12 Most Overlooked Ohio Towns For 2025
Year after year, Cleveland and Columbus have remained the crème de la crème of Ohio travel destinations, drawing crowds with their cultural institutions, popular sports franchises, booming food scenes, and big-city buzz. But there is much to discover in the Buckeye State beyond the frequented urban hubs, where adorable small towns with authentic charm and trademark Midwestern flair showcase a different side of the state. If you seek a novel experience in 2025, your best bet lies in these overlooked getaways.
From storybook main streets in revitalized downtown districts to rural hamlets with undisturbed state parks, these overlooked Ohio towns for 2025 are ready to capture the hearts of those willing to explore. Whether you are chasing a relaxing getaway in Vermilion or a fun time with the Amish in Millersburg, here are exciting ideas to add to your itinerary.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth's location on the northern bank of the Ohio River, near the Kentucky border, makes it a bit off the beaten path. However, it never fails to arouse those who take a chance on it. The town boasts a loaded downtown district with all kinds of attractions, starting with the Portsmouth Little Theatre. This vibrant cultural hub interests performance art lovers with an unmissable lineup of comedies and dramas. Those visiting with kids take them to the Candyland Children's Museum, where three floors of fun discoveries await with interactive exhibits.
The annual Portsmouth River Days takes over the downtown area with an array of fun activities, including craft vendors, great food, colorful inflatables, and nightly entertainment. Meanwhile, the meeting point between the Ohio and Scioto rivers makes for a magical sight, and nature lovers gather at Alexandria Point Park to take it all in.
Chagrin Falls
Chagrin Falls sits approximately 30 minutes outside Cleveland, so tourists might overlook it. But when you need an escape from the town, this adorable village offers the perfect mix of rich rural atmosphere and gorgeous natural scenery. The viewing experience begins in the middle of its downtown, where the stunning Chagrin Falls Waterfall serves as the focal point. While in the area, you can watch an adorable stage show at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre to pass the time.
Chagrin Falls also enjoys amazing outdoor scenery, beckoning vacationers with peaceful moments on the secluded grounds of Beartown Lakes Reservation. This delightful escape rewards you with numerous recreational activities, including boating, camping, fishing, nature watching, and birding.
Medina
Medina is less than 40 minutes from the bustling scenes in Cleveland, Ohio. Unsurprisingly, not many tourists in the area pay it the attention it deserves. Nevertheless, this dynamic town impresses with a lively downtown area, which hosts the annual Medina Fall Festival to usher in the leaf-changing season. The area comes to life with vendors, pumpkin displays, a pet parade, and other family-fun activities. Medina treats visitors to an early Christmas experience at Castle Noel, with shopping opportunities in America's biggest indoor Christmas store.
Meanwhile, those with a penchant for collecting souvenirs can find awesome treasures to add to their haul at Brother's Antique Mall, where over 100 dealers exhibit their merchandise. Also, you can't miss out on the outdoors at Austin Badger Park, which provides quiet walking trails across its lush grounds.
Vermilion
Out of the many towns along Lake Erie, Vermilion is not the most recognizable, yet it charms the few visitors with a rich maritime heritage and unforgettable water adventures. The conspicuous Vermilion Lighthouse reminds first-timers of the town's enduring nautical heritage. Installed in the 1800s, it is also a popular subject for photographers in Vermilion. Elsewhere, the sandy shoreline of Main Street Beach welcomes vacationers to take it easy along a 300-foot waterfront through sand castle building, sunbathing, swimming, and birdwatching.
Unmissable trips on the sprawling waters surrounding Vermilion await. Here, you can book a tour with different local outfitters, such as Foxy Lady Fishing Charters, to admire the townscape from Lake Erie or the Vermilion River.
Kent
This college community in northeast Ohio lies along the banks of the Cuyahoga River and welcomes visitors to explore its lively downtown scene. The Kent State University Museum immerses them in regional culture with an eight-gallery showcase of fashion, textiles, costumes, and other forms of decorative arts. Furthermore, music lovers converge at the Kent Stage to watch an electric performance, which hosts an impressive lineup of at least 100 concerts annually. Some of the most anticipated include the Kent Blues Festival, which culminates in a boiling point of cultures from around the globe.
Nature lovers find unmissable opportunities at the Kent Bog State Nature Preserve, where peaceful walking trails lead to pleasant sightings of local wildlife species, such as rabbits, chipmunks, and snakes.
Athens
Athens is another university town that not many tourists are familiar with. Still, it proves to be an excellent stop for travelers who appreciate the arts. This is a credit to the world-class Kennedy Museum of Art, which showcases a diverse collection of American and Native American antiques and art. The town is also known for its popular annual festivals, with the art scene coming to its own during the Global Arts Festival.
