
13 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Ohio
Ohio has numerous exciting destinations, but not all are the same. Some lure visitors with offbeat attractions and unusual experiences you won't find elsewhere. Whether you gravitate towards paranormal encounters, have a soft spot for eccentric traditions, or go around chasing quirky roadside installations, the Buckeye State doesn't disappoint for those yearning for the atypical and unexpected. Scouring the nooks and corners of the state reveals an interesting list of whimsical towns that have remained under the radar.
From hunting evil spirits during a paranormal experience in Mansfield to exploring the evolution of funeral homes and their methods in Marietta, these eccentric towns in Ohio embrace their strange attributes with exemplary poise and set the stage for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Twinsburg

A twisted sense of déjà vu fills the air in Twinsburg every August in this tiny village in Summit County. It hosts the annual Twins Day Festival, which sees the world's largest gathering of biological twins. Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, this unique extravaganza draws thousands of pairs of twins from across the globe, marking a long-running tradition since 1976. The event is accompanied by a variety of festivities, including colorful costumes, photo ops, a parade, lookalike contests, and more.
The festival was inspired by a pair of twin brothers, Aaron and Moses Wilcox, who contributed to founding the community. This fascinating heritage is well documented inside the Twinsburg Historical Society. Meanwhile, almost 3,000 acres of playground at Liberty Park ensure ample room for fun moments in the great outdoors.
Sugarcreek

Sugarcreek is a charming Amish community in Tuscarawas County, popularly referred to as "The Little Switzerland of Ohio." It attracts millions of tourists annually, who come to explore its simple way of life. People still ride in horse-drawn buggies and shun modern technology, surprising city dwellers with how they find fulfillment in their primitive lifestyles. Among its many points of interest, the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock is probably the wackiest. The gigantic clock in the heart of downtown is a popular location for photo enthusiasts.
Those interested in Sugarcreek's history can learn how its Amish and Swiss heritages merge inside the Alpine Hills Historical Museum and Information Center. Finally, guests have an opportunity to sample delicious Amish baked goods and other sumptuous treats at Amish Country Donuts & Cafe.
Fairborn

This vibrant college town in the Dayton metropolitan area boasts a lively Main Street teeming with pubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues. However, the corridor is also home to The Secret Chamber House of Oddities and Artwork, a quirky facility dedicated to the horror genre. Its vast collection of strange exhibits promises to bring back memories of your worst nightmare, ranging from human skeletons and two-headed taxidermy specimens to true crime memorabilia and occult objects.
Foy’s Halloween and Variety Stores is another curious location where guests can shop for Halloween-centric oddities. It features a massive selection of related props, costumes, and a haunted house in one of the town's oldest stores. After hours of sorting through piles of offbeat paraphernalia, you can relax at the quiet grounds of Oakes Quarry Park to take it all in.
Alliance

This historic town in Stark County is steeped in manufacturing and railroading heritage and was formed from the merging of three separate communities. Alliance turns heads with its curious Troll Hole Museum. Featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, the venue boasts the most extensive collection of trolls worldwide. It exhibits different types of these Scandinavian mythological creatures, scattered across six rooms and two floors. This includes a troll cave with waterfalls, as well as a troll mountain.
The stunning Glamorgan Castle is a famous architectural spectacle in Alliance, celebrated for its rugged facade from the early 20th century and tranquil, green grounds. Meanwhile, outdoorsy tourists can reconnect with Mother Nature at the Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve, spread across the 180 acres of scenic ponds, meadows, and woodlands.
Mansfield

Mansfield gained international recognition after being featured in "The Shawshank Redemption," a Box Office hit from the 1990s. The movie was filmed in the grandiose Ohio State Reformatory, which housed all types of offenders in the 19th century. Its infamous reputation features terror stories and gruesome incidents, including murder. Today, the facility attracts paranormal investigators seeking to interact with the ghosts and spirits of former prisoners trapped within the building. Past visitors have reported unexplained whispers and phantom churches, which backs up rumors of hauntings.
Movie enthusiasts can explore the Shawshank Trail to discover iconic scenes from the popular film during a self-guided driving tour. Finally, you can embark on an odd spiritual experience at BibleWalk Wax Museum, where hundreds of wax figures depict diverse Bible scenes.
Athens

Home of Ohio University, Athens is known for its vibrant art scene and a busy downtown district, serving as a regional cultural hub. The community is dogged by a dark past that comes to life on the deserted grounds of the Athens Lunatic Asylum. This sprawling complex features multiple buildings from a 19th-century mental hospital. Doctors apparently used controversial methods like lobotomy and shock therapy to treat patients, leading to unexplained horrors and death. Almost 1,800 people were buried on the cemetery grounds, which draws excited paranormal enthusiasts with its haunted stories.
The Kennedy Museum of Art is a popular stop for art lovers and displays a world-class collection by American artists. Meanwhile, those who fancy shopping around can target the Athens Farmers Market to check out fresh produce, crafts, clothing, and other wares.
Elmore

