Exploring Downtown Columbus
Exploring Downtown Columbus
By Giles Kennedy
Family and Travel Columnist
There are a lot of places folks know about Downtown Columbus.
There are also a few places people overlooked.
Here's a break down how to travel to Downtown without breaking the bank.
Take COTA, in particular, take the CMAX rapid bus service.
If you live in northern Franklin County or Southern Delaware County, the easiest thing to do is park at Ohio Health's Westerville Medical Campus.
The CMAX northern terminus is here with an extremely safe park and ride.
There are various other places to park and ride, see COTA's website.
The route mainly follows Cleveland Avenue into Downtown. It literally runs from the earliest hours (1st buses running out around 5am) to late night. The last bus arrives back at 10:35 pm.
Base Camp: Dempsey's
An Irish Bar and Grill for breakfast?
Yes.
For the past several years, Dempsey's has been a great destination for breakfast. Opening at 7 am, their moderate priced breakfast menu.
They are located right across from the Franklin County Government Center, right in between Main and Town Streets on High.
They also the home base of the Notre Dame Fan Club of Columbus. Saturday college football just doesn't include Scarlet and Grey. Saturday family friendly watch parties and various other events happens at the quinte pub.
Ohio Statehouse
Whether you are downtown for civil duty or exploring via hike/ bicycling, the Ohio Statehouse is a great place to geek out on history.
Tours are free and start in front of the Statehouse gift shop.
Please visit the website for details. Exploring the Statehouse isn't just for school groups anymore.
Graze Market Cafe is in the base of the Statehouse as well. They have excellent food and do their best to resource Ohio grown and raised food for their menu.
From there; Columbus Commons, The Scioto Mile, North Bank Park and many other green spaces are at your footsteps.
Check out links and info from Columbus Parks and Recreation as well as Columbus Metro Parks
https://columbusrecparks.com/
https://www.metroparks.net/
Just south of Downtown Columbus, lies one of the best Metro Parks in Central Ohio.
Scioto Audubon Metro Park
https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/scioto-audubon/
6:30am to 10pm April through September
6:30am to 8pm October through March
Phone: 614.202.5197
Just south of Downtown Columbus; off Front and Whittier Streets, sits Scioto Audubon Metro Park.
The really nice thing about this park; it is not just for railfans at all. It was developed shortly after the demolition of what was once the Lazarus and Company’s large warehouse facility.
You can very easily pack up the family, get a picnic lunch, and much more.
If you are an average hiker, bicyclist or runner; you make this easily a fitness and railfan stop as well.
The park has a nature center, several trails linking to the Scioto Mile, a climbing rock wall area, playground, and several wetlands pond areas.
Panoramic views can be caught via the recycled Lazarus Water Tower with observation decks.
There are many options in Downtown Columbus. One just has to simply explore.
