Start early from Woodbine with a scenic 5-6 hour drive along I-70 W and I-270 toward Columbus; plan a coffee and stretch stop in Hagerstown or Breezewood to stay refreshed. Arrive near campus before lunch and park near Lane Avenue Garage or a visitor lot, then take a walk through the Olentangy River Trail to get your first views of The Ohio State University’s tree-lined campus and the Oval.
After checking into your hotel (consider the Graduate Columbus or Drury Inn & Suites near campus), join a campus orientation by visiting the Bookstore and Thompson Library to get a feel for student life and resources. Head to the Wexner Center for the Arts and the Ohio Union to see current exhibits and grab a late lunch at Hot Chicken Takeover or Northstar Café, soaking in the campus atmosphere and spotting iconic landmarks like the mirror lake and the Shoes statue.
As dusk falls, take a guided or self-guided stroll past the Oval toward the Horseshoe and the Thompson Bowl to see the campus lit up, then enjoy dinner in the Short North Arts District—try Hudson 29 or The Refectory for refined options. Finish the night with a relaxed drink at Due Amici or a walk through the illuminated streets of downtown Columbus, setting yourself up for a full day of campus exploration tomorrow.
Start your day with a campus visit at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions—schedule a tour or information session and pick up maps and program brochures to orient yourself. After the admissions session, take a self-guided walk through the Oval to Mirror Lake and past the Shoe, stopping at Thompson Library to peek into the reading rooms and the Wertheim Study to get a sense of academic life.
Lunch in the student heart of campus at Northstar Café or Katalina’s will keep you fueled before exploring academic landmarks like the Wexner Center for the Arts and the Ohio Stadium (take a stadium tour if available) to experience school traditions firsthand. Pop into the Ohio Union and the RPAC to see student facilities, then stroll the Olentangy River Trail toward the Arts District and Short North to browse galleries and student hangouts.
As the day winds down, enjoy dinner at a Short North restaurant such as Marcella’s or Hudson 29 and soak up the lively neighborhood vibe while reflecting on the campus tour. If schedules allow, catch an evening event—a student performance at the Wexner Center or a lecture at the Drake Performance and Event Center—or take a relaxed night walk back through the illuminated Oval to the hotel, noting favorite spots you might return to tomorrow.
Pack up after breakfast and take a short drive to the nearby German Village for a leisurely stroll along brick streets; visit the Book Loft (16-room independent bookstore) and enjoy coffee and a pastry at Stauf’s before exploring quaint shops and historic homes. The cozy, walkable neighborhood is a great spot to collect last memories of Columbus and pick up unique gifts.
Head north to the Short North Arts District for a late lunch—try a sandwich at Northstar Café or wood-fired pizza at Mikey’s Late Night Slice—followed by gallery browsing along High Street and a stop at the local murals and boutiques. If time allows, drive out to the Scioto Mile for a riverside walk and a photo op at the newly landscaped riverfront park before starting the return trip toward Maryland.
Begin the drive back in the late afternoon to avoid late-night fatigue, with a planned dinner stop in Wheeling or Morgantown to stretch and refuel—consider a casual meal at a local brewpub—then continue eastward along I-70/I-68. Arrive back in Woodbine in the evening with time to unpack and relax, reflecting on campus highlights and neighborhoods you explored, and making notes for any future visits to Ohio State.