Updated with current information for 2023
Your friends are off to a ski trip in Vail or snorkeling in the Caribbean over the winter break and you’re stuck here in Athens. Reasons for your lack of mobility during the break may vary. Your family or you can’t afford the cost of airfare to go home or on a fabulous trip. Maybe you have a job and you’d have to resign if you took the time off. Or maybe you’re paying for one of those Athens Ohio parking rentals, in addition to your regular rent, and you need to earn more money at your job to stay afloat.
Regardless of the reason, you’re likely a bit bummed about hanging around when most of your pals are away having fun. The picturesque town of Athens isn’t just a hotspot for university rentals or student housing. Beyond the walls of these Ohio University apartments, there’s a winter wonderland waiting to be explored, especially when you’re not venturing off to some far-flung location.
If you’re one of those sticking around in your uptown Athens rental or perhaps in a four-bedroom house near campus, consider exploring the city’s hidden gems. Now, I’m not just talking about the widely known holiday festivities. No, Athens has much more up its snowy sleeve. So, cheer up. There are some things you can do in Athens during the winter break that will give you a boost and don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Unique Holiday Food and Drink
First off, for the epicureans among you who have chosen apartments near the bars of Athens, the winter is a prime time to explore. Local cafes and eateries often introduce winter specials – everything from cinnamon-spiced lattes to hearty stews. Grab a few of your friends who are also in town and embark on a food tour right in your own backyard. Court Street, apart from its dazzling holiday lights, is also known for its eclectic mix of restaurants, making it an excellent starting point.
Tour Christmas Lights
Christmas lights always pep us up. Think touring around town to gape at holiday lights is something strictly for family time? Get over it, and let your inner kid come out: round up some other winter break strays and meet at your Athens Ohio student rentals. Pack up some snacks, fill the car with gas and get going for a tour of festive Christmas lighting. You can get some advice for where to go from the Athens County Visitors’ Bureau, or just start rambling and see where you end up.
Holiday Lighting on Court Street
If you’re into photography, this could be an opportunity for learning how to effectively shoot images of holiday lighting at night. Try Uptown Athens for starters – Court Street specifically, which every year is transformed into a winter wonderland, with Santa visits, horse-drawn wagon rides, gingerbread houses and dazzling lights. (Tip: You need a tripod.)
If you’re nestled in an apartment near campus, take a wintry walk around. The Ohio University grounds look ethereal under a blanket of snow, making it a peaceful spot for reflection or even a snowy picnic!
Parking can indeed be tricky with the snow, but many local spots, including Ohio University off-campus parking, ensure they’re cleared out regularly. So, if you and your friends decide to drive around town, scouting for the best holiday lights, or even driving to a nearby winter event, you won’t have much to fret about.
For those who have chosen luxury apartments in Athens, use this time to truly enjoy the amenities. Indoor pools, gyms, and communal lounges can be less crowded, allowing you a more serene experience.
Santa Train
We already told you that you’re not too old for touring Christmas lighting; well, you’re also not too old to partake of one of Athens’ most beloved traditions, the Santa Train, which took off Nov. 30 and runs each Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22. Trains depart Nelsonville Depot at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. en route to East Logan. Call the train for more information about special evening departures. You may not want to share your gift list by sitting on Santa’s knee, but you and some other college-age stragglers can enjoy the train ride, the holiday music and the good cheer.
Volunteer
Lastly, a nod to the givers among us. Winter, especially the holiday season, is a time of giving. Whether you’re in an apartment on East State Street or any other Athens Ohio rental, consider rallying your neighbors for a charitable drive. Collect warm clothes, canned foods, or even offer snow-shoveling services to those in need. After all, the warmth of giving beats any heater.
If you’ve got some extra time on your hands, check out some of the local opportunities for volunteering. There’s nothing that chases the blues away like lending a helping hand to others. Local churches and charities will be serving meals, handing out donated items for those in need and performing other charitable acts throughout the holidays.
So, as the snow falls outside your Athens window, remember there’s a world of winter fun right on your doorstep. Embrace the beauty, warmth, and generosity of Athens this season.