Reader feedback: Columbus, Ohio

Have your own suggestions for visiting Columbus, Ohio. Share your tips with other readers.

No visit to Columbus is complete without a meal at Schmidt's Sausage Haus in the German Village area. The best sausage and schnitzel you'll find and a great buffet and plethora of oktoberfest beers if you're so inclined.

Columbus & Toledo are the "featured" Trib vaca spots of Ohio? Why are Chicagoans always hatin' on Cleveland? This Cross guy who shared his "tips" takes a shot at Cleveland right up front (and, btw, he's wrong-- modern world practice includes a city's metro population in general "population" stats, and by that standard, Cleveland is comfortably bigger than Columbus which, still, though a tad better than in the past, still has Cow Town aspects to it. Cleveland still is the cultural, entertainment and business hub of the state, despite its struggles as a so-called Rust Belt town. It's much more sophisticated, diverse and flat out more interesting than Columbus... Outside of Ohio State, what more is there really to do in Columbus (and even there, its either football or the off-beat Wexner contemporary museum)-- it's boooooring... Cleveland even has, egad,(rapid) rail public transportation.

... Methinks Chicagoans hate on Cleveland so much because, well, Cleveland's a lot more like Chicago practically anywhere else in the Midwest.

Not so much a fan. Got sent here for work for 11 months. Coming from Chicago it's quite a culture shock. Housing is nice and the city is very dog friendly. You have to drive everywhere since there is no rapid transit. The streets and buildings in German Village are beautiful and there are several good restaurants. There doesn't seem to be a lot do on the weekends if you aren't an OSU sports fan. Being single here is no fun.

He did a good job talking Columbus up, but he overhyped it a bit - and I am native. The Brewery District is, for the most part, gone. Many restaurants and bars have since packed up and left in the last 10 years. The Arena District on the north end of downtwn surrrounding Nationwide Arena is far more worthy of mentioning. German Village is always mentioned in bios of Columbus but outside of two or three resauarnts, it is all a visual experience - not much else to do there. Easton Town Center is only relevant half the year. Otherwise it's just an ordinary mall that offers frostbite. I live in Columbus and have been to Chicago. My advice?? Stay in Chicago. The two don't compare. I don't like "hating" on my hometown. It certainly has it's plusses but leaving Chicago to come to Columbus because you want something to do?? Doesn't make sense. Outside of a football Saturday on campus, there's little reason to visit.

Hey, are we talking Columbus, OH and not bringing up the Clippers,(granted they are the AAA of the Nats)Ring your Bell or the Blue Jackets? Lived in Gahanna for 5 years and found fun stuff to do. Am a Chicago native and enjoyed Columbus.(also lived in Cleveland) and had season tix to the Bengals when living in KY

I agree with the comments about the city's provinciality and the unfair criticisms of Cleveland, but Columbus is worth a visit for all the things mentioned if you happen to be in the area on your way to or from elsewhere. And here are two items not mentioned.

Johnson's Real Ice Cream
2728 East Main Street
Bexley OH 43209

Bexley is just east of Columbus on the Historic National Road, US 40.

The art deco LeVeque Tower —once the tallest building between NY and Chicago— which is pictured in your article's photo.

If Chicago is the 2nd City, than Columbus is to some the 82nd City. Chicago has better shopping, better museums ( the Columbus Museum of Art is a great 7 hour visit with 6 hours and 30 minutes left to spare in the gift shop), travel is like L.A. all-highway but snow removal is equal to the snow removal capacity of Puerto Rico...yes, Easton is unique but it no fun at all in the winter or when it rains or when its 90 degrees... Culture is often limited to opening every performance with a "Go Bucks"...OSU is the third NFL franchise in Ohio...crime is not, repeat, not a small matter in Columbus... Columbus is everything Chicago is but smaller and less and only 7 hours away.

I live outside of Chicago, but grew up in Columbus and visit there often. Here's some to add to your list:

Ice Cream: Graeters. How could you NOT go to Graeters??

With the Kids: COSI: http://www.cosi.org/

Shopping: Polaris is far, far better than Easton.

Columbus also boasts some of the best used record stores anywhere.

My daughter went to Columbus 12 years ago for her Ohio State Phd, ended up with a husband and a masters degree.We love our trips to Columbus,which is more like 360miles from Chicago.Columbus is an easy city to drive. We love early August when the state fair and Dublin Irish Festival far overshadow any event in chicago.

Grew up there now in Chicago.
If you are going, I would recommend:

Downtown hotel - recently refurbished Southern Hotel originally opened in the 1890's

Nice dinner in German Village - Lindy's

Point of interest: American Motorcycle Assn Museum on I-70 just east of 270 lots of vintage motocross bikes to see.

Really? There are ZERO reasons for people from Chicago to vacation in Columbus. Chicago is better in every way to Columbus. Downtown Columbus is boring and small, there is nothing to do there except...I'll get back to you when I think of something. The shopping in Columbus sucks. All we have here are two malls, Easton (which is the good mall), is similar to Old Orchard exept there are no high end stores. Most of the restaurants here are fair at best, the best restaurants here would probably be middle of the road in Chi. Coming to Columbus from Chicago is like getting demoted, so stay put Chicagoans.

