It’s a crisp autumn day in October — the kind where the sky is crystalline — a breeze rustling the leaves. I’m riding my bike from my tiny college apartment in Clintonville, my guitar slung around my shoulders, and I’m squinting into the sun. I’m meeting my friends at Ohio Stadium for an afternoon of tailgating, where we walk around with our musical instruments and sing songs like “Beautiful Ohio” and “Hang on Sloopy”, spreading the spirit of the game with fellow Buckeye fans.
As we walk through the sea of scarlet and gray, the smell of grilled meats, slow-cooked chili, and beer make my stomach growl as we strum and hum our Ohio game-day anthems. It’s days like this we will always remember: shaking hands with people from all over Ohio and the Midwest, telling stories of seasons past, and unified in our high hopes for whatever comes after kickoff.
Whether you’re travelling from across state lines or from down High Street, one thing’s for sure: there is no better way to spend an autumn weekend than cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Here are some of the best places to stay once you get here: whether you’re looking for a swanky downtown experience or a leafy getaway off the beaten path, Columbus has an array of hotels for every taste and every type of Buckeye fan under the sun.