Location: Nelsonville
Top Things to do in Nelsonville
What to do and see in Nelsonville, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Nelsonville is a city in northwestern York Township, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is sixty miles southeast of Columbus. The population was 5,392 at the 2010 census. It is the home town of Hocking College.
Restaurants in Nelsonville
1. Murray City Coal Mine Museum and History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By BuckeyeRover - St. George, Utah
Found myself in Murray City trying to find the grave of a long gone Uncle. Didn't succeed in that, but came upon this hidden gem and its curator, Jack Shuttleworth.
Jack is the owner, operator, tour guide, maintenance, curator...Javk of all trades.
When we found the building, he was at home, but a phone call from the postmaster six doors down he came to open the doors and share his knowledge of the area.
I had no idea the extent of mining in SE Ohio. I somehow believed that mist mines were in WV and KY. The stories behind the mines here, the sadness of how so many poor people were at the mercy of the big owners-their struggles, their losses.
Jack has acquired an excellent assortment of tools and daily living items...pictures that would be loss without his determination to save history.
Most folks won't ever stumble through Murray City, it is part of the Hocking Hills region, so take the time to venture over
2. Hockhocking Adena bikeway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Wesley L - Westerville, Ohio
Although most maps list the place to start on this trail as being behind the shops on U.S 50 in Athens, I would strongly advised you begin your activities on this trail by parking in the parking area behind Rocky's Outdoor Gear Outlet Store in Nelsonville. If you ride in this southeastern direction, you will go past the trail mile markers in reverse order----from 18 to 0 (or to 2 miles E if you go on the extension). This 21+ trail is totally asphalt and well maintained as it follows, for most of the way, along the Hocking River. About mile 7 you will come to The Plains, a small village where there is a bike shop with a knowledgeable repair person. There is also a store where you can purchase ice cream. Between mile marker 4 and 3.5 you will come to a nice park with a nice picnic shelter house where you can unpack your lunch. By continuing on about 1/2 mile you come to the Habitat for Humanity building where there are restroom facilities (flush), water fountain and air pump (and tools). For the next 2.5 miles you ride along the outskirts of the Ohio University----mostly the sports complex. Be very careful in various spots along the trail that you don't get too close to the edge in that there is a pretty good drop off down to the river. Also, be advised that going from Nelsonville to Athens causes you to be riding up a 3-4 degree rise----I realize that that really isn't all that great, but after going 10 to 15 miles you might want to stop to rest your legs if you aren't used to the conditions.
3. Smoke Rise Ranch
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By prettypony21 - Birmingham, AL
Love this place, unfortunately no longer renting horses for rides. Scenic and great hospitality from the Semingsons
4. The Fun Barn
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By KIOhioGuy - Cleveland, Ohio
This is super clean and family oriented. We stopped here on a trip to Hocking Hills to have a normal night out. The movie just came out Wednesday when we saw it and it was $12 for 3 tickets. Popcorn was $1.50 and so was the large drink! So happy we came here. The Fun Barn itself has a super fun bowling game for adults while the kids played the other games.
5. Nelsonville Emporium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By teresa c - Oak Hill, West Virginia
Recently visited the Emporium, fka Mauer's Five and Dime, back in the day...I was hoping for antiques, but was pleasantly surprised in finding a very wide variety of homemade items. From grocery type items such as pasta & local honey, jewelry, soaps, candles, purses made by felting ( new to me.. Very cool); pottery, and many items made with the STAR BLOCK emblem made in tribute the Star Brick company. Stop in! Something for everyone! Shop Local!
