13 Prettiest Downtown Strips In Ohio
There are hundreds of small towns in Ohio, but some stand out for their interesting downtown areas, beckoning travelers to want to explore more. These are renowned for their overall charm and distinct features, which help create the hype around them and attract admirers nationwide. For instance, Chagrin Falls has a gorgeous cascade smack in the middle of its urban square, while downtown Granville is lined with Victorian buildings sporting unique old-world architecture.
Besides their distinguishable charm, exploring these beautiful gems allows visitors to discover their histories, related to their cultures, and interact with their residents, culminating in a wholesome experience. Whether a shopping enthusiast, culinary connoisseur, or after-hour junkie, here are the prettiest downtown strips in Ohio to visit.
Granville
Granville's delightful downtown region blends the new with the old, and wandering around the neighborhood reveals a string of 19th-century buildings harboring modern businesses. The Granville Inn is an excellent representation of this, a rustic, early 1900s inn that currently hosts top-of-the-line events and provides luxurious accommodation. Meanwhile, the Granville Historical Society Museum showcases interactive exhibits that help preserve the town's intriguing backstory over the years.
The Granville community demonstrates their love for locally made beers at Three Tigers Company. Its friendly patrons welcome newcomers with open arms, urging them to sample delicious brews. Granville boasts a quiet urban oasis at Opera House Park, where visitors can relax and enjoy fresh air when they need a break from exploration.
Oberlin
Home of Oberlin College, this quaint community charms visitors with a respectable art scene and exciting shopping opportunities. All this unravels along the downtown corridor, which houses renowned art venues like the Allan Memorial Art Museum. The site curates a world-class portfolio of pieces by acclaimed European and American artists. A vast artifact collection inside the Oberlin Heritage Center relates the beautiful story of the town, capturing significant events over the years that helped shape its destiny.
Downtown hosts a vibrant Oberlin Farmers Market, attracting multiple local vendors who find privilege in interacting with potential buyers. Finally, those who want to grab a bowl of popcorn and watch a nice movie head to the historic Apollo Theatre Oberlin.
Marietta
Marietta is a picturesque town on the Muskingum River-Ohio River confluence, known for its unmatched history and rich river heritage. You can get a feel for the history when walking around downtown, as seen in the Gothic Revival facade of the Castle Historic House Museum. This rustic dwelling dates back to the mid-19th century and vividly depicts Victorian-era life. Elsewhere, the Campus Martius Museum offers a glimpse of Ohio in its formative days. This two-building complex with rare exhibits replicates the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory.
Locals showcase their appreciation for the art by frequently meeting inside the Peoples Bank Theatre to support homegrown talent on stage during family-friendly presentations. Finally, the best time to witness Marietta's river heritage is during the Ohio Sternwheel Festival, as thousands flood downtown to mark an enduring tradition.
Chillicothe
Chillicothe is famously known as Ohio's first capital before Columbus, and has a curious heritage that blends with a vibrant arts and culture scene. The relaxed downtown streets harbor exciting points of interest. The Ross County Historical Society is responsible for preserving and interpreting regional history, which it does by exhibiting resourceful artifacts and archives. A lively local arts community entertains audiences with frequent performances at the Majestic Theatre, featuring engaging live presentations by homegrown performers.
Meanwhile, the Pump House Center for the Arts focuses on displaying visual artworks by regional creatives. Lastly, shoppers and foodies can take advantage of opportunities at the Chillicothe Mall, home to various brand-name retailers and restaurants.
Medina
Whether you want to eat, shop, play, or step back in time, downtown Medina Ohio, United States,has something to make everyone smile. The town boasts a well-preserved historic square, the Medina Public Square Historic District, which spans eight blocks of antique buildings housing restaurants, galleries, museums, boutiques, and shopping venues. Exploring the areas opens doors to exciting opportunities, including shopping at the Common Ground Warehouse, home to dozens of storefronts, makers' shops, and studios.
Additionally, Brother's Antique Mall has a fantastic collection of vintage treasures that promise to impress antique hoarders in Medina. Food lovers can try local flavors at Foundry Social, whose sumptuous menu offerings range from pretzels and nachos to mac and cheese.
Cambridge
This small town of Guernsey County is steeped in glass-making heritage, stemming from the activities of the Cambridge Glass Company during its 1900s heyday. Today, you can learn about this history at the National Museum of Cambridge Glass. The venue displays a colorful collection of historic glassware produced by the company. Cambridge's gorgeous skyline is highlighted by the Guernsey County Courthouse, a Greek Revival masterpiece from the 1800s listed on the NRHP.
Cambridge encourages souvenir lovers to hunt for cute primitives and antiques at Black Cat Vintage, which houses at least 50 vendors with all types of merchandise. But in case of sweet cravings, stopping Nothing But Chocolate ensures it all goes away.
