Ohio State and the Horseshoe

For many visitors, Columbus means the Ohio State University. The main campus lies just north of downtown and the Short North, a huge, busy university with a central green known as the Oval, historic buildings, libraries, gardens and a lively student district along High Street. At its western edge stands Ohio Stadium, nicknamed the Horseshoe, a concrete bowl that opened in the early 1920s and holds well over 100,000 people on game days. Walking the campus is free and pleasant, and the Oval is the ideal place for a stroll or a picnic on a nice day. On a Saturday in the football season, the entire area becomes a sea of scarlet and gray, with tailgates, marching band traditions and a roar you can hear from blocks away. Even if you do not go to a game, a photo outside the stadium and a visit to the campus stores make a worthwhile stop for sports fans.

Game days require planning. Tickets sell through the university and resale markets, prices vary widely, and hotels fill early, so book far in advance if you are coming for a home game. Parking near the stadium is limited and expensive, so many fans use park-and-ride lots, rideshare or public shuttles. Allow extra time for crowds and street closures. Traditions such as the band's pregame performance and the singing of the school song are part of the experience and are worth arriving early to see.

On non-game days the campus is a calmer and more flexible visit. Stadium tours may be offered at certain times of year, so check the athletics website, and the surrounding area includes museums, gardens and the Wexner Center. Students and faculty fill the sidewalks during the academic year, giving the campus a youthful buzz. High Street, the main commercial strip beside campus, has bookstores, cafes and casual restaurants that cater to students and visitors alike. If you want gear, the campus stores sell team clothing.

Different travelers will want different things. Football fans should plan their trip around a home game and accept the cost and crowds. Others can enjoy the Oval, the libraries and the architecture in an hour or two, then move on to the Short North or Franklin Park Conservatory. Parents visiting prospective students will find the campus easy to navigate with a guided tour from the admissions office. Whichever way you visit, the school's influence on the city is hard to miss, and an hour on campus helps explain why Columbus feels the way it does.

For visitors who prefer something quieter, the campus gardens, libraries and museums offer a gentler way to see the school. Consider the botanical areas and the historic buildings around the Oval, and stop for coffee in a campus cafe. Seasonal events such as commencement or move-in weeks change the mood and the traffic, so check the campus calendar when you plan.

If you are planning a game visit, learn the basics of the traditions in advance. The band, the chants and the pregame rituals follow a script that fans know by heart, and a little preparation makes you feel part of it. Look at the schedule early, compare ticket sources carefully and consider a package if you want hotel and seats arranged together.