Across Nationwide Boulevard at the top end of downtown is the Short North , a former red-light area that's now Columbus's most vibrant enclave. Standing on either side of High Street - the main north-south thoroughfare - two landmark buildings mark the transition into the area. To the left is the restored Victorian warehouse of North Market , while to the right is the strikingly deconstructivist Greater Columbus Convention Center , a massive pile of angled blocks designed by Peter Eisenman and completed in 1993. A few blocks further north across I-670 is the start of the trail of galleries, bars and restaurants that makes the area so popular with locals. The first Saturday of each month sees the Gallery Hop , when all the local art dealers throw open their doors - complementing the art works with wine, snacks and occasional performance pieces - and the socializing goes on well into the evening.

Businesses become a little more low-rent for a mile before High Street cuts through the university campus and suddenly sprouts cheap eating places and funky shopping emporia. For bargain vinyl, head to the basement Used Kids Records, 1992 N High St. On the other side of the street, the Wexner Center for the Arts , North High Street at 15th Avenue (Tues-Wed & Fri-Sun 10am-6pm, Thurs 10am-9pm; tel 614/292-3535, ), is another recent Eisenman construction - even more extreme than the Convention Center - and it's home to cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions, movies, mixed-media performances, a café and a bookstore.

North of downtown

• North of downtown

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