Spots Buckeye Fans Will Love In Columbus, Ohio
Whether you’re looking for things to do before an Ohio State Football game, or wanting to soak in everything that Columbus has to offer for diehard Buckeye fans, we’ve got the lowdown for you. Our Ohio State University football tourist guide features 10 hidden gems and popular spots you can’t leave Columbus without visiting. Pick one or two for a game day activity, or make a whole weekend of it!
1. The Brutus Buckeye Statue Challenge
Did you know there’s 34 Brutus Buckeye statues on and around campus–including one that only appears on St Patrick’s Day? Get your Brutus map below, and embark on an adventure to snap your photo with all 34 Brutus statues!
If you don’t have time to find them all, at least stop by the Ohio Union on campus and snap a selfie with the life size statue of Brutus Buckeye shown above. While you’re at the Union, be sure to check out number 5 below as well!
See the Brutus Map with all Statue Locations
2. Graduate Hotel
Columbus’ newly opened Graduate Hotel digs deep into Ohio history and sports for an immersive experience. The stylish hotel incorporates plenty of scarlet and gray, along with a nod to “The Best Damn Band in the Land” with hanging instruments in their lounge area (the top photo in this article). Set in the Short North, not far from campus, the Graduate is in the middle of all the action. (They’re also on our list of the Best Boutique Hotels in Ohio!)
3. Woody Hayes Statues
Yep, you read that right, statues, plural. The beloved OSU coach is actually memorialized in two different locations near campus.
The Woody Hayes statue pictured on the left is on 278 W Lane Avenue, in front of the Varsity Club bar. The Varsity Club can be packed on game days, but it’s worth stopping in for all the OSU memorabilia on their walls.
The statue on the right is in front of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center close to campus. While you’re at the athletic center, there’s also a Woody Hayes historical marker at the north side of the building.
See the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on a Map
4. Buckeye Grove
While the “Buckeye” tie-in of OSU’s buckeye tree grove is cool enough, the story behind them is even cooler. Each year before the spring game, there’s a ceremony to plant Buckeye trees for each Ohio StateAll-American football player from the previous season. Every buckeye tree in the grove has its own plaque with the name of the player the tree is dedicated to.
See the OSU Buckeye Grove on a Map
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5. Site of the First Buckeye Game
Over a hundred years ago, when football was played without helmets, and perhaps a couple hundred fans might show up for a game, OSU played their first home game. The location–a former baseball field– was called Recreation Park, and their opponents were the University of Wooster. The site of that game was long forgotten until the early 2000s, when a local historian identified it as what is now a Giant Eagle parking lot in the historic German Village neighborhood. It’s memorialized with an Ohio Historical Marker that faces Whittier St.
If you stop by for a photo, we highly recommend taking some time to stroll the German Village neighborhood. With brick-paved streets, and quaint, carefully preserved historic brick homes, it’s one of our favorite Columbus neighborhoods. There’s also some fantastic restaurants in German Village: Lindey’s, Barcelona, and Valter’s are three of our favorites.
See the Historical Marker on a Map
6. Sloopy’s Diner
Soak in the OSU spirit (and scarf some pancakes) at Sloopy’s Diner in the Ohio Union. If you don’t recall, “Hang on Sloopy” is Ohio’s state rock song, and Ohio State’s marching band has been playing at games since the 60s. They’re open for breakfast through dinner, and till 11 most nights, so they’re a great spot for a late night snack.
7. Ohio State Stadium Tours
Ohio State offers 1.5 hour private stadium tours for a flat rate of $100 for a group of up to 10 people. It’s an awesome experience for fans, and very reasonably priced if you get a small group together. Tours are available Monday- Friday, and you must schedule 2 weeks ahead. Learn more about the tours, and book online here.
8. Urban Chophouse
Urban Chophouse is a newly opened modern steakhouse with a mouth-watering menu developed with beloved OSU Football coach Urban Meyer. Expect a high end dining experience with decor that pays homage to OSU Football and Meyer.
9. Buckeye Donuts
Just across from the Ohio State campus is a Columbus institution, Buckeye Donuts. They serve up a myriad of delicious donuts–including their classic chocolate and peanut butter buckeye donuts– to satisfy your sweet tooth.
10. Homage
With a wide selection of unique and retro designed OSU merchandise, Homage is where you want to do your souvenir shopping. Homage’s Short North shop is close to campus, and you’ll find plenty more to do in the area, with restaurants, shopping and nightlife all around.
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