Pride is Everyday in Columbus

By Bill Malcolm*

Art Deco high rise

Combine a college town (OSU) with a diverse economy, sprinkle in 35,000 LGBTQ residents and 2 gayborhoods (Short North and German Village) plus several good museums and some great affordable hotels and you are talking about Columbus, Ohio. A Midwest gem. PRIDE is every day in Columbus and so matter of fact. And so amazing for a mid-size city. In the Midwest. Columbus is the largest city in the state of Ohio. Who knew.And a happy fun loving crowd. With more bars than any other city I have been to.

What to Do

Topiary at Franklin Conservatory

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a must. Mingle with the butterflies, enjoy the native plants in bloom, enjoy the topiaries, or take in the indoor gardens. The Conservancy has it all. The Lego sculptures in the gardens.

COSI Museum

Another must just west of downtown in the COSI. It's been named the best science museum in the country five times by USA Today's 10Best. Right now, they're featuring "Unofficial Galaxies," an exhibit with one of the largest private Star Wars collections in the world.

The Columbus Museum of Art is great. It is free on Sundays. The Chihuly glass is interesting. The "Queer/Modern" exhibit Artists from who participated in the early decades of the 20th century are featured.

The Stonewall Center in the Short North features community events and more.

Explore the many unique historic neighborhoods including Short North and German Village.

Work at Pro's Gym (formerly a Powerhouse). It's in an old bank building complete with vault. The $20 daily fee was worth it.

Eat

North Market Food Hall

The North Market in the Short North (just north of downtown) has 36 restaurants in this historic market/food hall. I like the Lan Viet. My friend like the Thai food at the sushi place while another friend had Ethiopian. The next day I had salmon in the Moroccan spot. And for dessert, Jenni's Splendid Ice Cream was amazing. There's something for everyone at the North Market.

Grab a sandwich to go or more at United Dairy Farmers in the Short North, Ohio's local version of a 7-11.

The Schokko Currated Cuisine inside the Columbus Museum of Art has great salmon. Try the Salmon Papillote with rice and brussel sprouts. Yum. They have outdoor seating as well.

Bar Scene

Columbus has three times the number of bars that Detroit does but is half the size. In fact, Columbus has 15 bars in a region of 2 million+.

On Long Street downtown, you can have great pizza and sit outside at Slammer's. It is a women's bar but welcomes all. They had bingo the night I was there. Although they are known city wide for their great pizza, I liked the chef salad.

Next door is the District West nightclub. They have shows every night. The night I was there featured a star from the drag race show plus local drag entertainers who were amazing. The crowd was young and fun. The $15 cover was worth it. I had not had so much fun in quite a while. Both Slammers and District West are just north of downtown (and easy walking distance to my hotel, the Hyatt).

South of downtown (German Village/Brewery District) features the Club Diversity at 883 S. High.  Housed in a quaint old Victorian, it features an outdoor patio and garden and great pizza.

The Tremont at 708 S. High is a fun neighborhood bar nearby. Boscoes at 1224 S High is another option and features dancers. All 3 are south of downtown as is the Toolbox.

North of downtown is another fun neighborhood, the Short North. Dance the night away at the Axis, 777 N. High where they also have drag shows and more. Enjoy a meal or a drink at Union Station just across the street. It's classic video bar where everyone is welcome.

Other bars include AWOL, Bossy Grrl's Pin Up Joint, District West, Southbend Tavern, the Go-Go, O'Connors, Rumous, Slammers, and the Toolbox.

Columbus like D.C. didn't get the memo that gay bars are dead.

Stay

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency. Magnificent views of the downtown high rises. Handy to the Short North. Great quiet rooms. Rooms cleaned every day. No annoying resort fee. Newly remodeled. Magnificent views of downtown. Big work out room. Handy convenience store. Reasonable rates. And great service. Newly remodeled.

Other hotels I have stayed at include the Moxy in the Short North and the Red Roof Inn Plus (a bargain) downtown. The Canopy across the street has a great roof top bar.

Getting There

Columbus is a short drive from Detroit, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. The John Glenn Airport has lots of flights and carriers. I took Delta via Detroit. Delta is my new fave along with American as I ditch Southwest which stabbed loyal fans in the back with new bag and seat fees and other restrictive policies coupled with high fares and inconvenient flight times.

You can get around on the COTA bus including to and from the airport as well as all the bars and museums. Just $2. Download the TRANSIT app.

Other Tips

Columbus is one of the most LGBTQ friendly communities in the country. In addition to Columbus Pride, they were having a Westerville Pride the weekend I was there. The whole area is very accepting, and the TV news covered all the events.

Columbus is perfect for a weekend visit and will surprise you. It's the most welcoming city I have ever visited which combines Midwestern friendliness with big city amenities and an embracive, welcoming culture. Yes Columbus! The heart of it all.

*Bill Malcolm's syndicated columns are run by publications across the country and posted on their websites. He focuses on value travel and boycotts hotels with resort fees. Special thanks to Experience Columbus for their hospitality and travel tips.

About the Author

Bill Malcolm Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated travel columnist. He focuses on value and pays his own way. He takes local transit and seeks to go where the locals go. He has appeared 100 times in LGBTQ publications and on websites including the IGLTA travel blog. You can find his work in GRAB Chicago, Erie Gay News, Seattle Gay News, and other places. He does this as a volunteer and does not charge for his work. He boycotts hotels and hotel chains with resort fees, amenity fees, destination fees, and other made up junk charges. He resides in Indianapolis. Follow him on Facebook.