Columbus
Columbus is a city in Southern Indiana and the seat of Bartholomew county.
Understand
Columbus is noted for its inspired architecture and public artwork.
Visitor information
- 1 Columbus Area Visitors Center, 506 5th St, ☏ +1 812-378-2622, toll-free: +1-800-468-6564.
Get in
Map of Columbus (Indiana)
By car
Columbus lies adjacent to Interstate 65. The easiest exit to take, whether coming from the north or south is exit 68 at State Road 46 (also called Jonathan Moore Pike).
By plane
Columbus has a municipal airport, but it is only used for private and the occasional charter flight. The nearest commercial airport is Indianapolis International Airport (IND). It is about a 60-minute drive from downtown Columbus. Louisville International Airport (SDF) is about a 75-minute drive.
- 1 Columbus Municipal Airport (CLU IATA), 4770 Ray Boll Blvd, ☏ +1 812-376-2519. A large General aviation airport. A former World War II and Cold War era air base, its history is documented in an onsite museum. The airport also has the "Hanger Five" restaurant in the terminal, serving American breakfast and lunch.
By bus
There is a daily bus that runs from Columbus to the bus station in downtown Indianapolis. It can be boarded at the "transportation depot" next to the county jail.
Get around
The 27 mi (43 km) Columbus people's trail circles the city, allowing for easy movement by bicycle.
- 2 ColumBUS (Columbus Transit), 850 Lindsey St, ☏ +1 812-376-2506. M-F 6AM-8PM, Sa 6AM-6PM. $0.25 a person a ride.
See
Architecture
- 1 Bartholomew County Courthouse. A historic courthouse building built in the second empire style. It features large clock tower.
- 2 Fire Station Number 4. An early post modernist fire station, most clearly recognized by its tower displaying the number "4".
- 3 The Republic Newspaper Office. A former office for the local newspaper, it uses glass walls extensively. It is now used by Indiana University for classes.
- 4 Indiana University – Purdue University Columbus. An extension campus located near the airport.
- 5 McEwen-Samuels-Marr House. A two-story brick house in the Italianate style.
- 6 Miller House. Famous for its conversation pit.
- 7 L. Frances Smith Elementary School, 4505 Waycross Dr, ☏ +1 812-376-4317. Elementary school with modern architecture, including colorful, tube-like hallways and corridors. Not open to public, but the exterior itself merits a visit.
Public art
- 8 Large Arch (in the plaza outside the library). An 25-foot (7.6 m) tall bronze arch sculpture by Henry Moore.
- 9 Chaos I (inside the commons). A 30-foot-tall series of motors and gears giving the statue movement.
- 10 Friendship Way. A pedestrian alley with public artwork on display.
- 11 Veteran's Memorial.
Do
- Exhibit Columbus. Annual architecture symposium and exhibition.
- 1 The Crump Theatre.
- 2 Hamilton Ice Arena. A public enclosed skating venue. Open year round.
- 3 YES Cinima (YCCC), 328 Jackson St, ☏ +1 812-378-4YES (937). A downtown cinema operated by a local charity.
- 4 Donner Aquatic Center, 739 22nd St, ☏ +1 812-376-2680. An outdoor public swimming complex, with a water slide, diving boards, lap pool, and leisure pool.
- 5 Greenbelt Golf Course, 1000 Gladstone Ave, ☏ +1 812-376-2684. 18 holes - $18.
Buy
- 1 Fair Oaks Mall, ☏ +1 812-372-3831. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM.
- 2 Cummins Power Store, 406 Washington St, ☏ +1 812-376-4745. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. Sells Cummis branded apparel.
- 3 Columbus Farmers Market (Cummins Parking Lot). Second weekend of May - Third weekend of September 9AM-12:30PM.
Eat
- 1 Amazing Joe's Grill, 2607 Central Ave, ☏ +1 812-378-2130.
- 2 Ramen Alley, 217 Washington Street, Suite D ((entrance is in the alley)), ☏ +1 812-552-5089. Tu-Th 10AM-7PM; F Sa 10AM-8PM; closed Su M. Gourmet ramen and other gourmet noodle dishes. Order at the counter, staff brings it to your table. Delicious. A couple of vegetarian options are available. $10-15.
Drink
- 1 The Garage Pub and Grill, 308 4th St, ☏ +1 812-418-8918. Offers live entertainment.
- 2 ZwanzigZ Pizza & Brewing, 1038 Lafayette Ave, ☏ +1 812-376-0200. W-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su-Tu 11AM-9PM. A pizzeria that brews their own beer and soda.
- 3 Upland Pump House (Columbus Pump House), 148 Lindsey St, ☏ +1 812-799-3587. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 10AM-11PM.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Super 8, 110 Carr Hill Rd, ☏ +1 812-372-8828. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes wifi, breakfast, and truck parking. $70.
- 2 Sleep Inn, 2335 Jonathan Moore Pike, ☏ +1 812-372-7200. Includes an indoor pool, Wi-Fi, fitness center, and breakfast. $100.
Mid-range
- 3 Courtyard Columbus Tipton Lakes, 3888 Mimosa Drive, ☏ +1 812-342-8888. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Hotel provides complimentary Internet in lobby and guestrooms. The Bistro serves breakfast, dinner, beer, wine and Starbucks coffee. $150 (prices can range from $100-200 depending on business).
- 4 Hotel Indigo, 400 Brown St, ☏ +1 812-375-9100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Indoor pool, business center, fitness center, wired and wireless internet included. Allows pets with $35 deposit. $120-140.
Splurge
- 5 The Inn at Irwin Gardens, 608 5th St, ☏ +1 812-376-3663. A bed and breakfast in a historic Edwardian mansion. The gardens were inspired by roman gardens found in Pompeii, and the gardener's cottage is now home to a spa. The gardens are open freely to the public Tu Su 2-6PM from June to October. A guided tour is available of the first floor and garden from 1-2PM on open days for a cost of $15. $200.
Connect
By phone
Most telephone numbers in Columbus consist of +1 812 plus a seven-digit number, but the city and its surrounding area are now served by an overlay complex of two area codes, with +1 930 being the second. A local or in-state telephone call now requires all 10 digits of the local number be dialed (omitting just the leading +1 from a local landline call).
Signage on many established businesses may still display the original seven-digit numbers; dial 812 before these if no area code is indicated.
Internet
- 2 Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, 536 5th St, ☏ +1 812-379-1255. Includes the Digital Underground Makerspace.
Postal
- 3 Columbus Post Office, 450 Jackson St, ☏ +1 812-378-3521.
Cope
- 4 North Christian Church, 850 Tipton Ln, ☏ +1 812-372-1531. Su 10:30AM.
- 5 First Baptist Church, 3300 Fairlawn Dr, ☏ +1 812-376-3321, church@fbccolumbus.org. Su 9:30AM.
- 6 First Christian Church (FCCOC), 531 5th St. Su 9AM & 10:30AM.
Go next
| Routes through Columbus |
| Indianapolis ← Edinburgh ← | N  S |
→ Seymour → Louisville |
| Indianapolis ← Edinburgh ← | N  S |
→ Seymour → Louisville |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Jct  → Madison |
| Greenfield ← Shelbyville ← | N  S |
→ END |
| Bloomington ← Nashville ← | W  E |
→ Greensburg → Ends at  |