Columbus, Ohio: Could it be America's Most Underrated Gay City?
Saturday February 17, 2007
It's a state capital with a huge university, scads of hip and gay-friendly restaurants and bars, a wealth of art galleries and funky boutiques, and a progressive and bustling gay scene. You might think I'm talking about Madison, Wis., or Austin, Texas, two much-hyped (deservingly so) destinations with strong gay followings. But in this case, I'm referring to Columbus, Ohio, which after having visited nearly every decent-size city in the country over the past decade, I consider to be one of the nation's most underrated gay cities.
What's to love about Columbus, which has a pleasant but admittedly prosaic setting on the Scioto River? Here are a few highlights:
- The Short North - This lively neighborhood just north of downtown is Columbus's gay epicenter, a hub of offbeat cafes and stylish restaurants, plus several gay bars and cool shops.
- German Village - Many gay residents live in this historic 233-acre district of cobblestone streets, redbrick houses, and colorful gardens, German Village is perfect for a stroll and has several inviting gay-friendly restaurants, including Barcelona and Katzinger's Deli.
- The Arena District - This bustling section of downtown is home to the fabulous lesbian bar, Wall Street, plus vintage warehouses and newer buildings that hold hotels, performance spaces, Nationwide Arena (which hosts sporting events and concerts), and North Market, which is packed with gourmet food stalls.
- And then there are such draws as Ohio State University with its superb Wexner Center for the Arts, the acclaimed Columbus Musuem of Art, and the leafy Franklin Park Conservatory.
It's hard to say why Columbus has a larger and more vibrant gay scene than any other city between Chicago and Washington, D.C., but somehow Ohio's most populous metropolis has earned this reputation. So the next time you're looking for an easy-to-reach, friendly, and relatively affordable weekend vacation, consider planning a gay Columbus getaway.
Comments
In his “Most Underrated Gay Cities” he says Sacramento is two hours from Boston, but he means San Francisco.
Tom,
Thank you for catching that typo – a result of a hasty cut-and-paste. I really appreciate the help!
Cheers,
Andrew
Here is a page from Experience Columbus, the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau listing GLBT events, attractions, and community leaders:
http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/glbt.cfm
Hey thanks for the shout out–you know maybe it is also because we are loaded with several top notch universities and colleges, not to mention Columbus is hub to some major tech companies and industry — upwardly mobile–free thinker — gay is us! Also think we are like number two in contributing to HRC–that’s got to count for something. You are right–IT is a great place to visit
s
Your Short North live link should go to shortnorth.org. This is the official website of the district. The one you have posted is the site for a real estate agency. Check it out!
Andrew’s review is 100% correct. I have visit all 50 states and lived in Columbus which is a welcoming, no attitude, gay friendly city. Don’t forget the many corporate headquarters based in Columbus; the Major League Soccer team, the Crew; and the Schottenstein Center for great concerts which make it a great city to live and visit.