Experience Columbus
Columbus is ready to roll out the red carpet for you in March! Located within a day’s drive or hour’s flight from more than half of the U.S., our smart, open, and welcoming community was built on bold ideas and is fueled by relentless optimism. We dream big in Columbus and let nothing stop us from turning today’s ideas into innovative and inspired tomorrows.
From our state-of-the-art convention center to our award-winning food scene, from active adventures to diverse cultural experiences, find your vibe in Columbus and see why we say #yesColumbus. -Experience Columbus Team
Learn more about our 2025 Conference City here!
Things to do at OSU
Options include guided tours, group tours, and educational tours.
Catch an Ohio State Men’s Basketball Game
The team plays Nebraska at The Ohio State on March 4.
Visit the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Home to the world's largest collection of cartoon and comic art!
Check out the Wexner Center for the Arts
The Wexner Center is The Ohio State University’s multidisciplinary laboratory for contemporary art and culture.
Catch Live Performance and Sports in Action in Columbus
Are you ready to rock? The rocking-est show of the year is back and bigger and badder than ever before! This time it’s a battle for the elements! Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Space battle it out as Pop, Country, Broadway, Hip Hip, and Rock! Will rock take over and win the battle of the elements? Will the other genres rise to the occasion and win? Or will they all band together in the end to celebrate each other? You can only find out as Virginia West and the West Family presents STADIUM VIRGINIUM XIV: ELEMENTAL! Do not miss this epic battle of some of the best music of all time! Get tickets here! STADIUM VIRGINIUM XIV: ELEMENTAL will play Friday, March 7 and Saturday March 8 at 8 p.m.
The Columbus Fury - March 5
The Columbus Fury, professional women’s volleyball, welcome you to their match on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. vs Omaha Supernova at Nationwide Arena! Participants and Attendees of USITT25 will receive a special $25 and $30 ticket price in the Serve Zone and Curve and End Court price levels (regular price is $35 or $40) for this match. This exclusive offer can be accessed online by clicking here.
The Columbus Fury, professional women’s volleyball, welcome you to their match on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. vs Omaha Supernova at Nationwide Arena! Participants and Attendees of USITT25 will receive a special $25 and $30 ticket price in the Serve Zone and Curve and End Court price levels (regular price is $35 or $40) for this match. This exclusive offer can be accessed online by clicking here.
Fat Ham at the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio
The only real death in this witty take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet is the patriarchy. To be or not to be certainly is the question for Juicy, a young, queer Black man. Juicy grapples with identity, family, responsibility, and honesty as generations clash at a backyard barbecue, serving up all of the drama, wit, and existential angst of the Bard with a generous side of humor and heart.
Artrageous is a troupe of misfits artists, singers, dancers and musicians who started as friends doing street theatre in Vancouver. Together they started the “All and Everything Theater”, a non-profit Children’s Theater focusing on Children’s Entertainment, Street Theater and Life-sized Bunraku Puppetry.
A live performance of Beethoven’s beautiful Choral Fantasy.
Untitled Home Project at Available Light Theatre - March 7, 8, and 9
Gathering together a multitude of voices from Columbus, and joining with poets, dancers, playwrights, this piece will be a wonderful collaboration between AVLT and some of the artists who make Columbus great. What is home? What makes us search for home, and keep looking for it? How does one find home? A piece not just about a physical home, but about longing and belonging.
Gathering together a multitude of voices from Columbus, and joining with poets, dancers, playwrights, this piece will be a wonderful collaboration between AVLT and some of the artists who make Columbus great. What is home? What makes us search for home, and keep looking for it? How does one find home? A piece not just about a physical home, but about longing and belonging.
Local Eats and Treats
Note: It is highly recommended that you make a reservation at any establishment if you plan to eat there in the evening! Downtown Columbus is always bustling, and we want to make sure you don't spend time waiting for a table when you could be exploring the Expo floor!
Coffee Shops
Columbus Coffee Trail
Rio Fresh Cafe 50 N High St
Rio Fresh Cafe 50 N High St
Affordable, healthy eating with breakfast, lunch, and smoothies
Stauf’s Coffee Roasters North Market, 59 Spruce St
Rated in the top ten coffee shops in Columbus
Winans Coffee and Chocolate 611 N High St
Handcrafted coffee and drinks along with pastries and chocolates. You can order ahead on their website and pick up your drink on the way to your next session!
Quick Grabs
Mikey’s Late Night Slice 1040 N HIGH ST, #7
Pizza by the slice
Hot Chicken Takeover 59 Spruce St
Build your own hot chicken sandwich
Wario’s Beef and Pork 111 W Nationwide Blvd
Huge artisan sandwich servings
Brassica 680 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Build your own salad or sandwich
Creole 2 Geaux 401 N Front St
New Orleans-style Creole food
The Lox Bagle Shop 772 N High St #106
Great breakfast spot
Wallet-Friendly
Agave & Rye 479 N High St
Unique tacos along with the classics
Flatiron Tavern 129 East Nationwide Boulevard
Beer, cocktails, and American-style food
Central Market House 77 E Nationwide Blvd
Pizza, sandwiches, breakfast, plus it’s right across the street from the convention center!
Bareburger 463 N High St (chain)
Organic and eco-friendly burgers
Parlay 570 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Sports bar atmosphere with food and drinks
Moran’s Bar and Grill 415 N Front St
Texmex-style food with HUGE salads
Foods if You’re Feelin’ Fancy
Butcher & Rose Preston Centre 155 E Broad St
A modern steakhouse experience
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing 215 N 4th St
A brewery with local drinks and seasonal dine-in options
Due Amici 67 E Gay Street
A modern Italian and fine-dining experience
Elevator 161 North High Street
General fine-dining
Haveli Bistro 185 North High Street
Indian cuisine
