Columbus
Around Columbus
Photo: Paul Wasneski · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Ohio · 2.2M people
Columbus
Locals say Central Ohio · “The Arch City”, “Cowtown”
The heart of Ohio, with a midwestern smile.
ScarletGray
Welcome to Central Ohio! Whether you're here for the Buckeyes, the Crew, or just the friendly vibe, you'll find plenty to do. Grab a slice of Columbus-style pizza and explore the neighborhoods.
Clubs for Columbus
No clubs for Columbus yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Columbus. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Columbus. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Ohio State University campus The sprawling main campus anchors the city's north side.
- Ohio Stadium (The Horseshoe) Iconic home of Ohio State Buckeyes football.
- Scioto Mile Riverfront promenade with fountains and gardens.
- COSI (Center of Science and Industry) Hands-on science museum in a former school building.
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium One of the largest zoos in the US, known for conservation.
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Glasshouse with tropical and desert biomes.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Olentangy Trail
- Outdoors Kayak or paddleboard on the Scioto River
- With kids Explore COSI's hands-on exhibits
- With kids Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- Evenings Bar hop in the Short North Arts District
- Evenings Catch a show at the Newport Music Hall
- Locals love Brewery taprooms
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Ohio State Fair July–August The state's biggest fair with rides, food, and livestock shows.
- Columbus Arts Festival June Juried art show and live music along the riverfront.
- ComFest June Community festival in Goodale Park with music, art, and activism.
- Jazz & Rib Fest July Jazz performances and barbecue vendors downtown.
- Arnold Sports Festival March Multi-sport event founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Columbus has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters are cold with some snow, and spring and fall are mild. The best time to be out is often late spring or early fall. Best: Spring and fall are mild and pleasant.
Getaways
- Hocking Hills State Park Scenic cliffs, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
- Cedar Point Amusement park with world-class roller coasters on Lake Erie.
- Chillicothe Historic town with Adena Mansion and native earthworks.
- Mount Vernon Home to Ariel-Foundation Park and a charming downtown.
Local flavour
Teams
- Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA Division I
- Columbus Blue Jackets NHL
- Columbus Crew MLS
- Columbus Clippers MiLB
Also rooting for Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), Columbus Crew (MLS), Columbus Clippers (MiLB)
Eat and drink
- Buckeye candy Peanut butter and chocolate confection named after the state tree
- Columbus-style pizza Square, cracker-thin crust with sweet sauce and cup-and-char pepperoni
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Local chain known for creative flavors, started in the North Market
- Wendy's Fast-food chain founded in Columbus in 1969
Where people go
- German Village Historic brick streets and German architecture
- Short North Arts District Galleries, boutiques, and the famous arches
- Scioto Mile Riverfront park with fountains and skyline views
- Ohio State University campus The heart of Buckeye nation
Heritage and traditions
Columbus is proud of its diverse, welcoming neighborhoods, its role as a Midwestern capital, and the passionate Buckeye spirit that fills the city on game days.
This time of year in Columbus
- Columbus Italian Festival October Italian heritage celebration.
- All American Quarter Horse Congress October World's largest single-breed horse show.
- Columbus Italian Festival October Celebrates Italian heritage with food, music, and a procession.
- All American Quarter Horse Congress October The world's largest single-breed horse show, held annually.
Say it like a local: “ope” — A small apology or interjection, like 'oops'.
Festivals
- Columbus Italian Festival October Celebrates Italian heritage with food, music, and a procession.
- Columbus Greek Festival June Hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church with traditional food and dancing.
- Asian Festival May Showcases Asian cultures with performances, food, and crafts.
- Somali Independence Day Festival July Celebrates Somali independence with music, food, and community.
- Dublin Irish Festival August One of the largest Irish festivals in the US, featuring Celtic music and dance.
- Columbus Pride Festival June Celebrates LGBTQ+ community with a parade and festivities.
Landmarks with a story
- Ohio Statehouse Greek Revival building housing the state government, with a rotunda and tours.
- North Market The last remaining public market in Columbus, dating to 1876.
- Kelton House Museum A restored 19th-century home that was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
- Topiary Park A unique park with topiaries recreating Seurat's painting 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte'.
- Ohio Theatre A restored 1928 movie palace hosting Broadway shows and concerts.
- Columbus Museum of Art Houses a collection of modern and contemporary art, with a sculpture garden.
Food traditions
- North Market food hall A historic public market where locals gather for diverse foods from around the world.
- German sausage and pretzel shops German Village's brick streets are lined with shops serving traditional sausages and pretzels.
- Somali sambusas The Somali community brings savory sambusas to gatherings and restaurants.
- Nepali momos Bhutanese-Nepali immigrants have made momos a beloved local dumpling.
- Taco trucks Columbus's growing Hispanic community has made taco trucks a staple.
Music and arts
- Indie rock scene Columbus has a thriving indie rock scene, with bands like Twenty One Pilots emerging.
- Jazz Arts Group A leading jazz organization presenting concerts and education.
- Columbus Symphony The city's professional symphony orchestra.
- Wexner Center A hub for contemporary art and performance.
A little history
- 1812 Founding of Columbus
- 1913 Great Flood of 1913
- 19th century Underground Railroad
- 1870 Ohio State University founded
- 1969 First Wendy's opens
Rivalries
- Ohio State vs Michigan College football's greatest rivalry.
- Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati MLS rivalry dubbed 'Hell is Real'.
- Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins NHL rivalry with a geographic edge.
- Ohio State vs Penn State Big Ten football rivalry.
- Game day Script Ohio
- Game day Dotting the i
- Outdoors Visit Topiary Park
- Outdoors Walk the Scioto Greenway
- With kids North Market
- With kids Topiary Park
Columbus locals speak a fairly neutral Midwestern English, with a few distinctive words: 'pop' for soda, 'ope' as a polite interjection, and 'please?' when they didn't hear you. They also love the 'O-H-I-O' chant.
Only here
- Test market capital: Many products are test-marketed in Columbus before national release.
- Topiary Park: The only park with a topiary recreation of a Seurat painting.
- German Village: The largest privately funded historic district in the US.
- North Market: The last surviving public market in Columbus.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for all four seasons: hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Say 'pop' for soda, not 'soda'.
- Learn the O-H-I-O chant; you'll hear it everywhere.
- Try a buckeye (peanut butter and chocolate) and a Columbus-style pizza.
- Pronounce Scioto as 'sigh-OH-toe' and Olentangy as 'OH-len-tan-jee'.
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Part of Columbus area
Nearby
Every areaWashington Court HouseOhioWhere the cornfields meet the courthouseMount VernonOhioWhere the river winds through history and heart.UrbanaOhioThe heart of Champaign CountySpringfieldOhioA small city with a big heart, rooted in history and community.ChillicotheOhioWhere the Scioto flows through historyMarionOhioWhere history pops and kernels fly.BellefontaineOhioSmall‑town charm at the top of OhioZanesvilleOhioWhere the rivers meet and the clay turns to art.
Columbus, OH. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.