Downtown Living Blog

Come Play in Our Backyard Oct. 10-13

Take advantage of discounts to top area attractions and restaurants during Experience Columbus Days

COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 24, 2008) – BalletMet’s audience favorite “Dracula.” The Wexner Center for the Art’s blockbuster exhibit “Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms.” The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The Kelton House Museum and Garden and the Columbus Italian Festival.

These are just some of the attractions and events you’ll be able to see at a discount during Experience Columbus Days, Oct. 10-13. And in between visiting attractions, you can dine at some of the city’s best restaurants and get 25 percent off your food bill.

Now in its fifth year, the statewide and regional promotion encourages locals to see Columbus the way visitors do and entices out-of-town visitors to experience the city.

“The theme is ‘Come play in our backyard’ and that’s exactly what we want both locals and visitors to do every Columbus Day weekend. Our goal is to make Greater Columbus THE place to be,” said Paul D. Astleford, president and CEO. “This promotion gives residents opportunities to enjoy their city at a bargain, and also will bring more visitors into Greater Columbus and through the doors of Central Ohio attractions, restaurants and hotels. “Tourism matters,” says Astleford. ”The tourism industry accounts for one in every twelve jobs in central Ohio and the taxes generated by the tourism industry support the local arts, public services and social services in Central Ohio.”

As in previous years, many attractions and events will offer 50 percent discounts off admission. For a second year, a 25 percent discount will be offered by the more than 40 members of Dine Originals Columbus, a group of independently owned and operated restaurants and one of several chapters of Dine Originals America.

Experience Columbus Days will be promoted statewide and regionally through a targeted online advertising campaign, as well as locally through print ads and radio spots. Playing off the “Come play in our backyard” theme, “fences” will be located in front of many participating attractions and restaurants.

For complete details, visit ExperienceColumbusDays.com where you’ll find a flyer needed to secure discounts at participating establishments.

Experience Columbus is the destination sales and marketing organization for the Greater Columbus community. Formerly the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Experience Columbus works with the Columbus community to create a competitive distinction in the visitor marketplace, attracting leisure visitors, conventions and meetings.

www.ExperienceColumbus.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Scott Peacock
Media Relations Manager
Experience Columbus
614-222-6104
Speacock@ExperienceColumbus.com