Kenyon’s beautiful campus is located in Gambier, Ohio, approximately 45 minutes from Columbus, the state’s capital. The rural setting, surrounded by cornfields, is home to approximately 1,600 students. Kenyon is a private, liberal arts college founded in 1824. The campus spills into the small, quaint downtown and the historic town of Mount Vernon is a 10-minute car ride; also a good base for a visit.
SHORTCUTS
Stay: Kenyon Inn | Breakfast: Wiggin Street Coffee
Lunch: Village Inn | Dinner: The Kenyon Inn & Restaurant
Visitor Information: Tour Kenyon
Stay: The Kenyon Inn is right on campus, owned and operated by the school. Just down the block, check into the Gambier House, a charming bed and breakfast. In Mount Vernon you’ll find a Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn Express and the cozy Mount Vernon Inn.
Transportation: Port Columbus International Airport is the closest major airport, about a 60-minute drive from Gambier. There is no public transportation (other than taxis) between the airport and Mount Vernon or Gambier. The GoBus travels between Wooster and Columbus with stops in Gambier, Mount Vernon, downtown Columbus and the John Glenn International Airport.
Coffee and Breakfast: You might overhear students telling each other to meet at the "wiggle and the ground", the official slang for Wiggin Street Coffee; it’s the place at Kenyon where everyone meets up with friends or professors for a cup of coffee and a light bite.
Lunch: Sandwiches and salads are the draw at the Village Inn. Many students’ head to nearby Mount Vernon for meals, with more restaurant options ranging the gamut from ethnic and eclectic to all the usual variations of pizza and burgers available near all college campuses. Stocked with rock and roll memorabilia, Dave’s Cosmic Subs is not your typical sandwich shop. Order one of its killer combination subs and you’ll see why it's earning an all star fan base. It’s sister establishment, The Joint is a 50s style diner known for its smashed burgers, Philly cheese steaks, and Velvet hand dipped ice cream. Students head to Southside Diner or North Main Café for a quick bite.
Dinner
Casual: The restaurant in the Stein Brewery Company offers an extensive menu featuring wings and barbecue, as well as a multitude of comfort food items. Fiesta Mexicana is well liked by students for a fun Mexican night out. Another popular choice includes Ichiban Sushi and Hunan Garden.
A Step Up: When parents are in town reservations are hard to come by at The Kenyon Inn, the best option in Gambier. In Mount Vernon top choices are The Alcove Restaurant and Lounge and Mazzas.
Sweets: There’s only three flavors made fresh each day at Whit’s Frozen Custard, but with tons of toppings the combinations are endless. Mount Vernon has a branch of this popular chain that started back in 2003 in Granville.
Local Attractions: Gambier is a small town, but there are a few worthwhile things to do after your tour. Rent a bike at the bookstore and go for a ride on the Kokosing Gap Trail, a 14- mile recreational trail built on an old Pennsylvania Railroad line. Or visit the impressive Brown Family Environmental Center, a 382-acre nature preserve right on campus. Trails are open during the day for walking and hiking, don’t miss the wildlife garden. Kenyon is only an hour’s drive from Columbus, the capital of Ohio and the 15th largest city in the U.S. For more on things to do and places to eat in Columbus visit our Ohio State University itinerary here.
— Quotes From Campus —
“The classes are small and you really get to know your professors. I’m receiving a first rate education and I love being surrounded by bright, quirky students.”
“I love Kenyon’s traditions such as the “First-Year Sing.” Freshmen gather on the steps of Rosse Hall to sing Kenyon songs to become members of the Kenyon community. On the day before graduation, seniors again gather on the steps to sing the same songs for the last time.”
“No one here is a cookie cutter; just follow the crowd kind of student. Everyone really wants to be here and it creates an incredible atmosphere for learning.”
“Kenyon is in the middle of nowhere; so don’t come here if you’re looking for a lot to do beyond campus. It’s not bad, though, because it fosters a tight community spirit.”
KENYON COLLEGE FAST FACTS
Established
1824
Mascot
N/A
School Colors
White & Purple
Acceptance Rate
26.6%
Common Application
Yes
Supplement Essays
Yes
Early Action/Decision
Early Decision 1 and 2
SAT
Average - 1420
ACT
Average - 31
Type
Private
Size
Small - 1,688 Undergraduates
Website
Region
Admissions Office
Ransom Hall Kenyon College Admissions Office
106 College Park Street
Gambier, OH 43022-9623
(p) (740) 427-5776
(f) (740) 427-5770
admissions@kenyon.edu
Sports Divisions
NCAA Division III
Greek Life
Yes
Noteworthy Alumni
Josh Radnor
Paul Newman
SHOP
KENYON COLLEGE
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