Ohio State Tours and Visit | The Ohio State University

Our websites and viewbooks are no match for the real thing.

Visiting campus is the best way to get to know (and love) us.

Future freshman and transfer students

Admissions overview and campus tour:
Undergraduate Admissions offers overview and tour programs tailored to prospective and admitted undergraduates and their families.

Schedule a visit

Group tours:
Tours for groups of 10 or more can be arranged for prospective undergraduate students, high school groups and access groups.

Request a group tour

Overviews by academic interest:
Some of Ohio State’s academic programs offer information sessions, open houses and career days. You can explore the options when you schedule a tour at campusvisit.osu.edu.

Future graduate and professional students

Campus visits are coordinated directly by the academic programs. For contact information, find your program. For group tours, email gpadmissions@osu.edu.

Find your way

Tours

The student-led tours visit areas of interest to prospective undergraduate students, including a residence hall, dining facility, library and classroom.

Virtual tour

Use this self-guided, virtual tour to explore popular spots across campus. Along the way, you’ll learn about Ohio State’s unique history and traditions.

Interactive map

This interactive campus map allows you to find parking and other transportation, campus buildings, student services and amenities.

Directions Maps

Columbus:
Start the journey here

Hidden gems on campus

Hayes Hall

Hayes Hall, another one of the oldest buildings on campus, is the place on campus where generations of Buckeyes have shared secrets via the “whispering arch” facing the Oval.

Howlett Hall

The 12,000 square-foot green roof at Howlett Hall was the first publicly accessible green roof at Ohio State and in Columbus, Ohio overall. The roof was installed by Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens in 2013, and serves as a demonstration site of green roofs in Ohio.

Ohio Union

View a piece of college football history on the second floor of the Ohio Union, where Archie Griffin’s 1975 Heisman Trophy – his second – is on display. The Ohio Union building also features Ohio history depicted in limestone carvings on its southern facade.

Orton Hall

One of the oldest buildings on campus, Orton Hall is home to the Orton Geological Museum, which houses 30,000 specimens including the skull of a Jurassic dinosaur. It also houses the Orton Chimes, 12 bells that play Westminster Chimes on the quarter hour.

Ohio State Planetarium

Visitors to the Ohio State Planetarium can zip around the world and galaxy without ever leaving the comfort of one of the 60 high-backed seats. Some planetarium programs - which are led by knowledgeable graduate students - use the powerful, computer-controlled telescope to observe exciting astronomical objects up close.

Home of Robert Neil

The Ohio State campus was a part of the Underground Railroad in the mid-1800s. The last stop on the escapees route through OSU was the home of Robert Neil, at the corner of Indianola and 15th avenues, which is the home of Kappa Sigma today. There, they were directed toward Lake Erie – and freedom.

University Archives

The Ohio State University Archives preserves Buckeye history and makes it available to all who visit its headquarters on Kenny Road. In addition to more than 2 million photographic images of university life from 1870 to present, the archives contain documents, records and mementos that are part of the Ohio State story.

University Hall

Completed in 1873, University Hall was Ohio State’s original one-stop shop. It housed everything – the library, classrooms, a chapel, a male dormitory and faculty apartments.

PATIENT AND VISITOR GUIDE

Wexner Medical Center and The James

EVENTS

Whether you’re a planner or happen to stroll through campus, we have events for you.

STAY AND DINE

Find the best hotels, meeting facilities and dining for casual visitors or large groups.

OHIO STATE APP

Get easy access to everything Ohio State offers, from viewing your grades to finding the nearest pizza shop. It’s free!

Across the state

As a land-grant university, Ohio State has a physical presence throughout the state, with campuses and research centers located around Ohio.

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