You might have noticed that Columbus has been making all sorts of “Best Cities” lists lately. Forbes named us one of the best cities for young professionals; but it’s not all about work. We’ve also been called one of the happiest cities in the country. We have so much incredible food, art, and music to keep us entertained. Here are 10 reasons why Columbus has become the heart of the Midwest.
- Columbus is a great place to start and to support small businesses.
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr Whether it’s a new gastropub, a local homemade cheese shop, or a sewing co-op, Columbus loves small businesses, and will eagerly share it with friends and support it as it grows. Starting a business is a lot easier when you know your community has your back!
- We’re a leader in celebrating the LGBTQ community.
Chris Griffin/Flickr Columbus has repeatedly been named one of the most LGBTQ friendly cities in the country. Not only is it awesome that we champion equal rights and stand against discrimination, we’re also making our community stronger and setting a great example for other cities.
- We strive to provide education to all.
Candy Schwartz/Flickr People are always talking about Ohio State, Capital University, and other major universities in Columbus, but there’s more to it; our city is also doing an excellent job of reaching out to younger kids. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is a leading public resource and a great learning center available to all.
- We have a ton of rejuvenating green spaces.
©Sonya Afanasyeva Nature gives us the opportunity to relax and to be mindful. Fortunately, every Columbusite has the opportunity to dive into nature. We have plenty of parks right in the city, about a dozen impressive metro parks scattered around the city, and we’re only about an hour away from many other state parks.
- We’re taking big strides in reviving undeveloped parts of town.
Gust/Flickr Both the government and the communities of Columbus are making a big effort to improve our underdeveloped neighborhoods. While a lot of work remains to be done, Columbus is trying to grow as a whole and not leave anyone behind.
- We celebrate art and music in all forms.
Joe Crimmings/Flickr Every city has art and music, but in Columbus, we equally enjoy artists who are amateurs, professionals, and anywhere in between. You could go to a Picasso exhibit and a community arts festival on the same day!
- We celebrate our diversity.
Jeff Glasser/Flickr Diversity is about more than tasting a bowl of pho or trying on a kimono. Diversity allows us to share experiences, to learn from each other, and to create a better future by working together. Columbus has many unique festivals, foods, arts, inventions, projects, and just that great feeling that there is always something new to discover.
- We’re home to a lot of big business.
Bob Hall/Flickr Columbus is home to several Fortune 500 companies, as well many other large corporations. Big business brings with it employment, opportunities for collaboration, and sponsorships necessary for many of the local events that happen in our city every day.
- We have a spectacular food scene.
©Sonya Afanasyeva All I can say is - there is so much to try! Localvores love that many of our best restaurants source ingredients grown and produced locally, and we already mentioned the fantastic international cuisine found in Columbus as well. And let’s not forget about drinks; we have some awesome craft breweries, spirit distilleries, and plenty of unique beverages brewed in the area.
- We’re an exciting hub of ideas!
Steve Wall/Flickr There is always something exciting happening here and we love supporting each other’s ideas. That is reason to celebrate!
Columbus is definitely the coolest city in the Midwest. What do you love about the city?
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Whether it’s a new gastropub, a local homemade cheese shop, or a sewing co-op, Columbus loves small businesses, and will eagerly share it with friends and support it as it grows. Starting a business is a lot easier when you know your community has your back!
Chris Griffin/Flickr
Columbus has repeatedly been named one of the most LGBTQ friendly cities in the country. Not only is it awesome that we champion equal rights and stand against discrimination, we’re also making our community stronger and setting a great example for other cities.
Candy Schwartz/Flickr
People are always talking about Ohio State, Capital University, and other major universities in Columbus, but there’s more to it; our city is also doing an excellent job of reaching out to younger kids. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is a leading public resource and a great learning center available to all.
©Sonya Afanasyeva
Nature gives us the opportunity to relax and to be mindful. Fortunately, every Columbusite has the opportunity to dive into nature. We have plenty of parks right in the city, about a dozen impressive metro parks scattered around the city, and we’re only about an hour away from many other state parks.
Gust/Flickr
Both the government and the communities of Columbus are making a big effort to improve our underdeveloped neighborhoods. While a lot of work remains to be done, Columbus is trying to grow as a whole and not leave anyone behind.
Joe Crimmings/Flickr
Every city has art and music, but in Columbus, we equally enjoy artists who are amateurs, professionals, and anywhere in between. You could go to a Picasso exhibit and a community arts festival on the same day!
Jeff Glasser/Flickr
Diversity is about more than tasting a bowl of pho or trying on a kimono. Diversity allows us to share experiences, to learn from each other, and to create a better future by working together. Columbus has many unique festivals, foods, arts, inventions, projects, and just that great feeling that there is always something new to discover.
Bob Hall/Flickr
Columbus is home to several Fortune 500 companies, as well many other large corporations. Big business brings with it employment, opportunities for collaboration, and sponsorships necessary for many of the local events that happen in our city every day.
All I can say is - there is so much to try! Localvores love that many of our best restaurants source ingredients grown and produced locally, and we already mentioned the fantastic international cuisine found in Columbus as well. And let’s not forget about drinks; we have some awesome craft breweries, spirit distilleries, and plenty of unique beverages brewed in the area.
Steve Wall/Flickr
There is always something exciting happening here and we love supporting each other’s ideas. That is reason to celebrate!
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