Overview
Yellow Springs is a village in Southwestern Ohio. It is home to Antioch College.
7 sights · 5 things to do · 8 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Yellow Springs
Little Art Theatre
Intimate theatre showing a savvy mix of mainstream and independent films. Operating since 1929, renovated in 2013 for digital projection.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
400 aerospace vehicles, and an abundance of historical items. Admission to the museum is free, however there is a fee for the Imax theater.
Antioch College
A historic college in Yellow Springs
Antioch University Midwest
Separate from Antioch College.
Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom
Gives community lectures and talks on civil rights and non-violence. Founded by Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr who once studied here.
Glen Helen Nature Preserve
Lovely woods with walking trails and (as of 2024) a huge beaver dam. This preserve is also home to the iron-rich yellow spring that gives the town its name. Legend has it that if you drink from the spring, you'll always …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Dayton)
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.
- DAY James M. Cox Dayton International Airport, Dayton — 19 mi away. Directions
- LCK Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus — 51 mi away. Directions
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus — 55 mi away (major hub). Directions
Yellow Springs is on route 68, just 7 1/2 miles south of route I-70. It is approximately a half hour drive from Dayton, and a one hour drive from Columbus. Dayton is serviced by the James M. Cox Dayton International Airport. Columbus is serviced by John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Rental cars are available at both locations.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Little Art Theatre, Antioch College, Glen Helen Nature Preserve
- Lunch Bentinos Pizza
- Afternoon Antioch University Midwest, Clifton Mill
- Dinner Corner Cone Dairy Bar and Grill
- Evening Dayton Street Gulch
Day 2
- Morning National Museum of the United States Air Force, Young's Jersey Dairy
- Lunch Current Cuisine
- Afternoon Little Miami Scenic Trail
- Dinner Dino's Cappuccinos
- Evening Peach's Grill
Day 3
- Morning Clifton Gorge, John Bryan State Park
- Lunch Emporium Wines and the Underdog Cafe
- Afternoon Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom
- Dinner HA HA Pizza
- Evening Ye Olde Trail Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Yellow Springs offers many dining options with something to please every palate.
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.
Understand
The Village of Yellow Springs was founded in 1825. It was named for a natural spring rich in iron ore in Glen Helen. Legend has it that if you drink from the spring you will always return.
In the conservative stronghold of Southwest Ohio not far from a major air force base, Yellow Springs has the reputation for being an island of left-wing activism supported by its small liberal arts school, Antioch College. Some locals go as far as to call it the Berkeley of Ohio. When school is in session, people watching is an interesting event given the personalities this college attracts.
The Village offers some of the best dining in the Dayton area, along with several artisan groups and a downtown bustling with side-walk shops. All of this lies a short distance from Ohio's best natural area, including John Bryan State Park and Glen Helen.
The Village can get quite congested on warm-weathered weekends, but nearly all of its attractions are open during weekdays, which offer less in the way of crowds. As of the 2000 census the population was 3,761.
Visitor Information
Get in
By car
Yellow Springs is on route 68, just 7 1/2 miles south of route I-70. It is approximately a half hour drive from Dayton, and a one hour drive from Columbus. Dayton is serviced by the James M. Cox Dayton International Airport. Columbus is serviced by John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Rental cars are available at both locations.
By bus
The Greyhound bus stops in Springfield, a 15-minute drive from Yellow Springs and too far to walk.
By bicycle
Yellow Springs is accessible by the excellent system of bicycle trails thanks to Ohio's Rails to Trails program. A 10 mile ride south on the trail will lead to Xenia; continuing further takes you to Cincinnati. Parking and access to the trail, are available at the Chamber of Commerce which also houses public restrooms.
Get around
Yellow Springs is 1.9 square miles. The downtown area is easily walkable. It is relatively flat and a great town to get around by foot or on a bike. Bike rentals are available at Corner Cone, at the corner of Dayton and Walnut Streets, during its open season. If you want to visit any of the attractions outside of the town you will need a car. Yellow Springs has limited public transportation through Greene County's GreeneCATS program.
See
Despite its small size, Yellow Springs punches above its weight in cultural attractions.
See Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom
Gives community lectures and talks on civil rights and non-violence. Founded by Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr who once studied here.
Do
There are lots of outdoor activities in and around Yellow Springs.
Do Glen Helen Nature Preserve
Lovely woods with walking trails and (as of 2024) a huge beaver dam. This preserve is also home to the iron-rich yellow spring that gives the town its name. Legend has it that if you drink from the spring, you'll always want to come back to Yellow Springs. In Glen Helen there is also a Raptor Center dedicated to the rehabilitation of birds of prey. You can see some of the permanently disabled birds in outdoor cages, and there are flight cages for birds who are recovering.
Festivals
Do Yellow Springs Street Fair
Happens twice a year. On the second Saturdays of June and October the main streets in town are closed for vendors, live music and international cuisine.
Buy
Yellow Springs has a plethora of independent shops and artisans.
Eat
Yellow Springs offers many dining options with something to please every palate.
Eat Bentinos Pizza
107. Regional chain serving pizza, salads, pasta, calzones and wings. Delivery available.
Eat Corner Cone Dairy Bar and Grill
Soft serve ice-cream, burgers, fries and shakes. Outside seating only. Open seasonally.
Eat Current Cuisine
Delicatessen and bakery with indoor and outdoor tables. Catering available.
Eat Dino's Cappuccinos
A cozy, independent espresso bar with coffee and tea drinks and pastries.
Eat Emporium Wines and the Underdog Cafe
Fresh bread, croissants, sandwiches, coffee and newspapers. Breakfast is served Tu-Su until 11:30AM.
Eat HA HA Pizza
An independent restaurant serving pizza, subs and calzone with a well stocked salad bar. Vegetarian entrees. Delivery available.
Eat Sunrise Cafe
Lovingly prepared food using local and organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan entrees. Wine list.
Eat Winds Cafe and Bakery
Fine dining with an extensive wine list, on premises bakery and homemade desserts, espresso and mixed drinks. Menu changes monthly. Special events include the Annual Garlic Dinner.
Drink
Drink Dayton Street Gulch
This hometown favorite dive draws an eclectic crowd. Pool table.
Drink Peach's Grill
Live music in the evenings. A great selection of sandwiches, wraps and Mexican entrees. Domestic and imported Beers on tap, wine and spirits.
Drink Ye Olde Trail Tavern
Serving cold beer and great bar food in an 1844 log cabin, the original structure was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. Over forty beers and wines to choose from. Enjoy one in front of the fireplace, in the solarium or out on the deck.
Drink Yellow Springs Brewery (YS Brewery)
Enjoy fresh craft brews directly out of the tap. Seasonal selections change weekly with many favorites always available. The beautiful taproom is also an art gallery featuring a wide array of local and regional artists. Brewery tours every Saturday at 4 pm. Enjoy the deck overlooking the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
Sleep
There are many comfortable and unique places to stay in Yellow Springs
Go next
The cities of Columbus and Cincinnati are each about an hour's drive from Yellow Springs if you are looking for a more urban setting.
Nearby
Cedarville
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Xenia
City / town · 33 listings · 9 mi away
Springfield
City / town · 12 listings · 10 mi away
Beavercreek
City / town · 14 listings · 10 mi away
New Carlisle
City / town · 6 listings · 12 mi away
Dayton
City / town · 61 listings · 16 mi away
Tipp City
City / town · 6 listings · 18 mi away
Waynesville
City / town · 13 listings · 21 mi away
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