What to do in Columbus, OH?

I did COSI back in the 80s but they've changed it so much.

The Scioto River area was nice when I went there about 20 years ago.

The Columbus Zoo is world renown.

The Short North is talked about a lot as is German Village.

The local orchestra is popular among some (but not by me).

The state capitol is there if you want to meet a bunch of right wind politicians that have taken over the state.

Route 315 is a scenic & winding road by a creek (or a small river?) that has been built up every decade.

Delaware county (the one north of the Columbus city's Franklin county) has been the fastest growing place in the state for a while now. I was there about a month ago but not long enough to get out anywhere. It sure has changed from when I was there about a decade ago. Lots of traffic & houses with LGBT pride flags on them. I don't recall seeing any the last time I was there (if that tells you anything).

[quote]What to do in Columbus, OH?

Leave.

The Billy Ireland Cartoon museum at OSU.

I was there in April. Surprisingly there was little to do outside of the OSU area. German Village was quaint, a good restaurant (Schmidt's). Everyone at the conference was astounded that in the area there was no ATM, CVS, etc. There was a place called Club Diversity that was fun, very gay in character, but also a lot of straight people.

The Columbus Museum of Art is worth a visit.

A friend who moved there years ago says that Columbus is the opposite of "It's nice to visit but I wouldn't want to live there"—i.e. if you visit you might be at a loss for interesting things to do; the real quality of life doesn't emerge unless you do the everyday things. But as posters above said, spend time in German Village and the Short North. I like Goodale Park, too.

Columbus has zero culture outside OSU football. Get in a car and head up to Cleveland where there is more to do, other than going to gay bars.

BDF IN COLUMBUS!!! - No not that BDF - Bobs Discount Furniture! Go to their new store at the Polaris Towne Center and eat all the candy, ice cream and cookies for free in their cafe! Fat whores rejoice!

Club Columbus is actually a really nice bathhouse. A couple of great play areas. Steam room that actually gets up a lot of steam, the hot tub is huge. The sauna is opposite the showers so you can sit there and watch all the hot guys lather up. In seadon they have a good outdoor pool. Lots of free parking. Decent gym too. Newer club too. It’s a freestanding structure that the Club built and is very well maintained.

I agree with R8 about the bathhouse. I was surprised.

Jump over to Springfield and have lunch.

Go to the Short North and German Village as someone else noted; fall is beautiful in Ohio - winter, not so much

I’m getting the impression Columbus is a larger version of Indianapolis. Is this assessment wrong?

r12 Start by telling us why you've come to this conclusion.

I mentioned Route 315 for Autumn leave changes but as curvy as it is, someone might be able to suggest another road for better scenic views at this time of year.

There's a lot of cornfed dick around OSU.

And Club Columbus can get hot. + as others noted it's a great facility.

meth.

[quote] I’m getting the impression Columbus is a larger version of Indianapolis. Is this assessment wrong?

I don't know much about Indy, but during the last election, Columbus was a little blue island in a sea of angry reds. As a person living in the mid-Atlantic & paying ridiculous rent, I wouldn't moving back to Ohio at some point (assuming they don't go full Nazi) because there are world class hospitals, *cheap* housing, and a surprising growing art/food scene. So it's nothing special, but I'd take Columbus over a sprawling hot mess of a place like Dallas

Yes, without OSU Columbus would be Indunapolis. The native accent is a faint southern twang.

I dunno. Soul food?

Columbus is Indianapolis with a large university, but a worse downtown.

In Columbus, Ohio all seems to breathe freedom and peace and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils.

Suicide.

R13 Most Midwestern cities are generic and interchangeable. They look the same and feel the same.

Columbus has more gray days than Seattle.

Probably the worst domestic art museum I've ever seen. The cartooning museum sounds like it might be interesting, though. They used to have one of the best glass art galleries in the US, but not any more. Other than Atlanta, I don't think I've visited a place with less credible online restaurant reviews.

There’s probably a barbecue restaurant nearby. Ew.

People in Ohio are overwhelmingly DULL

OP, we have many outstanding Arby's restaurants in Columbus that one can enjoy.

Seriously, the Riverfront at sunset is a lovely place to view the skyline. Bryden Road in Old Town East has many beautiful old Victorian houses with creative Halloween decorations. Quite a few rainbow flags, too.

Seconding gay-friendly German Village and Merion Village, which make for beautiful walking in the fall--Schiller Park is pretty, too, though be careful about safety at night. Try a visit to the Franklin Park Conservatory.

