The lifestyle in Columbus is a surprise to many new arrivals who expect a quiet Midwestern state capital. The city is young and creative, and one of the country’s largest universities is right at its centre. There are far more restaurants, bars, galleries, and music venues than there were a decade ago, and Columbus is still more affordable and easygoing than the big coastal hubs. Whether you want late nights out in the Short North, a slow Saturday at North Market, a morning run along the river, or an afternoon museum hopping downtown, you can settle in at your own pace.
Shopping in Columbus
Columbus is considered one of the USA’s fashion capitals, and several big retailers have their headquarters here, among them Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Express. The two malls locals head to are Polaris Fashion Place and Easton Town Center. Between them, they have hundreds of shops, as well as cinemas and restaurants if you want to make a day of it.
Eating out in Columbus
Food writers have dubbed Columbus the country’s ‘next big food city’, and new restaurants open here all the time. Many locals rate it above nearby Cincinnati for top-notch eats. Generations of immigrants have given the city a deep bench of authentic cooking: Columbus has the second-largest Somali community in the USA, and you’ll find Somali, Yemeni, Nepali, and Pakistani restaurants across the north and east sides.
Nightlife in Columbus
Columbus has a busy live music scene, from small clubs to concert halls and arenas, so you can catch a gig most nights of the week. The Short North, just north of downtown, is the go-to strip for bars and a night out.
Craft beer drinkers are spoilt for choice: the city has dozens of breweries and brewpubs, and there’s a solid run of cocktail bars too.
Outdoor activities and sports in Columbus
Columbus and its suburbs are well stocked with parks and gardens. Good options for a few hours outdoors include Inniswood Metro Gardens, Glacier Ridge Metro Park, Highbanks Metro Park, and the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. For walking and cycling, you have miles of paved riverside path on the Olentangy and Scioto trails, and in warmer months, you can kayak or paddleboard on the Scioto.
To stop and smell the roses, literally, head to the Park of Roses. It is 13 acres (five hectares) and has more than 7,500 roses across 350 varieties. Nearby is Topiary Park, where gardeners have shaped yew trees into a copy of Georges Seurat’s painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. It is the only topiary garden in the world modelled on a painting, and the garden is seven acres (three hectares) in size.
When it comes to watching sport, the Ohio State Buckeyes are the city’s obsession; their American football team plays at Ohio Stadium, a 100,000-plus seat arena that locals call the Horseshoe. Columbus also has two professional teams: the Blue Jackets play ice hockey at Nationwide Arena in the Arena District, and the Crew, one of Major League Soccer’s most successful clubs, play at a soccer-specific stadium nearby.
See and do in Columbus
Much of what there is to see and do in Columbus is concentrated in a few walkable districts. The Short North Arts District, along High Street between downtown and the university, is lined with galleries, independent shops, bars, and restaurants. On the first Saturday of each month, its galleries open late for the Gallery Hop. South of downtown, German Village is worth an afternoon: think restored 19th-century brick streets and the Book Loft, a bookshop spread across 32 rooms.
Center of Science and Industry
Considered one of the USA’s best science museums, the Center of Science and Industry, or COSI, is well worth a visit, especially for families. Children take to the themed galleries and the hands-on, interactive exhibits. You can stand beside a full body cast of a T. rex skeleton, climb into a space capsule, catch a show in the planetarium, or watch wacky live demonstrations such as Rat Basketball and the Electrostatic Generator Show.
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum is devoted to the history of comic art and cartoons. You’ll find everything from Sunday comic strips and classic comic books to graphic novels and editorial cartoons, and it is the largest academic archive of printed cartoon art anywhere.
Scioto Mile
Walk the Scioto Mile, and you’ll pass nine parks set along the river. Its best-known feature is the Scioto Mile Fountain, where children play in the interactive jets throughout the summer. Close by, the Cultural Arts Center puts on exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and art classes, an easy way to dip a toe into the local art scene.
Meeting people and making friends in Columbus
Most newcomers in Columbus build a social circle through shared interests: a recreational sports league, a running or cycling club, a hobby group, or regular volunteering. The big employers and Ohio State both run their own networks and events, well worth tapping if you’ve moved for work. To get started online, Meetup lists everything from language exchanges to board game nights across the city.