Greetings from Athens County - Home of Ohio University!

We are pleased to welcome you to Athens and to Ohio University. This online Parent’s Guide is just the beginning of what will be a fantastic experience for both your student and your family!

Aside from earning a great education, students and their families have an opportunity to experience one of America’s most unique communities. The bricks, the buildings, and the people will quickly become an integral part of your student’s life, and we invite you to learn more about their new home.

The City of Athens has been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Art Communities, one of the Most Commutable Communities, one of the Best Hometowns in Ohio, home of one of the Top 10 Farmers’ Markets, and our personal favorite, one of the “Top 12 Places You’ve Never Heard Of”.

While we may be small, we offer the cultural opportunities only found in most large cities, and many are within walking distance of the historic Ohio University Campus. 

As a supplement to this online Parent’s Guide, we recommend you visit our award-winning website.  A complete schedule of events, along with lodging, dining and shopping directories are included.

View the Official Athens County Visitors Guide online for an overview of Athens County and the region, or give us a call for maps, additional guides and upcoming special events.

Ohio University hosts a great series of Family Weekends, giving you many opportunities to visit your student during their time at Ohio University. And, there are many other weekends filled with festivals, concerts or just lazy days that will draw you back to Athens for another visit. The college experience isn’t just for the students – families are allowed in on the fun, too! 

Our recommendations for the perfect weekend in Athens? Grab your bikes, hiking boots, shopping bags and appetite, and we’ll supply a beautiful bikeway, 16 local parks, tons of unique retail shops and galleries and an abundance of independent restaurants serving the best in local foods.

Ask us for help in arranging a special weekend with your student. We may even have a few discounted special packages to offer you.

Again, welcome to Ohio University and to Athens! We hope you will always consider Athens and Ohio University your home away from home. Call on us for any assistance that you may need!

Sincerely,
Paige Alost
Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau

www.athensohio.com
(800) 878-9767