COLUMBUS, Ohio – This promises to be a big year in Columbus, giving travelers plenty of reasons to visit one of America’s fastest-growing cities in 2020. Unprecedented hotel openings, new attractions and outstanding installations and exhibitions at the Columbus’ many art and culture institutions add to the city’s burgeoning excitement. In addition, airlines are adding flights to Columbus, including Alaska Airlines which just announced a second daily nonstop Seattle flight to John Glenn Columbus International Airport. All this comes on the heels of the city surpassing San Francisco in population, with massive growth propelling Columbus to become the 14th largest city in the U.S.

HOTEL BOOM
Five new hotels are about to grace the downtown Columbus skyline, with three already opened and two others ready to welcome visitors by 2022. This extraordinary level of development adds more than 1,000 hotel rooms to the city’s downtown core. These include, lifestyle boutique Canopy by Hilton, the college-themed Graduate Columbus, the millennial-focused Moxy, which opened in late 2019; and a 468-room expansion to the Hilton Columbus Downtown and an AC Hotel by Marriott that are in the works. 

CULINARY CENTER
The city’s culinary scene continues to thrive, with multiple restaurants opening in 2020, complementing Columbus’ notable international cuisine. In the next few months, Budd Dairy Food Hall opens in the beautifully restored Budd Dairy building, located in Columbus’ emerging Italian Village neighborhood. This latest concept from wildly successful restauranteur Cameron Mitchell is a chef-driven food incubator designed to help the city’s top up-and-coming chefs grow as entrepreneurs and serve their community. Chef partners include: Boni: Filipino Street Food, Cousins Maine Lobster, Pokebap, Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, Tacos Rudos, Alphabetical Comfort Kitchen, Borgata, Darista and Modern Southern Table.

ARTS EXPLORATIONS
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, Art After Stonewall, 1969-1989 comes home to the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA), which curated the expansive traveling exhibit. This groundbreaking survey features more than 200 works of art and related visual materials that explore the profound impact of the LGBTQ civil rights movement on the art world. CMA curators launched the exhibition in New York City before it traveled to Miami. But this larger, more comprehensive show will feature many works never before seen together.  It will be on view in Columbus March 6 to May 31, 2020.

The completion of years of improvements to Columbus’ celebrated Short North Arts District will showcase massive development, all-new streetscapes and a visitor-friendly parking app. This summer, most of the projects will be finalized and the neighborhood will celebrate by launching a series of live public art events during its lively June Gallery Hop, which shine a spotlight on this dynamic neighborhood and the city’s thriving creative class. The development will also feature expanded holiday events and offerings.

ANIMAL MAGNETISM
Opening in May, the long-anticipated Adventure Cove at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will give visitors an up-close view of seals and sea lions. The $40-million, 4.1-acre expansion will feature Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village, where guests can observe animal demonstrations and have one-on-one experiences with animals.

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Columbus is a city unlike any other. Vibrant and alive, Ohio’s capital is known for its open attitude, smart style and entrepreneurial spirit. Columbus' blend of neighborhoods, dynamic nightlife, noteworthy music scene, arts and culinary experiences, events, attractions and accommodations are all made unforgettable by the diversity of its outgoing locals who warmly welcome visitors. Free travel guides, maps, online booking and detailed information are available at www.ExperienceColumbus.com or 866.397.2657 (866.EXP.COLS). Visitor information is also available on Facebook: facebook.com/ExperienceColumbus, Twitter: @ExpCols and Instagram: @experiencecolumbus.