touring columbus - Experience Columbus

TOURING COLUMBUS
Spring 2016 | Group Tour Newsletter
willkommen! schmidt’s restaurant und Sausage haus
Taste the history of German Village with a stop at iconic Schmidt’s Sausage Haus.
Generous portions of German-style wurst, kraut and cream puffs and a spirited atmosphere merge to create that
Oktoberfest feeling all year long.
Schmidt’s legendary restaurant is a 5th generation, family owned and operated business famous for classics like the
award-winning Bahama Mama Sausage and jumbo-sized cream puff. Its German/American cuisine has drawn the likes of
Travel Channel’s Man v. Food star Adam Richman who joined in the iconic hospitality and dined on the immense
Autobahn Buffet.
Located above the restaurant is a banquet and meeting space made up of two rooms with accommodations capable of
serving groups from 15 – 112. Outside these rooms is a quaint bricked bar area with an indoor European style Bier Garten
with hardwood floors.
Tour and bus groups get the ‘best of the wurst’ with banquet room accommodations. Two complimentary meals
are provided for tour/bus groups of 35+ and one complimentary meal is provided for 34 and fewer. In addition to
Schmidt’s Beautiful Tour Bus Buffet, tour packages can include a Columbus city tour and a strolling accordionist. Visit
schmidthaus.com/motor-coach-tour-menu for more on group specials.
Pair with OKTOBERFEST
Schedule a visit to Columbus during OKTOBERFEST which takes place September 23-25, 2016 (and each year on the
last full weekend in September) at the nearby Ohio Expo Center. Join in for bountiful beers, tasty food, lively music,
games and events as well as great shopping with arts and crafts vendors. It’s no wonder OKTOBERFEST has been a
celebration of German culture in Columbus for over 50 years.
Bus and tour groups are welcome at the FEST! Bus groups of over 20 guests are eligible for a special Oktoberfest
package that brings together admission, food and drink tickets, reserved area seating and a special Oktoberfest
representative who will greet your bus personally. Contact Roger Dudley, rdudley@experiencecolumbus.com or visit
columbusoktoberfest.com for more information.
See Historic German Village
Top your Columbus visit off with the Old World charm of German Village. Populated by German immigrants in the
mid-1800s, the area has been transformed into a charming neighborhood of brick streets, lovingly restored historic
homes, upscale restaurants, friendly neighborhood pubs and unique retail, with scenic Schiller Park in the middle of it
all.
During the behind-the-scenes “Beyond the Door” tour, go inside two restored homes and private gardens for a peek at
what life is like for residents. Or, a step-on guided tour can present the best of the village’s heritage from the comfort of
your seat. Explore the neighborhood at germanvillage.com.
Buckeyes and boomers
Spring is in full swing at Experience Columbus and that means we’ve probably seen you
at one of several industry events in recent months like Select Traveler Conference,
American Bus Association Marketplace, Heartland Travel Showcase, NTA Travel Exchange,
or Tennessee Motorcoach Association Marketplace.
What’s next? Our team has a lot in store as we head into the busy summer season. And
that’s not to mention what’s coming next for Columbus’ attractions and events as they
bring you lots of new experiences in 2016 and beyond. See the Columbus 2016 Tour
Planner Guide for a sampling of what’s new and now in Ohio’s capital city. Contact us to
get additional copies of the guide.
We’re now excited to offer overnight groups a special buckeye bus welcome! Stay overnight in a Columbus hotel and
receive a personalized step-on greeting by an Experience Columbus staff member as well as a buckeye candy for
everyone made by local confectioner Anthony Thomas Candy Company (ask us about their factory tour).
Plan to join us this fall for the Boomer in Groups (BiG) Conference, October 21-23 in Columbus. Boomers are the
largest consumer group in the U.S. which is why we couldn’t be prouder to host the premier group travel event
catering exclusively to them.
Sincerely,
Sarah Doodan and Roger Dudley
Featured itinerary: capital city eats
Ideal for groups of 25+
DAY ONE
Morning | Go inside restored homes and private gardens
in German Village, one of the nation’s most storied
neighborhoods.
Lunch | Enjoy a participatory dining experience at The
Kitchen, and watch your inner chef emerge!
Afternoon | Learn the basics of mead making at
Brothers Drake Meadery, then head next door to Middle
West Spirits for a taste of their signature vodkas and
whiskeys. Or, discover the intricacies of vodka, gin and
bourbon making at Watershed Distillery.
Evening | Explore the vast collection of art galleries and
boutiques in the Short North Arts District – the “Art &
Soul” of Columbus. A variety of dining options await
during a memorable dinner on your own.
Evening | Indulge with handcrafted wine at Wyandotte
Winery or Signature Wines. Or, bask in the craft brew
scene at Seventh Son Brewery or Land-Grant Brewing.
Then, relax over a meal at one of several group-friendly
spots (ask us for recommendations).
DAY THREE
Morning | Explore Krema Nut Company, the oldest
peanut butter manufacturer operating in the U.S. today.
Then, indulge your sweet tooth during a tour of
family-owned Anthony-Thomas Candy Company.
Lunch | Nibble your way around Columbus’ celebrated,
130-plus-year-old North Market. Or, get a taste of the city
on a Columbus Food Adventures guided food tour. Stops
always include independently owned businesses, with
samples and behind-the-scenes access.
