Matt Tamanini
Guest
Everything you need to know about Ohio State’s campus before the College Football Playoffs
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
From travel to restaurants, from bars to sights, we’ve got it all broken down for you.
I know what you’re thinking, Tennesseans, “Columbus, Ohio is just a cowtown! There won’t be anything to do there when we go for the College Football Playoff game on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET airing on ABC and ESPN.”
Well, my orange and white checkered friends, how very wrong you are. Columbus is the 14th-largest city in the country, and while CBus does have its fair share of cows, at 905,748 it is nearly five times larger than Knoxville. Did you know that Columbus — the largest city in the world named after Christopher Columbus — is the second largest city in the Midwest, behind only Chicago, and the third largest capital city in these 50 great United States (only Phoenix and Austin are larger)?
So, if you are planning to visit our fair city for the first-round matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and Ohio State Buckeyes on the Saturday before Christmas, then I’ve got some things that you will need to know.
Driving:
It takes about 5 and a half hours to drive from Knoxville, Tennessee to Ohio Stadium, depending on where you are coming from in or around Knoxville. You will essentially take I-75 north until you hit I-70 which you will take east. When you get close to campus, you will want to get off at OH-315 North and follow signs for Lane Avenue.
There are some outer belts along the way that will help you avoid congested downtown traffic, but it is more or less a straight shot with one 90° turn to the right.
Ohio Stadium’s address is 411 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus, OH 43210. So, just drop that into your GPS and you will be in Columbus faster than it would take you to listen to Kenny Chesney’s entire discography.
Flying:
If you are going to take to the skies to get from Rocky Top to Columbus, according to Kayak.com, it looks like the cheapest available flights coming in on Friday, Dec. 20 and leaving on Sunday, Dec. 22 would be on United for $478. These round-trip flights will also give you plenty of time to explore our fair city before and after the game.
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I admit, it has been a fewyears decades since I lived on campus, so I asked around to the generally younger Land-Grant staff to get some suggestions for places on and around campus that might be of note to Vols fans visiting for the game.
Buckeye Donuts
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An absolute staple of the Ohio State community since 1969, you cannot take a trip to Columbus without stopping at Buckeye Donuts. Open 24 hours, the establishment is right across High Street from the north side of campus and is practically a hallowed institution.
Obviously donuts are this joint’s specialty (of course you have to try the hometown favorite chocolate and peanut butter Buckeye Donut), but in addition to pastries, they’ve also got a pretty robust food menu, including breakfast sandwiches, salads, gyros, french fries, and much more.
Hang Over Easy
This place opened up a few years after I graduated, but even I know how popular it has become. If you are looking for a cool sit-down spot in the morning, Hang Over Easy is at the top of the list. It’s a small diner located on the South side of campus which opened up in 2007.
The restaurant features creative dishes with comical names, like the Walk of Shame (a bacon, egg and cheese served on a glazed donut), the Silence of the Hams omelet, and other traditional breakfast favorites. They also offer Hair of the Dog options, including a variety of Bloody Mary concoctions.
Hot Chicken Takeover
This one might be the perfect spot for Tennessee fans, as it is campus’ entry into the world of Nashville fried chicken. Hot Chicken Takeover has a handful of locations both in and near Columbus, including spots in Grandview, Clintonville and North Market. HCT offers wings, tenders, a sandwich,h and more at four different levels of heat ranging from mild to “Holy.”
I have heard that the baked beans and Ma’s Mac are also killer side dishes. The house ranch is apparently legendary as well, and also comes in a spicy variation.
Mikey’s Late Night Slice
While Columbus has its own specific style of pizza (more on that in a minute), if you are looking for a traditional New York-style slice. Mikey’s Late Night Slice is it. The place sells pizza by the slice as well as full pies, and offers a variety of different toppings in addition to a special “Pizza of the Week” and alcoholic beverages options.
The Short North location is probably the most popular, but there are eight locations around Columbus in total, with most open well past midnight.
