Like a beautiful blue marble gleaming in a pile of red blocks, Yellow Springs is captivating for its sheer singularity. There’s no other town like it in central Ohio, and the residents both understand and celebrate this. We love Yellow Springs, and visit regularly when visiting our family in Springfield.
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In Yellow Springs, a business would stand out for not displaying a rainbow flag in their window — but don’t worry, I’m pretty sure they all do. This town has turned the dial all the way to the left. As two gay guys ourselves, it’s so refreshing to walk around and feel absolute acceptance. It’s not like we receive a ton of homophobic abuse in Springfield, but … it’s different here. In Yellow Springs, the sight of a gay couple holding hands or even (gasp) kissing is commonplace.
Perhaps Yellow Springs has the wildly progressive bent that it does, because it’s home to Antioch College. Established in 1850, Antioch immediately made waves by admitting two Black girls into their program. Back in those days, such a thing was absolutely scandalous, but Antioch ignored the outrage and stood by the girls, allowing them to stay. Throughout the years, it stayed true to its progressive vision; the college offered scholarships to Japanese-Americans placed in Internment Camps, and stood up to McCarthy’s Committee on Un-American Activities. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a commencement speech here. Today, a majority of its students identify as LGBTQA+ and half as Black or Brown.
We frequently come to Yellow Springs for dinner, or a movie, or both. We love the Little Art Theater, which plays indie films in a small, cozy auditorium. The restaurants in Yellow Springs are unique — no Olive Gardens or Applebee’s here — and we’ve liked just about everything we’ve tried. And it’s also worth mentioning that Yellow Springs is the home of Dave Chapelle, whose father was dean of Antioch, and who now lives here with his family.
Recently, we visited during the annual Street Fair. This is an extremely popular event, and traffic around Yellow Springs comes to a complete standstill. We had to park about a half-mile outside of town, and then walk in. There’s everything you’d expect at a big festival: craft beers, vendors hawking their artwork and crafts, all sorts of food from all over the world. And so many happy, colorfully-dressed, eccentric people milling about.
There was such a joyful buzz, that we ended up staying way longer than we had planned to. We should watch this group of ladies do some sort of belly dance performance! We should get a beer and sit on the porch of the Mills Park Hotel! We should lay down in the grass and listen to the bands play Phish covers or whatever! We should join a commune! I mean, it just makes a lot of sense, man!
If you ever find yourself in this corner of the world, and the dreary oppression of regular life is getting you down, take an excursion to Yellow Springs. It’s like a shot of adrenaline, and you’ll feel better just for being somewhere so different.
Yellow Springs Info
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What is Yellow Springs known for?
This village boasts a thriving artistic community, an innovative culture, and a walkable downtown packed with independent boutiques, cafés, and art galleries. Moreover, it is celebrated for its closeness to beautiful natural sites like Glen Helen Nature Preserve, John Bryan State Park, and Clifton Gorge.
Why is it called Yellow Springs?
The town gets its name from a natural spring that deposits iron-rich minerals, leaving behind a yellow-orange hue. You can visit the original spring inside Glen Helen.
What’s the vibe of the town?
It’s relaxed, accepting, and focused on community. You can anticipate a blend of artists, scholars, free thinkers, and families. Street performers, thrift shops, and symbols of peace are all part of the daily atmosphere.
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Ohio Travel Guide
Discover the perfect companion for exploring the Buckeye State — Ohio Day Trips by Theme offers hundreds of fun, themed itineraries, from outdoor adventures and festivals to railroads and museums. Whether you’re planning a quick outing or a full weekend escape, this handy guide helps you find something exciting to do, no matter where you are in Ohio.
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