Top 11 Ohio Towns To Visit In 2025
Ohio's diverse landscapes allow travelers to experience all four seasons of the year in dramatic fashion. Between the Lake Erie shoreline and the Ohio River banks, the Buckeye State is riddled with natural wonders that cultivate exciting adventures. As the year begins, this is an excellent time to rethink your travel priorities away from the big cities and discover the hidden gems that lie on the fringes of the state.
Small-town Ohio boasts a long list of delightful destinations with supreme natural beauty, rare historical experiences, and captivating cultural encounters that can't be replicated elsewhere. From unassuming Amish Country getaways like Walnut Creek to laid-back lakeside enclaves like Sandusky, start the year on a high with a trip to these top Ohio towns to visit in 2025.
Sandusky
This famous getaway along the Lake Erie shores charms vacationers with its wealth of history and endless family-centric entertainment. Sandusky's rich heritage is evident in its numerous house museums, starting with the Follett House Museum. This Greek Revival mansion from the 1830s portrays the town's dynamic history through a collection of memorabilia, including artifacts from the Underground Railroad.
The iconic Cedar Point remains the most sought-after attraction in Sandusky, providing unadulterated fun for all ages with over a dozen roller coasters, thrill rides, water slides, and other entertainment. This 364-acre amusement park opened in 1870 and is the second-longest-running amusement park in the United States. Apart from the coasters, families can enjoy additional fun at the Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, which features a haunted house, 3D theater, mini-golf course, and skating rink.
Medina
Medina's proximity to Cleveland makes it a quiet escape from the city, known for its exciting festivals and a dynamic downtown area with an eclectic mix of attractions. From February 14 to 17th, 2025, the community will host the annual Medina Ice Festival, which brings together the best ice sculptors in the region for a family-friendly winter celebration. Visitors can also stop by Castle Noel to shop in the country's largest indoor Christmas attraction. This unique store sells various related merchandise, from costumes and props to decorations and memorabilia.
Downtown Medina also harbors Brother's Antique Mall, where more than 100 dealers allow collectors to hunt for vintage treasures for their haul. But if you want to breach the downtown limits, Austin Badger Park presents a lovely outdoor escape, with over two miles of walking trail meandering its green grounds.
Bellefontaine
This small town of Logan County is reputed for its resume of curious points of interest and as a four-season destination. It hosts "America's First Concrete Street," "The Highest Point in Ohio," and "The Shortest Street in America," which have always intrigued newcomers to the town. Winter travelers can access appropriate recreation at Mad River Mountain. This pleasant ski resort provides 10 lifts and 20 ski trails with a 300-foot vertical drop, ideal for skiers, tubers, and snowboarders of all skill levels.
Live show enthusiasts meet at the Holland Theatre to watch compelling performances in a friendly venue. This rustic building, built in the 1930s, sports a Dutch-style atmosphere popular in the '20s and '30s. It continues to entertain audiences with play, drama, and musical performances.
Yellow Springs
This tiny village of Greene County hosts an impressive system of nature reserves and parks, culminating in the ultimate haven for outdoor adventurers. Prominent among them is the Glen Helen Nature Preserve, which, at over 1,000 acres, has no shortage of fun activities. Old-growth trees and picturesque waterfalls define the landscapes, inviting hikers to discover the 20-mile trail system weaving through the park. Driving around the backcountry brings you to the Richard P. Eastman Covered Bridge from the 1870s. This postcard-worthy landmark straddles the Little Miami Scenic Trail and provides a wonderful sight for first-timers.
An eclectic dining scene breathes life into downtown Yellow Springs. Culinary enthusiasts will fancy trying the local flavors, and they can savor delicious American grub at Ye Olde Trail Tavern, which serves burgers and fish & chips in a 19th-century establishment.
Athens
Home to Ohio University, Athens has a bustling arts community with a series of art centers throughout the town. The Kennedy Museum of Art is a world-class establishment with permanent and rotating exhibitions featuring Southwest Native American textiles and American art. Several festivals have helped enhance Athens's status as an arts and culture hub, including the Global Arts Festival, scheduled for March 31st to April 4th, 2025. This brings together various stakeholders for a day of creative expression and education.
The Athens Farmers Market provides a chance to meet the locals in an upbeat setting while shopping for a range of merchandise, such as fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Finally, outdoorsy visitors can feel at home exploring Athens West State Park, which harbors a biking trail, baseball diamond, playground, and dog park.
