Athens - home sweet home

A view of Ohio University

Like others that attend school at Ohio University, I consider Athens, Ohio my home. For college students living here, the things we do everyday may seem average, but I know from an outside point of view that Athens has wonderful things to offer to someone who may be traveling through. Other than the well-known party scene, Athens and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer for those with interests in recreation.

Strouds Run State Park

Athens area is surrounded by beautiful parks that offer many types of recreation to visitors. Hiking, cycling, motor sports, rock climbing, and water sports are all features of parks within a 30 mile radius. Dow Lake at Strouds Run State Park, Lake Snowden, Lake Hope State Park, and Burr Oak Lake all make for the perfect kayaking or canoeing trip. The ridges have high and low ropes course offered for those who are willing to take the risk. Strouds Run offers visitors a small beach which is a popular spot for OU students to catch some rays next to the lake. It also has miles of hiking available through dense forest. 

The Ridges Insane Asylum

For those interested in ghost stories, Athens is a great town for you. Athens is known for its many haunted locations including various residence halls, cemeteries, and The Ridges. The Ridges used to be an insane asylum where there was an outbreak of Tuberculosis, in which case it shut down. It has a well-know reputation of being haunted due to its many unmarked graves and "the stain" located in the building. For more information on The Ridges...click here.




Among these eccentric features of Athens, you can Google "Athens, Ohio recreation" and get a multitude of results of things to do. There are activities for young and old, for those who are physically fit, or those who just want to take a walk. I can tell you first hand that it's the place to be, and a great place to travel through.


Happy traveling!