There are a bunch of fun things about staying in Athens during OU summer break. You’re in your own uptown apartment, but most of the students are gone, so it feels even more adulty than usual. The bars are fun because they’re not packed and you see the same new friends every night. And you get to be a part of all the townie events on Court all summer.
But still, it’s nice to get away sometimes, even if it’s just a night or two, and even if you’re not too far away from home. And you don’t need a huge chunk of change to do it, either. Here are 7 of our favorite overnight staycations for summer residents:
1. Stroud’s Run
You don’t even have to leave town to disappear into the woods for a weekend of camping. There’s great fun to be had at Stroud’s Run, and not just the beautiful hiking and biking trails. There’s a beach at Dow’s Lake, so you can also do swimming, beach volleyball and boat rentals at Stroud’s Run. Lodging in and around the park include primitive camping, primitive cabins and a group camp.
- 57 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits. First come, first serve. $20/night.
- 2 camper cabins up to 4 people with bunks, cooler, picnic table, and fire pit. Reservation recommended. $45/night.
- Group camp (up to 150 people) with separate entrance, water spigot and outhouse. Reservation recommended. $45/night.
2. Hocking Hills
A national destination for great hiking, scenic views and unique geological formations, Hocking Hills has everything – cliffs, waterfalls, caves, Indigenous history, antique shops, local restaurants, ATV trails, horseback riding, zip lining. And that’s probably not all. And there are several options to stay around Hocking Hills that won’t blow your budget.
Places to stay near Hocking Hills for less than $75/night:
- Camping in the park: $48/night non-electric, $56/night electric
- Airbnb: cabins, guestrooms, tiny homes starting from $55/night
- Enchanted Acres Cabins: $65/night weekdays, $75/night weeknights
Bonus Tip: Check out Ravenwood Castle for a completely random pseudo-Medieval adventure.
3. Marietta
Marietta is the perfect weekend getaway for people who aren’t super into camping but love small riverside towns. Packed with history, Marietta has museums, art galleries, historic cemeteries, antique malls, scenic walking areas, and another random castle. You could always stay in their historic hotel, which is notoriously haunted, but there are more cost-effective ways to experience Marietta, too.
Cheaper choices for Marietta overnights include:
- Airbnb: guest suites, tiny homes and apartments from $40/night
- Baymont Hotel: $58/night
- Microtel: $63/night
4. Burr Oak
Another solid spot in Southeast Ohio is Burr Oak State Park. Its vibe is a combination of Hocking Hills and Marietta, so anyone can enjoy the area. There’s golf, Bailey’s Trail System for biking, 30+ miles of hiking trails in the park, museums, swimming, fishing, paintball, movies, historic train rides, shopping, scenic drives, and more.
Some budget-friendly places to stay near Burr Oak are:
- Park camping: from $19/night
- Vrbo: cabins and campers from $70/night
- Airbnb: apartments, cabins and rooms from $68/night
5. Moonville
The area’s favorite, possibly-haunted, derelict train tunnel, Moonville is the site of an historic town. You can still find foundation ruins if you follow the old trestle past the tunnel, and the tunnel itself is pretty cool, too – it’s blasted straight through the hill. Plus, it’s in the middle of Zaleski State Forest, so there’s fun outdoor stuff to do all around.
Some affordable overnights near Zaleski include:
- Altenbrauch Farm: camping from $30/night
- Airbnb: farmstay, guesthouse, apartments, campsite from $30/night
- Stay at your off-campus apartment in Athens for FREE.99! Well, for whatever your rent is.
6. Amish Country
Getting a little farther away but still an easy drive up I77, Ohio Amish Country is a different experience than in many other areas, and their unique corner of Amish culture is welcome to English (that’s how they refer to non-Amish people) tourists. Experience real-real life with Amish restaurants, shops, bakeries, cultural attractions, and buggy tours, there’s something to find everywhere.
Some fun places to stay in Amish Country for under $90 are:
- Berlin Carriage House: from $85/night
- Grapevine House BnB: from $85/night
- Airbnb: cabins from $79/night
7. Hopewell Earthworks
Heading west instead of north, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks near Chillicothe are a must-see. The Hopewell Culture of the Ohio River Valley built earthworks on grand scales using some pretty precise maths and engineering methods. You can view and walk around monuments built by human hands 1500-2000 years ago.
Affordable places to stay nearby include:
- Airbnb: apartments, boutique hotels, rooms, homes from $55/night
- Executive Inn: from $69/night
- Rodeway Inn: from $70/night
Got the ideas flowing now? It’s Appalachia (mostly) – there are always adventures to be had if you know which hollers to wander into! And which to not; we’d recommend avoiding ominous banjo music.