How to go (from Dayton)
Take U.S. 35 East to I-675 North to the Yellow Springs exit.
Turn right on Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, which becomes Dayton Street, one of the village’s two main drags.
Another route
Take Ohio 35 East to Xenia and turn left at Ohio 68 North, which becomes Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs, the other main drag.
Sites to see and places to stay
Start at the Chamber: www.yellowsprings ohio.org.
(Note: Reservations are suggested for some restaurants and are always required for accommodations, even camping).
YELLOW SPRINGS — Sometimes what you’re looking for is in your own backyard. Located just 20 miles east of Dayton, the village of Yellow Springs is an exciting, eclectic site for a day or even a weekend trip, year round.
Nature trails, an art cinema and eclectic shops and restaurants are just a few highlights of what this village has to offer.
Offering several inns, a restored 1950s-era motel, a renovated jailhouse and John Bryan State Park for the hardy traveler, among others, Yellow Springs has a stop for the night for every budget and taste. With so much to do in such a small area — the whole village is only two square miles — why not make Yellow Springs a weekend trip?
What makes Yellow Springs special? “It’s really the people that live in Yellow Springs,” Karen Wintrow, executive director of the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce, said, “and all the different kinds of businesses. Most of the shops here are locally owned, and that influences what they sell; it’s not like going to the mall.
“Like today, midday, for example, it’s packed, and this is the norm. There are two farmer’s markets with fresh flowers, eggs, fruits and vegetables, and great local cheeses. Many people come here from the bike path. They stop and shop and get back on the path. Some of them come from Xenia and beyond; they’ll stop at the Train Station (the Chamber of Commerce), pick up brochures, shop, etc.”
What you’ll find
“If you came on a Friday evening, for example, you could dine in one of the many local restaurants,” said Wintrow, “catch a film at the Little Art Theatre or some live music at the Emporium.” Then on Saturday, you could visit the farmer’s markets, the art galleries and other shops, hike in the Glen (Glen Helen) and visit their Raptor Center, Trailside Museum and the lovely Glen Helen Building with a nature gift shop and rotating art exhibits. Or you could go to John Bryan State Park or nearby Clifton Gorge, come back and have dinner and listen to live music at Peach’s CONCONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
Grill, for example.
Then on Sunday, you might take a ride on the bike path or take a nature hike; then, before you head home, you might make a trip to Young’s Jersey Dairy, just outside of the village on 68 North.
Besides the restaurant, fresh bakery and fresh homemade ice cream, Young’s has miniature golf, a petting zoo, a slide and train rides for kids. And in the fall, they have a corn maze and hayrides. You can do any or all of these, in whatever order, since most Yellow Springs businesses are open all weekend.
For music lovers
Musical entertainment is varied in the village: There’s the world-class Chamber Music Yellow Springs, and the African American Cultural Works of Yellow Springs hosts an annual Labor Day weekend blues and jazz festival. Local bands feature rock, folk, Celtic and bluegrass, to name a few.
Peach’s Grill brings in many different types of bands, including reggae.
This diversity is reflected in the public radio station, WYSO-FM (91.3), which is affiliated with Antioch University.
Eating
Dining-wise there’s something for everyone, from the popular Wind’s Cafe and Bakery, the Sunrise Cafe (with a seasonal back patio Tapas and Martini Bar), two pizza places (Ha-Ha’s and Bentino’s), several coffee houses and delis (The Underdog Cafe in the Emporium, Brother Bear’s, Current Cuisine), a juice bar (Main Squeeze) selling juice, smoothies and beer-making supplies, and an American and Peruvian cuisine restaurant (Williams Eatery & Gathering Place).
Smart films
The Little Art Theatre shows mostly independent and foreign films.
They have also recently teamed up with two local restaurants to offer Brunch and a Movie (with The Winds Cafe) and Dinner and a Movie (with the Sunrise Cafe). Information on these deals is found via the theater and the restaurants.
On foot
Even walking around town is an adventure in Yellow Springs. The unique flavor of the village is seen everywhere, including places you’d least expect it — such as art displayed in the Little Art Theatre lobby and the local cafes, spontaneous music on the street, outdoor murals, public art sculptures and the famous “knit-knot” art: mixed-media knitted/croqueted/sewn art, intertwined with flowers, etc., created and installed by local artists on street signs, trees and telephone poles around town.
Renewal
With the imminent reopening of Antioch College, there seems to be a renewed spirit in the air. There’s just so much to see and do, and that’s just on a typical weekend.
Every Third Friday is Fling in the Springs. Most of the shops stay open later, and there’s live entertainment everywhere. “Now that the weather is nice, people come out all day for Fling in the Springs,” said Wintrow. “This past one was great. In King’s Yard (off Xenia Avenue), for example, we had live bands; then when it got dark, Soul Fire performed.” Soul Fire is a performance art troupe — some of the members drum while others twirl fire batons. “King’s Yard was lined with people of all ages enjoying the shows; kids were dancing — it was great. And all the shops that were open benefitted, too,” she said.
Upcoming events
If you plan to go to Yellow Springs soon, then you may want to enjoy the upcoming, twice-annual (June and October) Yellow Springs Street Fair. Nothing says Yellow Springs like the Street Fair. The next one is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 11. There will be art, crafts and food vendors and live entertainment everywhere. It’s free and fun, but come early as parking can be a challenge.
And on the following Friday, June 17, Yellow Springs will host its twice-annual Art Stroll (the next is in October), in which galleries and shops stay open later, there are many gallery openings, and a general festive atmosphere. With all there is to see and do there, it’s no wonder Yellow Springs was named one of Outside Magazine’s Best Small Towns in 2009. Budget Traveler and the online magazine www.realsmalltowns.com have also named it a top destination town.
Christine Klinger is a Dayton writer and photographer. She can be reached at christineklinger@earthlink.net.
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