Thank you to Ohio. Find It Here. for sponsoring this blog post. As always, all thoughts, opinions and pictures are my own unless noted otherwise.
Filled with history, Midwest charm, local eats around every corner, and beautiful scenery — Athens is one of my favorite towns to visit in Ohio. With the leaves changing and temps cooling down, it turns into a magical fall wonderland.
We took the girls to explore Athens, Ohio for the first time and had an absolute blast. We introduced them to our favorite restaurants, found the perfect pumpkins at White’s Mill, took a train ride on a 1920s train, fueled up on local coffee, explored the Ohio University campus, discovered a bookshop with a great kids section, picked out our favorite colors in the numerous art murals, and more!
Looking for more charming Ohio towns? Read this blog post. Maybe you’re hoping to see more fall foliage across the state? Check out these Scenic Route Ohio Road Trips. Need a list of things to do this fall? Read the 100 Things to do in Ohio this Fall blog on Ohio.org
Take a ride on the Hocking Valley Train to see the Fall Foilage
Take a leisurely train ride through the Hocking Hills in a historic train. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, erring more on the history side than anything, has been providing volunteer-operated weekend train excursions from Nelsonville for over forty years!
The train ride we chose showcases the gorgeous fall foliage, as well as the history of the train and the land. The girls are very much into Thomas the Train right now, so they loved this. The train is made up of historic equipment ranging from 1917 to the 1960s. You have the option of sitting in a traditional enclosed coach, two of them with air conditioning, or in one of the three open-air cars with one of those cars being wheelchair accessible. We sat in the car with no A/C because of the bench-type seating + it wasn’t very busy in this specific car. We opened the windows, which allowed a nice breeze to come through.
With the fall foliage being one of their most popular rides, they’ve added Thursday and Friday to the schedule through October 31st. If you choose to go on Saturday or Sunday, they have two different departure times – noon and 2:30 PM. The website says the train ride is 2 hours, but ours was about 90 minutes. As you take your ride, you see several different things. One is the gorgeous scenery turning from spring to fall with the changing of the leaves. There is also an opportunity to see an old canal lock from the Hocking Canal, the remains of the Nelsonville Brick Company, the original depot at Haydenville, some of the remaining active industry in the area, and more. They have someone on a loudspeaker leading a tour with fun facts along the way. My husband loved learning all of the history!
I will admit that I was debating whether or not to take the girls. It seemed like a long ride for toddlers. With that being said, I am so glad that we went. They had a blast. They loved looking out the windows and mentioning everything they saw. Before we went, I stopped and picked up a notebook, a new fancy pen, and stickers to bring with us. It was the perfect activity for the train.
Things to Know:
- The train does rock from slightly from side to side.
- It can be loud at times. The conductor was sweet enough to see harper covering her ears when he brought over earplugs. She used them for the first 10 or 15 minutes. If you have a kiddo with sensitive ears or dislike loud noises, I suggest bringing headphones. It was only loud at certain times but enough to notice.
- All are round trip rides back to the Nelsonville Depot. You do make a quick stop to prepare the train for the trip back to the depot. They bring the engine from the front to the back, which was neat for the girls to watch.
- While food and drinks are not available on the train, you are more than welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages on board (whether from home or restaurants nearby)!There are no bathrooms on the train, but they do have one at the train station before you depart.
- 3 and under are FREE, but they will have to sit on an adult lap if the train is busy. It wasn’t busy when we went, so we did not buy the girls a ticket.
- They have a number of different train rides, including a Trunk-or-Treat Train and Santa Christmas Train.
Website | Facebook
Address: 33 West Canal Street Nelsonville, OH 45764
Grab food at a few local restaurants
One of my favorite things about visiting Athen is the food scene. It is fabulous – locally-owned, independent businesses offering delicious options from all types of cuisine. They are a hidden foodie gem and home of the nationโs first โsuper-localโ food economies โ The 30 Mile Meal โ described as โthe epicenter of a vibrant and thriving local foods region.โ The 30 Mile Meal helps you discover the farms, foods, and spirits crafted within just 30 miles of Athens.
