Navigation: 3 mega menus (Events, Eat + Drink, Explore) with 2/3 link pane + 1/3 editorial spotlight panel. 2 simple dropdowns (Parking + Safety, About) with icon + label + description per row. Donate CTA styled as distinct button. Editorial panels are CMS-managed single post references with fallback defaults; Explore groups subpages by section (Art + Culture, Shopping, Experiences, Stay); Shopping nav shows only Fashion, Gifts, and All Shopping (analytics-informed — other categories accessible via landing page); Mobile: editorial panels omitted.
Getting Here
The Short North is just 10 minutes from the airport and sits on Columbus's most-served bus corridor. No rental car needed — the district is built for easy arrival and walkable once you're here.
10 min
From John Glenn Airport to the Short North
40+
COTA bus routes serving the district
No Car
Rideshare, bus, bike, scooter, or walk
§1 — Intro. Simplified to headline, one-sentence pitch, and 3-up stat row. Stats reinforce the three key messages: airport proximity (for out-of-town visitors), bus access (for locals/budget travelers), and car-free accessibility. The old 2×3 mode grid removed — those sections are now in the accordion below and don't need a visual table of contents. ★ Confirm "40+ routes" with COTA. "10 min" is approximate rideshare time from CMH — verify.
From the Airport
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is 10 minutes from the Short North.
Most visitors are surprised by how close the airport is. The Short North is one of the easiest neighborhoods to reach from CMH — no rental car needed.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft pick up at the airport's ground transportation area. Typical fare to the Short North is $12–$18 and the ride takes about 10 minutes.
AirConnect
COTA's AirConnect service runs direct from the airport to downtown Columbus. From there, it's a short rideshare or bus connection to the Short North.
§ — From the Airport. Elevated airport connectivity section positioned near the top of the Getting Here page, reflecting that a large share of visitors are from out of town (250+ miles). Three transport options presented side by side: Rideshare (most common), AirConnect (COTA's airport bus), and Taxi. AirConnect links to COTA's own page for schedule details. Experience Columbus callout serves as the comprehensive visitor resource for broader transportation planning — avoids SNA needing to maintain detailed transit info. All content is evergreen — no maintenance unless services change.
Take the Bus
COTA — Central Ohio Transit Authority
COTA operates 40+ routes throughout the Columbus metro area, many of which pass through or stop within the Short North. The district runs along High Street — COTA's most-served corridor.
The easiest way to ride COTA is with the Transit app. Plan your route, see real-time bus arrivals, pay your fare, and get step-by-step navigation — all from your phone. No account required to check schedules.
Short North Alliance member businesses can provide employees with discounted or free transit passes through the COTA C-Pass program. Ask your employer about eligibility.
§2 — Bus / COTA. Fare table removed — links to COTA's own fares and schedules pages instead, avoiding maintenance when rates change. Transit app callout added as the primary education moment (real-time arrivals, fare payment, route planning). C-Pass callout retained for the employee/resident audience. AirConnect mention kept for visitors.
Other Ways to Get Around
Rideshare, taxis, bikes, scooters, and walking — everything you need once you're here.
Uber and Lyft operate throughout the Short North with full coverage. High Street and surrounding blocks are popular pickup and dropoff points.
Late-Night Pickup Zones
Thursday – Saturday · Midnight – 4:00 AM
On busy nights, SNA activates designated rideshare pickup zones along High Street to reduce congestion and help you find your ride faster. Look for the illuminated "Rideshare" signs. Ambassador teams are on-site to assist.
ZipCar is also available in the Columbus area for those who prefer car-sharing for longer trips.
Several taxi companies serve the Short North and greater Columbus area. Cabs can be hailed on the street, called directly, or booked through their respective apps.
E-scooters may not be ridden on sidewalks. Within the High Street corridor (5th Avenue to Goodale Boulevard), riders must use the street or designated bike lanes. Please park scooters upright at bike racks — not blocking sidewalks or doorways.
Riding on sidewalks within the corridor is prohibited by City ordinance
The Short North is one of the most bicycle-friendly corridors in Columbus. Dedicated bike lanes and sharrows run through the district, and bike racks are installed on every block — sanitized daily by the SNA Ambassador team.
Infrastructure
Details
Bike Lanes + Sharrows
Marked lanes throughout the district corridor
Bike Racks
Every block — sanitized daily by Ambassadors
Covered Bike Parking
2 locations with weather-protected storage
Repair Stations
Self-service stations with tools and air pumps
The Short North is a walker's district. The entire corridor is flat, well-lit, and easy to explore on foot. Most visitors naturally walk once they arrive.
SNA Ambassadors are on the street every evening, providing wayfinding assistance, safety escorts, and a friendly face throughout the district.
Other Ways to Get Around — Accordion. Consolidates five transport sections (Rideshare, Taxi, E-Bikes/Scooters, Bicycles, Walking) into a collapsible accordion to reduce page length. All content preserved — just collapsed by default. The airport and bus/COTA sections remain as full, expanded sections above since they're the primary use cases. Click any item to expand; only one open at a time.
Short North Employee?
SNA member businesses can offer employees discounted transit passes, parking validation, and other mobility benefits through the Short North Employee Mobility Menu.
§8 — Employee Mobility Discounts. Callout block targeting Short North employees (not visitors). Links to the Employee Mobility Menu — a resource for SNA member businesses to provide transit and parking benefits. Visually distinct from visitor-facing content via the callout card treatment. Governance: SNA HR / Member Services. ★ Confirm Employee Mobility Menu exists and URL is live. Verify which benefits are currently included (C-Pass, validation, bike storage, etc.).
Keep Exploring
Explore Nearby
[ Gallery interior · Art on walls · Clean aesthetic ]
Galleries + Exhibitions
Explore the galleries year-round — not just on Gallery Hop night.
§6 — Cross-Sell Block. Three tiles positioned before the global footer. Each links to a complementary section of the site, extending the Gallery Hop visit into broader engagement with the district.
Tile 1 (Galleries + Exhibitions) positions year-round gallery visiting. Tile 2 (Artists + Creatives) surfaces the people behind the work. Tile 3 (Events Calendar) widens the aperture beyond Gallery Hop. Image direction: Tile 1 = gallery interior, clean aesthetic; Tile 2 = artist at work (the making process, not the finished piece); Tile 3 = district energy.
★ If Hops on High is approaching, swap Tile 3 for a Hops on High callout seasonally. Otherwise Tile 3 remains stable as the events calendar link.
PRE-FOOTER — Global component displayed on every page. Combines newsletter signup + social links into a persistent strip above the footer.
Footer consolidates full sitemap. Social links in pre-footer above. Links connect to wireframes where available; # = placeholder for pages not yet wireframed.