/url]]Florida-Cuban fusion cuisine.
*Akai Hana Columbus' most authentic source of excellent Japanese food and sushi. Located at Old Henderson & Kenny, in the Japanese part of town next to the Japanese gift shop, Japanese bakery, and Japanese market. It's a bit hard to find, tucked in a strip mall behind 'The Ski Shack'. Also provides carry-out. This restaurant is formerly known as Restaurant Japan.
*Kihachi Japanese Restaurant 2667 Federated Blvd, 614-764-9040. Japanese restaurant run by Chef Mike Kimura known for their authentic Japanese cuisine that even Japanese expats frequent the place. It was also featured on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.
*Skillet, Rustic. Urban. Food., [url=http://www.skilletruf.com[/url]]410 E Whittier. 614.443.2266 Seasonal menu from local farms. Small, walk-up to counter joint. Excellent brunch with a unique take on traditional comfort foods.
*Buona Pasta, 2962 McKinley Ave., +1 614-481-8105.[url=http://www.mybuonapasta.com[/url].]Authentic Italian food. Pastas/sauces made fresh. Great food and outstanding service.
*Eddie George's Grille 27, 1636 North High St., +1 614-421-2727. [url=http://www.eddiegeorgesgrille27.com/[/url]]Great American food and atmosphere for watching sports. Located in the South Campus Gateway. This sports-themed restaurant is owned and named after the Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State.
*The Blue Nile, 2631 North High St., +1 614-421-2323. [http://www.bluenilecolumbus.com/[/url] Located within walking distance of the Ohio State University campus. The Blue Nile serves Ethiopian food, community-style, on a big tray lined with Injera, a crepe-like bread.
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Splurge
Dragonfly, [url=http://www.dragonflyneov.com/].]A nationally known, upscale, 100% vegan restaurant on King Avenue near campus.
*Alana's, 2333 North High Street, ..just north of The Ohio State University, +1 614-294-6783. [url=http://www.alanas.com[/url].]is the best place to indulge in a nice bottle of wine with dinner, as the mark-up on her amazing selection is practically non-existant. With a new menu hand-picked by Alana herself every night and an on-site sommelier (her husband), Alana's is a great place to enjoy fine food in a non-pretentious atmosphere.
*'Cameron Mitchel Restaurants, [url=http://www.cameronmitchell.com/[/url].]For better or for worse, a majority of the fine dining in Columbus is owned by the same parent company. For a predictably pleasant (if unadventurous) night out you can choose from Molly Woos, The Columbus Fish Market, M (high-end), Cameron's (steak), or Cap City Diner.
*Spagio, [http://www.spagio.com/spagio/index.html[/url]. 1295 Grandview Ave. European and Pacific Rim Cuisine. They have excellent wood-fired pizzas.
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Dives
For the mid-west, Columbus has its share of ethnic and domestic eateries that shelter culinary artists throughout the city and offer outstanding meals at sometimes bargain prices, in locations that may be carry-out only, limited seating or maybe small bars that offer outstanding food. Places that are well worth the effort to find, which is part of the adventure.
*Chef Butcher's Creole Kitchen, 777 E Long St., +1 614 228-7588. Creole for the lunch crowd.
*Ena's Caribbean Kitchen, 2458 Cleveland Ave., +1 614-262-0988. Limited seating, great food, family operation. Daily specials.
*Paradise Foods, 3180 E. Main St., +1 614-236-1599. International dishes for every taste. Restaurant. Caribbean jerk/curry/brown stew chicken with red beans and rice; fried, steamed or blackened whiting, perch, catfish, red snapper, scallops and more (shrimp is also available by the pound). Choose from full or half slabs of long, center and short bone beef or pork barbecue ribs. Outside seating only.
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* The Winking Lizard in Worthington and on Bethel sport a good beer selection.
* Cafe Apropos 443 West 3rd Avenue in Victorian Village. A hybrid between quiet coffee shop and bar with a small selection of local beers on tap, wines and wine shop, ice cream, and fresh coffees.
* Victorian's Midnight Cafe at the corner of 5th & Neil avenues. Non-smoking, a great selection of beers, very casual. Live music most nights.
