There’s no denying that Ohio is home to some really beautiful towns. Some towns, however, notably showcase more beauty than most. From flowing rivers to hidden waterfalls, and rolling hills to eerie caverns, Ohio has a little bit of everything in terms of scenery. The following are 12 of what we consider to be the most scenic towns in Ohio.
- Marblehead
Traveling Otter/Flickr
Tom Gill/Flickr At the tip of the scenic Marblehead Peninsula, the charming town of Marblehead features the iconic Marblehead Lighthouse, beautiful views of Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay, and boating culture. The lighthouse is the Great Lakes’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse and is open for tours during the summer. It’s also the most photographed lighthouse in Ohio!
- Logan
Matt Chan/Flickr
Jeremy Stump/Flickr Home to what’s arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park and hiking trails (Hocking Hills State Park and Old Man’s Cave), you will find that breathtaking waterfalls, gorges and caves abound in this unassuming town.
- Marietta
Mike/Flickr
Mike/Flickr The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The town borders West Virginia and is nestled along the banks of both the Muskingum and Ohio River. It’s also known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets, and sternwheelers.
- Put-In-Bay
Rona Proudfoot/Flickr
Sean Munson/Flickr Experience the view atop Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (pictured) and Ohio’s very own island life at this popular waterfront destination.
- Peninsula
Joanne/Flickr
Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/Flickr As part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, this charming town sits in the middle of the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park (pictured here). Additionally, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs close to Downtown Peninsula, making this town a popular stop for many bikers.
- Loveland
Sarah McCosham/OIYS
gobucks2/Flickr With a name like Loveland, how could it not be beautiful? Home to the historic Loveland Castle, this lovely little town covers just five square miles in the greater Cincinnati area. Loveland also straddles the Little Miami River (pictured,) and is known for its beautiful bike path (also pictured,) the Little Miami Scenic River Bike Trail.
- Berlin
Joel/Flickr Located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country in Holmes County, this countryside town is undeniably one of Ohio’s most scenic rural areas.
- West Liberty
J. Todd Poling/Flickr
Brian Timmermeister/Flickr Tucked away in Logan County, this beautiful town is home to the stunning Piatt Castles (pictured) and the Ohio Caverns (also pictured.)
- Sandusky
Michelle/Flickr
Brian Smith/Flickr Although many people associate Sandusky with Cedar Point Amusement Park, the town is home to some of the most stunning Lake Erie beaches in the state.
- Loudonville
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Todd Petrie/Flickr Home to the breathtakingly beautiful Mohican State Park, Loudonville is a true gem for nature lovers.
- Ashtabula
Craig Sanders/Flickr
Mark K/Flickr In addition to beautiful railways and parks, Ashtabula features the stunning waters of Lake Erie at Walnut Beach.
- Youngstown
bobengland/Flickr
Jack Pearce/Flickr Youngstown is home to the second largest metropark in the U.S. (after Central Park in New York City,) and it’s unbelievably gorgeous. This quiet gem amid the hustle and bustle of the city features some of the area’s most popular attractions such as Fellows Riverside Gardens and Lanterman’s Mill (pictured.)
Where are your favorite beautiful towns in Ohio? Do you call any of these places home? Share your photos and experiences with us in the comments below!
Traveling Otter/Flickr
Tom Gill/Flickr
At the tip of the scenic Marblehead Peninsula, the charming town of Marblehead features the iconic Marblehead Lighthouse, beautiful views of Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay, and boating culture. The lighthouse is the Great Lakes’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse and is open for tours during the summer. It’s also the most photographed lighthouse in Ohio!
Matt Chan/Flickr
Jeremy Stump/Flickr
Home to what’s arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park and hiking trails (Hocking Hills State Park and Old Man’s Cave), you will find that breathtaking waterfalls, gorges and caves abound in this unassuming town.
Mike/Flickr
Mike/Flickr
The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The town borders West Virginia and is nestled along the banks of both the Muskingum and Ohio River. It’s also known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets, and sternwheelers.
