—By Shannon Rose-Peterson, UO Alumni Association director of alumni initiatives
This fall, the Oregon Ducks will travel back to Columbus, Ohio for a rematch against the Ohio State Buckeyes. How many of you were at the 2021 game? That was an exciting match-up, and I can’t wait to see what memories this next game creates at Ohio Stadium.
Over the years, I’ve developed a favorite way to experience away-game travel. I try to channel my inner anthropologist, looking at each city as a chance to immerse myself in a culture that’s very different than our Pacific Northwest home. So with that, I give you my itinerary for Three Days in the Big Ten—Ohio State Edition.
Getting around
First, it’s pretty easy to travel around Columbus, Ohio. There’s at least one major airline that’s offering a reasonably priced nonstop roundtrip flight from Eugene to John Glenn International Airport (CMH.) As of publication, there are still seats available.
Once you arrive in Columbus, you’ll have plenty of options to get around— public transportation, rideshare, or rental car. There’s also a lovely, walkable downtown area. We’ll be visiting in early November, so dress in layers. In Ohio, it’s entirely possibly to experience all four seasons in a weekend.
Key stops
- Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: The fall and winter months are notoriously beige in the Midwest. If you need a dose of Oregon greenery, I suggest heading over to the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens to soak in some warmth and color.
- German Village: If charming, historic neighborhoods are your vibe, then you need to make a trip over to German Village. Your two must-see stops are The Book Loft and Schmidt’s Sausage Haus und Restaurant. Fair warning: The Book Loft is huge. Your trip might start as a quick stop but can easily turn into a multi-hour escape.
- Skyline Chili: Among the many ongoing debates—or feuds—between Michigan and Ohio is the one around chili. If you tried a Coney on our last trip to Michigan in 2024, then I would encourage you to stop by Skyline for some Cincinnati-style chili. If you love shredded cheese like I do, then I highly recommend the 5-way . . . and maybe an antacid for the journey home.
- Speck Italian Eatery and Jeni’s Ice Creams: Maybe I shouldn’t write these posts right around lunch time, but Speck Italian Eatery’s menu looks wonderful. I will be eating here at least once on our trip. The desserts look great, but if you’re in the mood for ice cream, Jeni’s Ice Creams on High Street is a short 10-minute walk just past the Ohio Statehouse.
- Jazz venues: For some live jazz music along with your dinner, I suggest heading over to Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge or Natalie’s Grandview. Make sure to book your reservation ahead of time for smooth travel and tunes.
Midwest speak
We’re back in the Midwest, Ducks fans. Be prepared for friendly people who are masters of small talk. These Ohioans exude a charming blend of Midwestern friendliness and politeness that has been ingrained in them since childhood. Here are some terms to help carry the conversation:
- CBUS: The people of Columbus have embraced “CBUS” as a nickname for their fine city. This is more of a written term, rather than something people say out loud. Think of it as the Columbus version of PDX. You’ll see it on hats, stickers, dog sweaters, mugs, and likely at least one tattoo.
- Wind Chill: We talked a little about wind chill back in 2024 when we visited Wisconsin together, but now you’ll have another chance to deepen your weather-based small talk with this fun phrase. The wind chill is a reference to the actual temperature outside. For example, the thermometer may read 45 degrees, but with the wind chill it actually feels like 25 degrees. With the Midwest accent, “wind chill” often sounds like “windshield,” so pay attention for context.
- Lake Effect: This one is my favorite because every Midwest native has survived a lake Effect snowstorm and is more than happy to tell you the story. “Lake effect” refers to the weather front created over the Great Lakes that results in numerous feet of snow dumping on nearby cities. Columbus is far enough south of Lake Erie that it generally does not experience true lake effect snow, but anyone who has driven across I-90 through Ohio will be happy to share their lake effect experience with you.
- Buckeye: This one might seem a bit obvious, but it’s more in-depth than you may realize. “Buckeye” could refer to the state tree, a resident of Ohio, a delicious chocolate & peanut butter dessert, and of course, the sports team at Ohio State—affectionately shortened to “Bucks.” Also, prepare yourselves for the traditional Ohio State chant of "O-H!" followed by the response "I-O!" Yes, they spell out their state name. I present this fact without further comment.
Fan travel with the UOAA
I’m sure you’re thinking, “This all sounds great, Shannon, but can you please just take us around and be our tour guide?” Absolutely! I am once again hosting Ducks fans through the UOAA’s Fan Travel Experience. You can expect the usual high-touch customer service and events such as a Friday morning welcome brunch, tour of the Ohio State University campus, Saturday pre-game event (the only official alumni pre-game event in town), and roundtrip game day transportation. Come join the fun, experience some Midwest small talk, consume a questionable amount of Cincinnati chili, and help bring home a win for the Ducks!
See you in November, Ducks fans!