*The Arena District, home of The Columbus Nationwide Arena. Bars include Frog Bear Wild Boar, Brother's, Gaswerks, and the Lodge Bar, each containing a different personality and young 20-somethings atmosphere. Cabs are easy to flag down, parking is cheap, and each bar has incredible happy hour specials. Don't miss Brothers $1 Thursday mug night, an Ohio State student favorite.
* The Char Bar across the street from the Greater Columbus Convention Center is a nicely low-key place to get good drinks, many different types of beer, and relax.
*Perfect place for happy hour! Landmark in Bexley community of Columbus. Styled after an English Pub this is a great place to hang out and test MANY different beer selections. The beer-battered pickles and fish-n-chips are excellent. Great for Happy Hour (2/7PM) to sit on their back patio overlooking the bridge and water with a fun jazz band playing every Thursday 7-9PM.
* The Short North area, on N High Street above Goodale street combines art galleries with bars. First weekend of the month is "Gallery Hop" and places are open later.
* Barley's is a microbrewery in the Short North that is known for its high-quality beers.
* Wyandotte Winery - 4640 Wyandotte Dr., [http://www.wyandottewinery.com] A family run winery located in a cozy neighborhood setting in northeast Columbus. Wyandotte has produced fine grape and fruit wines on premises for over 30 years. Visit the wine shop and tasting room, enjoy a taste of the current wine offerings, and browse the wine related items in the gift shop.
*We make wines from honey and source the most local ingredients possible to create a distinctly local Columbus mead. Stop by to sample signature recipes, enjoy local art and live music.
*Sidebar offers classic cocktails and a Mediterranean inspired small plates menu with the flavors of South America. Behind the bar you will find bartenders shaking drinks with house-made syrups and juices. There's a dining room with exposed brick and candlelit tables. Opens Monday through Saturday at 4:00 and begins offering dinner service at 5:00 pm. Check out the Piano Bar on the lower level Saturday nights for live Jazz performances.
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Music
Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, 405 Neil Ave. (formerly the Promowest Pav.) in the Arena District. [url=http://www.promowestlive.com/site/html/index.php]]A mid-sized venue seating 2,200 patrons indoors and 4,500 outdoors.
*The Basement, 391 Neil Ave. Known for showcasing local bands.[http://www.promowestlive.com/site/html/index.php[/url]
*Bernie's/The Distillery, 1896 North High St in the [wiki=fa91c10775e9bcab312155c57c62b0e3]University Area[/wiki].
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Columbus is a convention city, with a large well established business and manufacturing base, as well as an education foundation that attracts many visitors. Downtown accommodations tend to be a little more expensive than those scattered near the interstate exits. But, there usually is lodging available in most price ranges.
*Inexpensive lodging that doesn't skimp on the fun. Bar crawls, cookouts, movie nights, city tours, live music, and more. One mile from OSU. Dormitory beds starting at only $26 per night.
* Cambria Suites, [http://www.cambriasuites.com/hotel-columbus-ohio-OH360] NEQ of Lyra Dr. & Gemini Dr, +1 (614) 841-9100.
*Great location off Interstate 71, near Ohio State University, Nationwide Arena, the Schottenstein Center, and Crew Stadium. Hotel features onsite health club with Jr. Olympic sized indoor pool, and complimentary breakfast.
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*Located in the heart of downtown, this well appointed all suite hotel is was a converted historic bank. Hotel features a variety of amenities and services with the comforts of home.
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*The Embassy Suites Columbus is an all-suite hotel in Columbus, Ohio, close to local corporations and area attractions. The hotel is located 15 minutes away from Port Columbus International Airport and Ohio State University Airport.
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Newspapers
The Columbus Dispatch, [http://www.dispatch.com]. Columbus' daily newspaper, and has the standard News/Sports/Arts/Classifieds mix. Perhaps due to the fact that Columbus is the state capitol, the Dispatch usually carries more news about state politics than most of the other Ohio dailies. In addition to the standard vending machines, the Dispatch can also be purchased on some COTA (public) buses by depositing an extra $0.50 into the fare box.
