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Few people take a vacation to go "sightseeing" anymore. It's all about changing your routine, experiencing new things. Columbus has interesting, unique neighborhoods, a vibrant arts scene, great local restaurants, plenty of high quality stuff to do for families, and fun festivals and sports events. That's a pretty good check list, without the need for a landmark attraction.
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion
Columbus vs Them
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MassiveCityFFC
Columbus
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berdawn wrote >>
these guysRight on, Berdawn!
See this post in the Best Corner thread for my take on how we should feel about what people from the cities that you mentioned think of our great city. Just be Columbus. The rest of the world will figure it out eventually.
Posted 3 years ago # -
berdawn
near that stretch of N. High Street in the Short North
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MassiveCityFFC wrote >>
berdawn wrote >>
these guysRight on, Berdawn!
See this post in the Best Corner thread for my take on how we should feel about what people from the cities that you mentioned think of our great city. Just be Columbus. The rest of the world will figure it out eventually.Can't believe I missed that thread!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Rockmastermike
The Bacon District
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we should have built that 500 foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus when we had the chance (remember that?).
Yeah... THAT would have TOTALLY put us on the MAP!
Posted 3 years ago # -
chaptal
West Side
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
we should have built that 500 foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus when we had the chance (remember that?).
Yeah... THAT would have TOTALLY put us on the MAP!Right on the Scioto! We could be looking out over the city from his ARM, that would have been awesome!
Posted 3 years ago # -
ohiojimmie
Westgate
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
we should have built that 500 foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus when we had the chance (remember that?).
Yeah... THAT would have TOTALLY put us on the MAP!It would be better than the Point Pleasant Motman Statue
Oops, "Mothman"
Posted 3 years ago # -
hugh59
Aboard the ultimate power in Olde Towne East
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Rockmastermike wrote >>
we should have built that 500 foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus when we had the chance (remember that?).
Yeah... THAT would have TOTALLY put us on the MAP!The Deputy Commanding Officer of my reserve unit produces films for SyFy. Maybe he could do a film: COLUMBUS VS THEM. It could have a thrilling finale with a battle atop the 500 foot tall statue of Christopher Columbus.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Talcott
Clintonville
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Columbus has plenty of history. We don’t market or identify with the history as much as other cities do, but it’s there (and fittingly weird). The thing about Columbus is that it’s always been a little out-of-sync with the rest of the state. We’re often a little bit technologically ahead of the rest of the country (Qube, OSU, Battelle), but we also have a tendency to lose things just as the rest of the country is catching up (the old street car system, Union Station).
Columbus is also a little bit like NYC, in that it’s a city strongly defined (perhaps even divided) by its neighborhoods. It’s harder to say “This is what’s awesome about Columbus†than it is to say “This is what’s awesome about [The Short North/Franklinton/Clintonville/Hilltop/KLD, etc.].†The combination of these neighborhoods and a relatively small size is one of the things that makes Columbus a great place to live, and could become a tourist selling point as well.
[speaking of neighborhoods, the booklet that was released to go along with the Columbus Neighborhoods series is fantastic]
Columbus is quickly developing a reputation as a food town. While it’s true that we lack a signature dish, our restaurant scene almost always gets good reviews in national media and blogs. Granted, it usually begins with “You wouldn’t expect this in Columbus,†but that will fade with time. As has been mentioned elsewhere around here, our taco and other food truck scene is also starting to get noticed.
And, while I feel like Columbus is sometimes too defined by OSU, it is a big part of Columbus, and a lot to offer beyond sports. The Wexner center is internationally recognized, the Cartoon Library is the most important in the country (maybe the world, outside of France) and the engineering school is regularly featured on PBS shows.
Columbus has a long history of being a convention town (the booklets for our centennial celebration make that abundantly clear), and those bring people into town on a regular basis. Origins and SPACE have made a name for Columbus among gaming and comics people (not the Columbus needed any help in the comics department), and I’m sure the same can be said for other conventions/fields that I’m not so well aware of. And, as has already been mentioned, we have lots of festivals that could bring people in. Sure, they don’t last all year, but the same could be said for another festival and city that gets mentioned weekly around here ;-)
And, of course, there are the arts and crafts scenes, which are becoming increasingly well known outside of Columbus. From everything I’ve seen, Wonderland is going to become a huge selling point/destination.
So, in conclusion, Columbus is pretty awesome.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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joev wrote >>
Few people take a vacation to go "sightseeing" anymore. It's all about changing your routine, experiencing new things. Columbus has interesting, unique neighborhoods, a vibrant arts scene, great local restaurants, plenty of high quality stuff to do for families, and fun festivals and sports events. That's a pretty good check list, without the need for a landmark attraction.+1
Posted 3 years ago # -
bjones7
Worthington Ohio
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Walker wrote >>
joev wrote >>
Few people take a vacation to go "sightseeing" anymore. It's all about changing your routine, experiencing new things. Columbus has interesting, unique neighborhoods, a vibrant arts scene, great local restaurants, plenty of high quality stuff to do for families, and fun festivals and sports events. That's a pretty good check list, without the need for a landmark attraction.+1
Walker wrote >>
joev wrote >>
Few people take a vacation to go "sightseeing" anymore. It's all about changing your routine, experiencing new things. Columbus has interesting, unique neighborhoods, a vibrant arts scene, great local restaurants, plenty of high quality stuff to do for families, and fun festivals and sports events. That's a pretty good check list, without the need for a landmark attraction.+1
YES, but do people know about these things ,activities, so on? Do people care about these things enough to go to them?!?! Maybe some, from Cleveland or Cinci, but that’s about it.
