I will be taking my DS to visit OSU in a few weeks.
Does anyone have any recommendations to make the visit stand out? Food, locations to see, etc
Are you doing one of the Freshman Orientations?
When I took my older daughter on her college visit, we stayed at the Blackwell Inn. It is the hotel on campus. A bit pricey but it is right near the shoe and across from the ROTC. There is a store next to the Varsity Club on Lane Avenue by the Blackwell that has a ton of OSU merchandise.The Union is on south campus just on High Street. Sloopy’s is in there. Pretty good restaurant for hamburgers and things. Kind of like a diner but with scarlet and grey everywhere!
Easton shopping plaza is a 10 minute drive and they have every store you can think of. So big that it has 2 Starbucks! And The Cheesecake Factory is there. Yum! The COTA bus service takes the students there but you have to hop a bus or 2. You have a son though so not sure how much he is into shopping. lol!
If he is into weight training and working out, make sure he takes in all the RPAC has to offer while touring that building. The Olentangy Trail is nice for biking, walking or running.
My other daughter has her OSU college visit coming up soon so we will be exploring some more as well as hitting the old favorites. 
One last thing. While in the Thompson Library, be sure to rub the head of the Thompson statue as you enter. It is tradition and is meant to be good luck.
Not s freshmen orientation. Just a visit to see if applying next fall.
If you don’t have a pizza at Tommy’s Pizza on Lane Ave, you’ll regret it. If not today, then soon, and for the rest of your life.
Then I think you want to see some of the highlights on campus.
ON Campus:
-The Oval. Listen to the iconic OSU clock tower bells.
-Mirror Lake.
-Thompson Library, go to the 11th floor and see the fabulous views from the picture windows on that floor.
-The Rec Center, largest in the US.
-The Union, eat lunch in the food court. Go up to the second floor lounge with fireplace and lovely view of campus.
-Horseshoe of course (football stadium).
-Wexner Center for Arts, see the exhibits.
-OSU symphony is superb, see if you can catch a free performance, well worth your time.
-Since it is winter you won’t want to see the Wetland Research Center or Dairy Farm, but they make for nice summer activities.
-Get a selfie with Urban Meyer and Cardale Jones ( just joking here)
OFF Campus:
-High street, iconic location. Browse book stores, restaurants
-Short north, art district.
-COSI, science museum in downtown Columbus.
Definitely stay at the Blackwell, it is the only on campus hotel, it is very nice.
Great location next to the Horseshoe, valet parking so you can park the car and walk around campus.
@OSUmom2018 thank you very much
Will def try Tommy Pizza
Blackwell is booked for our nights do staying at Springhill Suites.
YW fflmaster
Any near by lodging will work, you can drive into OSU and use one of the parking garages on Campus. I usually park at the one near the Blackwell or next to the Union. I don’t know if you are from the midwest or a warmer weather state, but you will need to wear comfortable shoes or boots, warm coat, gloves, hat, etc., if you are going to be walking on campus. Get a map of the campus and you will be all set!
Have a great trip! Go Bucks!
We always stay at the Springhill Suites. Love Martini Modern for an upscale dinner. Definitely 11th floor of Thompson Library. We always park at the Union. Have fun!
Springhill Suites on Olentangy River Rd. is a nice hotel also. You won’t go wrong there. I have stayed there before and will be staying there again for my D’s college tour since I waited too long to book the Blackwell and it is full now. 
Yes, the parking garage next to the Union is more conveniently located to everything you probably want to see, including High Street. I only go to the Lane Street Garage sometimes since my DD’s dorm is on North Campus.
Yes the Blackwell is very nice, convenient, but is pricey and books quickly.
Tip: if you are attending an OSU Freshman Orientation the off campus hotels near by may give you a discount if you
tell them this.
Another thing: Go to Tommy’s Donuts. It’s on High Street near North Campus and has the best donuts. Plus their gyros and other food is really good too.
(The aptly named Buckeye donut and the bacon-maple-cream filled are my favorites but they’re all good.)
I believe the place is called Buckeye Donuts! ^
Haha you’re right, it’s called Buckeye Donuts. I was thinking about Tommy’s Pizza when I was typing that.
That is a very difficult question to answer not knowing your likes and dislikes. I suggest that you get the Yelp App then. you can filter it by your likes. Then you look at the narrowed results and find those places that have many many reviews and which were written by many different reviewers (you have to question places with high ratings that only have a few reviewers). I have never has a bad meal after doing a little Yelp homework. Wish I had such an app in the 80s and 90s. As to finding a place to stay same thing. I am a Hotwire/Priceline active user. Choose the star category and location that you want. The key is to pay the least amount possible for the star rating that you want in the location that you need. Who cares if it is a Hyatt Regency or a Westin? Key is to pay the least amount for the room, amenities and location.
Thanks PadreDe3
I am looking more in general where others would recommend doing in general.
So what and where they would take a friend or relative.
I always like others recommendations over yelp, but I understand that app can be similarly used.