Athens
Around Athens
Town and around · Ohio · 63k people
Athens
“Athens of Ohio”
A college town cradled in the Appalachian hills.
Ohio University GreenAppalachian Earth Brown
Welcome to Athens, where the Hocking Hills meet a vibrant college town. Whether you're here for the music, the outdoors, or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly community that loves to gather on Court Street and beyond.
Clubs for Athens
No clubs for Athens yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Athens. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Athens. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hocking Hills State Park Famous for waterfalls, caves, and gorges.
- Ohio University Campus Historic college green and iconic brick buildings.
- Court Street Main drag of shops, bars, and restaurants near campus.
- The Ridges Former asylum grounds now part of OU with trails and historic buildings.
- Strouds Run State Park Lake for swimming, boating, and hiking.
- Dairy Barn Arts Center Contemporary arts center in a historic barn.
- Outdoors Hike to Old Man's Cave
- Outdoors Kayak on Strouds Run
- With kids Visit the Athens County Fair
- With kids Explore Hocking Hills with kids
- Evenings Bar hop on Court Street
- Evenings Catch a show at The Union
- Locals love Hiking trails
- Locals love Coffee shops
Through the year
- Ohio Pawpaw Festival September Celebrates the native pawpaw fruit with tastings, music, and crafts.
- Nelsonville Music Festival May Multi-stage indie and folk music festival in nearby Nelsonville.
- Ohio Brew Week July Week-long celebration of Ohio craft beer with tastings and events.
- Athens International Film and Video Festival April Annual film festival showcasing independent and international works.
- Athens County Fair July Traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and local exhibits.
Athens has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Best: Spring and fall are mild and pleasant, ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Uptown”
- The downtown area near campus, especially Court Street.
- “The Ridges”
- The former asylum property now owned by Ohio University.
- “Bobcats”
- Ohio University athletic teams and fans.
- “Hocking”
- Hocking Hills region or state park.
Getaways
- Columbus Big-city attractions, museums, and dining.
- Parkersburg Historic riverfront and Blennerhassett Island.
- Marietta Ohio River town with historic architecture.
- Zanesville Known for pottery and the Y-Bridge.
Local flavour
Teams
- Ohio Bobcats NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Buckeyes Peanut butter and chocolate confection named after the state tree.
- Apple Butter A staple of Appalachian autumns, often sold at local markets.
- Pawpaw Fruit Native fruit celebrated at the annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival nearby.
Where people go
- Hocking Hills Caves, waterfalls, and hiking trails in the nearby state park.
- Ohio University Campus Historic red-brick buildings and the College Green.
- Court Street The main drag with local shops, eateries, and a lively college vibe.
- The Ridges Former asylum turned nature preserve, with trails and history.
Heritage and traditions
Athens is proud of its Appalachian heritage, its vibrant college-town culture, and the natural beauty of the Hocking Hills. Locals celebrate the area's artistic and musical traditions, from folk music to indie rock, and take pride in the community's resilience and creativity.
This time of year in Athens
- Halloween Block Party October A massive street party on Court Street.
- Ohio University football tailgates Fall Fall Saturdays bring the community together.
- Court Street Halloween Block Party October A massive street party on Halloween night.
Say it like a local: “crick” — A small stream or creek, common in Appalachian Ohio.
Festivals
- Ohio Pawpaw Festival September Celebrates the native pawpaw fruit with tastings and contests.
- Nelsonville Music Festival May A multi-stage music festival in a scenic setting.
- Ohio Brew Week July A craft beer festival with tastings and events.
- Athens International Film and Video Festival April Showcases independent and international films.
- Athens County Fair August A traditional county fair with rides and livestock.
- Court Street Halloween Block Party October A massive street party on Halloween night.
Landmarks with a story
- The Ridges Former asylum, now a nature preserve with historic buildings.
- Athens County Courthouse A Greek Revival building from the 19th century.
- Nelsonville Historic District Victorian-era buildings and a historic square.
- Southeast Ohio History Center Museum of local and Appalachian history.
- Strouds Run State Park Site of a former resort, now a park.
- Hocking Valley Railway Historic railroad with a scenic route.
Food traditions
- Pawpaw fruit A tropical-tasting native fruit, celebrated in September.
- Apple butter A fall staple, often homemade and sold at fairs.
- Buckeyes Peanut butter and chocolate treats, named after the state tree.
- Local craft beer Athens has a thriving craft beer scene, featured in July.
- Farm-to-table dining Many restaurants source from local farms.
Music and arts
- Appalachian folk music Roots music is strong, with local bands and venues.
- Indie rock scene Athens has a vibrant indie music culture, partly from the university.
- Art galleries The Dairy Barn and other venues showcase local art.
- Traditional crafts Quilting, pottery, and woodworking are Appalachian traditions.
A little history
- 1804 Ohio University founded
- 1874 The Ridges opened as a mental asylum
- late 1800s Nelsonville became a coal and railroad hub
- mid-1800s Athens County was a stop on the Underground Railroad
- 1924 Hocking Hills became a state park
Rivalries
- Ohio Bobcats vs Miami RedHawks The Battle of the Bricks in MAC football.
- Ohio Bobcats vs Marshall Thundering Herd Regional non-conference rivalry.
- Ohio Bobcats vs Bowling Green Falcons MAC East division clash.
- Athens vs Nelsonville high school football Local community bragging rights.
- Game day Ohio Bobcats football tailgating
- Game day Midnight Yell
- Outdoors Hike Old Man's Cave
- Outdoors Kayak on Strouds Run
- With kids Hocking Hills nature programs
- With kids Nelsonville Scenic Railway
Locals speak with a mild Appalachian accent, often dropping 'g' endings and using 'crick' for creek. Terms like 'holler' for hollow and 'you'uns' for plural 'you' are common.
Only here
- The pawpaw fruit is native and celebrated with a festival.
- The Ridges is a former asylum turned nature preserve.
- Court Street is the center of a legendary Halloween party.
- The Nelsonville Scenic Railway offers a historic train ride.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to love hills and winding roads; they're everywhere.
- Embrace the seasons: winter can be snowy, summer humid.
- Try pawpaw fruit in September—it's a local delicacy.
- Use the bike trails; they're a great way to get around.
- Support local businesses downtown; they're the heart of the community.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Columbus area
Nearby
Every areaParkersburgWest VirginiaWhere two rivers meet and the hills hold you closeRipleyWest VirginiaHills, hollers, and homePoint PleasantWest VirginiaRiver town warmth with a legendary twist.JacksonOhioRugged hills, warm heartsMariettaOhioWhere the Muskingum meets the OhioGallipolisOhioWhere the river bends and the hills roll.ZanesvilleOhioWhere the rivers meet and the clay turns to art.ChillicotheOhioWhere the Scioto flows through history
Athens, OH. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.