Yellow Springs
We fall more in love with the little town of Yellow Springs every time we visit. It's an easy drive from Columbus, and it offers everything from hiking and biking to casual shopping, good eats, great beer, and a delightful bit of family fun at Young's Jersey Dairy.
Food & Beer
Aahar India: much-loved Indian food truck
Clifton Mill: breakfast and lunch spot in the nearby historic mill
Dino's Cappuccinos: love-able coffee shop downtown
Haha Pizza: much-loved local pizza joint
Sunrise Cafe: colorful and eclectic cafe with a focus on local ingredients
Winds Cafe: long-running cafe serving a well-executed lunch and dinner menu
Ye Olde Trail Tavern: tavern that's been in operation since 1827
Yellow Springs Brewing: terrific brewery that hosts local food trucks. Conveniently sits next to the Little Miami Trail, with bike racks and patio space out back.
Young's Jersey Dairy: a Yellow Springs icon, a family-run working dairy that includes a full scale restaurant (cheese curds!) with the Udders & Putters fun center. See the cows getting milked, pet the farm animals, hit up the batting cages or driving range, play mini golf, ride the rides. Finish off with a taste of ice cream (I'm partial to the Cow Patty).
Parks, Shops, & Attractions
Dark Star Books: great for used books and comics
Clifton Gorge: state park with a variety of hikes that run in and above the Clifton Gorge, looking over the Little Miami State Scenic River
Clifton Mill: large historic mill that sits along the river (you can hike the Clifton Gorge from Yellow Springs to the mill). Home to a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Clifton Mill and the nearby covered bridge is famously draped in millions of Christmas lights during the holiday season.
Glen Helen Nature Preserve: non-profit preserve with a variety of hiking trails of different difficulties. Home to the yellow springs that are the town's namesake. Also includes the Raptor Center, housing beautiful birds of prey.
John Bryan State Park: gorgeous 750-acre state park that sits next to Glen Helen and Clifton Gorge
Little Miami Scenic Trail: the 78-mile trail passes through Yellow Springs (conveniently right behind the brewery) and connects to a huge network of trails in Xenia, Springfield, and beyond.
Village Artisans Gallery: local gallery and artisan shop with rotating exhibitions
Yellow Springs Toy Company: cool little toy store downtown
Young's Jersey Dairy: family-run dairy with loads of games, farm animals, ice cream, cheese curds
Read our Yellow Springs itineraries
Day Trip: Young's Jersey Dairy & Yellow Springs
A day trip that included farm animals, games, and lunch at Young's paired with a hike, hitting the Little Miami Trail on our bikes, a stop at the brewery.
July 2019
A Trek Out to Yellow Springs
A couple day trips that included hikes, bike rides, lunch, and stops at the brewery and Young's Dairy.
August 2017
