While the boys are out fishing the ladies may prefer to do some shopping .  The  small towns in Athens, Washington, Vinton, Hocking and Jackson counties are full of small antique shops, roadside craft stores and flea markets.  Stahl's Christmas Shop open year round in nearby Little Hocking has 4 full rooms of holiday decorations and collectables as well as a 2.5 acre nursery.

Rempel's Grove in nearby Logan, OH has a little bit of everything.  If you are into antiques or crafts there are the Logan Antique Mall and  Hocking Hills Craft Mall.  Hungry?  Try the fine Amish style food and grab some goodies to go at The Old Dutch Restaurant.  There is also ice cream and a petting zoo.  The Hocking Hills Canoe Livery is also loacated  behind the restaurant.

Although the cottage has a full kitchen there are some other local restaurants worth checking out .Choose from a variety of styles from the down home cooking at the Cool Spot right in Coolville (or just pick up a fresh baked Dutch Apple Pie to take back to the cottage), to the Pizza joints on campus in Athens, the legendary Ice Cream at Postons Carry Out in Stewart, or the fine Italian cuisine of DaVinci's  just accross the river from Marietta in Williamstown, WV.