Central Ohio is blessed with an abundance of fascinating people, places and events—and it’s difficult to pinpoint everything that worth mentioning. CityScene starts with the top 10 things (in no particular order) that make Columbus “Perfect!”





Walk it Off.
The country’s best (as named by Walk magazine) and largest walk-only race winds through Central Ohio when the sixth annual New Albany Walking Classic 10K kicks off on Sept. 12. Join over three thousand athletes walking one of the most breathtaking courses in the country to benefit The New Albany Community Foundation, an organization that supports health and wellness initiatives. Register early at www.newalbanywalkingclassic.com.





Beacon of Light.
Columbus’ signature landmark is the LeVeque Tower that, according to www.columbuslandmarks.org, entails “a fascinating
dichotomy of idealism and egotism, architectural hubris and down-to-earth drama.” That drama is best exemplified when the tower is lit up for special occasions. Whether it’s red, white and blue for Independence Day, pink for May’s Race for the Cure or red and green for Christmas, this skyscraper is certainly one of the most recognizable point of light in the sky.





Root for the Home Team.
Our very own Huntington Park won the esteemed prize of Top New Baseball Venue of 2009 by www.baseballparks.com. With a breathtaking skyline view and Dime-a-Dog nights, summer doesn’t get more idyllic. Home games abound in July, so grab your giant foam fingers and visit http://columbus.clippers.mlb.com.


Coming Up Roses.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2010, and there is no better time than now to enjoy a metropark, dog park, floral garden, nature trail or one of the many programs for all ages and interests. Check out the department’s 13-acre Columbus Park of Roses at Whetstone Park, offering more than 11,000 rose bushes—making it one of the largest municipal rose gardens in the country. It also boasts herb gardens, a perennial garden and a daffodil garden. Visit http://parks.columbus.gov.





The Bigger Picture.
Iconic paintings are enlarged and reinterpreted as exterior murals throughout our city, spicing up one of the most high-profile arts districts in Ohio. Notable murals are sprinkled around the Short North, including Short North Gothic (714 N. High St.), and Mona Lisa Mural (742 N. Pearl St.). The neighborhood also boasts Café Terrace at Night Mural (780 N. High St.), The Train Mural/Basic Training (630 N. High St.) Union Station Mural (612 N. High St.), and the must-see recreation of Columbus painter George Bellows’ Cliff Dwellers Mural (641 N. High St.).




Soak It All In.
There are some wonderfully ambient patios in Central Ohio that put the “happy” into “happy hour.” Lindey’s tree-laden, romance-filled, Upper-East-Side-of-Manhattan-inspired terrace is one of them. With a gorgeous view overlooking historic German Village, it’s also one of the best places to catch local celebrities “off duty.” Visit www.lindeys.com.





Market Fresh.
You’ll be hooked on the North Market at first whiff. An open-air destination for foodies and locavores alike, this aromatic fresh-food mecca is the result of more than 35 distinct vendors and 134 years of history. The only public market remaining in Columbus, the North Market (59 Spruce St.), hosts classes, demonstrations and events, including the eighth annual Food & Ohio Wine Festival July 9-11. Visit www.northmarket.com.







Pop Life.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) hosts the annual Picnic with the Pops series. This year, CSO invites a range of acts to join them, including a pair of divas from Broadway’s Wicked, a tribute to Motown, classic rock group Kansas and The Ohio State Marching Band! Grab a blanket and some popcorn and enjoy the soundtrack to the city, courtesy of the Best Damn Band (and Symphony) in the Land. Dates run from June 19 through July 31. Visit www.picnicwiththepops.com.





Big Baby.
The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, one of the most lauded zoos in the country, features many attractions – the new Polar Frontier exhibit, Colo the Gorilla, Jack Hanna and ZooLights just to name a few, but it’s 1-year-old Beco the Elephant who has garnered the most recent attention. Beco was named after his parents, Phoebe and Coco, and was just the second elephant birth in the zoo’s history. Visit www.colszoo.org.




Nature’s Canvas.
Our city has a vivacious artistic personality, one that extends well beyond the traditional canvas. One such “out of the box” artistic installment, the Topiary Park on East Town Street at Columbus’ Old Deaf School, brings to life a topiary interpretation of Georges Seurat’s famous painting Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.

Bonuses!

Humor Us.
Among Columbus’ legacies of which to be most proud is James Thurber, one of America’s best known humorists. The Thurber House is a living museum that frequently hosts acclaimed author discussions, as well as a tribute to Thurber’s classic literary work – presented mostly in cartoons and short stories. Visit www.thurberhouse.org.

