Parking is available on the street, or in a parking lot behind Zenner House — see attached screenshot, with available parking circled in yellow. It’s the Children’s Services parking lot, which Zenner House rents for events.

Athens, Ohio owes its charm to its rural isolation, but it's a trek to get to. The closest major airport is the John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), north of Athens an hour-and-twenty-minutes by car. Some prefer the Rickenbacker International Airport, just south of Columbus, although flight options are fewer.


If you plan to join for the full wedding weekend, we recommend arriving by mid-day Friday and departing Sunday late afternoon or evening.

To get to Athens, either rent a car at the Columbus airport, or take an airport shuttle called the Go Bus (Route A).

There are no reasonable public transportation options. Alternatively we can help you reserve a private car service to and from the Columbus airport, with advance notice.

Note that one cannot rent nor return a rental car in Athens, and so if you'd like to drive yourself while in Athens, rent and return a car in Columbus. Click here for Google Map directions from the Columbus airport to the Holiday Inn in Athens.

Once in Athens, you can walk, Uber, or Lyft from hotels to the wedding venue and nearby restaurants and bars, or catch a free hotel shuttle to and from the wedding venue (offered by most hotels). If you're nice to the townies they'll likely offer you rides. As a general rule, it takes about ten minutes to drive from one side of Athens to the other.

Our recommended lodging, a modern hotel just two blocks away (a five minute walk) from the wedding-and-reception venue – the closest hotel. Parking is complimentary.

Standard rooms have mini-fridges and microwaves, plus desks, TVs and free WiFi. Amenities include a free hot breakfast buffet, an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness room. There's also a 24/7 business center and three meeting rooms.

A block of rooms is reserved for the Sarver-Krag wedding at a nightly rate of $119 for a room with two queen beds. To reserve, call (740) 592-4640 or use the booking link below. Unbooked rooms will be released April 17.

Another hotel within walking distance is the Quality Inn, just four blocks away (a ten minute walk) from the wedding-and-reception venue. Free parking, but no shuttle service.

Amenities are the same as at the Holiday Inn (see above). The neighborhood is safe, and hotel facilities are well-maintained despite its lower price.

While no room block is reserved, rooms are available at reasonable rates.

Less walkable (a 20 minute walk), but there's a free hotel shuttle service to and from the wedding venue, and locally around Athens. While it's slightly pricier than the other hotels on East State Street, it's pet-friendly and higher-rated . It features the same amenities as the other hotels.

A block of rooms is reserved for the Sarver-Krag wedding at a nightly rate of $189 for a room with two queen beds. To reserve, call (740) 593-5600 or use the booking link below. Unbooked rooms will be released April 14.

RESTAURANTS ~ UPTOWN ATHENS

Casa Nueva & Cantina is a one-stop solution: perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks, and catching a local band or DJ'd dance party. A worker-owned co-op since the 70s, Casa is a true Athens institution. Mexican-inspired farm-to-table menu, local brews on tap, and inexpensive yet delicious margaritas. Re: ambiance, think "hippy disco meets retired professor" in a cantina built by artists.

Salaam is a charming yet unpretentious fine-dining experience, serving Middle Eastern cuisine.

Jackie O's restaurant and brewery serves delicious pub fare and our favorite local beer, "sustainably brewed with purpose" as they say. Try the "Who Cooks for You?" pale ale.

O'Betty's slings the best hot dogs you'll ever have, with any toppings imaginable. Walk up to the window if you're on the go, or dine inside for a visually rich Lynchian experience, complete with disco ball.

Bagel Street Deli is great for a quick breakfast or lunch. Ashley and her friends were obsessed in middle school.



RESTAURANTS ~ AROUND TOWN

Little Fish is our favorite brewpub restaurant in town, ideal for lunch or a sunset dinner. Enjoy indoor or outdoor covered dining with lovely meadow views, an expansive in-house beer list, and some of the best farm-to-table food in town (nominated for a James Beard award).

Purple Chopstix has been an institution for decades, with its Asian-inspired farm-to-table dishes, eclectic hippie decor, and a charming back patio dining area.



RESTAURANTS ~ NEAR HOTELS

Kiser's BBQ is delicious! Smoked meats and homestyle sides. Walkable to some hotels, with indoor and patio dining, also pick-up and delivery.

Dr. May's Thai Kitchen serves amazing authentic Thai food. Take-out only, hours vary.

Avalanche Pizza is the best pizza in town, with classic and creative pies. They win international awards! Dine in, pick-up, and delivery.

Sol Island Bar & Grill is a casual Caribbean-themed restaurant, close to the wedding venue and hotels. Happy hour every day from 2 - 5 pm, with $2 domestic pints. Indoor and patio dining.

Gran Ranchero is an authentic Mexican restaurant that gets the job done.

Otherwise, chain restaurants abound on East State Street, where you'll find the usual suspects like Applebee's, Bob Evans, IHOP, Tim Hortons, Steak 'n Shake, and other fast food joints.



RESTAURANTS ~ LOCAL WINERIES

Shade Winery offers stunning views of rolling vineyards, indoor and outdoor covered dining, a full bar and in-house wine list, and a delicious steakhouse-inspired, fine-dining menu.

Pleasant Hill Vineyards rivals Shade Winery in its charm, although these two are opposites: Shade with its large elegant patio, and Pleasant Hill with a tucked-away Shire feel. Explore Pleasant Hill's smaller patios and conversation nooks, scattered throughout the wooded property.



WATERING HOLES ~ UPTOWN ATHENS

Casa Nueva & Cantina makes the list twice! It's our go-to townie bar, with a full bar and choose-your-own-adventure vibe: maybe you're there to relax and catch up with friends, or maybe you're there to dance like there's no tomorrow. Fun fact: Dave Grohl wore a Casa t-shirt to the wedding of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.

The Union is a legendary rock venue (upstairs) and bar with billiards (downstairs), with a young-but-multi-generational vibe, and an expansive back patio with rows of picnic tables. Full bar, no food.

Tony's Tavern is our go-to dive bar, across the street from Casa Nueva. It's an ideal end-of-the-night spot. Tiny side patio, darts, and bathrooms that invite graffiti. Try a hot nut, priced so you can buy the whole bar a round. Full bar, no food.