Tucked away in southwestern Ohio, Yellow Springs might be the most unexpectedly delightful town you’ve never heard of. Equal parts artsy, outdoorsy, and unapologetically quirky, this village of just over 3,000 people feels like it was built by and for free spirits.

Whether you’re into trail hiking, tie-dye, independent bookstores, or weirdly perfect donuts, Yellow Springs has that “just try it” energy that makes every visit feel like a choose-your-own-adventure story.

If you’re heading through Ohio—or looking for your next chill weekend escape—here’s everything you didn’t know you needed to do in Yellow Springs.

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🌳 1. Walk the Glen Helen Trails (and Visit the Actual Yellow Spring)

Let’s start with the obvious—but still magical. Glen Helen Nature Preserve offers over 20 miles of trails through lush forests, limestone cliffs, bubbling creeks, and yes—the original “yellow spring” that gave the town its name.

✔️ Don’t Miss:

• The Yellow Spring mineral spring (you can drink from it!)
• The cascading falls at Glen Helen Gorge
• The Raptor Center, which cares for injured birds of prey

📍 405 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH
🔗 Glen Helen Website »

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🍩 2. Eat a Maple Bacon Donut from Sunrise Café (Trust Me)

Right on Xenia Avenue, Sunrise Café is locally beloved for its farm-to-table brunch, but the maple bacon donuts deserve a spotlight of their own. Sweet, salty, fluffy, and wildly good—you’ll want to take a few for the road.

✔️ Also Try:

• Tofu scramble (if you’re vegan)
• House-made hot sauce
• Cocktails at their sister bar, Omar’s

📍 259 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH
🔗 Sunrise Café Website »

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🎨 3. Explore the Street Art & Hidden Murals

Yellow Springs wears its creativity on its walls—literally. Wander around downtown and you’ll find murals on alley walls, painted benches, rainbow crosswalks, and mosaics tucked into corners. It’s like an open-air art walk, but better because it’s totally unplanned.

✔️ Tip:
Check the alleys between Corry and Walnut Streets—you never know what you’ll stumble on.

📍 Downtown Yellow Springs
🖼️ Bring your camera and a good attitude.

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📚 4. Browse Dark Star Books & Comics (with a Cat)

This isn’t your average bookstore. Dark Star is a cozy, labyrinthine wonderland filled with used books, comic books, graphic novels, and rare finds. There’s a good chance you’ll be greeted by the resident cat, who runs the place with an iron paw.

✔️ What to Look For:

• Classic sci-fi paperbacks
• First-edition comics
• Local zines you won’t find anywhere else

📍 237 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH
🔗 Dark Star Books on Facebook »

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🧘 5. Shop at Literally Everyone’s Favorite Hippie Store

Import House is like walking into a rainbow. Tie-dye everything, incense, handmade jewelry, tapestries, and t-shirts that say things like “Make Tacos Not War.” It’s part spiritual shop, part college nostalgia, and 100% Yellow Springs energy.

✔️ Great for:

• Souvenirs that don’t feel touristy
• Gifts with a message
• Supporting local artists

📍 202 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH
🔗 Import House Website »

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🥾 6. Hike (or Bike) the Little Miami Scenic Trail

If you’re up for some fresh air but want something a little less rugged than Glen Helen, hit the Little Miami Scenic Trail. This paved path winds through wooded stretches and farmland, with plenty of birdwatching and picnic spots.

✔️ Access:
Trailhead is right near town and part of the old railway line. You can walk, run, bike, or even rollerblade.

📍 Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd entrance
🔗 Trail Info »

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🎭 7. Catch a Show at the Little Art Theatre

Locally run and delightfully retro, Little Art Theatre is a single-screen indie cinema that screens everything from Oscar-nominated films to local documentaries and cult classics.

✔️ Bonus:
They serve craft beer and wine at concessions.
Small town, big-screen charm.

📍 247 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH
🔗 Little Art Theatre Website »

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🌼 8. Visit Young’s Jersey Dairy (Yes, the Cows Are Real)

Just outside of town, Young’s Jersey Dairy is part ice cream shop, part petting zoo, part old-school fun. You can mini golf, visit the goats, eat cheese curds, or just treat yourself to a scoop of homemade ice cream made with milk from their own cows.

✔️ Try This:

• Cow Patty Ice Cream (yes, it’s chocolate-based!)
• Fried cheese curds
• Farm animal selfies

📍 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH
🔗 Young’s Dairy Website »

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🍷 9. Sip & Chill at a Local Winery or Brewery

For a slow afternoon or early evening, head to Brandeberry Winery or Yellow Springs Brewery. Brandeberry leans into sweet wines made from Ohio-grown grapes, while YSB offers locally brewed IPAs, stouts, and seasonal pours in a fun, relaxed taproom.

✔️ Local Favorite Flights:

• Brandeberry’s Blackberry Wine
• YSB’s Captain Stardust Saison

📍 Brandeberry Winery – Enon, OH (15 min drive)
🔗 Brandeberry Winery »
📍 Yellow Springs Brewery – 305 Walnut St, Yellow Springs, OH
🔗 Yellow Springs Brewery »

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🎪 10. Come for a Festival, Stay for the Weirdness

Yellow Springs goes all out for festivals—whether it’s the Street Fair (with hundreds of vendors and food trucks), the Porch Music Festival, or smaller art and craft events sprinkled throughout the year. Come hungry, curious, and open-minded.

✔️ Tip:
Book lodging early. The town fills up fast for events.

🔗 Check the Events Calendar »

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🌟 Final Thoughts: Small Town, Big Vibes

Yellow Springs is the kind of place you go for a day and end up wishing you had a week. It’s vibrant, welcoming, proudly weird, and full of unexpected little moments that make for big memories.

So whether you’re hiking to a mineral spring, sipping beer by the river, or chatting with the bookstore cat—you’ll leave Yellow Springs with stories to tell (and probably a tie-dye shirt or two).

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🧭 Want a Custom Trip Plan for Yellow Springs?

Let me help you build a weekend (or longer) that includes the best spots to stay, eat, explore, and unwind in and around this magical little town.

📩 Contact Me for a Custom Itinerary »