Anyone who has spent a weekend in Athens probably won’t be surprised by this news.
Athens, home to Ohio University, has been named the best college town in the Midwest and one of the top 10 college towns in the nation, according to new rankings from RentCafe and Poets & Quants.
The southeast Ohio city landed at No. 7 nationally in the Poets & Quants rankings and earned the distinction of being the highest-ranked college town in the Midwest. It’s also the only Ohio community to crack the national top 10.
Of course, rankings only tell part of the story.
What makes Athens stand out isn’t just Ohio University’s picturesque campus. It’s the way the city and university blend together. Spend a few hours there and you’ll quickly understand why so many alumni talk about Athens as more than just the place where they went to school.
The brick streets of Uptown are lined with local shops, restaurants, coffeehouses, and music venues, creating the kind of walkable downtown that’s becoming increasingly rare. It’s the sort of place where students, professors, longtime residents, and visitors all seem to occupy the same spaces.
Then there’s the scenery.
Nestled in the rolling hills of Appalachian Ohio, Athens offers easy access to some of the state’s most beloved outdoor destinations. Strouds Run State Park sits just minutes from campus, while Hocking Hills (recently named one of the best state parks in the country) is a short drive away.
The city has also built a reputation for its arts and culture scene, with everything from live music and festivals to galleries, public events, and historic venues like the Athena Cinema. College towns often earn a reputation for cheap eats and late-night pizza, and Athens is no exception. There’s nothing quite like ending your night with a hot dog from O’Betty’s or splitting a pizza from Avalanche Pizza.
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For current students, the ranking serves as another reminder of what makes Athens special. For everyone else, it’s a good excuse to plan a weekend getaway.
Featured image via Visit Athens.
