Tourism!

Or what to do when you're not gaming

While Columbus is often overlooked as a tourist destination, there is actually a LOT to do in Columbus. Nearly EVERY link on this page goes to someone else's web site - you'll have to use your browser's BACK button (or command) to get back here.

Short North Galleries

All along High Street North of the Convention Center, from Goodale to Fifth Avenue, lies the Short North. There are many bistros, coffee shops, pubs and art galleries.

Community Festival is a 3 day festival (June 24-26) held at Goodale Park, just a short walk from the Convention Center. Many stages and live music acts. This does impact traffic and parking.

COSI

The Center of Science and Industry is a top-notch museum now located on the Riverfront between Broad and Town Streets (about 3 city blocks long)! . The format is interactive, with large spaces and learning experiences for all ages. Open 10 - 5 pm Mon-Sat, 12 - 6 pm on Sunday. Open until 9 pm on the last Friday of the month, convenient for ORIGINS! Currently hosting a Dinosaur animatronic exhibit.

Santa Maria

Columbus also plays host to a full-sized replica of the Santa Maria, one of Columbus' ships (get it?) This is also a Riverfront activity, parked near the Federal Courthouse. One of the things you learn is how small these ships really were, and how dangerous crossing the Atlantic must've been.

Veterans Memorial

Vet's (as the locals refer to it) used to be the place to see concerts in Columbus. June 24, Chris Tucker.

Map of the downtown riverfront area, Courtesy of COSI

Map borrowed from the COSI web site

Columbus Museum of Art

Located at 400 West Broad Street, the Columbus Museum of Art hosts a large collection of painting and sculpture, and regularly hosts traveling exhibitions from other collections and galleries. Summer feature is artwork featuring animals.

Ohio Historical Society

Located near the Crew Stadium at 17th Avenue and I-71, the OHS museum is the centerpiece of a set of Museums which covers historical landmarks throughout Ohio. Budget cuts have reduced hours at this museum.

LifeStyle Communities (formerly Promowest) Pavilion

Just WEST of the Nationwide Arena, a very short walk from ORIGINS. 6/24 - Davy, Peter and Mickey of the Monkees. 6/26 - Umphrey's McGee with Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is the third largest Municipally owned zoo in the US and rated one of America's TOP zoos. Over 400 acres, current special exhibits include Manatee Coast, where injured Manatees are brought back to health before being released to the wild. Columbus also boasts one of the most successful breeding programs for captive animals, including the first Gorilla born in captivity.

Zoombezibay

Formerly Wyandotte Lake, this park has been completely updated and expanded. It's now part of the Columbus Zoo's organization.

SPORTS

Golfing

Central Ohio has a lot of Golf. No, I'm serious. We're not talking Myrtle Beach here, but there are a LOT of courses and support for the sport in Central Ohio. The Memorial Tournament takes place near Memorial Day up at Muirfield (one of Jack Nicholas' designs). There are 7 municipal golf courses in Columbus. The Jack Nicholas Museum is on the OSU Campus (M-S 9-5 $9)

Soccer

The MLS Columbus Crew plays in the first Soccer-specific stadium in the United States. June 26, against the Rapids.

Baseball

Huntington Field, located in the Convention Center / Arena District is the home of the International League Columbus Clippers,. a AAA affiliate team for the Cleveland Indians. June 24-26, home stand against the Gwinnet Braves.

Ponies

Scioto Downs is a harness racing facility on the South side of Columbus (US 23, South of 270). Post time is 7:05 There is a restaurant, wagering and simulcast wagering available.

Automobiles

National Trail Raceway

Columbus Motor Speedway

Mid Ohio Sports Car Course

MISC

Shopping

Columbus has always had a strong mall presence, and while I'm not going to point you to ALL of them (there are way too many), there are a few which would allow your non-gaming family to spend way too much money.

Easton Town Square is an upscale mall masterminded by the man behind the wonder bra, Les Wexner. It hosts a huge 30 screen cineplex, way too little parking, and is designed to resemble a small town square - if the whole town was made of stores. Located on the North East side of Columbus, the simplest way to get there from the Convention Center is to take I-670 EAST from downtown, out past Port Columbus to I-270, then a short run NORTH on I-270 to the EASTON (natch) EXIT. LEGO STORE!

Tuttle Crossing is on the opposite side of Columbus from Easton. It's a more traditional "indoor" mall, where you can escape the heat or cold and still spend way too much money. This one is harder to get to if you're not a local. From the Convention Center, get to I-70 WEST, take it to I-270 North, then exit at Tuttle Crossing.

Polaris Fashion Place is a very scary mall, one of the largest in the midwest, 7 anchors and lots of shopping in the immediate area. Just North of Columbus, exit 121. It's just freaking big - check out the website.

Movie Theaters

The Arena Grand is the closest movie theater to ORIGINS. An upscale, all stadium, Dolby Digital THX facility with 8 screens. As the name suggests, it's in the Arena District, near the Hockey Arena. Just a few blocks from the Convention Center / ORIGINS. Just in case you need to see Green Lantern again...