Ohio city makes it on esteemed international list of ’25 Best Places to Travel in 2025′

What do the Great Barrier Island in New Zealand, the charming Greek island, Chios, and Columbus, Ohio all have in common? They’re 2025’s hottest travel destinations.

Afar Magazine, the esteemed travel publication, stated that 2025 is the year of “crowd-free travel.” Waiting hours in line to see the Trevi Fountain is so 2024. Instead, Afar suggests traveling to these 25 exciting, “lesser-visited destinations.”

And none other than our good ol’ hometown made it on this list. Afar Magazine said, “Fueled by a diverse population, the fastest-growing metro area in the U.S. is buzzing with history, art, and food.” 

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The magazine highlights the 175 on the National Register of Historic Places, such as German Village and the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Plus, we’re home to celebrated contemporary writers such as Hanif Abdurraqib, Saeed Jones, and Maggie Smith. 

“There’s much to be said about Columbus as a dining destination, too: Avishar Barua of Agni and Joya’s was a 2024 James Beard semifinalist in the Best Chef category. The nearly 150-year-old North Market has more than 30 vendors selling everything from Tibetan momo dumplings to buckeye doughnuts (filled with peanut butter, dipped in chocolate). Luckily for us travelers, Columbus is within a day’s drive of every major Midwest city, and a 90-minute flight from New York or D.C.,” said Afar.

We know this city is great, but it’s always great to hear that other national publications think so, too.

 Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!

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