Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In Ohio
Ohio is one of the most underrated states in the country. Not only is our state immensely beautiful *and* home to world-renowned attractions, but it also boasts some truly one-of-a-kind places that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Well, we’re here to change that! This hidden gems road trip visits eight little-known places in Ohio, sure to satisfy and stoke your appetite for wanderlust in the Buckeye State.
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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.
Fort Ancient, 6123 OH-350, Oregonia, OH 45054, USA
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.
Clifton Mill Covered Bridge, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
After a busy day spent exploring some of southwest Ohio's historic sites, it's time to break for an early supper at a Buckeye State gem: Young's Jersey Dairy. A real, working dairy farm, Young's has all sorts of fun activities, from mini golf to barrel train rides. Definitely check those out if you have time; however, we're sending you here for the food! The cheese curds are squeaky little pieces of heaven, and the ice cream sundaes will have you in a happy food coma.
Young's Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
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.
Mills Park Hotel, 321 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
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!
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
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.
Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford, OH 45150, USA
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!
Loveland Castle Museum, 12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH 45140, USA
We're wrapping up our Hidden Gems Road Trip in Ohio by going back to school. Housed in a refurbished school house that was built in the early 1860s during the Civil War, visiting this one-of-a-kind restaurant is like taking a step back in time. The Schoolhouse Restaurant is easily the coolest "themed" restaurant in the state, and its hearty, country cooking is sure to fill your soul -- and stomach! Please note: the School House is only open select days of the week for dinner service (4-8 p.m.), so be sure and plan accordingly.
Schoolhouse Restaurant, 8031 Glendale Milford Rd, Camp Dennison, OH 45111, USA
What’s your favorite hidden gem in Ohio? If we’ve yet to feature it on Only In Ohio, nominate it here and we’ll check it out!
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