Fall’s Well.
When someone says “Columbus has it all,” believe them. One such luxury that you may have overlooked? The stunning waterfall in the middle of suburbia. Hayden Falls, just off of Hayden Run Road on the west side of the Scioto River, drop about 25 feet over a limestone cliff and can be viewed via stairs, a boardwalk or two overlooks.

Obvious Choices.

We’d be remiss not to mention these brilliant staples that make Columbus what it is.

The vibrant Gallery Hops under the colorful arches of the Short North Arts District.

The awe-inspiring magic of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI).

The pride, tradition and success of The Ohio State University’s Buckeye football team.

The gem of Dublin (and the golf world): the Memorial Tournament.

The informative and comprehensive Columbus Metropolitan Library, voted best public library system in the country twice in five years by Hennen’s American Public Library Rating.

The whimsical 10-story-high ART sculpture flanking the campus of the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD).

Summer Delights

Some of Columbus’ best features emerge in the heart of the summer.

And … Action!
One of Columbus’ best kept secrets is the Actors’ Theatre, a nonprofit organization that presents free, classic dramas in the spectacular surroundings of German Village’s Schiller Park.

From Thursdays through Sundays July 1-Aug. 1, the troupe presents Much Ado About Nothing, one of Shakespeare’s most prolific comedies. From Aug. 5-Sept. 5, The Actors’ Theatre unveils Dark of the Moon. Visit www.theactorstheatre.org.

The Sounds of Summer.
In addition to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic and Popcorn with the Pops series, there are plenty of other opportunities to please your auditory senses. With a historical backdrop of the “people’s house,” the 2010 Summer Fridays at the Ohio Statehouse season continues with a diverse lineup each Friday between noon and 1 p.m. Visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Downtown Live! Summer Concert Series is held each Thursday from 5-9 p.m. at the corner of Third and State streets. Visit www.downtowncolumbus.com.

Gahanna hosts Concerts on the Creek, 123 Mill St., every Saturday from 7-9 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. Also at Friendship Park in Gahanna is the Music in the Park series, 7-9 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 20. Visit www.visitgahanna.com.

Grove City’s Summer Sizzles Concert Series showcases local artists and offers activities to keep the kids occupied. The shows are held from 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Grove City Town Center. Visit www.grovecityohio.gov.

All That Jazz.
Behold the sultry sounds of jazz wafting throughout the city all summer. The Jazz and Ribs Fest is July 23-25 on the Downtown Riverfront, with two stages of musical performances and more than 20 rib-burners from all over the country. Visit www.hotribscooljazz.org.

Easton Town Center hosts Sounds on the Town Jazz Concert Series every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. through Aug. 24. Visit www.eastontowncenter.com.

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s JazZoo events are July 16 (Chicago and The Sound of the 70s), and July 23 (Sinatra & The Big Bands) at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell. Also, enjoy a river-sized bonfire July 10 at WaterFire with the CJO at Genoa Park downtown. Or, join the Jazz Arts Group for some PBJ & Jazz at Topiary Park with Derek DiCenzo and Friends, from noon to 1 p.m. July 10. Visit www.jazzartsgroup.org.

Movie (+) Stars.
Gone are the days of the drive-in movie theater, but there are many outdoor film series that provide a romantic setting, including the Movies by Moonlight Series at Easton Town Center, Tuesdays at dusk from July 6 through Aug. 31. Visit www.eastontowncenter.com.

Take a dip and catch a flick at the Dive-In Movies at Zoombezi Bay, July 16-Aug. 13 on the grounds of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Visit www.zoombezibay.com.

The Wexner Center Drive-In movies series includes free Jeni’s ice cream and Pam’s Market popcorn, plus a cash bar. This year’s theme is “A Summer Abroad: Cinema Italiano,” with American films shot in Italy. Visit www.wexarts.org.

Enjoy a “Classic on the Creek” as Creekside Park & Plaza shows Top Gun from 9-11 p.m. July 23. Visit www.visitgahanna.com. Catch Where the Wild Things Are July 15, or Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian July 9 at Upper Arlington’s Thompson Park. Visit www.uaoh.net.
If you’re not the outdoorsy type, catch a classic at the historical Ohio Theatre throughout the summer, courtesy of the CAPA summer movie series. The longest-running classic film series in America celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2010 with an impressive assembly of classics and cult favorites. Visit www.capa.com.