Short North Arts District in Columbus, Ohio is a Cultural Mecca

The Short North Arts District of Columbus, Ohio is an arts-oriented area located just north of downtown, centered on the main section of North High Street and stretching to just south of the University of Ohio campus. Though the area is generally known as a gay-oriented neighborhood, merchants in the area cater to people of all sexual orientations.

In the early 1900s, the North High Street area was bustling with activity and was the location of many of the city's best merchants. However, North High Street was later replaced with Interstate 670 and the strip became a location for seedy commercial establishments and, eventually, slum housing. Those who had resided in the area for many years moved to the now trendy suburbs and left the area open to violence and drug dealing. Police, who were called to the area frequently, began to refer to the region between downtown and the University of Ohio as Short North and the moniker stuck, referring to the fact that the region was "just short'' of the north end business district of Columbus.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, urban dwellers looking for inexpensive housing options close to the downtown area began to purchase dilapidated homes in the Short North district and painstakingly restored them to their original state or better. Some buildings became offices and others were eventually made into shops, restaurants, or night spots. In 2002, the city jumped on the urban renewal bandwagon and installed 17 lighted metal arches across High Street, reminiscent of ones that were there in the early 1900s when Columbus was know as the Arch City.

In the 21st century, the Short North district has become best known as an arts mecca. Nearly all the buildings have been restored, though some have been demolished to make way for parking lots. There are still plenty of residential opportunities there, including not only old restored rowhomes but also newer condominiums and apartments. Many of the older buildings in the neighborhood now sport colorful murals, painted on their sides, indicative of the large number of artists that live and work in the Short North Arts District today.

Weekends in the Short North Arts District are very busy as visitors arrive from all around the city and beyond to shop in the neighborhood's many galleries and unique shops. Each Saturday, the district sponsors what has become known as a Gallery Hop. During these events, galleries open their doors until the late evening hours and street musicians and other performers entertain the crowds of patrons all day long. Other shops and restaurants offer a variety of specials to coincide with Gallery Hop dates as well.

Other special events are frequent in the Short North Arts District. They include the annual Doo Dah Parade, a parody on the typical all-American Fourth of July parade, featuring bands of unusual characters and floats with crazy and sometimes questionable themes.

The Short North Arts District is easy to reach from the University of Ohio and from the Columbus Convention Center and Nationwide Arena. Several city bus routes also make a stop at the Short North neighborhood.