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14 Best and Fun Things To Do In Athens, Ohio


TouristWire Editors

Discovering all the amazing things to see and do in the beautiful city of Athens will make you love the state of Ohio even more. Everything from historic buildings and incredible art to delicious food and quirky shops awaits in Athens.

Just south of the Hocking Hills region, Athens is home to what many describe as a hippy college community, so you can expect nothing but creative innovations and exciting activities. Athens has its fair share of natural beauty, and visitors adore the various parks and nature preserves that riddle the city for the wide open spaces and relaxing atmosphere they provide. Drenched in historical elements, Athens is home to several excellent historical hubs, including museums and memorials. The bustling city center hosts a weekly farmers’ market where you can sample some of the locals’ culinary masterpieces before heading to one of the many cozy inns for a restful night.

It’s easy to see why so many visitors rush to Athens for a reviving experience in a beautiful setting. Find all the top attractions you simply have to see during your time in Athens in the comprehensive list below.

The 14 Most Popular Things To Do In Athens, Ohio

14. Hockhocking Adena Bikeway

4.3 ★★★★☆ (3 reviews)

755px-hockhocking track athens oh usa

Credit: Ed!, License, Wikimedia commons

13. Stroud’s Run State Park Parking Lot

3.8 ★★★★☆ (4 reviews)

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Credit: Rob Delach, Google Maps

Location: Township Hwy 213A Athens OH

12. Dow Lake

4.4 ★★★★☆ (8 reviews)

800px-dow lake at strouds run state park in mid october

Credit: Shroomydan, License, Wikimedia commons

11. Pleasant Hill Vineyards

4.9 ★★★★★ (113 reviews)

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Credit: John Jackson, License, Flickr

Location: 5015 Pleasant Hill Road Athens OH

Tel:  740 502 3525

Web Address:   http://pleasanthillvineyardsllc.com/

10. Wayne National Forest

4.6 ★★★★★ (2,685 reviews)

401px-people at the wayne national forest %285595919650%29

Credit: Wayne National Forest, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 13700 US Highway 33 Streetewart OH

Tel:  740 753 0101

Web Address:   http://fs.usda.gov/wayne

9. Helen Mauck Galbreath Memorial Chapel

4.6 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Matt Finlay, Google Maps

Location: 43 University Terrace Athens OH

Tel:  740 593 4021

Web Address:   http://ohio.edu/athens/bldgs/gchapel.html

8. Dale & Jackie Riddle State Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ (8 reviews)

795px-riddlepreserve

Credit: Jaknouse, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: A0100100860 00 Athens OH

Web Address:   http://naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/dalejackieriddle

7. Southeast Ohio History Center

4.4 ★★★★☆ (39 reviews)

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Credit: Ohio University Libraries, License, Flickr

Location: 24 W Streetate Street Athens OH

Tel:  740 592 2280

Web Address:   http://athenshistory.org/

6. OHIO Museum Complex and Kennedy Museum of Art

4.4 ★★★★☆ (110 reviews)

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Credit: Pedro Ribeiro Simões, License, Flickr

Location: 100 Ridges Cir Athens OH

Tel:  740 593 1304

Web Address:   http://ohio.edu/museum/

5. Dairy Barn Arts Center

4.6 ★★★★★ (163 reviews)

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Credit: U.S. Department Energy, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 8000 Dairy Ln Athens OH

Tel:  740 592 4981

Web Address:   http://dairybarn.org/

4. Sells Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (178 reviews)

785px-sells park and strouds run trail map

Credit: RichardMcKee, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Avon Pl Athens OH

Web Address:   https://ci.athens.oh.us/581/Sells-Park

3. Athens Farmers Market

4.7 ★★★★★ (244 reviews)

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Credit: Illinois Agricultural Association;

Illinois, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 1002 E Streetate Street Athens OH

Tel:  740 593 6763

Web Address:   http://athensfarmersmarket.org/

2. Convocation Center

4.4 ★★★★☆ (280 reviews)

800px-ohio university convocation center %2832925864330%29

Credit: dankeck, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 95 Richland Ave Athens OH

Web Address:   https://ohio.edu/building-directory/convocation-center

1. Strouds Run State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (780 reviews)

776px-strouds run area lands-2019-dec-12

Credit: Johnaknouse, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 11661 Streetate Park Road Athens OH

Tel:  740 592 2302

Web Address:   http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/stroudsrun

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Athens, Ohio! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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