By Megan Krause

The Columbus Historical Society is providing a new look at the city's past, present and future with this summer’s Columbus Discovery Tours.

The two and a half hour tour on an air-conditioned bus takes passengers through the heart of the city, starting in historic Franklinton, the first settlement in Central Ohio, and ending at the King Arts Center. The tours are held every Saturday through October.

It offers a look from the city’s past to its future through landmarks such as the arena district, which was once the home of the Ohio State Penitentiary. Tourists will also get a look at landmarks from the mansions on East Broad Street to the city’s government buildings.

The tour is thorough, but makes no stops. The Historical Society ideally sees tourists returning with an interest to explore the city more closely on their own with a new appreciation for the 200 years of Columbus’ history. Columbus Discovery Tours offer residents of the Greater Columbus Area the opportunity to have a deeper understanding of their community.

“People in Columbus don’t know a lot about their own city,” says Jeffrey McNealey, president of the Columbus Historical Society.

The tour includes more than 50 sites and starts from the Columbus Historical Society Gallery, 51 Jefferson Ave. Guests are asked to arrive between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. to check in and board the bus. The tour departs at 10 a.m. and returns at 12:30 p.m. to the same location. Private group tours are available upon request.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling 614-224-0822, ext. 2 or sending e-mail to .

Tickets are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors, $25 for members and $20 for children under 14. Tours are available every Saturday from July 5 to Oct. 11.

Learn more about the Columbus Historical Society by visiting its Web site www.columbushistory.org.