The Heart of Southeast Ohio
The Baileys Trail System is located in the Appalachian foothills of Southeastern Ohio. For places to stay, eat, and play in the area, we encourage you to check out the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau for suggestions in the immediate region. In addition, Ohio’s Winding Road offers recommendations and authentic experiences in the broader 9-county region. To learn more about nearby outdoor recreation opportunities, visit the Wayne National Forest website, or if interested in exploring other trails and towns, head to Tourism Ohio's site, each linked below.
Athens
Home of Ohio University, Athens features a thriving local food and beverage culture. Consider it the best of both worlds—big-city amenities and small-town hospitality, surrounded by beautiful rolling hills. We feature some of our favorite attractions below.
Attractions:
- ARTS/West
- Athena Cinema
- Athena Grand
- Athens City Pool
- Athens Community Center
- Athens Farmers Market
- Athens Halloween Block Party
- Athens Skate Park
- Dairy Barn Arts Center
- Hockhocking Adena Bikeway
- Kennedy Museum of Art
- mAppAthens Outdoor Museum Complex
- Ohio Brew Week
- Ohio Pawpaw Festival
- Ohio University Golf Course
- Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery
- Passion Works Studio
- Putt People First Miniature Golf
- Rollerbowl Lanes
- The Ridges Trails
- Sells Park
- Southeast Ohio History Center
- Strouds Run State Park
- White’s Mill
Food and Beverage:
- Athens Bread Company
- Avalanche Pizza
- Bagel Street Deli
- Brenen’s Coffee Cafe
- Casa Nueva Restaurant and Cantina
- Devil’s Kettle Brewing
- Donkey Coffee and Espresso
- El Camino Mexican Restaurant
- Farmacy
- Fluff Bakery
- Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery
- Larry’s Dawg House
- Little Fish Brewing Company
- Kindred Market
- Miller’s Chicken
- North End Kitchen & Bar
- O’Betty’s Red Hot
- Ornery Vets Cafe
- Pleasant Hill Vineyards
- Purple Chopstix
- Restaurant Salaam
- Sol Restaurant and Bar
- Smiling Skull Saloon
- Star of India
- Thai Paradise
- Tony’s Tavern
- Union Street Diner
- Village Bakery & Cafe
- West End Ciderhouse and Distillery
Outdoor Recreation Shops and Bike Rentals:
Nelsonville
Nestled at the edge of the Hocking Hills region, Nelsonville is home to a beautiful historic square and opera house. Once heavily reliant on the extractive industries of coal, clay, and salt, Nelsonville has been reviving its historic square into an arts district. Nelsonville may be best known for producing Star Bricks, many of which are still visible in streets and sidewalks throughout the historic district.
Attractions:
- Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
- Hockhocking Adena Bikeway
- Movies 10 & Fun Barn Arcade
- Nelsonville Aquatic Center
- Nelsonville Emporium
- Nelsonville Historic Square Arts District
- Nelsonville Music Festival
- Robbins Crossing Historical Village
- Stuart’s Opera House
Food and Beverage:
- FullBrooks Cafe
- General Wok
- Los Mariachis
- Mama Renie’s Pizza
- The Mine Tavern
- Nelsonville Emporium
- Pizza Stop
- Rhapsody Restaurant
- Starbrick BBQ
- Tammy’s Country Kitchen
Outdoor Recreation Shops and Bike Rentals:
Chauncey
Located near the Hocking River and the Wayne National Forest, the small village of Chauncey was once expected to become “the business center of the Midwest." Since the extractive industries of coal, clay and salt have disappeared, Chauncey has become a quiet village that now boasts beautiful trails, ready to be explored.
The Plains
The Plains, named for the Wolf Plain Group of Adena or Hopewell Mounds, is an unincorporated community located between Athens and Chauncey, accessible by the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. It is the home of Athens High School (and Joe Burrow, recent Heisman Trophy winner and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback). On the edge of The Plains, the historic Eclipse Company Town sits along the bikeway, providing a glimpse into the area's deep coal mining history.
