Downtown Columbus - Columbus, OH Area Guide

Founded in 1812, Columbus was chosen as Ohio’s capital because of its central location and river access. In 1831, the city saw a population boom thanks to the completion of National Road, which ran from Columbus to Baltimore. By the end of the 19th century, the downtown area was home to several businesses, including approximately two dozen buggy factories. World War II brought a slew of new jobs, and residents, to Downtown Columbus. Once the city’s interstate was constructed, people flocked to the suburbs, and the downtown area became the city’s business district.

Downtown Columbus has a thriving arts scene that includes abundantly scattered art galleries and performing arts theaters. Two museums sit downtown – Santa Maria, which features a replica of Christopher Columbus’ boat, and COSI, a popular children’s museum featuring hands-on science exhibits. Every year Downtown Columbus hosts the Riverfront Art Festival and The Columbus Food Truck Fest.

The Downtown Columbus area hosts an array of dining options, mostly along High Street, including Chinese restaurants, delis, fast food restaurants and pizza joints. Cafe Napolitana Pizzeria, located on High Street, serves huge portions of lasagna, calzones and subs. People working in the downtown area stop in during the lunch rush to purchase thin-crust pizza by the slice, but the restaurant also has a small bar and tables so it attracts the after-work crowd, too. The locals rave about the pizzeria's warm, welcoming atmosphere and can't get enough of its one-of-a-kind garlic knots.

The Thurman Cafe serves great burgers, but they aren't quite as good as the Ringside Café burgers, according to the locals. Nestled in Pearl Alley, adjacent to Rhodes Tower, the restaurant serves huge burgers loaded with toppings. All of the restaurant's burgers, including the popular Smokin' Joe BBQ Bacon Burger, the Haymaker and the Duran Cajun Bleu Burger, come with a side of fries, but many of the local patrons say that upgrading to onion rings is worth the added cost.

For Southern-style comfort food, visit Flatiron Bar & Diner on Nationwide Boulevard for the Cornmeal Fried Oyster Po' Boy sandwich. It features huge cornmeal-crusted oysters on a fresh hoagie bun topped with lettuce, tomato and a creamy, slightly spicy aioli sauce. Other restaurant favorites include the beef brisket sandwich, which comes slathered in sweet barbeque sauce, and the Cajun Dusted Tilapia Po' Boy, which comes topped with lettuce, tomato and a chunky Creole-style tartar sauce.

Downtown Columbus has a dynamic nightlife that has something for everyone to enjoy, including music venues, dance clubs and bars. The after-work crowd prefers the sophisticated, relaxed atmosphere at Sidebar Columbus -- a tapas-style bar that serves Southern-inspired dishes with a Mediterranean flare, drinks reminiscent of the Roaring '20s, and an array of wines. For a laid-back, neighborhood vibe, visit the Main Bar on Main Street. Known for its strong, inexpensive drinks, the hole-in-the-wall bar features big-screen TVs and a wide selection of draft beer. Head to the Avalon on Fifth Street to dance the night away. The club features two multifunctional rooms -- a lounge and a dance floor -- a fully loaded bar and a kitchen that stays open until 11 p.m.

Traffic in Downtown Columbus gets congested while people are commuting to and from work but remains manageable throughout the rest of the day. Two major interstates bisect the city – Interstate 70 runs east to west and Interstate 71 runs north to south. To avoid traffic when traveling outside the city, use the Interstate 270 Outerbelt to bypass the city. Downtown Columbus has more than 4,000 parking meters that charge between $0.40 and $1 per hour and several public parking garages that charge between $5 and $15 per day.

Even though it isn’t difficult to navigate Downtown Columbus traffic, most downtown residents walk, ride bikes or use public transportation to get to their destinations. The city has designated bike lanes along its main streets, and its bike share program, CoGo, allows people to rent bikes for short periods of time throughout the day. The Central Ohio Transit Authority operates the city’s bus system, which runs throughout the downtown area and into the suburbs. You can’t hail a cab in Downtown Columbus. Instead, you need to call a cab company or use the Uber app on your phone to arrange a ride.

Downtown Columbus lacks an actual playground, but it houses several kid-friendly parks. Bicentennial Park features an outdoor amphitheater that sees a fair share of local performances, an expansive lawn area and interactive fountains that keep kids entertained for hours. Columbus Commons, located directly in the center of Downtown Columbus, features a carousel for the kiddos that gives the park a whimsical feel. For a scenic place to exercise, head to Scioto Mile to walk, bike or jog along the river, and to exercise your dog, visit the Downtown Dog Park on the corner of East Spring and North Fourth Street.

On average, the cost of living in Downtown Columbus rests around 11 percent higher than the rest of Columbus, but the inflated percentage only applies to housing. Expect to pay about $750 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment, between $4 and $5 for a pint of beer and $2 to navigate the city via public bus. Local gas prices typically rest at about 3 percent lower than the national average.

Downtown Columbus doesn't have a main shopping area, but most stores and boutiques sit along Main, Gay, and High Streets. Avid music fans enjoy the old-school vibe at Spoonful Records on East Long Street. The store specializes in vinyl albums, including hard-to-find titles, and has a good cheap-bin section filled with records priced between 50 cents and $1. The shop frequently hosts meet-and-greet events with different bands, and it features a few free-to-play pinball machines. Team Chipmunk, a boutique on Third Street, specializes in children's clothing but also has a wide selection of handmade dresses for women. Made from simple patterns, the timeless cotton dresses feature bold prints perfect for summer.

While grocery stores don't really exist downtown, many amazing farmers markets do. For a wide selection of ethnic foods and food products, visit The Market Italian Village on Summit Street. Not only can you purchase food for the home, but you can sit down and enjoy the amazing entree options from the cafe. The wine selection at the market brings many customers in regularly.

Nestled on Spruce Street you will find the North Market where many residents purchase fresh produce and meat. The market remains open every day of the week, so don't miss the opportunity to pile up on fresh foods and mingle with the neighbors. Pay close attention to the market's website for updates on its fun and exciting events.

Nationwide Arena, Ohio Theatre, Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, the Scioto Mile, Bicentennial Park, Scioto River, Ohio State Capitol