Car-less in Columbus
August 28, 2010 7:15 AM Subscribe
Columbus, OH question! We're getting dropped off in Columbus today for a wedding, so we'll be wandering around without a car. Can we safely walk from Short North to East Town Street Historic District? If not, what are some fun things to do in the Historic District for a couple hours?
We'll probably have about 2-3 hours to kill between getting dropped off by my sister and heading over to the wedding. We're car-less, license-less New Yorkers, so we're used to walking long distances, except we don't know how pedestrian-friendly Columbus is. I wanted to see Short North for the shops, and Google Maps suggests that we head east on E Nationwide/Mt Vernon, and then continuing south on Washington. Is this safe? Ideally I'd like to not get run over by huge trucks, bonus points if the walk is shady and/or interesting.
Barring this plan, what's a good way to enjoy the Columbus area near the Historic District? Any good streets to hit up?
We'll probably have about 2-3 hours to kill between getting dropped off by my sister and heading over to the wedding. We're car-less, license-less New Yorkers, so we're used to walking long distances, except we don't know how pedestrian-friendly Columbus is. I wanted to see Short North for the shops, and Google Maps suggests that we head east on E Nationwide/Mt Vernon, and then continuing south on Washington. Is this safe? Ideally I'd like to not get run over by huge trucks, bonus points if the walk is shady and/or interesting.
Barring this plan, what's a good way to enjoy the Columbus area near the Historic District? Any good streets to hit up?
Yes, spend time in the Short North district! Walking down High St. is great on a Saturday afternoon, and it should all be fairly walkable -- definitely sidewalks -- all the way down Washington, especially anywhere north of Main St.
However, I'm with kittydelsol: you might just want to walk all the way down High St. to Broad St. and then Broad to Washington/your destination. It'll probably be a little more populated and High&Broad is a big intersection for downtown Columbus. Not much going on, but it might be nice to see the Statehouse.
If you do walk down Mt. Vernon, you'll pass the Columbus State Community College campus. Not much to look at, but pedestrian-friendly. The Columbus Museum of Art is on the corner of Broad and Washington, and although I vote for Short North shops & restaurants, it's a nice museum and (I think!) entrance is free this entire month.
When you're in the Short North district, you might want to check out North Market, just a block down from High St., on Spruce St. Great food and very fun on Saturday afternoons!
posted by bluestocking at 7:46 AM on August 28, 2010
However, I'm with kittydelsol: you might just want to walk all the way down High St. to Broad St. and then Broad to Washington/your destination. It'll probably be a little more populated and High&Broad is a big intersection for downtown Columbus. Not much going on, but it might be nice to see the Statehouse.
If you do walk down Mt. Vernon, you'll pass the Columbus State Community College campus. Not much to look at, but pedestrian-friendly. The Columbus Museum of Art is on the corner of Broad and Washington, and although I vote for Short North shops & restaurants, it's a nice museum and (I think!) entrance is free this entire month.
When you're in the Short North district, you might want to check out North Market, just a block down from High St., on Spruce St. Great food and very fun on Saturday afternoons!
posted by bluestocking at 7:46 AM on August 28, 2010
Also: I live really close to all of this, so feel free to message me if you (have a smart phone/access to the internet and) need a ride or more information or you get lost! I'd be more than happy to help out, if possible.
posted by bluestocking at 7:51 AM on August 28, 2010
posted by bluestocking at 7:51 AM on August 28, 2010
Yeah, for the future and if you still need it, I work and live in this area; stay on High. At Nationwide moving to the east side of the street is wise; watch out after that point as not too many people are in the area. On Broad just before Washington they have the south side of the sidewalk blocked for construction.
posted by SMPA at 1:45 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by SMPA at 1:45 PM on August 28, 2010
This is too late for you, but for future reference as a lifelong Columbus resident: The large rectangle bordered by
I-70/I-71 running together on the South
I-71 on the East
Henderson Road on the North
and the Olentangy River (north of downtown) or Scioto River (downtown) on the West
is generally safe and walkable, and contains nearly all of the socioculturally relevant parts of town.
South of this rectangle is German Village and southwest of it is Grandview, and these areas contain small pockets of potential touristic interest. The entire remainder of the metropolitan area is skippable, generally unwalkable suburban wasteland.
posted by Kwine at 5:44 PM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
I-70/I-71 running together on the South
I-71 on the East
Henderson Road on the North
and the Olentangy River (north of downtown) or Scioto River (downtown) on the West
is generally safe and walkable, and contains nearly all of the socioculturally relevant parts of town.
South of this rectangle is German Village and southwest of it is Grandview, and these areas contain small pockets of potential touristic interest. The entire remainder of the metropolitan area is skippable, generally unwalkable suburban wasteland.
posted by Kwine at 5:44 PM on August 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
(The north border of the rectangle is up for debate; some might cut it off at north broadway, some might extend it to Rte. 161)
posted by Kwine at 5:46 PM on August 28, 2010
posted by Kwine at 5:46 PM on August 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kittydelsol at 7:27 AM on August 28, 2010