As mentioned earlier, I-70, I-71, I-670, and 315 form a loop around downtown often called the innerbelt. This makes access to downtown Columbus pretty easy.
East and West Broad St. and North and South High St. are the main arterials downtown; "Broad and High" where they meet is often considered "the" center of downtown. With the Statehouse at that corner and several state office towers nearby, this seems like the center of downtown.
The Statehouse is easy to get to. Surrounded by lawn, it is one of the prettier spots in downtown Columbus. You can park underneath, with access to other nearby state office buildings.
Just south of the Statehouse is City Center Mall. Built in the late 1980s to save retail in the downtown area, unfortunately, it too is failing of late, with a fairly high vacancy rate.
A couple blocks east of the Statehouse on E. Broad St. is the original Wendy's restaurant, now closed.
Just south of the mall are the historic Southern Theater and Hotel.
To the north of the Statehouse and other state office buildings are a few blocks of various downtown buildings and lots, then you reach the Greater Columbus Convention Center. This is the beginning of Columbus' "cool zone", the Arena District (where the Blue Jackets play hockey) and the Short North Arts District.
If you're planning to stay downtown, here is a listing of downtown hotels and motels:
- Best Western Clarmont Inn
- Columbus Renaissance Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
- Crowne Plaza Hotel
- Doubletree Suites Hotel
- Days Inn Downtown West
- Drury Inn Convention Center
- Economy Inn Downtown
- 50 Lincoln Inn
- Hampton Inn Downtown
- Holiday Inn City Center
- Hyatt on Capitol Square
- The Lofts
- Red Roof Inn Downtown
- Village Inn Motel
- Westin Great Southern Hotel
