10 more places to see in Columbus and Cincinnati

Each year, Columbus and Cincinnati draw hundreds of thousands of out-of-town visitors, with attractions like the Cincinnati and Columbus zoos, the Great American Ball Park (home of the Cincinnati Reds), Kings Island and of course, The Ohio State University. Aside from these nationally-recognized destinations, our home towns offer fantastic food, opportunities for fresh air and even a little bit of history. For those staying a little longer, you’ll want to check out some of the reasons we enjoy calling Columbus and Cincinnati home. We’ve narrowed the list down to 10, but there’s so much more to see!

1. Metro Parks – For those who thrive outdoors, Columbus is home to 19 natural area parks, 200+ miles of trails, more than 27,000 acres of land and free nature education programs - across seven central Ohio counties.


2. Washington Park – Throughout the year, Cincinnati hosts a variety of events on 8 acres in the heart of the city. Located in Over-the-Rhine and opposite the Music Hall, there is plenty to do: a kid's playground, interactive water features, restored bandstand and a 12,000-square-foot dog park.


3. Short North – Those with an artistic flair will enjoy the Short North in downtown Columbus, a vibrant community for both business and culture. Experience the Gallery Hop on the first Saturday morning of each month with new exhibitions, street performers, food and drinks. Over 25 years, the Gallery Hop has grown to feature 20+ galleries at any one time. While you’re there, take note of our project - the Joseph office building, located at the corner of N. High Street and W. Millay.
    
   • Interested in exploring another electric community? Head over to the German Village, which was built by German settlers in the mid-1800s and is one of the premier historic districts in the country. There, you’ll see restored homes, quaint shops and restaurants like Schmidt's (try the Jumbo Cream Puffs). Or stop by The Thurman Café, which was featured on Man vs. Food, to taste the Thurmanator.


4. Cincinnati’s OTR Brewery District – Located in a neighborhood dubbed "Over-the-Rhine" by German immigrants, the historic brewery district features the largest collection of pre-prohibition breweries in the country. Combine a little history, a little exercise and a brewsky on a guided walking tour of the Brewing Heritage Trail.


5. Columbus Brewery District – Columbus has a brewery district too. Located west of German Village, the district was once the hub of the city's historic beer scene and is now home to the Columbus Brewing Company. Other craft breweries in Columbus include: Seventh Son Brewing, Wolf's Ridge Brewing, North High Brewing, Rockmill Brewery and Land Grant Brewing Company, to name a few.


6. Red, White and Boom - In a festive mood? See what 48,750 lbs. of fireworks looks like on July 3^rd in Downtown Columbus - at the largest fireworks display in the state.
   
   
   • Other festivals you may enjoy include the Columbus Arts Festival, a three-day artist event held along the Scioto River, or the Jazz & Rib Festival that features more than 20 award-winning barbeque teams completing for the title of "best ribs."


7. Findlay Market – For wanting to experience the local vibe of Cincinnati, this year-round indoor market has been open since 1855. Fresh offerings include produce, meat, cheese and flowers, and local entertainment includes street performers and special events like Groceries and Grilling and Flavor of Findlay.


8. Franklin Park Conservatory – To see the art of nature, visit the 73,000-square-foot Victorian glass Palm House greenhouse, which originated in 1895 and is situated on 90 acres. It features a signature Blooms and Butterflies event in the spring/summer - the first conservatory nationwide to showcase a seasonal butterfly exhibit. 
   
   
   • Or, check out the Columbus Museum of Art for modern and contemporary art. In 2013, it was awarded the National Medal from the Institute of Library and Museum Services, the Nation's highest honor for museums.


9. Ohio Machine – Did you know we have a Lacrosse team? Yep, and soccer, hockey, triple-A baseball and even a women’s American football team, in addition to the well-known Bengals, Reds, Blue Jackets and OSU athletics. We’ve got a team for every fan and season!


10. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - History buffs and those who appreciate the freedoms we have today will enjoy a tour of the National Underground Railroad Museum. Since it opened in 2004 along the banks of the Ohio River, the museum sees more than 100,000 visitors annually. Situated on the path that slaves took along the river, the center shares the stories of freedom’s heroes.

I love all the great shopping and restaurants and the outdoor spaces, but personally, I love living here because of the tremendous growth we are experiencing. Columbus is the largest city in Ohio and one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Cincinnati is also experiencing strong, sustained growth. It’s exciting to be an integral part of this growth and all that these cities have to offer!