If you’re a lifelong Ohioan, chances are you feel as if you’ve explored all there is to explore. However, there are so many hidden gems in Ohio that even lifelong Buckeye State natives don’t even know about! The following are 11 hidden gems in Ohio that make for some absolutely amazing adventures. We’re pretty sure there’s at least a few under-the-radar places on this list that might surprise you!
- Ravenwood Castle (New Plymouth)
ravenwoodcastle.com If you’ve ever longed for a Medieval experience (complete with many of the comforts of home, of course), you’ll definitely want to check out Ravenwood Castle. This lovely little Medieval structure is tucked away in New Plymouth, Ohio. You can choose to stay in a castle room or a Medieval Village Cottage. You can even camp in a gypsy wagon or stay in a cabin in the Huntsman’s Hollow out back! This unique getaway in Ohio is located at located at 65666 Bethel Road, New Plymouth, OH, 45654.
- Tranquility Salt Cave (Columbus)
Tranquility Salt Cave A salt cave is a unique way to relax and recharge. The health benefits from Halotherapy are numerous: it’s said to improve several conditions, from anxiety and depression to allergies and asthma. Fortunately, Columbus is home to an incredible salt cave called Tranquility Salt Cave – and you’ll definitely want to visit. Just one 45-minute session in this unique cave will relax your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. You’ll find this alternative healing spa at 30 Dillmont Dr., Columbus, OH, 43235.
- Olander Park System’s Fossil Park (Sylvania)
TNGray/Trip Advisor If you’re looking for something truly unique and adventurous to add to your bucket list, then consider hunting for fossils more than 300-million years old. Most people have no idea you can hunt for fossils right here in Ohio, let alone fossils that are millions of years old. For a truly unique adventure where you can release your inner paleontologist, be sure to go fossil hunting at the Olander Park System’s Fossil Park in Sylvania, Ohio. You’ll find it at 5675 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, OH, 43560.
- Fostoria Rail Park (Fostoria)
Fostoria Rail Park/Facebook Open year-round, this little-known park is a hidden gem that train enthusiasts will absolutely love. Also known as the Iron Triangle, the park is laid out in the shape of a triangle, situated between three railways. Fostoria, “a city built on rails,” saw several railroads and lines pass through town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, trains continue to pass through this Ohio town; in fact, more than 120 trains pass through Fostoria each day! This unique park is located at 499 S. Poplar Street, Fostoria, OH, 44830.
- Dogwood Pass (Beaver)
Dogwood Pass/Facebook 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. It’s located at 722 Adams Rd., Beaver, OH, 45613.
- Spangler Candy Company (Bryan)
Dum Dums/Facebook Tucked away in northwest Ohio in the small town of Bryan, you’ll find the Spangler Candy Company. It’s a privately-owned candy store, museum, and factory you can tour via trolley on select days of the week. The world’s largest Dum Dum factory, on average, Spangler produces 12 million Dum Dums per day! You’ll find it at 400 N. Portland St., Bryan, OH, 43506.
- Ghost Town (Findlay)
Ghost Town Findlay, Ohio/Facebook Created by the Galitza family, this unique roadside attraction in Findlay features a replica of an 1880s-era ghost town that was first open to the public in the 1950s. Today, the ghost town has been restored after a period of abandonment and even features arts and crafts vendors and antique and flea market vendors on select dates.
- White Star Quarry (Gibsonburg)
White Star Quarry/Facebook 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.) White Star Quarry is located at 901 S. Main St., Gibsonburg, OH, 43431.
- The Chalet Toboggan Chutes (Strongsville)
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook Cleveland Metroparks features a truly spectacular toboggan chute you need to experience in the winter season. The Chalet in Strongsville’s Mill Stream Run Reservation is home to the tallest and fastest ice chutes in Ohio.You’ll plunge down a 700-ft. ice chute at speeds up to 50 mph. It’s quite the rush—and you’ll likely want to do it more than once. The Chalet in Cleveland Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation is located at 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, OH 44136.
- Landoll’s Mohican Castle (Loudonville)
Landoll’s Mohican Castle//Facebook Landoll’s Mohican CastleLandoll’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. You’ll find it at 561 Twp. Rd. 3352, Loudonville, OH 44842.
- The Ohio Railway Museum (Worthington)
Ohio Railway Museum/Facebook 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 rides on some of the streetcars and interurbans. The Ohio Railway Museum is located at 990 Proprietors Rd., Worthington, OH, 43085.
How many of these hidden gems in Ohio have you explored? Isn’t Ohio just full of surprises?
ravenwoodcastle.com
If you’ve ever longed for a Medieval experience (complete with many of the comforts of home, of course), you’ll definitely want to check out Ravenwood Castle. This lovely little Medieval structure is tucked away in New Plymouth, Ohio. You can choose to stay in a castle room or a Medieval Village Cottage. You can even camp in a gypsy wagon or stay in a cabin in the Huntsman’s Hollow out back! This unique getaway in Ohio is located at located at 65666 Bethel Road, New Plymouth, OH, 45654.
