Visiting Columbus Ohio

State Office Tower


A city of neighborhoods

Columbus has become a a city of mixed communities and ethnic neighborhoods, some of which had their roots going back to when Columbus was first formed. Others didn't evolve until around the beginning of the 20th Century.

Celebration of Life

Downtown Columbus had long been known as a city that rolled up the sidewalks after dark. That is no longer true. Today, communities are being developed with a rich architectural style and vibrant life-style that keeps things humming well after closing time.

The downtown area now features over 5,000 housing units, with 78% of those for higher income professional households, and 22% considered affordable housing.

BexleyBexley

Bexley is an upscale suburb of Columbus that has its roots tied to Capital University.
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ClintonvilleClintonville

Clintonville is named for Clinton Township in which Clintonville is at the approximate center.
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German Village and the Brewery DistrictGerman Village and the Brewery District

The area known as German Village today was laid out as South Columbus in 1841. The name German Village is due to the significant German immigrant population that settled in South Columbus.
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Hilliard, OhioHilliard

Hilliard officially became a city in 1960 when it was determined the population had exceeded 5,000 residents. When the Outerbelt was completed, Hilliard saw another explosion in growth.

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Short NorthShort North

Offers an eclectic mix of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants! The Short North is a historic, urban neighborhood which is the Art District of Columbus.
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Upper Arlington: Golden BearsUpper Arlington

Upper Arlington has grown into an upscale residential community. The City enjoys a convenient location as a first-ring suburb of Central Ohio.
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Victorian VillageVictorian Village

Victorian Village offers fine examples of Victorian Era architecture. Victorian Village's history and architecture make it unique, accommodating a variety of interests.
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Red White and Boom

Red White & Boom!

Red, White & Boom is the Midwest's premiere fireworks display. Held on July 3 every year in downtown Columbus, the event attracts about 500,000 people. There are festivities all over the area that start around 11:00 am with the fireworks starting right at 10:00pm and concludes at 10:30.

This year's celebrations will be held in a slightly different location than in previous years.
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Lucas Sullivant

Downtown on the west side of the Scioto River is an impressive statue of a man holding a flag and looking towards the horizon. If you took the time to take a closer look you would find it is a statue of Lucas Sullivant. Ever wonder who Lucas Sullivant might have been?

Well, he was the man that set up the first village on the west side of the Scioto River, and it was called Franklinton.

More about Lucas Sullivant >>

Supreme Court Gavel Sculpture

Supreme Court's New Gavel

In downtown Columbus in the south reflecting pool of the Supreme Court building sits a new sculpture of a gigantic gavel. The gavel marks the final piece of public art to be added to the refurbished building.

The sculpture was created by Andrew Scott, a professor at the Savannah College of Art & Design in Georgia and a graduate of Ohio State University.

The sculpture measures 30' x 15' x 12'. It is made of stainless steel and concrete, weighs almost 20,000 poounds. The "Gavel" was fabricated in Cincinnati.

Andrew Scott and Chief Justic

Andrew Scott (left) and Chief Justice Thomas Moyer at a recent open house celebrating the collection of various art media on display at the Supreme Court.

More info about the Ohio Supreme Court Building >>

Arena DistrictArena District

The Arena District is the premier entertainment district in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The Arena District offers an experience unlike any other. With its exceptional dining, accessible parking, live entertainment and affordable hotels, families, couples and singles alike can enjoy the district.

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Wexner Center for the Performing Arts

The Wexner Center is a multi-disciplinary arts center located on campus at The Ohio State University. The Wexner Center provides a diverse array of contemporary arts, including visual arts exhibitions by major artists and emerging talents, films and videos by leading filmmakers of the past and present, and performing arts from around the world.

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Columbus History

Before Columbus was established, the land east of the Scioto was mostly uninhabited. It was designated as part of the Refugee Tract which was land set aside for residents of Nova Scotia that supported the American Revolution. However, when the Revolutionary War came to an end, they found themselves on the short end of the stick when the new American government gave up any claim to Nova Scotia and left it for the British. In an effort to make things right, the federal government gave these families land in the Ohio Territory. However, most of them decided not to make the treacherous move to the Ohio frontier and opted instead to sell their land rights to land speculators. That is the reason Lucas Sullivant established Franklinton on the west side of the Scioto, as this land was available for purchase, even though it was clear the Scioto frequently flooded the area with devastating results.

Columbus was first laid out in 1812 and incorporated in 1816.

Ohio City: the capital of the state

Originally, the Ohio legislature wanted to call their new town: Ohio City. Joseph Foos, a tavern owner and militia leader in Franklinton, and who also owned the first ferry about where the Broad Street bridge is located today, had other ideas.

Foos was a big admirer of Christopher Columbus. When Foos learned that the Ohio General Assembly was considering naming the new town Ohio City, he invited a large contingent of congressmen over for a little get together at his tavern to discuss the matter.

Following a lengthy discussion, accompanied by plenty of the inn's strongest liquors, the group came to an agreement: the new town would be called Columbus.

More Columbus' History>>

Columbus Buggy Logo

Columbus Buggy

Before the Buggyworks Condos in downtown Columbus existed, there was the "Columbus Buggy Company." The Columbus Buggy was the largest producer of horse-drawn buggies in the country. Located near the former Ohio State Penitentiary, now the Nationwide Arena. Columbus Buggy was founded by C.D. Firestone in 1875.

But that was just one of 20 buggy manufacturers located in Central Ohio. That led to Columbus being called the "Buggy Capital of the World."

As demand for buggies began declining, the company switched to making automobiles. In 1902 Columbus Buggy introduced the electric-powered carriage. Five years later it added gasoline-powered vehicles to its line. Eddy Rickenbacker was an design engineer that worked closely with Harvey Firestone, C.D. Firestone's nephew. Later Harvey Firestone would found the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company.

