Columbus (Indiana)

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

Get in

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.

  • 🌍 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.

  • 🌍 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

  • 🌍 Bartholomew County Courthouse. A historic courthouse building built in the second empire style. It features large clock tower.
  • 🌍 Fire Station Number 4. An early post modernist fire station, most clearly recognized by its tower displaying the number "4".
  • 🌍 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.
  • 🌍 Indiana University – Purdue University Columbus. An extension campus located near the airport.
  • 🌍 McEwen-Samuels-Marr House. A two-story brick house in the Italianate style.
  • 🌍 Miller House. Famous for its conversation pit.
  • 🌍 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

  • 🌍 Large Arch (in the plaza outside the library). An 25-foot (7.6 m) tall bronze arch sculpture by Henry Moore.
  • 🌍 Chaos I (inside the commons). A 30-foot-tall series of motors and gears giving the statue movement.
  • 🌍 Friendship Way. A pedestrian alley with public artwork on display.
  • 🌍 Veteran's Memorial.

Do

Buy

  • 🌍 Fair Oaks Mall, +1 812-372-3831. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM.
  • 🌍 Cummins Power Store, 406 Washington St, +1 812-376-4745. M-F 8:30AM-5PM. Sells Cummis branded apparel.
  • 🌍 Columbus Farmers Market (Cummins Parking Lot). Second weekend of May - Third weekend of September 9AM-12:30PM.

Eat

  • 🌍 Amazing Joe's Grill, 2607 Central Ave, +1 812-378-2130.
  • 🌍 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

Sleep

Budget

  • 🌍 Super 8, 110 Carr Hill Rd, +1 812-372-8828. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes wifi, breakfast, and truck parking. $70.
  • 🌍 Sleep Inn, 2335 Jonathan Moore Pike, +1 812-372-7200. Includes an indoor pool, Wi-Fi, fitness center, and breakfast. $100.

Mid-range

  • 🌍 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).
  • 🌍 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

  • 🌍 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

Postal

Cope

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


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