15 Surprising Facts about Columbus
1. Columbus is making headlines. During your visit, you’ll see why Condé Nast Traveler's readers named Columbus a top 10 best big city in the U.S. and one of the friendliest cities and why Food & Wine called us one of America’s next great food cities.
2. World-class hospitality is at our core. Columbus offers a destination-wide culture of world-class service. The Experience Columbus Insider (ECI) Program ensures all groups will experience superior visitor satisfaction in Columbus. Visitors are also invited to stop by our Welcome Centers in the Short North Arts District and at Easton Town Center.
3. There’s plenty of meeting space. The 1.8-million-square-foot Greater Columbus Convention Center offers 373,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 75 meeting rooms and the largest ballroom in the state. Downtown, Columbus has more than 5,000 hotel rooms to support the package, 2,700 of which are connected or adjacent to the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
4. We’re a top LGBTQIA+-friendly city. Called a "queer oasis" by Thrillist, Columbus boasts the largest Pride celebration in the Midwest, more than 100 LGBTQIA+-owned businesses and organizations and the 15th largest LGBTQIA+ population in the nation. Since 2013, Columbus has annually scored a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.
5. We’re open and welcoming. Columbus has been a haven for immigrants since its founding in 1812. This is seen in historic neighborhoods like German Village, Italian Village and Hungarian Village. We're home to more than 155,000 residents who were born in nations including Bhutan, Somalia, India and Mexico, among others. In fact, we have the second-largest Somali community in the U.S.
6. We support minority-owned businesses. Through initiatives like our Small Business Program, CBUS Soul® and our numerous other curated itineraries, we shine a light on Columbus’ amazing minority-owned businesses and encourage visitors to support them.
7. Our food and drink scene is thriving. Columbus is a culinary city. In fact, AFAR named Ohio's capital city one of the country's most thrilling food cities. Our chefs and restaurants are making headlines in publications like Food & Wine, Forbes and Bon Appétit, and our beer scene was named one of the best in the country by USA Today. Near the convention center, be sure to check out North Market, our 150-year-old vibrant public market named one of the 10 best public markets in the country.
8. We’re home to several culinary stars. Restaurateur Cameron Mitchell, James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Jeni Britton, Top Chef Season 18 contestant Avishar Barua and Alexis Nikole Nelson, aka “Black Forager,” all call Columbus home. And in 2025, Avishar Barua, Law Bird and Dan the Baker were nominated for James Beard Awards. 
9. Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest. Columbus ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for growth and infrastructure. Vibrant and alive, we're known for our public-private collaborations and entrepreneurial spirit.
10. The Columbus Region is home to five Fortune 500 and 16 Fortune 1000 companies. Notable brands that are headquartered here include Nationwide, Huntington, DSW, Express, Wendy’s, Big Lots and more. Recent companies to invest in the region include Intel, Anduril and Honda.
11. We have vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. Visitors can explore the “Five on High,” five neighborhoods and districts that are within a five-mile stretch of High Street, Columbus’ main thoroughfare. These neighborhoods include the Short North Arts District, the Arena District, picturesque German Village, Downtown, and the University District, home to The Ohio State University. Go beyond the Five on High to discover even more local favorites and bustling neighborhoods.
12. Four professional sports teams are on one dynamic street. We’re the proud home of four professional sports teams—the Columbus Crew (three-time MLS Cup champions), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), Columbus Clippers (AAA) and Columbus Fury (Major League Volleyball)—with stadiums just a few blocks of each other on Nationwide Blvd., nicknamed “Sports St.” in the Arena District.
13. We’re home to nature trails, distillery trails and more. Men's Journal named the Scioto Mile as one of the “21 Best Urban Parks + Trails for City-Dwellers,” and with more than 20 Metro Parks, visitors can hike, bike and paddle throughout our city. Experience Columbus also has curated experiential trails for coffee lovers, bourbon connoisseurs and more.
14. We’re a four-season city. From beautiful fall foliage to a mild winter to a colorful spring and a sunny summer, visitors enjoy Columbus year-round.
15. Fashion is a focus. Columbus is the #1 metro in the U.S. for concentration of professionals working in the apparel and fashion industry. We’re also home to dozens of independent boutiques and Easton Town Center, the Midwest's premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Retail giants like Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, DSW, Bath & Body Works and more are also headquartered here.
