Photo Credit: Always Shooting

College towns like Tuscaloosa and Ann Arbor are mainly known for their sports scene, but Columbus stands apart from the rest in more ways than one. More than just a college town, Columbus is a foodie haven with plenty of national sports thrown in the mix.

Columbus was actually the first city to create a soccer-specific stadium for their Major League Soccer franchise, the Columbus Crew. It is also one of the few places in which the United States plays Mexico and has a true home field advantage; the US National team is 2-0 when playing Mexico there.

Add in the NHL Blue Jacket team and the annual half- and full marathons and it’s safe to say the people of Columbus like to be on the move. Besides raucous soccer and hockey fans, Colmbus is also an all-around great Midwestern city to visit.

Situated in the center of the state nearly equidistant from Cleveland and Cincinnati, it is the state's capitol and home of the Ohio State University. A bustling university town, it's regularly named one of the best cities for business, economic development and diversity with a range of industries present.

There are plenty of landmarks to see from Franklin Park Conservatory and Gardens to Easton Town Center. Some great neighborhoods to check out include Short North, German Village and Grandview Heights which offer local restaurants, quirky shops and a bit of culture in central Ohio. The confluence of two rivers occur just northwest of downtown, offering plenty of scenic nature walks and outdoor recreation not far from the city.

No sports town is complete without a hopping brew scene (pun intended). Check out Bodega and Tavern Old Towne for the great food and awesome craft brew selections. Enjoy treats like salted caramel ice cream from Jeni's Ice Cream or the delightful Buckeye Crunch from Krema Nut Factory. We also highly recommend a visit to Katzinger's Delicatessen for delicious sandwiches and the best pickles in town.