15 Best Things To Do In Yellow Springs, Ohio

Joe
Posted Oct 01, 2021
| 7 min read

Located in Greene County in Ohio, Yellow Springs is a town full of nature and hidden natural sites that cannot be found elsewhere in the country. If you love the outdoors or you are thinking of taking some time to reconnect with nature then this is the town to be. Visit John Bryan State Park, a famous public area that’s perfect for camping. Other spots to visit include the Glen Helen Nature Preserve, the best spot for outdoor recreation, Glen Helen Ecology Institute, and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, a nature park that’s home to amazing gardens and the perfect spot for hiking. You will find it easy to look for places to stay in Yellow Springs, since there are plenty of Airbnb vacation rentals available. Take a look at this list of the things to do in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

1. Hike through Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

Enough of lazing in the house, glued to your television, busy watching movies and eating junk food. Spare some time and go hiking through the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. Home to spectacular limestone and dolomite gorges, this state park presents the perfect hiking spot with a 2-mile (3.2 km) stretch that will lead you to one of the best spots with scenic views of the rare snow trillium and the spring wildflowers. Burn some calories and enjoy a breath of fresh air as you reconnect with nature on an exciting hike.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

Address: 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

2. Enjoy a day in nature at Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Quite often, we forget how beautiful and marvelous nature is and can be. Take a step back from your busy life and visit the Glen Helen Nature Preserve and appreciate the true beauty we take for granted. Reconnect and bond with nature as you marvel at the beautiful springs and waterfalls while being guided through the nature preserve while being educated about different plants, animals and insect species you find on your adventure. A breath of clean naturally refined air comes as a bonus as you enjoy your adventure in the marvelous Glen Helen Nature Preserve.

Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Address: 405 Corry Street, Inman Trail, Yellow Springs, OH

Website: Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 7pm (Closed on Sat & Sun)

3. Sample beers at Yellow Springs Brewery


There is no way you can call yourself a beer fanatic and yet afford to miss visiting the Yellow Springs Brewery to sample local beers. Famed for the tasty beers coming in different flavors to quench each customer’s thirst, Yellow Springs Brewery takes pride in brewing the best and top-class beer in the town. Take pride in being among the locals who enjoy this special libation, perfectly brewed right at home. Don’t miss out on grabbing yourself a six-pack and enjoy it at the comfort of your home.

Yellow Springs Brewery

Address: 305 Walnut St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Yellow Springs Brewery

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 1pm - 10pm; Fri: 1pm - 11pm; Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 10pm

4. Enjoy mountain biking at John Bryan State Park

Oil your bike chains, check your pedals and make sure everything is working perfectly before embarking on an exhilarating mountain biking adventure at John Bryan State Park. Feel the wind blow on your face as you explore the true beauty that lies within this spectacular park, hidden from the public eye. What makes this state park one of the best places to go biking is the fact that it is home to a spectacular limestone gorge and it is considered to be the most scenic state park in the western part of Ohio.

John Bryan State Park

Address: 3790 Ohio 370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: John Bryan State Park

Opening hours: 7:15am - 5:30pm (daily)

5. Marvel at the exhibit of handmade art at Village Artisans


Village Artisans Gallery is home to some of the most exquisite art exhibits and collections. This amazing gallery presents the perfect space for art lovers to come and appreciate what they love most - breath-taking pieces of art. You can find unique handmade pieces at pocket-friendly prices. The most interesting event is held on the second Saturday every August. The event is an outdoor show that features handmade products received from over 100 artists across the country.

Village Artisans

Address: 100 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, United States

Website: Village Artisans

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 5pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 6pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

6. Start your day right at Dino's Coffee


Why start your day all gloomy and grumpy, when you can simply just pass by Dino’s Coffee and grab yourself something to jumpstart your day to a rather bright one. With a well-crafted menu, each meal, drink and snack is perfectly prepared to satisfy each customer appetite. Dino’s Coffee is undoubtedly the perfect café to visit to start off your day, ready to conquer all that comes your way. With your mug of coffee or your fork and knife in your hand, ready to dig in, the only word you will hear is Bon Appetit!

Dino's Coffee

Address: 225 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Dino’s Coffee

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 6:30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 6:30am - 10pm; Sun: 8am - 8pm

7. Buy organic food at Tom’s Market


Tired of eating junk food all the time and all you want is that pure organic dish, full of flavor and cooked with love? Depending on what you are looking for, Tom’s Market has all you need readily prepared meals or organic ingredients. Everything you need is readily available and the best part is that all products are fresh from the farm only a few hours old. Pick your fresh produce, tasty ingredients or just a ready to eat dish, guaranteed to get the best from Tom’s Market.