Caution: Stay away from Linden, Whitehall, and the Hilltop. Not too safe. Also be aware that C-Bus has a strange and chronic problem with random people crashing their cars into buildings. I have no idea why.

Have yourself a whirl, OP!

Exit it.

When I went to Grad School at OSU there were three areas that were predominantly gay: German Village (affectionately known as The Swish Alps), Italian Village (The Via Vaselino) and The Short North (Homo Heights).

Get a load Dorothy Parker at r30

The men in Columbus eat, drink, bed-hop and watch sports. They have no intellectual curiosity. It has to be loud and dumb.

I lived there for 6 years in the 90s, so my view may be dated. After having lived in much larger destination cities since, I realise the quality of life was pretty good in Columbus, but true, it doesn't have many things that would uniquely appeal to visitors. It was really gay friendly even back then, and there was never shortage of dick. Fond memories.

What does Ohio dick taste like?

Corn and cheese, R34.

OP here, thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I appreciate the ideas for my upcoming trip.

My bf goes there a number of times a year, but he’s always too busy to take in the sights. So, I’m going to sashay in and check out the city myself since there’s a chance he might be transferred there. Gotta see what I'm getting myself into!

Thanks again!

PS: KEEP THOSE SUGGESTIONS COMING!

R35 Blue cheese? Or cheddar?

I lived in CBUS for almost 10 years. Never went to OSU area once. Short North area, Brewery District. Great Gay clubs down town and smaller ones that are a lot fo fun in the outlier areas. The book loft is cool too, a big house converted to a large book store. Good restaurants downtown. Good shopping, both Polaris and Easton area (Easton not in the winter as it is mostly outdoors), Pretty active gay scene there as well.

If you’re a fat whore you’ll be in hog heaven at Buckeye Donuts on North High Street.

Columbus having more gray days than Seattle is laughable. I have family in both. Cyndi is playing Columbus on 11/3, Timberlake is in town that night too if you’re still there. Great new steakhouse downtown: Butcher & Rose. Plenty of intellectually curious people in Ohio. These stereotypes are ridiculous. We all read and travel, people. Columbus is super gay, too… second only to Chicago in the Midwest.

R40 It sounds like you have a great appreciation for Columbus and its vibrant culture! It’s true that stereotypes can often miss the mark when it comes to the diversity and liveliness of a place! Columbus has a lot to offer, from a thriving arts scene to a welcoming community! Cyndi Lauper and Justin Timberlake performing on the same night is definitely a fun coincidence — that’s a solid lineup for anyone still in town! And it’s great to hear about The Butcher & Rose; new restaurants can add so much to the local scene! Columbus being a hub for the LGBTQ+ community is also an important aspect of its identity, showcasing how inclusive and progressive the city is! Do you have any favorite spots or experiences in Columbus that you’d recommend?

This was COSI in 1999 =

Is this host a homo?

[quote]Columbus having more gray days than Seattle is laughable.

It may not be as overcast as the Olympic Peninsula, R40, but it's pretty bad. That's what got to me (as a Southern Californian) when I lived in Columbus for a couple years in the early 1990s. I'd mentally prepared myself for cold temps & snow (I'd been skiing in the Sierra & Utah plenty of times!), but no one told me about, and nothing could have prepared me for, the relentless GRAY during winter.

And then there was the oppressive summer humidity (which I was also not "built for" as a Southern Californian)....but, I still loved my two years in Columbus!

If OP had visited a week or two ago, I would have suggested going to the Circleville Pumpkin Show (about 30 minutes outside of Columbus) because it is something else. Someone up-thread suggested Schmidt's in German Village. That's a resounding YES! Or if you're in the mood for burgers while in GV, The Thurman Cafe. And then get to a Graeter's for some ice cream.

R34 - Ohio Dick Sampler basket available at Hickory Farms of Ohio at a mall near you,

Cleveland tastes like pierogi

Cincinnati tastes like Skyline Chili

Columbus tastes like buckeyes (peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate)

Holmes County tastes like Amish cheese

Portsmouth tastes like opioids

Youngstown tastes like rust

Springfield tastes ‘like chicken’.

German Village is incredibly atmospheric in autumn and has some excellent bookstores.

There are some very impressive theaters in the old picture palaces of the 1920s.

Some solid Art Deco/Chicago School downtown.

Must see spots? In Columbus, OH??

There’s a mall with a Cheesecake Factory, if you’re into that sort of thing.

