Columbus: USC at Ohio St. (continued)
Scott Boehm/Getty ImagesOhio Stadium is your destination, but here are plenty of places to eat and drink before and after.Practicalities
Also see Lonely Planet for more on Columbus or download travel plans for around the Great Lakes region.
More for the road
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Which city has better nightlife, Columbus or L.A.? Seriously, Buckeyes fans think they have the edge. What do you think? Give us your opinion here.
Attractions
Grange Insurance Audubon Center
Columbus' Audubon Center recently opened this new $11 million facility, with 200 bird species to spot on trails through the 72 acres overlooking the downtown skyline and the river.
505 W. Whittier St.
Columbus, OH 43125
614-545-5475 | Web site
Admission: free
Hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
St. John Arena
Built in 1956, the former home of the Buckeyes basketball teams seats 13,276 and now hosts the Ohio State Marching Band's popular "skull sessions" two hours before every home-game kickoff. Free.
410 Woody Hayes Drive
Columbus, OH 43210
Web site
Wexner Center for the Arts
The center has no scheduled exhibitions during the weekend, but its screening room The Box screens the nine-minute Destination Finale free all month. It's on the OSU campus.
1817 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43210
614-923-5350 | Web site
Admission: $5 for exhibits, films at The Box free
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday and Sunday,; 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday
Center of Science & Industry (COSI)
Unfortunately closed for maintenance during the USC weekend, but reopening Sept. 19, COSI is one of the country's best hands-on museums for kids (and kid-like adults); that's hard to argue after taking a (safe) high-wire unicycle ride over the lobby.
333 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
614-228-2674 | Web site
Admission: adult/children (ages 2-12) $13.75/8.75
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; noon-6 p.m.., Sunday
Eating and drinking
Eddie George's Grille 27
The great Buckeyes running back's burger 'n' brew spot with 50 TVs in the Short North sees a lot of pregame fans on game days. The 27 is more a tribute to his Buckeyes number (retired) than his Tennessee Titans one. Opens at 8 a.m. for breakfast before noon kickoffs in Columbus.
1636 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43201
614-421-2727 | Web site
Hours: 11 a.m-2:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight, Sunday-Thursday
Gresso's Pub & Grill
Laid-back local pub in German Village with good food and live music by the sidewalk seats.
961 S. High St.
Columbus, OH 43206
614-444-0131 | Web site
Hours: 2:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m., Monday-Friday; noon-2:30 a.m., Saturday and Sunday
North Market
Columbus' biggest food market since 1875, with a few dozen vendors, Saturday farmer's markets, live music (folk, jazz, opera) and seating areas outside and on a balcony.
59 Spruce St.
Columbus, OH 43215
614-463-9664 | Web site
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m., Sunday
Varsity Club
Game days at the Varsity, a tailgate institution since 1959, mean 32 bartenders, a JumboTron and live bands in the parking lots, and more screens and food vendors in a closed-off street next door. It's the real deal. Cold cans of American beer are $3.75.
278 W. Lane Ave.
Columbus, OH 43201
614-299-6269 | Web site
Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Shopping
Book Loft
Columbus' city-block bookstore, with more than 100,000 titles and oodles more character.
631 S. Third St.
Columbus, OH 43206
614-464-1174 | Web site
Hours: 10 a.m.-midnight, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday-Thursday
Conrads College Gifts
Coach Tressel's wife, Ellen, came here to pick up Buckeyes gear even before the couple moved to Columbus. The famed sweater vest runs $54.88, and sweater-vest T-shirts are $21.95. It's elbow-to-elbow on game days.
316 W. Lane Ave.
Columbus, OH 43201
614-297-0497 | Web site
Hours: 8 a.m. till the last customer leaves on game days
Sleeping
If you've not got a room for the USC game, you'll find one only outside of Columbus. Here are a couple of options in town for other times. Also check Lonely Planet.
German Village Guest House
For something more intimate than a chain hotel, this excellent 19th-century home has been transformed into a B&B that sets you up like a local in the German Village. Three rooms start at $150 and two suites at $200.
748 Jaeger St.
Columbus, OH 43206
614-437-9712 | Web site
Westin Columbus
This makeover of the 187-room Great Southern Hotel, built in 1897, gives a downtown location in a bit of history.
310 S. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
614-228-3800 | Web site
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HOME-FIELD ADVENTURE
