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.
HOURS
Monday – Saturday
- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
Sundays
- 12:00 to 5:00 pm (EST)
- closed Sundays Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
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, open 12 – 4 pm only, no tours
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
CONTACT
506 Fifth Street
Columbus, Indiana
47201
800-468-6564
812-378-2622
Meet the Visitors Center Staff
LINKS
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
- Justin Booth, President
- Brenda Vogel, Vice President
- Cindy Waddle, Secretary/Treasurer
- Jenny Kim, Governance Committee
- Lisa Shafran, Governance Committee
- Michael Dean
- Alan Degner
- Lia Elliott
- C. Jordan Hilber
- Lynne Hyatt
- Amit Patel
- Brian Payne
- Beth Booth Poor
- Diane Robbins
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
- View our Annual Report
- 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 innkeepers tax, a tax paid by visitors to the community and collected by hotels, 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 for recommendation to the VCI Board of Directors.
Download grant forms:
For Tourism Development Grant information, please contact Executive Director Karen Niverson, kniverson(at)columbus.in.us, 812-378-2622
Questions regarding our grant program should be directed to Robin Gray, rgray(at)columbus.in.us, 812-378-2622
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.
