Columbus has been nominated for dozens of 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and we need your votes to bring home the top spots. From craft beer and arts festivals to our world-class zoo, see which Columbus favorites made the list and vote daily to help us win big! We'll also share the results here as they are announced.
2025 Results
No. 1 Best Science Museum: Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
COSI was announced as the best science museum in the country for a fifth time! Learn more.
No. 1 Best Cultural Festival: Dublin Irish Festival
Dublin's annual celebration takes home the title for Best Cultural Festival in the U.S. Learn more.
No. 1 Best Film Festival: Cinema Columbus Film Festival
Cinema Columbus Film Festival is the best in the U.S.! Learn more.
No. 2 Best Art Festival: Columbus Arts Festival
The results are in and the Columbus Arts Festival is one of the top arts festivals in the country. Learn more.
No. 2 Best Beer Bar: The Ohio Taproom
The Ohio Taproom in Columbus was named the No. 2 Best Beer Bar in the country! Learn more.
No. 2 Best Half Marathon: OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon
The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon has been recognized as one of the best in the country. Learn more.
No. 2 Best Cookie Shop: Lion's Cub Cookies
Congratulations to Lion's Cub Cookies for being recognized as one of the best cookie shops in the country! Learn more.
No. 2 Best Independent Coffee Shop: Royal Flamingo Coffee House
Congratulations to Royal Flamingo Coffee House for being named a best independent coffee shop in the U.S. Learn more.
No. 3 Best Zoo: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was named the third best zoo in the country! Learn more.
No. 3 Best Aerial Adventure Park: ZipZone Outdoor Adventures
Congrats to ZipZone Outdoor Adventures! Learn more.
No. 3 Best Small Town in the Midwest: Worthington
Worthington was named one of the best small towns in the Midwest. Learn more.
No. 3 Best Historic Small Town: Worthington
Worthington was also named one of the best historic small towns in the country. Learn more.
No. 3 Best Planetarium: COSI Planetarium
COSI's Planetarium is the third best in the country. Learn more.
No. 4 Most Walkable City: Columbus
Columbus has been recognized as one of the top five most walkable cities in the U.S. Learn more.
No. 4 Best Food Hall: Budd Dairy Food Hall
Budd Dairy Food Hall was recognized as one of the top five food halls in the country. Learn more.
No. 4 Best City Food Festival: Columbus Food Truck Festival
With more than 50 participating food trucks, the Columbus Food Truck Festival has been named one of the best in the country. Learn more.
No. 5 Best Beer City
Columbus was named the fifth Best Beer City in the U.S. Learn more.
No. 5 Best Farmers Market: Worthington Farmers Market
The Worthington Farmers Market was recognized for the second year in a row as one of the best in the country. Learn more.
No. 6 Best Public Market: North Market Downtown
North Market Downtown was recognized as one of the best public markets in the country. Learn more.
No. 6 Best Independent Coffee Shop: Florin Coffee
Congratulations to Florin Coffee for being named a best independent coffee shop in the U.S. Learn more.
No. 6 Best Immersive Art Experience: Otherworld
Otherworld was named the sixth best immersive art experience in the country. Learn more.
No. 6 Best Roadside Motel: South Wind Motel
Congratulations to South Wind Motel for being ranked as one of the 10 best roadside motels in the country. Learn more.
No. 6 Best Roadside Diner: Tommy's Diner
Tommy's Diner in Franklinton was named one of the top 10 roadside diners in the country. Learn more.
No. 6 Best International Food Market: Saraga International Grocery
Saraga International Grocery was named one of the top 10 best international food markets in the country. Learn more.
No. 6 Best Zoo Lights: Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Congratulations to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Wildlights celebration for being named one of the best zoo light displays in the country. Learn more.
No. 7 Best Food Tour: Columbus Food Adventures
Congratulations to Columbus Food Adventures, named one of the best food tours in the country. Learn more.
No. 8 Best Oktoberfest: Schmidt's Columbus Oktoberfest
Schmidt's Columbus Oktoberfest has been named a top 10 Best Oktoberfest in the country. Learn more.
No. 8 Best College for Sports Fans: The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University has been named one of the top 10 Best Colleges for Sports Fans. Learn more.
No. 8 Best Minor League Ballpark: Huntington Park
Huntington Park has been named one of the top 10 Best Minor League Ballparks. Learn more.
No. 9 Best Shopping Center: Easton Town Center
Easton Town Center was recognized as a top 10 Best Shopping Center in the U.S. Learn more.
No. 10 Best Butterfly Garden: Blooms & Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was named a top 10 best butterfly garden in the U.S. Learn more.
No. 10 Best State Fair: Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair was recognized as a top 10 best state fair in the U.S. Learn more.
Past 2025 Nominations
Nominated for Best Place to Visit for Fall: Columbus
Columbus was nominated as one of the best places to visit for fall. View the final honorees.
Nominated for Best College Sports Traditions: Script Ohio
Script Ohio was nominated as one of the best college sports traditions in the country. View the final honorees.
Nominated for Best Local Sports Bar: The Walrus
The Walrus was nominated as one of the best local sports bars in the country. View the final honorees.
Nominated for Best Historic Hotel / Resort: Hotel LeVeque
Hotel LeVeque was nominated as one of the best historic hotels in the country. View the final honorees.
Nominated for Best Independent Bookstore: The Book Loft
The Book Loft was nominated as one of the best independent bookstores in the country. View the final honorees.
Nominated for Best Drive-In Theater: South Drive-In Theatre
The South Drive-In Theatre was amongst the nominees for the 2025 Best Drive-In Theatre. See who landed on the top 10 final list.
Nominated for Best Riverwalk: Scioto Mile
The Scioto Mile was nominated as one of the best riverwalks in the country. See who made the final top 10 list.
Nominated for Best Botanical Garden: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was nominated for Best Botanical Garden. See who made the final top 10 list.
Nominated for Best Brewpub: Barley's Brewing Company
Barley's Brewing Company was nominated as a Best Brewpub. See who ended up in the top 10 list.