* Columbus Alive. While not as colorful or notorious as The Other Paper, Columbus Alive is another good source for entertainment schedules, and may be less jarring to those with conservative sensibilities. It is also provided free at local businesses and libraries.
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Religious services
Broad Street in Downtown Columbus is home to a number of Christian churches of considerable historic and architectural interest, including First Congregational United Church of Christ [url=http://www.first-church.org/],]where Washington Gladden , a pioneer in the Social Gospel movement, preached from 1882-1918. Both First Congregational and the nearby Catholic cathedral, St. Joseph's [url=http://www.saintjosephcathedral.org/[/url],]offer a range of special services and concerts throughout the year.
Jews can attend services at Congregation Beth Tikvah [url=http://bethtikvahcolumbus.org/[/url],]while Muslims can attend the Islamic Society [http://isgc.org/main/[/url].
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Dial 911 to get emergency (police/medical/fire) help.
Although down somewhat in recent years, crime is still a problem in certain areas of the city. Most violent crime occurs in areas that would not be frequented by tourists. Visitors to the area should be aware that the theft of laptop computers, phones, and other items from automobiles is a common occurrence. Always store valuables in the cargo compartment of one’s car and make sure it is locked.
Motorists who drink and drive will face stiff penalties if one’s blood alcohol concentration is above the legal limit (0.08). Police routinely set up checkpoints along major roads where all drivers must pass through and show their license and registration to check for intoxicated people.
Vehicles are required by law to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. However, the law is not universally followed. Take care to watch for turning traffic when crossing streets.
Areas on the east side of the city along the streets of Livingston Avenue, Main Street, and Mount Vernon between Parsons and Alum Creek sometimes see violent crime. These areas should be avoided at night. Additional areas to avoid at night include Cleveland Avenue between I-670 and SR-161 and the area east of High Street near the OSU campus.
On the West side of town, a sliver of neighborhoods around Broad St. and east of I-270 South are relatively safe during the day, but not at night. Generally, areas outside of the I-270 loop (the Outerbelt) are safer and more peaceful than areas inside, although the area around Brice Road and I-70 is not safe. Safe areas inside I-270 include the Arena District, the Short North District, Clintonville, Northwest Columbus, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, Worthington, Dublin, much of German Village and Bexley.
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Hospitals
Though not as significant as its neighbor to the North (Cleveland), Columbus does have medical tourism business that attracts domestic visitors and visitors from all over the USA. Those who accompany patients can expect assistance from the facilities (if you are insistent and have a little patience) in the form of long term discount lodging and local transportation to and from the facility to see the patient.
*Center for Eating Disorders & Psychotherapy, 445 E Dublin Granville Rd. +1 614 293-9550.
*Columbus Community Hospital, 1430 S High St. +1 614 437-7800.
*Doctors Hospital, 1087 Dennison Ave. +1 614 297-5917.
*Grant Medical Center, 111 S Grant Ave. +1 614 566-9000.
*Ohio Hospital Of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 880 Greenlawn Ave. +1 614 449-9664.
**Dodd Hall 480 Medical Center Dr. (at west side of University) +1 614 293-5123 [url=http://www.medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/physical_rehabilitation/]] Ranked among the top 10 for rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report. The place for recent brain injuries and muscle atrophy treatment.
**James Cancer Hospital 300 W. 10th Ave. +1 800 293-5066. [url=http://www.jamesline.com/[/url]] Rated as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.
**Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital 452 W. 10th Ave. +1 614 293-5123. [url=http://www.medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/hospitals_locations/hospitals/rossheart/[/url]]Adjacent Ohio State University Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.
*Mount Carmel, 793 W State St. +1 800 225-9344.
*
*Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University 410 W. 10th Ave. (Towards Olentangy River) +1 800 293-5123. [http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/[/url] The Ohio State University's Medical Center is one of the largest and most diverse academic medical centers in the country.