Tom’s Market

Address: 242 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Tom’s Market

Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)

8. Explore the scenic Trailside Museum

Welcome to Trailside Museum, the perfect spot for you to get up close and personal with nature as you experience hands-on displays and exhibits. Gear and trail maps are readily available at the museum before you continue with your adventure heading to Glen Helen Nature Preserve. It may not look as much at first glance, but if you happen to inspect the museum further, you will be surprised by the number of useful goodies and information that is hidden within the walls of Trailside Museum.

Trailside Museum

Address: Little Miami Scenic Trail, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Trailside Museum

9. Go cheesy at Young's Jersey Dairy


Ice cream shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, cheese store, you name it, Young’s Jersey Dairy has them all. Come and unleash your crazy cheesy side as you indulge in the fun and creamy goodies. Bring your family and friends for some family fun on the farm as you get to enjoy some sweet homemade ice cream. With all these goodies and fun things to do at Young’s Jersey Dairy, you now have the perfect place to treat your family on a weekend.

Young's Jersey Dairy

Address: 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Young’s Jersey Dairy

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 7am - 11pm; Fri & Sat: 7am - 12am

10. Watch a movie at Little Art Theatre


Regarded as one of the most known landmarks in Yellow Springs, The Little Art is known for its dedication to showcasing diverse show programming bringing to the table a collection of breathtaking documentaries, amazing cinema classics, and outstanding foreign films. The ability of The Little Art to educate, inform and at the same time entertain views makes it one of the must go places in Yellow Springs, Ohio. A gem hidden in Yellow Springs, The Little Art clearly brings out the true essence of art without discrimination.

Little Art Theatre

Address: 247 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Little Art Theatre

11. Buy souvenirs from Urban Handmade


With the aim of offering a unique shopping experience, Urban Handmade is a well-known shop located in downtown Yellow Springs, Ohio. Feel free and browse through the amazing exhibits as you choose your favorite souvenir; don’t be shy, take as much as you can so long as you can afford them all. With over 70 designs of clothing, paper goods, jewelry, accessories, just to mention a few, you are sure to find something unique for yourself, friends and family.

Urban Handmade

Address: 113 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Urban Handmade

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 10:30am - 5pm; Sat: 10:30am - 5:30pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm

12. Relish pizzas at Ha Ha Pizza


Come and have a bite of one of the scrumptious pizza prepared at Ha Ha Pizza restaurant. The menu offers a mouthwatering line up of calzones, pizza and the salad bar will always be a delight to all. Words cannot clearly describe the comfort and tranquility that emanates from this restaurant, you have to be there to really grasp and understand what the excitement is all about. When you hear the name Ha Ha Pizza, the next words will be yummy pizza to rhyme with the name.

Ha Ha Pizza

Address: 108 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Ha Ha Pizza

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri & Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 1pm - 9pm

13. Browse collector's comics at Super-Fly Comics & Games


If you are a true fanatic of comics, movies, cosplay, and video games, then you have to visit Super-Fly Comics and Games. Come and browse through the amazing collection of collector’s comics, classics, and video game collections. With a collection of the best-selling materials such as Marvel, DC super-hero comics, Dynamite, Fantagraphics, vertigo just to mention a few, you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for. Who cares if you have a geeky side, unleash your true self and dive deep in what you love most and like the birds in the air, fly free.

Super-Fly Comics & Games

Address: 132 Dayton St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Super-Fly Comics & Games

Opening hours: Sun - Tue: 12pm - 7pm; Wed - Fri: 11am - 8pm; Sat: 11am - 8pm

14. Try tacos at Miguel's Tacos


If you have never had tacos before then prepare your taste pallets to enter the gates of food heaven if that’s a real thing. Each meal is prepared using nothing but freshly sourced ingredients, bringing out an authentic and robust flavor in tacos, only prepared at Miguel’s Tacos. It may look like a regular trailer, and you might even underestimate Miguel’s Tacos, but the miracles that happen within the confines of that trailer will make you return for another one or two pieces of Miguel’s taco to go, just to relish in the amazing moist, tasty and flavorful tacos.

Miguel's Tacos

Address: Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Miguel’s Tacos

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11:30am - 7pm (Closed on Mon & Tue)

15. Enjoy live music at Peach's Grill


Music, more times than not, is a very therapeutic element that can change your mood depending on what you are listening to. Come and pay Peach’s Grill and indulge in the intoxicating atmosphere as you enjoy good live music performed by outstaring artists. Amazing live music is not the only thing that this grill offers, but the menu also has an exquisite line-up of meals and a perfectly curated drink collection that will perfectly quench your thirst or wash down your meal.

Peach's Grill

Address: 104 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

Website: Peach’s Grill

Opening hours: 11am - 2:30am (daily)

The Yellow Springs guide

It is normal to not know what to do if you are not familiar with the area you happen to be in. However, there’s no need to worry because, with this list of amazing things to do, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. Don’t be surprised if you can hardly get to check every activity on this list.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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