Chagrin Falls
Chagrin Falls is home to one of the prettiest downtown strips in Ohio, thanks to the stunning waterfall that serves as its focal point. You can always find tourists trying to snap a photo next to the Chagrin Falls Waterfall, which provides a visual spectacle throughout the year. There is no shortage of attractions for art lovers. They can head to the Glass Asylum for an intriguing lesson about blowing glass to create intricate final products.
The Chagrin Valley Little Theatre also entices them with a refreshing lineup of presentations by local performers, featuring concerts, talks, dances, and musicals. When hungry from all the walking, pop into Village Martini & Wine Bar for classic American fare before a glass of fine wine.
Yellow Springs
Although Yellow Springs is known for its outdoor splendor, its quaint downtown area does not disappoint. The delightful neighborhood promises a string of casual shopping opportunities for all ages. At Yellow Springs Pottery, you will see a unique display of clay products that can elevate your home decor. Meanwhile, Yellow Springs Toy Company is tailored for those visiting with children. The establishment has everything from books and toys to puzzles and games for your child's pleasure.
A trip to the Little Art Theatre allows tourists to enjoy a modern movie experience, featuring classic and contemporary flicks. After the movies, remember to take the kids for ice cream and other treats at Young's Jersey Dairy.
Sugarcreek
Sugarcreek is a popular tourist destination with small-town flair and likeable Amish heritage. This Amish Country gem houses a sleepy yet intriguing downtown, offering visitors a taste of the local heritage. Most of the action happens at Dutch Valley, which has the Ohio Star Theatre to entertain audiences with community-based stage productions. The site also hosts the Dutch Valley Restaurant, which serves sumptuous chicken dinners.
Meanwhile, those curious to learn about the unique ways of the Amish in Sugarcreek can visit Alpine Hills Museum, which chronicles the blend of cultures in the community, influenced by the Swiss, German, and Amish immigrants. Lastly, don't forget to enjoy luscious baked goods at Amish Country Donuts & Cafe.
Findlay
This Hancock County community has a lively downtown area, where you will find a cluster of shops, boutiques, eateries, and local businesses, resulting in an upbeat atmosphere. Findlay's rich history is preserved at the Hancock Historical Museum, and touring the site allows newcomers to explore the town's role as a stop along the Underground Railroad. Art connoisseurs can catch a thought-provoking performance at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts musical and theatrical acts in a rustic 1920s venue.
Alternatively, they can enrich their arts knowledge by perusing a pleasant collection of artwork inside the University of Findlay's Mazza Museum. Every Thursday, the Hancock County Farmers' Market breathes life into the downtown as vendors and crafters take over the area with their assorted merchandise.
Troy
Troy is a Great Miami River community approximately 19 miles from Dayton. It has a historic downtown district, decorated with old buildings telling a story of its rich heritage. The Museum of Troy History is a great starting point if you want to learn about local folklore. It showcases numerous artifacts in a 19th-century brick building. Also, the Overfield Tavern Museum provides a window to the early 1800s. Built by Benjamin Overfield, the structure stores a vast collection of testimonials about his life.
Meanwhile, the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center presents year-round cultural opportunities that help bring the townsfolk together through fun events. One of the most anticipated is the Troy Strawberry Festival, which transforms the downtown into a spectacle of food, arts, music, and entertainment.
Fairborn
This college town houses Wright State University and is known for its lively downtown corridor, dominated by pubs, restaurants, entertainment hubs, and galleries. The Terry Art Studio and Gallery offers a taste of local arts with a fun collection of pieces meant for kids. The establishment sits a short distance from the Miami Valley Military History Museum, which stocks diverse military memorabilia from different conflicts, including the Civil War.
Fairborn has a few unusual attractions, such as the Secret Chamber of Oddities and Artwork. Finally, your college town experience is incomplete without watching a college basketball game at the Nutter Center, which also doubles up as a concert venue.
Lebanon
This historic municipality on the outskirts of Cincinnati hosts a rustic downtown area with old buildings that hint at its 1700s origins. Lebanon conserves its heritage at the Warren County Historical Society, housed inside an old brick building with an extensive collection of documents, photographs, archives, and more. The Golden Lamb Restaurant and Hotel is one of the oldest structures in the area. It was constructed in the early 1800s, serving as a meeting point for the community, dignitaries, and statesmen.
Souvenir lovers can pop into Broadway Antique Mall to sort through its primitives and collectibles, while theater buffs can enjoy a compelling live show at the Lebanon Theatre Company.
Final Thought
Whether visiting the Buckeye State for a day or taking a month-long staycation, there is a lot to discover outside the bustling city scenes in Cleveland and Columbus. Consider venturing outside the major metro areas to get an authentic feel of the state in its small towns. While the list is endless, the above towns have some of the prettiest downtown strips in Ohio, from the vibrant farmers market in Oberlin to the beautiful old-world architecture in Lebanon.
