Visiting OSU

[eat.climb.love]

I have one school visit left and finally booked tickets, got everything set and realized that I know NOTHING about how to get around Columbus. I am flying in for the day into CMH and then taking a Greyhound bus out at midnight.

I know there are some Ohio State students on this forum, so I figured you may be able to help. First, do you happen to know a convenient way from the airport to the school? I am not staying in a hotel, so I cannot utilize their shuttles (although if I could sneak on, I'd be ok with that =P). I tried using the COTA trip planner but it has be going a weird route that takes 1.5 hours! And then there are cabs which I want to stay away from because this school is only partially subsidizing the trip (and I know they can get pricey).

I assume that I will be wandering around campus until 5ish. Then I suppose things will start to close and I have nothing to do until I catch a Greyhound out at midnight. Any suggestions as to places I could hang out (coffee-shops that stay open late, bookstores, dive bars) would be great.

And finally, as I mentioned before, I will be taking a Greyhound bus out to visit a friend. Here's the deal: it leaves at midnight. I am not aware of how "good the neighborhood is" or anything like that. I am leaving from the Greyhound station that is not at the airport, btw. (I work in a very sketchy neighborhood but I am familiar with it. I am not opposed to wandering sketchy 'hoods as long as I or someone that I am with is familiar with the area! But since I am alone, that might not be the best idea.) I would maybe cave in and take a cab here since it is late, but if COTA runs near here, then I am down to walk a block. Is there anything around here that could possibly amuse me for a few hours?

So as you can see, I am totally in the dark. I am talking to the grad administrator of my program but it also is nice to hear opinions from people actually going to school there.

[oldfogey]

I assume that I will be wandering around campus until 5ish. Then I suppose things will start to close and I have nothing to do until I catch a Greyhound out at midnight. Any suggestions as to places I could hang out (coffee-shops that stay open late, bookstores, dive bars) would be great.

Nothing closes in and around OSU - it is a HUGE campus and there are hordes of peeps around all the time. The main drag is a happen'n place and most all coffee shops/bars/stores stay open real late, so you will be fine. Midnight! night is still young

Enjoy your trip! Hope the weather stays good.

[eat.climb.love]

Nothing closes in and around OSU - it is a HUGE campus and there are hordes of peeps around all the time. The main drag is a happen'n place and most all coffee shops/bars/stores stay open real late, so you will be fine. Midnight! night is still young

Enjoy your trip! Hope the weather stays good.

I actually made some changes in plans so that I am not at the Greyhound station at midnight. (Phew!) But that is great to know! I am really excited about visiting OSU. I went to a city school with relatively NO campus so I am excited to visit a school WITH a campus and with COLLEGE SPORTS!

[latte thunder]

I actually made some changes in plans so that I am not at the Greyhound station at midnight. (Phew!) But that is great to know! I am really excited about visiting OSU. I went to a city school with relatively NO campus so I am excited to visit a school WITH a campus and with COLLEGE SPORTS!

I second Oldfogey. Anyone who gets bored in Columbus is boring! Something is almost always open, especially on campus. Actually, you could just walk up and down high street for a few hours and be pretty well entertained.

As for your other questions, you'll probably have to take a cab to campus. There isn't a very good public transportation option in the city (actually, its comepletely abysmal for a city its size) and I'm not aware of any shuttle from the airport to OSU. I also would not recommend renting a car, there's no where to park anywhere near campus! OSU and the airport aren't particularly close to each other, but I can't imagine cab fare being too ridiculous.

You should definately be able to take the bus to the greyhound station however and the station is NOT in a bad part of town. It's in the heart of downtown but Columbus is a weird city...the downtown area shuts down almost completely around 6. I live downtown and I routinely walk around after dark and don't see a soul. I have never had a problem (and I'm female). I believe the downtown area has one of the lowest rates of crime too, you'll be safer there than on campus! Somes times greyhound passengers themselves can be iffy, but you'll be safe atleast until you get there =)

[woolfie]

Campus is alright, but it's very undergraduate-y and kind of slummy. My advice, if you are wanting to see Columbus in general, is to take a short bus ride, or a long walk down high and go to the Short North and Victorian Village. Near there is the arena district, too. This area has the best food and night life if you ask me. It's more young professional/graduate student then the campus area, which is very fratty and someone is bound to barf on your shoes or date rape you.

And sorry to say but Columbus is not easy without a car. The cab and the COTA are the only ways I know to get from the airport. I'd say contact your dept at OSU and try to get in contact with a fellow student to give you a ride. I don't know about your department, but the English dept is always doing that for people.

[woolfie]

I actually made some changes in plans so that I am not at the Greyhound station at midnight. (Phew!) But that is great to know! I am really excited about visiting OSU. I went to a city school with relatively NO campus so I am excited to visit a school WITH a campus and with COLLEGE SPORTS!

If you are excited about college sports than Columbus is the place for you. It's psycho here IMO- I came from IU where college basketball is crazy and I can't believe there is a school more insane than IU. Football weekends are a HUGE event here, places shut down, cars get towed. It's absolutely crazy. Honestly I'm glad to be getting away from it