Athens
Athens is a city with a major university (population 26,000 -2010) and county seat of Athens County (population 68,000 2010 Southeast Ohio, best known for being home to over 29,000 Ohio University students. Athens was settled in 1797, and the university was the first to be founded in the Northwest Territory in 1803.
Get in
Map of Athens (Ohio)
By plane
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH IATA), take US-33, approximately 70 mi (110 km), from Columbus.
- 1 Gordon K. Bush Airport (ATO IATA Snyder Field), 747 Columbia Rd, ☏ +1 740-597-2600. A General aviation airport operated by Ohio University.
By car
SR 33 and SR 50 intersect at Athens.
By bus
GoBus provides intercity between smaller cities in western Ohio, Cincinnati and Columbus. Greyhound with partner companies serves the city with several daily departures from nearby larger cities. Many local taxi companies in Athens also offer shuttle service. Long distance buses stops at 2 Athens Community Centre station and 3 Athens - Ohio University station. It is possible to change to local buses at both stations.
Get around
By foot
- Athens is a small town that can be easily traversed by foot.
By taxi
- There are many different taxi companies servicing Athens, all with easy numbers to remember.
- (740)-594-7433 (RIDE) Has been servicing Athens for over 10 years. The types of car include 2007-2008 Aveos and Limos. Great service.
- (740)-594-4686 (GOTO) Fast service, but GOTO only has mini-vans, which are in very poor condition.
By bus
Athens Transit provides a small bus network with departures every 30 minutes, buses does not run on Sundays. A single fare is $1.
See
Arts and culture
- Ohio University School of Theatre, 307 Kantner Hall, ☏ +1 740-593-4818, theater@ohio.edu. Features six mainstage productions a year as well as a series of Lab Shows
- The Seabury Quinn, Jr. Playwrights' Festival. Graduate playwrights' festival held each year, usually at the end of May. Features readings, staged readings, and full productions of graduate work.
- Midnight Madness (The Hahne Theater, School of Theatre Building). Every Friday at midnight. Each week the graduate playwrights write a ten minute play based on a theme they receive that Monday.
- Lost Flamingo Company. Ohio University's student run theatre company. Features nine to twelve productions a year, as well as yearly productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Fall Quarter), The Vagina Monologues (Winter Quarter), and Short Stack, a collection of ten minute plays written by Ohio University students (Spring Quarter).
- Comedy for the Masses. Ohio University's student sketch comedy group. Features six shows a year, as well as an annual Stand-Up Showcase. Founded in 2001, in part by Michael Busch (An actor who worked on Conan and Glee).
- The 48-Hour Shoot Out. An annual competition sponsored by the School of Telecommunications in which students are given two days to write, film, and edit a short movie based on a line of dialogue, a prop, and a genre.
- 2 Athena Cinima.
Do
- Wayne National Forest.
- 1 [dead link] Athens Skate Park, 701 East State Street, ☏ +1 740 592-3325, info@athensskatepark.com. Open dawn to dusk. 18,000 ft² (1,700 m2) skate park. Skateboards and inline skates only. Free.
- 2 Athens County Fair, ☏ +1 740-592-1991. Has a tractor pull, demolition derby, and a livestock showcase.
- Pawpaw Festival. A festival dedicated to the PawPaw, a fruit native to Ohio.
Sports
- Ohio Bobcats. The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference of NCAA Division I-A College Athletics.
- 3 Ohio University Golf Course.
- 4 Peden Stadium. The football stadium for the Bobcats.
- 5 Ossian C. Bird Arena. The Ohio University Ice Arena.
- 6 Ohio University Aquatic Center. Hosts the Bobcats swim team and regional swim meets.
- 7 [dead link] Bob Wren Stadium. The Ohio University baseball stadium.
- 8 Pruitt Field. Pruitt Field hosts the Bobcats Field Hockey team. It is surrounded by the Goldsberry Track for the Bobcats track teams.
- 9 Convocation Center. The basketball arena for Ohio University. A distinctive building in its own right, its dome is a good landmark.
Buy
- Companion Plants, 7247 N Coolville Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 740-592-4643, sales@companionplants.com. A plant store with a variety of plants and helpful staff.
Eat
- Casa Nueva, 4 W. State St. Great "Mexican" (non-authentic) food, vegan and vegetarian options, dedicated to using local resources. Restaurant has been worker-owned since 1984.
