Columbus is the capital of the US state of Ohio and is located centrally within the state. It is the home of The Ohio State University. Named after the explorer for Spain, this city has become the largest in Ohio in terms of population located strictly within municipal borders. However, Columbus is considered the third-largest metropolis in the state, as Cleveland and Cincinnati are the core cities to larger metropolitan areas. This is key to understanding Columbus:

The city is considered a "newer" city, lacking the large stretches of suburbia which surround Cleveland, Cincinnati, and other northern cities in the US. It's also considered a smaller city than its neighbors in either direction along Interstate 71, not only because of the metropolitan area issue, but because Cleveland and Cincinnati have long been much larger cities than the rapidly growing Columbus. Generally arranged in a big circle, it is central to many other cities including Detroit, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

Attractions

 • North Market, Arena District, Shop for meats, cheeses, fish, baked goods, produce, ethnic foods, gourmet products, flowers and unique gifts, while enjoying some of the best people watching in the city. 59 Spruce Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 one block north of Nationwide Arena one block west of Greater Columbus Convention Center.
 • Easton Town Center, 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219. This is the finest shopping experience you will see on this half of the country. Filled with a beautiful atmosphere and high-class stores and restaurants, it's great for an evening walk too.
 • The Ohio State University, The second largest university in the nation (U Texas is slightly larger). OSU is home to one of the most storied football programs in history. See The Horseshoe (The Ohio Stadium), The Oval, Mirror Lake.
 • Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St., 614-294-1659. Small venue with big acts. America's longest continually running rock club.
 • Little Brother's, 1100 N. High St., (614) 421-2025. An even smaller venue with budding acts. Formerly Stache's.
 • Goodale Park, just north of I-670, west of High Street, great for kids. Home to Comfest every June.
 • COSI, West Broad Street, science and learning museum, great for kids
 • The Columbus Zoo
 • Wyandot Lake Water Park a Six Flags park
 • The Ohio State Fair Largest fair of its kind in the world. Famous for its yearly butter sculpture and all sorts of food "on a stick."
 • The Greater Columbus Convention Center Located downtown between the Arena District and the Short North, this convention center houses gaming cons, Sci-Fi cons, teachers association meetings, fitness expos, and almost any kind of large gathering you can imagine. A Hyatt Regency hotel is built into the structure, and several other hotels are connected by skyway tunnels.
 • The Arnold 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 Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.

Dining

Budget
 • Hound Dog's, North High Street / Campus / Clintonville, great pizza, open 24-hours.
 • The Blue Danube, North High Street / Campus / Clintonville, cheap bar/diner with a wide variety of food and drinks, open late.
 • City Barbeque is a 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.
 • Yan'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.
 • Wendy's headquartered in nearby Dublin, Ohio. Visit the original Wendy's downtown on Broad Street.
 • Aladdin's Eatery, Grandview, High Street, & Dublin locations, Mediterranean fusion. Healthy, fresh, and priced well.

Mid-range
 • Thurman's, a bar with the absolute best burgers in town. It's in the nice German Village area at 183 Thurman Avenue, Columbus, OH 43206. The Thurman Burger is loaded with all types of meat, including ham and bacon and globs of all of your favorite garnishings. The wings are also rumored to be excellent, but it's difficult to go there and not order one of their fantastic burgers.
 • Schmidt's Sausage Haus, also in the German Village area, head south on High Street from downtown, turn left on Kossuth Street. Authentic German sausage, schnitzel, red cabbage, etc. Don't leave without trying their microbrewed beer, as well as the fresh-baked vanilla cream puffs (one is enough for two people).
 • Max & Erma's the quintessential 'burgers and stuff' sort of place got its' start here, and you can find one almost anywhere in town. 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!
 • Columbus Brewing Company, just west of the Brewery District... fine food at a good price.

Splurge
 • Dragonfly is a nationally known, upscale, 100% vegan restaurant on King Avenue near campus.
 • Haiku is an excellent Sushi/Japanese restaurant in the Short North. Parking is extremely limited, but they offer free valet service. Food can get pricey, especially if you order a good bit of fresh sushi, but more than worth what you spend.

Drink

 • The Arena District, home of The Columbus Nationwide Arena. Bars include The 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 Brewery District, located just south of downtown, will get you tore up. Many establishments in a small area.
 • The Winking Lizard in Dublin sports a good beer selection.
 • 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.
 • Skully's Music Diner near 5th Ave and N High Street is a trendy, but unassuming bar.
 • 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.
 • Barley's is a microbrewery in the Short North that is known for its high-quality beers.
 • Victorian's Midnight Cafe at the corner of 5th & Neil avenues. Non-smoking, a great selection of beers, very casual. Live music most nights.

Lodging

 • Clarion Hotel & Suites Conference Center Columbus 900 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. Tel: (614) 888-7440. Fax: (614) 888-7879. An upscale hotel providing affordable accommodations to both leisure and business travelers visiting Columbus - conveniently situated near Historic Worthington and downtown Columbus. Secure Online Reservations.
 • Comfort Inn North Columbus Hotel 1213 E. Dublin Granville Rd. Tel: (614) 885-4084. Fax: (614) 885-9280.
 • Comfort Suites Columbus Hotel 1690 Clara St I-71, Exit 111. Tel: (614) 586-1001. Fax: (614) 586-1002.
 • Comfort Suites Columbus Hotel 5547 Keim Circle. Tel: (614) 870-7658. Fax: (614) 878-8366. Easy access to downtown Columbus, shops, restaurants and movie theater within the area. Secure Online Reservations.
 • Comfort Suites Columbus Hotel - near Port Columbus Int'l Airport CMH on Sawyer Road 4270 Sawyer Rd. Tel: (614) 237-5847. Fax: (614) 231-5926.
 • Comfort Suites Columbus Hotel 5944 Scarborough Blvd. Tel: (614) 552-2525. Fax: (614) 552-2526. Peaceful setting conveniently located off I-70 exit 110. All suite hotel with indoor pool and free continental breakfast bar. Secure Online Reservations.
 • Econo Lodge Brice Road Columbus Hotel 5950 Scarborough Blvd. Tel: (614) 864-4670. Fax: (614) 864-3404.
 • Econo Lodge North Columbus Hotel 6125 Zumstein Drive. Tel: (614) 436-0800. Fax: (614) 436-0833.
 • Quality Inn & Suites North Columbus Hotel 1001 Schrock Rd. Tel: (614) 431-0208. Fax: (614) 433-9766.

Internet

 • Stauf's: Grandview Village Possibly the best coffee place in Columbus.
 • The Coffee Table, North High Street, near Goodale Park in the Short North
 • The Waiting Room, North High Street, near 1st Ave.
 • Cup O' Joe, Several locations throughout the city including North High Street, German Village, Bexley,, and Olentangy River Road.
 • 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 Street, and in the suburbs.
 • Scotty McBean's, two locations in Beechwold and Worthington on High Street.
 • The Ohio State University, Not a cafe, but grab a coffee and plant yourself anywhere near the science buildings, especially Smith. Scientists don't like closed networks, so they are usually open.
 • Arena District, Anywhere in the green spaces of the Arena District: