Westerville
Visitors & Convention Bureau
20 West Main Street
Westerville, Ohio 43081
614-794-0401
1-800-824-8461
FAX: 614-794-2016
Website: www.visitwesterville.org
E-mail: info@visitwesterville.org

800-297-LOOP

Something for Everyone in Westerville

“Heart Of Uptown,” an original
artwork by David Myers, depicts
the quaint uniqueness of a moment
in time in historic Uptown
Westerville.

With a variety of historical attractions, an abundance of natural landscapes and a wealth of cultural pursuits to choose from, Westerville makes its mark on the map of Central Ohio as a truly outstanding destination.

In the heart of the city, Historic Uptown Westerville offers visitors plenty of pristine sidewalks, beautiful landscaping and charming storefronts to entertain the senses on weekend days or leisurely afternoons. Stop by Amish Originals for fine wood furniture, visit Captivating Canines for specialty dog treats or see The Creative Stone Company for something unique to add to your garden.

Along with shops for practically every interest, there are also tons of restaurants to tempt visitors. Fuel up your shopping trip with a stop at The Heavenly Cup Espresso Inc., dine daintily at the Persnickety Cottage and Tea Room or or dine in style at The Old Bag of Nails, all located conveniently at the center of Uptown Westerville.

In addition to the great shopping, Uptown also features several events throughout the year. Fourth Friday Celebrations are held from April through September and feature extended shopping hours, live entertainment and more. In June, Uptown hosts a Merchants Sidewalk Sale, and in October, the main shopping event is the Midnight Madness Sale. A Holiday Open House is held each November to help get shoppers ready for the Christmas season.

The Sportstown Ohio event draws thousands.

Though Uptown is filled with several lovely historical buildings, visitors shouldn’t miss the many more fascinating historical stops in the city. Westerville holds a place in history as the “Dry Capital of the World” and the home for the Anti-Saloon League, the group that successfully lobbied for Prohibition. The history of the league is preserved in the Anti- Saloon League Museum, housed at the Westerville Public Library on State Street in the Uptown area. Its history can also be found in the fabric of the city itself – the city’s first liquor permit was not issued until 1998.

Westerville is famous for its dry past, but the history of the town certainly doesn’t end there. The Hanby House Museum celebrates the life of local musician Benjamin Hanby, who composed such familiar favorites as “Darling Nelly Gray” and “Up on the Housetop.” The house includes five rooms filled with Civil War-era antiques, as well as some of Hanby’s original instruments and scores.

Westerville honors its musical heritage and more each year at the Westerville Music & Arts Festival, which boasts more than 180 exhibitors and thousands of visitors annually. The festival is held at the historic Everal Barn and Homestead at Heritage Park, located on Cleveland Avenue.

“ 1847” depicts Towers
Hall, the original building
on the Otterbein campus.

Westerville is no stranger to the world of arts and entertainment. The city boasts one of the state’s top theatre schools – Otterbein College – and there is no shortage of live entertainment yearround. The 2005 Otterbein College Theatre season includes productions of Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party, Deborah Brevoort’s The Women of Lockerbie and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar.

For more live entertainment, check out Curtain Players Theatre, a quaint country theatre located on Harlem Road, just outside the city proper. It features small productions in a cozy atmosphere, including plays written by local authors. This theater, located off the beaten path, truly is a gem.

Throughout the summer, head to Alum Creek Park Amphitheater for a season full of entertaining and inspiring performances. Each Sunday, enjoy a variety of musical acts in the Summer Concert Series, and every Wednesday, bring the kids to the Family Concert Series.

For a breath of fresh air,Westerville has plenty of scenic outdoor locations. Inniswood Metro Gardens is the perfect spot to relax after a morning of shopping or sightseeing. The 121-acre site features streams, woodlands and wildflowers, as well as meticulously landscaped gardens and grounds. Inniswood hosts several annual events for nature lovers and gardeners alike, including Gardening Insights lectures, winter hikes, the Inniswood Plant Sale held in May and a children’s Halloween Party. The popular Affair of the Hort is held in September and features a whole weekend of gardening tips, talks, sales and more.

For more information on all the city has to offer, call the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau at (614) 794-0401 or 1-800-824-8461, or visit their Web site at www.visitwesterville.org.

Hotels/Bed & Breakfasts

Hotels

Sunrise at Hoover
Reservoir, a popular
place for fishing,
birdwatching and
sailing.

Knights Inn
I-270 and St. Rte. 3
Westerville, Ohio 43081
1-800-843-5644

Super 8
909 S. State St.
Westerville, Ohio 43081
1-800-800-8000

Bed & Breakfasts

College Inn
63 W. College Ave.
Westerville, Ohio 43081
1-888-794-3090

The Westerville Inn
5 S. West St.
Westerville, Ohio 43081
1-877-816-5247