- China Panda, 965 E. State St, ☏ +1 740 593-8883. 11AM-10PM. Sitdown & takeout. Excellent American Chinese cuisine (includes General Tso's Chicken and California Rolls.)
- Lui Lui's, 8 Station St. Decent Asian and American fusion.
- O'Betty's Red Hot, 15 W. State St. Burlesque-themed hot dog joint.
- Court Street Diner, 18 N. Court St. Greasy spoon diner, only restaurant in Athens that serves Cherry Kool-Aid.
- Peking Express, 5 N. Court St. Commonly known to locals and college students as "$3.95 Chinese", it is precisely that, a giant heap of Chinese food, although now it'll cost you about $4.50.
- Avalanche Pizza, 329 E. State St. Cheap, internationally award winning pizza. Insanely great deals (especially if you pick-up rather than get delivery) and an obscene amount of topping choices and specialty pizzas.
- Bagel Street Deli, 23 S. Court St. Charming deli featuring nearly 200 different bagel sandwiches and other fares, ranging from vegan to ultra-carnivore. Walls are decorated with tin foil sculptures and chalk signatures of past customers. Home of the annual Pickle Fest (pickle eating contest).
- Donkey Coffee, 1/2 W. Washington St. 17 rated best coffeehouse in the state by Ohio Magazine. Features calming music, great coffee, board games, open mic nights, poetry nights, local art, and is open 24 hours during finals week.
- Souvlaki's Restaurant and Deli, 9 W. State St. Late night gyros and baklava.
- Big Mamma's Burritos, 10 S. Court St. A local option for those who loathe Chipotle. Many burrito and salsa options. Chipotle Ranch is a customer favorite.
- Burrito Buggy A stand that sells amazing burritos at the intersection of Court St. and Union St. It's bright orange, yellow, and purple; you can't miss it.
- Grand China Buffet, 1002 E. State St. Amazingly great buffet with waitresses who glare at you in every attempt to will you to your own death.
- Hungry Howie's Pizza, 235 W. Union St. Not just a national chain, but the only Hungry Howie's with an official bus and $5 mediums being sold on the sidewalk.
- Stephen's End of Court St. Amazing restaurant with a constantly changing menu
- Zoe, 24 1/2 East State Street, ☏ +1 740-592-4443. Zoe features New American cuisine in a contemporary Setting. The ever changing a la carte menu features meat, seafood, poultry, and vegetarian options with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. Tuesday evenings half price wine, and Friday evenings prime rib. Reservations recommended but not required.
- Village Bakery & Cafe, 268 E. State St., Athens, ☏ +1 740-594-7311. Uses locally grown organic vegetables, non-GMO meats, and free-range eggs. Serves Fair Trade organic coffee, Herbal Sage teas, and bake with organic dairy, flour and sugar to create a variety of freshly baked hand crafted loaves, flaky quiches, sweet and savory pastries, breakfast pizza and a selection of tasty soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch. For dessert, they serve cookies, brownies, tarts, and cakes. The Sunday brunch menu includes individual omelettes, French toast, and sides of locally produced sausages, ham, polenta or home fries. They offer no espresso-based drinks.
- Fluff Bakery, 8 North Court St. Athens, Ohio 45701, ☏ +1 740-249-4286. Fresh-baked goods and sanchwiches.
Drink
There are many bars on Court Street located near Ohio University's College Green.
Pubs
- 1 Union Bar & Grill, 18 W Union St, ☏ +1 740-593-5060. Voted one of the best dive bars in America by Maxim Magazine. Features $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon, live indie rock of varying volumes, and Dance or Die, a monthly dance party. They shut down the grille, and the roaches left in protest.
- 2 The Pub, 39 N Court St, ☏ +1 740-592-2699. Well known for their Beer Cheese Soup, Aquarium Night (beer in obscenely huge glasses), and for being massively packed during the weekend.
- Pigskin Bar and Grill. Very well known for their signature drink The Black Widow, a one of a kind dark purple concoction that is a must have for any visitor to Athens.
- Red Brick Sports Pub, 14 N Court St. Many flat screen TVs and a pretty decent menu.
- Tony's Tavern, 7 W. State St. Considered a "townie bar." Tony's is very well known for their 'Hot Nuts' shot. Daily specials on Killian's and a very laid-back, friendly dive bar atmosphere. Be there on Friday night for Tony's happy hour (free food!).
- Casa Nueva & Cantina, 4 W. State St. Great food, warm and friendly bar. The nation's oldest co-op restaurant.
