The Columbus Blue Jackets, (614) 246-7825, play NHL hockey at the Nationwide Arena at 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Two hours before each match, 250 $10 tickets are released to the public at the box office.
The Columbus Crew, (614) 447-2739, plays major league soccer at the MAPFRE Stadium at the Ohio State Expo Center. The Ohio Machine plays major league lacrosse at Panther Stadium at Ohio Dominican University.
Baseball is also a popular spectator sport in Columbus. The Columbus Clippers, the Cleveland Guardians Triple A minor league affiliate, is part of the International League. Games are held downtown at Huntington Park; phone (614) 462-5250 or (614) 462-2757 for ticket information.
Horse racing fans have a variety of tracks and styles from which to choose. Harness racing is held May to mid-September at Eldorado Scioto Downs, (614) 295-4700, 6000 S. High St. The biggest pacing event of the year, the Little Brown Jug, is held the third Thursday after Labor Day at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
Note: Policies vary concerning admittance of children to pari-mutuel betting facilities. Phone for information.
For racing fans who demand more horsepower, stock car racing is held Saturday nights at 7 p.m. during the summer at the Columbus Motor Speedway, (614) 491-1047, at 1845 Williams Rd. Drag racing excitement revs engines May through October at National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Rd. S.W. in nearby Hebron; phone (740) 928-5706.
Columbus offers an abundance of public golf courses, including Blacklick Woods, (614) 861-3193, 7309 E. Livingston Ave. in Reynoldsburg; Raymond Memorial, (614) 645-3276, 3860 Trabue Rd.; and Thorn Apple Country Club, (614) 878-7703, 1051 Alton Darby Creek Rd. in Galloway.
The Memorial Tournament, a 4-day professional golf competition, is held at the end of May or early June at Muirfield Village, a course in Dublin designed by Columbus native Jack Nicklaus; phone (614) 889-6712.
Columbus operates an extensive park system with miles of trails for bicyclists and joggers. One of the most scenic routes takes bicyclists 8 miles along the Olentangy River. Columbus hosts the Columbus Marathon in October and other long-distance running events throughout the year.
The Scioto Mile, running along the riverfront between the Arena District and the Whittier Peninsula, offers more than 145 acres of park space. Visitors can walk along the promenade for great views. There also are fountains, gardens, swings and benches.
Tennis courts are abundant in Columbus, with more than 140 run by the city and numerous others at local colleges and high schools. Phone Columbus’ Department of Recreation and Parks at (614) 645-3300 for details.
Despite its moderate climate, Columbus is within about an hour's drive of several popular skiing areas. Snow Trails, (419) 774-9818, is 60 miles northeast near Mansfield and is considered to be Ohio's first ski area. Mad River Mountain, (937) 599-1015, or (800) 231-7669 outside Ohio, about 40 miles northwest in Zanesfield, is a large resort with night skiing.