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Yellow Springs is a village in Southwestern Ohio. It is home to Antioch College.

Understand[edit]

Antioch Hall, Antioch College
Yellow Springs in the Glen Helen Nature Preserve

The Village of Yellow Springs was founded in 1825. It was named for a natural spring rich in iron ore in Glen Helen. Legend has it that if you drink from the spring you will always return.

In the conservative stronghold of Southwest Ohio not far from a major air force base, Yellow Springs has the reputation for being an island of left-wing activism supported by its small liberal arts school, Antioch College. Some locals go as far as to call it the Berkeley of Ohio. When school is in session, people watching is an interesting event given the personalities this college attracts.

The Village offers some of the best dining in the Dayton area, along with several artisan groups and a downtown bustling with side-walk shops. All of this lies a short distance from Ohio's best natural area, including John Bryan State Park and Glen Helen.

The Village can get quite congested on warm-weathered weekends, but nearly all of its attractions are open during weekdays, which offer less in the way of crowds. As of the 2000 census the population was 3,761.

Visitor Information[edit]

Get in[edit]

Map
Map of Yellow Springs

By car[edit]

Yellow Springs is on route 68, just 7 1/2 miles south of route I-70. It is approximately a half hour drive from Dayton, and a one hour drive from Columbus. Dayton is serviced by the James M. Cox Dayton International Airport[dead link]. Columbus is serviced by John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Rental cars are available at both locations.

By bus[edit]

The Greyhound bus stops in nearby Springfield, about 15 minutes from Yellow Springs.

By bicycle[edit]

Yellow Springs is accessible by the excellent system of bicycle trails thanks to Ohio's Rails to Trails program. A 10 mile ride south on the trail will lead to Xenia. Parking and access to the trail, are available at the Chamber of Commerce which also houses public restrooms.

Get around[edit]

Yellow Springs is 1.9 square miles. The downtown area is easily walkable. It is relatively flat and a great town to get around by foot or on a bike. Bike rentals are available at Corner Cone, at the corner of Dayton and Walnut Streets, during its open season. If you want to visit any of the attractions outside of the town you will need a car. Yellow Springs has limited public transportation through Greene County's GreeneCATS program.

See[edit]

Solar Panels and Sheep Grazing in Yellow Springs

Despite its small size, Yellow Springs punches above its weight in cultural attractions.

  • A total solar eclipse on Monday 8 April 2024 starts at 3:10PM local time and lasts 90 sec. The chances of a clear sky are 35%. The track of totality is northeast from Mexico and Texas to Ohio, then along the Canada–New England border.
  • Little Art Theatre. Intimate theatre showing a savvy mix of mainstream and independent films. Operating since 1929, renovated in 2013 for digital projection.
  • Young's Jersey Dairy (one mile north of Yellow Springs). Young's offers miniature golf, batting cages, a driving range and a petting zoo. The Golden Jersey Inn serves "home-style country cooked meals", handmade ice cream and gelato.
  • 1 National Museum of the United States Air Force (in nearby Fairborn). 400 aerospace vehicles, and an abundance of historical items. Admission to the museum is free, however there is a fee for the Imax theater. Free. National Museum of the United States Air Force (Q1422977) on Wikidata National Museum of the United States Air Force on Wikipedia
  • Clifton Mill. Built in 1802 is one of the largest water powered grist mills. Here you can tour the mill, visit the 1940s Gas Station Museum and even cross the Little Miami River on a ninety foot covered bridge.
  • 2 Antioch College. A historic college in Yellow Springs Antioch College (Q4775012) on Wikidata Antioch College on Wikipedia
  • 3 Antioch University Midwest. Separate from Antioch College. Antioch University Midwest (Q4775038) on Wikidata Antioch University Midwest on Wikipedia
  • Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom, 1020 Livermore St, . Gives community lectures and talks on civil rights and non-violence. Founded by Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr who once studied here. Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom (Q62582385) on Wikidata Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom on Wikipedia

Do[edit]

Little Miami Scenic Trail

There are lots of outdoor activities in and around Yellow Springs.

