Columbus Survival Advice

Submitted by Mr. Robot on

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.

bringthewood

November 23rd, 2012 at 9:36 AM ^

"Just like everywhere else."  No, not really.  There is a reason every visting team thinks a visit to Columbus is the worst.  How do you like being the most hated location by every other Big Ten team's visiting fans due to your unruly behavior?  That the vote would ber unanimous?  You problably like the expansion so that to can create a wider swath of people in the US that hate visting your stadium for a game.

Obviously not every OSU fan is an asshole, but the propensity for them is miuch higher than anywhere else in the Big Ten.

 

chewieblue

November 23rd, 2012 at 9:44 AM ^

I live in Ohio and my best friend is a Buckeye fan. We went to the game last year to see team 132 break the streak. He wore his red tOSU pullover and literally he had about three people make a comment to him all day. Three. None were even remotely threatening. My buddy (first time at the big house) remarked how classy the fans were.
It's not like that in Columbus. Not even close.

Seth

November 23rd, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^

Yeah it's not like anywhere else. I've been a lot of everywhere else, often as the away fan. Michigan State's student section is the next rudest place I've been and it still doesn't compare to the average tailgate you walk by in Columbus. It's certainly not everyone who gets assaulted or has their car damaged for having the wrong license plate or has beer thrown at them, but I've seen it personally and had it confirmed by too many others.

There are a lot of teams out there whose rivals say they're awful fans or they're the bad guys, and I'm sure we overplay how much those things apply to Ohio State on here because we're pretty biased and also the targets of a lot of that behavior. Maybe honestly it's a third of your fanbase that thinks this sort of thing is appropriate and a tenth that participates--those are still way larger numbers than among other fanbases. To as much of a degree as it can be said about a fanbase composed of millions and a college football program associated with one of the nation's best research institutions (that degree is not very large), Ohio State=the bad guys. Relativity is on your side, but somebody's gotta be the worst fanbase in the country and while I have a lot of respect for you personally, your fanbase has made a very strong case for itself to be that.

michfan6060

November 22nd, 2012 at 5:58 PM ^

Try to use small words that they will be more likely to understand....actually don't even try talking to them.

Mgodiscgolfer

November 22nd, 2012 at 6:19 PM ^

it is much safer in Columbus  IF the Butteyes win. But Istill  would rather be there after a Michigan win.  To welcome Urban to the rivalry with a home loss  would just give THE GAME the hype it deserves. 

Darth Wolverine

November 22nd, 2012 at 9:26 PM ^

But they are Ohio fans and really get vicious. I am not even trying to joke. Their fans have serious issues, especially when Michigan is the topic of discussion. They seem to get fits of rage when Michigan is being talked about.

pwestrr

November 22nd, 2012 at 6:22 PM ^

Also Special Olympics of Columbus has a lot that only charges $10 that goes all to charity. Its near the corner of Dodridge and Olentangy. Its a secure lot and my friends and family run it.

pwestrr

November 22nd, 2012 at 6:41 PM ^

haha, no its not a trap, they havent sold out parking since USC home game. My wife and brother in law park cars, even though they are buckeye fans, they could care less who parks there because it all goes to the organization.

Mr. Robot

November 22nd, 2012 at 6:59 PM ^

That would be excellent. Do you have any more specific instruction to that site though? I'm looking at a map right now and I'm not seeing anything on sattelite that looks like what you're talking about near there. Searching for the location only yields two results that are on the other side of town.

EDIT: Think I found it.

http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/specialolympics/

Google Maps search gave me the state-wide HQ which is across town. A general search turned up that, which is right where you mentioned and a VERY good parking location for $10.

Very much appreciate the advice. Given your word on the people running it and the fact it is off to the side enough to be out of the way of passer-bys on the way to the stadium, that looks to be perfect and I will definitely go there. Thanks!