Rona Proudfoot/Flickr
Sean Munson/Flickr
Experience the view atop Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (pictured) and Ohio’s very own island life at this popular waterfront destination.
Joanne/Flickr
Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/Flickr
As part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, this charming town sits in the middle of the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park (pictured here). Additionally, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs close to Downtown Peninsula, making this town a popular stop for many bikers.
Sarah McCosham/OIYS
gobucks2/Flickr
With a name like Loveland, how could it not be beautiful? Home to the historic Loveland Castle, this lovely little town covers just five square miles in the greater Cincinnati area. Loveland also straddles the Little Miami River (pictured,) and is known for its beautiful bike path (also pictured,) the Little Miami Scenic River Bike Trail.
Joel/Flickr
Located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country in Holmes County, this countryside town is undeniably one of Ohio’s most scenic rural areas.
J. Todd Poling/Flickr
Brian Timmermeister/Flickr
Tucked away in Logan County, this beautiful town is home to the stunning Piatt Castles (pictured) and the Ohio Caverns (also pictured.)
Michelle/Flickr
Brian Smith/Flickr
Although many people associate Sandusky with Cedar Point Amusement Park, the town is home to some of the most stunning Lake Erie beaches in the state.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Todd Petrie/Flickr
Home to the breathtakingly beautiful Mohican State Park, Loudonville is a true gem for nature lovers.
Craig Sanders/Flickr
Mark K/Flickr
In addition to beautiful railways and parks, Ashtabula features the stunning waters of Lake Erie at Walnut Beach.
bobengland/Flickr
Jack Pearce/Flickr
Youngstown is home to the second largest metropark in the U.S. (after Central Park in New York City,) and it’s unbelievably gorgeous. This quiet gem amid the hustle and bustle of the city features some of the area’s most popular attractions such as Fellows Riverside Gardens and Lanterman’s Mill (pictured.)
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Address: Marblehead Peninsula, Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440, USAAddress: Logan, OH 43138, USAAddress: Marietta, OH 45750, USAAddress: Put-in-Bay, Put-In-Bay, OH, USAAddress: Peninsula, OH 44264, USAAddress: Loveland, OH, USAAddress: Berlin, OH 44654, USAAddress: West Liberty, OH 43357, USAAddress: Sandusky, OH 44870, USAAddress: Loudonville, OH 44842, USAAddress: Ashtabula, OH 44004, USAAddress: Youngstown, OH, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beautiful Towns In Ohio May 16, 2021 Sarah What are some underrated towns in Ohio? Ohio has some truly beautiful small towns that you’ve probably never even heard of. Oberlin is quite possibly the most idyllic college town in the country; this Northern Ohio gem is home to Oberlin College, one of the top liberal arts institutions in the state. This progressive little town of approximately 8,400 residents has a close-knit community, rich history, and thriving arts scene. There’s always some something happening here, from organized events to special shows at Oberlin’s historic Apollo Theatre. Visit this winsome small down, and you may never want to leave! Other under-the-radar gems in Ohio include Lebanon, Zoar, Granville, Chillicothe, and Dennison. Does Ohio have many small towns? In a word: yes. Ohio is divided by incorporated municipalities whose population is less than 5,000 (above 5,000 residents is considered a city). By that definition, Ohio is home to a staggering 684 villages that all quality for “small town” status. Where are the best places to live in Ohio? If you’re looking for big-city amenities with a small-town feel, Cincinnati is a wonderful place to live (and Travel + Leisure agrees!). The city has top-rated attractions, including a world-renowned zoo, amazing children’s museum, tons of art museums and performing arts venues… and an incredible city parks system. Columbus is another incredible place to live; the COSI museum is second-to-none, and the city has some truly amazing attractions, such as Franklin Park Conservatory. If you prefer to slow down and take it easy, you’ll find an abundance of charming small towns in Ohio where you can do just that. A quick little jaunt to Columbus, Germantown is an absolute gem of a town, as is Dublin. Hudson is your quintessential, Hallmark movie town. While this quaint Northeastern Ohio community is home to more than 20,000 residents, it has an unshakable small-town atmosphere. This town features all sorts of historic architecture clustered around an enchanting downtown district. Hudson is full of natural beauty, too: you’ll find a number of parks hiding in this little community. Add it all up, and Hudson really is the ideal Ohio small town.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beautiful Towns In Ohio
