These 9 Smal Towns Are Ohio's Best-Kept Secret
Ohio is full of surprises. While it has a reputation for being nothing but cornfields and long stretches of vacant farmland, that couldn’t be further from the truth! From the shores of Lake Erie to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains (yes, they are in Ohio!), the landscape of Ohio is rugged, lush, and picturesque. The best way to explore everything Ohio has to offer is by visiting these small towns. They make Ohio live up to its slogan as the heart of it all!
Grand Rapids
Southeast of Toledo in Western Ohio is the old canal town of Grand Rapids. Visiting this restored town, nestled along the banks of the Maumee River, feels like stepping back in time. The narrow city streets lined with trees and old-timey storefronts offer inviting local businesses like The Village Orchard or Cottage on the River. In the spring, the village hosts the annual Chocolate Walk, where visitors can collect a chocolate treat from participating local businesses. This annual event is just one of the examples of the charm of this close-knit community.
Outside of its charming Victorian village appeal, Grand Rapids is surrounded by natural beauty. The local parks in the area allow visitors to explore the wilderness surrounding Grand Rapids. One of the best spots in Grand Rapids to take in the sights is Providence Park, which is a part of the greater Toledo Metroparks. There are many hiking opportunities at Providence Park, but its biggest attraction is The Volunteer, an authentic 1800s canal boat that takes travelers down a restored portion of the Miami and Erie Canal.
Yellow Springs
Traveling east of Dayton in the southwest corner of Ohio is the community of Yellow Springs. It’s a quaint hidden gem of Ohio with stunning natural beauty and family-friendly activities that bring the community together. The Yellow Springs Street Fair is a great example of Yellow Springs' unique and welcoming atmosphere. The fair draws visitors from all over the area to partake in local crafts, baked treats, and live music on the second Saturday in June and October.
A great place to relax and unwind in Yellow Springs is at the Glen Helen Nature Preserve. It has over 20 miles of hiking trails that vary from accessible to challenging, and some even take you up to a waterfall. While the nature preserve has a few waterfalls, Cascade Falls is the most famous (and stunning). Not too far from the nature preserve is Clifton Gorge, a popular spot among locals. The hiking trails at Clifton Gorge are more rugged and challenging, but they offer amazing views of dramatic limestone cliffs carved into the earth by ancient glaciers.
Granville
East of Columbus, you'll find Granville, a New England-style village with a lot of character and a rich history. It’s home to the beautiful Denison University, which gives the area a youthful vibe that stands in stark contrast to the rustic Victorian architecture. For a charming afternoon, grab a cup of coffee at River Road Coffeehouse and walk down the uncrowded streets to shop in small businesses like Cedar and Thread or Kussmaul Gallery.
You can spend an entire weekend exploring the beautiful downtown district, but Granville is also surrounded by scenic vistas and local parks. Wildwood Park, a recently renovated green space in Granville, is popular among the locals. It has an extensive playground and easy access to the extensive TJ Evans Bike Path. If you love hiking, the Denison University Nature Preserve (a part of the local university) provides over 300 acres of densely wooded trails, putting the natural beauty of Granville on full display.
Burton
Founded in 1798, the small village of Burton is Geauga County’s oldest settlement. Located east of Cleveland, this small village is a part of Ohio’s Amish country. If you want to learn more about the rich history of this cherished Ohio gem, the Century Village Museum is a must-see! It’s set on 12 acres of rolling hills and allows visitors to explore carefully restored buildings that reflect Burton’s past. The most famous of the buildings is the Burton Log Cabin, a former residence that offers tours and live demonstrations.
After taking a tour of the rich history of Burton, another must-visit place in the area is the Welton's Gorge Preserve. Sometimes referred to as Geauga County’s Little Grand Canyon, this 87-acre park offers some of the best views in the county. The Gorge Overlook trail offers stunning views of the area and is a favorite spot for exploring nature among the locals. And on the south side of town is Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve, a beautiful 305-acre park with a tranquil view of Lake Kelso.
Sugarcreek
Did you know that Ohio has one of the largest Amish populations in the country? If you want to experience Amish culture (and their amazing food!), Sugarcreek is considered the Gateway to Amish Country. What makes Sugarcreek unique is it was founded by Swiss immigrants in the early 1800s and is called the Little Switzerland of Ohio due to the Swiss influence in its architecture. The downtown area is a charming and a little unusual place to shop and explore the local markets for Amish goods. A must-see for any visitor of Sugarcreek is the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, centrally located in the heart of town. It’s not just the name of the attraction. It really is the world’s largest cuckoo clock!