OP, R28 here again with some more suggestions:

The Drexel Theater in Bexley is worth stopping at for indie movies. Downtown Bexley and the surrounding neighboorhoods are charming to walk through.

I've heard good things about Marcellas Restaurant in the Short North.

If you like antiques, you'll find some cool stores along N. High Street in Clintonville. The Columbus Antique Mall on S. High St. is a wonderful maze of antiques and flea market stuff. It's reportedly haunted, too, so a good Halloween trip.

Thurber House, where author and illlustrator James Thurber lived, is open for tours. Also reportedly haunted.

If you're a doughnut fan and willing to drive 45 minutes each way for a fix, Schuler's has the best doughnuts in the universe.

The parks in Columbus are wonderful: Franklin Park (where you'll find the Conservatory), Schiller Park, Topiary Park, and Goodale Park are my favorites.

I hope you have a lovely time, OP!

Pittsburgh is worse for gray days than Columbus.

R40: Columbus boosterism is alive and well I see. Basically you give credit for it delivering what any number of middle sized cities can do. Trying to compare it to Chicago, if only indirectly, is ludicrous.

R49: But Pittsburgh with its hills and old buildings has much more character. And Columbus has plenty of gray days.

Columbus has only light snowfall so in the winter it’s gray skies and dull brown landscapes.

It's way nicer than Indianapolis!

Doo our zoo! We also have a shrubbery garden that perfectly replicates the Seurat pointillism classic Sunday Afternoon. I always enjoyed the field trips to the Ohio Historical Society. Columbus, Ohio. It’s more than you dreamed.

OP, while you’re in Columbus I hear you can probably go online, access Tubi and watch Anthony Hopkins in Magic.

That’s something.

Pray for death.

There’s a tangy old river.

If you need computer shit they have a really good microcenter....

Columbus. It's Probably Not What You Were Expecting.

Columbus. If You Don't Get Your Hopes Up, You Won't Be Disappointed.

Columbus. It's Cloudy But They Have Donuts.

Convince the citizens to not vote for the despot running for president.

Nothing. Stay in your hotel room.

I had heard some good things about Columbus over the years, but have never been.

This thread seems to be scraping the bottom for anything interesting.

In Columbus you’ll find the most unremarkable statehouse of all fifty states.

R64 Not so fast...

So OP what have you come up with based on this thread you made?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Scientologists used to camp outin front of Trax II o prey on gays.

R64, it was co-designed by Thomas Cole and is the only public building of the era to have an artist at the helm.

It is not uninteresting.

I often forget that this city is larger than Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Star child

Fairchilde!

That's because they annexed the suburbs. Also, most of the state money goes to Columbus.

In my mind, Columbus is a collection of different gated golf communities and your host meets your car at the main gate and leads you through “lanes” where every house looks the same - faux Tudor or cedar and glass A frames.

Columbus has an amazing zoo. It is considered one of the top zoos in the entire country. It is where Jack Hanna was director.

I'm booking my plane ticket now, r74.

Do Columbus men have hairy white asses?

Op here, to the DL hive mind, I say thank you for the suggestions and snark. Here's my notes, and absolutely nothing is set in stone -- except the bathhouse.

YES YES YES

Cosi

German Town

Pointillist Park – Husband’s love all things a musical, no matter how flimsy

I've ever thought of a bathhouse while traveling, but now? Game on. Columbus has plenty of German, Polish, and Eastern European stock. Big sausages? Will report back.

Gay bars, natch, always.

I’ll try to catch the autumn leaves if they’re still around. S. California doesn’t give much of a seasonal shift, just tank tops to tees, repeat.

AMENDED

No to antiques or vintage boutiques. Yes to thrift stores like Goodwill, Salvation, and local charity shops. I love treasure hunting there.

NO NO NO

I don’t care about football, futebol, or any sports.

Zoo? Darhling, I’ve bn Safari’ in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, glamping in Ralph Lauren-inspired tents more expensive than the average US homes. I’ve seen exotic animals up close in chauffeur-driven Land Rovers with a fully stocked bar. Zoos are... meh.

I'm not kidding, it was unbelievably expensive, but my best friend won the trip by finding a Golden Ticket after unwrapping a Willy Wonka bar. I got to tag along as her +1, hobnobbing with the .1%.

UNLIKELY

Donuts? Me, no. Husband, yes.

And now something new -apparently, I have to see the Columbus Ohio Gay Men's Chorus. I’ve heard it’s the gayest thing ever! Thanks again guys and gals.