Donatos Pizza
Just a block away from Buckeye Donuts, Donatos is a Central Ohio institution. The company has changed hands a couple of times, but after previously being owned by McDonald’s, it is now firmly back in the ownership of the Grote family. While there are other options in town, Donato’s is the most popular and widely available Columbus style pizza.
Unlike a New York pie, Columbus Pizza is cut into rectangles. It still has a pretty thin crust, but it is a little cripser and solid. The pizza itself is stacked with edge-to-edge toppings, provolone cheese and a slightly sweet sauce. Not living in Ohio any more, every time I’m back home, I have to grab some Donato’s.
Out-R-Inn
There are so many bars to choose from around Ohio State, but far and away the longest-standing student favorite is Out-R-Inn. Opened in 1969, the campus staple has some of the best drink specials you’ll find, highlighted by Mug Night, which offers low-priced beer re-fills in a nice souvenir mug.
While certainly what you would expect from a campus hole-in-the-wall, the bar has a tremendous atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor spaces, pool tables, picnic benches, corn hole, and more. Out-R-Inn is a fan favorite for both current students and alumni alike. While it might be a bit cold to visit in December, if you are looking for an authentic Ohio State experience, check this one out.
Ethyl & Tank
Ethyl & Tank is a bit of a smaller joint, but it is still extremely well regarded and is known for itsy inviting and relaxed atmosphere. During the day it is more of a restaurant, offering affordable eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a brunch menu and a full coffee bar.
At night, it turns into a classic bar and hangout spot, with nightly specials and good music. Their 32-ounce beer “tanks” on Thursday nights are a big hit if you are in town a couple of days early. The bar has two levels and a good amount of tables and seating, so it’s a good spot to kick back and relax.
Land-Grant Brewing Company
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While this one is about four miles from campus, I couldn’t not include it on our list. While we are not officially associate with the Land-Grant Brewing Company, they do have really great taste in selecting a name.
However, they are an excellent brewery over by the Scioto River south of campus. Their tap room and beer gardens are epic, and they’ve expanded to a few other facilities s well, so there is plenty of room for everyone.
Buckeye Grove
Located just outside the south side of Ohio Stadium, the Buckeye Memorial Grove is a natural museum honoring Ohio State’s football greats. Established in 1929 as a dedication to the first OSU football team, Buckeye Grove now features over 200 buckeye trees that are planted to honor players that are named All-Americans. Each tree is designated with a plaque denoting the honored player.
Marvin Harrison Jr. earned a tree following last season.
The Woody Hayes Athletic Center
While you obviously can’t just walk right onto the practice field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the facility’s lobby is open to the public, and on display are a variety of accolades and accomplishments from throughout the history of Ohio State football.
Here you can find the 2014 National Championship trophy, multiple Heisman Trophies, and bowl game trophies in addition to Big Ten Championships and more. Outside the building stands a statue of Woody Hayes himself.
The Oval
If you’re just looking to take a leisurely stroll around campus, then the Oval is a great place to start. A lawn originally used for livestock to graze, the Oval became the heart of Ohio State’s campus as it connects a number of important academic buildings.
At the western end stands the Thompson Library, and in front you will find the state of William Oxley Thompson. The many crossing paths that make up the Oval are a result of the paths that students took over the years walking between the many buildings that surround the space. During the warmer months, you will find students here lounging around, studying, tanning or partaking in outdoor activities.
William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library
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Originally built in 1912, the university’s main library has been renovated multiple times over the years, most recently in 2009. The introduction of the windows both inside and outside of the building adds natural light and drama to the building. You can watch students perusing individual stacks from the main entrance and the grand reading room is a book-lover’s paradise.
Mirror Lake
Recently renovated and restored, Mirror Lake is one of the more picturesque parts of Ohio State’s campus. Beginning in the fall of 2016, Mirror Lake underwent a massive facelift, and now features abundant plant life, a stone grotto, fountains and benches.