Just 30 minutes from Toledo, Elmore features among the most eccentric towns in Ohio due to its offbeat pre-Halloween traditions. On the Saturday before the anticipated holiday, the community hosts the Tombstone Derby, a strange lineup of events, with the highlight being the Casket Race. Participants race in motorized caskets to keep the spirit of Halloween alive. The spectacle plays out in Depot Park and features other curious activities, such as a mock-kid drag race, haunted house tours, a parade, and fancy costumes.
Schedel Gardens is where residents go to be one with nature, home to 17 acres of thriving plantlife showcasing thriving native species. The oasis houses the Blair Museum of Lithophanes, which boasts the world's largest catalog of lithophanes. It displays hundreds of 1800s porcelain plaques celebrating the art of stone carving.
Cambridge

This small town in Guernsey County interests tourists with a rare trip down memory lane of exploring a charming Victorian village. Every autumn, the Dickens Victorian Village thrusts guests into the peak of the 19th century in a themed setting with over 100 effigies and inanimate characters inspired by the writings of Charles Dickens. These are clad in period attire and fashion accessories that vividly simulate the Victorian era, transforming Main Street Cambridge into a charming outdoor gallery.
The town's rich glass-making heritage is well-preserved and documented at the National Museum of Cambridge Glass, which displays thousands of pieces produced by the once Cambridge Glass Company. Meanwhile, the Cambridge Performing Arts Center entertains audiences of all ages with thought-provoking stage productions inside a landmark venue.
Marietta

Rooted in history, Marietta traces its origins back to the 18th century, established by the Ohio Company of Associates as the maiden settlement in the Northwest Territory. While it has a unique backstory, nothing turns heads more than the Cawley & Peoples Mortuary Museum. This quirky tribute to the funeral industry provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of a funeral home. It harbors a curated collection of hearses, funeral furniture, caskets, mourning jewelry, advertising signs, and other paraphernalia, culminating in a weird and surreal experience for first-timers.
Marietta's formative years are depicted by the Campus Martius museum, which features two rustic buildings with artifacts reenacting a 1700s civilian stockade. Elsewhere, an easygoing cruise on board the Valley Gem Sternwheeler allows tourists to appreciate Marietta's beauty from the calm waters of the Ohio River.
Galloway

This small town in Franklin County is an excellent destination for those seeking to escape the chaos in Columbus. It boasts a quiet rural atmosphere with rich natural scenery, and is known for the Trap History Museum. This whimsical facility draws trappers and historians alike with a unique perspective on the art of trapping. Over 5,000 artifacts decorate its interior, from bear traps to mouse traps of different sizes and designs, baits, primitive tools, and other memorabilia.
Galloway also welcomes tourists to witness America's national mammal, the bison, as they forage in their natural habitat at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Alternatively, you can spend quality time in the open with a quiet golf session with friends at Thorn Apple Country Club.
Circleville

This riverside community, south of Columbus, has one of the most eccentric water towers you'll come across in the country. As you drive into Circleville from its southern entrance, the World's Largest Pumpkin Water Tower ushers you into the town. This humongous roadside installation has become a popular tourist attraction. Many park by the roadside to marvel at it and even snap photos for lasting memories.
Circleville underscores its overbearing obsession with pumpkins during the annual Circleville Pumpkin Show. Up to 400,000 attendees descend upon downtown to mark this offbeat tradition, with over 100,000 pounds of pumpkins, gourds, and squash decorating the streets. The town is also home to the Ted Lewis Museum, whose library of archives and memorabilia conserves the legacy of the great entertainer.
Bellville

Bellville is a historic village in Richland County, known for its gold rush heritage. But beyond its history, tourists come to marvel at the size of the World's Largest Bobblehead. Nicknamed "Jacques," the 35-foot-tall statue was installed in the 1960s and depicts a French waiter carrying two hamburger trays. The statue has become a roadside legend of sorts, welcoming vacationers for a memorable photo opportunity. It stands outside the Buckeye Express Diner, which specializes in delectable American comfort foods, including burgers, sandwiches, fries, and more.
Bellville hosts one of the largest state genealogical societies in the country. At the Ohio Genealogical Society, visitors can dive into the rich history of the Buckeye State by browsing vital resources, including photographs and archives.
Logan

Logan is a picturesque town in the heart of the Hocking Hills region, famous for its supreme natural beauty. But if you are hunting for oddities, visit the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum. This weird venue brings back childhood memories with its collection of at least 3,000 pencil sharpeners. It represents a labor of love by Reverend Paul Johnson, who spent over two decades accumulating the exhibits.
Logan also hosts the annual Washboard Festival, an unorthodox event celebrating the washboard. Participants showcase creative uses of the washboard beyond washing clothes, including a decorative artwork, musical instrument, and more. Finally, tourists will fancy rowing down the Hocking River for a fun excursion courtesy of Hocking Hills Canoe Livery.
Final Thought
The Buckeye State doesn't disappoint when it comes to wacky attractions, and the most eccentric towns in Ohio proudly celebrate their uniqueness. From Circleville’s famous Pumpkin Show, drawing crowds with oversized gourds and festive flair, to Galloway’s one-of-a-kind Trap History Museum honoring an unusual slice of Americana, these towns showcase the state’s colorful character. Whether you're in search of the bizarre, the historic, or just something offbeat, these weird destinations offer experiences you won’t find elsewhere in the United States.