Ohio is a gold mine for hidden gems.

If you think you’ve got the Buckeye State figured out, think again. Think again, and add the following 15 places to your bucket list. They’re hidden places that mostly only locals know about, but that definitely doesn’t mean you can’t discover them for yourself. Bring your sense of adventure, gas up the car, and get ready to see Ohio in a brand-new light.

1. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum: an amazingly unique park that's right here in our own backyards
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park/Facebook
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 and 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.

Address: 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, Ohio, 45013
2. The Château Laroche: a hidden castle that will make you feel like you're in your very own fairy tale
April Dray/Only In Your State
If we told you there was a castle in southern Ohio operated by modern-day knights, would you believe us? Not far from 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.

Address: 12025 Shore Drive, Loveland, Ohio, 45140
3. Zoar: the small town you've never heard of that you'll fall in love with
Historic Zoar Village/Facebook
Ohio is full of little-known historic villages that are unbelievably charming. The small town of Zoar, Ohio, is a historic German village most people in the state (surprisingly) don’t know about. Beautifully preserved and full of fun places to explore, you’ll fall in love with this little-known town that has more than 50 of the original historic structures and buildings still standing today.

For more information, read our full article here.
4. Columbus Park of Roses: a secret garden that you're sure to totally love
Maia C/Flickr
Although it’s not technically a secret, most people don’t know that Columbus is home to a stunning park of roses. The Columbus Park of Roses is a little-known hidden gem within the state capital, and it’s hiding in plain sight. Open to the public and free of charge, this gorgeous garden deserves your attention this spring and summer.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 3901 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43214
5. Deer Creek State Park Lodge: the hidden resort where you can totally get away from it all
Mangement Photos/Trip Advisor
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.

Address: 20635 State Park Road 20, Mt Sterling, Ohio, 43143
6. The Osage Orange Tunnel: a magic, under-appreciated tunnel of trees like something out of a dream
Brandon Florkey/Flickr
Most people are surprised to find out that Ohio has a tunnel of trees you can hike through, and it’s simply stunning. Sugar Creek Metro Park in Bellbrook, Ohio, features the Osage Orange Tunnel, and it’s a magical place you need to experience for yourself ASAP.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook, Ohio, 45305
7. Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park: the hidden park that will make you sure you've discovered Ohio's best-kept secret
Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites./Facebook
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 a true hidden gem of Ohio.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, Ohio, 44231

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8. Peaceful Acres Lavender Farm: an awe-inspiring lavender farm hiding in plain sight that will blow your mind
Peaceful Acres Lavender Farm/Facebook
Peaceful Acres Lavender Farm in Martinsville, Ohio, is a truly unique farm, and you need to visit. It’s a peaceful, picturesque place to unwind, enjoy the day and relax. During late spring, summer and fall, u-pick is available for visitors for a small fee.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 2387 County Rd 80, Martinsville, Ohio, 45146
9. Hidden Falls at Hocking Hills State Park: a hidden waterfall that's actually pretty easy to find
Lucian/Flickr
If you’ve ever heard of "Hidden Falls" along the Old Man’s Cave trails within Hocking Hills State Park, you should know that it does, in fact, exist - and it’s probably a lot easier to find than you think! Located no more than 50 yards from the popular Cedar Falls, a little-known, seasonal (and off the map) waterfall is sometimes hidden behind a boulder. Bring a camera - Hocking Hills State Park is incredibly photogenic.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 19852 OH-664, Logan, Ohio, 43138
10. Cedar Point Beach: a hidden beach that will make you think you're off on a tropical island
Andrew Borgen/Flickr
While the beach behind Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, isn’t necessarily a secret, it’s not the most accessible beach, making it seem a like an exclusive, picture-perfect beach away from it all. Take a peaceful break from your roller-coaster mania or check into any of the nearby hotels for a picturesque Ohio beach experience you won’t soon forget.

