Decided not to take the long trip home for Fall Break? It’s only a few days, but it’s a time of the year families typically have big gatherings for Thanksgiving, and it might be hard to be away for the first time. But there are ways to make the most of this mini mid-semester vaca right here in Athens, and get all those breezy, leaves-falling feeling we all love about autumn.
Here are 5 easy day trips to keep Fall Break fun:
1. Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills always tops the list of outdoor things to do around Athens. Family in for OU Parents’ Weekend? Winter Break? Literally any Saturday you have time? All of the above. There’s always something new to see at Hocking Hills, because the hills are always changing.
Fall is the perfect time to see more of the area – literally, because leaves are falling and exposing more natural features. And it’s also one of the most beautiful times of year in Hocking Hills – everything is covered in dozens of warm colors. Ash Cave and Cantwell Cliffs are a couple of our favorite autumn hikes.
2. Moonville Tunnel
Moonville Tunnel is known for its possible ghostly activity, so it’s double fall fun: spooky and beautiful. An old railroad tunnel blasted through a hillside, Moonville Tunnel is a sight in itself, but so are the rural wooded hillsides surrounding it.
You can easily make Moonville into a day-long hike simply by following the old trestle. There are still historic features all over the place, from loose antique railroad spikes to glass insulators on old telegraph lines. Hiking either way offers a gorgeous hike that crosses small ravines and streams, and a short ways past the open side of the tunnel, you can sometimes see remnants of foundations from old station buildings.
3. Marietta, Ohio
Founded in 1788, Marietta is the oldest town in Ohio – even older than Athens. A centuries-old river town, Marietta is the ideal mix of antique, historic and natural sights. Fall is a great time to go for the scenery and the season – they do spooky tours of haunted places on autumn evenings.
There’s also 30 miles of hiking options in Marietta. The Mound Cemetery Trail winds through Marietta’s oldest cemetery, which includes a burial mound built by ancient Indigenous Ohioans. The Adena Trail explores more of Marietta’s history, including the Campus Cemetery and Campus Martius Museum, and offers stunning views of the Ohio River. Speaking of, the Marietta River Trail is an easy, paved walk that follows the Ohio.
4. Wayne National Forest
Our local national forest, Wayne has everything any outdoor lover would want. There’s hiking, fishing, camping, ATV trails, horseback riding, and more. Plus, you’re near Hocking Hills. Wayne National Forest hiking is unique, because Wayne is home to 3 distinct types of forest: hardwood, coniferous and mixed.
A couple famous hikes in Wayne are Rock House, a massive sandstone overhang 200ft long and 50ft deep, and Cedar Falls, a 50-foot waterfall set back in the hollers of the forest. Quiet hikes in Wayne will often get you views of wild turkeys, whitetail deer, a variety of songbirds, and even a reclusive black bear or two.
When it comes to bears, don’t panic – stay confident. Appalachian black bears are pretty chill, ranging from curious to scared. Keep calm and keep going. You might see a fuzzy set of ears spying on you from a ways away, but as long as you just let them do their thing and don’t provoke them, you’re fine.
5. Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
Don’t feel like hiking but still wanna be outside? Do something else strangely South-Ohio – ride an old train! Hocking Valley Scenic Railway (HVSR) preserves and operates 12 miles of historic rail around Nelsonville, Ohio. They utilize old rail cars, both diesel and steam, creating a vintage train passenger experience filled with scenic views of the hills, forests and rivers of the Hocking Hills region.
The HVSR offers a variety of train rides throughout the year, including regular weekend trains, special event trains and dinner trains. Their most popular train ride is the Fall Foliage Train, which departs from Nelsonville on Saturdays and Sundays in October.
So this year, let’s be thankful for all the gorgeous natural features of the Athens’ area. Go explore! You’ll probably see some turkeys, if that makes you feel better.