After checking ‘see world’s largest cuckoo clock’ off your bucket list, there’s still a lot to see in Sugarcreek. For some of the best Swiss food, there’s no better place than The Swiss Family Restaurant (you have to try their fondue!). The small, walkable downtown district has so many unique shops to check out, like the Secret Garden or Hangar 81, just to name a few. And no trip to Sugarcreek is complete without treats to take back home from the Swiss Village Bulk Foods.
Fairport Harbor
Looking for a peaceful lakeside getaway? While towns like Put-in-Bay often get all the hype (and the seasonal traffic), Fairport Harbor remains one of Ohio’s isolated lakeside hidden gems. Located east of Cleveland, it’s a small village of just over 3,000 residents with a strong community bond. The area hosts annual events, like the Jam by the Sand hosted at the scenic Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Amphitheater. Even if you can’t make it to the event, the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Park and Museum offers fantastic views of Lake Erie and the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse (built in 1925).
If you want to relax by the water, be sure to plan for a beach day at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park. It feels like a sandy, beachy vacation in the heart of the Midwest. And there’s nothing better than grabbing a cone at the Fairport Harbor Creamery after a long day on the beach. If you prefer more shaded adventures, the Chapin Forest Reservation has wonderful trails and a few overlooks of the rolling hills of the area. It’s especially amazing when you visit during the autumn when the leaves start to change!
Chagrin Falls
As a suburb of Cleveland, Chagrin Falls is often considered one of the cutest towns in Ohio. Much of the architecture downtown is well-preserved 19th-century buildings, like the Chagrin Falls Township Hall or the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. The idyllic theater, which still operates today, is one of the oldest community theaters in the United States! The walkable downtown area has a natural waterfall and dam and is surrounded by charming shops within the Chagrin Falls Shopping Plaza.
One of the best times of year to visit Chagrin Falls is in the spring when it holds its annual Blossom Time Festival. The whole downtown area comes alive with family-friendly events like the Riverside Park Carnival, live music, a parade, and the Balloon Glow in the evening. When you want to experience the beauty outside of Chagrin Falls, Frohring Meadows is a great place to go for a hike. It’s a 298-acre park with well-maintained trails that traverse rolling prairies and even has a butterfly garden.
Zoar
No matter where you are in Ohio, the trip to Zoar is a long drive! This remote village is tucked away in central Ohio and has a population of just under 200. While it’s remote and secluded, it’s truly one of Ohio’s most underappreciated gems. Historic Zoar Village was founded in 1817 by German separatists, and its rich German heritage is still on full display, remarkably untouched by time. There are no sounds of traffic or congested city streets, only birds and the rustle of wind through the trees.
You can take a self-guided tour of the area or plan to visit during one of their famous Civil War reenactment (which is the largest in the state). Another great place to take in the unique history of Zoar is the Zoar Gardens. It’s a three-acre garden that has been around since the late 1800s and earned its nickname, Lustgarden (Garden of Happiness). Just outside of this small village are amazing natural attractions like Zoar Valley and the Zoar State Memorial.
Logan
Logan is a small, charming town in the heart of the Hocking Hills region. If you want to experience all the tranquil beauty of Hocking Hills State Park, Logan is worth checking out. This small community has a plethora of local attractions (outside of the state park), like the Hocking Hills Winery and the Logan Antique Mall. Logan also hosts unique festivals throughout the year, like the Washboard Music Festival and the Hocking Hills Craft Show.
What makes Logan truly special is its distance from Hocking Hills State Park. While many do not consider Ohio mountainous, the park is a part of the Appalachian Mountains! Visitors can explore beautiful scenery like Ash Cave, or the stunning Cedar Falls (a 50-foot waterfall). The drive alone to get to Logan offers an amazing display of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along its heavily wooded, winding roads.
Ohio’s Best Kept Secrets Are Calling
There’s no doubt that Ohio is the heart of it all! Whether you want to relax on the beach of Lake Erie at Fairport Harbor, explore the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Logan, or finally get around to seeing the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock in Sugarcreek, these hidden gems are some of Ohio’s best-kept secrets! From the lakes to the mountains to the miles of sprawling farmland in between, there’s something to love about every one of these charming Ohio communities.
