Shhh… These 17 Hidden Places Are Ohio’s Best Kept Secrets
Here in Ohio, there’s likely a hidden gem just minutes away from you, waiting to be discovered.
From castles built by hand to truly amazing natural attractions you won’t find anywhere else in the world, there’s always something in the Buckeye State to surprise the doubting out-of-state visitor. Here are 17 of what we consider to be the best-kept secrets in all of Ohio:
The Ohio Railway Museum is a great day trip destination for train enthusiasts and the whole family to enjoy. It’s a train station, museum and railroad that offers fun, round-trip demonstration rides on some of the streetcars and interurbans.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton, Ohio is a hidden gem you need to explore this spring, summer and fall. Year-round, it’s a fun day trip destination you can spend hours exploring. Within this outdoor museum, you'll find a wide variety of sculptures standing in meadows, forests and gardens. The park also features an indoor Ancient Sculpture Museum, which displays Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan sculptures that are thousands of years old.
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
The best getaways are the little-known getaways tucked away in (seemingly) the middle of nowhere. Near central Ohio you’ll find just that. Deer Creek State Park is home to an incredible lodge and conference center that’s the perfect place for some peace, quiet and a little adventure.
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
April Dray/Only In Your State
If I told you there was a castle in southern Ohio operated by modern day knights, would you believe me? Close to Cincinnati, you can find just that. 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 truly charming.
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
While most people are familiar with the beauty of Ohio’s beloved Old Man’s Cave hiking trails and the Hocking Hills State Park, less people are aware of the similar breathtaking, adventurous nature hike you will experience at Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park. While it’s not technically "hidden," it’s a highly underrated, lesser-known state park that’s an true hidden gem of Ohio.
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
Nomad Ridge at The Wilds in Cumberland is arguably one of Ohio’s best kept secrets. It’s a hidden gem tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city and miles away from the small town life. This glampground features several private yurts that provide all the comforts of home just steps away from open pastures, breathing views and exotic animals.
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
If you live in Ohio and have yet to visit Malabar Farm State Park, you’re truly missing out. Nestled in the hills of Pleasant Valley in Lucas, Ohio is a picture perfect farm with an unbelievably nice restaurant. It’s beloved by locals and a hidden gem to Ohioans who don’t live in the area.
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
Most people don’t know there’s an impressive replica of an Old West town tucked away in the hills of southern Ohio. Dogwood Pass near Beaver, Ohio was built to look and feel as authentic as possible, complete with bath houses, saloons and gun fights. Step back in time into the Old West at this unique town that’s anything but ordinary.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
With rows and rows of fresh produce, meat, seafood and other foods you’ve likely never seen before, a trip to this international market is truly an unforgettable experience. You’ll find much more than food here—although the food selection itself is certainly worth the trip.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Landoll’s Mohican Castle is one of those pleasantly unexpected places—and when you step foot onto its grounds, you feel like you’ve stumbled across an enchanted Ohio secret. Located in Loudonville, this lovely little getaway features gorgeous suites, 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.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
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.)
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
Out of all the unique places to eat in Ohio, Mike’s Place is undeniably Ohio’s quirkiest. From palm trees and tiki bars to Star Wars memorabilia and castles, it’s hard to pinpoint the overall theme of this unforgettable restaurant that truly marches to the beat of its own drum.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
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.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
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.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
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.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
For more information and directions, read our full article here.
If you’ve ever longed for a medieval 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.
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
Most people don’t know there’s a stunning, sapphire quarry in Sandusky County. Tucked away in the small town of Gibsonburg, Ohio, you’ll find White Star Quarry. It’s a little-known diving resort that Ohio explorers will fall in love with. (And if you’d rather not scuba dive, you can always check out the designated swimming area in the summer months or have a picnic by the quarry.)
For more information, read our full article here.
For more information, read our full article here.
Did you know about all of these places? What other attractions would you add to this list? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
