There’s no place like small town Ohio. When you need a change of scenery and a weekend to relax, unwind, and enjoy the simple things in life, small town Ohio is the perfect place to escape. With exceptional restaurants, one-of-a-kind museums, and beautiful scenery, the following towns are what we consider to be some of the best small towns in Ohio to visit. When you need to escape for the weekend, they’re the perfect places to explore.
- Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs Toy Company/TripAdvisor Ohio’s most colorful town is also one of its most charming small towns. In addition to great shopping and dining, you can explore two nature preserves, a state park, a beloved dairy farm, and so much more. If you enjoy creating or observing art, Yellow Springs is a whimsical little town and a picture-perfect escape. Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
- Ashville
Ohio’s Small Town Museum/Facebook Take some time to explore Ohio’s Small Town Museum and grab lunch at the Cherry Street Diner for the ultimate small town Ohio experience in Ashville. Small town pride runs deep in this charming town, where admission to its one-of-a-kind museum is free of charge. You’ll learn all about Ohio authors, inventors, and cultural influencers —and you’ll even get to see the oldest flag to represent the state of Ohio. Ashville, OH 43103, USA
- Smithville
rao creations/Google Local After you’ve had your fill of home-cooked food and family fun at The Barn Restaurant, shop for some antiques and enjoy the scenic Wayne County countryside. With a population of just over 1,000, this lovely little village is a quiet place to settle down or visit for the weekend. During your visit, you’ll also want to check out the historic Pioneer Village, right in the center of town. And the selection at Just Enough Antiques (pictured here) is amazing! Smithville, OH 44677, USA
- Ashtabula
Historic Bridge Street/TripAdvisor A bit of a larger town with much to see and explore, the small city of Ashtabula is ideal for the Ohio history buff looking to find out more about the Buckeye State. Once you’ve explored Historic Bridge Street, you’ll want to take the Ashtabula Country Covered Bridge tour. Other points of interest to check out in Ashtabula are the town’s abundance of Lake Erie beaches, the harbor district, and beautiful apple orchards in the fall. Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
- Bowling Green
Snook’s Dream Cars/Facebook So much more than a college town, Bowling Green is a bit of a hidden gem to Ohioans that aren’t familiar with the area. Step back in time at Snook’s Dream Cars for a few hours and check out the Wood County Museum for some local history. You’ll also find multiple nature preserves, historic farms, and a lovely little oasis called Simpson Garden Park we can’t recommend enough. Bowling Green, OH, USA
- Sugarcreek
Kevin Haught/Google A tiny town with a big reputation, “The Little Switzerland of Ohio” shouldn’t be overlooked. In Sugarcreek, Ohio, you’ll encounter the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, and some truly incredible Swiss cheese, of course. It’s a great way to start exploring Ohio Amish Country and everything special that this beloved region of Ohio is known for. Sugarcreek, OH 44681, USA
- Marietta
MrsPincheon/TripAdvisor The one Ohio River town you simply don’t want to miss, the historic riverboat town of Marietta is a must-visit for every Ohio history buff at least once. As the oldest town in the state, it’s home to a beautiful river walk, a famously haunted hotel, and some informative trolley tours you’ll want to take. During your visit, we recommend grabbing lunch at Busy Bee Restaurant and having a date night at Austyn’s Restaurant & Lounge. Marietta, OH 45750, USA
- Medina
Eric Friedebach/Flickr Although you might only know it as home to the year-round Christmas museum Castle Noel, Medina, Ohio, is a lovely Victorian-era town that has much to explore. From beautiful places to stay and eat to local museums and shops, there’s plenty to do and see here. We suggest trying Courthouse Pizzeria, which is housed in the town’s oldest building. Medina, OH 44256, USA
- Grand Rapids
Bigo1952/TripAdvisor Grand Rapids is a charming village that’s located along the southern bank of the Maumee River, just southwest of Toledo. This restored canal town is truly one of a kind. While you’re here, we recommend lunch at La Roe’s Restaurant and a ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal at Providence Metropark and the Isaac Ludwig Mill. Grand Rapids, OH 43522, USA
What do you think of this list of the best small towns in Ohio to visit? Have you explored any of these charming Buckeye State towns before? What others would you add to this list? Share your thoughts, photos, and experiences with us!
Yellow Springs Toy Company/TripAdvisor
Ohio’s most colorful town is also one of its most charming small towns. In addition to great shopping and dining, you can explore two nature preserves, a state park, a beloved dairy farm, and so much more. If you enjoy creating or observing art, Yellow Springs is a whimsical little town and a picture-perfect escape.
Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Ohio’s Small Town Museum/Facebook
Take some time to explore Ohio’s Small Town Museum and grab lunch at the Cherry Street Diner for the ultimate small town Ohio experience in Ashville. Small town pride runs deep in this charming town, where admission to its one-of-a-kind museum is free of charge. You’ll learn all about Ohio authors, inventors, and cultural influencers —and you’ll even get to see the oldest flag to represent the state of Ohio.
Ashville, OH 43103, USA
rao creations/Google Local
After you’ve had your fill of home-cooked food and family fun at The Barn Restaurant, shop for some antiques and enjoy the scenic Wayne County countryside. With a population of just over 1,000, this lovely little village is a quiet place to settle down or visit for the weekend. During your visit, you’ll also want to check out the historic Pioneer Village, right in the center of town. And the selection at Just Enough Antiques (pictured here) is amazing!
