Columbus

Columbus is Ohio's capital and largest city — a major university city (Ohio State University, one of the largest campuses in the US) with a young, energetic population, a genuinely excellent food scene that consistently surprises visitors, and a German Village neighbourhood of 19th-century brick row houses that is one of the best-preserved Victorian residential districts in the Midwest. German Village, just south of downtown, is the obvious starting point — a compact neighbourhood of redbrick houses, narrow streets, excellent restaurants (Schmidt's Sausage Haus has been serving German food since 1886) and Book Loft (a wonderfully labyrinthine independent bookshop in 32 rooms of a former house). The Columbus Museum of Art and the Wexner Center for the Arts (on the OSU campus) are both excellent for contemporary art. COSI (Center of Science and Industry) is one of America's best science museums for families. The Short North Arts District, immediately north of downtown, is Columbus's most vibrant neighbourhood — the Gallery Hop on the first Saturday of each month draws thousands through the street's art galleries and bars. The Scioto Mile riverfront park is a pleasant green amenity. Columbus has developed an extraordinary food scene driven by its diverse population (significant Somali, Vietnamese, Mexican and West African communities) — Katzinger's Deli, Lindey's, The Refectory and a host of independent restaurants reflect the breadth of what the city offers. Hocking Hills State Park (90 minutes south) is excellent hiking country.