I think you should look up COSI on their web site as they have a gift shop (or did have one when I went back in the 80s).

They had lots of interactive stuff for folks of all ages.

I went as a school field trip & it was a great way to waste a day.

They had a small planetarium (I think) back then but I wasn't into that sort of stuff as a kid.

They did not annex suburbs like Dublin and Wothington. And if they were annexing they should have goten the Hocking Hills!

[quote] Annexation went from just half a square mile in the 1940s to almost 50 square miles being added in the 1950s alone, the vast majority of it occurring after 1953. This rapid expansion of Columbus’ city limits continued through the 1970s, long after Sensenbrenner had left office, and the total area of the city almost quintupled by 1980. During that same period, about 190,000 people were added. The naysayers would have us believe that all of this growth occurred because of annexation, and in this instance, they may, in fact, be correct.

Unfortunately, for them, it's still a third tier city.

The entirety of Ohio is a grim Trump-styled nightmare.

Get out.

The Scioto had some mean and nasty floods back in the day

So OP are you having any fun?

R77 is right to suggest the Topiary Park at the old Deaf School, in which the bushes are, unbelievably, trimmed to represent a 3D version of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. It's rather pleasant.

Are you here yet OP? I live in Columbus and I love it. I hope you have found fun things to do.

OP here. Took a walk around the city center and German Village today, it’s absolutely charming and picturesque. Planning to explore the city more thoroughly tomorrow!

Every corner of this Midwestern gem is infused with creativity and opportunity, offering a captivating tapestry of experiences just waiting to be explored. Why look beyond your doorstep when the heart of culinary excellence, a flourishing arts scene, and an engaging community thrive right here in this vibrant treasure of the Buckeye State?

OP, I'm excited and delighted you're having a good time!

R87 just goto a tourism grant. All them big words and all.

Have brunch at Lindey's.

Discover the dazzling delights of Columbus, Ohio—a sultry siren of sophistication where beauty and brains unite for an unforgettable rendezvous!

With its world-class wonders and tantalizing treasures, this titillating town is where enticing elegance meets unbridled adventure, making every visit feel like a forbidden fling.

Embrace the electric energy and seductive charm of Columbus, the ultimate utopia that promises to pamper your passions and ignite your desires—it’s the most important city in the world, and it’s waiting just for you!

OP here, enjoying a drink at Southbend Tavern, a friendly gay dive bar that, according to the Internet, has a welcoming vibe. Just my kind of place!

🙏🤣

Count moles

Cry cry cry

Hitchhike to the bus station.

Speaking strictly from an architect/urbanist point of view German Village and adjacent districts are some of the most successful in the US and can be favorably contrasted with similar neighborhoods anywhere in the world in terms of walkability, tree cover, scale of housing, materiality, historical preservation, park access and visual consistency.

Every time I've visited (family in Columbus), I've taken time just walking around and observing how the original builders created a harmonious and simple streetscape that is endlessly rewarding.

R97, what do you make of Victorian Village? I love walking down Neil Avenue and just looking at the houses; a friend lives on one of the side streets with the little round intersections.

R98, Victorian Village is wonderful, but very like other upper-middle-class streetcar streetcar suburb nationally.

German Village is earlier and represents a form of utilitarian/artisan architecture that is still completely satisfying.

R97 Fuck Paris! Columbus is the true City of Light!

R100, I realize that "sniffy queen" is a thing.

For those interested in modes of building, Paris is actually not the end-all be-all.

Fuck you, R101!

R97 R101

You're trying to imply that the architecture of Columbus fucking Ohio is comparable to that of Paris, which you believe to be overrated.

Columbus fucking Ohio does not possess one single significant building.

You claim that Columbus fucking Ohio offers a world class urban experience on a par with London, NYC, Venice, Tokyo, Boston, etc.

Your arguments are absurd. Your aesthetics are laughable. Your tone is defensive and condescending.

Please go on.

R101 Oh wait, I think I know what you mean now.

Actually, Columbus makes Cleveland look like Paris.

I find it fascinating that OP's quaint and utilitarian little thread about stuff to do in Columbus, Ohio has exploded into a kind of quasi-existential, heated debate about midwestern cultural values, the aesthetics of architecture, and urban life more generally.

Just fucking hilarious!

The architecturally-minded might enjoy a swing through Bexley and its little enclaves like Sessions Village.

R103 Has Stated Her Boundaries!