  • 1 Glen Helen Nature Preserve. In Glen Helen there is a Raptor Center dedicated to the rehabilitation of birds of prey. You can see some of the permanently disabled birds in outdoor cages, and there are flight cages for birds who are recovering. Glen Helen Nature Preserve (Q14716423) on Wikidata Glen Helen Nature Preserve on Wikipedia
  • 2 Clifton Gorge. A 268-acre State Nature Preserve adjoining the nearby Village of Clifton. It has many geological and botanical features. Great for hiking. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve (Q34928648) on Wikidata Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve on Wikipedia
  • 3 John Bryan State Park (a few minutes outside Yellow Springs adjacent to Clifton Gorge). The park offers camping, fishing, hunting, canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing and repelling. John Bryan State Park (Q6223680) on Wikidata John Bryan State Park on Wikipedia
  • Little Miami Scenic Trail. A linear park with 72 paved miles for biking, jogging, roller blading, or walking.

Festivals[edit]

  • Yellow Springs Street Fair. Happens twice a year. On the second Saturdays of June and October the main streets in town are closed for vendors, live music and international cuisine.

Buy[edit]

Shops in Yellow Springs

Yellow Springs has a plethora of independent shops and artisans.

Eat[edit]

Yellow Springs offers many dining options with something to please every palate.

  • Bentinos Pizza, 1/2 Xenia Avenue, +1 937-767-2500. 107. Regional chain serving pizza, salads, pasta, calzones and wings. Delivery available.
  • Corner Cone Dairy Bar and Grill. Soft serve ice-cream, burgers, fries and shakes. Outside seating only. Open seasonally.
  • Current Cuisine. Delicatessen and bakery with indoor and outdoor tables. Catering available.
  • Dino's Cappuccinos, 225 Xenia Ave, +1 937-767-3466. A cozy, independent espresso bar with coffee and tea drinks and pastries.
  • Emporium Wines and the Underdog Cafe. Fresh bread, croissants, sandwiches, coffee and newspapers. Breakfast is served Tu-Su until 11:30AM.
  • HA HA Pizza, 108 Xenia Ave, +1 937-767-2131. An independent restaurant serving pizza, subs and calzone with a well stocked salad bar. Vegetarian entrees. Delivery available.
  • Sunrise Cafe. Lovingly prepared food using local and organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan entrees. Wine list.
  • Winds Cafe and Bakery. Fine dining with an extensive wine list, on premises bakery and homemade desserts, espresso and mixed drinks. Menu changes monthly. Special events include the Annual Garlic Dinner.

Drink[edit]

Ye Olde Trail Tavern
  • Dayton Street Gulch, 128 Dayton St, +1 937-767-9027. This hometown favorite dive draws an eclectic crowd. Pool table.
  • Peach's Grill, 104 Xenia Ave, +1 937-767-4850. Live music in the evenings. A great selection of sandwiches, wraps and Mexican entrees. Domestic and imported Beers on tap, wine and spirits.
  • Ye Olde Trail Tavern, 228 Xenia Ave, +1 937-767-7448. Serving cold beer and great bar food in an 1844 log cabin, the original structure was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. Over forty beers and wines to choose from. Enjoy one in front of the fireplace, in the solarium or out on the deck.
  • Yellow Springs Brewery (YS Brewery), 305 N. Walnut St., +1 937-767-0222. W-F 3-10PM; Sa 1-10PM; Su 1-6PM. Enjoy fresh craft brews directly out of the tap. Seasonal selections change weekly with many favorites always available. The beautiful taproom is also an art gallery featuring a wide array of local and regional artists. Brewery tours every Saturday at 4 pm. Enjoy the deck overlooking the Little Miami Scenic Trail.

Sleep[edit]

There are many comfortable and unique places to stay in Yellow Springs

Connect[edit]

Cope[edit]

WYSO broadcast station
  • 2 WYSO (91.3). An NPR Affiliate with local programming run by Antioch College. WYSO (Q7958165) on Wikidata WYSO on Wikipedia

Go next[edit]

The cities of Columbus and Cincinnati are each about an hour's drive from Yellow Springs if you are looking for a more urban setting.

Routes through Yellow Springs
FindlaySpringfield  N  S  XeniaWilmington





This city travel guide to Yellow Springs is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.