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The Ohio State University)
About Columbus
Columbus, Ohio is an exciting place to visit and a great place to live! This Midwestern city has a lot to offer students at The Ohio State University. As the capital of Ohio and the largest city in the state, Columbus boasts a population of 1.6 million people. It is the 15th largest city in the nation, with a rapid growth rate and a wonderful cultural mix. This diversity is highly reflected in the activities offered within the city.
Each year people from all over come and join us for our summer festivities. There is something for everyone, from the exciting “Red, White and Boom” 4th of July fireworks display, the excellent Columbus Symphony “Picnic with the Pops” and Ohio State fair concerts, to the many festivals, including the Columbus Arts Festival, Greek Festival, Asian Festival, and the Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest. These events offer students unique opportunities to experience and enjoy different cultures through music, art and food.
Other cultural offerings in Columbus include a variety of theatrical, musical, and artistic activities and performances. The Columbus Symphony, Ballet Met, Columbus Museum of Art and numerous theatre and dance companies are located approximately two miles south of campus in downtown Columbus. Students can catch fantastic Broadway productions, watch classic ballet performances, view exquisite art exhibits, or attend a rock concert, all in their own backyard.
The sports scene in Columbus is full of excitement and friendly rivalries. The Big Ten competitions that take place on campus year round always include tons of fans who will show you what the tradition of Buckeye Pride is all about! In addition, there are professional teams to cheer on such as the Columbus Blue Jackets who are a part of the National Hockey League, and our major league soccer team, the Columbus Crew. The annual PGA Memorial Golf Tournament is another big draw for sports fans, as is the Columbus Marathon and several cycling events.
For the outdoor enthusiast, don’t think that Columbus is all city! The 15 metro parks throughout Columbus and Franklin County offer 23,000 acres of recreational land and water just waiting for students and visitors to explore. The metro parks, the Olentangy and Scioto rivers, and three area reservoirs offer opportunities to hike, bike, picnic, boat, windsurf, fish and simply enjoy the great outdoors. For an extra dose of wildlife, check out the nationally acclaimed Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The campus area features a wide variety of nearby restaurants, shopping centers, and movie theatres. It is easy for students to take advantage of all that Columbus has to offer, and the best part is that you can get there for free -- with a Buck ID, students have access to the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) bus service at no charge, so your destination is never out of reach no matter where you’re headed! In addition, Port Columbus, the primary commercial aviation center for the city, is served by nine major airlines. Columbus has something for everyone, all of which makes our city an attractive place to live, study, and start a career!
Websites:
Explore Columbus: Find out what is being offered at a discount to OSU students.
http://explorecolumbus.osu.edu/
Experience Columbus: Find information on all events, restaurants and lodging within Columbus.
http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/
Columbus Metro Parks
http://www.metroparks.net/
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
http://www.colszoo.org/
Local shopping centers:
http://www.eastontowncenter.com/
http://www.polarisfashionplace.com/
