Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In Ohio

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Let's take a step back in time to start this trip, shall we? Located in Oregonia, Ohio, Ft. Ancient is a National Historic Landmark with the largest and best-preserved manmade earthworks in the country. It’s 100 acres of beautiful mounds that were used for protection, ceremonies, functional, and social purposes a long, long time ago. Ft. Ancient is a living lesson in Ohio history that will leave an impression on your kids. It's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and we recommend starting your trip on either Thursday or Friday morning.

Next up, another historic favorite: Clifton Mill. One of the largest water powered grist mills still in existence, Clifton Mill is fueled by the Little Miami River. This bridge gets a lot of attention during the holiday season, but it's equally lovely in the other seasons of the year, whether it's framed by verdant spring greenery, fall foliage, or a soft blanket of snow.

It's time to settle in for the night, and Mills Park Hotel in downtown Yellow Springs is a delight. This cozy little accommodation is as charming as it is comfortable, and you'll sleep well in one of its 28 well-appointed rooms! Definitely make a point of having breakfast at Ellie's the next morning.

Day two of our Hidden Gems Road Trip in Ohio starts at the picture-perfect Pyramid Hill. A bright red monument marks the entryway; from there, the hills and valleys of Pyramid Hill’s 300 acres are dotted with 80 larger-than-life sculptures in an environment of meadows, forests, and gardens. The art stands out in a way that’s impossible to miss; you’ll traipse through woods to find rustic sculptures, encounter colorful creations standing front-and-center in fields, and admire shocking artistic spectacles dotting idyllic hills. Art is everywhere at Pyramid Hill... and that’s the point!

We're embracing the Great Outdoors of southwestern Ohio, stopping next for a hike at the Cincinnati Nature Center's Rowe Woods. This Ohio gem is actually home to 65 acres of old-growth forest. We recommend taking CNC’s Upland Trail, an easy trek that winds straight through this beautiful wilderness. The best part? At just 1.34 miles long, Upland Trail makes for a picture-perfect day hike for families.

The last attraction on our trip is royally amazing. The Château Laroche, (more commonly known as the Loveland Castle,) is a museum on the banks of the Little Miami River in Loveland, Ohio, and it’s totally charming. This magnificent medieval structure was built by hand -- brick by brick -- by one man, Sir Harry Andrews, and it's an amazing testament to the power of the human imagination. This gem is open seasonally and select days only. On Fridays and Saturdays, however, it's open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., so with some planning, this should easily work into your itinerary!