Additionally, the Athens Farmers Market is the perfect example of the community's close-knit atmosphere, with friendly vendors selling flowers, fruits, meats, vegetables, and more. For the outdoors inclined, there is no better escape than Athens West State Park, home to a dog park, a playground, and a biking trail.
Grand Rapids
Ohio has no shortage of picturesque river towns, and this Wood County community could easily be confused for the famous city in Michigan. Although Grand Rapids, Ohio, doesn't get much attention, it is surrounded by storybook nature areas that any newcomer will appreciate. The town sits along the Maumee River and harbors multiple oases, including Grand Rapids Park. This delivers some of the best views of the waterway. Thanks to Maumee River Outfitters, guests can venture onto the water for a fun paddling excursion down the river's winding course.
Historians in Grand Rapids can look forward to a fascinating lesson at the Isaac R. Ludwig Historical Mill. This 19th-century structure provides a glimpse of Victorian-era Grand Rapids. Meanwhile, you can sample flavorful craft wines at Majestic Oak Winery.
Millersburg
Ohio's Amish Country lures travelers with its rural charm and down-to-earth personality, exposing them to trademark Midwestern hospitality. This welcoming community promises guests an immersive cultural experience, with a chance to experience the authentic Amish lifestyle at Yoder's Amish Home. Guests can get a glimpse of 19th-century Millersburg at the Victorian House Museum. This stately mansion boasts dozens of rooms with a vast collection of period archives, documents, and furnishings.
The annual Holmes County Fair allows guests to meet the residents and learn about their heritage as they celebrate a long-held tradition. Lastly, foodies will relish the delicious Amish flavors at Hershberger's Farm and Bakery, featuring fresh baked goods and traditional pastries.
Burton
Burton is a tiny town with a big personality, and this is evidenced by the scale and depth of attractions harbored across its modest territory. Endowed with supreme natural scenery, the town invites outdoor adventures in the rugged wilderness of Welton's Gorge Preserve. This 87-acre park is known for its picturesque 45-foot gorge and delightful nature trails winding past the landmark. The Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve promises more opportunities, offering access to forestland, glacial lakes, and the Cuyahoga River watershed. It is the perfect escape for fishermen, paddlers, and birders who appreciate privacy.
Beyond the outdoors, historians can indulge in Burton's past at the Century Village Museum, a landmark complex with over a dozen antique buildings and artifacts depicting pioneer life in the area. Every Labor Day weekend, the Great Geauga County Fairgrounds hosts thousands as locals celebrate the Great Geauga County Fair, which is one of the oldest agricultural county fairs in America.
Hudson
This Akron suburb in Summit County is steeped in Underground Railroad heritage, which is well-preserved and interpreted through the Hudson Historic District. This rustic corridor is lined with historic buildings from the 19th century, with conspicuous old-world architecture. Along Main Street, the weekly Hudson Farmers' Market invites shoppers for a gratifying retail therapy encounter, where they can buy fresh groceries, craft goods, and other merchandise while meeting friendly local vendors.
Hudson offers many reasons for guests to step into the open spaces, including having a family picnic at Hudson Springs Park. Spread over 260 acres, this quiet natural area provides water access for those seeking a fishing or boating adventure.
Yellow Springs
Outdoor adventurers in Ohio can look forward to a jam-packed itinerary in Yellow Springs despite the town being under the radar. This Greene County town is known for its abundance of state parks and reserves, which harbor its picturesque natural scenery. Notable among these is the Glen Helen Nature Preserve, whose endless nature trails snake through mature trees and wildflowers en route to a storybook waterfall the town was named after. Yellow Springs also houses the John Bryan State Park, a sprawling recreational hub traversed by the Little Miami River.
After a demanding day in the town's rugged wilderness, tourists can rest up while enjoying a refreshing pint of craft beer at Yellow Springs Brewery. This spacious establishment hosts 20 taps serving a continuous supply of over a dozen craft beers.
Peninsula
Peninsula's concealed location in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park keeps travelers from touring it, but this doesn't take away from the experience it offers. This tiny village presents the ideal jump-off base to explore Ohio's only national park, and guests ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a pleasant perspective of the park's true majesty. But those who want to get closer to the beautiful nature can plan secluded treks along the Beaver Marsh Boardwalk View, which winds through lush woodlands teeming with native wildlife.
Alternatively, you can hike the Ledges Overlook Trail for sweeping panoramas of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park from a famous vantage point. Meanwhile, don't leave without purchasing a memorable souvenir at Peninsula Village Antiques.
Despite lacking hype, these low-key Ohio towns for 2025 prove that sometimes the most memorable adventures lie off the beaten path in the United States. Rich in charm, history, and authentic Midwestern warmth, they offer experiences big cities can’t replicate, thanks to their scenic trails, quirky festivals, and tight-knit communities. Whether you are chasing tranquility in Peninsula or adventure in Yellow Springs, these underrated gems remind us that real discovery often happens where few think to stop and look.
