With the launch of its new Web site, Experience Columbus began a new era online Friday, Jan. 4. Columbus hopes to bring users a tempting taste of what it’s like to experience our city virtually.

The new site will shine a light on the places and events that make Columbus a destination for millions of people each year.

“Time and time again, travel writers, convention groups and casual visitors tell us they never knew Columbus offered so many different things to see and do,” says Paul D. Astleford, president and CEO of Experience Columbus.

Visitors will find a more visually dynamic and user-friendly site, including “hot spot” maps to emphasize points of interest for visitors; a running ticker of current and upcoming events; and a new feature to show the most popular searches on the site to help steer visitors where the action is.

Come see for yourself at www.ExperienceColumbus.com.  

Additionally, Experience Columbus will hold the official grand opening of a new Downtown Visitor Center, on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m.

The 1,200-square-foot Visitor Center, located at 277 W. Nationwide Blvd., is designed to help visitors easily access where to shop, play, dine and stay in the Greater Columbus area. Features include maps of the Downtown and Greater Columbus areas, highlights of the venues and events in the area, and interactive, touch-screen kiosks with Internet access and links to attractions, events, restaurants, hotels and more. The center will also sell popular Columbus merchandise, postcards and other items.

The location helps connect conventioneers at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, event attendees at Nationwide Arena and sports fans at the new Huntington Park. “That connection is what makes the Nationwide Boulevard location ideal,” says Paul D. Astleford, president and CEO of Experience Columbus.

“The Visitor Center was planned and designed to work in conjunction with the new Way Finding program initiated by the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District and endorsed by Mayor Michael Coleman,” said Astleford. “Together, the Visitor Center, the pedestrian kiosks that will be installed throughout the downtown this spring, and the new and unique driver-friendly directional road signage will not only create a much more hospitable, navigable downtown environment for visitors, but also will be a visible expression of the pride we have in our community.” Each of the 58 pedestrian kiosks will identify the location of the new Downtown Visitor Center.

The new facility joins with the existing Experience Columbus Visitor Center at Easton Town Center, which is open seven days a week and serves more than 70,000 visitors a year. Experience Columbus also provides its 614-221-CITY call center to handle tourism-related questions. Visitors’ feedback will be solicited to explore further expansion of services at the downtown and Easton Town Center locations.

The Easton Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. An ongoing evaluation process will determine the business hours of the new Downtown Visitor Center.