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Law Enforcement
In the Columbus area, you will find a variety of Law Enforcement that includes Ohio State Patrol, Columbus Police, Franklin County Sheriff, local Police depts., in Dublin, Westerville and other local municipalities to name a few. Usually, they are what one would expect from law enforcement as far as being professional, polite and helpful. They are well trained and compensated, very good at crowd control and traffic control. Be polite, respectful and you will have few problems with them. Most have cameras in cars, do not offer any bribes of anything and keep in mind you are likely being video recorded.
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Smoking
Ohioans passed "SmokeFree Ohio" ballot measure in 2006 banning smoking in most public areas with very few exceptions. Some hotels, motels, or other lodging facilities may have special smoking rooms that are permitted under the new law. The law forbids restaurants and bars from allowing smoking on premises, unless they have an outdoor patio. Some private clubs, such as AmVets, Eagles, Moose, and similar establishments have been slower to enforce the smoking ban, especially in the outskirts of the city.
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Visitor Information
Experience Columbus is the convention & visitors bureau. [url=http://www.experiencecolumbus.com]]1-866-397-2657. Experience Columbus runs two visitor information centers that are stocked with brochures and have knowledgable staff that can help you stay, play, dine, and shop:
** Easton visitor information center: 188 Easton Town Center, Columbus, Ohio 43219 +1 614 416 8080. Located on the first floor of the Easton Town Center mall; two free parking garages are located on either end of the mall.
** Downtown visitor information center: 277 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43215 +1 614 221 6623. Located on the corner of Nationwide Blvd. and Neil Ave. in the Arena District; parking is free for the first fifteen minutes in the lot across the street.
*BuckeyeSoul.com maintains a list of African American related events for the Columbus area. [http://www.buckeyesoul.com[/url]
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WIFI Access
Stauf's:, Grandview Village [url=http://www.staufs.com]]Possibly the best coffee place in Columbus.
*The Waiting Room, North High St, near 1st Ave.
*Kafe Kerouac, North High St, near Northwood Ave. A funky neighborhood coffee shop that also has books and magazines.
*Cup O' Joe, Several locations throughout the city including North High St, German Village, Bexley and Olentangy River Rd. Coffee roasted by Stauf's.
*The ShiSha Loungue, 2367 N. High St, Cafe, hookah bar, live music, DJs
*Panera, the nation's largest free WiFi provider, has many locations in malls, on High St, and in the suburbs.
*Scottie MacBean's, location in Worthington on High St.
*Arena District, [http://www.harborlink.net/locations/cityzones.html[/url] Anywhere in the green spaces of the Arena District.
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[wiki=9f5fd9a2b1d1945f3f54455d43aea505]Newark[/wiki] - The site of many prehistoric earthworks and some interesting architecture, 45 minute drive North East.
*Deer Creek State Park and Resort & Conference Center, 3,100 acres of nature within a 45 minute drive from downtown, 22300 State Park Rd. No. 20, Mt. Sterling, +1 877 678-3777 or +1 740 869-2020, Fax: +1 740 869-4059.
*[wiki=c5144200efe386340699a320ff97dcd8]Wayne National Forest[/wiki] is a 45 minute drive to the southeast.
*Pro Football Hall of Fame in [wiki=a86de44f085bc36d15cb4579654aabe7]Canton[/wiki] is about a 2 hour drive. Go north on I-71 and then go east on US-30 into Canton.
*[wiki=11b915670b63c790160e26af2dac39b7]Cleveland[/wiki] is about a 2 hour, 15 minute drive north on I-71.
*[wiki=cc8d66016f145d18ca43f658cf893ec8]Cincinnati[/wiki] is about a 1 hour, 45 minute drive south on I-71.
[wiki=b0d7a625491541b6af6fc209e5436771]de:Columbus[/wiki]
[wiki=6ad016ec86dc79e675db11d00a1852a3]pt:Columbus[/wiki]
[[Wikipedia:Columbus, Ohio]]
[wiki=da0c9824abd7c82555e847a4adae0659]Dmoz:North_America/United_States/Ohio/Localities/C/Columbus/[/wiki]
[wiki=f4b355afd8544971e6d4f5d31f01f4d9]World66:northamerica/unitedstates/ohio/columbus[/wiki]
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