Do you ever wish life could slow down sometimes? Do you ever wish you could stop and enjoy the simple things in life more often? If so, you might want to consider moving to a small town. Here are 14 beautiful, slow-paced small towns in Ohio where life is still somewhat simple:
- Grand Rapids
Starley Shelton/Flickr This charming village is located along the southern bank of the Maumee River, just southwest of Toledo. This restored canal town is truly one of a kind, with a population of about 986. (You can even ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal.)
- Philo
Michael Kappel/Flickr This small town of approximately 731 residents is near Zanesville. (Fun fact: Just south of Philo, you can find Ohio’s only Earthship, AKA a house made entirely out of trash.)
- Granville
Keith Ewing/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.
- Piketon
Don O’Brien/Flickr Along the Scioto River you’ll find this quiet Pike County village, with a population of about 2,158. Chances are, everyone here knows your name, where you went to school and who your family is.
- Milan
Jason/Flickr Milan is the proud home of the birthplace of the famous American inventor Thomas A. Edison (pictured.) Milan is a village in both Erie and Huron counties, with a population of approximately 1,351.
- Loudonville
Todd Petrie/Flickr Home to the breathtakingly beautiful Mohican State Park, Loudonville is a true gem for nature lovers. The Mohican River flows right through the town and park. Popular activities here include smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing and hiking. For an unforgettable visit, rent a nearby cabin for a quiet, overnight getaway.
- Greenville
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Greenville is home to the historic Fort Greene Ville and Bear’s Mill. It is also home to the Garst Museum, which features the largest known collections of memorabilia of Annie Oakley and Lowell Thomas. (Both Oakley and Thomas were born close to what is now Greenville.)
- Perrysburg
Doug Kerr/Flickr Along the banks of the Maumee River is Perrysburg, home to Fort Meigs, the largest wooden wall fortification in North America. In addition to rich history and cultural entertainment, crime rates are very low, making it one of Ohio’s safest places to live.
- Marblehead
Frank DiBona/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.
- Kingston
Neanias/Wikimedia Commons With a population of just 1,032 and a total area of 0.37 square miles, the people of this Ross County village are likely on a first-name basis.
- 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.
- Upper Sandusky
OZinOH/Flickr Serving as the county seat of Wyandot County along the Sandusky River, the town of Upper Sandusky derived its name from an earlier Wyandot Indian village of the same name. Rich in history, Upper Sandusky was home to the Wyandotte Native Americans until 1842.
- 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.
- Dennison
Wikimedia Commons Mostly known for its Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, this lovely village of approximately 2,655 residents in Tuscarawas County is home to rich history, charm and friendly people.
Are you lucky enough to live in any of these small towns?
Starley Shelton/Flickr
This charming village is located along the southern bank of the Maumee River, just southwest of Toledo. This restored canal town is truly one of a kind, with a population of about 986. (You can even ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal.)
Michael Kappel/Flickr
This small town of approximately 731 residents is near Zanesville. (Fun fact: Just south of Philo, you can find Ohio’s only Earthship, AKA a house made entirely out of trash.)
Keith Ewing/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.
Don O’Brien/Flickr
Along the Scioto River you’ll find this quiet Pike County village, with a population of about 2,158. Chances are, everyone here knows your name, where you went to school and who your family is.
Jason/Flickr
Milan is the proud home of the birthplace of the famous American inventor Thomas A. Edison (pictured.) Milan is a village in both Erie and Huron counties, with a population of approximately 1,351.
Todd Petrie/Flickr
Home to the breathtakingly beautiful Mohican State Park, Loudonville is a true gem for nature lovers. The Mohican River flows right through the town and park. Popular activities here include smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing and hiking. For an unforgettable visit, rent a nearby cabin for a quiet, overnight getaway.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Greenville is home to the historic Fort Greene Ville and Bear’s Mill. It is also home to the Garst Museum, which features the largest known collections of memorabilia of Annie Oakley and Lowell Thomas. (Both Oakley and Thomas were born close to what is now Greenville.)
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Along the banks of the Maumee River is Perrysburg, home to Fort Meigs, the largest wooden wall fortification in North America. In addition to rich history and cultural entertainment, crime rates are very low, making it one of Ohio’s safest places to live.
Frank DiBona/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.
Neanias/Wikimedia Commons
With a population of just 1,032 and a total area of 0.37 square miles, the people of this Ross County village are likely on a first-name basis.
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.
OZinOH/Flickr
Serving as the county seat of Wyandot County along the Sandusky River, the town of Upper Sandusky derived its name from an earlier Wyandot Indian village of the same name. Rich in history, Upper Sandusky was home to the Wyandotte Native Americans until 1842.
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.
Wikimedia Commons
Mostly known for its Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, this lovely village of approximately 2,655 residents in Tuscarawas County is home to rich history, charm and friendly people.
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