Ohio can keep a secret. From hidden ghost ships and long-forgotten pieces of history, to rare collections and natural land formations you won’t find anywhere else in the world, you never really know what sort of secrets Ohio is keeping until you decide to go out and find them for yourself. The following are just 15 the best-kept secrets and little-known hidden treasures in Ohio. Let’s take a look…

1. Kelleys Island Glacial Grooves
Britt Reints/Flickr
Few people know that the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world can be found on Kelleys Island.
2. Newbury Airplane Boneyard
Jayson Shenk/Flickr
In Newbury, Ohio resident Walter Soplata hosted a collection of military aircraft from the 50s, 60s and 70s. The graveyard featured approximately 20 stray aircraft that Soplata collected from his scrapyard job in Cleveland, "junking thousands of warplane engines that were declared surplus," according to his son Wally Soplata in a November 2007 issue of Air and Space Magazine. Soplata used to open his property to the public, but in recent years the aircraft boneyard has been kept private. Today, it is unclear exactly what remains of the aircraft graveyard.
3. The Chateau Laroche (Loveland)
Marie/Flickr
Also known as the Loveland Castle, this lovely little medieval structure was built by hand--brick by brick--by one man, Sir Harry Andrews. Today it is open for the public to view for $5 a person, and is operated by modern day knights.
4. Crystal King and the Ohio Caverns (West Liberty)
Wes Reimer/Flickr
"America's Most Colorful Caverns" can be found in Ohio. Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world's largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. "Crystal King" is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old.
5. American Sign Museum (Cincinnati)
5chw4r7z/Flickr
Discover America's largest collection of signs at this quirky Cincinnati museum.
6. Dysart Woods (Belmont)
Christopher Sessums/Flickr
In Belmont County within the Dysart Woods, you will find some of Ohio's oldest and largest trees. Though the woods stretches for 455 acres, only about 50 of old-growth trees are still there.
7. Hartman Rock Garden (Springfield)
Cindy Funk/Flickr
Observe a mixture of history, religion, and depression-era pop culture via this unique garden, built by Harry "Ben" Hartman between1932 through 1944. This unique roadside attraction in Ohio is one to see!

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8. The Mohicans Treehouses (Glenmont)
The Mohicans
Few people are aware that in addition to the great outdoors and beautiful cabins, The Mohicans feature some mind-blowing treehouses (complete with an indoor bathroom, electricity and running water) available for overnight stays. Read about why we love this glorious treehouse getaway in this article.
9. Lustron Houses (Whitehall)
Whitehall Ohio Historical Society/Facebook
Designed after World War II and made in Columbus for returning soldiers, these houses were impressively durable, yet inexpensive. Few are still in use or existence, in fact!
10. Castle Noel (Medina)
Michelle/Flickr
Medina is home to "America's Largest Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction," which is open year-round and features hour-long tours of all things Christmas.
11. The Temple of Tolerance (Wapakoneta)
Stephen/Flickr
Jim Bowsher's home in the small town of Wapakoneta features an impressive museum of artifacts from the America you don't typically read about in history books, and a truly tranquil temple complex in his backyard. The central monument of the temple complex is dedicated to tolerance, and Bowsher continues to add to his unique creation to this day.
12. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum (Hamilton)
Angelskiss31/Flickr
This outdoor museum and sculpture park in Hamilton is every fine art enthusiast's dream come true. The park features a 10,000 square foot Ancient Sculpture Museum, which displays Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan sculptures that are thousands of years old.
13. Ghost Ship (Also known as the Circle Line V)
Renee Britton/Flickr
The 186-foot steam-engine yacht is more than a century old and was first launched in April of 1902, as The Celt, by a rich railroad executive. Since then, the ship has been renamed numerous times and owned by multiple individuals throughout its lifetime. While it actually came to Ohio from Kentucky, it currently sits in a small creek off of the Ohio River, about 25 miles from Cincinnati, according to Roadtrippers.com.
14. Piatt Castles (West Liberty)
Craig Hatfield/Flickr
Located in Logan County near West Liberty are two chateau-style castles with Gothic design. This private, family-owned museum features more than 200 years of Ohio history.
15. Chippewa Lake Park (Medina)
Dana Beveridge/Flickr
If exploring the long forgotten and abandoned is your thing, then you'll want to check out Chippewa Lake. Remains of this abandoned amusement park, which closed in the late 70s, surprisingly still stand.

Have you explored any of these hidden treasures in Ohio for yourself? Share your experiences and photos with us in the comments below!

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More to Explore

Hidden treasures in Ohio

Sarah | August 03, 2021

What are some other hidden treasures in Ohio?

The Buckeye State is an amazing place to explore, and you'll find some truly unique hidden treasures in the state. We like pointing folks to this road trip, which visits nine of the state's coolest hidden gems. Notable hidden treasures on the road trip include: Dogwood Pass in Beaver that's an impressive replica of an Old West town tucked away in the hills of southern Ohio; Great Serpent Mound in Peebles, the largest (and most strangely shaped) effigy mound in the world that measures 1,348 feet long and, as its name suggests, is in the shape of a giant serpent; and finally, Sugarcreek MetroPark, a Bellbrook destination that features its very own tunnel of trees, the Osage Orange Tunnel.

Are there many places to explore in Ohio?

Yes! If you enjoy road trips, weekend getaways, world-class attractions, day hikes, or thrilling, adrenaline-pumping experiences, any combination of the above, you'll be right at home here in the Buckeye State. Check out our Ultimate Guide To Ohio's Best Attractions -- it has the very best of the best in terms of Buckeye State adventures. Bucket-list-worthy adventures on this list include Highfield Discovery Garden, a whimsical fairy tale fantasy park in Cincinnati; the LM&M Railroad, a hidden gem located in historic Lebanon (about 40 minutes from Cincinnati) that offers scenic excursions throughout the year that are memorable adventures; Zoombezi Bay, a water park that's located across from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium that boasts 17 water slides, an amazing wave pool, private cabanas, a lazy river, and a kiddie play area; and Young's Jersey Dairy, a Yellow Springs farm is one of the most beloved family-friendly destinations in the state, offering a wholesome experience that's unique and memorable.

What are some little-known hidden gems in Ohio?

One of our favorite little-known gems in Ohio is Dysart Woods in Belmont. Tucked away in the southeastern part of the state and carefully preserved by Ohio University, Dysart Woods is a 50-acre tract of old-growth oak forest few Ohioans know about. The entire forest spans 455 acres, and is the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in southeastern Ohio. The park's 50 acres is home to giant oaks that are more than 400-years-old! Often referred to as a "Land of Giants," this spectacular forest is home to some really beautiful trees, some of which stand more than 140 feet tall with a diameter of four feet.

 

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Glacial Grooves, 739 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438, USA
Newbury Township, OH, USA
Loveland Castle Museum, 12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH 45140, USA
Ohio Caverns - Open All Year, 2210 OH-245 E, West Liberty, OH 43357, USA
American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225, USA
Dysart Woods Park, 61961 Dysart Woods Rd, Belmont, OH 43718, USA
Hartman Rock Garden, 1905 Russell Ave, Springfield, OH 45506, USA
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue, 23164 Vess Rd, Glenmont, OH 44628, USA
Whitehall, OH, USA
Castle Noel, 260 S Court St, Medina, OH 44256, USA
The Temple Of Tolerance, 203 S Wood St, Wapakoneta, OH 45895, USA
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek, 10051 Township Rd 47, West Liberty, OH 43357, USA
Chippewa Lake, OH 44215, USA