Visit the State House!

Located at the corner of High and State Streets in downtown Columbus, there is an impressive building just waiting for you to discover it's secrets. Whether you take a guided tour, a cell phone tour, an audio wand tour or just wander about without even a brochure to guide you, the State House should be on your "must see" list.

The State House is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Tours are offered everyday of the week. (10:00-3:00 on the hour Monday through Friday and noon until 3:00 on the hour on Saturday and Sunday.) Go to: http://www.ohiochannel.org/your_state/ohio_statehouse/tours/index.cfm for more information or call (614)728-2695. Groups of ten or more desiring a tour are asked to preregister, everyone else is invited to come to the 3rd Street Information Desk at least five minutes before the hour and express interest to join the tour. All tours are free.

If you visit during the summer, you may want to come on a Friday and enjoy the Performing Arts Series! The live presentations run from noon until one and are cancelled in the event of rain. If this interests you at all check, out the schedule of events at: http://www.ohiochannel.org/your_state/ohio_statehouse/events/calendar/event.cfm?event_id=107769 and visit before August 29th when the festivities conclude for the season.

Regardless of when you come or how you choose to explore the capital, don't miss the large map of Ohio located on the bottom floor of the State House. As you can see from our picture, the map, which is carved into the floor and made with different colored rocks, shows all 88 counties! It is fun to not only find the county you live in, but also to discuss the ones you have visited! You may also enjoy exploring the gift shop this summer before it closes for renovation. If you arrive and the shop is closed, feel free to visit its online site at: http://www.statehouseshop.com/! (Sometimes you just have to have a souvenir.)

When you come it is best always to enter at the 3rd Street Entrance as it is always unlocked during the hours of operation. (During winter months we have sometimes found the other doors closed.) The 3rd Street entrance is also the one that is wheelchair accessible. Greek Revival architecture is lovely to look at but, for many the stairs are just too much. Once inside expect elevators, smooth floors and well designed bathrooms to make this trip enjoyable for everyone.

If you come by car consider parking under the State House (enter from Broad, Third or State Streets). The parking is not free but, it is reasonable. Two hours during the week will cost you $4.00 with each additional hour costing $1.00. Understandably the weekend rates are cheaper. Call (614) 728-2557 or visit: http://www.ohiochannel.org/your_state/ohio_statehouse/information/parking/index.cfm. For an added thrill, ask someone how to use the tunnels, located in the underground parking area, to cross under the busy streets and "pop" up inside a building on the other side! Our kids think this is really neat.

With a grassy lawn for picnics, shiny stone floors to slide on and friendly people who are excited to teach you about Ohio...what's not to love? If you live outside of our fine state and can't visit, check out what your own capital has to offer. I bet it's almost as wonderful! ;-)