1. What The Heck A Doo Dah Parade Is
Filled with tons of zany characters, the Columbus Doo Dah Parade started in 1983, a spinoff of a similar parade held in Pasadena. Featuring floats and characters you can’t see anywhere else, like the fishnet mafia, the hostage-taking Marching Fidels, and four men walking a “breast,” the Columbus Doo Dah Parade is truly one of a kind.
2. The Massive Appeal Of The Thurmanator
While most people around the country will slowly start walking backwards if you mention a 1.5 pound meat sandwich, Columbusites will head straight for the Thurman Cafe. The Thurmanator is a humongous burger that’s also topped with provolone, ham, sautéed onions, mushrooms, bacon, cheddar cheese, and hot peppers.
Anyone entering Thurman’s for a meal, is sure to waddle out.
3. Columbus Becomes A Ghost Town On Game Day
With over 90 percent of Columbus considering themselves to be football fans, game day gets priority over nearly everything. So, expect the rest of the city to be essentially shut down.
The festivities don’t just last while the game is being played, as tailgating starts hours before kickoff and celebrations often last well into the night. Everyone in Columbus is seeing red.
4. But Finding A Parking Spot Near Stadium On Game Day, That’s Hilarious
With one of the largest college fan bases in the country, Buckeyes games fill Columbus with out-of-towners making it impossible to find parking anywhere near the stadium. And with a stadium able to seat well over 100,000 ticketholders, it’s easy to see how the city fills up so fast.
5. A Missing Car Probably Means It’s Been Towed
Parking around Columbus can get a little bit tricky at times, as huge crowds of new college students mix with long term residents. Fortunately for some, and unfortunate for others, the many tow truck companies in Columbus are great at doing their job.
Everyone in Columbus knows if there’s a question of whether or not they’re parked legally, it’s worth it to find another spot. Otherwise, there’s a good chance their car might be gone within the hour.
6. Salty Caramel Ice Cream Is the Best Flavor Ever
Jeni’s ice cream truly is splendid, with some of the most unique flavors and combinations around. With milk that’s coming from grass fed cows and real ingredients, Columbusites knows there’s nothing better. While options may range from flavors like “goat cheese and cherries to “sweet corn and black raspberries,” most locals will agree that salty caramel is their favorite.
7. The Best Food Is At The Marketplace
Falling somewhere between a shopping mall and a supermarket, the North Market is the best place in Columbus to find fresh, local food.
With city staples like Katzinger’s and Holy Smoke BBQ, along with tons of whole ingredients, North Market will have any foodie leaving happy. With 36 current merchants ranging from bakeries to ethnic food to fresh produce, it’s a great place to spend some free time and some spare change.
8. Summer In Columbus Means A Trip To The State Fair
With over 900,000 attendees a year, Columbus takes the Ohio State Fair very seriously. Held late in the summer, it’s estimated to bring around $280 million to the state’s economy, with the various food stands, rides, concerts, and contests that vary throughout 11 days of festivities.
Most importantly, the fair makes local agricultural cool, with pig races, pony rides, and a variety of hands-on stations letting visitors do farm activities, like spin wool or milk a cow.
9. No Dessert Is Better Than A Schmidt’s Cream Puff
Whenever an outsider asks someone from Columbus what food their town is the best at, “cream puffs” is probably the last answer most people would expect, but it’s probably the first thing any Columbusite will say.
In the heart of Columbus’ German Village, no pastry you’ve ever had compares to this half pound delight. The perfect combination of a light pastry shell stuffed with a whipped filling, it practically melts in your mouth. Just thinking about it can give you a sugar rush.
10. Other Zoos Bow Down To The Columbus Zoo
Not only is it home to 9,000 animals, visited by roughly 2.5 million people annually, and rated the best zoo in the country, more importantly, the Columbus Zoo is a leader in conservation efforts around the world.
Spending millions of dollars in over 30 countries, the zoo works to protect many natural habitats around the world. It’s also an industry leader in animal rehabilitation and protection. For example, there’s a rehabilitation center on site for injured wild manatees, as well as a breeding program for Mexican Wolves, a species close to extinction.
Whether you’ve lived your entire life in Columbus or you’re just visiting for a Buckeyes game, there are a few things that make “the Biggest Small Town in America” a unique place to be.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about Columbus in the comments below! 