Smithville, OH 44677, USA
Historic Bridge Street/TripAdvisor
A bit of a larger town with much to see and explore, the small city of Ashtabula is ideal for the Ohio history buff looking to find out more about the Buckeye State. Once you’ve explored Historic Bridge Street, you’ll want to take the Ashtabula Country Covered Bridge tour. Other points of interest to check out in Ashtabula are the town’s abundance of Lake Erie beaches, the harbor district, and beautiful apple orchards in the fall.
Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
Snook’s Dream Cars/Facebook
So much more than a college town, Bowling Green is a bit of a hidden gem to Ohioans that aren’t familiar with the area. Step back in time at Snook’s Dream Cars for a few hours and check out the Wood County Museum for some local history. You’ll also find multiple nature preserves, historic farms, and a lovely little oasis called Simpson Garden Park we can’t recommend enough.
Bowling Green, OH, USA
Kevin Haught/Google
A tiny town with a big reputation, “The Little Switzerland of Ohio” shouldn’t be overlooked. In Sugarcreek, Ohio, you’ll encounter the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, and some truly incredible Swiss cheese, of course. It’s a great way to start exploring Ohio Amish Country and everything special that this beloved region of Ohio is known for.
Sugarcreek, OH 44681, USA
MrsPincheon/TripAdvisor
The one Ohio River town you simply don’t want to miss, the historic riverboat town of Marietta is a must-visit for every Ohio history buff at least once. As the oldest town in the state, it’s home to a beautiful river walk, a famously haunted hotel, and some informative trolley tours you’ll want to take. During your visit, we recommend grabbing lunch at Busy Bee Restaurant and having a date night at Austyn’s Restaurant & Lounge.
Marietta, OH 45750, USA
Eric Friedebach/Flickr
Although you might only know it as home to the year-round Christmas museum Castle Noel, Medina, Ohio, is a lovely Victorian-era town that has much to explore. From beautiful places to stay and eat to local museums and shops, there’s plenty to do and see here. We suggest trying Courthouse Pizzeria, which is housed in the town’s oldest building.
Medina, OH 44256, USA
Bigo1952/TripAdvisor
Grand Rapids is a charming village that’s located along the southern bank of the Maumee River, just southwest of Toledo. This restored canal town is truly one of a kind. While you’re here, we recommend lunch at La Roe’s Restaurant and a ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal at Providence Metropark and the Isaac Ludwig Mill.
Grand Rapids, OH 43522, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Small Towns in Ohio to Visit September 16, 2022 Sarah M. What’s the most charming small town in Ohio to visit? It’s nearly impossible to narrow down the list of the best small towns in Ohio to visit to just one amazing town, but we’ll try! In the interest of history, we’re going to nominate the oldest town in Ohio as the most delightful small town to visit in the Buckeye State. Marietta hails from 1788, predating Ohio’s statehood, and it’s a place where history is felt in the town’s very soul. Nestled at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, this quaint river town is full of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. It’s a place with a proud, thriving community; Marietta’s downtown district is home to numerous local retailers and restaurants and is a wonderful place to wander and explore. The town is also home to Marietta College, a private university with gorgeous architecture and incredible history all its own. One of the most iconic buildings in Marietta is The Castle, which was built in 1855 and has been home to some of the town’s most prominent families. This striking structure is historic, intriguing, and dashingly beautiful – which sums up this charming Ohio town, too.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Small Towns in Ohio to Visit
September 16, 2022
Sarah M.
What’s the most charming small town in Ohio to visit? It’s nearly impossible to narrow down the list of the best small towns in Ohio to visit to just one amazing town, but we’ll try! In the interest of history, we’re going to nominate the oldest town in Ohio as the most delightful small town to visit in the Buckeye State. Marietta hails from 1788, predating Ohio’s statehood, and it’s a place where history is felt in the town’s very soul. Nestled at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, this quaint river town is full of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. It’s a place with a proud, thriving community; Marietta’s downtown district is home to numerous local retailers and restaurants and is a wonderful place to wander and explore. The town is also home to Marietta College, a private university with gorgeous architecture and incredible history all its own. One of the most iconic buildings in Marietta is The Castle, which was built in 1855 and has been home to some of the town’s most prominent families. This striking structure is historic, intriguing, and dashingly beautiful – which sums up this charming Ohio town, too.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
It’s nearly impossible to narrow down the list of the best small towns in Ohio to visit to just one amazing town, but we’ll try! In the interest of history, we’re going to nominate the oldest town in Ohio as the most delightful small town to visit in the Buckeye State. Marietta hails from 1788, predating Ohio’s statehood, and it’s a place where history is felt in the town’s very soul. Nestled at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, this quaint river town is full of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. It’s a place with a proud, thriving community; Marietta’s downtown district is home to numerous local retailers and restaurants and is a wonderful place to wander and explore. The town is also home to Marietta College, a private university with gorgeous architecture and incredible history all its own. One of the most iconic buildings in Marietta is The Castle, which was built in 1855 and has been home to some of the town’s most prominent families. This striking structure is historic, intriguing, and dashingly beautiful – which sums up this charming Ohio town, too.
