10 Best Ohio Towns For A Weekend Trip

Ohio packs more variety into a weekend than most people expect. You can spend the morning on the Lake Erie shoreline in Geneva-on-the-Lake, the afternoon walking through Amish Country near Sugarcreek, and the next day touring the birthplace of Thomas Edison in Milan. These towns differ in culture and setting, but each offers a focused, easy-to-navigate escape. Here are some of the best Ohio destinations to consider for a weekend trip in 2026.

Put-in-Bay

With a nickname as fun as the “Key West of the North,” you know that you are in for a fantastic weekend in Put-in-Bay. This town is located on an island in Lake Erie, making it a prime spot for sailing and other water activities. If you are looking for a guided sailing excursion, you might enjoy a charter through Foggy Dew Sailing, with trips taking place on a 38-foot sloop rigged sailboat. A 19th-century lighthouse is also on the island: South Bass Island Lighthouse, which visitors can tour on certain dates between June and October. If you are looking for a luxury hotel while on the island, you will love lodging at Anchor Boutique Hotel, which offers amenities like a chef-prepared breakfast and rooms with French doors and private balconies.

Sugarcreek

You will almost certainly treasure a weekend exploring Ohio’s Amish country in Sugarcreek, which was settled by Amish, Swiss, and German families. Its European heritage can be explored through landmarks such as The World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, which is over 23 feet tall by 24 feet wide, with Swiss polka music playing at each hour. To visit a working Amish farm that the whole family will love, you can also spend an afternoon at The Farm at Walnut Creek, which hosts over 500 animals, many of which are exotic. The farm also performs traditional farming activities like harvesting, plowing, planting, and more. Pick up some cheese from the Broad Run Cheesehouse before checking into the Carlisle Inn for the evening, a charming property that overlooks rolling farmland.

Marietta

Marietta is a gorgeous river town that lies at the intersection of both the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, resulting in lots of river-focused activities. One of the most relaxing ways to experience the river is aboard the Valley Gem Sternwheeler, a riverboat that offers dinner cruises, music cruises, and other specialty and seasonal cruises throughout the year. A short drive from town, you can also explore more of the Ohio River at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which consists of over 20 islands and four mainland tracts that are scattered along the river. You won’t find an accommodation with a better location than that of The Lafayette Hotel, which is right along the riverbank, with rooms offering either a city view or a river view.

Geneva-on-the-Lake

Geneva-on-the-Lake lies right along the southern shores of Lake Erie, attracting countless visitors each year with its water recreation. Travelers can kick off the weekend by checking into the Lakehouse Inn Retreat, a bed and breakfast with a farm-to-table restaurant, a spa, and even its own locally made wine. The next day, you can get ready to explore Geneva State Park, which is directly west of town, covering 698 acres and featuring a sandy beach, freshwater marshes, estuaries, and more. If you are hoping to do some fishing during the weekend, you can also reserve a charter with Sweet Dreams Fishing Charters, where you can try your luck at salmon fishing!

Peninsula

Ohio’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is easily accessible from Peninsula, a small community of roughly 500 residents. Upon arriving in the park, you will be greeted by rolling hills, deep forests, open farmlands, and the Cuyahoga River, all of which you can explore via the park’s 125 miles of hiking trails. The town itself has plenty of gems as well, such as Fisher's Cafe & Pub, a third-generation family-owned restaurant famous for its 20 flavors of wings. Regarding lodging, you can actually opt to stay directly in the national park, in the Stanford House, a historic farmhouse that dates back to 1843.

Vermilion

About 45 minutes from downtown Cleveland, travelers can reach Vermilion, another adorable Lake Erie town. Here, visitors can spend a warm and sunny day on the town’s Main Street Beach, a public swimming beach with a kayak and canoe launch, an ADA mobility mat, benches, and a concession stand. Right next to the beach, you can also appreciate landmarks like the Vermilion Lighthouse, which is a replica of an iconic lighthouse that was moved to Lake Ontario. Your trip will get even more interesting with a night at the Old Vermilion Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast, which is housed in a former 20th-century jail. The original jail bars are even still inside!

Milan

Milan is the birthplace of Thomas Edison, with a weekend being a great opportunity to learn more about the famed inventor. In March, the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum will be reopening for its 2026 season, which exhibits the inventor’s birthplace home and a new educational center that dives into his inventions. Afterward, continue your weekend with a stop at The Milan Wine Post, a local wine shop and bar that has been serving the community since 2014. The Angel Welcome Bed & Breakfast is a lovely place to conclude the day, housed in a Federal home from 1828 and serving an abundant breakfast each morning.

Granville

Granville is a charming, New England-style village with a strong presence of local businesses. Walking through the downtown district, visitors can pop into local shops and galleries such as the Kussmaul Gallery, a local art shop that is housed in a historic 1828 meat and wool warehouse. Other cultural highlights in town include the Bryn Du Mansion, a 1905 estate that sits on 52 acres of land, open to the public for art classes and community events throughout the year. The Granville Inn is one of the town’s cozy local inns, built in 1924 for the guests of the nearby golf club and mansion, today offering renovated rooms to city visitors.

Yellow Springs

Home to state parks, nature preserves, and raptor centers, Yellow Springs is one of the best places in Ohio for outdoor lovers. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is just a five-minute drive from town and protects one of the most impressive limestone gorges in the state, formed by interglacial and post-glacial canyon cutting. Glen Helen Nature Preserve is easy to access from town as well, loved for its raptor center and 15 miles of eastern deciduous forest. At the end of the day, you can look forward to unwinding at Mills Park Hotel, which features Amish-crafted furniture, vintage-style shutters, and oak floors.

Cambridge

To round out the list is Cambridge, a little Appalachian Mountain town in eastern Ohio. From here, you can easily reach Salt Fork State Park, a gorgeous park with misty valleys, forested hills, and rolling meadows. The Coal Ridge Park & Trails are another excellent place to explore the outdoors, popular for boating, camping, fishing, and hiking. There are several hotels in the Cambridge area to spend the night, including SureStay by Best Western Cambridge, comfortable with a heated pool, a 24-hour fitness center with modern training equipment, and a complimentary continental breakfast.

A State Deserving Of More Attention

Ohio honestly deserves more credit. It has so many beautiful destinations along the lake, incredible state and national parks, and a rich culture that has been influenced by immigrants from all over the world. These 10 towns perfectly showcase that diversity. Each one offers a unique adventure, made even better when paired with a stay at a charming inn or hotel. So pack your bags, because a memorable weekend is just around the corner!