1. OSU Everything, But Especially Football
Everything Ohio State does is beloved by Columbusites, but especially the football. Sadly, there’s no professional football team calling Columbus home (nor professional basketball or baseball), so they put all their heart and soul into the Buckeyes. The passion they put into pre-gaming and post-gaming is unparalleled. O-H-I-O!
2. And Don't Forget The Blue Jackets
Football isn’t the only sport Columbus loves by a long shot. The people show up in droves for the Blue Jackets hockey games. One day, they are going to make it past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Just you wait and see!
3. Everyone In Columbus Knows There's Nothing Better Than Nomming At North Market
North Market is
Columbus’ happy place. As soon as you get out of your car, the smells at North Market lull you into the circus of all things holy and delicious. They nosh, they shop for delicious food, they do all of this while socializing with half the city…. it’s amazing.
4. People In Columbus Care About Mama Earth Way More Than You
They care about the environment and you should, too. They’ll make sure you know where everything goes, and definitely where it doesn’t. Recycle, reuse, reduce and buy local. If you don’t, you’re going to hear about it and it won’t be pretty. Just do it.
5. All The Flavors Of Jeni’s Ice Cream
Ice cream made from the milk of grass-fed cows and whole food ingredients? In flavors like ‘butter brown almond brittle,” ‘roasted strawberry buttermilk’ and ‘whisky and pecans’? Yes, please. It’s no wonder Columbus loves Jeni’s ice cream. Every single one of the city’s 10 locations is always hopping. Speaking of hopping...
6. The Gallery Hop On Short North
Every first Saturday of the month the people of Cbus - and people beyond the city too - head to the Short North Arts District on High Street for the Gallery Hop. Tons of great food and drink, street performers, special events and gallery art bursting from every nook, cranny and sidewalk crack available. It’s awesome.
7. Never Being Separated From Their Furry Friends
Columbusites aren’t fond of leaving their dogs at home. You’ll see them at the market, restaurants, concerts, festivals, the coffee shop and everywhere else they are allowed - and probably some places they aren’t.
8. Bicycles Everywhere, All The Time
Columbusites LOVE their bikes and greenways, especially Olentagy Trail (pronounced “Old & Tangy”). They don’t just bike for fun, fitness and sport, they ride those babies to work and back, to the grocery store, to the coffee shop and everywhere else. The city has launched an aggressive 20-year bike plan, so it’s just going to keep getting better.
9. A Big Cup Of Locally Roasted Java
Cbus loves coffee, but they love it more when it is hand-crafted and locally roasted. Lucky for them, they have a ton of independent coffee shops to choose from. They usually head to Stauf’s, Mission, Upper Cup, Crimson’s Cup and Yeah, Me Too.
10. The Great State Fair
Who doesn’t love funnel cakes, Ferris wheels and burgers sandwiched between donuts? The Ohio State Fair is on its way to drawing a staggering million people—more than 900,000 people came last year. They love it so much it lasts a full 11 days!
11. Red White And BOOM!
Their fourth of July celebration in Columbus is the largest in the Midwest. You want to know why? Because it’s the best. Two words: Epic. Fireworks. Pyros unite!
12. OD’ing On Books
The magical Book Loft of German Village is a maze of 32 rooms filled with every book Columbusites could possibly desire. It’s enough to make you pass out due to sheer awesomeness literary overload. See the photo above for proof.
13. People In Columbus Have Major Pride
The Pride parade in Columbus is epic. Thumping techno, swirls of color and happy people fill the streets. This year marked the 33rd year, and George Takei himself led the pride parade. How cool is that?
14. Knowing Their City Is The San Francisco Of The Midwest
Let’s face it, who doesn’t want to be the ‘San Francisco’ of anything, but the Olentangy bridge compared to the Golden Gate? North Market compared to the Ferry Building? The Clintonville Community Market compared to Rainbow Grocery?
Hmmm…. Okay, Columbus. Maybe you’re just saying that you are healthy, progressive, open and moving in the right direction. We can all agree upon that.
15. There's Nothing Better Than Eating In the Streets
Who needs a table and chairs? Not Columbus. They’re more than happy to eat off paper plates with plastic forks, standing up in the street. It’s no wonder, since their food truck scene is off the hook. The Columbus Food Truck Festival features more than 40 of the best trucks over two days. Nom!
16. Donning A Costume Anytime
Comics and conventions are great reasons to don a costume in Columbus. There’s Origins Game Fair, Marcon and Ohayocon … but there’s also Friday night, Tuesday afternoon, and taking a trip to the coffee shop. A convention isn’t required. Columbusites just love their costumes.
17. Authentic Mexican Street Food From Bakersfield
Columbus gets their authentic mexican food at Bakersfield. There’s nothing better than their tacos al pastor, pollo rojo and crispy fish tacos. Add the fact that they serve some of the best craft whiskey and tequila cocktails in a honky tonk atmosphere and you know why Columbus is in love.
18. The Columbus Zoo And Aquarium
Most importantly, the people love the zoo’s conservation program: They’ve contributed over $3 million to over 70 conservation projects in 30 countries in the last five years alone. The zoo itself has Asian Elephants, African Leopards, Arctic Foxes and Amur Tigers, so what’s not to love?
19. NY Style Pizza At Borgata
Sure, Columbus Style pizza is great, but Columbusites will choose New York Style any day of the week. Borgata’s pizza is amazeballs, with delicious sauce, thick, oily, dripping cheese and the best thin crust in the midwest. Mama Mia!
20. Drinking Local OYO
Cbus loves to drink, but not just anything. The vodka and whiskey of choice is OYO (oh-why-oh). It’s local, it’s small-batch crafted, and it’s a true Ohio spirit. Plus, their barrel-aged honey vanilla bean vodka with wildflower honey and Uganda vanilla bean mixed with a little Cointreau Noir and fresh lemon juice is out of this world. Sigh.
21. Seeing Shows At The CAPA Theaters
CAPA operates not one, not two, but eight theaters in the heart of downtown Columbus. Talk about performing arts. Columbusites get all of the very best Broadway shows, movies series, musicals, ballet, live entertainment and music they can handle.
22. You Can Shop Until You Drop, Literally
The Easton Town Center is mad awesome. Stores and restaurants galore, flicks at the 30-screen AMC and IMAX theater, and even a comedy club with national stand-up acts, sketch comedy and live music. But mostly it’s all about the incredible shopping.
23. Knowing They Live In The Best Little Big City In The Midwest
Columbus loves Columbus. With all its weird characters, great food and drink, shopping, festivals and performing arts. They know they’ve got it good and they wouldn’t live anywhere else. Can’t say I blame them.
What do you love about living in Columbus? Tell us in the comments below!