Tranquility Salt Cave
A salt cave is a unique way to relax and recharge. The health benefits from Halotherapy are numerous: it’s said to improve several conditions, from anxiety and depression to allergies and asthma. Fortunately, Columbus is home to an incredible salt cave called Tranquility Salt Cave – and you’ll definitely want to visit. Just one 45-minute session in this unique cave will relax your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. You’ll find this alternative healing spa at 30 Dillmont Dr., Columbus, OH, 43235.
TNGray/Trip Advisor
If you’re looking for something truly unique and adventurous to add to your bucket list, then consider hunting for fossils more than 300-million years old. Most people have no idea you can hunt for fossils right here in Ohio, let alone fossils that are millions of years old. For a truly unique adventure where you can release your inner paleontologist, be sure to go fossil hunting at the Olander Park System’s Fossil Park in Sylvania, Ohio. You’ll find it at 5675 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, OH, 43560.
Fostoria Rail Park/Facebook
Open year-round, this little-known park is a hidden gem that train enthusiasts will absolutely love. Also known as the Iron Triangle, the park is laid out in the shape of a triangle, situated between three railways. Fostoria, “a city built on rails,” saw several railroads and lines pass through town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, trains continue to pass through this Ohio town; in fact, more than 120 trains pass through Fostoria each day! This unique park is located at 499 S. Poplar Street, Fostoria, OH, 44830.
Dogwood Pass/Facebook
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. It’s located at 722 Adams Rd., Beaver, OH, 45613.
Dum Dums/Facebook
Tucked away in northwest Ohio in the small town of Bryan, you’ll find the Spangler Candy Company. It’s a privately-owned candy store, museum, and factory you can tour via trolley on select days of the week. The world’s largest Dum Dum factory, on average, Spangler produces 12 million Dum Dums per day! You’ll find it at 400 N. Portland St., Bryan, OH, 43506.
Ghost Town Findlay, Ohio/Facebook
Created by the Galitza family, this unique roadside attraction in Findlay features a replica of an 1880s-era ghost town that was first open to the public in the 1950s. Today, the ghost town has been restored after a period of abandonment and even features arts and crafts vendors and antique and flea market vendors on select dates.
White Star Quarry/Facebook
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.) White Star Quarry is located at 901 S. Main St., Gibsonburg, OH, 43431.
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
Cleveland Metroparks features a truly spectacular toboggan chute you need to experience in the winter season. The Chalet in Strongsville’s Mill Stream Run Reservation is home to the tallest and fastest ice chutes in Ohio.You’ll plunge down a 700-ft. ice chute at speeds up to 50 mph. It’s quite the rush—and you’ll likely want to do it more than once. The Chalet in Cleveland Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation is located at 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, OH 44136.
Landoll’s Mohican Castle//Facebook
Landoll’s Mohican CastleLandoll’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. You’ll find it at 561 Twp. Rd. 3352, Loudonville, OH 44842.
Ohio Railway Museum/Facebook
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 rides on some of the streetcars and interurbans. The Ohio Railway Museum is located at 990 Proprietors Rd., Worthington, OH, 43085.
For more bucket-list worthy adventures in The Buckeye State, you absolutely must check out these 10 places!
