13 Hidden Gems You Have To See In Ohio Before You Die
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April Dray
Author
In case you hadn’t already noticed, you should know that Ohio is chock-full of hidden gems. Sure, we’re proud to be the home of the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame—but Ohio is home to so much more than that. The following are 13 hidden gems (we think) you have to see in Ohio before you die:
April Dray/Only In Your State
This gorgeous lakeside park will make you feel like you're not in Ohio anymore. Make a day of it and picnic at Marblehead Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes, and visit the lighthouse’s museum in the Keeper’s House. Tour the actual lighthouse for just $3.
April Dray/Only In Your State
The Rockbridge State Nature Preserve in the small town of Rockbridge features a natural bridge that stretches more than 100 ft. long – and it’s truly incredible. (After steady rainfall, the water trickling down into the ravine increases and forms what locals call "Rockbridge Falls" beneath the bridge.)
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If you’ve ever longed for a mediaeval experience (complete with many of the comforts of home,) you’ll definitely want to check out Ravenwood Castle. This lovely little inn is tucked away in the scenic Hocking Hills in New Plymouth. Stay in the castle itself, or out back in the Huntsman's Hollow, Medieval Village Cottages or Gypsy Wagons.
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Charleston Falls Preserve is the perfect place to explore when you want a short hike to a beautiful destination. Like any waterfall, Charleston Falls is best viewed after heavy rainfall. The stream plummets 37 feet before journeying back to the Great Miami River. It's a beautiful sight to behold.
Not many people are aware that Ohio is home to an incredible canopy walk. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful experience—unless you’re absolutely terrified of heights, that is. The Judith and Maynard H. Murch Canopy Walk at Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio features a 500 ft. long elevated walkway suspended 65 ft. above the forest floor. (And as an added bonus, there’s an observation tower on site that takes you up even further up—so much further that you end up above the trees.)
Although you'll have to take a ferry to see this natural wonder, it's absolutely worth it. Few people are aware that Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world. The Glacial Grooves Memorial measures 400 feet long and 35 feet wide.
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Few people know about the quaint, seven-acre park in Columbus that features one of Ohio’s most unique gardens, where art and plant life blend. Topiary Park is a "landscape of a painting of a landscape," according to the park’s website. Specifically, the topiary garden depicts Georges Seurat’s famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grand Jatte—and it is the only known topiary representation of a painting.
Located in Loudonville, this lovely little getaway features murder mystery dinners and other amenities sure to make you feel like the king/queen of this whimsical castle in the middle of the forest.
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Remember the days when you were a kid and all you wanted was a tree house to stay overnight in? Today, you can revive that very dream—complete with running water, heat, air conditioning and all the necessary amenities for a good night’s rest. Just a few miles south of Loudonville are The Mohicans, a family owned and operated business in Glenmont, Ohio that features cabins, an event center and state of the art tree houses aimed to connect you with nature and bring you back to the basics of life.
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Few people know about this northeast Ohio drive-though safari, which showcases zebras, giraffes, monkeys and more. Feed the animals from your car and explore the walk-through exhibit once you've finished with the driving tour.
Within the Hocking Hills State Park area in Logan is the beloved Rock House, where visitors can freely explore this unique cave with a 25 ft. high ceiling and window-like openings. Evidence shows that the homey Rock House was often used for shelter by past visitors, Native Americans and even bootleggers, robbers and horse thieves.
Ohio is full of several exceptional ice cream shops, but there’s no place quite like the Ye Olde Mill in Utica—where you can see how Velvet Ice Cream is made, take a free tour of the mill and try delicious flavors of ice cream you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a great place to take the whole family for an afternoon.
April Dray/Only In Your State
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 $6 a person, and is operated by modern day knights.
Have you been to any of these places before? Which ones were new to you? If we missed any hidden gems that you think we should have included, let us know!
For even more hidden gems in Ohio, be sure to check out our previous article: Most People Don’t Know These 13 (More) Hidden Gems In Ohio Even Exist.
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