Columbus has really grown in the last 20 years and indeed is larger than Cincinnati and Cleveland.

As a western PA native who now lives on the West Coast, I sincerely hope that growth results in some direct flights to that area soon. There's no direct flights to anywhere in that whole eastern Midwest or western Mid Atlantic area - from Chicago east there's nothing until NYC and, possibly, DC or Philly. But CMH would be perfect.

Isn’t that where Peter Falk is from?

R103, reread both my posts are R97 and R101.

"You're trying to imply that the architecture of Columbus fucking Ohio is comparable to that of Paris, which you believe to be overrated."

I do not believe Paris to be overrated - I said it is not the sole benchmark of architectural taste. And it isn't.

"Columbus fucking Ohio does not possess one single significant building."

This is such bullshit that I don't even know where to begin, but perhaps with the most significant Greek Revival building outside of Washington DC; one of the very rare survivors by Burnham and Root in their Chicago School phase; one of the greatest Art Deco Expressionist towers anywhere in the world: take your pick.

"You claim that Columbus fucking Ohio offers a world class urban experience on a par with London, NYC, Venice, Tokyo, Boston, etc."

I make no such claim.

"Your arguments are absurd."

I point out that German Village is an exquisite example of artisan/builder architecture.

"Your aesthetics are laughable."

Yeah, nah.

"Your tone is defensive and condescending."

And yours is...?

"Please go on."

Just did.

R111 I loved the LeVeque. Is that the Art Deco building?

R112, it is indeed. It is one of a very small number of Expressionist Art Deco structures in the world. It's chief US comparisons would be to the magnificent State Capitol Building in Nebraska and the works of Ralph Walker in New York City and Rochester, NY, particularly the "Wings of Progress" in the latter.

"Its", just in case R103 decides to shit blood over that.

As an Ohio native, I'm intrigued that this thread has received so many responses since I would've expected about 5-10 at best before the whole thing died out. Columbus is a very livable place with inexpensive housing, good hospitals, a strong university system that brings a lot of culture to the city & a surprisingly growing food scene. But if I was just passing through, I'd head to Cleveland. You could have a fun, relatively inexpensive long weekend. I think Columbus has it's charms, but it's sort of like that plain girl wearing the clunky shoes- you have to look hard to see the beauty & uniqueness. I was glad to see former Ohio residents weighing with how they enjoyed their quality of life in Columbus since Ohio can seem a bit grim at times.

R111 You are saying utterly ridiculous things about a shitty third-rate Midwestern town.

"can be favorably contrasted with similar neighborhoods ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD in terms of walkability, tree cover, scale of housing, materiality, historical preservation, park access and visual consistency."

R115 I like both Columbus and Cleveland. But you're not wrong.

Columbus has a streak of conservatism running through it. Its sister city in many ways is Indianapolis.....Indy is truly beige and boring while Columbus has more colors to it, definitely some really wonderful aspects.....but she's still a bit of a frowning prisspot spinster in some of her corners.

Cleveland, on the other hand, is a drunken bar skank with bleached hair and a nose piercing. But she's warm and funny and a hell of a good time.

People need to think that where they live is beautiful.

If you are presented with the same flat dull monotony daily, you start to think it is beautiful because your eye just doesn't know any different. Your sense of beauty becomes stunted.

For God's sake, you are in Columbus Ohio. People in hell tell themselves that it's nice and warm where they are.

Not sure how much "walkability" matters here.

[quote] What to do in Columbus, OH?

As many strapping, cornfed OSU lads as you possibly can, preferably one after the other.

Columbus doesn't have anything visually 'iconic'.

There is no structure there that anyone outside Ohio would recognize, or need to.

Nothing in Columbus would be in any Arch survey syllabus.

It looks like a hundred other places.

I'm kindof glad that Columbus is getting slammed as much as it is here. It usually gets the chipper, boosterish comments that make it easy to simply dismiss. They put up ads in the DC Metro trying to sell it which is odd enough except they never identify any concrete place to visit or reason to go there. I've been there numerous times and always hated it---the restaurants are overrated (Zagat, Yelp, et al are useless here), the art museum is terrible and the traffic seems endless. I recall deciding against Ohio State multiple times for various reasons---the student ghetto area was memorably worse than the usual run down sections of Kent, Athens or Bowling Green---a high school classmate literally lived in a building that opened into a Burger King parking lot. A married classmate lived in married student housing that reminded me of the projects. Te best thing about Columbus, as someone else pointed out, is that it's a step up up from Indianapolis, which is grimmer and even more mindlessly boosterish.

