Day 18: Short North - Columbus, OH

Eric Fredericks • Thursday July 19, 2007

Columbus is my second favorite city in the Midwest, behind the obvious pick of Chicago. Columbus has an incredible energy, and my prediction is that within 10 years, people will be talking about Columbus all over the country. The Short North has a lot to do with the success of Columbus, and that’s where I shot this photo.

The Short North is my favorite arts district in the country. It is right on the edge of Downtown Columbus and the Arena District. Sure, it does not have the big name museums like other large cities, but the indie scene here is quite fun. Several shops are transformed into art galleries and join the many existing galleries for the hugely popular Gallery Hop on the first Saturday of the month (Sacramento has the formidable Second Saturday, but Columbus’s is much better).

The nightlife is great as well. There are several fantastic restaurants, bars, and clubs. This is definitely the must see spot of Columbus, along with the German Village. There are many photos of both places in the Columbus Photo Gallery.

One more great thing about the Short North are the large murals you’ll see walking along High Street. I’ve included a photo of one of my favorites as an “honorable mention.” It’s an interesting twist on Grant Wood’s American Gothic.

This article is a part of the Exploring the Walkability of America in 30 Days photo series.

Category: Great Places • Region: Columbus OH

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