With U.S. Soccer returning to Columbus Crew SC's home at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus for a fifth consecutive World Cup Qualifier against Mexico, the Black & Gold have everything to pack your stay with great local food, shopping and entertainment. Our "Guide to Columbus" has you covered before and after November 11's 7:45 p.m. ET kickoff.

Stay For the Weekend

Enjoy the comforts of home with all Sheraton Capitol Square’s features during your stay, just seven miles away from Port Columbus International Airport. COTA operates direct bus service between Downtown and the airport.

Share a casual meal with friends or colleagues at The Plaza Restaurant, or grab coffee and a pastry at Starbucks in the lobby. Sheraton Capitol Square also allows dogs up to 40-pounds to stay in the hotel with no charge.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

With 10,000 animals in six distinct regions the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is an education and recreational complex that features themed stops like Australia and the Islands, a Congo Expedition, Shores, Asia Quest, North America, and the Heart of Africa. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tickets starting at just $8 for a Day Ticket. Guests are welcome to bring food and beverages to the Zoo with them however, no straws (due to the safety of the animals) and alcohol is prohibited. The Columbus Zoo has Jungle Jack Hanna as its Director Emeritus. Jack often makes appearances at the Zoo for special events, as well as, filming his two shows Jack Hanna's Into The Wild and Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown.

Center of Science and Industry - COSI

COSI opened to the public on March 29,1964 and, after 35 years in Memorial Hall, COSI moved to its current location in downtown Columbus in 1999. COSI Classics, like live stage shows, hallway carts, and most of COSI’s iconic permanent exhibitions, are included with a general admission ticket. "Add-Ons" to enhance your COSI visit like tickets to Adventure, the Planetarium, or National Geographic Giant Screen films are also available. Prices start at $15.

DOWNTOWN / FRANKLINTON

Downtown Columbus’ is the center of it all. Its stocked with hotels, restaurants, shops and unique stops to visit. Add in its quick and easy ways to get around – like the free CBUS downtown circulator and CoGo Bike Share – and you can’t go wrong.

Dining near the Scioto Mile, you’ll find cultural institutions like the incredible Columbus Museum of Art with its brand new modern wing, the Columbus College of Art and Design and its free galleries, the best-in-the-nation Columbus Public Library and the Topiary Park, a recreation of Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of Grande Jatte in shrubbery. Numerous art galleries, theaters large and small, and parks make downtown an appealing destination. Historic highlights include the Ohio Statehouse, the stunning art-deco Ohio Supreme Court and the Kelton House, where you can relive the experience of the Underground Railroad. The Columbus Commons park hosts concerts, free exercise classes and a cute carousel.

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THE SHORT NORTH

Directly north of Downtown Columbus is the fast-paced Short North Arts District. As soon as you see distinctive lighted arches over High Street, you’ll know you’ve entered this creative neighborhood filled with art galleries, local boutiques and hip restaurants and bars. Accessible via CoGo Bike Share, the free CBUS downtown circulator, several local and express bus lines and best explored on foot, the neighborhood stretches a mile and a half along High Street from Nationwide Boulevard to King Avenue.

The famous Short North Gothic mural, which is painted on the outer wall of the beloved Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, turns art on its head to embody the spirit of the neighborhood. While here, stop in and visit Homage to get your Crew SC, U.S. Soccer and local Ohio clothing.

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THE ARENA DISTRICT

Directly north and west of downtown Columbus lies the Arena District. Starting with the opening of Nationwide Arena in 2000, home to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, the Arena District has sprung up into a vibrant neighborhood filled with restaurants and bars.

At the northern end of the district, the North Market is home to 35 local vendors that display the best of the local food scene. Shop for spices, produce, meat and kitchenwares, and choose from Vietnamese, Indian, Belgian, Polish, Mexican, vegetarian, fried chicken and more for an outstanding breakfast, lunch or dinner. Treat yourself with a scoop from the original Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Adjacent to the North Market, the clubs and bars on Park Street are a mainstay of Columbus’ nightlife scene.

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GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS

A hybrid of urban flair and neighborhood warmth, Grandview’s vibe is at the same time laid-back and buzzing with energy. Stroll the wide, tree-lined sidewalks of Grandview Avenue amid the hum of café-table chatter. Discover specialized independent shops, curated New York-style boutiques, a chocolatier’s gorgeous handmade truffles, independent breweries, top-rated coffee roasters, cutting-edge salons, and of course, world-class restaurants that use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The eclectic mix of restaurants here have consistently been recognized by critics and diners alike for their cuisine, ambience, and outstanding attention to detail.

Grandview is also home to a collection of award-winning craft microbreweries and taprooms. A hub of creativity, culture, and out-of-the-ordinary experiences, Grandview offers an array of guided food and drink tasting tours, unique regional events, demos, classes, art galleries, consignment shops, a working distillery, the nation’s oldest operating single-screen theater, and much more. This hip, historic neighborhood is brimming with distinctive flavor and new experiences.

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GERMAN VILLAGE

Located just south of downtown Columbus, German Village is one of Columbus’ most unique neighborhoods. Originally built by German settlers in the mid-1800s, the restored brick houses, shops, streets and sidewalks are full of history.

The popular Schmidt’s Sausage Haus leads the area’s a dining scene that ranges from French to Spanish to low-country seafood to pizza and craft cocktails. If brunch is more your scene, Skillet is ideal for a local and filling start to the day.

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EASTON TOWN CENTER

Located north of Port Columbus International Airport and approximately 15 minutes east of downtown Columbus is Easton Town Center. The center includes shopping, eating, entertainment and locally based retailers like The Limited, Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret, Jeni’s Ice Creams. Other amenities include a movie theater and the Funny Bone Comedy Club.

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