10 Must-Visit Small Towns in Ohio
Head Out of Columbus on a Road Trip to the Towns of Ohio
When most people think of Ohio, they imagine places like Cleveland and Columbus, but Ohio boasts an array of small towns bursting with unique hidden gems of nature and history. From the rich military heritage of Granville to the natural wonders of Yellow Springs to the “Riverboat Town” of Marietta, many of the best attractions are nestled in charming towns.
Whether you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban metropolises or you want a quiet place to retreat after sightseeing, Ohio has plenty of small towns the whole family can enjoy. Read on to learn about the charming small towns in Ohio to visit.
10 must-visit small towns in Ohio
- Geneva-on-the-Lake
- Marietta
- Granville
- Millersburg
- Yellow Springs
- Put-in-Bay
- German Village
- Waynesville
- Cambridge
- Loveland
1. Geneva-on-the-Lake
Brimming with a 1950s-era atmosphere and nostalgia
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Geneva-on-the-Lake, proudly known as “Ohio’s First Summer Resort,” is a retro lakeside escape on the shores of Lake Erie. Established in 1869, the town is celebrated for its nostalgic, frozen-in-time vibe that makes visitors feel like they stepped back into the 1950s and 1960s.
The heartbeat of the town is the thoroughfare known simply as The Strip where you can visit open-air eateries, play a round of mini golf, and shop for retro candies. Geneva-on-the-Lake boasts a premier microclimate for winemaking so you can tour local vineyards and wineries. Outdoor lovers love the Geneva State Park’s scenic trails and its sandy beach. To see the area from aerial ropes courses and high ziplines, go for a Lake Erie canopy tour.
Geneva-on-the-Lake
2. Marietta
An old riverboat town
Categoría: Familias, Historia, Foto
The old riverboat town of Marietta is packed full of historical value and adventure, complete with fascinating museums like the Campus Martius Museum and The Castle Historic House Museum. Marietta was the first European settlement in the Northwest Territory, and you can learn all about it in the local history museums.
If you want to look back even further, be sure to check out Quadranou Mount, an example of impressive ancient earthworks. Hop aboard an authentic paddle-wheel boat at the Ohio River Levee for a relaxing narrated history cruise or book an elegant weekend dinner cruise down the riverways. If you rather stay on dry land, take a stroll down the brick-paved lanes of Front Street and Historic Harmar Village.
Marietta
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3. Granville
A uniquely New England type of experience in Ohio
Categoría: Gastronomía en , Historia, Ir de compras
When you visit Granville with its historic buildings and tree-lined streets, you’ll really feel like you’re in New England. In town, you’ll find the prestigious Denison University, as well as fun shops and restaurants in the downtown area.
Granville prides itself on preserving its early 19th-century New England roots which you can admire at Robbins Hunter Museum, Granville Historical Society Museum, and Alligator Mound, built on a high hilltop by the ancient Fort Ancient culture. If you seek outdoor adventures, hop on a bicycle or lace up your running shoes to enjoy the smooth, paved 14-mile (23-km) multi-use T.J. Evans Trail that cuts directly through Granville, connecting the town to Newark and Johnstown through scenic woods and countryside.
Granville
4. Millersburg
A part of Ohio’s Amish country
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Millersburg is the historic county seat of Holmes County, which proudly holds one of the world’s largest Amish settlements. Positioned as the premier gateway to Ohio’s Amish Country, Millersburg beautifully preserves its 19th-century architecture while offering a distinct mix of historic Victorian mansion tours, artisan shopping, authentic buggy rides, and scratch-made culinary treats.
Learn about Millersburg’s history at The Victorian House Museum and The Millersburg Glass Museum. Stay in the historic Hotel Millersburg that’s been operating since 1847 or grab a home-cooked meal in the onsite tavern. You can experience authentic Amish farm life at Hershberger’s Farm and Yoder’s Amish Home. If you crave fresh air, pick up the Holmes County Trail right from Hipp Station in Millersburg.
