Columbus Survival Advice
Two years ago I made the trip to Columbus in the company of a friend who's entire extended family lives there, so the experience was silky smooth apart from the game result. This time around, I am completely on my own, and would like the advice of road trip veteran's on how to survive a gameday in the lake of fire.
In paticular, any advice on good, safe parking locations would be awesome. I can blend in very well with a crowd when I need to, but I want to do everything I can to make certain my way out of Columbus is safe and sound when the game is over so I can get out of dodge.
Any good Michigan locations for tailgating or general what-have-you would be awesome to know too. I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering all of these things. If you're reading this and also going to the game alone from Ann Arbor, I'd be totally open to picking up a co-pilot for Saturday to, as long as heading down Saturday morning and leaving right after the game suits your fancy. You can never be too careful down there.
Go Blue, Beat Ohio.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:24 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:46 PM ^
it's been nice knowing you.
November 22nd, 2012 at 10:20 PM ^
Long history...no problems.
Preed will be fine.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:42 PM ^
Park on West Campus--at corner of Woody Hayes--->Carmac and Kenny. Infinite parking, costs $10 or free if you have a WC or C permit vehicle available. There are buses to the stadium, or a ten-minute walk through ag campus, lots of trees and softball fields.
November 23rd, 2012 at 2:37 AM ^
I WON AN INTRAMURAL CHAMPIONSHIP ON THOSE FIELDS YOU TALK ABOUT DAMMIT. But the walk is pretty nice, it's easier and faster to cut through the big taligating lots by Coffey Road Park and cross the footbridge on the west than it is to go down Woody Hayes and enter from the North.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^
I'll be making the trip down as well. Does anybody have any parking advice?
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:45 PM ^
Wear Michigan gear at your own peril.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:27 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:46 PM ^
make sure your will is notorized.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:49 PM ^
Wear Bobcats gear and chant "Beat Ohio" a lot. It won't help you survive but the looks you'll get will be priceless.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:05 PM ^
Always handy anytime you visit Columbus, and never wear any Michigan stuff into a restaurant, you can rest assured those OSU graduates working there will food poison you out of jealousy!
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:06 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:07 PM ^
November 23rd, 2012 at 7:11 AM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:12 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:27 PM ^
My buddy had that happen to him too. Actually, it was somewhat lucky because the AAA guy checked out his car and found out that the gas cap area/gas tank had a bunch of stuff in it (paper, trash, etc). It could've been really dangerous for both his car and possibly himself.
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:29 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:42 PM ^
I was down there for 1 vs. 2 with a few Ohio buddies. Somebody threw a full beer at me walking down state street. Luckily it missed, and one of my Ohio friends (who was a middle linebacker in high school) knocked the shit out of the guy.
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:27 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 10:01 PM ^
It was probably a young Braxton Miller who threw the beer.
November 23rd, 2012 at 4:42 AM ^
Maybe he was just trying to be hospitable?
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:18 PM ^
Go in all Maize n Blue man. I know Columbus is insufferable but don't let the people here get too far under your skin. My best advice would be not to get emotionally unraveled over verbal assault. It's going to happen. The worst thing you could do is entertain the asshats whose life depends on disparaging "scUM" fans. Don't give them the impulsive reaction they're looking for.
There's surprisingly enough UM fans here to make me wonder if some might be able to collaborate and rendezvous at "X" bar to watch the game. Strength in numbers would certainly deflect some of the unwarranted encounters one would experience as a visiting fan. I am sure I need no corroboration when I say there are zero UM bars/establishments in Ohio; particularly Columbus.
So, let us make one.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:23 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:32 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:43 PM ^
can anybody make this look good/ make it a shirt
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:58 PM ^
Best I could do
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:47 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:52 PM ^
If you don't mind walking 45 minutes, try parking near Upper Arlington high school. It is a long walk, but it is a safe, nice neighborhood.
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:04 PM ^
To get there take 315 South to Lane Ave and then turn right (going west). Then turn left onto Northstar Road (there is a Speedway, Chase, and Puzza Hut in the corner). Once you're going south on Northstar, you can turn right into any of the next 6 or so streets and park for free. The best streets to park on are Berkshire, Cardiff, Doone, Essex, Guilford, Genoble, and Barrington. It's a relatively nice neighborhood, so there's not a high likelihood that your car will get messed with.
From there, you can walk up the path that starts at Guilford and Northstar.
I live on Berkshire and will be waiting outside my house, just west of the corner of Berkshire and Northstar to meet up with fellow Michigan fans. I'll be leaving at 11:00 am.
All are welcome to meet and walk together.
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:17 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:19 PM ^
in the Walking Dead. I think they carry a crossbow, axe and shotgun most of the time.
Hope you have a great time and be careful when M wins.
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:47 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:20 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:36 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:38 PM ^
Nobody fucks with you when you hang out with Amadou Ba.
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:15 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 10:24 PM ^
Much less abuse. But they are "paper tigers" those Ohio fans...
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:30 PM ^
If you get fast food, always order it to go. Ohio charges sales tax on eat-in food, but not on carry-out. Order your fast food to go, then sit down at a table and eat it if you like; otherwise, those hard-earned few extra cents will help fund the state university system . . .
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:53 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:59 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 11:07 PM ^
There are more taxes on dine in than carry out food at restaurants in Ohio.
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:50 PM ^
On the drive into town, pick up a cheap Ohio hat/paraphenalia. It will feel disgusting, but just stick in in your winshield. Don't risk someone seeing a Mich license plate and doing something stupid to your car
November 22nd, 2012 at 10:05 PM ^
During the game the girls seem to do a lot more talking than the guys. The best way to keep them quiet is to offer them some skoal.
November 22nd, 2012 at 10:05 PM ^
I've had some bad experiences down there, but last time we parked at the Columbus Crew stadium and took the shuttle for $5.50 and it was a really easy experience. Lot was easy to get to because it's far enough from the campus that the traffic is not too bad. Shuttle dropped us off right near the stadium and it was an easy ride back to the lot after the game.
http://www.cota.com/import/Football_Parking_Michigan_Pre_and_Post_Game.pdf
November 23rd, 2012 at 8:32 AM ^
What a bunch of assholes. Be safe, Wolverines. Glad I'll be watching from safety of home.