My wife and I are making the trip from Missouri to Athens for the WMU-Ohio game on Saturday. She has a couple of close friends who are Ohio alums, and she's never been to the Ohio campus before. I've been a couple of times, most recently when I was a student at WMU back in the late '90s. Love the Ohio campus - best campus in the MAC, IMO (in my biased opinion, I'd put WMU somewhere in the top three, along with Miami).

Anyhow, here's my question: we won't be in town long - probably an hour or two before the game and an hour or two (at most) after the game before beginning the drive back. We're looking forward to taking a driving tour around campus either before or after the game, depending on when we arrive Saturday morning. In your opinion, Bobcat fans, what are a couple of the must-see stops when touring the campus (or Athens, too, for that matter)? Any advice you have would be helpful.

As for myself, I've never been to a game at Peden, so I'm pretty pumped up for that (and also to see the Ohio band in person for the first time). Looking forward to what should be a great game on Saturday!

As far as destinations go, here's some unfortunate news for Ohio Bobcat visitors... :(

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/state/no-st...year-fight

But, with the lack of strip clubs in mind -- these links point to some more wholesome things to take a gander at:

http://www.oucommons.com/2014/02/06/top-...athens-oh/

http://innatcedarfalls.com/blog/2014/12/...hens-ohio/

https://www.facebook.com/places/Things-t...268773756/

if you want to take a driving tour you can start at the stadium and head east to South Green where they just opened several new dorms, from there you can see the older, scenic East Green and head up to College Green. The main street in town is Court St., that where you'll find bars, restaurants, shops, bars, and more bars.

Just behind College Green is the Baker Student Center that was built recently, it has a couple of restaurants and coffee shops and boasts the only escalators in Athens Co. yee haw.

https://www.ohio.edu/eventservices/baker/

If you want to take a quick stroll, just north of the stadium is Emeriti Park (that's Baker Center in the background)-

I would definitely take a drive around The Ridges. You could check out West Portico real quick along the walls of Templeton Blackburn Memorial Auditorium on College Green to see all the plaques of the various presidents and leaders who have graced our campus. College Green in general has tons of history and is very picturesque. There's a really neat staircase behind Bryan Hall off University Terrace (in front of Templeton Blackburn) that will take you from down to East Green from College Green, with some pretty spectacular views depending on the time of the year.

After the game stop at Jackie O's and get yourself a Mystic Mama IPA or two : ).

you really can't go wrong just strolling around town, especially on the East Green and the College Green and through uptown. that will be especially true if the weather is nice like it was last weekend. you should see lots of beautiful scenery set against gorgeous deep blue skies.

I hope you enjoy your time in Athens and at the game (although not TOO much!). this should be a fun game to watch. your Broncos scare me a lot!!!

and I am sure you will enjoy the Marching 110. they do pre-game, halftime, and post-game. have a great weekend!

PS-I forgot to mention that this Saturday is Band Day. That means there will be probably a dozen or so Ohio high school bands joining the 110 for the National Anthem and for a song at halftime. the field will be absolutely covered from end zone to end zone with marching bands! it's always a fun thing to see!

Yeah I'm worried about WMU as well.... Here's hoping we can delay the annual mid season breakdown a few more weeks!

We need at least two more wins before I feel like I can rest easy about our bowl chances. those two wins are going to be very hard to get...not impossible but very hard. WMU, @ UB, @ BGSU, KSU, BSU, and @ NIU. yikes!

(10-13-2015 03:08 AM)perimeterpost Wrote:  if you want to take a driving tour you can start at the stadium and head east to South Green where they just opened several new dorms, from there you can see the older, scenic East Green and head up to College Green. The main street in town is Court St., that where you'll find bars, restaurants, shops, bars, and more bars.

Just behind College Green is the Baker Student Center that was built recently, it has a couple of restaurants and coffee shops and boasts the only escalators in Athens Co. yee haw.

https://www.ohio.edu/eventservices/baker/

If you want to take a quick stroll, just north of the stadium is Emeriti Park (that's Baker Center in the background)-

Been to Ohio U once (many,many moons ago) gosh that's a beautiful campus. Just that tiny pic and description, beautiful campus.

OU Inn is nice.

The only full service hotel in Athens with a bar and restaurant.

If you can get a room there its only a 5 minute walk to Peden. It also puts you in walking distance of the Ridges.

Ridges has the Kennedy Museum but its only open 1 to 5pm on Sat/Sun.

https://www.ohio.edu/museum/

Ohio U and Athens - best campus and town in the MAC. BY FAR.

And yes, I've been to Oxford.

(10-13-2015 11:05 AM)huskiebob Wrote:  Ohio U and Athens - best campus and town in the MAC. BY FAR.

And yes, I've been to Oxford.

Driving, I'd take a route like this. That loops through the best parts of campus.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.33019...92!1m0!3e0

Honestly, with gameday traffic, my advice would be get out and walk campus a little. Start out at Peden and then walk up by Emerati Park to Baker Center (where you can utilize escalators to avoid Richland Hill) and the top of Baker puts you on the corner of Court Street and College Green. Walk across college green a little then head to back to the town part of Court Street.