As we grow Downtown and Columbus, we need to think of the future. We as a city should be 2 steps forward! From other CU postings, Columbus seems to have a lack of "forward thinking". Right now, Columbus can only grow as much as it's residence allow it too. What I mean is, if a street car system was proposed and the funding needed a city wide vote, it would most likely be turned down. Why? because people in suburbia/away from the streetcar location who only come downtown for work, could care less becuase they'll never use it(there are other examples/more reasons). Yet who would use it? People who aren't from Columbus! (Please don't "over think" about my last sentence, that wasn't my point.)
My point is, we need to create a reason for a rail transit system, we need to create a reason for people from San Francisco,NYC,Chicago,etc, to come to Columbus other than work and family!
Let me ask you this question. If you lived somewhere other than Ohio, what would cause you to come to Columbus, other than for work or family??
Now let me ask, as a resident of Columbus, why do you go to NYC, Chicago or California ( L.A /S.F)?
Posted 3 years ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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A lot of people can't afford to go to NYC/Chicago/CA or have no desires. Putting your vacation interests on every traveler isn't a very good way to look at the big picture. Those cities are hardly family friendly for the average American. "Vacation" for a family of 4 that lives in BFE OH, KY, WV, MI, etc. IS coming to Columbus. "The Big City" to them. We are surrounded by rural areas. Getting those people to come here and spend their money in our shops, restaurants, and attractions is a good focus. Trying to lure people who would be the type to go to NYC/CA/Chicago is an uphill battle, but that says nothing about Columbus's value as a tourism destination.
Posted 3 years ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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I don't think we're just another Midwest city. I don't think we compete at any lower level than Cincy or Cleveland. I'm just saying that because a bunch of overly cosmo people (or at least want to give the appearance of being so) who are undoubtedly more traveled than the avg American doesn't think Columbus is exciting (TO THEM) doesn't mean it's not. In most cases, appeasing those kinds of people would make this a place I DON'T want to live.
Posted 3 years ago # -
scornflakes
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bjones7 wrote >>
Walker wrote >>
joev wrote >>
Few people take a vacation to go "sightseeing" anymore. It's all about changing your routine, experiencing new things. Columbus has interesting, unique neighborhoods, a vibrant arts scene, great local restaurants, plenty of high quality stuff to do for families, and fun festivals and sports events. That's a pretty good check list, without the need for a landmark attraction.+1
Walker wrote >>
joev wrote >>
Few people take a vacation to go "sightseeing" anymore. It's all about changing your routine, experiencing new things. Columbus has interesting, unique neighborhoods, a vibrant arts scene, great local restaurants, plenty of high quality stuff to do for families, and fun festivals and sports events. That's a pretty good check list, without the need for a landmark attraction.+1
My point is, we need to create a reason for a rail transit system, we need to create a reason for people from San Francisco,NYC,Chicago,etc, to come to Columbus other than work and family!
Why? Why can't we just be the creative, uniquely weird place that we are, do what we do, and not worry about making some needy effort to appeal to people from those places? What does "creating a reason" for those people to come here get us? Recognition? Approval? Acclaim? Status? I just don't get it. If this city loses that distinctly organic appeal that we see living here - and that a lot of visitors notice after they come - then what's the point?
Posted 3 years ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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PS - if the crux of your argument is using transit as a way to attract tourists or vice versa (I can't really tell) you can do that without the slams against the city.
Posted 3 years ago # -
colrex7
Amsterdam, Ohio
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bjones7 wrote >>
@somertimeoh
Why don't we want that up hill battle? What's wrong with that. Cleveland & Cincinnati compete at that "level". Why can’t Columbus? Why does Columbus have to be just another "Midwest" city?It isn't "just another Midwest city". I have never heard that term describe Columbus in my life. And I hope I never do again. The truth is, Columbus is competing with those cities as well. And it's difficult, because there are so many large cities in the area to compete with. In the coming decades, you will most likely see Columbus come to the forefront and surpass other ones in the area. That's my opinion. I can't wait. ;)
Posted 3 years ago # -
lifeliberty
Here
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I like that Columbus is what it is, I wouldn't want it to be NYC or LA.
if I could change anything I'd make it less flat and more scenic.(see Pittsburgh)Posted 3 years ago # -
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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No kidding! Though I can't lie, I sure wish I was typing this post from a beach on a day like today :P
Posted 3 years ago # -
lifeliberty
Here
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Oh hell yeah! A great body of water with beaches would be awesome, (see Lake Erie, as opposed to Olentangy River/Hoover Res)
although I could be satisfied with a house along the Olentangy, there are a couple around 315 and North Broadway that look awesome.
forget trains, lets build a Great Lake!Posted 3 years ago # -
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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bjones7 wrote >>
@somertimeoh
Why don't we want that up hill battle? What's wrong with that. Cleveland & Cincinnati compete at that "level". Why can’t Columbus? Why does Columbus have to be just another "Midwest" city?Do you have data to back up that claim? Meaning that barring proximity as the determining factor, people chose CLE or CIN over CHI? And for what reasons - since tourism is a highly segmented market.
A.
Posted 3 years ago #
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