It’s hard to describe all that you can find in one trip, so I am sharing a few of our must stops every time we are in Athens, which we found were all toddler approved. Most are found on or near Court Street, where people say Athens’s magic comes alive.
Bagel Street Deli
Bagel street Deli has any bagelwich you can imagine, toasted and steamed to perfection. From poultry pursuers to carnivorous cravers to veggie delights, the menu is HUGE. Our go-to is the pizza bagel (pepperoni, provolone, and pizza sauce) on an everything bagel.
Website | Facebook
Address: 27 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701
Goodfellas Pizza
GoodFellaโs Pizza is an Athens staple for a reason. The dough is airy and almost tastes like garlic breadsticks.The prices are just right for the amount of pizza you get; the slices are huge and if you get there during the lunch special – it’s even better. 2 slices and a drink for $6. You must try the staple pepproni slice, but be sure to try the special of the day.
Facebook
Address: 6 W Union St, Athens, OH 45701
Casa Nueva
Casa Nueva is one of our favorite restauraunts. From the food to the drinks to the people to their overall mission โ you just donโt find places like this one. Theyโve been a a provider of local, sustainable, Mexican-inspired food for the Athens community for the last 30+ years โ making them a local favorite.
They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We went for a mid-morning breakfast and got a combination of breakfast and lunch foods. We love their burritos. They were perfectly wrapped and bursting with flavor. The breakfast burrito was filled with scrambled eggs, Monterey Jack, onions, bell peppers, & refried beans baked in a house-made flour tortilla. Stephen added chorizo, which I recommend. Yum! The girls ordered off the kid’s menu, priced $3-$5, and had several choices. I love when a kid’s menu has more than two options, mainly because our kids are adventurous eaters. With that being said, they went with the French toast and seemed to really enjoy it.
Fun Facts about Casa Nueva
- Theyโre a worker owned co-op. What does that mean you ask? โA worker-owned co-op is a business where the workers of the cooperative have joined together to produce goods and/or services for sale. The workers, being the only members of the cooperative, elect the Board of Directors and share whatever profits are earned by the business.โ
- They have a no-tipping policy. It is worked into their prices. Donโt worry โ they still have wonderful prices.
- They are a no-tv establishment. Yep, NO TVโs
- Theyโre part of the โSlow Foodโ movement, meaning they make everything in-house and from scratch.. You can tell. Wait until you get your hands on their salsas.
Website | Facebook
Address: 6 W State St, Athens, OH 45701
O’Betty’s Red Hot
OโBettyโs Red Hotย is a hot dog restaurant located at 15 West State Street in the Cameron Building, the smallest building in Uptown Athens. I think this restaurant is so much fun! The menu star is the 100% all-beef dogs in natural casings from Ohio. No fillers, never frozen, robustly seasoned, and are served in toasted and steamed honey buns. They have several toppings + homemade sauces made with fresh and local ingredients whenever possible. They also have some of the freshest fries in town, hand-cut daily.ย
My favorite hot dog to order is the Sally ‘HIDE & PEEK.’ Sassy Sally Satisfies with Sizzlin Bacon, Fresh Diced Tomato, and Shredded Romaine Lettuce with Mayo. Looking back at previous visits, it seems this is my go-to without even realizing it.
They’re currently only doing a pick-up window, but once they can safely re-open, you’re in for a real treat! In the back of the restaurant, there is a Wonderful Wacky Hot Dog Museum that is home to hundreds of wild hot dog items and pays homage to the Great Burlesque Stars, past and present.
Website | Facebook
Address: 15 W State St, Athens, OH 45701
Pick out a pumpkin or two at White’s Mill
White’s Mill has proudly served southeast Ohio since 1809, making it uniquely Athens for over 200 years! We drove by and saw all the gorgeous pumpkins and knew we had to stop. We found pumpkins and guards of all sizes outside, but what we found inside was pretty neat! They highlight the talented artists of Athens by selling several locally produced items. From wooden toys to Jim Weaver paintings to Sticky Pete’s Maple Syrup, and so much more – you’re bound to find something you love. On top of that, they have outdoor chimes, bird feeding supplies with custom mixes, and a fantastic garden shop with all the supplies you could need for indoor and outdoor.