DAY TWO
Morning | After breakfast at your hotel, explore Ohio’s
herb capital Gahanna. Learn easy ways to enhance
everyday recipes and create your own culinary creations
of herbal-infused vinegars, oils, syrups or tea.
Lunch & Afternoon | Grab lunch at Glass Rooster Cannery
a sustainable farm and licensed cannery. Stay for a tour
of the working farm or taste your way through an
array of Cannery-made fresh bread and artisan jams
while enjoying a demonstration. Everyone selects a jam
or jelly to take home.
Watershed Distillery
LEARN MORE:
experiencecolumbus.com/tours
ohio Village
transformation
Ohio Village, a recreated 19th century
town just outside downtown Columbus
is being transformed into a replication
of 1890s life. The Village’s 18 buildings
and re-enactors will now bring to life
an ever-important era in Ohio’s history
filled with bicycles and barbershops.
The pace of the news cycle and
technological innovation quickened
during the decade – a fitting parallel to
today’s lifestyle.
Admission to Ohio Village is included
with your admission to the Ohio
History Center.
Ohio Village
uPCOMING Special events
100 = American Bus Association Top 100 event.
July 2016
100 July 1 Red, White & Boom
July 22-24 Jazz & Rib Fest
100 July 27-Aug. 7 Ohio State
Fair
August 2016
100 Aug. 5-7 Dublin Irish Festival
Aug. 8-14 2016 U.S. Senior Open
Championship
September 2016
Sept. 16-18 Country Living Fair
100 Sept. 23-25 Oktoberfest
October 2016
Oct. 3 Family Reunion Seminar
Oct. 7-9 Italian Festival
Oct. 19-22 Circleville Pumpkin
Show
Oct. 21-23 Boomers in Group
(BiG) in Columbus
Oct. 23-24 Highball
November 2016
Nov. 19-Jan. 1 Merry & Bright
Nov. 25-Dec. 24 Holidays at
Easton Town Center
100 Nov. 19-Jan. 1 Wildlights
December 2016
Dec. 3 Short North Holiday Hop
Dec. 4 Village Lights
Dec. 9-24 BalletMet: The
Nutcracker
January 2017
Jan. 13-March 5 Orchids
February 2017
Feb. 10-12 BalletMet: Peter Pan
March 2017
March 2-5 Arnold Sports Festival
100 March 11-Sept. 17 Blooms &
Butterflies
March 17 Dublin, Ohio St.
Patrick’s Celebration
March 28-April 2 Broadway in
Columbus: Cabaret
May 2017
May 12-14 Broadway in
Columbus: Riverdance
May 27-Sept. 17 Bonsai
Showhouse Display
LOCAL LOVE
Brian Cheek, Marketing Manager, Ohio History Connection,
which operates Ohio History Center and Ohio Village, shares
some of his favorite spots for dining, entertainment and relaxing
with groups.
Where to dine
Cheek’s go-to is Old Worthington on the city’s north side. There, he enjoys
sampling craft beer and wine at House Wine and dining at The Whitney House
(ideal for small groups) or historic Worthington Inn.
Where to play
While in Worthington, he recommends the handmade gifts and hands-on
experiences at Igloo Letterpress, where custom pieces are made on an antique,
hand-operated press. Just a few miles south along High Street (the main northsouth corridor through Columbus), Cheek likes taking groups to Clintonville to
unwind in its fun boutiques, independent merchants and local breweries. Some
of his favorites include Elm & Iron, Wholly Craft and Mozart’s Bakery & Piano
Cafe.
Igloo Letterpress
Clintonville
277 W. Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 125
Columbus, OH 43215
800-354-2657
SMALL GROUP CULINARY ADVENTURES
DON’T MISS OUT ON THESE EXPERIENCES IDEAL FOR GROUPS OF 25 OR FEWER
The Seasoned Farmhouse | Join classically trained Chef Tricia Wheeler whose passion for French cuisine
is only equal to her love of local. Tricia treats you to a Seasonal French Cooking Class where you’ll
prepare a three-course menu with ingredients from her very own urban garden.
What’s Brewing in the Capital City? | From blondes to bold stouts, explore many varieties on a
Columbus Brew Adventures trek. Become a beer snob after learning the techniques of tasting. Go
behind the scenes as local craft brewers boast about water quality and broaden your horizons on the ins
and outs of hop selection.
North Market | Meet bakers, chocolatiers and other specialty food makers on an Amazing Tastes Tour.
Taste your way through this 130-year-old downtown institution that’s home to dozens of independent
merchants offering ethnic specialties and locally-grown food.
CONTACT US
Roger Dudley, CTASarah Doodan, CTA
Professional tour operator contactGroup leader contact
Experience Columbus Senior Tourism Sales Manager
Experience Columbus Tourism Coordinator
800-354-2657, fax 614-221-5618
800-354-2657, fax 614-221-5618
rdudley@experiencecolumbus.comsdoodan@experiencecolumbus.com
Member of: African American Travel Conference | American Bus Assoc. | Select Traveler | BiG - Boomers in Groups | Going on Faith
| The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Assoc. | National Tour Assoc. | Ohio Travel Assoc. | Ontario Motorcoach Assoc. | Pennsylvania
Bus Assoc. | Tennessee Motor Coach Assoc. | Travel Alliance Partners