12 Magnificent Hidden Gems To Discover In Ohio This Year

Start the year off on the right foot when a hike at one of the most glorious gems in Ohio: the Cincinnati Nature Center. An unexpected treasure hiding in southwest Ohio, the Cincinnati Nature Center's Rowe Woods is home to one of the only old-growth forests in the state. Hiking opportunities abound here, too, offering something for hikers young and old, beginner and advanced.

Get a little sweet in February with a treat from this hidden gem donut shop in Ohio. Located in a handful of spots throughout the Buckeye State, this charming business is a small cafe with even smaller donuts. It’s the perfect day trip destination for those with a sense of adventure and a sweet tooth. Step inside and you'll find a colorfully-decorated interior and a bakery case stocked with sweets sure to give you all the heart eye emojis!

Roadside attractions abound in the Buckeye State, but this spring break, we're challenging you to go big... Big Muskie big! Located in McConnelsville, Ohio, Jesse Owens State Park is an underrated gem that's one of the most beautiful parks in the Buckeye State. It's also harboring a 220-cubic-yard, 240-ton elephant in the room: Big Muskie Bucket. The largest dragline machine ever built, there's something wholly wonderful about standing in the presence of such a mega machine. In its prime, Big Muskie could lift 325 tons of earth and rock in a single bite. Today, it's retired in the countryside of Ohio; a magnificent hidden gem hiding in plain sight for all to admire!

Did you know Ohio was home to the oldest concrete street in America? This is no April Fool's joke; Bellefontaine, Ohio, lays claim to this record, and it's just one of many superlative feathers in the town's cap. Bellefontaine is also home to the shortest street in America, and the highest point in Ohio. How cool!

Spring has sprung and the birds and bees are buzzing, so it's time to head to Tree City. We're talking, of course, about Kent, a charming Ohio town that's wholly underrated. With a downtown dotted with adorable local restaurants and businesses, Kent is a delightful place to explore on foot, but this is a hidden gems excursion, after all, so we're recommending a ride on Polly the Trolley! This green and yellow, turn-of-the-century cable car has been outfitted with modern technology that takes visitors all around this enchanting college town. Come, explore, eat, and shop -- you're going to fall in love with Kent, Ohio!

Summer's here and we're making a splash! Did you know that Ohio had an island that's basically a Caribbean paradise? This is the magic that awaits in Kelleys Island, a delightful village and island located on Lake Erie. For outdoor enthusiasts in Ohio, there's no better place to be; and if you’re up for a little adventure, you can explore the region by kayak. A tour with Kelleys Island AdvenTours is one of the best ways to experience this stunning natural wonder, a place that will have you marveling over how very diverse and unique Ohio truly is.

When it comes to caves in the U.S., Mammoth Cave immediately comes to mind. This natural wonder is a fantastic day trip from Ohio and bucket-list must, but make no mistake about it: it's not the only impressive cave in the Midwest. Beneath the rolling countryside of West Liberty, Ohio, the Ohio Caverns lay in wait. Known as "America's Most Colorful Caverns," these caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through ancient limestone and created vast rooms and passageways. These passageways are now filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique formations. The best part? The caverns are a cool 54 degrees Fahrenheit all year round, offering explorers a cool way to "beat the heat" come the dog days of summer.

The summer days won't last forever, so we recommend visiting one of the most glorious natural areas of Ohio: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Located in the heart of the "Rubber Capital of the World," Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is a literal breath of fresh air. Not only is its stately 65-room Tudor Revival Manor House a National Historic Landmark, but this Akron destination contains 70 acres of beautiful, landscaped grounds and footpaths, including a spectacular tree tunnel that's a wonderful respite from the heat.

September is back-to-school season, and there's no better way to celebrate than a meal at Ohio's very own Schoolhouse Restaurant. The building that houses the aptly-named restaurant was, as you might have guessed, once a schoolhouse. The Camp Dennison School was built in 1864 after the conclusion of the Civil War and was occupied from 1870-1952 as part of the Hamilton County School District. It was one of the first two-room, two-story brick schools built in the entire Midwest. Today, this former schoolhouse is one of the best restaurants in Ohio, known for serving delicious, down-home food atop red checkered tablecloth-covered tables, with dishes served on Lazy Susans.

As fall descends upon the Buckeye State, we're heading to a hauntingly beautiful, wholly unexpected castle in Cleveland. This is Squire's Castle, and it's breathtakingly beautiful. Located at North Chagrin Reservation, Squire's Castle is a Cleveland icon; a stately old gatehouse from the 1890s that's modeled after German and English baronial castles. In terms of exploring, the easy, 2.1-mile Squire's Castle Trail circles the royal residence, offering unique perspectives from all angles -- especially amid the changing leaves!

Holden Arboretum is an Ohio treasure that features a treetops twofer: the Kalberer Emergent Tower and the Murch Canopy Walk. The tower is 120 feet tall (approximately 12 stories) and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding region. After admiring the views from above, venture *into* the trees on the 500-foot canopy walk. This magical, elevated walkway rises 65 feet above the forest floor. Walking across this unique bridge, you'll find yourself immersed in the mature forest of Northern Ohio, a place as close to Narnia as it gets. And in the height of fall foliage in Ohio? You'll be at a loss for words!

Who would've thought that the humble Buckeye State would be one of the best places for stargazing in the U.S.? But superlative stargazing is the name of the game at the John Glenn Astronomy Park. Opening just a few years ago, the park was built as a place for inspiration and aspiration. You see, Ohio has a deep love of the stars; it has produced more astronauts than any other state (the park's John Glenn is a beloved state hero!), with Buckeye State explorers logging more than 22,000 hours in space. With little in the way of light pollution, this astronomy park provides extraordinary views of the Milky Way Galaxy, nearby planets, and other outer space marvels. Come and be inspired to dream, reflect, and end the year on a pensive note, with Mother Nature's very own star-filled grand finale.