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Columbus was Nationally Ranked a Top 10 Most Boring City… Here’s Why They’re Wrong

Columbus Culture, Culture & Arts, Eat & Drink, Things to Do

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Written by Step Out Columbus
Published on September 19, 2025

So here’s the “story.”

Apparently some site called FinanceBuzz (yes, that name already screams “We’re here for the affiliate links”) just ranked Columbus as one of the most boring cities in the entire country.

Why? Because according to them, we’ve only got Ohio State football going on. That’s it. That’s all there is do to in Central Ohio. Nothing more. Nothing less.

If you just spit out your Johnson’s Ice Cream while reading that… you aren’t alone.

The “Study” Is Basically Just Ad Bait

Look, I’ll save you the click. FinanceBuzz claims they ranked cities based on things like nightlife, outdoor adventures, culinary diversity, and recreational activities. But if you read their article for more than 15 seconds, you’ll notice what it’s really about: trying to sell you credit cards and car insurance.

(“Is your city boring? Sign up for a travel card and get out of here!” …Yeah, sure.)

So not only are they wrong, they’re peddling.

Real screenshots from the FinanceBuzz article

Columbus? Boring? Let’s Run Through the Receipts

  • Nightlife? High Street alone could keep you busy for weeks. From Short North rooftop bars to Clintonville dive spots, it’s not exactly tumbleweeds out here.
  • Food scene? Ever heard of James Beard Awards? Because Columbus chefs like BJ Lieberman (Metsi, Ginger Rabbit) and Avishar Barua (Agni, Joya’s) definitely have. Our restaurant game is nationally recognized.
  • Culture? We’ve got world-class art museums, a zoo that’s constantly rated one of the best in the country, and historic neighborhoods like German Village that ooze character.
  • Events? Festivals, concerts, and sports galore. And yes… for the record, Buckeye football Saturdays are electric — but they’re not the only thing happening.

Seriously, anyone who actually lives here knows this “boring” label is laughable.

Why This Matters (It Really Doesn’t)

On one hand, it’s annoying when clickbait sites like this reduce Columbus to “just a college football town.” On the other, who cares what some affiliate blog thinks? We know Columbus is awesome.

And if you need more proof, well… our entire site exists to show you just how much there is to do here in Central Ohio. FinanceBuzz may have their “sponsored car insurance quote tools,” but we’ve got hundreds of guides to restaurants, events, hikes, patios, coffee shops, and hidden gems.

Which one would you rather trust?

Photo by Step Out Staff (Meister’s Pizza)

The Moral of the Story

Columbus isn’t boring. FinanceBuzz is just lazy.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to grab a Chicharron Peruano at Si Señor, catch a show at Ginger Rabbit, and then hit Meister’s for some pizza and cheap drinks — because apparently, that’s what a “boring” night in this city looks like.

Attention Central Ohio Business Owners!

We built the Step Out advertising program for local businesses that want to get in front of locals in Central Ohio — people actively looking for places to eat, shop, and explore.

A business we advertised even had to hire 2 more people after working with us.

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