Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
to downtown costs about $25.
times daily to Cincinnati (two hours) and Cleveland (2½ hours). Often cheaper,
Meg-
the website for locations.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Athens & Southeastern Ohio
Ohio's southeastern corner cradles most of its forested areas, as well as the rolling foot-
hills of the Appalachian Mountains and scattered farms.
Around Lancaster, southeast of Columbus, the hills lead gently into
Hocking County
,
a region of streams and waterfalls, sandstone cliffs and cavelike formations. It's splendid
to explore in any season, with miles of trails for hiking and rivers for canoeing, as well as
abundant campgrounds and cabins at
Hocking Hills State Park
( 740-385-6165;
scenic winner for hiking.
Hocking Valley Canoe Livery
( 740-385-8685;
www.hockinghillscanoeing.com
; 31251 Chieftain Dr; 2hr tours $44; Apr-Oct)
lets you paddle by
moonlight and tiki torch from nearby Logan.
Earth-Water-Rock: Outdoor Adventures
(
740-664-5220;
www.ewroutdoors.com
;
half-day tour $85-110)
provides thrills with guided
rock climbing and rappelling trips; beginners are welcome.
US 50 crosses US 33, it's set among wooded hills and built around the Ohio University
campus (which comprises half the town). Student cafes and pubs line Court St, Athens'
7:30am-8pm Tue-Sat, 9am-2pm Sun)
uses organic veggies, grass-fed meat and farmstead
cheeses in its pizzas, soups and sandwiches.
The area south of Columbus was a center for the fascinating ancient Hopewell people,
who left behind huge geometric earthworks and burial mounds from around 200 BC to
AD 600. For a fine introduction visit the
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
(
740-774-1126;
www.nps.gov/hocu
;
Hwy 104 north of I-35; 8:30am-6pm Jun-Aug, to 5pm Sep-
May)
, 3 miles north of Chillicothe. Stop in the visitor center, and then wander
about the variously shaped ceremonial mounds spread over 13-acre
Mound City
, a mys-