May 16, 2021
Sarah
What are some underrated towns in Ohio? Ohio has some truly beautiful small towns that you’ve probably never even heard of. Oberlin is quite possibly the most idyllic college town in the country; this Northern Ohio gem is home to Oberlin College, one of the top liberal arts institutions in the state. This progressive little town of approximately 8,400 residents has a close-knit community, rich history, and thriving arts scene. There’s always some something happening here, from organized events to special shows at Oberlin’s historic Apollo Theatre. Visit this winsome small down, and you may never want to leave! Other under-the-radar gems in Ohio include Lebanon, Zoar, Granville, Chillicothe, and Dennison. Does Ohio have many small towns? In a word: yes. Ohio is divided by incorporated municipalities whose population is less than 5,000 (above 5,000 residents is considered a city). By that definition, Ohio is home to a staggering 684 villages that all quality for “small town” status. Where are the best places to live in Ohio? If you’re looking for big-city amenities with a small-town feel, Cincinnati is a wonderful place to live (and Travel + Leisure agrees!). The city has top-rated attractions, including a world-renowned zoo, amazing children’s museum, tons of art museums and performing arts venues… and an incredible city parks system. Columbus is another incredible place to live; the COSI museum is second-to-none, and the city has some truly amazing attractions, such as Franklin Park Conservatory. If you prefer to slow down and take it easy, you’ll find an abundance of charming small towns in Ohio where you can do just that. A quick little jaunt to Columbus, Germantown is an absolute gem of a town, as is Dublin. Hudson is your quintessential, Hallmark movie town. While this quaint Northeastern Ohio community is home to more than 20,000 residents, it has an unshakable small-town atmosphere. This town features all sorts of historic architecture clustered around an enchanting downtown district. Hudson is full of natural beauty, too: you’ll find a number of parks hiding in this little community. Add it all up, and Hudson really is the ideal Ohio small town.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ohio has some truly beautiful small towns that you’ve probably never even heard of. Oberlin is quite possibly the most idyllic college town in the country; this Northern Ohio gem is home to Oberlin College, one of the top liberal arts institutions in the state. This progressive little town of approximately 8,400 residents has a close-knit community, rich history, and thriving arts scene. There’s always some something happening here, from organized events to special shows at Oberlin’s historic Apollo Theatre. Visit this winsome small down, and you may never want to leave! Other under-the-radar gems in Ohio include Lebanon, Zoar, Granville, Chillicothe, and Dennison.
Does Ohio have many small towns?
In a word: yes. Ohio is divided by incorporated municipalities whose population is less than 5,000 (above 5,000 residents is considered a city). By that definition, Ohio is home to a staggering 684 villages that all quality for “small town” status.
Where are the best places to live in Ohio?
If you’re looking for big-city amenities with a small-town feel, Cincinnati is a wonderful place to live (and Travel + Leisure agrees!). The city has top-rated attractions, including a world-renowned zoo, amazing children’s museum, tons of art museums and performing arts venues… and an incredible city parks system. Columbus is another incredible place to live; the COSI museum is second-to-none, and the city has some truly amazing attractions, such as Franklin Park Conservatory. If you prefer to slow down and take it easy, you’ll find an abundance of charming small towns in Ohio where you can do just that. A quick little jaunt to Columbus, Germantown is an absolute gem of a town, as is Dublin. Hudson is your quintessential, Hallmark movie town. While this quaint Northeastern Ohio community is home to more than 20,000 residents, it has an unshakable small-town atmosphere. This town features all sorts of historic architecture clustered around an enchanting downtown district. Hudson is full of natural beauty, too: you’ll find a number of parks hiding in this little community. Add it all up, and Hudson really is the ideal Ohio small town.