I believe the Tribune is only stating what the rest of us know to be true, which is to say that Cleveland is a crumbling and impoverished urban relic and that Columbus embodies what a vibrant and contemporary urban landscape should look like.

an urban awhich is

Nusbaum wrote:

Columbus & Toledo are the "featured" Trib vaca spots of Ohio? Why are Chicagoans always hatin' on Cleveland? This Cross guy who shared his "tips" takes a shot at Cleveland right up front (and, btw, he's wrong-- modern world practice includes a city's metro population in general "population" stats, and by that standard, Cleveland is comfortably bigger than Columbus which, still, though a tad better than in the past, still has Cow Town aspects to it. Cleveland still is the cultural, entertainment and business hub of the state, despite its struggles as a so-called Rust Belt town. It's much more sophisticated, diverse and flat out more interesting than Columbus... Outside of Ohio State, what more is there really to do in Columbus (and even there, its either football or the off-beat Wexner contemporary museum)-- it's boooooring... Cleveland even has, egad,(rapid) rail public transportation.
... Methinks Chicagoans hate on Cleveland so much because, well, Cleveland's a lot more like Chicago practically anywhere else in the Midwest.

Graeter's Ice Cream! The Buckeye Blitz flavor is amazing--it has actual bits and chunks of buckeyes (peanut butter balls to those who don't have the pleasure of growing up in Ohio).

Chicago-born-and-raised...36 years on the North Side and nearby suburbs, and the last fifteen years in Cleveland, which means I'm just two hours from Columbus via I-71. I guess I can see all three cities from all sides, because I've spent so much time in Ohio now.

My wife and I have made many business and pleasure trips to Columbus, and each time, I discover something new and delightful. Nobody has mentioned the Ohio State House, which dates back to Civil War days and is in the center of downtown Columbus. If you are an architecture buff and love history, the place will simply blow you away.

Try to get to the Ohio Supreme Court building, a few blocks a way on the Scioto River. Millions were spent to rehab it, and every dime was worth it. It is an Art Deco masteroiece that should not be missed.

I don't get back to my homtown of Chicago as much as I'd like, but it's still the quintessential American city, and I've been to a lot of them. As for Cleveland, don't get me started on the crime, the miserable, gray, snowy winters, and the Depression-era economy. If you are seeking any type of lucrative job opportunities, you're in the wrong place, my friend. It's 1938 here.

Otherwise, if you don't mind twice Chicago's snow (four times as much if you're in the "snowburbs") and half Chicago's pay, it's a nice place to live.
People are desperate to sell their houses and get out, and a couple hundred grand will get you a palace here instead of a doghouse on a slab like in Chicago.

Columbus is okay. I don't need as many cultural amenities anymore, like Cleveland and Chicago have. make my own fun. I'd move to Columbus tomorrow.

My understanding is that Columbus has such a high population because it annexed its suburbs. If Cleveland did the same, Cleveland's population would exceed 2 million. I'm a downstate Illinois native who has lived near Chicago and I now live in Cleveland. As for those who pit Columbus vs. Chicago vs. Cleveland, the grass is always greener on the other side.

As a Columbus resident for the last 20 years, I can attest to the livability of this city. The harsh comments are not to be believed, either they don't get out much, or are not very sophisticated. I agree that the shopping needs improving,but there are great restaurants here such as g.michael's, handke's,rosendale's,the refectory,barcelona, and killer bars such as the rossi. The Arena District and the Short North area are packed full of interesting people,restaurants,galleries,b outiques and special events. Columbus is home to the Wexner Center for the Arts, one of the world's foremost exhibition spaces that has provided countless fans of the arts the ability to enjoy rare and tremendous events, that would be the envy of any larger metropolitan area. The weather is not that great, not enough sunshine, but the populace is. Stroll the streets of German Village,Victorian Village, Italian Village,and the area known as Grandview,and enjoy interesting and varied affordable "big city" houses.Great condos and lofts are rising every where. The German Village House and Garden tour is a charitable and social event not to be missed. No pro football, basketball or baseball, but I can travel a little to take in those. Racial relations are decent, there is a strong gay and lesbian population,crime is relatively low and traffic is manageable. I can get to the airport in 20 minutes, although rapid transit is just being considered. All in all, it ain't a bad place to be. One more thing,Columbus is home to Jeni's Ice Cream. She is responsible for the most incredible variety's of gourmet ice creams from any purveyor in the country! Pear and Reisling sorbet, anyone?

Pass the sugar one time wrote:

Most of the restaurants here are fair at best, the best restaurants here would probably be middle of the road in Chi.

Care to elaborate on which "fair at best" restaurants you're speaking of? Such a blanket statement is hardly convincing without specifics. Can I assume you include The Refectory, Worthington Inn, Tratorria La Tavola, Spagio, and Hunan Lion on this list? If not, then gives us some examples of what would be considered "middle of the road" in Chicago.

'not so much a fan'must have beeen staying out in the burbs. There is plenty to do here on the weekends. my neighborhood, the Short North, bustles with activity every weekend and many weeknights as well. Lots of wondereful restaurants.

Don't forget Jack's Memorial Golf Tournament in Dublin that is treated as the sport's fifth major each season. Always attracts the biggest and best and there's nothing like drinking a beer at the Bogey Inn after the round as some of the golfers (John Daly) saunter in...