The girls enjoyed picking out pumpkins. The prices are written on the pumpkins, and they range in price. We ended up picking out the $4 size, which was just big enough for the girls to feel like they were carrying a giant pumpkin!
I was impressed with the garden portion of the store. They had a large variety of seeds and bulbs, even having the option to make a custom mix to your liking. They seemed very knowledgeable, and it felt like I could very much have a green thumb with them on my team.
Website | Facebook
Address: 2 Whites Mill Dr, Athens, OH 45701
Stop at Brenen’s Coffee Cafe to fuel up and then walk around campus
What goes better together on a fall day than fall foliage, brick-lined streets, and a delicious cup of coffee? I can’t think of much! Brenen’s Coffee Cafe has been an Athens tradition since 1991. It is owned and operated by Josh and Jessica Thomas, both OU Alumni and living local ever since. They’re located on South Court St., just a short walk from College Green, located in the middle of it all.
Their menu is quite large, featuring salads, sandwiches, bakery items, bagels, cookies, and of course coffee, tea, espresso, chillers, and more. We planned to eat elsewhere and wanted a quick snack and coffee to fuel up for our walk – so we went with a sprinkle cookie (massive!!) and two coffees. I had the Nitro Pumpkin Cold Brew, which I highly recommend. Stephen had an iced cinnamon mocha, which I also recommend. Both had fantastic flavor and were very much on brand for fall.
Website | Facebook
Address: 38 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701
One of the main reasons we chose to visit Athens is the campus of Ohio University. It is home to many beautiful buildings that date back to the 1800s. The architecture is striking, and people come from all over to enjoy it. While it is lovely all year long, it is simply magical in the fall. Quietly nestled in Appalachia, it is surrounded by hills and trees galore. Once they start changing, you feel like you’ve stepped into a fall wonderland. We were just a week or so early before the significant change but saw plenty of signs around us that it was coming.
Have a spooky time at The Ridges
The Ridges, formerly called the Athens Lunatic Asylum, was a mental hospital operated in Athens, Ohio from 1874 until 1993. During its operation, the hospital provided services to a variety of patients including Civil War veterans, children, and violent criminals suffering from various mental disabilities. Many inhumane and outdated mental health treatments, like lobotomies, hydrotherapy, electroshock treatments and early psychotropic drugs were in practice at the asylum during its years of operation.
The Ridges are said to be extremely haunted!
Today, the Ridges are a part of Ohio University and house the Kennedy Museum of Art, an auditorium and many offices, classrooms, and storage facilities.
The Kennedy Museum of Art is located in the Lin Hall, pictured above. This museum is open to the public. It also has no admission fees and has exhibits that showcase many beautiful artifacts and antiques. When you first walk in, there is a room dedicated to the history of the building. It is quite interesting and eery that you can stand right where everything happened. As you walk through, there are a few more exhibits and two temporary exhibits – The Van Gogh Affectand LACUNA. Upstairs, there is an exhibit that was pretty kid-friendly that Harper enjoyed. The other two fell asleep in the car.
We didn’t have time to walk over, but if you’re looking for a bit of spookiness this season – walk across to The Cemetery. They are full of history and mystery. There are 1,930 former patients are buried at the three cemeteries located at the Ridges. You can also visit The Dairy Barn Southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center is located in the old hospitals remodeled dairy barn. It is a nonprofit arts organization and is home to many different art and community events. One year we saw a fascinating quilt exhibit. There wasn’t anything specifically going on this time, but check the calendar before going, and I am sure you’ll find something.
