Columbus

About Columbus

Columbus is the capital and largest city of Ohio, set where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers meet in the center of the state. It was laid out in 1812 specifically to be the new state capital and named after Christopher Columbus. The National Road and the Ohio and Erie Canal soon brought settlers and trade, and the city grew steadily into a center of government, education, insurance and retail. The Ohio Statehouse, finished in 1861 in Greek Revival style, still anchors downtown.

Today Columbus has more than 900,000 residents, making it one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the Midwest. It is home to The Ohio State University, one of the biggest universities in the country, and on football Saturdays more than 100,000 fans fill Ohio Stadium, known as the Horseshoe. The city is also known for creative, walkable neighborhoods: German Village has red brick streets and cottages from the 1800s, the Short North Arts District is lined with galleries, murals and restaurants, and the North Market has been feeding the city since 1876.

Visitors will find a lot to do for families and culture lovers. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the best known in the country, COSI is a top-rated science museum on the riverfront, and the Franklin Park Conservatory displays glass art by Dale Chihuly among its tropical plants. The Scioto Mile turned the downtown riverfront into parks and fountains, the Columbus Museum of Art and the Wexner Center showcase art old and new, and the Blue Jackets, the Crew and Ohio State sports keep the city busy year round.