About Columbus

Nestled along the banks of the Scioto River, Columbus is a friendly, fast-growing city that boasts the variety, excitement and culture one would expect from a major metropolitan area, but with the atmosphere of small-town life.

As Ohio's capital, Columbus is not only a government seat, but also a cultural, educational and recreational hub. It's full of beautiful neighborhoods, a critically acclaimed food scene, ample shopping and top-ranked attractions. Columbus' thriving art scene is internationally recognized and offers something for everyone. Family-friendly events take place around Columbus all year, including the Ohio State Fair, Red White and Boom Fourth of July celebration, the orchestra's summer Picnic with the Pops series, the downtown Arts Festival, Halloween's Boo at the Zoo and much, much more.

When the sun goes down, the nightlife sizzles in districts like German Village, the Short North and the Brewery District. It's a city that invites exploration, too. Columbus is home to the world-famous Columbus Zoo, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, COSI and many other institutes of learning. If sports is more in your wheelhouse, Columbus is home to many renowned sports teams, including The Ohio State University Buckeyes and the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.

Housing

Whether you see yourself in an urban loft in a metropolitan area or in a suburban home in a quiet neighborhood, Columbus offers ample housing options to suit your tastes. Also among the city's many housing choices are Columbus' historic central neighborhoods like German Village and Victorian Village, and a growing group of outlying communities, like Lewis Center, Powell, New Albany and Hilliard.

Fine Food

Locals and visitors agree that Columbus offers an outstanding culinary experience, with creative chefs, entrepreneurial restaurateurs and easy access to fresh, local and artisan products. In addition to the always-popular Americana cuisine, one can easily find international cuisine throughout Columbus – from Thai, Italian and French to Korean, Japanese and more. Some of Columbus' finest eateries include Schmidt's, The Thurman Café, The Refectory, Milestone 229, Deepwood, and Basi to name just a few. And, if you’re a vegetarian, you’ve got a whole world of awesome options in Columbus. You won’t be relegated to just one pasta dish either. Many have something great for vegans as well.

Sports

Sports enthusiasts can choose from a variety of professional and collegiate sports in Columbus. The eight-time national champion, The Ohio State Buckeyes football team, battles college football's best every Saturday from August to November. The Buckeyes basketball team is one of only two teams to make an NCAA tournament appearance every decade since the 1930s – making it to the Sweet Sixteen or higher every year since 2010. The Columbus Crew, the city's Major League Soccer team finished third in the Eastern Conference in 2014. The Columbus Blue Jackets, the city's National Hockey League team, made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time in 2014. And, Columbus has that national pastime covered with the Columbus Clippers, an affiliate of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians. The team has won its division title six times in the last decade. Last but not least, Columbus' Ohio Machine is one of eight Major League Lacrosse franchises.

Culture

Whether you prefer to attend a concert or the symphony, catch a ballet or a Broadway show, hop the galleries or learn through interaction, Columbus has the cultural experience you're looking for.

Columbus concert goers have their pick of venues – Newport Music Hall, Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, Nationwide Arena and Value City Arena. Downtown Columbus hosts nationally touring Broadway shows and performing arts exhibitions, and is also home to Opera Columbus and Ballet Met. Art lovers can visit the Columbus Museum of Art, the Wexner Center for the Arts, the Short North Gallery Hop, or partake in creating their own works at venues like the Cultural Arts Center. The world-recognized Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Franklin Park Conservatory and COSI are great places for children to learn through experience and interaction. Columbus is also home to many theaters, from convenient multiplexes to smaller cinemas that show rare, independent films.

Shopping

If you're a shopper, Columbus is the place for you. Forbes has named Columbus the fourth best city in the nation for shopping. From boutiques to home décor, you'll find it at one of Columbus' three major malls – Polaris Fashion Place, The Mall at Tuttle Crossing or Easton Towne Center - or at one of the dozens of boutique stores and shopping destinations sprinkled throughout the city. Within about an hour's drive you'll also find the Jeffersonville and Lodi Station outlet malls.

Learn More

To learn more about all there is to see and do in Columbus, visit www.experiencecolumbus.com.