Columbus Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Columbus, Ohio - OH, USA)



Columbus is a modern, prosperous, clean and cheerful metropolis boasting a picturesque setting on the banks of the Scioto River in central Ohio. The city of Columbus offers visitors a diverse cultural scene, including the German Village and its numerous fine beers.

Other highlights in Columbus include a burgeoning arts scene, countless international restaurants, and an eclectic range of museums, all situated in a background of well-preserved turn-of-the-century warehouses and a thriving downtown CBD home to numerous Fortune 500 companies. Here are some helpful travel tips about life in Columbus.


Tourism and Tourist Information

The Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau boasts two locations, one at downtown Columbus City Center and another at Easton Town Center. This center offers advice when planning your holiday and provides information on a comprehensive list of Columbus attractions, as well as logistics such as opening times and admission costs.

Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau
Address: 90 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio OH, 43215, USA
Tel: +1 614 221 6623

Language

More than 300 languages are spoken in the USA, including more than 170 that are indigenous to the area, with the most commonly spoken language in Columbus, Ohio (OH) and throughout America being English.

Visas

Prior to your arrival in Columbus, check with your nearest consulate or embassy for information about whether you need a visa for travel to Columbus and the USA. Applications for visas should always be made well in advance.

Working

A number of different categories of non-immigrant visas are available for those planning to work in Columbus and the USA temporarily. Working without a visa is against the law in America, with harsh penalties. Those intending to work in Columbus should apply for the relevant working visa in their home country and may need a letter or documentation from their prospective Columbus employer.

Tipping

Tipping is generally expected in Columbus and in many cases required, unless the service has been particularly poor. Restaurants in Columbus usually expect a tip of between 10 to 20 percent, together with city taxi drivers. Bars in the city also appreciate some kind of gratuity and often have special tips trays on the counter. Hotel staff in Columbus also expect a small tip, which can be as little as a dollar.

Currency

Currency in circulation today in Columbus, Ohio, is typical of the United States of America. The American dollar is the official currency of the USA, and is commonly known as buck. Dollar bank notes in Columbus are usually called bills and come in denominations of $1, $2 (unusual), $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The dollar is divided into 100 cents and coins in Columbus come in denominations of 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime) and 25 cents (quarter) and a 1 dollar coin.

Smoking

When dining in Columbus, you will find many restaurants now operate strict 'no smoking' policies and the attitude of locals towards smoking in most public places in Columbus has changed greatly over recent years. Smoking is now also not permitted on public transport options in Columbus, which include bus and train travel. Before smoking in public areas in Columbus and Ohio, check with those around you.