Bars
- 3 The Smiling Skull Saloon, 108 W. Union St, ☏ +1 740-589-2474. Known as Athens' biker bar. Great jukebox ranging from Johnny Cash to Dylan to The Clash. Open 365 days a year. Very reasonable drinks and nearly guaranteed to be free of frat and sorority types. Two dollar "Black and Tans" on Tuesdays. Your (well-behaved) dog is welcome to come inside!
- 4 Jackie O's, 22-24 W Union St, ☏ +1 740-592-9686. Home of the only micro brewpub in Athens, offering live music, food and outdoor patio. A great alternative to the typical Athens bar scene.
- 5 The J Bar, 41 N Court St, ☏ +1 740-249-4015. Features the signature drink Junction Punch. Gin is probably an ingredient and one is more than enough.
- Pawpurr's, 37 N. Court St. A "dive bar" with a small (and mostly unused) dance floor.
- 6 The Crystal, 34 N. Court St, ☏ +1 740-593-3679. Very easily the #1 frat/sorority bar.
- The C.I., 32 N. Court St. The Hockey Bar. Crowded on weekends, College to Locals.
- Cat's Eye, 12 N. Court St. A mix of locals and college kids.
- Lucky's, 11 N. Court St. The official Steelers bar of Athens. Very good daily specials.
- Broney's, 7 W. Carpenter St. At the very end of Court Street. Kind of sterile compared to the rest of the bars in town.
- Courtside. Sports bar that has a beer garden ideal for day drinking on a spring day.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
- Burr Oak State Park Lodge.
- 1 Ohio University Inn & Conference Center, 331 Richland Ave, ☏ +1 866-593-6661.
Bed & Breakfast
Connect
- 1 Athens Public Library, 30 Home St, ☏ +1 740 592-4272. Offers public computers and WiFi. Rents free bicycles for three hours a day for library card holders.
Go next
- Burr Oak State Park and Resort Lodge, Athens County, north of Glouster and east/adjacent to the Wayne National Forest off of Route 13. A variety of overnight accommodations, cottages and campground. Cottages: 30 family cottages, air conditioning, cable TV, sleeps six people, bath/shower, living room, complete kitchen, dining area, screened porch. Linens, towels, cooking, eating utensils are furnished. Camping: 100 non-electric campsites, showers, flush toilets, 21 primitive sites, pet camping. Fishing, hunting, swimming, beach, bathhouse, showers, changing booths, snack bar, twenty-eight miles of hiking trails, Burr Oak Backpack Trail, horseshoe court and playground.
- Lake Hope State Park, eastern Vinton County, approx. 20 miles west of Athens. Lake Hope State Park is entirely within the 26,824-acre Zaleski State Forest and adjacent to part of the Wayne National Forest. Dining lodge. Cottages: 72 cottages, all cottages have linens, towels, complete kitchens, microwave ovens, heat, air conditioning, outdoor grills and fire rings. Camping: 219-site campground, heated showerhouses, pit latrines, waste disposal, laundry facilities, picnic tables, fire rings, 46 sites have electric hookups, pet camping, three Rent-A-Camp units, one camper-cabin, one Rent-A-Tepee. Boats with electric motors only, 120-acre lake, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, available for rent. Swimming beach, beachhouse, sun deck, restrooms, concession building, fishing, hunting, seventeen miles of hiking trails, 21-mile backpack trail with primitive campsites, 33 miles of bridle trail and 23-mile singletrack bike trail.
- Stouds Run State Park, Athens County, east of Athens, on Route 690, inside of Wayne National Forest on Dow Lake. 75 non-electric campsites, picnic tables and fire rings, pet camping, three Rent-A-Camp sites, boating, fishing, hunting, 15 miles of hiking trails, birdwatching, nature study, 8½ mile bridle trail, 900-foot sand beach, change booths, drinking water, restrooms, scuba diving with proper equipment, picnic tables, cooking grates, three shelterhouses, basketball court, playground equipment, boat rentals, volleyball court and another playground.
Go to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or West Virginia.
| Routes through Athens |
| Columbus ← Nelsonville ← | W  E |
→ Jct N  S → Spencer → Weston |
| Chillicothe ← McArthur ← | W  E |
→ Belpre → Parkersburg |
Newark ← Heath ← Jct W  E ← Jct W  E ← |
N  S |
→ END |
| Cincinnati ← Jackson ← | W  E |
→ Belpre → becomes  → Parkersburg |