Ohio State-Michigan is the premier football rivalry in the Big 10. The perennial national powerhouses face off in late November each year in a game that often has title implications.ÌýThe squads’ on-field battle is almost always close. But which city wins the honor of being the better place to visit – Columbus, OhioÌýorÌýAnn Arbor, Michigan? Let’s start the clock on this hometown faceoff.
Architecture, attractions and history
Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan Museum of Art, which dates to 1856, features African art and inspiring outdoor sculptures. Downtown Ann Arbor boasts the famed independent bookstore , which recently published the offbeat book . To view great architecture, visit on central campus, which houses one of the world’s few grand carillons in the belfry.
Columbus
Traveling with kids? Take them to theÌý, where they can play on a replica of the space center. Those of all ages will appreciate OSU’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, covering everything from editorial to, yes, sports cartoons. Downtown’s LeVeque Tower, which houses Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection, once ranked as the world's fifth-tallest building, and it provides a stunning example of the area's Art Deco style.
Score: Ann Arbor 1, Columbus 0
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Food, drink and nightlife
Ann Arbor
Zingerman's Delicatessen remains the most popular restaurant for Ann Arbor visitors. Sample the ‘sandwich of the month’ on freshly baked bread. Wash it down with a spiked milkshake at Frita Batidos.
Columbus
Land-Grant Brewing Company taps 24 beers down by Scioto River, and food trucks add to the fun atmosphere. Prefer a dive bar for postgame drinking? Johnnie’s Glenn Avenue Grill has cheap drinks and an old-school jukebox.Ìý
Score: Ann Arbor 2, Columbus 0
Natural features
Ann Arbor
To canoe, bike ride or picnic, lovely is the place to go. Visitors love strolling the pedestrian bridges connecting small islands. West of the park, walk the to experience local wetlands.
Columbus
Walk or bike the Scioto Mile by the Scioto River, which winds past several parks. Finish up with a stop at , a onetime industrial zone turned gorgeous green space where many bird species flock.ÌýÌý
Score: Ann Arbor 2, Columbus 1
Lodging, cost & walkability
Ann Arbor
While many chains have a presence in Ann Arbor, locally owned B&Bs offer a quirky alternative at reasonable rates. Burnt Toast Inn has a big porch and sits within walking distance of the city center, as do other accommodations. Ann Arbor Bed and Breakfast serves a daily breakfast buffet and rents bikes for local exploration.
Columbus
Columbus is a bigger city and less walkable than Ann Arbor. It has several gorgeous hotels, such as the Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph, a Cubist-inspired destination that lends visitors bikes for free. Downtown also hosts the usual array of chain hotels.
Score: Ann Arbor 2, Columbus 2Ìý
Overtime
BiggestÌýcelebrity
Colombus:ÌýBorn in Columbus Ohio, Guy Fieri is taking you to FlavortownÌýÌý
Ann Arbor: Iggy Pop, though he was actually born inÌýMuskegon (nearly three hours away), this musical legend is definitely an Ann Arbor boy.Ìý
Final:ÌýMuch like thatÌýdouble-overtime game in 2016, Columbus comes fromÌýbehind to edge out Ann Arbor, 3-2Ìý
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