Well, the Billikens are in Columbus, OH playing Memphis in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bills will be playing in the Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus. However, there might be some downtime when the Billikens are not playing or if you get “basketball fatigue” from watching so many basketball games. Here are some travel tips and places to go to while the Bills are not playing Memphis or possibly Michigan State in the third round.

Tickets:

Most Expensive: According to Stubhub, the most expensive ticket available is $474 in section 103 of the Nationwide Arena, very close to press row.

Between Most Expensive and Least Expensive: Depending on your budget there are tickets ranging from $100-$400 on Stubhub, Ticketmaster claims their tickets are sold out.

Least Expensive: The cheapest tickets on Stubhub are $75 for one person or ask a scalper, but they will likely charge a higher price.

Traveling:

Most Expensive: The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Columbus is where the teams, media, and other important donors will be staying. If you can afford it is $162 per night. A first class flight from St. Louis to Columbus runs nearly $2300 roundtrip on American Airlines. However, if you want to travel in style, it is a great way to do so.

Between Most Expensive and Least Expensive: Flying from St. Louis to Columbus on Southwest Airlines is about $400 roundtrip. For college students or other money conscious travelers, MegaBus is a popular option, it cost $146 roundtrip, but you have to stop in Chicago and then go from Chicago to Columbus.

Least Expensive: If you choose to drive from St. Louis to Columbus, OH it is 419 miles from Saint Louis University to Nationwide Arena. If you stretch out your car’s gas mileage’s you should be able to get into Columbus with 1 mile of gas left in your car, which is just enough to hopefully make it to a gas station (or stop with nice parking spot on the highway). Filling up your car will be $45.60 for all 12 gallons of fuel, assuming to make it to a close gas station in Columbus and filling up on the way back comes out to $91.20 plus food and other expenses, but if you carpool is should be very cheap.

Remember it is very hard to get just one ticket from Stubhub.

Dining Selection:

Most Expensive: Two of the best restaurants in the city of Columbus are: Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse and The Clarmont. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse is one of the best steakhouses in Columbus and in the state of Ohio. According to Fodor’s, Steaks are named after famous Ohio sports figures, such as Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, auto racing star Bobby Rahal, and former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar. Prices vary to from day to day, but normally run about $45 just for an entrée. The Clarmont is one of the other great restaurants in Columbus.  The restaurant was opened in 1947 and the founder Frank Kondos was the first restaurateur to open a fine dining facility on the south side of the city. Two great selections in the city, if you are dining at these two places you might see Coach Majerus or Dr. Chaifetz.

Between Most and Least Expensive: There are a number of bars and local restaurants around the Nationwide Arena all with decent prices. One of my favorites in Columbus is a restaurant/bar called Michael O’Toole’s which is great restaurant near the Hyatt Regency Hotel and about two blocks away from the Nationwide Arena. Prices ranging from $7-28, the burgers are amazing and if you can afford, get the Prime Rib, it is the most expensive item on the menu, but well worth the price. I was in Columbus two years ago for a convention and ate there three times and had the prime rib each time.

Least Expensive: If prices scare you, the best cheap place is a place called North Market. There are 35 food spots and even local farmers with fresh fruits and vegetables at this location. Prices are very affordable and it is only two blocks away from Nationwide Arena. If you want a quick sandwich or something a bit of the healthier side, this is the place to go in Columbus, Ohio. There is even free live music on Saturday.

An Option if you are driving: If you are driving from St. Louis to Columbus, stop in Indianapolis, the only reason is Shapiro’s Deli. Shapiro’s is a deli in Indianapolis that was founded in 1905. According to Reid Duffy, writer of Indiana’s Favorite Restaurants said, “It is far and away Indiana’s, and many would argue the Midwest’s, prime forum for corned beef and pastrami piled high on rye or egg bun and for matzo ball and chicken noodle soups, and for such comfort foods as Swiss steak, baked chicken, meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, and unconscionably high-rise pies, cakes, and pastries.” Duffy is underselling the restaurant. You need to stop here it is amazing deli, everything is under $15 and it has some of the best corned beef and pastries you will ever have. Take some bagels for the road, an easy and fast breakfast for the next few days, and they are the best bagels outside of New York City.

These are just my humble suggestions for the road. Hope to see all of you in Columbus.