More Columbus Buggy>>

Bengal Tiger

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium has been going through a tremendous growing spurt featuring new features, new exhibits and a new water park: Zoombezi Bay.

Jack Hanna was hired in 1978 at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. When hired he set as his top priority to increase attendance and build interest in the Columbus Zoo. That has been accomplished.

Today, the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is one of the nations top zoological gardens in the country and a must see for anyone visiting Columbus. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open year round and always has something special for visitors.

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Short North Lighted Arches

Lighted arches that once spanned the city's major north-south thoroughfare, earned Columbus the reputation of the most "brilliantly illuminated city in the country."
The arches disappeared by mid 20th century, but in 2002, the city began installing new arches. The arches again illuminate High Street in an area known for fine restaurants and art galleries. (see also Gallery Hop).

 

Franklin Park ConservatoryConservatory

Franklin Park Conservatory is a premier horticultural and educational institution showcasing exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and spectacular Chihuly artworks.
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COSICOSI

COSI has been considered one of the most respected science centers in the nation. For more than 40 years, it has been well known for creating programs that make science fun.
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Free Web Cards

Send your friends an OhioCard from Touring Ohio. It's fast, easy, and FREE!

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Cow Town Forum

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Get your daily fix from the heart of Ohio, the Mad Cow of Columbus!

MadCow Town Highlights:

Free Ohio Theatre Tour
by Editor
17 Jul 2008 at 3:08pm
The hour-long tours begins at 4:30 Saturday, July 19 and again July 26 in the front lobby of the Ohio Theatre and will include a look at the history and restoration of...
Streetcar Proposal on Hold
by Editor
11 Jul 2008 at 2:17pm
Faced with rising costs, expected deficits in the city’s financial projections has forced Mayor Mike to re-group on the streetcar proposal. This will force an estimate...
Max and Erma?s under new ownership
by Editor
11 Jul 2008 at 12:42pm
On July 10, it became official that G&R Acquisition, Inc. (a Pittsburgh investment group) has completed its acquisition of Max & Erma’s Restaurants, Inc. which bega...

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Columbus Factory Tours

Factory tours can be an interesting way to spend an afternoon, especially when they're about products you're familiar with. Here is a list of a few of the popular factory tours in Columbus.
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Columbus' Major Shopping Centers

A visit to Columbus is never complete without doing some serious shopping. Here are the major shopping centers worth checking out.
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Columbus Bike Trails

Columbus already has about 45 miles of bike trails, but plans are a foot for adding another 120 miles.
Read More>>

Airport Golf Course
900 N. Hamilton Rd., Columbus, Ohio
(614) 645-3127

Blacklick Woods Golf
7309 E. Livingston Ave.
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
(614) 861-3193

Bridgeview Golf Course
2738 Agler Rd.
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 471-1565

Champions Golf Course
3900 Westerville Rd.
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 645-7111

Gahanna Municipal Golf Course
220 Ridenour Rd.
Gahanna, Ohio
(614) 471-0579

Golf Club of Dublin
5805 Eiterman Rd.
Dublin, Ohio
(614) 792-3825

Grovebrook Golf Club
5525 Hoover Rd.
Grove City, Ohio
(614) 875-2497

Homestead Springs Golf
5888 London-Lancaster Rd.
Groveport, Ohio
(614) 836-5872

Mentel Memorial Golf Course 6005 Alkire Rd.
Galloway, Ohio
(614) 645-3050

The Links at Groveport
1005 Richardson Rd.
Groveport, Ohio
(614) 836-5874

Minerva Lake Golf Course
2955 Minerva Lake Rd., Westerville, Ohio
(614) 882-9988

Phoenix Golf Links
3413 Jackson Pike
Grove City, Ohio
(614) 539-3636

Raymond Memorial Golf Course
3860 Trabue Rd.
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 645-3276

Raymond Memorial Golf Course
3860 Trabue Rd.
Columbus, Ohio
(614) 645-3276

Westchester Golf Course
6300 Bent Grass Blvd.
Canal Winchester, Ohio
(614) 834-4653

Columbus News:

McCain Speaks At Lance Armstrong's Cancer Summit
25 Jul 2008 at 2:15am
The Republican presidential candidate discusses his experiences as a cancer survivor and pledges to increase cancer-research funding.
Feds to release report on Utah mine disaster
25 Jul 2008 at 1:54am
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A federal report on last year's deadly Utah mine cave-in won't be released until later today, and critics are already on the attack.
Bluegrass classic thrills once more
24 Jul 2008 at 11:55pm
Read full story for latest details.
Disaster loans offered to Toledo fire victims
24 Jul 2008 at 11:54pm
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- The federal Small Business Administration says those affected by a fire at a Toledo apartment complex that left about 200 people homeless are eligible for low-interest disaster...
Alligator Found Near OU Campus
24 Jul 2008 at 10:42pm
Arrangements are being made so a young 'gator found wandering in Bobcat country can be sent to more hospitable Florida

Go Buckeyes!

Ohio Ahrens Fire Engine
Ahrens Fire Engine on display at the Ohio Historical Society Museum in Columbus

Greater Columbus is a thriving metropolitan area of 1.6 million people at the heart of the largest concentration of population and economic activity in North America. Already the third fastest growing major metropolitan area in the Midwest, the entire community is seizing new opportunities to propel Greater Columbus into the ranks of the nation's most innovative, attractive and business-friendly communities.

College town

Columbus has always been a college town of sorts and that's one of the reasons Columbus seems like a small hometown. Today Columbus Ohio is home to The Ohio State University, Capital University, Franklin University, Columbus College of Art and Design, and Columbus State Community College.


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