Glen Helen

The Yellow Springs Experience is an immersion in arts and cultural workshops and performances in Yellow Springs, July 9-18. A Launch Party will kick off the ten days on Friday, July 9, from 4 to 7 pm with live bands, arts exhibits and demos, kids performances, food, beverages, and more! Start your Experience.

More than 80 events are planned for The Experience, which brings together the Yellow Springs Arts Council and dozens of other partners, including area colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, artists and cultural presenters, to welcome one and all to sample, stay and play for the week as a part of the community.

Wellness classes, arts workshops, readings, women’s retreat, sustainable building and farm tour, street carnival, skate music concert, youth and adult theater and dance are just some of the diverse tastes to enjoy.

The Experience is Yellow Springs’ most expansive invitation to the region and beyond with activities for all ages. Designed to support local artists and cultural practitioners of every stripe, the event represents 13 areas including visual arts, literature, theater, dance, music, environment, culinary, media, 3-dimensional, wellness, crafts, innovation and design. Popular summertime events such as the Antioch Writers’ Workshop, YS Kids Playhouse performances and Glen Helen EcoCamps are included in the Experience schedule.

Events will be held at locations throughout the village, including artist studios, educational sites and community centers. Tickets will be available for purchase online. Advance purchase is highly recommended.

Register at the Yellow Springs Experience.

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Click to download a map of the Town with our recommendations on the Best of Yellow Springs (240 KB).

Location, location, location.

We know that we’re lucky to work in one of the “10 Coolest Small Towns in America.” In case you get a chance to visit, here are some of the hot spots we recommend for eating, shopping and playing.

• Peaches Grill (104 Xenia Ave) – Enjoy the patio in the summer – or the libations all year long. Peaches has an extensive beer list for a small town hangout. And, they have live entertainment most weekend evenings. Recommendation: the beer sampler and pita chips.
• The Winds Café & Bakery (215 Xenia Ave) – Fine dining in a casual town with an adventurous menu that changes monthly and a healthy wine list. Pumpkin lasagna is a surprising fan favorite every fall. Closed Mondays.
• Ye Olde Trail Tavern (228 Xenia Ave) – Eat in one of the oldest buildings in the Village. Recommendation: get the pretzel bread for your sandwich enjoyment.
• Current Cuisine (237 Xenia Ave) – Grab the lunch special to-go (during the week) or make your own meal out of the eclectic and delicious deli items. Or, fill up on any of their fabulous desserts.
• Sunrise Café (259 Xenia Ave) – Great spot to start the day with breakfast – or to rest for lunch. Fantastic pancakes and omelettes and plenty of choices for leaf eaters. Closed Tuesdays.
• The Corner Cone Dairy Bar and Grill (101 South Walnut Street) – The Classic corner dairy bar with Frosty treats to go! (During the summer only.)  Also a great place can also rent bikes to tour the town starting at $8 per hour
• Bonadies Glass Studio (220 Xenia Ave # 1) – Gorgeous things galore! Bonadies specialties include carries a collection of unique glass jewelry, ornaments, artwork and lamps.
• Yellow Springs Pottery (222 Xenia Ave (King’s Yard) – Original creations from a most original town. Yellow Springs pottery is a retail cooperative of 10 members who produce a large selection of handmade pottery.
• Dark Star Books and Comics (237 Xenia Ave) – They carry 40,000 used books and an extensive collection of back issue comics. Buy and sell your goods here! And, say hello to the store cat, Mr. Eko.
• Kismet (249 Xenia Ave) – No boys allowed. Okay, not really. But, this is definitely a women’s boutique. Find unique clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories here.
• Mr. Fubs Party Toys and More (252 Xenia Ave) – It’s a par-tay at Mr. Fubs. And we’re sorry if they’re out of fart machines. We needed them. Yes, all of them. They also carry unique brain teasers, plush toys and gifts.
• No Common Scents (1525 Xenia Avenue) – Herbs, spices and aromatherapy. Sniff. Relax. Ahh. It’s a great spot for a cup of coffee or tea and to catch up on your reading.
• Tie Dyed Gift Shop (125 S Walnut St) – You’re in Yellow Springs. Why not grab some tie dye? (When in Rome…)
• Asian Collection – Really cool Asian gifts and garb in really unusual building….
• Yoga Springs Studio (108 Dayton Street) – Get your zen on… Daily classes available for novice to advanced yogis.
• Main Squeeze – Offering the finest in fresh juices, smoothies, wheat grass juice and brewing & winemaking supplies.
• Little Art Theatre (247 Xenia Avenue) – This cozy theater has played some of the finest art, independent, documentary and Hollywood films for over 50 years. Monday is bargain day – just $6 a show! General admission (after 6pm) is $7.50 all other days.
• Glen Helen Nature Preserve (405 Corry Street) – Get out of town and roam 1,000 acres of preserved land. The Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center offers a range of environmental education programs to connect you with the natural world.
• Little Miami Scenic Trail – The Little Miami Scenic Trail is part of an 80-mile trail network that extends from eastern Cincinnati to Buck Creek State Park near Springfield. Part of the trail passes through Yellow Springs – and a public restroom. If you’re heading north, the restrooms are just across Route 68.