Overview
Tiny Gambier is a college town in Knox County, Ohio, centered around Kenyon College. The village of Gambier mostly consists of Kenyon's campus, which is quiet, pretty, and historic. The liberal-arts college has a student body of 1,900 (2023) in a village of 2,200 (2020).
2 sights · 3 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Gambier
Kenyon College
A small liberal arts college founded in 1824, the main attraction in Gambier. In addition to the charming campus buildings and outdoor sculptures, stop by Chalmers Library to see what's on display in their rotating exhib…
Lowry Center
Kenyon's athletic center. Free for Kenyon Inn guests.
Kokosing Gap Trail
This paved, 14-mile (23-km) trail extends from Mount Vernon past Gambier to Danville. It's beautiful, especially in the fall, and good for biking or walking. You can see a 1940s-era locomotive and caboose on the trail ne…
Gund Gallery
Art gallery named for Graham Gund, an architect closely associated with Kenyon.
Brown Family Environmental Center
Nature preserve with 9 miles (15 km) of trails through multiple habitats, as well as educational programs about nature.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Columbus)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus — 37 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LCK Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus — 48 mi away. Directions
The easiest way into Gambier is by car. The nearest major airport is in Columbus, a one-hour drive away. Kenyon College maintains a list of transport options for the benefit of its students.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Kenyon College, Gund Gallery, Lowry Center
- Lunch Wiggin Street Coffee
- Afternoon Kokosing Gap Trail, Brown Family Environmental Center
- Dinner The Kenyon Inn & Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
The easiest way into Gambier is by car. The nearest major airport is in Columbus, a one-hour drive away. Kenyon College maintains a list of transport options for the benefit of its students.
By bus
Place Knox Area Transit
Door-to-door service in and out of Knox County (call for rates), as well as $1 shuttles between Gambier and Mount Vernon (hourly M-F 8AM-10PM, Sa 2-10PM), with transfers available to local shuttles within Mount Vernon.
By bicycle
The Kokosing Gap Trail (see below) connects Gambier with Mount Vernon, and forms part of the Ohio to Erie Trail which goes all the way from Cincinnati to Cleveland via Columbus.
Get around
As a college town, Gambier is very walkable, and everything is close together except for the slightly out-of-the-way BFEC. The campus is split into two grassy areas, North Campus and South Campus, each surrounded by academic buildings and student housing, with a mini downtown area in between. While the campus is private property, it's open to the public (you need a Kenyon-issued ID card to get into any actual academic buildings or dorms).
The gravel path running through the village, known as Middle Path, is an important landmark. It runs about a mile from Bexley Hall at its northern end, through the town itself, and south to Old K(enyon), the college's first building. Where Middle Path meets Wiggin Street is a pillared entrance called the "Gates of Hell" by the college's students.
Centrally located parking spots are mostly free two-hour parking. The underground West Quad Garage has extensive and free designated visitor parking, with direct access to the admissions building and the library. Get to it from College Drive.
The village has one small old-fashioned gas station and mechanic in the form of Campus Auto, but gas is more expensive here than in Mount Vernon. An EV charging station is across the street.
See
Do
Do Kokosing Gap Trail
This paved, 14-mile (23-km) trail extends from Mount Vernon past Gambier to Danville. It's beautiful, especially in the fall, and good for biking or walking. You can see a 1940s-era locomotive and caboose on the trail near Gambier.
Buy
Shop The Village Market
A small market with snacks, staples, and plenty of booze. More expensive than your standard big-box supermarket, but convenient for quick purchases. The cafe in the back sells hot food including a hot dog, the "Market Dog".
Eat and drink
Eat Gambier Deli
Inexpensive option with an extensive menu of bagels, sandwiches, salads, and standard deli fare. Good pancakes. Vegetarian and vegan options.
Eat The Kenyon Inn & Restaurant
The fanciest option for dining in Gambier, where visiting scholars eat when they come to Kenyon.
Eat The Village Inn
A bar and restaurant popular with students and locals. Try the spinach and artichoke dip. Vegetarian options.
Eat Wiggin Street Coffee
The coffee shop on campus, also serving bagels and other snacks. Usually full of students studying.
Sleep
Kenyon maintains a list of accommodations in Gambier and nearby areas. Alternatively, you might want to stay in Mount Vernon, a ten-minute drive from Gambier, or in Columbus, about an hour away.
Go next
- Mount Vernon – county seat of Knox County and the largest town close to Gambier. A 10- to 15-minute drive, depending on which route you take.
- Coshocton - county seat of Coshocton County to the east
- Columbus - the nearest major city
Nearby
Mount Vernon
City / town · 32 listings · 5 mi away
Fredericktown
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Bellville
City / town · 16 listings · 18 mi away
Loudonville
City / town · 14 listings · 20 mi away
Newark
City / town · 13 listings · 22 mi away
Granville
City / town · 12 listings · 22 mi away
Lexington
City / town · 23 listings · 23 mi away
Heath
City / town · 11 listings · 24 mi away
My experience
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