Columbus’ earliest structures are the burial mounds of the indigenous peoples. Things have certainly changed since they occupied this area smack in the middle of Ohio from 1000 B.C. to 1700. Since 1812, the population of the state capital has grown every decade, unlike other large Ohio cities like Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo. With a population of over 900,000, it’s the largest city in Ohio. That means it needs a lot of buildings to conduct its business and house its citizens, and I had the opportunity to check out many of them during my one day here. Read about the top five buildings in Columbus, Ohio >
Tag Archives: United States
Gazebo Gazing
They come in many shapes, sizes, materials, and colors, but gazebos share lots of commonalities, all of which appeal to me. They offer shelter from rain or sizzling sunshine. They’re a pleasant place to rest. They often take advantage of dreamy or dramatic views. They can double as bandstands during outdoor parties and celebrations. And, well, they’re just plain pretty to look at. Read about the top five gazebos >
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Standing Tall: The World’s Best Columns
They’re Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, smooth or fluted, singular or clustered. Their capitals can resemble anything from acanthus leaves to volutes. And when they’re not supporting entire buildings, giving the appearance of such on a building’s façade, or forming an arcade, columns often sprout up as stand-alone structures. These engaging specimens of verticality, whether they’re slender or bold, have always caught my eye (whether or not I’m able to climb to their tops). Read about the world’s top five columns >
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Colorado’s Architectural Diversity
I was spending a lot of time outdoors in Colorado, hiking in the incomparable Rocky Mountains, driving up Pikes Peak Highway until I hit a wall of snow, and occasionally crossing paths with some animals roaming around, sniffing out lunch. When I emerged from nature into the state’s urban areas, I was equally captivated by Colorado’s architecture. From a hotel good enough for the Queen of Romania and the Beatles to a Venetian-style tower, from a Tajik teahouse to a Mayan-inspired theater, Colorado boasts an unexpected diversity in its architecture. Read about the top five buildings in Colorado >
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Riverfront Respite in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Rescued from the threat of demolition fewer than 20 years ago, a pair of next-door-neighbor mansions from the 1920s emerged in 2015 as the premier riverfront bed and breakfast along Front Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Manor on Front provides indulgent comforts (there are lots of cozy spaces for catnaps), outstanding breakfasts, and convivial hosts who ensure that your stay here is, just like mine, exceptional. Read about it >
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Lest We Forget, Indianapolis Makes Sure We Remember
In a city filled with historic memorials and monuments, the Indiana World War Memorial stands proudly in the heart of Indianapolis. This monumental structure, built to honor Indiana Hoosiers who served in the war to end all wars, is a crowning achievement of architecture, thoughtful detail, patriotism, history, and humanity. And it left me rather speechless from the moment I saw it. Read more about it >
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Through The Looking Glass (Inn) and Into a Resplendent Past
I could have stayed at a new hotel in the heart of Indianapolis, but I was repeatedly drawn to a stunning historic district a mile or two from various points downtown. I was confronting a tradeoff: Stay in the more convenient downtown to have easy access to many of the city’s key attractions and restaurants but lose out on character and charm, or stay in a genteel neighborhood evocative of the city’s golden age but spend more time traveling to and from the city’s main sights. One glance at The Looking Glass Inn made the decision to choose the latter simple. Read about it >
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B-Town’s Best Thai
Bloomington, Indiana, was jumping. Indiana University was hosting an outdoor science fair and recruitment drive that kept its gorgeous campus lively, spilling down popular Kirkwood Avenue. Eventually I made my way to the downtown square and grabbed an early outdoor dinner at Blooming Thai, a family-run business that brings its traditions and recipes from Thailand to hungry diners in Indiana. Read about it >
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An Indianapolis Standby for Food Lovers of All Ages
In the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, Harry & Izzy’s attracts an eclectic clientele, from businessmen in suits from the nearby office towers to ladies out for a retirees’ lunch to high school students from across the United States in town for a convention for future farmers. Like me, they were attracted to this upscale American grill that prides itself on a fine menu and refined service amid a sophisticated setting. Read about it >
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Elegance and Luxury in a Small Ohio Village
I couldn’t decide on an accommodation in Columbus, Ohio, for a two-night stay. Nothing clicked. Nothing called out to me, “This is the place to stay.” So, after an exhaustive search, I expanded my geographical limits. As soon as I came across Granville Inn, about a half hour east of Columbus, I immediately knew I had found what I was hunting for. And it didn’t disappoint. Read about it >
Stephen Travels 