Spending the summer in Athens Ohio rental housing? Most likely, you’re due for a roadtrip. And if you’re roommates are out of town for the summer and you have that whole four bedroom house to yourself – you’ll probably get bored quickly.
Athens is its own little world, but it always helps to remember there is a bigger one outside the borders of Route 33. Here are eight awesome road trips within a few hours drive of your apartment:
Old Man’s Cave
Located in the Hocking Hills just past Logan and within 45 minutes of Athens, Old Man’s Cave is a geological treasure nestled in a gorge of Black Hand Sandstone. Carved out over thousands of years of glacial erosion, this park can seem like an entirely different planet. The gorge is 150 feet deep and nearly a mile long. The area also features several waterfalls, amazing rock formations, caves, boulder formations and eclectic plant life, notably hemlock, black birch, and Canadian yew.
The Purple Fiddle
The Purple Fiddle’s enough of a jaunt out of town that it’s worth doing in style with a stay at its adjacent Fiddler’s Roof Guest House and Purple Fiddle Hostel. Brew, organic food, and organic coffee and herbal teas are served up to order. Plus there’s a stage that serves up rock n’ roll, jazz, funk, reggae, old-country, blues, Celtic, or folk every Friday and Saturday night, and occasional weekdays. Check out their calendar of toe tapping good tunes. It probably beats listening to music by yourself on the porch of your rental’s yard by yourself.
The Brew Kettle Taproom, Smokehouse, and Brewery
Located in Strongville, the Brew Kettle Taproom, Smokehouse, and Brewery lets you brew the beer. Choose a recipe, cook it up and bottle it for home, with a brew coach to guide you every step of the way.
And for inspiration, drink a few of theirs while you make yours. The brewery features an IPA chosen as the best American IPA by Paste Magazine out of 116 entries. Black Rajah, a black IPA version of the vaulted label, is a perfect combo of hoppy and dark. If hops is not quite your thing, try the MOD Quad, a Belgian inspired high octane brew.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Located in Sandusky, Ohio, Cedar Point is known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World”. With 18 roller coasters and a variety of other thrill rides, this amusement park is sure to give you a fun-filled day of adrenaline-pumping excitement – which is probably the perfect break from spending your days Uptown just wandering aimlessly as you wait for all your friends to come home from break.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a must-see for any music lover. The museum features exhibits on the history of rock and roll and its impact on culture, as well as memorabilia from famous artists and interactive exhibits.
If you’re the museum type but don’t want to travel – consider staying close to campus and visiting the Kennedy Museum of Art, just a few minutes from your cozy and cool student rental.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater
Located in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, Fallingwater is a famous house designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Built in 1935, the house is built over a waterfall and features Wright’s signature organic style. Tours of the house and grounds are available.
(Of course, we all know that five-bedroom you rent is better.)
Niagara Falls
Located on the border of Ontario, Canada, and New York State, Niagara Falls is a natural wonder that’s definitely worth the drive. You can take a boat tour to get up close and personal with the falls, or simply enjoy the stunning views from the various observation decks.
Plus, you won’t feel out of place. Athens is just as wet with all the rain it gets. But instead of slipping and falling on the bricks of Court Street, you’ll see one of the most awe-inspiring geographic features on the continent.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force
Located in Dayton, Ohio, the National Museum of the United States Air Force is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. With over 360 aircraft and missiles on display, as well as interactive exhibits and a planetarium, this museum is a great destination for aviation enthusiasts.
Plus, if you’re the kind of person who bemoans the fact that Athens is devoid of luxury apartments, maybe it will give you the inspiration to pursue a career change to aviation to get the funds you need to get that nice crib!
All in all, if you’re feeling the need to escape the tight confines of your studio apartment or the large space of your five-bedroom home, consider using that parking at your rental and making the voyage to somewhere new!