Right Now Downtown

ADVENTURE IN THE CUPOLA

Move over Indiana Jones.  Adventure awaits during The Cornerstone to Cupola Tour at the Ohio Statehouse.

But you have to hurry, the tickets go on sale July 1 and they sell out quickly.  This is not some run of the mill visit through a dusty government building.  Come dressed for exploration as you navigate places in the “People’s House” rarely seen by the general public.

Visitors will discover the “lost” cornerstone and prisoner graffiti in the Crypt.  Did you know that Ohio’s Capitol was built entirely from prisoner labor and it took 22 years to complete?

Early Ohioans wanted their capitol building to serve as a symbol of the state’s democratic form of government.  They looked for inspiration in the architecture of ancient Greek cities and based the Ohio Statehouse on the design of these classic temples.

One of the highlights of the tour will include climbing more than 70 stairs through the narrow spiral staircase to the top of the Cupola.

These special behind-the-scenes tours are scheduled for Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18.  There are three tour times each day:  10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Space is limited; tours are restricted to 20 individuals per tour start time.  For more information go to www.statehouseshop.com and click on “Statehouse Exclusive” or visit the Ohio Statehouse Museum Shop located on the ground level of the Capitol building.  The Museum Shop is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; closed Sundays and holidays.

Ticket prices for the special The Cornerstone to Cupola Tour are $10 per adult and $4 per child under the age of 16.  A $2 handling and shipping charge will be assessed to each online and phone order.

If you aren’t up for the behind-the-scenes expedition, come for a free guided tour offered Monday through Friday on the hour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 3 p.m.  Get inspired by the architecture, fine art, interpretive exhibits and the working offices and chambers that have been the site of Ohio government since 1861.

See you at the People’s House!

THE LAZY MAN’S GUIDE TO EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS DAYS

There’s a couple ways to approach the three days of festivities known as Experience Columbus Days.  You could do a willy-nilly drive around, frantically hitting as many discount deals as possible.

With that approach comes stress and angst.  Who needs all the drama when the best bang for the buck comes in one concentrated area?  Enter Downtown Columbus…

1.  It starts with a visit to the Santa Maria (the only option with an authentic Christopher Columbus connection).  Guests can explore a real relic and take the official tour at a buy one/get one rate.

2.  Over at the Ohio Statehouse, tours are always FREE.  That said, it’s a great way to celebrate the weekend and the tours of the Statehouse building and museum are going full force on Saturday and Sunday.

3.  When the demands of this rigorous schedule render you too weak to walk, enter SegAway Tours.  Now famous for the fabulously interesting local trivia tidbits, at 50% off, you save a whopping $22.50 per rider.

Of course, you’ll need sustenance to survive our grueling itinerary.  The weekend celebration includes 25% off your tab at local Dine Originals restaurants.  Downtown members include Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails,  Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus, and Due Amici.  Check out experiencecolumbusdays.com for more information and the discount flyer.

Five miles of High Street offers one of the best walks in the United States.  On High Street or within a “stone’s throw” of High Street between German Village and the University District are 20 movie screens; more than 30 live performance venues and dance clubs; 4,000 hotel rooms; 300 restaurants; 200 retail stores and boutiques; and 40 art galleries.

The area includes four city parks, a developing riverfront park system, and an NHL arena.  There is a baseball park, a public market, and three farmers markets.  Six historic districts line this stretch of High Street, as well as the historic Ohio Statehouse, three historic theatres, and two historic parks.  The walk would take you past the country’s largest university campus and the Wexner Center.

High Street offers Gallery Hop, ComFest, the Columbus Marathon, Greek Festival, Gay Pride Parade, and a host of other events, races and parades.  You can sit at outdoor cafes, listen to street musicians, browse in bookstores, and easily hail a cab.

There are some gaps to be filled, for sure.  But if you work or live downtown, you are in the middle of a very special place.