6 Playfully Peculiar Towns In Ohio

In a nutshell, no pun intended, Ohio is a manufacturing giant with aviation in its blood, since it's the home of the Wright Brothers. As a Great Lakes State, it has a soft spot for nature with just a touch of the Appalachians. From charmingly weird to fairytale and haunted, the Buckeye State knows how to entertain and warmly host travelers.

The rolling hills, serene river valleys, and Lake Erie shores are awash with hidden gems blending Midwestern hospitality. These six playfully peculiar towns in Ohio invite you to slow down and embrace the unexpected. Lo and behold, three of the six are college towns, with recreation at the doorstep in some of the most peculiar locations in the state.

Athens

Athens Lunatic Asylum opened in 1874 on more than 1,000 acres of land overlooking this college town. Located atop a hill across from the campus of Ohio University, nearly all of the buildings are now repurposed by the university. This massive institution of 78 buildings was one of the many mental hospitals using treatments like lobotomy at the time. It later became Athens Center, with over 1,800 patients treated throughout its existence until 1993.

"The Ridges" was central to the local folklore during closure and renovation through 2001, making Athens one of the most haunted places in the US. In addition to the Kennedy Museum of Art in the main building, Lin Hall houses the university's music, geology, and biotechnology offices. Cycle north along the paved Beaumont-Salina Trailhead or discover Turtlehead Cave. Nearby, Strouds Run State Park is a popular recreation area in the summer in the Appalachian Foothills.

Cedarville

This college town is a compelling outdoor destination. Boasting some of the most stunning waterfalls in the state, Waterfalls Trailhead draws travelers to explore, play in the mist, and forest bathe in raw natural beauty. It is a short, gentle hike culminating at the heart of the Indian Mound Reserve on 169 acres, where history collides with unique nature sights at Petersen Park. This wooded creekside park features an 1800s cabin, dramatic rock formations, a waterfall, and numerous trails.

The massive Massie's Creek Cascades dispels nearly over a residential neighborhood. Taking the long staircase up to the overlook will get you winded. Luckily, Downtown Cedarville is an ideal après destination to recharge. From fresh grinds at Beans-n-Cream to mouthwatering pies at Colonial Pizza or zesty Mexican, get your souvenirs at Second Act of Cedarville. Minutes north, John Bryan State Park offers hiking, fishing, camping, and rock climbing in a limestone gorge.

Nelsonville

Just an hour from Columbus, Nelsonville leads a secluded lifestyle, in tune with the somber Wayne National Forest, a vast, dense wilderness imposing all around. Though pristine forest trails and acres of undisturbed natural landscapes can warn off timid adventurers, there's no limit to ways of indulging in the alluring outdoors, not with a local outfitter at your beck and call. Many enjoy the undulating Hocking Hills right from the window in a cushioned seat via the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway.

For those after more than mellow-paced scenery, Adventure Pro Outdoors offers thrilling UTV tours through the forest and tubing down the Hocking River. Reunite after at the local family restaurant, Tammy's Country Kitchen. It is right next to Robbins Crossing Historic Village, an open-air museum. This playful little town celebrates its Appalachian spirit every August during the vivacious Parade of the Hills Festival, a weekend full of family-friendly events, pageants, rides, and live music.

Steubenville

For history and art lovers, there's no better playscape than Steubenville, a historic town in a bend of the Ohio River on the western shore. The Historic Fort Steuben offers a vivid glimpse at frontier life with 18th-century artifacts and memorabilia through eight buildings. Constructed in 1787 and furnished to reflect the era, visitors enjoy reenactments, kid-friendly activities, and special events at this riverside site. Just 8 miles west, Fernwood State Forest offers recreational trails and a campground.

Home to fewer than 20,000 people, Steubenville locals proudly show off their heritage with nearly two dozen massive murals painted on buildings throughout the vibrant downtown district. In addition to delicious Italian dining in town, the Steubenville City Murals are an eye feast for pedestrians on a stroll, with history coming alive around each corner. There is no lack of outdoors along the border with West Virginia, including the local Beatty Park, a cared-for, gorgeous acreage with a stone staircase and historic sites.

West Liberty

West Liberty is a cool little town on Mad River. The remote vibes make it all the more exciting to discover sites straight from a storybook, like two castle-style homes on a historic estate. The Gothic-style Piatt Castles offer a touchstone to the 1800s, with architecture and rare artifacts from Ohio history. We've only scratched the surface — literally. Home to the infamous Ohio Caverns, this raw and bedazzled network of limestone caverns was originally explored from 1897 to 1925. Today, the miles of underground passageways are open for guided tours to meander through the colors of the dramatically exposed formations, including the state's largest stalactite, the Crystal King. No visit to West Liberty is complete without a gift from Marie's Candies, with an amazing chocolate selection.

Zanesville

This larger town of roughly 25,000 residents is playfully witty. Zanesville's Y Bridge is one of a handful still in use in the whole world of meme design. Spanning the confluence of the Licking and Muskingum Rivers, this three-way bridge can be crossed without changing the side of the river. Even Amelia Earhart stated that this charmingly strange feature made Zanesville "the most recognizable city in the country." Meanwhile, Riverside Park is a charming place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Minutes north, Tri Valley Wildlife Area features the Water Cave, a welcoming adventure on a hot summer day. Nature and history collide at Dillon State Park, with a beach, cabins, and playground. Whether you stay at the National Road Campground right in town or one of the local hotels, there's plenty of playful charm to go around. In addition to Dillon Falls with fishing, canoe, and kayak access, the historic Jack's Hollow Covered Bridge is a photogenic place for a picnic, just 20 minutes west.

Discovering Ohio's playfulness will take you from fairytale sites to charmingly weird and even haunted places, backed by historic forts, live parade music, and a lot of collegiate spirit. Nature is the best part, with lakeside getaways on Lake Erie, its history of shipwrecks, and the mythical Bessie.