Did you know that prisoners were once stashed in the crypt at the Ohio Statehouse? Did you know that the Ohio Statehouse had a crypt? (Just for the record, I didn't.)

You can see prisoner grafitti and lots more behind-the-scenes stuff during special event tours scheduled for Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. The tour is NOT ADA accessible, and includes a climb up more than 70 stairs through the narrow spiral staircase to the top of the Cupola. So heels aren't a great idea...In fact, staff suggests that you dress "for attic and basement exploration."

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. All tours depart from the Map Room. The easiest way to the Map Room is via the Third Street Statehouse entrance. Participants will be required to sign a waiver; kids under age 18 will require the signature of their guardian.

Tickets are $10 per adult and $4 per child under the age of 16. You can only buy them through the Ohio Statehouse Museum shop. The shop is on the ground level of the Capitol building, and open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The shop also sells them online at www.statehouseshop.com, but a $2 handling and shipping charge is added to each online order.

If you can't make the July dates, the Ohio Statehouse offers less strenuous, free tours every day. Call ahead for group reservations.

Photo courtesy of the Ohio Statehouse Photo Archive.

The Columbus Zoo and COTA have teamed up with special pricing for Zoo and Zoombezi Bay. If you take a bus to the Zoo or waterpark, now thru September 7, you get 1/2 off regular Zoo admission, or, $4 off Zoombezi Bay admission.

Routes begin downtown and travel northwest. See schedule for details.
Photo courtesy of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The next free PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park concert is July 18. These short jazz concerts are put together by the Jazz Arts Group (JAG), the Friends of the Topiary Park and the Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML). Last month's program was perfect for the families and lunchtime listeners who sat on benches and the grass, eating their lunches and bobbing their heads.

There are three more Saturday PBJ programs this summer.
July 18: Guest artists: Eric Paton and Yumbambe
Aug. 15: Guest artists: Derek DiCenzo and friends
Sept. 19: “Youth Jam" with young Columbus jazz musicians

The Topiary Park is next to CML's main branch downtown. It's filled with bushes grown and trained to resemble George Seurat’s famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Topiary Park.

The Summer Movie Series at the Ohio Theatre is 39 years old, and ranks as a must go for many Central Ohioans. This year, the Series runs July 17-August 30, a later start than usual because A Chorus Line and Mama Mia! are at the Ohio earlier this summer. The schedule includes adventure, comedy, drama, sports, musicals, suspense, westerns, chick flicks and late night showings.

The cheapest way to see the movies is to buy strips of 10 tickets for $25. Individual tickets are $4; senior citizen tickets are $3.50. Seats are on a first come-first served basis. Get there early to grab a good spot, and enjoy Clark Wilson’s performance on the huge theater organ.

And, if you've ever wanted a tour of the Ohio Theatre, this is your chance. CAPA is guiding a behind-the-scenes look at the historic Ohio Theatre with free tours on Saturday, July 25, Saturday, August 15, and Saturday, August 29, at 4:30 pm each day. Tours begin in the front lobby of the Ohio Theatre, and include the history of the State Theatre of Ohio and a demonstration of the “Mighty Morton” theatre organ.

Tours are free, but reservations are required and space is limited. To make a reservation, send an email to tours@capa.com or call 614.469.6900. Please specify your preferred date. Tours do include stairs.