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Address: Ravenwood Castle, 65666 Bethel Rd, New Plymouth, OH 45654, USAAddress: 30 Dillmont Dr, Columbus, OH 43235, USAAddress: 5705 Centennial Rd, Sylvania, OH 43560, USAAddress: Popular, 499 S Poplar St, Fostoria, OH 44830, USAAddress: Dogwood Pass, 726 Adams Rd, Beaver, OH 45613, USAAddress: Spangler Candy Company, 400 N Portland St, Bryan, OH 43506, USAAddress: Ghost Town Findlay, Ohio, 10630 Co Rd 40, Findlay, OH 45840, USAAddress: White Star Quarry, 901 S Main St, Gibsonburg, OH 43431, USAAddress: 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136, USAAddress: Landoll’s Mohican Castle - Luxury Hotel in Central Ohio, 561 Township Road 3352, Loudonville, OH 44842, USAAddress: The Ohio Railway Museum, 990 Proprietors Rd, Worthington, OH 43085, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gems In Ohio May 11, 2021 Sarah What are some unique Ohio adventures? Ohio is full of places that will surely bring out your inner explorer. Some uniquely Ohio adventures include the Ohio Caverns, a massive underground cave system in West Liberty that’s known as “America’s Most Colorful Caverns,” SunWatch Village in Dayton, a partially excavated Fort Ancient culture village that features several restored houses on their original foundations, and The Rock House, a Hocking Hills cave with a 25-foot high ceiling and window-like openings. This is the only true cave in the entire park, and it is an unbelievably incredible place to explore and discover. What are some little-known places in Ohio worth a visit? If the above list of hidden gems in Ohio whets your appetite for more, you’ll definitely want to hop over to this list of 15 secret spots in The Buckeye State. Some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path spots include Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Château Laroche (an actual, hand-built castle on the banks of The Little Miami River!), Columbus Park of Roses, the Osage Orange Tunnel, and Chapel Cave. Does Ohio have any interesting roadside attractions? Here in Ohio, we’ve got some pretty odd roadside attractions. From giant objects you can see from the road to unusual backyard museums, we have it all here in the Buckeye State! Along State Route 45 outside of Country Cousins, a log-furniture company in Austinburg, you’ll find the world’s largest rocking chair, a giant seat that’s been sitting in Austinburg since the ’60s. Outside of Columbus, Ohio has its own version of Stonehenge, thanks to Dublin’s Field of Corn, also known as “Cornhenge.” Columbus Washboard Company in Logan is home to the world’s largest washboard. (yes – this is a thing). And in Newark, you’ll find the world’s largest basket, courtesy of The Longaberger Company’s former headquarters. This seven-story basket building along State Route 16 in Newark is a novelty piece of architecture you really have to see to believe.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gems In Ohio
May 11, 2021
Sarah
What are some unique Ohio adventures? Ohio is full of places that will surely bring out your inner explorer. Some uniquely Ohio adventures include the Ohio Caverns, a massive underground cave system in West Liberty that’s known as “America’s Most Colorful Caverns,” SunWatch Village in Dayton, a partially excavated Fort Ancient culture village that features several restored houses on their original foundations, and The Rock House, a Hocking Hills cave with a 25-foot high ceiling and window-like openings. This is the only true cave in the entire park, and it is an unbelievably incredible place to explore and discover. What are some little-known places in Ohio worth a visit? If the above list of hidden gems in Ohio whets your appetite for more, you’ll definitely want to hop over to this list of 15 secret spots in The Buckeye State. Some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path spots include Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Château Laroche (an actual, hand-built castle on the banks of The Little Miami River!), Columbus Park of Roses, the Osage Orange Tunnel, and Chapel Cave. Does Ohio have any interesting roadside attractions? Here in Ohio, we’ve got some pretty odd roadside attractions. From giant objects you can see from the road to unusual backyard museums, we have it all here in the Buckeye State! Along State Route 45 outside of Country Cousins, a log-furniture company in Austinburg, you’ll find the world’s largest rocking chair, a giant seat that’s been sitting in Austinburg since the ’60s. Outside of Columbus, Ohio has its own version of Stonehenge, thanks to Dublin’s Field of Corn, also known as “Cornhenge.” Columbus Washboard Company in Logan is home to the world’s largest washboard. (yes – this is a thing). And in Newark, you’ll find the world’s largest basket, courtesy of The Longaberger Company’s former headquarters. This seven-story basket building along State Route 16 in Newark is a novelty piece of architecture you really have to see to believe.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ohio is full of places that will surely bring out your inner explorer. Some uniquely Ohio adventures include the Ohio Caverns, a massive underground cave system in West Liberty that’s known as “America’s Most Colorful Caverns,” SunWatch Village in Dayton, a partially excavated Fort Ancient culture village that features several restored houses on their original foundations, and The Rock House, a Hocking Hills cave with a 25-foot high ceiling and window-like openings. This is the only true cave in the entire park, and it is an unbelievably incredible place to explore and discover.
What are some little-known places in Ohio worth a visit?
If the above list of hidden gems in Ohio whets your appetite for more, you’ll definitely want to hop over to this list of 15 secret spots in The Buckeye State. Some of our favorite off-the-beaten-path spots include Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Château Laroche (an actual, hand-built castle on the banks of The Little Miami River!), Columbus Park of Roses, the Osage Orange Tunnel, and Chapel Cave.
Does Ohio have any interesting roadside attractions?
Here in Ohio, we’ve got some pretty odd roadside attractions. From giant objects you can see from the road to unusual backyard museums, we have it all here in the Buckeye State! Along State Route 45 outside of Country Cousins, a log-furniture company in Austinburg, you’ll find the world’s largest rocking chair, a giant seat that’s been sitting in Austinburg since the ’60s. Outside of Columbus, Ohio has its own version of Stonehenge, thanks to Dublin’s Field of Corn, also known as “Cornhenge.” Columbus Washboard Company in Logan is home to the world’s largest washboard. (yes – this is a thing). And in Newark, you’ll find the world’s largest basket, courtesy of The Longaberger Company’s former headquarters. This seven-story basket building along State Route 16 in Newark is a novelty piece of architecture you really have to see to believe.