It is a pretty and relaxing place to take a stroll, sit and read a book, or just get away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of a busy campus and city. If you’ve never been to Ohio State before, Mirror Lake is definitely a place worth checking out.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
From travel to restaurants, from bars to sights, we’ve got it all broken down for you.
I know what you’re thinking, Tennesseans, “Columbus, Ohio is just a cowtown! There won’t be anything to do there when we go for the College Football Playoff game on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET airing on ABC and ESPN.”
Well, my orange and white checkered friends, how very wrong you are. Columbus is the 14th-largest city in the country, and while CBus does have its fair share of cows, at 905,748 it is nearly five times larger than Knoxville. Did you know that Columbus — the largest city in the world named after Christopher Columbus — is the second largest city in the Midwest, behind only Chicago, and the third largest capital city in these 50 great United States (only Phoenix and Austin are larger)?
So, if you are planning to visit our fair city for the first-round matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and Ohio State Buckeyes on the Saturday before Christmas, then I’ve got some things that you will need to know.
Getting to Columbus
Driving:
It takes about 5 and a half hours to drive from Knoxville, Tennessee to Ohio Stadium, depending on where you are coming from in or around Knoxville. You will essentially take I-75 north until you hit I-70 which you will take east. When you get close to campus, you will want to get off at OH-315 North and follow signs for Lane Avenue.
There are some outer belts along the way that will help you avoid congested downtown traffic, but it is more or less a straight shot with one 90° turn to the right.
Ohio Stadium’s address is 411 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus, OH 43210. So, just drop that into your GPS and you will be in Columbus faster than it would take you to listen to Kenny Chesney’s entire discography.
Flying:
If you are going to take to the skies to get from Rocky Top to Columbus, according to Kayak.com, it looks like the cheapest available flights coming in on Friday, Dec. 20 and leaving on Sunday, Dec. 22 would be on United for $478. These round-trip flights will also give you plenty of time to explore our fair city before and after the game.
Campus Eats
I admit, it has been a few
Buckeye Donuts
An absolute staple of the Ohio State community since 1969, you cannot take a trip to Columbus without stopping at Buckeye Donuts. Open 24 hours, the establishment is right across High Street from the north side of campus and is practically a hallowed institution.
Obviously donuts are this joint’s specialty (of course you have to try the hometown favorite chocolate and peanut butter Buckeye Donut), but in addition to pastries, they’ve also got a pretty robust food menu, including breakfast sandwiches, salads, gyros, french fries, and much more.
Hang Over Easy
This place opened up a few years after I graduated, but even I know how popular it has become. If you are looking for a cool sit-down spot in the morning, Hang Over Easy is at the top of the list. It’s a small diner located on the South side of campus which opened up in 2007.
The restaurant features creative dishes with comical names, like the Walk of Shame (a bacon, egg and cheese served on a glazed donut), the Silence of the Hams omelet, and other traditional breakfast favorites. They also offer Hair of the Dog options, including a variety of Bloody Mary concoctions.
Hot Chicken Takeover
This one might be the perfect spot for Tennessee fans, as it is campus’ entry into the world of Nashville fried chicken. Hot Chicken Takeover has a handful of locations both in and near Columbus, including spots in Grandview, Clintonville and North Market. HCT offers wings, tenders, a sandwich,h and more at four different levels of heat ranging from mild to “Holy.”
I have heard that the baked beans and Ma’s Mac are also killer side dishes. The house ranch is apparently legendary as well, and also comes in a spicy variation.
Mikey’s Late Night Slice
While Columbus has its own specific style of pizza (more on that in a minute), if you are looking for a traditional New York-style slice. Mikey’s Late Night Slice is it. The place sells pizza by the slice as well as full pies, and offers a variety of different toppings in addition to a special “Pizza of the Week” and alcoholic beverages options.
The Short North location is probably the most popular, but there are eight locations around Columbus in total, with most open well past midnight.
Donatos Pizza
Just a block away from Buckeye Donuts, Donatos is a Central Ohio institution. The company has changed hands a couple of times, but after previously being owned by McDonald’s, it is now firmly back in the ownership of the Grote family. While there are other options in town, Donato’s is the most popular and widely available Columbus style pizza.