Website
Address: 100 Ridges Cir., Athens, OH 45701
Let the kids run around at Southside Park at Richland Avenue
On every trip with the girls, we try to find a playground. It is something familiar to them, and it can break up a day of exploring – often setting the reset button or sometimes just getting out that extra energy from the excitement of exploring somewhere new. A tip from a friend on Instagram led us to the Southside playground. It was great! The park was surrounded by mature trees offering shade and a little bit of fall magic. The playground is an all-accessible playground that features two play structures featuring swings, ramps, equipment, and rubber surfacing. There is a shelter house with picnic tables where we picnicked at with the food we ordered to-go. I highly suggest going as the sunset is happening. The trees glow, and it is such a beautiful sight.
Find a new favorite book at Little Professor
Locally owned and operated for the past 45 years, they’ve got books in every category imaginable – including the cutest children’s section. The girls love sitting at the table, looking at a few new books. Ultimately, they went with a classic choice – Berenstain Bears.
Facebook | Address: 65 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701
Shop local at the Athens Farmers Market
If youโre from Columbus, you know we arenโt lacking in the Farmers Market department. We have some of the best farmers markets around, but I have to say – the Athens Farmers Market is one of my favorites. It has even been rated one of the best markets in all of Ohio. They market offers a generous variety of items. This includes meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, prepared foods, pies and pastries, traditional and specialty bread, coffee, wine and cider, honey and maple syrup, fudge and candies, live plants and seeds, cut flowers and flower arrangements, succulent plants, vegetable seedlings, and hand crafts! The list could probably keep going.
The Market is open all year on Saturdays and Wednesdays from April to December. Hours are 10 AM to 1 PM.
Tip: If you’re traveling, make sure to bring a cooler with you!
Website | Address: 1000 E State St, Athens, OH 45701
Admire the Local Murals
Our favorite mural was the butterfly wall outside of Kindred Market, another must stop on your trip. It has gorgeous colors and larger than life butterflies, which the girls loved. We didn’t have a list of murals to look for, we just stopped when they caught our eye. You’ll find art everywhere in Athens!
Athens is home to nine State Park and Natural Preserves along with their State Forests and one National Forest. Hiking lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love visiting this place. We chose Conkle’s Hollow to explore with the girls. I knew it was very toddler-friendly, and there was a short hike with big rewards. Conkle’s Hollow, situated off S.R. 374 on Big Pine Road, is a rugged, rocky gorge – considered one of the deepest in Ohio. Wait, that doesn’t sound toddler-friendly? Don’t worry; a 1/2 mile trail is paved and leads right to the Gorge – very little feet friendly. The path leading up the narrow half-mile long ravine is surrounded by vertical cliffs rising over 200 feet above the mouth of the Gorge. Once you get close to the Gorge, it does become more narrow with natural steps. The trail starts out stroller-friendly, but when you get closer to the Gorge, it is not. I saw someone park their stroller to the side and carry their little one back. Our girls walked around, holding our hands, and did just fine. Once you’re done – you are rewarded with beautiful views and a natural playground.
There is never any wrong time to go to Hocking Hills, but if you’re looking for a perfect time – this might be it. We were there beginning of October as the leaves were starting to turn, and it was magical. I can only imagine what it is going to look like mid to end of October.
Address: 24858 Big Pine Road, Rockbridge, Ohio 43149.
Visit Hocking Hills Oasis Coffee Shop
Coffee flights, cheesecake flights, apple cider slushies, hot apple cider bombs and coffee IV bags are just a few reasons we fell in love with Hocking Hills Oasis Coffee Shop. They even have an 18-hole mini-golf course, are in the same shopping area as the Hocking Hills Flea Market and antique shops + they’re a short drive to the gorgeous Hocking Hills trails.
Facebook | Website
Address: 26850 US Highway 33 Rockbridge, Ohio 43149
If you enjoy being outside and want to be more into nature, be sure to check out one of the many state parks. Take part in one of the many ways to enjoy the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. Grab tickets to a game at Ohio University. Enjoy beer straight from the source at one of their local breweries like Jackie O’s, Little Fish Brewing Company or Devil’s Kettle Brewing. Shop at one of the many locally owned shops. My favorites are Random House, Kindred Market, and College Bookstore.
Our next fall trip with the girls is going to be Marietta, OH. Girl about Columbus wrote a lovely write-up with 10 Things to Do with kids that I am totally planning off of.
