Downtown
According to Realtor.com, Columbus is among the top 10 cities in the country where downtown is making a comeback, and this decades-long resurgence offers opportunities for residents and visitors alike. As Ohio’s capital, downtown serves as the seat of federal, state and local government. It’s also the city’s central business district and cultural hub.
Just 10 minutes from John Glenn Columbus International Airport, and surrounded by I-70, I-71, S.R. 315 and I-670, its easy to get to by any means and from any direction. A selection of hotels, ranging from ritzy to limited-service, make downtown an ideal place to stay and explore Columbus’ neighborhoods. Though it is a large neighborhood, Veo bikes and a range of electric scooter options make it easy to get around quickly.
Short North Arts District
The Short North Arts District sits along the stretch of High Street between downtown and Ohio State’s campus and is signified by the 17 lighted arches that line the main thoroughfare. At its heart, the Short North is an arts neighborhood, as evidenced by the many murals along the sides of the buildings. Beyond that, it’s a hub of activity offering more than 100 restaurants, galleries and boutiques and booming with new mixed-use and residential development. The Short North is also very LGBTQ+-friendly and considered to be one of the city’s gayborhoods. Easily explore on foot the neighborhood that stretches a mile and a half along High Street from Nationwide Boulevard to King Avenue.
Arena District
Just northwest of downtown Columbus is the Arena District, home of the city’s four professional sports teams—the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, the MiLB Columbus Clippers, the MLS Columbus Crew and the PVF Columbus Fury. The Arena District is truly the city’s sports hub, with each team’s home venue—Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park and Lower.com Field—all within walking distance from each other.
Beyond athletics, find the 5,200-seat KEMBA Live! concert venue in the Arena District, a great place to catch your favorite artists’ tour stops. Don't forget to make time to check out North Market, a more than 145 years old vibrant public market located near the Greater Columbus Convention Center, with vendors representing tastes from around the world.
German Village & Brewery District
Located just south of downtown Columbus, German Village is one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods in the Midwest. Originally built by German settlers in the mid-1800s, the lovingly restored brick houses, shops, streets and sidewalks are full of historic charm and modern swank. Once you get there—whether by walking, driving or utilizing Veo micromobility from downtown—you’ll want to explore the neighborhood on foot. German Village has ample food options, both German and otherwise, as well as bars and breweries for those who imbibe.
Immediately west of German Village, primarily oriented along High and Front Streets, is the Brewery District. Originally built by the same German settlers, this was an industrial hub of the city’s historic beer scene, and is now full of lively entertainment and dining options. For entertainment, head to Shadowbox Live, the country’s largest resident theater company, presenting original productions complete with live music nearly every day of the week.
Explore German Village →
University District
Ohio State University’s (OSU) main campus in Columbus is almost a city unto itself with more than 50,000 undergraduate students alone, hailing from around the globe. Founded in 1870 as an agricultural college, the university is one of the land-grant schools developed as part of the Morrill Act. Though its agricultural prowess continues to be a top draw for students, OSU is a major research university as well with students getting hands-on training at places like the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Battelle, Chemical Abstracts and Honda.
Beyond daily student life, campus is also a cultural hub for the arts and major sporting and concert facilities—Ohio Stadium (known as the Shoe) and The Schottenstein Center draw regular crowds from around the country.
Stretching north from campus up to Worthington is the largely residential neighborhood of Clintonville. Laid-back cafes, gastropubs, indie shops and large parks stretch along major thruways High Street and Indianola Avenue.
Things to Do
Say "yes" to new things and new places in Columbus. With local fun like rooftop bars and restaurants, miles of trails, pro sports in every season, top-rated family attractions, experiential activities and more, you'll never be short of fun things to do in Columbus. Check out our list of things to do below, or view our Visitor and LGBTQ+ guides, blog and itineraries for even more inspiration.
Restaurants
Named one of the best destinations for culinary travel in 2024 by Essence and one of the best food cities in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, Columbus is a foodie’s paradise. From nationally recognized chefs and James Beard Award semifinalists to innovative food halls and rooftop bars with skyline views, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
