Ohio State's football stadium holds 105,000 people, but tons more will invade the campus and surrounding area this weekend. Here's a guide to surviving Buckeye nation:
This weekend's forecast: Fun but no sun
Many Penn Staters saw the rain during a match-up against Illinois earlier this year.
The rain will probably come down again with a high of 59 degrees on Saturday, according to The Weather Channel.
Umbrellas are allowed in Ohio Stadium for use before and after the game, but are not allowed to be opened in stadium seating areas. Bring a poncho.
Where to park and getting to the game
Beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for $10 per vehicle.
Arrive at least one to two hours before kickoff.
People parking on West Campus can take a free shuttle beginning six hours before kickoff and continuing through one hour after the game.
Shuttles pick up and drop off fans at Mount Hall on West Campus and the Sisson Hall footbridge located just west of Drake Union and Ohio Stadium.
The Ohio State Sportsmanship Council encourages fans to park on West Campus, where Carmack #3 parking lot is designated for visitors' tailgates.
Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff.
Where to eat
Fans without game tickets can get their food fill while watching the big showdown at one of many downtown venues.
High Street is the main source of local eateries, bars and entertainment.
Close to the stadium, this street will become one big tailgate on game day.
"It's gonna be crazy; I don't even know what to expect," Emily Stang, an Ohio State sophomore majoring in communications, said.
Eddie George's Grille 27, 1636 N. High St. (South Campus Gateway)
Angled 27 degrees from High Street, this "upscale, sports-themed" restaurant and bar offers 27 beers on tap, 27 specialty drinks and 27 types of wine, said Chris Brown, a manager for Eddie George's Grille 27.
Former Ohio State and NFL running back Eddie George is founder and part owner of the restaurant, which has 48 flat screen TVs and entrees ranging from $5.99 to $44.95, Brown said.
The restaurant opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and will feature $15 domestic buckets and $2.25 Bud Light drafts.
Buffalo Wild Wings, 2151 N. High St.
The company's largest restaurant opened in June 2007 and has more than 75 TVs and a full-service bar.
People will probably arrive at about 4 or 5 p.m. to secure tables for the game, said Dee Rutledge, a manager.
Varsity Club, 278 W. Lane Ave.
Less than 500 yards from the football stadium, the club offers food, drink and live entertainment, including a live band in the parking lot before Saturday's game.
"If the weather stays nice it'll be the biggest game we've had this year. You just never know; it just seems like every time we play [Penn State] it's bad. It's like some curse," said Laurie Watkins, a manager.
Thirsty "I," 300 W. Lane Ave.
"On game days we don't really do specials; it's hard to find any place that really does. Everybody's more than willing to pay the price," bartender Tiffany Laxton said.
Prices include $5 for beers, $6 for imports, $5 for well drinks, $6 call drinks and $7 premium. The bar is open at 10 a.m. and has "no specific closing time," Laxton said.
"It'll probably be fairly late because it's a late game," Laxton said.
In the parking lot of The Thirsty "I," Chris Logsdon will perform live at 5:30 p.m.
A big projector screen for the game will also be featured, she added.
Holiday Inn on the Lane, 328 W. Lane Ave.
Hineygate is a big football party held every home game in the Inn's front parking lot.
From 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. an expected crowd of 15,000 will enjoy a live band, food, beer and other alcohol.
Sports Illustrated named the event the fourth-biggest party in the country last year.
"We try to make sure every home game we live up to our reputation, but you gotta have a good opponent to do that, and Penn State will definitely be a great opponent," food and beverage manager Marty Sims said. "Beer is king and then we go through a ton of Captain Morgan and a lot of margaritas."
Tommy's Pizza, 174 W. Lane Ave.
Named "Best Pizza" (of Columbus) in 2005 and 2006 by AOL CityGuide, Tommy's also has subs, sandwiches, salads, appetizers and Italian dinners and will have a sub stand set up outside the restaurant Saturday. Only whole pies are available for purchase. Tommy's will be open from 10 a.m. until about 1:30 a.m.
Flying Pizza, 1812 N. High St.
Late-night pizza cravings can be satisfied here.
"All the college kids come down after the bars close. We're in the center of campus, right across from the library," manager Casey Cole said. "Sometimes [there is] a line of like 100 people."
Hang Over Easy, 1646 Neil Ave.
Breakfast cures all. Right next to the Medical Center, this diner serves breakfast all day and also has a bar. The 'Ultimate Hangover Cure' consists of three eggs, four pancakes or three slices of French toast, two 2 meats, potatoes and toast.
Where to drink
The O Patio and Pub, 12 E. 15th Ave.
"A bar that people go to, like, every night," Stang said. It's $4 for a 16 oz. souvenir glass domestic drafts, $3 to refill. Also available are $4 20 oz. domestic drafts, $3 lemon drop shots and wings. Heated tent covering patio.
McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon, 1576 N. High St.
$5 mugs of imported beer and $3 refills all day, 18 HD TVs
Ugly Tuna Saloona, 1546 N. High St.
Friday 8 to 9 p.m. features $1 drafts and well drinks; 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. features $2.50 drafts; Saturday features $12 pounder buckets, $4 Bacardi razz bombs and $4 Bacardi O bombs
The Little Bar, 2195 N. High St.
$4 for 20 oz. Budweiser brand beers, $3.25 Bud American Ale and 16 oz. "pounders" (aluminum cans) for $4
Scarlet and Grey Café, 2203 N. High St.
$1.50 20 oz. domestic drafts, $5 pitchers of Miller and Coors Light and a full bar menu, with wings, sandwiches, gyros and pizza. Open noon to 2:30 a.m. Saturday.
"Since it's a night game people will start going out around 4," manager and bartender Mike Thomas said.
Out R Inn, 20 E. Frambes Ave.
Within walking distance to the stadium, specials include $4 Bud Light and Bud Select 16 oz. bottles and $1 Buckeye shots (similar to Washington Apple shots).
Driving distance
The Worst Bar in Columbus, 1169 Old Henderson Road, Upper Arlington
Beer, fine wines and liquors. Wings are $10 a dozen with the 'Worst Sauce in Columbus' as one choice. Sandwiches and salads are also available.
The Winking Lizard, 1380 Bethel Road (11-minute drive from campus) or 100 Hutchinson Ave. (14-minute drive from campus)
One hundred different types of beer from 30 states.
Where to shop
Conrads College Gifts, Inc.
316 W. Lane Ave., 614-297-0497
College Traditions
286 W. Lane Ave., 614-291-4678
American Apparel
1221 N. High St., 614-299-9411
Lennox Town Center
(Olentangy River Road and Kinnear Road) Theater, shops and restaurants, including Target, Old Navy and Barnes and Noble.
The Shops at Lane Avenue
1585 W. Lane Ave., a variety of shops and restaurants including Wild Oats, Ann Taylor Loft, Baja Fresh and Pier One.
Short North
(High Street between First Avenue and downtown), a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants, including Rigsby's, Surly Girl Saloon, Hyde Park Steakhouse, Urban Gardener and the Global Gallery.
South Campus Gateway
A wide variety of shops and restaurants including Barnes & Noble, the Finish Line, Mad Mex, the Happy Greek and the Drexel Gateway movie theater.
Source: http://www.osu.edu/visitors/entertainment.php