Unlike a New York pie, Columbus Pizza is cut into rectangles. It still has a pretty thin crust, but it is a little cripser and solid. The pizza itself is stacked with edge-to-edge toppings, provolone cheese and a slightly sweet sauce. Not living in Ohio any more, every time I’m back home, I have to grab some Donato’s.
Drinks
Out-R-Inn
There are so many bars to choose from around Ohio State, but far and away the longest-standing student favorite is Out-R-Inn. Opened in 1969, the campus staple has some of the best drink specials you’ll find, highlighted by Mug Night, which offers low-priced beer re-fills in a nice souvenir mug.
While certainly what you would expect from a campus hole-in-the-wall, the bar has a tremendous atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor spaces, pool tables, picnic benches, corn hole, and more. Out-R-Inn is a fan favorite for both current students and alumni alike. While it might be a bit cold to visit in December, if you are looking for an authentic Ohio State experience, check this one out.
Ethyl & Tank
Ethyl & Tank is a bit of a smaller joint, but it is still extremely well regarded and is known for itsy inviting and relaxed atmosphere. During the day it is more of a restaurant, offering affordable eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a brunch menu and a full coffee bar.
At night, it turns into a classic bar and hangout spot, with nightly specials and good music. Their 32-ounce beer “tanks” on Thursday nights are a big hit if you are in town a couple of days early. The bar has two levels and a good amount of tables and seating, so it’s a good spot to kick back and relax.
Land-Grant Brewing Company
While this one is about four miles from campus, I couldn’t not include it on our list. While we are not officially associate with the Land-Grant Brewing Company, they do have really great taste in selecting a name.
However, they are an excellent brewery over by the Scioto River south of campus. Their tap room and beer gardens are epic, and they’ve expanded to a few other facilities s well, so there is plenty of room for everyone.
Campus Sights
Buckeye Grove
Located just outside the south side of Ohio Stadium, the Buckeye Memorial Grove is a natural museum honoring Ohio State’s football greats. Established in 1929 as a dedication to the first OSU football team, Buckeye Grove now features over 200 buckeye trees that are planted to honor players that are named All-Americans. Each tree is designated with a plaque denoting the honored player.
Marvin Harrison Jr. earned a tree following last season.
The Woody Hayes Athletic Center
While you obviously can’t just walk right onto the practice field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the facility’s lobby is open to the public, and on display are a variety of accolades and accomplishments from throughout the history of Ohio State football.
Here you can find the 2014 National Championship trophy, multiple Heisman Trophies, and bowl game trophies in addition to Big Ten Championships and more. Outside the building stands a statue of Woody Hayes himself.
The Oval
If you’re just looking to take a leisurely stroll around campus, then the Oval is a great place to start. A lawn originally used for livestock to graze, the Oval became the heart of Ohio State’s campus as it connects a number of important academic buildings.
At the western end stands the Thompson Library, and in front you will find the state of William Oxley Thompson. The many crossing paths that make up the Oval are a result of the paths that students took over the years walking between the many buildings that surround the space. During the warmer months, you will find students here lounging around, studying, tanning or partaking in outdoor activities.
William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library
Originally built in 1912, the university’s main library has been renovated multiple times over the years, most recently in 2009. The introduction of the windows both inside and outside of the building adds natural light and drama to the building. You can watch students perusing individual stacks from the main entrance and the grand reading room is a book-lover’s paradise.
Mirror Lake
Recently renovated and restored, Mirror Lake is one of the more picturesque parts of Ohio State’s campus. Beginning in the fall of 2016, Mirror Lake underwent a massive facelift, and now features abundant plant life, a stone grotto, fountains and benches.
It is a pretty and relaxing place to take a stroll, sit and read a book, or just get away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of a busy campus and city. If you’ve never been to Ohio State before, Mirror Lake is definitely a place worth checking out.
Continue reading...