Tiny Gambier is a college town in Knox County, Ohio, centered around Kenyon College. Kenyon dominates the village, with a student body of 1,900 (2023) in a town of 2,200 (2020).

Get in

The easiest way into Gambier is by car. Kenyon College also maintains a list of transport options for the benefit of its students.

Get around

The "Gates of Hell", the entrance to Middle Path at Kenyon College

Walk. The gravel path running through the village, known as Middle Path, is an important landmark. It runs about a mile from Bexley Hall at its northern end, through the town itself, and south to Old K(enyon), the college's first building. Where Middle Path meets Wiggin Street is a pillared entrance called the "Gates of Hell" by the college's students. While if is private property, the campus is open to the public (you need a Kenyon-issued ID card to get into any actual academic buildings or dorms).

See

Leonard Hall, one of the dormitories of Kenyon College

• 🌍 Kenyon College. A small liberal arts college founded in 1824, the main attraction in Gambier. (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Gund Gallery, 101½ College Drive. Tu–F 11AM–5PM, Sa Su 1–5PM (only open when an exhibition is on view, check first). Art gallery named for Graham Gund, an architect closely associated with Kenyon. (updated Jul 2021)

Do

• 🌍 Lowry Center. Kenyon's athletic center. Free for Kenyon Inn guests. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Brown Family Environmental Center, 9781 Laymon Road. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Nature preserve with 9 miles (15 km) of trails through multiple habitats, as well as educational programs about nature. (updated Jul 2021)
• 🌍 Kokosing Gap Trail. This paved, 14-mile (23-km) trail extends from Mount Vernon past Gambier to Danville. It's beautiful, especially in the fall, and good for biking or walking. You can see a 1940s-era locomotive and caboose on the trail near Gambier. (updated Nov 2021)

Buy

• 🌍 Kenyon College Bookstore, 106 Gaskin Ave. The longest continuously operating college bookstore in the US (or so it claims). A fun store, not just textbooks but also a good collection of trade fiction, Kenyon swag, and random products, as well as snacks like ice cream and coffee. Good for gifts. 
• The Village Market. A small market. Don't do your grocery shopping here (it's more expensive than your standard big-box supermarket), but convenient for quick purchases. Also sells a hot dog, the "Market Dog". 

Eat and drink

• 🌍 Gambier Deli, 110 Gaskin Ave, ☏ +1 740-427-4324, gambierdeli@gmail.com. M–Sa 9AM–2PM, Su 10AM–3PM. Inexpensive option with an extensive menu of bagels, sandwiches, salads, and standard deli fare. Good pancakes. 
• 🌍 The Kenyon Inn & Restaurant, 100 W Wiggin St, ☏ +1 740-427-2202. The fanciest option for dining in Gambier, where visiting scholars eat when they come to Kenyon. 
• 🌍 The Village Inn, 102 Gaskin Ave, ☏ +1 740-427-2112. M–Sa 11AM–10PM; bar stays open late. A bar and restaurant popular with students and locals. Try the spinach and artichoke dip. 
• 🌍 Wiggin Street Coffee, 101 Wiggin St. The coffee shop on campus, also serving bagels and other snacks. Usually full of students studying. 

Sleep

Kenyon maintains a list of accommodations in Gambier and nearby areas.

• 🌍 Kenyon Inn, 100 W. Wiggin Street, ☏ +1 740-427-2202. (updated May 2017)

Connect

• Gambier Branch Library, 115 Meadow Ln (in the Gambier Community Center). M Th F 10AM-5PM, Tu W 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. Computers available for public use. (updated Apr 2020)

Cope

Go next

• Mount Vernon – county seat of Knox County and the largest town close to Gambier. A 10- to 15-minute drive, depending on which route you take.
• Coshocton - county seat of Coshocton County to the east

Delaware ← Mount Vernon ←

W  E

→ Coshocton → Uhrichsville