Visitors Center

Here it is.  The first of many posts about the city of Columbus, IN.  What better place to start than right where my husband and I did when we first considered moving to Columbus.  In fact, it's the best place to start for anyone visiting or moving to the area:

The Visitors Center.

At the Visitors Center, you will find everything you need to know about Columbus.  To be honest, if you stop in there and talk to the staff or pick up some brochures, there really is no need to follow my blog (but I hope you do anyway!).  Whether you are looking for just some basic information such as maps, places to eat, or a comfy hotel, or you want to get the full history of the town, they have it all.  The friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready to greet you and answer your questions, and all with a smile. 

Besides just picking up brochures, this is the spot where you can start one of the tours of the city.  They offer a guided architecture tour, which consists of a two-hour bus ride showing you both the historic and modern sides of Columbus.  If you want to see the town at your own pace, pick up the guide and make the trek on foot while listening to the tour on your cell phone.  For an in depth look at the most famous house in the area, take a tour of the Miller House and Gardens, a mid-century Modernist residence designed by Eero Saarinen.  The house is now owned and run by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but it is the Columbus Visitors Center that will make your tour possible.  However, if you plan to join in on one of these tour guided adventures, make sure you have a reservation made in advance.  These are popular, and sell out quickly!  The staff hates to turn people down that want to go, but there is limited space on the buses.

Before you begin your tour or take your stroll around beautiful downtown, take in one of the movies they offer.  There is a "basic" information film and another about the Miller House.  Also, just walking around the first floor of the center, you can take in some local art exhibits and models of some of the buildings in town.  Look for some changes to be made this winter when some of the exhibits will change to more interactive learning experiences.

Part of the sculpture Yellow Chandelier by Chihuly



 

 One more thing you will want to know about the Visitors Center is that it is not just a location to begin your visit, but also has a wonderful gift shop full of local art and food for you to take home.  The shop is not only great for out-of-town guests, but a place that even the residents will want to stop in and do some shopping.  You can find items from jewelry to snacks, pottery to wood carvings, scarves to books, and everything in between, all in one great location.

If you are a resident and haven't checked out the Visitors Center, make sure to stop in and see what you have been missing.  Guest or resident, the staff and volunteers are eagar to welcome you and get you started on your way to exploring Columbus!

Just a few of the fantastic staff ready to help you on your own journey.
Left to Right: Joyce Orwin, Director of Tours and Volunteers
Susan Whittaker, First Floor Manager
Judie Lahr, Director of Welcome Bags and Displays
Ivana Armstrong, General Staff



For more information, please visit http://www.columbus.in.us/

Location: 506 5th Street, Columbus, IN 47201

Phone: 800-468-6564 / 812-378-2622

Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm (Mar-Nov only; closed on Sun from Dec-Feb)

Tour Times:

Architecture Tour: Mar-Nov, Mon-Fri 10am, Sat 10am & 2pm, Sun 3pm

                            Dec-Feb, Sat only 10am & 2pm

Miller House and Gardens: Mar-Nov, Tue-Sat 1pm & 3pm, Sun 1pm

                            Dec-Feb, Sat only 1pm & 3pm