Updated with current information for 2022
So, you’re spending your summer in Athens Ohio. Does that mean your summer vacation is dead? Hardly. Athens might not be Europe, but it’s hardly Ashtabula either. There are plenty of summer kicks you can get within an easy drive of your student rental in Athens Ohio.
Backpacking
Southeast Ohio has some amazing backpacking opportunities. The Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail at Lake Hope is less than 30 miles and can be done in the space of a weekend with time to recharge at the bar. It’s beautiful and you might never see a soul the entire trip! Be prepared to conquer some hills, but there are plenty of water pumps so you can leave your filter at home. Wildcat Hollow is another mecca for backpackers. There’s also shortcut you can take if you prefer just a day hike.
Beer Week
For a week in July (13 to 21), Athens becomes a craft brew paradise during Ohio Brew Week. Over 40 breweries serve more than 200 craft brews featured across the taps of the 21 plus bars that make up Athens brew scene. There are brewery lectures, food tastings and pairings, concerts and more. Plenty of alumni and craft beer fans pour into town and light it up.
Nelsonville Music Fest
The Bonnaroo of Nelsonville? Yep, one of the region’s biggest music fests a few miles down the road from your Athens Ohio apartment is actually a thing. This year it’s being held over Labor Day weekend, but in most years it takes place during the heat of the summer. The Nelsonville Music Festival has featured such big names as Ween, Wilco, and Willie Nelson. This year’s lineup includes Ani DiFranco, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, and the Decemberists.
Strouds Run
Just a few minutes outside Athens – Strouds is usually quieter during the summer when students aren’t flocking to the beach during the few nice weekends in fall and spring.
Hop on the water and rent a boat, or if being in or on the water isn’t your style, soak up the sun and work on your tan instead.