Overview
University Area also known as the University District is the area around the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It also includes the OSU Hospital and The James Cancer Research Hospital.
8 sights · 13 things to do · 10 places to eat · 9 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about University Area
The Ohio State University
OSU is the largest university in Ohio, and one of the largest universities in the USA.
Mirror Lake
A small and pleasant lake on the OSU campus.
Ohio Union
The student union at OSU. A large building with visitor information and dining. The Ohio Union often hosts events.
William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library
The central library of OSU. Students and visitors often rub the bust in the library entrance for luck.
Ohio Supercomputer Center
Offers 1- to 2-hour-long tours including a decommissioned supercomputer. It is possible to ask for an extended tour to see operating supercomputers, but this requires a security screening procedure..
The Jack Nicklaus Museum
A 24,000-square-foot educational and historical facility, on the history of golf, focusing on Columbus native and Ohio State alum Jack Nicklaus.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Columbus)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus — 6 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LCK Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus — 14 mi away. Directions
Columbus downtown is a relaxed one-hour walk away.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $9 per person at listed restaurants.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ohio Supercomputer Center, Bill Davis Stadium, Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center
- Lunch Bistro 2110 at the Blackwell Hotel
- Afternoon The Jack Nicklaus Museum, Jogging Olentangy trail
- Dinner New Taj Mahal
- Evening Midway
Day 2
- Morning The Ohio State University, William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library, Mirror Lake
- Lunch Buckeye Donuts
- Afternoon The Oval, Ohio Stadium
- Dinner Ethyl & Tank
- Evening Newport Music Hall
Day 3
- Morning Ohio Union, Hack OHI/O, Wexner Center for The Arts
- Lunch Hound Dog's
- Afternoon Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Gateway Film Center
- Dinner The Columbus Fish Market
- Evening Big Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- SR 23 (High St) runs N/S directly in front of campus, beginning at Lane Ave going S. and King Ave going N. on High.
- SR 315 is west of the campus. Exit at W 12 St. takes you to the east side of campus and University Hospital.
- I-71 Exit on 5th Ave. Go west, takes you directly to High and campus.
By foot
Columbus downtown is a relaxed one-hour walk away.
Get around
By car
Driving in and around the University area, is not difficult, but you should use caution because of the number of students sometimes rushing to class or distracted by student responsibilities.
Parking
Once on the University grounds, parking is severely limited and being towed for improper parking, even for short periods is very common. Some areas require parking stickers and tow trucks cruise the area looking for offenders. Many spots just off the campus (High St.) are metered spots with a 1-hour limit. Perhaps the best deal for parking near campus is the South Campus Gateway Garage (corner of N. High Street & E. 11th Avenue) which charges $1 for the first 3 hours, and $1 per hour after that. There are also some spots in the area east of campus which don't require a residential permit nor are metered, however these spots are limited and they are also subject to seasonal street-sweeping restrictions.
Parking during Ohio State football games is a completely separate situation and you can except to pay a flat rate for parking in a garage or lot.
By bus
The COTA bus service, while not by any standard one of the greatest in the nation, can take you to most important places in the city, which should be about 5 blocks away from any conceivable location you need to go to. This service costs $2.00 for an express bus and $1.50 for a normal bus. Transfers are free; ask for one from the bus driver when you pay your fare.
By foot
Walking around the OSU area is more than common, many walkways exist (try to avoid alleys after dark), and the locals are very patient with those crossing streets. All in all, walking in the OSU area should be considered safe.
See
Museums
Do
Sports
Do Ohio State Buckeyes
The athletic teams representing Ohio State University are one of the city's (and state's) greatest sporting institutions. Members of the Big Ten Conference along with 10 other schools in the greater Midwest region, Penn State in central Pennsylvania, and Maryland and Rutgers on the east coast, the Buckeyes frequently contend for national honors in a wide variety of sports. The most famous Buckeye team is the American football team, playing before regular sellout crowds of over 100,000 at Ohio Stadium. Some of the many legendary figures to wear the scarlet and gray of Ohio State include Jesse Owens (track), Jack Nicklaus (golf), and Bob Knight (who played basketball at OSU and became far more famous as a coach in that sport).