(10-13-2015 12:02 PM)Terrell Owens Wrote:  Driving, I'd take a route like this. That loops through the best parts of campus.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.33019...92!1m0!3e0

Honestly, with gameday traffic, my advice would be get out and walk campus a little. Start out at Peden and then walk up by Emerati Park to Baker Center (where you can utilize escalators to avoid Richland Hill) and the top of Baker puts you on the corner of Court Street and College Green. Walk across college green a little then head to back to the town part of Court Street.

I would agree with this, Terrell. Game day traffic in Athens can be a nightmare, especially near the stadium. all of those cars crammed into a relatively small space to go with a lot of people milling around...not a good driving situation.

On my trips to Athens, I always had to stop at Conkle's Hollow, one of my favorite places on the planet.

Was just back there this past weekend - and yes, it sure is picturesque. I have actually been on every MAC campus, and as someone else just said, I think OU is the best.

(10-13-2015 11:05 AM)huskiebob Wrote:  Ohio U and Athens - best campus and town in the MAC. BY FAR.

And yes, I've been to Oxford.

Oh c'mon, DeKalb is super delightful.

(10-13-2015 12:50 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(10-13-2015 12:02 PM)Terrell Owens Wrote:  Driving, I'd take a route like this. That loops through the best parts of campus.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.33019...92!1m0!3e0

Honestly, with gameday traffic, my advice would be get out and walk campus a little. Start out at Peden and then walk up by Emerati Park to Baker Center (where you can utilize escalators to avoid Richland Hill) and the top of Baker puts you on the corner of Court Street and College Green. Walk across college green a little then head to back to the town part of Court Street.

I would agree with this, Terrell. Game day traffic in Athens can be a nightmare, especially near the stadium. all of those cars crammed into a relatively small space to go with a lot of people milling around...not a good driving situation.

But if hoofin it up and down the hills of campus isn't a viable option either a good place to go would be at the intersection of Court and Union. That's the epicenter of campus and is the location of the University Gateway on the corner of College Green, a great place to people watch or get a burrito from the legendary Burrito Buggy across the street and sit on the base of the Civil War Memorial and eat it like a hungover under grad.

(10-13-2015 02:25 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(10-13-2015 12:50 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(10-13-2015 12:02 PM)Terrell Owens Wrote:  Driving, I'd take a route like this. That loops through the best parts of campus.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.33019...92!1m0!3e0

Honestly, with gameday traffic, my advice would be get out and walk campus a little. Start out at Peden and then walk up by Emerati Park to Baker Center (where you can utilize escalators to avoid Richland Hill) and the top of Baker puts you on the corner of Court Street and College Green. Walk across college green a little then head to back to the town part of Court Street.

I would agree with this, Terrell. Game day traffic in Athens can be a nightmare, especially near the stadium. all of those cars crammed into a relatively small space to go with a lot of people milling around...not a good driving situation.

But if hoofin it up and down the hills of campus isn't a viable option either a good place to go would be at the intersection of Court and Union. That's the epicenter of campus and is the location of the University Gateway on the corner of College Green, a great place to people watch or get a burrito from the legendary Burrito Buggy across the street and sit on the base of the Civil War Memorial and eat it like a hungover under grad.

Agreed, that is the "gateway" to the college and really a great picture of campus.
If you walk straight from Peden (up Baker w/escalators) and then head up Court to this intersection, you avoid the major hills. Walking up Court from Baker to this intersection is a hill. It is about as small of a hill as you will get in Athens. That is kinda the route I suggested. There is a little bit of a hill there. But Baker really does help.

Thanks for all the recommendations, Bobcat fans. Much appreciated!!

(10-13-2015 02:29 PM)Terrell Owens Wrote:  

(10-13-2015 02:25 PM)perimeterpost Wrote:  

(10-13-2015 12:50 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(10-13-2015 12:02 PM)Terrell Owens Wrote:  Driving, I'd take a route like this. That loops through the best parts of campus.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.33019...92!1m0!3e0

Honestly, with gameday traffic, my advice would be get out and walk campus a little. Start out at Peden and then walk up by Emerati Park to Baker Center (where you can utilize escalators to avoid Richland Hill) and the top of Baker puts you on the corner of Court Street and College Green. Walk across college green a little then head to back to the town part of Court Street.

I would agree with this, Terrell. Game day traffic in Athens can be a nightmare, especially near the stadium. all of those cars crammed into a relatively small space to go with a lot of people milling around...not a good driving situation.

But if hoofin it up and down the hills of campus isn't a viable option either a good place to go would be at the intersection of Court and Union. That's the epicenter of campus and is the location of the University Gateway on the corner of College Green, a great place to people watch or get a burrito from the legendary Burrito Buggy across the street and sit on the base of the Civil War Memorial and eat it like a hungover under grad.

Agreed, that is the "gateway" to the college and really a great picture of campus.
If you walk straight from Peden (up Baker w/escalators) and then head up Court to this intersection, you avoid the major hills. Walking up Court from Baker to this intersection is a hill. It is about as small of a hill as you will get in Athens. That is kinda the route I suggested. There is a little bit of a hill there. But Baker really does help.

forget all that other stuff, I gotta check out those escalators!