Beat the Cold: 5 Things to Do in Columbus’ Great Indoors

No matter how long you’ve lived in Ohio — born and raised or truly new to OSU — you probably do not love the cold. We’ve all seen our newsfeeds become filled with negative comments the minute the first frost hits and first flakes of snow fall.

The freezing temperatures make it hard to muster the effort to leave your residence hall, especially if you live on the outskirts of campus. As a former Lincoln Tower resident, I understand this well.

But fear not, because Columbus offers plenty to do beyond your residence hall (but still within the warmth of the great indoors). All of these places are accessible by Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) buses; check Google Maps or a COTA schedule for details.

1. Columbus Museum of Art

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I visited the Columbus Museum of Art just a few weekends ago, and while it’s small, it is definitely worth a trip. There is currently an exhibit called “In __ We Trust: Art and Money,” which includes a really cool mural created by thousands of pieces of dollar bills, rearranged to make new pictures. This particular exhibit is on display until March 1.

This is a great spot to take a date, to bring a friend or to visit alone. Admission is only $8 for students and the museum’s downtown location makes it a fun day trip away from campus, accessible on a budget.

2. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

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Just down the street from the art museum is the ultimate place to be inside in the winter. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens allows you to escape reality for a day and surround yourself with long-out-of-season blooming flowers and plants.

The indoor gardens and art displays are the perfect distraction from the bitter chill outside. Bring a friend for a day trip or a book to get lost in among the flowers; either way you’ll be able to transport yourself back to sunnier times. Admission is $10 for students.

3. North Market

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Already sick of the same five campus dining locations you frequent? Head downtown for the ultimate variety of food from all over the world including Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, fresh produce and other fun shops.

In addition to the fantastic food offered there, the North Market is a great place to spend the afternoon people watching, catching up with friends, or studying for class in the expansive seating area on the second floor. Head back when the weather is warm, and you can even get your meal to go and enjoy eating it in nearby Goodale Park.

4. Center of Science and Industry (COSI)

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COSI is perhaps one of the coolest places that students take the least advantage of in Columbus. For some of us, COSI is a place our Girl or Boy Scout troops visited when we were younger, while for others it’s a foreign land. But for any college student, COSI is a really cool place to learn more about science and the universe.

In addition to its exhibits on topics such as energy, space, the ocean and life, COSI recently opened its planetarium — which, though it costs $5 more to visit, includes some really interesting shows about the universe. Admission to COSI is $19 for adults and students.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets game

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If you’ve never given hockey a chance, being a student in Columbus gives you the perfect opportunity. There are two ways for students to get cheap tickets to a Blue Jackets game: with D-Tix, through the Ohio Union, and through CBJ student rush tickets.

Hockey is sometimes swept aside and is perhaps less dominant in a country (and city) obsessed with football. But now that the Buckeyes are officially done (and undisputed champions), why not check out another Columbus team? Hockey is really easy to get into, and supporting your city makes it a win-win. Games are held at Nationwide Arena downtown.