Arts
Recreation
Buy
Shop Lane Avenue Shopping Center
Shop Lennox Town Center
Theaters, Target, Bath and Body Works, Barnes & Noble, restaurants, student-oriented shopping center for the needs of OSU students.
Eat
Budget
Eat Buckeye Donuts
This is another Ohio State University institution. As their name suggests, they have a wide selection of donuts and crullers, as well as inexpensive gyros and falafel. This cafe is very popular among university students due to its "Open Always Closed Never" policy; it's even open on Christmas!
Eat Lavash Cafe
Mediterranean restaurant with classic dishes like shawarma, humus, kabobs, and baklava as well as daily vegetarian specials.
Eat Ethyl & Tank
A campus restaurant with cheap eats and cheap alcohol. Well known for hosting tank nights, where 34-fl-oz well drinks ("Tanks") go for $5.
Mid-range
Eat Aladdin's Eatery
Clintonville. Mediterranean cuisine, shawarma, hummus, mujadara. Children's menu; beer and wine.
Eat Cap City Fine Diner
University area. Diner favorites with an upscale twist, meatloaf, Romano-encrusted chicken, chocolate cake. Lunch and dinner: daily; Sunday brunch. Children's menu; patio smoking; cocktails. Entrees: $7.95-$24.95. Several Columbus locations.
Eat Bistro 2110 at the Blackwell Hotel
On the ground floor of the Blackwell hotel. The restaurant has a view on the historic Ohio Stadium and offers fusion cuisine with several vegetarian options.
Eat New Taj Mahal
Indian and Pakistani cuisines. Children portions available; patio smoking; cocktails. No wheelchair access.
Splurge
Eat The Columbus Fish Market
University area. Seafood, cedar-roasted salmon, hoisin-glazed yellowfin tuna, Maryland jumbo lump crab cakes. Lunch: Monday-Friday; dinner: daily. Children's menu; cocktails. Entrees: $15.95-28.95.
Drink
Concert halls
Drink Newport Music Hall
Popular music concert hall amongst college students. Newport Music Hall draws a fair number of national acts.
Drink Skully's Music Diner
A trendy, but unassuming bar in the Short North.
Nightclubs
Drink Midway (Midway on High)
A multi-floored bar across the street from the Ohio Union. Generally popular with Ohio State students. Adjacent to an empty lot which frequently hosts block parties, nicknamed "Block" by the bar and the community. On nights where Midway, Block, and Ethyl & Tank are all open, because all three establishments are owned and managed by A&R Creative, entering only one will get you unrestricted access between all three properties without another ID check.
Drink Ethyl & Tank (Ethyl)
A two story restaurant-bar hybrid popular with OSU students. The place serves both food as well as drink, and often hosts DJs after football games. Owned by A&R Creative, which also owns Block and Midway among other properties. When all three properties are open, Ethyl patrons can transfer between Block and Midway without another ID check.
Drink Big Bar (Ethyl)
A bar with an indoor portion as well as an upstairs rooftop. The bar is above the Newport Theater and usually serves cheaper drinks.
Dive bars
Drink Ruby Tuesday Live
(Unrelated to the chain restaurant.) A dive bar in the north campus area. Often hosts small- to medium-popularity bands and has special theme nights, including a themed weekly Nerd Night, and frequent sports-watching gatherings, especially for soccer and Columbus Crew games. Cheap drinks (many domestics under $2, most imports under $4) and a relaxed atmosphere.
Drink Out-R-Inn
The oldest nightlife establishment at Ohio State University, Out-R-Inn is a sports bar and dive bar. The establishment remains mostly unchanged compared to its original opening in 1969, though it is notoriously strict for its enforcement of fake IDs among Ohio State students compared to other institutions, which often turn a blind eye towards them.
Drink Threes (Thr3es Above High, 3's)
A dive bar and "older" sister bar of Fives, located near the northern boundary of Ohio State's campus. Almost always live music and advertises itself as having "cheap beer" and "cheaper booze".
Drink Fives (Fives Up High)
A dive bar and "baby sister" of Threes located a few blocks north of Threes. Hosts cheaper drinks but also has a much calmer and slower culture.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay safe
Hospitals
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