Ohio State University Tours and Activities

Ohio State House aerial at sunrise with Huntington Center and Vern Riffe State Office Tower

The second oldest building remaining on The Ohio State University campus, Orton Hall was opened in 1893. It is named after Dr Edward Orton, Sr. who served as Ohio State's first president, OSU Professor of Geology from 1873 to 1899, and Ohio's State Geologist from 1882 until his death in 1899.

Orton Hall is built of 40 different Ohio building stones. In the outside walls, these stones are laid in stratigraphic order according to their relative positions in Ohio's bedrock. The only non-indigenous to Ohio stone used is Indiana Limestone to build the front steps. It was chosen because of its high concentration of embedded fossils.

The bell tower was dedicated in 1915 and contains 25,000 pounds of bells that can be heard regularly tolling across campus. Encircling the top of the tower are 24 columns with gargoyle-like figures which are restorations of fossil animals.

A closeup of the bloom of a Dahlia glistening in the aftermath of an afternoon shower

The OSU cultivar trials, located at Ohio State University's Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, are conducted each year in order to evaluate ornamental bedding and container plants.

The objective of these trials is to observe the performance of new and recently introduced cultivated plant varieties under environmental conditions typical of central Ohio.

Despite their stated scientific and economic purposes, the gardens are beautiful to walk through and photograph. Best of all, they're FREE!

Visit Ohio State University

Activities

Popular places to visit

Ohio Stadium

Catch an event at Ohio Stadium during your trip to Columbus. Experience the area's great live music or attend a sporting event.

Wexner Center for the Arts

Discover a world of new and exciting contemporary art, performance and film at this laboratory for the arts at Ohio State University.

This pink and white marbled petunia is actually an unintended mutation of what was intended to be a completely pink bloom.

The OSU cultivar trials, located at Ohio State University's Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, are conducted each year in order to evaluate ornamental bedding and container plants.

The objective of these trials is to observe the performance of new and recently introduced cultivated plant varieties under environmental conditions typical of central Ohio.

Despite their stated scientific and economic purposes, the gardens are beautiful to walk through and photograph. Best of all, they're FREE!

Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens

Enjoy a stop at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, an entertaining place to visit in Columbus. Experience the area's lively festivals and acclaimed theatre scene.

Historic Crew Stadium

Catch an event at Historic Crew Stadium during your trip to Columbus. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene or attend a sporting event.

Drone pic hovering near 11th street entry to the fairgrounds and facing south towards downtown columbus ohio

Ohio State Fairgrounds

Enjoy a stop at Ohio State Fairgrounds, an entertaining place to visit in Columbus. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and lively festivals.

Ohio Expo Center and State Fair

Enjoy a stop at Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, an entertaining place to visit in Columbus. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and great live music.

Top Ohio State University Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Check availability on hotels close to Ohio State University

The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center

2110 Tuttle Park Pl Columbus OH

Sonesta Columbus Downtown

33 E Nationwide Blvd Columbus OH

Hyatt House Columbus OSU / Short North

633 WEST 5TH AVENUE Columbus OH

SpringHill Suites Columbus OSU

1421 Olentangy River Rd Columbus OH

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Columbus OSU

3031 Olentangy River Rd Columbus OH

Centrally Located 6 Bed Unit Near OSU Campus

Columbus OH

Cheerful 4-Bedroom- Walking Distance to The Shoe