ABOUT THE COLUMBUS AREA VISITORS CENTER
COME INSIDE!
The Visitors Center includes a gift shop, as well as the Yellow Neon Chandelier and Persians by glass artist Dale Chihuly, and serves as the starting point for tours, which feature architecture, public art, the Miller House and Garden, and landmarks.
CONTACT
HOURS
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 am to 4:00 pm (EST)
THE VISITORS CENTER IS CLOSED:
- New Year’s Eve Day
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day, open 12 – 4 pm only, no tours
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Meet the Visitors Center Staff
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Visitors Center actively markets the uniqueness and advantages of the Columbus/Bartholomew County community while engaging and educating visitors, overnight guests, and residents.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brenda Vogel, President
Jenny Kim, Vice President
Cindy Waddle, Secretary/Treasurer
Diane Robbins, Tourism Development Chair
Lisa Shafran, Personnel Chair
Justin Booth
Michael Dean
Alan Degner
Lia Elliott
C. Jordan Hilber
Tyler Hodge
Brian Payne
Beth Booth Poor
Jan Sprague
OUR FRIENDS
- City of Columbus, Indiana
- Columbus Chamber
- Greater Columbus Economic Development
- Columbus Parks and Recreation
- Exhibit Columbus
- Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives
- Indianapolis Museum of Art
- American Institute of Architects
- National Trust for Historic Destinations
- Landmark Columbus
- Visit Indiana
OTHER MISC.
- Guides and Maps
- Board meeting schedule
- Tour Guide Resources (password required)
APPLYING FOR TOURISM GRANTS
Visitors Center Inc. (VCI) maintains a grants pool from which tax-exempt organizations may request support for programs and events that will bring visitors into Bartholomew County, positively impact the quality of life in Bartholomew County, and/or support the mission of VCI. Since the source of these funds is the County Innkeeper’s Tax, a tax paid by visitors to the community and collected by lodging properties, all grants made from these funds must fall under the accepted uses as defined in Indiana Code 6-9-18-1.
Grant requests are evaluated by the VCI Tourism Development Committee, a sub committee of the VCI Board of Directors.
Questions regarding the grant program should be directed to Robin Gray, rgray(at)columbus.in.us
APPLYING FOR SPORTS EVENT GRANTS
The Columbus Area Visitors Center recognizes the importance sporting events provide in making a positive impact on the quality of life in our community. We can assist your organization, providing your sporting event meets one or more of the following criteria:
- generates year-round overnight visitations
- generates media exposure for the city and county
- contributes to the quality of life in our community
For more information, please contact sports@columbus.in.us.
