Ohio University’s campus has much to offer, but the city of Athens and neighboring areas
are full of restaurants, hiking trails and many other places to explore. After being a student here for almost three years, I have had the opportunity to venture outside of the campus bubble and check out a few spots throughout the Athens area. Athens is full of culture and great places to hike and explore, and I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite spots.
Hiking and Camping
Athens is known for its hilly landscape and rich cultural scene. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, the surrounding area is plentiful with outdoor recreational activities. Hocking Hills State Park is a popular hiking destination, about a 40-minute drive from Ohio University. The park is complete with towering cliffs, waterfalls, caves and deep gorges, making it a great day trip with plenty to explore.
Another great hiking and camping spot that’s even closer to Athens, is Lake Hope State Park, located in Zaleski State Forest. This hiking and backpacking destination is less than thirty minutes from Ohio University and has excellent hiking trails, campgrounds and log cabins. My friends and I spent the weekend camping at Lake Hope this past fall. The campsites included benches as well as a fire pit with plenty of room to set up our tent. I highly recommend Lake Hope for a weekend getaway in the Fall or Spring. The Lake Hope Lodge also had a great breakfast buffet!
Restaurants
Athens has many great local restaurant options to explore. New to the scene this year is Side Bar, which is located on East State Street, right off Court Street. Side Bar has an eclectic atmosphere and offers great food and unique drinks. Side Bar hosts themed nights and events throughout the year, as well as many band performances. One of my favorite menu items is the Nepali Momos, packed with flavor and cooked perfectly.
Honorable Mentions
If you’re looking for another weekend activity, Beads and Things is a charming bead and
craft store that allows customers to create their own custom jewelry and crafts. The store is filled with beads from all over the world. The owners are so friendly and eager to help you if you are new to jewelry making. I’ve visited the store with my friends numerous times, but it’s also a great destination to take anyone visiting Athens.
Abbey Menza is a Junior studying Journalism Strategic Communications with a minor in Fashion Merchandising and can be found on LinkedIn here.