Cobblestone streets, prominent art scenes and rich history are just few of the many unique qualities that mark Ohio’s most picturesque small towns and villages. While some of these towns are larger in population than others, each town undeniably has a delightful sense of charm and beauty. The following are what we consider to be 13 of Ohio’s most picturesque small towns and villages.
- Chagrin Falls
Wendy Soucie/Flickr This Cuyahoga County village is the epitome of charm. The town’s name is derived from the waterfalls of the Chagrin River. Chagrin Falls (pictured) flows in the heart of the town, which was established in 1845.
- Yellow Springs
JR P/Flickr Home to Antioch College and a colorful downtown, this artsy little town is a safe haven for those looking to indulge in creativity and the quirkiness of small town living. Knit graffiti is common here, and popular amenities include the twice-a-year Yellow Springs Street Fair, the Glen Helen Nature Reserve and the nearby John Bryan State Park.
- Sugarcreek
Pat Cletch Williams/Flickr “The Little Switzerland of Ohio” covers a total area of a little more than three and a half square miles. It’s a popular tourist destination for anyone looking to explore Ohio’s Amish Country.
- Marietta
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. Its also known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets and sternwheelers.
- Granville
Vasenka Photography/Flickr Known for its historic architecture and New England character, this Licking County village is home to the historic Avery Downer House, The Buxton Inn, The Granville Inn and Denison University. Additionally, it is the location of the prehistoric Alligator Effigy Mound, built by people of the Fort Ancient culture.
- Peninsula
Charles Carper/Flickr Part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, this charming village sits in the middle of the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Additionally, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs close to downtown Peninsula, making Peninsula a popular stop for many bikers and hikers, as it is one of the only towns between Akron and Cleveland.
- Put-In-Bay
Rick Austin/Flickr The tiny South Bass Island village of Put-In-Bay is a popular vacation destination and home to Crystal Cave, the world’s largest geode. Golf carts, bicycles and boats are common forms of transportation here. Recently, “Huffington Post Travel” ranked Put-In-Bay as no. 8 of “The 12 Cutest Small Towns in America.”
- Oberlin
Edsel Little/Flickr Home to the private liberal arts college, Oberlin College (the first American higher education institution to admit female and black students,) this progressive little town has a close-knit community, a rich history and a lively arts and cultural scene. In 2012, it was voted one of the state’s “Best Hometowns” by Ohio Magazine.
- Loveland
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr With a name like Loveland, how could it not be charming? 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, and biking and canoeing are popular activities for locals here.
- Marblehead
Chris Landis/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’ oldest continuously operating lighthouse and is open for tours during the summer.
- Tipp City
Eric Fredericks/Flickr Near downtown Dayton you’ll find the quaint historic town of Tipp City, known for its beautiful parks, local restaurants and popular festivals such as the annual Tipp City Mum Fest and the Canal Music Fest.
- German Village
Vasenka Photography/Flickr Within Columbus you’ll find the picturesque neighborhood of German Village, known for its quaint coffee shops, cobblestone streets, brick houses and shops, 32-room bookstore, beautiful Schiller Park and Schmidt’s Sausage Haus (where you’ll find the best authentic German cuisine Ohio has to offer.)
- Amherst
cmh2315fl/Flickr Close to Lake Erie, this charming historic city in Lorain County covers about seven square miles. Pictured is the 1905 Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway (LS&MS) freight depot.
Did we feature your hometown or current place of residence? What other small towns (or villages) in Ohio do you think should be added to this list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Wendy Soucie/Flickr
This Cuyahoga County village is the epitome of charm. The town’s name is derived from the waterfalls of the Chagrin River. Chagrin Falls (pictured) flows in the heart of the town, which was established in 1845.
JR P/Flickr
Home to Antioch College and a colorful downtown, this artsy little town is a safe haven for those looking to indulge in creativity and the quirkiness of small town living. Knit graffiti is common here, and popular amenities include the twice-a-year Yellow Springs Street Fair, the Glen Helen Nature Reserve and the nearby John Bryan State Park.
Pat Cletch Williams/Flickr
“The Little Switzerland of Ohio” covers a total area of a little more than three and a half square miles. It’s a popular tourist destination for anyone looking to explore Ohio’s Amish Country.
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. Its also known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets and sternwheelers.
Vasenka Photography/Flickr
Known for its historic architecture and New England character, this Licking County village is home to the historic Avery Downer House, The Buxton Inn, The Granville Inn and Denison University. Additionally, it is the location of the prehistoric Alligator Effigy Mound, built by people of the Fort Ancient culture.
Charles Carper/Flickr
Part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, this charming village sits in the middle of the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Additionally, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs close to downtown Peninsula, making Peninsula a popular stop for many bikers and hikers, as it is one of the only towns between Akron and Cleveland.
Rick Austin/Flickr
The tiny South Bass Island village of Put-In-Bay is a popular vacation destination and home to Crystal Cave, the world’s largest geode. Golf carts, bicycles and boats are common forms of transportation here. Recently, “Huffington Post Travel” ranked Put-In-Bay as no. 8 of “The 12 Cutest Small Towns in America.”
Edsel Little/Flickr
Home to the private liberal arts college, Oberlin College (the first American higher education institution to admit female and black students,) this progressive little town has a close-knit community, a rich history and a lively arts and cultural scene. In 2012, it was voted one of the state’s “Best Hometowns” by Ohio Magazine.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
With a name like Loveland, how could it not be charming? 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, and biking and canoeing are popular activities for locals here.
Chris Landis/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’ oldest continuously operating lighthouse and is open for tours during the summer.
Eric Fredericks/Flickr
Near downtown Dayton you’ll find the quaint historic town of Tipp City, known for its beautiful parks, local restaurants and popular festivals such as the annual Tipp City Mum Fest and the Canal Music Fest.
Vasenka Photography/Flickr
Within Columbus you’ll find the picturesque neighborhood of German Village, known for its quaint coffee shops, cobblestone streets, brick houses and shops, 32-room bookstore, beautiful Schiller Park and Schmidt’s Sausage Haus (where you’ll find the best authentic German cuisine Ohio has to offer.)
cmh2315fl/Flickr
Close to Lake Erie, this charming historic city in Lorain County covers about seven square miles. Pictured is the 1905 Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway (LS&MS) freight depot.
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