Columbus Is America’s Fastest Growing City—It’s Also A Wonderful Place To Visit

14.04.2024 - 12:07 / forbes.com

Since my first visit to Columbus last year—when I fell hard for Ohio’s capital—the city has only continued to flourish. In fact, a study released by the Bank of America Institute a couple of months ago reported that Columbus is now the fastest growing city in America.

No wonder people from all over the U.S. have been flocking here. It’s got everything you’d want in a major city, such as a diverse population and quality dining. Perhaps more important: It’s a place where a high quality of living is well within reach for many.

As it turns out, all the reasons why people have moved here also make it a wonderful travel destination. Below, six more reasons why you should plan a trip to Columbus this year.

Taking up residence in a former Panera in the Brewery District, Cobra is one of my favorite discoveries this year. Run by four industry pals (Alex Chien, David Ye, Jack Dale Bennett Jr., Josh Spiers), this buzzy Asian-American bar dishes up some up some seriously creative fare like the deeply craveable Saké Pomodoro. Picture a bowl of chewy, handmade noodles enrobed in a zesty tomato sauce and crowned with a soy cured egg yolk and lashings of salty Parmigiano Reggiano. The dish is as luscious as you’d imagine, and best followed up with a Cobra house cocktail. Try the Banana Bread at Work, an easy-drinking blend of banana rum, brown butter, and bourbon.

More often than not, tasting menus are excruciatingly long, dull, and very rarely memorable. But chef Avishar Barua is hoping to shift public mindset with his latest endeavor, the Brewery District’s Agni. Here, he’s set the stage for a wholly original tasting menu: one that draws inspiration from his multi-cultural background as a Bengali-American; one that’s peppered with plenty of fun touches; and one that’s engaging and delicious. Unlike other stuffy spots, Angi’s staff is happy to work around allergies and dietary preferences with menus for vegetarians, pescetarians, and those avoiding gluten.

Opened last December in Upper Arlington, Littleton’s Market is where culinary and retail go hand-in-hand. Under one roof, you can purchase sustainable meats and seafood, wine, globetrotting pantry staples—the olive oil selection is especially impressive—and ready-made foods such as hoisin-glazed chicken wings. Afterwards, wind down at the The Café helmed by Culinary Director Alexia Orsburn and rising star Executive Pastry Chef Aaron Clouse with the daily crudo, shoestring fries with caviar, and exquisite croissants in unique flavors including carrot cake and Lucky Charms.

Owned by Annie Williams Pierce and husband Luke Pierce, Lawbird is a hip hangout balancing a smart selection of natural wines and fancy snacks (tinned fish with Triscuits, kettle chips and caviar)