For more information, read our full article here.
11. Hart Mansion Restaurant: the magical restaurant in the middle of nowhere that's soooo worth the trip
Hart Mansion Restaurant/Facebook
Ohio is home to several exceptional restaurants with delicious local cuisine, but sometimes you have to search a little to find the really unique places. Hart Mansion Restaurant, in the small town of Minerva, Ohio, is one of those restaurants - and it’s truly a hidden gem. Once you find it, you’ll know you’ve stumbled upon a truly special place.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 411 North Main Street, Minerva, Ohio, 44657
12. Nomad Ridge: a secluded campground that will give you all the peace and quiet in the world
The Wilds/Facebook
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 amazing modern glampground features several private yurts that provide all the comforts of home just steps away from open pastures, breathtaking views, and oh yeah - exotic animals.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio, 43732
13. Go Ape Treetop Adventure: the adventure park hiding deep in an Ohio forest that you should visit
Chris L./Trip Advisor
Most people don’t know there’s a pretty epic adventure park hiding in the woods of northeastern Ohio. Go Ape Treetop Adventure at Mill Stream Run Recreation Area in Strongsville, Ohio, features a really unique treetop course that gives Ohio explorers and nature lovers a whole new perspective. Part of the Cleveland Metro Parks, this little-known gem is located just minutes from downtown Cleveland.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, Ohio, 44136
14. Chapel Cave: a truly enchanting cave that most people don't even know exists
April Dray/Only In Your State
Many people are familiar with popular caves in Ohio, such as Old Man’s Cave and the Rock House, but few people know about "Chapel Cave" (also known as "21 Horses Cave") hiding in the Hocking Hills. It’s a hidden gem in the Hocking Hills State Forest that you won’t find on any park or nature preserve maps, but you can find the trailhead less than 5 minutes away from the Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve entrance in Rockbridge, Ohio.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 24798 Big Pine Rd, Logan, Ohio, 43138
15. Malabar Farm Restaurant: a one of a kind restaurant on an Ohio farm just dying to be tried
636jeff/Trip Advisor
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 to boot. It’s beloved by locals and a hidden gem for Ohioans who don’t live in the area.

For more information, read our full article here.

Address: 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, Ohio, 44843

Have you explored any of these places before? What other hidden places are in Ohio that typically only locals know about? Share your thoughts, photos and recommendations with us!

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More to Explore

Hidden Gems in Ohio

Tori Jane | March 10, 2021

Where are some unique places in Ohio?

Ohio is full of strange, intriguing, and otherwise interesting places, both natural and man-made. For example, the Blue Hole in Castalia is a gorgeous blue pool that has seemingly no bottom. We're also home to "Cornhenge", which is kind of what it sounds like. Remember Stonehenge? Well, what if it was corn? Dublin has a field of corn cob statues. No, seriously. Chippewa Lake Park is an abandoned amusement park that's a total dream for urbex enthusiasts. For more of our picks for the most interesting, unique places in Ohio, give this article a gander.

What are the best day trips in Ohio?

Luckily for us, there's so much to do and see in the beautiful state of Ohio that your possibilities for day trips are nearly endless. Take a trip to Sandusky and have a blast at Cedar Point Amusement Park, which has been called the "roller coaster capital of the world". Kill an entire afternoon at Ohio's very own outdoor safari park known as The Wilds in Cumberland. Explore an unforgettable German village in Columbus. Get lost (okay, but not really) in the beautiful forests of Hocking Hills State Park. No matter what you like to do, you're going to find something to love in Ohio.

Where are some secret places in Ohio?

Some of our favorite, under-appreciated places in Ohio that you must visit asap include Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, in Hamilton, which is a seasonal (spring/summer/fall) park with a very unique twist. Explore a real-life castle at Chateau Laroche, in Loveland. You read that right - a real castle. If you're really into that, make sure to also check out Landoll's Mohican Castle, in Loudonville.

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Featured Addresses
1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH 45140, USA
Zoar, OH, USA
3901 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
Co Hwy 20, Range Township, OH, USA
4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA
12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA
2387 Co Rd 80, Martinsville, OH 45146, USA
19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
411 N Main St, Minerva, OH 44657, USA
14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732, USA
16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136, USA
24798 Big Pine Rd, Logan, OH 43138, USA
4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843, USA