Once overlooked, in recent years Columbus has established itself as one of America’s hot foodie destinations for its array of international flavors. The city’s cuisine is reflective of a wider, and steadily growing, wave of diversity in Ohio’s buzzing capital. And one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods embodies Columbus’ melting pot approach, with diverse cultural hubs and dozens of charming restaurants.
Within Columbus’ University District, you will find refined, one-of-a-kind Italian restaurants and historic pancake businesses sharing sidewalk space with hubs of avant-garde performance arts and creative hotspots. The seat of Ohio State University (OSU), the University District comprises 13 neighborhoods packed within 2.8 square miles. It is an incredibly walkable gem, with neighborhoods like Old North Columbus, Dennison Place, and Weinland Park among the most walkable areas of the entire city, according to WalkScore. Not just a place to soak in the vibrant collegiate atmosphere — or catch a Buckeyes’ game at “the Shoe” — the University District is a de facto cultural hotspot, filled with museums, historic live music venues, and restaurants catering to different dining styles and tastes.
While walking and biking are two of the most popular ways to get around the University District, the neighborhood is also connected on COTA public transport to downtown Columbus and beyond. While in the area, it is worth straying from downtown Arch City to explore some of the city’s under-the-radar, walkable suburbs full of shady trails and local shops.
Explore the University District’s diverse cultural spots
The variety of cultural hangouts and people you see across Columbus’ University District mirrors OSU’s diverse student population, with more than 50% of its students representing a minority or underrepresented group. That diversity is also reflected in the district’s culturally rich landscape and hotspots. One such place is the Wexner Center for the Arts, located on the main OSU campus, where programming spans artist residencies, film screenings, exhibitions, and performances. The Wexner Center is a 5-minute walk away from another cultural watering hole of the University District: The Newport Music Hall, which is America’s longest continually running rock music club, according to PromoWestLive, first opened in 1923 as a movie theater…