Family Adventure & Fun In Athens, Ohio…

I was thrilled to plan a family vacation to Athens this summer. No, not Athens, Greece, (although that would have been awesome) but Athens, Ohio. Unlike many of our family vacation destinations, this was one place I had never been, so researching and planning was extra exciting. With help from the Athens Visitors Bureau I found plenty of great places to stay, places to eat and fun activities to do with the kids.

Small Town Charm In A Bustling College City…

Athens, Ohio is a town of around 24,000 people, however, it is host to the main campus of Ohio University adding an additional 23,000-26,000 as enrolled students. During most semesters, college students outnumber the town’s permanent residents and even in the summer many students stick around. Although students are definitely prevalent, there was still a “small town charm” feel among the locals. Even when we weren’t with my husbands family, who has lived there for generations, you could tell everybody knew everybody and they were so friendly, even to us “out-of-towners.”

Where To Stay…

There are ample lodging choices including chain hotels like the Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Holiday Inn Express or local favorites like the Ohio University Inn & Conference Center.

We chose the Ohio University Inn & Conference Center mostly for experience and location. The lobby and room were clean and well updated. We stayed in the newer wing of the property and our suite room suited our family of five well with a pull out sofa bed and a King bed. The Inn boasts a full restaurant, bar and a Starbucks location all in the main building. It also has a nice outdoor pool and patio. Overall our stay was lovely. The only cons were parking and noisy college kids, but in a college town it was expected. As the only full-service hotel in town, room service and the rest of the pros easily outweighed the negatives. Our kids loved a nice milk and cookies snack before bedtime. Also, across from the Inn is an adorable park with a great play area for children.

Where To Dine…

There’s no shortage on places to grab a bite or a nice drink due mostly to the need for college students to eat and take a break from their studies. From food trucks and carts to breweries and wineries, coffee shops to bars, and even family-owned classics, Athens is full of foodie favorites. Cutler’s Restaurant inside the Ohio University Inn is a popular choice especially for their steak and seafood dinners. We had to try a local favorite, Miller’s Chicken, and I can’t rave enough about how delicious their fried chicken was. Perfectly crisp and crunchy, not too oily and juicy and tender on the inside.

My personal favorite of the trip was Larry’s Dawg House, though. I love a good chili cheese dog and they have perfect foot long ones topped with onions and mustard if you’d like. Add a side of Cajun fries and a chocolate milk shake and although my scale might not be, my taste-buds and tummy were in heaven. It’s definitely not a place for every day eating, but if you are in the area, you have to check it out. The hamburgers and chicken were also delicious, and the kids loved the over-sized ice cream cones covered in rainbow sprinkles. Stop by on a busy Wednesday for “Weenie Wednesday” when they offer $.99 regular hot dogs. I have been told that during the school year you can see customers walking out with boxes full!

Where To Play…

Driving from Columbus to Athens, I was mesmerized by the incredible scenery and landscape. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Colorado mountains, but the rolling hills completely full of thick vegetation is something I am not used to and amazed by. Hocking Hills State Park is incredible! Spend an afternoon hiking around and be sure to check out Ash Cave and Old Man’s Cave. There are also several areas throughout the Hocking Hills for camping or fishing.

There is also the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad. Throughout the summer they offer weekend train rides of varying lengths. The shorter one (12 Noon To Haydenville) is an hour and a half and perfect for families with small kiddos or there is a longer one (2:30 PM To East Logan) for those wanting to spend a little more time on the train. You are free to bring food or drinks with you and sit back and enjoy the ride and scenery. If you are looking for a little extra excitement, this summer they have an “Ohio’s Friendliest Train Robbery” train. Robbers stop the train and come through “robbing” the passengers of fake money that was previously distributed. Like one of those “Wild West” shows in Ghost Towns around America the reenactment is a fun experience featuring cap guns and horseback bandits.

It’s easy to say we had an amazing time in Athens, Ohio. The history and experiences are rich and the locals are great. If you will be taking a tour of the Ohio University campus, visiting a student or perhaps just near the area, make sure you check out this treasure and spend a few days getting to know the place.