Architects should be held responsible for the evil done in their building. Therefore I abominate the Nebraska capitol and Goodhue generally.

Lord you queens are pissy.

Columbus is neither God's oasis on earth nor is it a raging hellfire. It just is.

R116, yes, I stand by that comment. I'd emphasize it differently.

"Can be favorably contrasted WITH SIMILAR NEIGHBORHOODS anywhere in the world." In other words, urban vernacular or artisan/builder's architecture, which is very rare in North America and not usually intact or well-maintained elsewhere.

I'm not comparing German Village with Paris. Paris was developed under completely different circumstances.

But as you've already proven you know nothing about architecture, it's not a great leap to assume you actually know nothing about Columbus either.

Or perhaps you should show us on the map of Ohio where Columbus touched you.

OP, I can only tell you *who* to do.

R126 You are babbling. You don't know what urban vernacular is and it is not at all rare in North America.

There is no one who could take a such a comparison between Columbus fucking Ohio and a world-class city seriously. You sound like a rube.

Your provincial eye has been stunted by a lifetime in such a dismal environment.

There is not one memorable building.

Columbus is torture. It's boring and dull and gray and grinding and filled with fat stupid flyover MAGAts.

R128, that's a lovely shad of purple you're turning.

Simply look up the entries on the SAH website for Columbus, OH. You can start with the one linked below.

Or maybe you can roll up to the Society of Architectural Historians and scream and wave your trotters at them about how they all have no taste and their mommies dress them funny.

R129 When I was little, I had a babysitter from Ohio. She used to belch really loudly while we weren't allowed to. She used to combine cottage cheese and Haley's MO and eat it it every morning. Are you still doing that back there?

I'm not sure what waving ones trotters would mean. I grew up with running water and electricity.

But no apostrophes, alas, R131.

R132 Wait til you see Akron. It will blow your mind.

Girls! Girls!

YOU'RE BOTH UNBEARABLE CUNTS!

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OP here - Columbus was nice. Thx for all the suggestions .

Now...END IF THREAD!

*OF THREAD*

R136 Can you really say that you've traveled if you haven't been to Columbus?

OP, I'm so happy you had a good time in our fair city of Columbus!

Also happy, however, that you got the heck out before this coming Tuesday, because shit's gonna get ugly if Harris wins, as I pray to the baby Jesus she will.

Please, Jesus, oh please let her win! And please don't let shit get ugly here in C-Bus!

I'll take R111 (etc.), with their connoisseurship, appreciation for local variation and aesthetic diversity, and epic smackdown of poor logic, over the posters here who want to reduce everything to one standard—or, more likely, just want to parade their cultural insecurities.

R140 Just stop this. We're not morons. We know and care about how things look.

There is no 'connoisseurship' here at all. This person isn't just exaggerating, but lying, misusing terms she doesn't understand and spewing complete bullshit. She wound up in Columbus and now has to rationalize it publicly.

Blind close-minded red-state know-nothing ignorance. You can have it.

But I understand there are very good donuts in Columbus.

If you look around and ask, you can find some great Grilled Haitian Pit Bull.

You can go to Columbus because it's much too late to keep Columbus from us.

I would absolutely consider living in Upper Arlington.

I liked a lot of the Columbus vibe. Lots of hot guys.

R141, I am not "stuck" in Columbus. I live in NYC/NYS. I have cousins in the Columbus area.

"Misusing terms I don't understand?" I'm an actual published architectural historian, you frothing weirdo.

Stick your inexplicably rabid hatred of Columbus, Ohio, up your gaping prolapse, assuming the dildo collection leaves you any room.

Maybe the detractors on this thread are all Michael Feinstein, still desperate for everyone to know how relieved he is to have shaken the dust of Bexley from his loafers.

R146, I'm at a loss for where the animosity is coming from. If you don't like Columbus, Ohio, fine. Objective study of the place should still be possible.

R147 Desperate flatland civic boosterism in the EXACT opposite of objectivity.

If you wanna say something patently ridiculous you can go ahead and and say it, but somebody might disagree with you.

And if all you can do is then spin up about dildos and gaping prolapses, I think we have a better idea of the intellect and taste level that we are dealing with.

They think people in Yellow Springs are radical.

[quote] There is no 'connoisseurship' here at all. This person isn't just exaggerating, but lying, misusing terms she doesn't understand and spewing complete bullshit.

