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 5:45 PM ^
The end
November 22nd, 2012 at 5:52 PM ^
I wish that was all that needed to be said. You sir obviously have never been to Columbus on the Michigan/OSU game day...
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:17 PM ^
But I've found that to be the best thing when I've went to MSU/PSU/WISCONSIN/northwestern
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:20 PM ^
Those viscious northwestern fans. Known to look at you like they make more money than you and stuff.
November 23rd, 2012 at 5:20 AM ^
They're slowly draining your retirement account in the guise of "increasing shareholder value". Horrifying.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:29 PM ^
You are full of crap...Northwestern fans are amazingly nice. Hell, their stadium is usually a quarter full of UM fans...
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:24 PM ^
The students are starting to get touchy there, calling us cheaters at the game last year. I know that's pretty harmless, but coming out of their mouths, it seemed like serious trash talk.
November 22nd, 2012 at 9:32 PM ^
has fans?
/s
November 22nd, 2012 at 5:55 PM ^
its really not that bad
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:02 PM ^
We haven't won there in 12 years. I can only image absolute mayhem and macabre that will ensue if we pull of the win. Prayers and thoughts to those of us caught in that madness.
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:23 PM ^
Technically it is 12 years, but since the location switches every year, it is more like 6 years.
November 23rd, 2012 at 2:42 AM ^
It really isn't. 10,000 Michigan fans come to Columbus for the game, and maybe one, through all hearsay, gets "assaulted." Not bad odds. People talk trash, your ears hear it, and you move on. Just like everywhere else.
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.
November 25th, 2012 at 12:47 AM ^
I've sat in your student section twice. It sucks. I've sat in PSU's student section. It was worse. Opposing fans get drunk and yell. That's just how it works.
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.
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.
November 25th, 2012 at 12:49 AM ^
There is a lot, repeat A LOT, of assholes that are OSU fans. I just think a blog post acting like every human in Columbus is awful and you definitely will get assaulted if you go there is a bit much. Like, it's not Juarez down here.
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.
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.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:19 PM ^
Come to Buffalo Wild Wings at Lane and High st before the game. Ill be the manager in a yellow shirt.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:45 PM ^
Patrick West? A MICHIGAN FAN?!
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:19 PM ^
MGoOuted!
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:22 PM ^
Go Blue, maybe I'll see you and Rick there.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:28 PM ^
haha, Go Blue, Ill be inside, Rick will be outside at the tailgate. Do I know you?
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:32 PM ^
Nope.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:34 PM ^
intresting
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:39 PM ^
Haha Patrick, I kid around. I used to work for BWW and helped out on Lane for a few different games a couple years back. I think you had just started when I was around.
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:51 PM ^
haha ok, I can never know enough Michigan fans living in cbus
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:59 PM ^
I'm bringing a few in. Doors open at 9?
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:37 PM ^
I'm loving this exchange
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^
Please then, oh studious one, spare one posbang so that I might one day be able to express my love for other MGoExchanges.
November 22nd, 2012 at 10:17 PM ^
409 more points and you get trusted
November 22nd, 2012 at 11:01 PM ^
Sometimes I like commenting on these really long reply threads just to make a really narrow post box.
November 22nd, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^
Until someone breaks the seamless chain, then it becomes infuriating at times trying to scroll & match.
November 23rd, 2012 at 2:27 PM ^
God, don't you just hate wearing pants?
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:20 PM ^
Don't make eye contact with them, they view it as a sign of aggression.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:20 PM ^
I would just wear neutral colors and not draw attention to myself.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:41 PM ^
Wear maize and man up. We aren't Sparty.
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.
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.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:34 PM ^
/s
But seriously, is this a trap? If not what time does it usually fill up?
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.
November 22nd, 2012 at 6:47 PM ^
Sounds great then, I'll definitely try to make it there.
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!
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:05 PM ^
If your coming from the north take 315-s and get off the the ackerman exit, turn left and its the first left after olentangy. Its a ARC center. Hope that helps, its very close of the exit
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:08 PM ^
Is it near Dodrige and Olentangy River Rd or Dodridge and Olentangy Trail? North, south, west, or east of the intersection? I do not know my way around at all, and I'd appreciate any help!
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:10 PM ^
Dodridge and olentandy river rd
November 22nd, 2012 at 7:12 PM ^
Thanks, I think I found it!