A Day Trip to College Green in Athens, Ohio

College Green is a campus green within Ohio University’s Athens campus. It is marked as a distinct green on the university’s Athens Campus map, making it a clear starting point for an Ohio University campus visit.

The university’s outdoor-spaces policy applies to the Athens campus and permits public use in accordance with its rules. Those spaces primarily support university activities, including teaching, learning, studying, research, extracurricular and student life, and administrative work. Keep your visit mindful of those uses.

Plan your drive from New Concord to Athens with the campus map and university directions ready for the final approach. Ohio University advises drivers to follow campus signs once in Athens rather than relying on GPS for campus arrival directions. The guide to getting around New Concord covers local transportation at the starting point.

If you are driving, the university identifies visitor parking at Baker University Center, Jefferson Hall and Lot 201 at The Ridges. Hourly, pay-by-space and metered parking are available. Hourly parking is $1.25 per hour at most campus locations, with a one-hour minimum; Baker University Center, Walter Hall, Porter Hall, Ping Recreation Center and Jefferson Hall charge $1.50 per hour.

You can pay parking fees at metered devices, campus parking pay stations or through the ParkMobile app. Ohio University also says dark-green and purple campus lots are open to public parking from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday, subject to posted restrictions and event signage. Many campus and city meters are usually limited to two hours. For current parking details and museum hours, check the official site before you go.

A campus walk can begin on College Green, then continue along the surrounding campus paths while leaving university roads, garages and parking lots to vehicles and parking. Those areas are for vehicular transportation and parking unless prior permission has been given.

Shared-mobility devices have designated no-ride zones on campus, including College Green, so plan to walk through the green itself. Ohio University’s free CATS shuttle serves campus: daytime service follows a loop with scheduled stops, while late-night service is on demand. Service patterns can change, so check university transit information as part of your visit planning.

The Kennedy Museum of Art offers a museum stop to pair with a walk around the Athens campus. It is at 100 Ridges Circle, Athens, Ohio 45701, and admission to the Kennedy Museum of Art and OHIO Museum Complex is free; donations are appreciated.

Gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museums close on university holidays. Four free visitor parking spaces are in Lot 200, directly across the street from the museum entrance.

To drive to the museum, take the OH-682 north exit, continue around the rotary and onto Route 682, then turn left onto North Ridge Drive and left onto East Circle Drive. The museum is on the right. Athens City Transit operates Monday through Saturday.

For an overnight in New Concord, you can browse rooms at this New Concord property.

Can the public visit College Green?

Yes. Ohio University’s outdoor-spaces policy allows public use of Athens campus outdoor spaces in accordance with the policy.

Where can you park for an Ohio University campus visit?

Designated visitor lots are at Baker University Center, Jefferson Hall and Lot 201 at The Ridges. Hourly, pay-by-space and metered parking are available.

Is admission to the Kennedy Museum of Art free?

Yes. Admission to the Kennedy Museum of Art and OHIO Museum Complex is free, and donations are appreciated.