The 10 Best Things to Do in Yellow Springs, United States

March 29, 2018 Darwin Bolte

Yellow Springs is a village in Greene County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,487 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is home of Antioch College and Antioch University Midwest.
Restaurants in Yellow Springs

1. Clifton Mill

75 Water St., Clifton, OH 45316 +1 937-767-5501
Excellent
43%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
6%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 118 reviews

Clifton Mill

Reviewed By Gabe10101 - Lexington, Kentucky

Clifton Mill has two entries on TripAdvisor - one for the "Attraction" and one for the restaurant. This review is for the attraction. Check other reviews on the excellent restaurant.

Clifton Mill is noted as the oldest business in the Dayton area, having started operations in 1802. I'm not sure how old the building is, but I'm sure that info is available somewhere. At Christmastime, the ground are decorated with thousands of lights. The rest of the year, the light strands remain dormant and are unsightly along the Clifton Gorge banks.

The Mill has a small gift shop. The section of Clifton Gorge behind the Mill is impressive compared to the State Preserve next door. The grounds include a covered bridge, a garden train that was not operating, and some old shops. There is no charge to look around, but you should definitely stop by the restaurant.

2. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

2331 State Route 343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-8808
Excellent
77%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 181 reviews

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

Reviewed By Gabe10101 - Lexington, Kentucky

Clifton Gorge is a small but enjoyable park East of Dayton bordering the small hamlet of Clifton. This "Preserve" is small compared to State Parks but still contains about 4 miles of hiking trails that follow the gorge. The Preserve adjoins John Bryan State Park for additional hiking opportunities.

Clifton Gorge has two parking areas. Neither is obvious on maps. TripAdvisor is accurate for the main parking area on 343. There is a second parking lot off Jackson Street in downtown Clifton that offers better access to the highlight of Clifton Gorge - the narrows. Regardless, the whole park is small and can be accessed from either lot. The rim trails are relatively flat, but uneven. The lower gorge trail is very uneven and includes several stairways but maximum elevation change is only about 50 feet.

Several signs describe the gorge's geology and history. Plan for 30 - 90 minutes to explore the Preserve. The Gorge may be more interesting after a heavy rain when water is rushing through the rocks. While in Clifton, check out Clifton Mill and the narrow section of the Gorge behind the mill.

3. Brandeberry winery

5118 W Jackson Rd, Enon, OH 45323-9778 +1 937-767-9103
Excellent
51%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

Brandeberry winery

Reviewed By MJ S - Findlay, Ohio

Stopped here after a visit to Yellow Springs.. Really nice variety of wines but honestly did not really feel like anyone was overly friendly. We had done a lot of walking so just decided to do tastings at a table instead of the bar so not sure if that was it..but since there were only like 8 people there...it definitely wasn't because they were busy. One friend stood up waiting for a tasting for 5 mins and none of the 2 or 3 behind the bar waited on him. We did not expect them to come to the table so we went back up when we were ready for the next one..but no one was overly friendly or welcoming..doubt we will return. Just very different from other small wineries we frequent where the owners are so happy you are there!

4. Glen Helen Nature Preserve

405 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 +1 937-769-1902
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 169 reviews

Glen Helen Nature Preserve

1000-acre nature preserve with 25 miles of trails. The "Yellow Spring" of which the town takes it's name can be found here.

Reviewed By zxz21 - Dayton, Ohio

Hiked around G H today and throughly enjoyed it. Not very crowded on a Wednesday morning, and got to witness some beautiful scenery. The woman at the nature center was very helpful, and the raptor center is well worth the hike. Crowded on weekends but if you go during the week, you feel that you have the whole place to yourself. $5 parking(entry fee) exact amount helps a lot. Enjoy

5. Young's Jersey Dairy Farm

6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-9610 +1 937-325-0629
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 169 reviews

Young's Jersey Dairy Farm

Reviewed By J5649CFmichaelt - Middletown, Ohio

Would you like one of the most relaxing atmosphere and GREAT food? Look no further. Young's has what you like. Our dinning experience was great. Good service, good food and great atmosphere. I think it resembled a huge barn. Since I grew up in a small farming community, I loved the atmosphere. Will definitely return. Now ranked among my top picks for restaurant. Definitely one of my favorites and will return soon.

6. John Bryan State Park

3790 State Route 370, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-7724 +1 937-767-1274
Excellent
54%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 77 reviews

John Bryan State Park

Reviewed By 37Geese - Ohio

Recently hiked through Clifton Gorge into John Bryan and then Glen Helen. The 3 adjoining parks make for some great day hiking. John Bryan seemed less rugged than the Clifton Gorge trail, so if you're looking for some easier hiking this would be a good place to start. There are mountain bike trails in the park as well, but I haven't had an opportunity to try them, but it's an option for bikers. Recommended park for sure.

7. Yellow Springs Brewery

305 N Walnut St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-2059 +1 937-767-0222
Excellent
74%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 70 reviews

Yellow Springs Brewery

Reviewed By Sheri O - Englewood, Ohio

This place has excellent craft beer. They don't offer any food but sometimes have a food truck out front. They are small inside. They extended their patio but still not enough to accommodate the amount of people visiting. Definitely a must visit if you want an excellent beer. They have free brewery tours which are informational. They have board games available as well.

8. Little Art Theatre

247 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1832 +1 937-767-7671
Excellent
88%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Little Art Theatre

Reviewed By lisargold - Ohio

I love this theater. It was remodeled a couple of years ago and has the most comfortable seats out there. The movies range from art films to documentaries to retro film as well as first run movies. The concession stand has the best treats out there. Also, beer and wine are served.

9. Dark Star Books & Comics

237 Xenia Ave Ste B, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1875 +1 937-767-9400
Excellent
78%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Dark Star Books & Comics

Reviewed By RoadLessTraveller - Southern US

The Good: great selection, comfy vibe, good location great value

The Bad: games are limited

This is an old school new / used bookstore with a side of comics. The used book section is about half the place. The used horror and sci fi sections are about half of that. The actual comics section is smallish but there is a nice graphic section separate. The games are limited to a small board games section. The normal knickknacks associated with this sort of place are well represented. There is a store cat and the whole place has a feminine vibe which I liked.

The Road Word: it's worth a 50 mile drive if this is your thing.

10. House of Ravenwood

100 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1809 +1 937-767-2819
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 4 reviews

House of Ravenwood

Reviewed By Abby G - Cincinnati, Ohio

I spent the weekend hiking in the area and went into town just to check out House of Ravenwood. The store was much busier than I expected. They had a nice small-sized stone selection, some I had never seen and most with papers listing the properties of each you could take if purchasing that type. Staff were super friendly and the prices were fair. I will return when in the area.

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