Allison’s guidebook to Athens

Allison
Allison’s guidebook to Athens

outdoor recreation

World class mountain biking trails with trailheads in Chauncey (only 10 minutes away) and in Doanville. These trails are also frequented by runners and hikers. Our favorite trails are Tipple Top and Wild Turkey.
23 locals recommend
Baileys Trail System
8389 W Bailey Rd
23 locals recommend
World class mountain biking trails with trailheads in Chauncey (only 10 minutes away) and in Doanville. These trails are also frequented by runners and hikers. Our favorite trails are Tipple Top and Wild Turkey.
Take Peach Ridge south (turning left out of the parking area) for approximately 7 miles to reach Strouds Run where there are beautiful hiking trails and a lake with a beach. You can rent stand up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, or even a pontoon boat from the boathouse on the lake, or spend your time in the forest or playing volleyball on the beach. Our favorite trails are Thunderbunny and Hollow Point.
46 locals recommend
Strouds Run State Park
11661 State Park Rd
46 locals recommend
Take Peach Ridge south (turning left out of the parking area) for approximately 7 miles to reach Strouds Run where there are beautiful hiking trails and a lake with a beach. You can rent stand up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, or even a pontoon boat from the boathouse on the lake, or spend your time in the forest or playing volleyball on the beach. Our favorite trails are Thunderbunny and Hollow Point.
Lake Hope is located about 30 minutes out of town. This large lake has multiple places for water sport rentals and bait shops.
56 locals recommend
Lake Hope State Park
27331 Ohio 278
56 locals recommend
Lake Hope is located about 30 minutes out of town. This large lake has multiple places for water sport rentals and bait shops.
Burr Oak is another lake in the Wayne National Forest. The Bobcat Marathon is run here every year. Find Burr Oak Getaways for watersport rentals.
10 locals recommend
Burr Oak State Park
10220 Burr Oak Lodge Rd
10 locals recommend
Burr Oak is another lake in the Wayne National Forest. The Bobcat Marathon is run here every year. Find Burr Oak Getaways for watersport rentals.
Wildcat Hollow is one of the most beautiful trails in Athens County, just north of Glouster. This beautiful trail boasts some of the most rare and beautiful wildflowers along its trails. Prepare for creek crossings and mud.
Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail
County Road 58
Wildcat Hollow is one of the most beautiful trails in Athens County, just north of Glouster. This beautiful trail boasts some of the most rare and beautiful wildflowers along its trails. Prepare for creek crossings and mud.

Food scene

Athens has one of the largest farmer’s markets this side of the Mississippi. The Farmer’s market is every Saturday and Wednesday from 9am-1pm. Our favorite stands are Chelsea’s Real Food, serving all gluten free bakery and meal items (find the purple food truck), and Vest Berries who have the largest beets and sweet potatoes we’ve ever seen.
20 locals recommend
Athens Farmers Market
701 E State St
20 locals recommend
Athens has one of the largest farmer’s markets this side of the Mississippi. The Farmer’s market is every Saturday and Wednesday from 9am-1pm. Our favorite stands are Chelsea’s Real Food, serving all gluten free bakery and meal items (find the purple food truck), and Vest Berries who have the largest beets and sweet potatoes we’ve ever seen.
Lucky for you, Avalanche does deliver to the Pawpaw Pad! Avalanche is a crazy gourmet pizza shop with the most creative toppings around.
20 locals recommend
Avalanche Pizza
329 E State St
20 locals recommend
Lucky for you, Avalanche does deliver to the Pawpaw Pad! Avalanche is a crazy gourmet pizza shop with the most creative toppings around.
Eclipse serves great BBQ and American style food and has a huge tap beer menu. In the summer, Eclipse usually has music on an outdoor stage. Our favorite is their loaded kettle chips with beer cheese.
33 locals recommend
Eclipse Company Store
11309 Jackson Dr
33 locals recommend
Eclipse serves great BBQ and American style food and has a huge tap beer menu. In the summer, Eclipse usually has music on an outdoor stage. Our favorite is their loaded kettle chips with beer cheese.
Donkey has been voted the best coffee in Athens forever. They also have great chai and seasonal drinks.
24 locals recommend
Donkey Coffee
17 W Washington St
24 locals recommend
Donkey has been voted the best coffee in Athens forever. They also have great chai and seasonal drinks.
This natural food grocer also has a coffee bar and to-go meals like deluxe hummus salads, vegetarian curry bowls, and sandwiches. They also have a great wine selection and specialize in local or hard to find items.
12 locals recommend
Kindred Market
284 E State St
12 locals recommend
This natural food grocer also has a coffee bar and to-go meals like deluxe hummus salads, vegetarian curry bowls, and sandwiches. They also have a great wine selection and specialize in local or hard to find items.
The famous Jackie O’s has two locations in town serving a full menu as well as a location on the bike path that serves only drinks. You can’t go wrong with Jackie O’s.
41 locals recommend
Jackie O's Public House & Brewpub
22 W Union St
41 locals recommend
The famous Jackie O’s has two locations in town serving a full menu as well as a location on the bike path that serves only drinks. You can’t go wrong with Jackie O’s.
The Ciderhouse is another local favorite with one of the best outdoor patios, serving local beer and cider. They have a limited menu.
17 locals recommend
West End Cider House
234 W Washington St
17 locals recommend
The Ciderhouse is another local favorite with one of the best outdoor patios, serving local beer and cider. They have a limited menu.
Located just off the bike path, Little Fish has an amazing beer selection. They also have great food options and great outdoor seating.
51 locals recommend
Little Fish Brewing Co.
8675 Armitage Rd
51 locals recommend
Located just off the bike path, Little Fish has an amazing beer selection. They also have great food options and great outdoor seating.
Reservations are a must for Shade, especially on steak night. This beautiful winery looks out over one of the best spots in Athens County.
37 locals recommend
Shade Winery
401 Gilkey Ridge Rd
37 locals recommend
Reservations are a must for Shade, especially on steak night. This beautiful winery looks out over one of the best spots in Athens County.
Make sure you have a reservation for this Thai-Asian fusion restaurant. It is a local favorite and they book up fast. They have great vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.
17 locals recommend
Purple Chopstix
371 Richland Ave
17 locals recommend
Make sure you have a reservation for this Thai-Asian fusion restaurant. It is a local favorite and they book up fast. They have great vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.
Casa is an Athens institution and has both a bar and bodega and also a dining room serving tex-mex style food. They have a seasonal selection of salsas and never fail to disappoint at brunch.
64 locals recommend
Casa Nueva
4 W State St
64 locals recommend
Casa is an Athens institution and has both a bar and bodega and also a dining room serving tex-mex style food. They have a seasonal selection of salsas and never fail to disappoint at brunch.

Neighborhoods

Uptown has great shops, campus, and unique restaurants.
29 locals recommend
Athens
29 locals recommend
Uptown has great shops, campus, and unique restaurants.

Sightseeing

The historic asylum has some great trails and an art museum.
9 locals recommend
The Ridges
118 Ridges Cir
9 locals recommend
The historic asylum has some great trails and an art museum.