Guidebook for Athens
Food Scene
This restaurant with a full bar is a locavore's delight. They use lots of local ingredients, including veggies and meats. Excellent options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. The drinks are so good! I'm always up for a Hills Deluxe with guacamole, and a margarita on the rocks with salt.
64 locals recommend
Casa Nueva
4 W State StThis restaurant with a full bar is a locavore's delight. They use lots of local ingredients, including veggies and meats. Excellent options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. The drinks are so good! I'm always up for a Hills Deluxe with guacamole, and a margarita on the rocks with salt.
Excellent locally owned brew pub and restaurant, serving beers, wines and cocktails. Locally sourced ingredients in many items on the menu. Attentive and friendly service too!
41 locals recommend
Jackie O's Public House & Brewpub
22 W Union StExcellent locally owned brew pub and restaurant, serving beers, wines and cocktails. Locally sourced ingredients in many items on the menu. Attentive and friendly service too!
Beautifully decorated atmosphere with great mediterranean cuisine. Veggie and gluten-free options too.
27 locals recommend
Restaurant Salaam
21 W Washington StBeautifully decorated atmosphere with great mediterranean cuisine. Veggie and gluten-free options too.
Great place for hotdogs, sausages and the best hand-cut fries! Veggie dog and all sorts of topping options. Unique and fun atmosphere.
15 locals recommend
O'Betty's Red Hot
15 W State StGreat place for hotdogs, sausages and the best hand-cut fries! Veggie dog and all sorts of topping options. Unique and fun atmosphere.
Zoe
24 1/2 E State StCasual fine dining with some of the best cocktails in town!
Locally owned bakery and restaurant including loads of organic farm-to-table menu items. Cafe atmosphere with outdoor seating available.
26 locals recommend
Village Bakery & Café
268 E State StLocally owned bakery and restaurant including loads of organic farm-to-table menu items. Cafe atmosphere with outdoor seating available.
Variety of good eats, and LOTS of beers on tap, among other things! Nice alternative to in-town dining, especially when town is crowded.
33 locals recommend
Eclipse Company Store
11309 Jackson DrVariety of good eats, and LOTS of beers on tap, among other things! Nice alternative to in-town dining, especially when town is crowded.
Parks & Nature
This state park is an easy five minute walk away. Visitors kayak, canoe, fish, and hike. A scenic trail with some short climbs takes you to a dam on the other side of the lake. Beautiful woods with lots of native plants and wildlife.
Fox Lake Wildlife Area
This state park is an easy five minute walk away. Visitors kayak, canoe, fish, and hike. A scenic trail with some short climbs takes you to a dam on the other side of the lake. Beautiful woods with lots of native plants and wildlife.
Strouds Run State Park has lots of hiking and mountain bike trails, as well as swimming, fishing and boating at Dow Lake. Boat rentals available. More info at parks.ohiodnr.gov/stroudsrun.
46 locals recommend
Strouds Run State Park
11661 State Park RdStrouds Run State Park has lots of hiking and mountain bike trails, as well as swimming, fishing and boating at Dow Lake. Boat rentals available. More info at parks.ohiodnr.gov/stroudsrun.
This beautiful 400-acre lake is perfect for boating, fishing, hiking and swimming.
39 locals recommend
Lake Logan State Park
This beautiful 400-acre lake is perfect for boating, fishing, hiking and swimming.
Entertainment & Activities
This small theater is known for showing films of excellent quality; not always blockbuster flicks. Check their website to see what's playing! athenacinema.com
10 locals recommend
The Athena Cinema
20 S Court StThis small theater is known for showing films of excellent quality; not always blockbuster flicks. Check their website to see what's playing! athenacinema.com
Right by the bike path! Friendly and great service. Rent a bike and ride Athens!
Black Diamond Bicycles & Rental
540 W Union StRight by the bike path! Friendly and great service. Rent a bike and ride Athens!
Arts & Culture
My favorite exhibit is the annual Quilt National, but lots of various artworks are often on display. Occasionally there are food vendors and live music. The gift shop has some great items for sale.
21 locals recommend
Dairy Barn Arts Center
8000 Dairy LnMy favorite exhibit is the annual Quilt National, but lots of various artworks are often on display. Occasionally there are food vendors and live music. The gift shop has some great items for sale.
This historic opera house is located in Nelsonville's town square, just 15 minutes from Athens. Excellent live music, theater, and art. Checkout the schedule at stuartsoperahouse.org.
The crew here also puts on the annual Nelsonville Music Festival. This eclectic and well-curated festival takes place the first Thursday through Sunday of June. nelsonvillefest.org.
28 locals recommend
Stuart's Opera House
52 Public SquareThis historic opera house is located in Nelsonville's town square, just 15 minutes from Athens. Excellent live music, theater, and art. Checkout the schedule at stuartsoperahouse.org.
The crew here also puts on the annual Nelsonville Music Festival. This eclectic and well-curated festival takes place the first Thursday through Sunday of June. nelsonvillefest.org.
One of Ohio University's art museums featuring national and international works. Check exhibits and hours of operation at ohio.edu/museum/.
13 locals recommend
Kennedy Museum of Art
100 Ridges CirOne of Ohio University's art museums featuring national and international works. Check exhibits and hours of operation at ohio.edu/museum/.
Shopping
Great shop for gardening supplies and plants, including excellent gift ideas, some of them unique to the Athens area.
13 locals recommend
White's Mill
2 Whites Mill DrGreat shop for gardening supplies and plants, including excellent gift ideas, some of them unique to the Athens area.
For the pets you love, Friendly Paws has great toys and treats, among many other great pet products!
Friendly Paws Pet Supplies & Grooming
940 E State StFor the pets you love, Friendly Paws has great toys and treats, among many other great pet products!
Import House
68 N Court StShoes, clothing, jewelry and fun & unique gifts!