I know enough about architectural history to recognize connoisseurship and specialist knowledge when I see it—and to recognize name-calling and superficial taste-parading when I see it.

I provided a professional website created by accredited historians full of detailed information about the city's architecture.

I provided my own specific examples.

Your insistence that Columbus is some sort of arid wasteland is actually bizarre, you clearly have no idea what "urban vernacular" means in this context (hint: it doesn't mean 'whatever the neighborhood happens to look like'); and your rage levels suggest some form of mental imbalance.

That is all.

Ohio is a square that sags in the middle, just like its people.

What's round on the ends and high in the middle?

R153 my sophomore year.

What’s wrong with Columbus? I like Columbus. It doesn’t have quite the same cultural life as Cleveland, but still its not bad. I was last there about a year ago. Spent the night fucking at Club Columbus, then went to breakfast and an urban hike through German Town. I will head back in the spring to do the zoo. Yesterday I dropped a friend off at tbe BOE in Cleveland to vote. I had some time to kill so I drove to the art museum nearby. Parked on the street near the entrance. Rabin, saw a special exhibit, then chilled out at a coffee house in a restored mansion near the museum, picked my friend up and we headed to lunch at the historic west side market. So easy to get around. I looove Cleveland, but Columbus I’d always worth a look see.

Ohio was relatively urbane in 1980. But then the recession of 1982 bought unemployment off 25% and more, and people with any sense started leaving. Cincinnati was the first domino to fall to republican madness, followed b y Toledo and Akron. Youngstown held out a bit because of the mob, and Dayton didn't fall until NCR tanked and the money was still pouring into Wright-Patterson, but by 1990 Cleveland and Columbus were the only progressive places left except for a few college towns. And Columbus was only progressive on gay issues, not on economic issues. Will to come back from the darkness? It seems to be taking steps in that direction.

R155 There's nothing wrong with Columbus. You can compare to Cleveland. You cannot compare it to a world-class city.

West Virginia R153?

R158 O-high-O

I loved the Short North when I visited there in the late 90s.

Sadly it's been de-gayed to a certain degree and is way more corporate, sterile and gentrified.

So soon after your trip to the banlieues, OP?

If Columbus is such an unequivocal wasteland of provincial dullards, bland architecture, and mindless civic boosterism, why are we still in heated debate after more than150 posts?

Those of us who live here recognize its failings (the art museum is, as a poster above noted, pretty terrible), but love its history (German Village, the Ohio Theatre), quirky vibes (Old Towne East and Clintonville) and progressivism.

R162 Zzzzzzzzz.......

[quote]the art museum is, as a poster above noted, pretty terrible

Fuck you, R162!

Speaking of museums in cities in Ohio, the Cleveland Museum is an amazing world class museum. Even the bitter fat cunt who keeps complaining about Columbus on this thread would be amazed at what the Cleveland Museum of Art offers.

R165, The Toledo (Ohio) Museum of Art is almost equally astounding.

Ohio cities punch well above expectations for art museums - the Columbus Art Museum is the weakest of the lot, ironically.

Toledo also has an important art museum. Those industrialists had the pick of the European collections.

Jinx, R166!

Toledo's Art Museum is a gem, inside and out.

R165 I love the Cleveland Museum.

Columbus? Bring a good book.

We were in Dayton this summer.

I don't understand why people waste their time and money going to Europe.

Someone just needs to put this thread out of its misery.

Muriel? How about it?

Ohio is SOLID red Trump Country!!!

COLUMBUS!!! Trump!!

FUCK YEAH COLUMBUS FUCK YEAH !!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU COLUMBUS!!!!!!!!

Remember when an international peace treaty was signed in fucking Dayton? I thin it was '94. How far mighty Dayton has fallen since then.

If you’re an art museum fan, plan a trip and hit Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit. They’re all quite different and each is spectacular. There was a NYT article suggesting the same a while ago. Those cities on the Great Lakes are old and those collections have been growing for a very long time.

YEE FUCKING HAW COLUMBUS!!!!!

Don't forget to register at that beautiful fucking state capital if you have a miscarriage.

Actually they might have a memorial to that terrible school shooting that happened there.

It was so sad!!!

😭😭😭😭😭

COLUMBUS FUCK YEAH!!!!

Froth at the mouth cocksuckers have entered the chat.

TRUMP! FAT PEOPLE! GUNS!

R180 CLEVELAND!! TOLEDO!!! DETROIT!!!!! AMERICA!!!!! FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!