Millersburg
5. Yellow Springs
Where to step back in time and visit 1960s-era buildings
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Yellow Springs is a wonderfully eccentric, vibrant village, best known for its progressive spirit and colorful hippie-vibe downtown. Boasting a thriving arts community and home to the Antioch College, the town is a premier destination for travelers looking to balance outdoor adventures with independent shopping, custom craft breweries, and quirky street performance art.
Yellow Springs is bordered by an interconnected network of some of the finest natural parks and preserves in the Midwest. Explore Glen Helen Nature Preserve, John Bryan State Park, and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve for dramatic vistas and pure alfresco fun. Take in the town’s social scene on Xenia Avenue, a bustling, colorful main street lined with tie-dye storefronts, rainbow crosswalks, and historic brick architecture.
Yellow Springs
6. Put-in-Bay
A well-preserved town only a ferry ride away
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Put-in-Bay is a small but popular Ohio destination that’s located on South Bass Island within Lake Erie, and it can only be reached by ferry. Once you arrive, you can see attractions such as Crystal Cave, the Butterfly House, and South Bass Island State Park. You’ll find exciting landmarks, like South Bass Island Lighthouse, and endless stretches of pristine beaches.
Golf is also popular, so spend some time at the greens while the gentle waves roll onto the nearby shore. Take a guided tour around the tiny neighboring Gibraltar Island to see glacial grooves and the historic, Victorian-era Jay Cooke Castle. When the sun goes down, catch live bands at iconic downtown venues or dance at open-air swim-up pool bars.
Put-in-Bay
7. German Village
Steeped in German culture
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German Village a historic neighborhood located just south of downtown Columbus and one of the most idyllic and beautifully preserved historic districts in the country. Built by German settlers in the 19th century, the neighborhood is known for its charming, low-rise brick architecture, stone sidewalks, and gas-lit streets.
You can feast on authentic German fare and giant desserts, including half-pound jumbo cream puff. Spend hours getting lost in a legendary bookshop, housed in a pre-Civil War building. The neighborhood parks such as Schiller Park and Frank Fetch Park are made for leisurely walks. To explore the town further, pick up a walking map at the German Village Meeting Haus and tour the historic Beck, Mohawk, and Deshler streets.
German Village
8. Waynesville
The antiques capital of the Midwest
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Look no further than Waynesville if you’re looking to go antiquing. This town is known as the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest,” and that’s no accident. You’ll find dozens of antique stores throughout the town, and they’re all within walking distance of each other, so it’s easier than ever to find interesting items you can’t get anywhere else. Seasonal offerings here are impressive as well, with stunning winter decorations and the famous annual Ohio Sauerkraut Festival that started in 1970.
Waynesville’s deep frontier history has left behind an extraordinary collection of ghost lore. Go ghost hunting in The Hammel House Inn or Museum at the Friends Home, or take a guided ghost tour to spot the town’s restless souls.
Waynesville
9. Cambridge
A small town with fine glass and outdoor fun
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Cambridge is celebrated as a cornerstone of America’s industrial heritage. Most famously known for its high-quality historic glass production, it boasts artisan heritage, small-town charm, sprawling state parks, and immersive local festivals. National Museum of Cambridge Glass showcases over 10,000 pristine pieces of glassware in more than 40 signature colors and intricate designs. Take a guided tour at Mosser Glass and watch master artisans precisely spin, press, and shape molten glass.
Just a few miles out of town in in Salt Fork State Park, you can explore over 17,200 acres (6,960 hectares) of rolling forested hills, deep valleys, and open meadows. Back in town, stroll along the main thoroughfare and browse its antique stores and craft markets.
Cambridge
10. Loveland
Where you’ll find an actual American castle
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Loveland is an interesting town in Ohio with an array of unique attractions like the Christian Waldschmidt Homestead Museum and Johnson Nature Preserve. Not only will you find 19th-century charm throughout this community, but there’s something that evokes images of an era even further back in history. Loveland is home to Loveland Castle, a medieval-style castle with towers and ramparts.
If you’re more interested in the local nature, you can enjoy the Little Miami State and National Scenic River along with the numerous local hiking trails and kayaking opportunities. Loveland is a biker’s paradise so hop on a bike and pedal along the iconic Little Miami Scenic Trail, a paved trail that stretches for more than 78 miles (126 km).
Loveland
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