Lebanon
Lebanon is one of the most historic Ohio towns to visit in 2025, boasting a heritage from the start of the 1800s. This is clear from the numerous historical markers in the town, led by the Harmon Museum. An extensive and diverse collection of artifacts brings back memories of the past in this 30,000-square-foot museum, including Native American antiques and one of America's largest pile of shaker artifacts. The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel was established in 1803 and is Ohio's longest-serving hotel. Throughout its remarkable history, it has hosted famous dignitaries like Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and several former presidents.
The 26th Lebanon Optimist Blues Festival, which will occur in August 2025, is one of the many festivals that spread cheer in the town. It is a great time to join other music lovers at the Bicentennial Park and Mulberry Plaza.
Vermilion
Identifying as a "Small Town on a Great Lake," this Lake Erie gem delights tourists with its small-town charm and range of aquatic-based recreation. The Vermilion Lighthouse reminds guests of the town's maritime exploits on Lake Erie and the Vermilion River. It was erected in the 19th century and is a popular subject for budding photographers. Main Street Beach offers a taste of the lake's waters along its 300-foot waterfront, ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Vermilion's bustling marinas allow guests to access fun water excursions. Several local outfitters, such as the Vermilion Marina, provide remarkable sightseeing and fishing tours on the lake and river on fishing boats, kayaks, or pontoons.
Coshocton
It takes a 70-mile drive from Columbus to Coshocton, which has for years lured visitors with its captivating historical sites and stunning natural landscapes. The town houses the Historic Roscoe Village, a vivid glimpse of life in the early 19th century. A stroll through the 1816 village showcases old buildings with vintage architectural styles, hosting shops and craft centers. Furthermore, the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum pays tribute to native-born brothers with permanent exhibits of Native American antiques and other memorabilia.
After the historical immersion, guests can escape to the tranquil grounds of Coshocton Lake Park. It has many opportunities for recreation lovers, ranging from paddleboarding to boating and camping to hiking.
Gallipolis
The "Old French City" explores life in Ohio's formative years as a hub for French settlers, housing several historical markers to show for it. Our House Tavern Museum is a notable spot in Gallipolis, dating back to the early 1800s. The red-brick tavern tells an intriguing story of the French 500, a group of settlers escaping the French Revolution. The Gallipolis Railway Freight Station Museum also stores a stockpile of memorabilia documenting the region's railway history since the turn of the 20th century.
If you enjoy the arts, the French Art Colony is an excellent destination to sample local arts. It stages art exhibitions, classes, workshops, and community events designed to support and encourage the arts and culture.
Findlay
This vibrant hub in northwest Ohio has something for everyone, whether you are a historian, art lover, or nature enthusiast. The Hancock Historical Museum preserves and interprets Findlay's colorful heritage. It features a nine-building complex with curated artifacts and memorabilia highlighting different aspects of the town's past. While there is no shortage of art venues, the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is a major stop for theater lovers. It hosts a lineup of almost 300 events yearly, from concerts and plays to galas and more.
However, those who gravitate toward outdoor settings gather at Oakwoods Nature Preserve. This pleasant nature area sprawls over 220 acres and features miles of trails cutting through a mix of woodland, prairie, and wetland thriving with wildlife.
Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek is a gem in Ohio's Amish Country, steeped in German culture and full of friendly locals. This makes it a popular destination for tourists all over the state, who are always intrigued by the cultural lessons at the German Culture Museum. The building stores a diverse collection of artifacts and memorabilia that explain Walnut Creek's German, Amish, and Swiss heritage. A tour of its quiet downtown is also an opportunity to sample authentic Amish-style dishes at Der Dutchman.
If you are up for amiable interactions with the townsfolk, you can shop at the Walnut Creek Cheese & Market, where the atmosphere is always welcoming and easygoing. Alternatively, target the Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival in June 2025 to mingle with locals in a more festive setting.
Whether it is your first time touring the Buckeye State or a return trip, numerous gems around the state remain underexplored. Consider swapping the hustle and bustle of major metro areas with the calm and slow pace of these top Ohio towns to visit in 2025. There is no shortage of things to see and do, from enjoying world-class thrill rides in Sandusky and exploring dense wilderness areas in Yellow Springs to learning about the Amish in Walnut Creek.
