With the sun shining brighter and the semester winding down, it’s the perfect excuse to grab your significant other and plan a fun spring date in Athens. Whether going out with a partner, a friend or even treating yourself, this list has an option for everyone's budget and interests.
Athens Farmers’ Market
Going to the Athens Farmers’ Market is a great way to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and experience the heart of Athens. The market is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday year-round and on Wednesdays starting April 17.
Located under the solar panels at the Athens Community Center on 701 E State St., the market is a great place to adventure for a fun date. Athens County is filled with pride in local businesses, and the market is the best place to experience fresh produce and goods grown by Athens locals.
The market has everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats, cheeses, candies, bread and coffee. Handmade creations, like pottery and jewelry created by Athens artists, are also sold at the market.
Afterward, you can cook lunch with your date, style a unique outfit or decorate your home using some of the produce you find there.
Crafts
If you want to spice up a typical date night, a craft class is a great way to try something new and tap into your creativity.
The Dairy Barn Arts Center, located at the bottom of The Ridges on 8000 Dairy Ln. is a great place to start. The center has classes you can take to learn about art mediums, delve into something new or perfect your craft. They offer free art classes, with ones going up to $150 a class. The center also has art exhibitions that can be viewed from noon to 5 p.m.
Another great option to explore your creative side is Beads & Things, located at 8 N. Schafer St. This arts and crafts store is any jewelry lover's dream and an excellent crafty date night destination.
Beads & Things is filled with over 400 handpicked beads from all over the world. After picking out your beads at the store, the owners will sit with you and show you how to create your masterpiece. You can also take your items home, and spend some time brainstorming your creation.
Shade Winery
Shade Winery is the perfect place to enjoy the spring weather and indulge in delicious wine. It is a beautiful place for a relaxing spring date night and is located off-campus at 401 Gilkey Ridge Rd.
The winery boasts 16 sweet, red and white wine selections available by bottle, glass or for a taste test. With a food menu including salmon, salads, flatbreads and burgers, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Shade.
If you are looking for a good date night idea, Shade is perfect. However, if you want to try it out, reserve a table beforehand on their website due to its popularity.
Hammocking
A Bobcat favorite is hammocking on a beautiful spring day. What better way to celebrate the season than hammocking with the one you love?
There are plenty of great hammocking sites on campus, like Paw Print Park or Emeriti Park. Ohio University’s nature-filled campus makes for many perfect hammock spots to discover.
The beauty of a hammock date is you fill your time with activities that work best for you. You can bring books, board games, or even have a picnic.
Hiking
If you need a break from classes and schoolwork on a nice day, a great date idea is hiking while enjoying some of Athens' beautiful scenery.
If you are looking for an option close to campus, the bike path is known for its beautiful views of the cherry blossom trees in the spring. It’s an excellent option for a day date.
If you need a quick getaway, Strouds Run State Park is about 15 minutes outside campus. It is full of hiking trails and even a beach to swim in after your hike, making it the perfect date destination for a gorgeous spring day. You can also pack a picnic to enjoy at Stroud’s.
Ultimately, the date you plan is up to you. As the semester winds down and the cherry blossoms bloom, spice up your date night and try something new in Athens. Athens County has many hidden gems and attractions to find.
