Thirty Six Hours in Yellow Springs

As far as hippie culture and hiking goes, most think of the West Coast. However, the midwest holds an outdoor centered hippie town that will transport you back in time. When people think of hiking and hipsters, Ohio does not usually come to mind. However, one little town has set out to challenge the midwest stigma. Yellow Springs, Ohio is a bohemian paradise, with hiking trails and niche boutiques to explore.

Friday

- 4 PM- As soon as you arrive, check out Basha Apparel for clothing that will help you blend in with locals. Basha Apparel is designed entirely by local artists and printed using water-based inks, which are far less toxic than standard inks. Then head to the Village Artist to browse the cooperative of local artists full of unique handmade art at affordable prices.

- 5:30-7:30 PM Join Melissa Herzog at The House of Aum for their Evening Flowdown. This yoga class costs only twenty dollars and is available to drop-ins. For that twenty dollars, you will be able to destress and enter a state of tranquility perfectly setting the tone for the remainder of your visit.

- 8:00 PM Head to Bentino’s for amazing hand-tossed pizza before heading to the local hub of Friday entertainment and drinks at Emporium Wines for live, local musical talents, poetry readings, and a cash bar.

- 10:00 PM Head back to the Yellow Springs’ Hip House on High to catch some well deserved sleep before hitting the trails bright and early in the morning.

Saturday

- 8:00 AM Head to Sunrise Cafe for a delish farm to table breakfast. Try the Vegan Fill Up or the Biscuits and Gravy for a filling meal.

- 9:00 AM Hiking at the Glen Helen Nature Preserve. The Inman Trail will take you around some of the park’s biggest attractions including the original Yellow Springs, the Old Dam, the Cascades, and a Hopewell Indian Mound. Before leaving, stop by the Raptor Center to learn all about raptors and their role in Ohio ecosystems, and the work they are doing in the rehabilitation of injured raptors with the goal of release back to the wild.

- 12:00 PM For lunch head to Calypso’s Grill and SmokeHouse. While their Mojito- Garlic Shrimp is mouth-watering, Plantain Black Bean Fritters and West Indian Lamb Curry are some local favorites. However, with this unique restaurant boasting Latin- American Cuisine, you cannot go wrong with any of the menu items.

- 1:00 PM Stop by the John Bryan Community Pottery for Open Studio. There you can throw and mess around with clay and other mediums. Helpful staff will be on site. Your pottery will be fired and glazed by the staff. For those that do not want to get their own hands dirty, a quick waltz around the Yellow Springs Pottery Co-Op provides a chance to take home some local pottery.

- 3:00 PM John Bryan State Park provides more activities for the outdoorsy. With multiple trails ranging from half of a mile to nearly three miles, mountain bike trails, an eighteen hole disc golf course, and areas for rock climbing and rappelling, it is easy to find ways to spend several hours exploring the natural beauty in this park.

- 5:00 PM Ohio is quickly becoming a hotspot for craft and microbreweries. Yellow Springs is no exception. A behind the scenes tour at Yellow Springs Brewery will highlight the history of breweries in the area, while allowing you to taste different samples of their craft beer. Afterwards, hang out and enjoy the lively scene and local talent.

- 7:00 PM Stop by Dark Star Book Store on your way to dinner. This independent bookstore has a resident cat and tons of local authors along with indie finds.

- 8:00 PM Peaches Grill is a local hotspot. With live music every Saturday, this is a must. Locals enjoy their pizza and hamburgers while enjoying local craft beers.

Sunday

- 10:00 AM Enjoy the local brunch scene with more farm to table meals at Ellie’s Restaurant. The shrimp and grits and the sweet potato bowl are heavenly. These meals are perfect for rejuvenation, especially after the long evenings at Peaches Grill.

- 12:00 PM Wander and Wonder has perfect souvenirs to remember your trip.