Columbus is the capital and the largest city of state of Ohio. The city has a diverse economy based on education, insurance, healthcare, retail, and technology. The city is dominated by a humid continental climate, characterized by hot, muggy summers and cold, dry winters. Columbus is bisected by two major Interstate Highways, Interstate 70 running eastñwest, and Interstate 71 running north to roughly southwest. The two Interstates combine downtown for about 1.5 miles in an area locally known as "The Split".
Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) is the main gateway to Columbus metropolitan area and offers superb access to Downtown Columbus. Some airlines that service this airport are Air Canada, AirTran Airways, American/American Eagle Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways.
Columbus has professional sports teams in hockey, soccer, arena football, and minor league baseball. The Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League and Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League both play at Nationwide Arena. The Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer play at their own stadium, Columbus Crew Stadium, which was the first Soccer-specific stadium built in the United States. The Columbus Clippers currently host their games at Cooper Stadium but are beginning construction on a new ballpark in the Arena District named Huntington Park, currently scheduled to open in April, 2009.
Columbus is the home of two public colleges: The Ohio State University, one of the largest college campus in the United States and Columbus State Community College. Private institutions located in Columbus include the Columbus College of Art and
Design, DeVry University, Ohio Institute of Health Careers, and Franklin University.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is world renowned for its collections that include lowland gorillas, manatees, Siberian tigers, cheetahs, and kangaroos. Its director emeritus, Jack Hanna, frequently appears on national television, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman. Also in the zoo complex is the Zoombezi Bay water park and amusement park.
The Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio is a shopper's delight. The mall boasts many specialty stores including
Abercrombie & Fitch, AÈropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, babygap, Banana Republic, bebe, The Body Shop,
Build-A-Bear Workshop, CachÈ, Eddie Bauer, Express, Express Men, Gap, J. Crew, The Limited, New York & Company
and Victoria's Secret. Two major anchor stores include Macy's and Nordstrom.
Some fine dining in Columbus can be found at Schmidt's Sausage HAUS, M Restaurant & Bar, Buca Di Beppo, Bexley's Monk, Rosendales, and the Barcelona Restaurant. Some familiar restaurants include Bob Evans, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, the Longhorn Steakhouse and the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant.
Hotels for accommodations and lodgings in Columbus, Ohio include Concourse Hotel and Conference Center, Country Inn Suites by Carlson Columbus Airport, Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Airport, Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Airport,
Comfort Suites Columbus Sawyer, Red Roof Inn-Columbus Downtown, Ramada Columbus, Holiday Inn Columbus-City Center, Crowne Plaza-Columbus Downtown, Hampton Inn-Columbus Downtown, and Holiday Inn Express Columbus.
Columbus maintains a widespread municipal bus service called the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). Taxi service includes Yellow Cab, ABC Express Cab and AAA Express Taxi.