//
City in Ohio, US
Photo: Kayura Mendonza, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Features six mainstage productions a year as well as a series of Lab Shows
Graduate playwrights' festival held each year, usually at the end of May. Features readings, staged readings, and full productions of graduate work.
Each week the graduate playwrights write a ten minute play based on a theme they receive that Monday.
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).
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).
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.
skate park. Skateboards and inline skates only.
Has a tractor pull, demolition derby, and a livestock showcase.
A festival dedicated to the PawPaw, a fruit native to Ohio.
The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference of NCAA Division I-A College Athletics.
The football stadium for the Bobcats.
The Ohio University Ice Arena.
Hosts the Bobcats swim team and regional swim meets.
The Ohio University baseball stadium.
Pruitt Field hosts the Bobcats Field Hockey team. It is surrounded by the Goldsberry Track for the Bobcats track teams.
The basketball arena for Ohio University. A distinctive building in its own right, its dome is a good landmark.
Great "Mexican" (non-authentic) food, vegan and vegetarian options, dedicated to using local resources. Restaurant has been worker-owned since 1984.
Sitdown & takeout. Excellent American Chinese cuisine (includes General Tso's Chicken and California Rolls.)
Burlesque-themed hot dog joint.
Greasy spoon diner.
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.
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).
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.
Late night gyros and baklava.
A local option for those who loathe Chipotle. Many burrito and salsa options. Chipotle Ranch is a customer favorite.
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.
Amazing restaurant with a constantly changing menu
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.
Fresh-baked goods and sanchwiches.
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.
Well known for their Beer Cheese Soup, Aquarium Night (beer in obscenely huge glasses), and for being massively packed during the weekend.
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.
Many flat screen TVs and a pretty decent menu.
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!).
Great food, warm and friendly bar. The nation's oldest co-op restaurant.
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!
Home of the only micro brewpub in Athens, offering live music, food and outdoor patio. A great alternative to the typical Athens bar scene.
Features the signature drink Junction Punch. Gin is probably an ingredient and one is more than enough.
A "dive bar" with a small (and mostly unused) dance floor.
Very easily the #1 frat/sorority bar.
The Hockey Bar. Crowded on weekends, College to Locals.
A mix of locals and college kids.
The official Steelers bar of Athens. Very good daily specials.
At the very end of Court Street. Kind of sterile compared to the rest of the bars in town.
Sports bar that has a beer garden ideal for day drinking on a spring day.
A plant store with a variety of plants and helpful staff.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Parkersburg (Williamstown) · Regional · PKB
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Athens (Ohio) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.