6. Wayne National Forest
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By GuidoLocattelli - Akron, Ohio
When I lived and worked there I did visit this forest many times from different angles and standpoints. The information center on old 33 was a friendly helpful and good place for me in my quest for information about events. One of the best preserved and best maintained national forests to be found. I did drive my car through parts of the forest. I did walk through other parts. Place for families and especially young children to visit. I did like seeing the old man's cave and asking questions about it. I was surprised to hear about the water fall. Students of so many parts the scientific disciplines should have a wonderful time there. Photography is awaiting you. My last visit there was many years ago before the range of calendar dates suitable for indicating the time of my visit were made available for completing this review. I gave different amounts of time to my visits through the park. I had easier access to parts of it on foot. Northern part was attractive to me in large part because it was the first part that came to my attention many years ago when I first found about its location - an extensive spread of trees made it wonderful. Look at the map to see where it can be found. This park is not a secret now as many people know about it. That is good.
7. Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
Overall Ratings
3 based on 151 reviews
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is a 501c3 non-profit organization operated entirely by volunteer members. It operates historic train rides from Nelsonville, Ohio, a close drive to the Hocking Hills. The track was originally built in 1869 and the HVSR has been providing family-friendly train rides since 1972. In addition to weekend trains between May and October, there are several theme trains including Easter Bunny Train, Robbery Train, All-Caboose Train, October Fall Foliage, Santa Trains, and New Year's Eve Train.
Reviewed By traveltime409 - Florida
I would not recommend this as an outing only unless you were staying in this very small town and it is the only thing you have to do. We made the almost 3 hour drive from Akron and were looking forward to a fun, scenic train ride. I realize it's not their fault there wasn't much fall foilage to see. However, with both sides of the track mostly giving views of low income, run down homes, trailers and yards that looked like mini junk yards, it is not the scenic view that is implied. The conductor even joked about the low property values and the wrong side of the tracks neighborhood. It was very, very disappointing. The train stopped at a "historic village" comprised of rustic buildings and several port-a-potties.
I love history and trains and have gone on many tours but everyone in our group was extremely disappointed and felt it was a day wasted of our trip to Ohio.
8. Stuart's Opera House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By UsuallyNotGrumpy - Columbus, Oh
I can't believe I'm the first to review Stuarts! I think it was built in the 1800's. It's nothing to look at from the outside but it is a *Beautiful* lovingly restored theater/concert venue inside!!!! It looks like most of the building it's in is being slowly restored. You walk into a small bar area on the first floor. Enjoy a beverage and some chips and dip. The concert hall is actually up on the second floor! As I said it's beautiful. I'd guess it holds 300-400 people. *Excellent* acoustics! I wandered around and I don't think there's a bad seat in the house. The house manager is *passionate* about the place. We talked about his photography policy which is only during the first 2 songs of the performance. I'm a photographer but understood his point of view about not distracting patrons from the show. Respect his rules. GREAT Venue!!!! GREAT staff! I loved the place and would definitely come back!
I saw a fantastic show by Todd Snider! The time just flew by. I'd love to see other acts like Leo Kottke, John Prine there!
GO! ENJOY!
9. Murray's Landing Canoe & Kayak Rentals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Our family and friends have been enjoying the great resources that the Hocking River has to offer and would like to bring that opportunity to others. We are a family owned and operated business in Nelsonville, Oh. We have enjoyed for many years fishing and canoeing on the Hocking river. We wanted to bring that same sense of adventure and love of nature to as many of our family and friends as possible. There is no better place to create memories of a lifetime then canoeing or kayaking on the river. The Hocking River is a Class I river so its safe and enjoyable for all ages. There are two trip options. Both trips are good for beginners. The Hocking River is generally a calm smooth river with a few riffles, islands and sand bars. The stretch the trips run on is Class I. We transport you upstream and you canoe back to the building and your car with the current. All paddling times are approximate, based on the average time of an average paddler in average river conditions. Both trips run on the Hocking River. Adverse river conditions may make an alternate waterway necessary. Both trips provide great fishing opportunities.
Reviewed By Vacationadventurer - Delaware
Fun canoeing and kayaking experience for 9, including several children 8 and under. Only problem was that the river banks were EXTREMELY muddy and slippery both upon entrance into the canoe/kayak and upon exciting from the canoe/kayak. We were lucky, it was late July and there had been enough rain for this adventure to be lots of fun.
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