R185 Everything is so nice here in Ohio.

We've just reelected the greatest president in history.

R187, please remove the Ohmibod.

We're begging you.

Bitches, Franklin County voted overwhelmingly for Harris. We always vote blue here.

Have a lovely day!

R190 CELEBRATE WITH DONUTS!!! YAY OHIO!!!!

Everybody with brains leaves Ohio for New York. This is a big issue for all red states, the loss of everybody who does well in school.

R149 Yellow Springs is weird. It has produced Dave Chappell, John Lithgow, and Charles Manson. Go figure.

R192 A lot of the smart young people go to Chicago.

Did Miss OP survive her journey into the wilderness?

Get on out of there.

Bitches, come AWN! Don't disappoint me now - we're almost at 200 posts on this thread about Columbus, Ohio, the heart of it all!

[quote]What to do in Columbus, OH?

Get out of it.

What to do in Columbus?

A never ending supply of OSU cock.

While Columbus, Ohio, and Paris, France, are vastly different in many ways, they share some similarities that make for an interesting comparison:

1. Cultural Attractions

Art and Museums: Both cities are known for their vibrant art scenes. Columbus has the Columbus Museum of Art and a thriving local art community, while Paris is home to globally renowned museums like the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay.

Culinary Scene: Columbus is a growing foodie destination with innovative restaurants and food festivals, akin to Paris, which is often considered the culinary capital of the world.

2. Diverse Populations

Columbus has a growing multicultural community with influences from many different cultures, partly due to Ohio State University. Similarly, Paris is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Europe.

3. Public Spaces and Parks

Columbus features spaces like the Scioto Mile and Franklin Park Conservatory, which offer scenic beauty and leisure opportunities. Paris boasts the Seine River banks, Tuileries Garden, and Bois de Boulogne, which serve similar purposes for residents and visitors.

4. Fashion

While Paris is globally recognized as a fashion capital, Columbus is surprisingly prominent in the fashion industry as the headquarters of companies like L Brands (Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works) and Express.

5. Universities and Education

The Ohio State University is a major institution in Columbus, drawing students and scholars from all over the world. Similarly, Paris is home to prestigious schools like the Sorbonne University and other institutions that attract international students.

6. Innovation Hubs

Columbus is a growing tech and business hub, with investments in smart city initiatives. Paris, too, is a leader in tech and innovation, hosting global startups and companies in districts like La Défense and Station F.

While Columbus doesn’t have the centuries-old history or iconic landmarks of Paris, both cities play significant roles in their regions, offering unique cultural, social, and economic experiences.

200 indeed!

The Gates of Hell is located in Columbus, Ohio.

Go Buckeyes!

Can someone get a buggy whip and lash at the heinous, stinking cunt who continues to shit all over this thread?

You obsessive sack of shit.....give it a fucking rest, Mary.

OSU grad and smooth as a Ken doll, Ryan Dengler

Mmm, buffet!

R200: So much nonsense. The Columbus Museum of Art is tiny and has a crappy collection reflecting the tastes of a major donor. Other than Atlanta, I've never travelled anywhere that had less reliable restaurant reviews. The place that gave us Wendy's as well as Max & Irma's, is not a credible foodie destination. OSU is academically the weakest of the Big 10 schools. Miami and to varying degrees Cincinnati and Bowling Green attract better students than Ohio State among Ohio's state schools. Columbus: Face It, It Sucks.

R207, Columbus girl here. I am chagrined to admit that you're right. The Columbus Museum of Art is a rinky-dink, small-time five-and-dime affair. The Woolworth's of American museums.

We do, however, have a wondrous array of Arby's restaurants from which to choose. Won't you join us?

You forgot Bob Evans R207

Wasn't the firest White Castle from around there too?>

Close, R210. Kansas.

But we have a shit ton of WCs around Ohio.

A lot of water closets?

Apparently, "things to do in Columbus" including going for a walk with one's Nazi buddies.

You can always join a parade.

The finest Nazis in America are in Columbus!!!

MARY!

I'm so ashamed of my city right now. I try to defend Columbus and tell people how wonderful it is (except for the certifiably abysmal art museum), but when shit like the neo-Nazis marches happen, I just want to crawl under a table and get drunk.

OP, obviously others are already on it, however, I too must ask the important questions:

Were you one of the Nazis?

If so…

Aren’t you guys embarrassed about running around in a fucking U-Haul???

We aren't hearing any names of participants.....which means they're connected to local law enforcement or military.....