8 Ohio Towns That Rival Europe's Best
With their gleaming church steeples, their neat, walkable downtowns, and their narrow cobblestoned streets, European towns are always a delight to explore. Many of them have color and character and a distinctive architecture that can never be described as “cookie-cutter.” While you can save for a vacation to Europe — because there is nothing wrong with touring the world — you can also find a modest number of small, charming towns in the Buckeye State that closely resemble their counterparts in Europe. If in doubt, keep reading to discover 8 Ohio towns that rival Europe’s best.
Put-in-Bay
Put-in-Bay is a picturesque resort village in Lake Erie that offers heart-melting lake views, cobbled paths, and nautical charm. It is in Put-in-Bay Harbor of South Bass Island, about 35 miles east of Toledo. Put-in-Bay is historic, especially as the site of the Battle of Lake Erie, which turned out to be a major U.S. naval victory in the War of 1812. It ensured U.S. control over the strategic lake, precluding any territorial cession in the Northwest to Great Britain in the peace settlement. Today, hordes of tourists come here to vacation and to enjoy the island’s long list of offerings, including magnificent sunset views, harbor strolls, and entertainment. Fortunately, the attractions are easy to access with a golf cart ride. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie and is a cool spot to snap a photo. On the other hand, Perry's Cave Family Fun Center offers cave tours, mini golf, a butterfly house, rock climbing, and a maze. Back in town, DeRivera Park is a relaxing spot to enjoy the downtown view of the Island. It has swings, statues, paved trails, beautiful flowers, and decent park benches. There's also South Bass Island State Park, if you want a pristine spot with more recreational opportunities.
Sugarcreek
Sugarcreek is known for its European influences: some parts Swiss, other parts German. And there's cheese, just as you would find in a town affectionately called “Little Switzerland of Ohio.” So, while the landscape does not feature the austere grandeur of the Alps, Sugarcreek’s visitors might still easily imagine themselves touring the streets of a small Swiss town on foot or by horse-drawn buggy. And the experience is often unforgettable. You will find quaint shops, Alpine-style decorative motifs, and what is billed as the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, which features cheerful sounds of an oompa band and an animated dancing couple who welcome delighted onlookers every 30 minutes. There's also an eye-catching mural right in the heart of town that depicts breathtaking Swiss landscapes. Visit the Alpine Hills Historical Museum and Information Center, where you will learn a lot about the Amish, cheese making, and interesting stories about the town's Swiss heritage. Don't miss the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, either. It is a beautiful heritage museum that offers the largest private collection of steam engines in the United States and a working roundhouse billed as the only one of its kind in the entire country. As for food, everyone raves about the Dutch Valley Restaurant, a relaxed, farmland pick for old-fashioned American meals.
Logan
A visit to Logan will reveal a beautiful mountain town reminiscent of a cute Austrian village. Logan is beautifully backdropped by lush, pine-speckled forests, heart-stopping cliffs, interesting rock formations, and caves. Downtown Logan opens out to a landscape that is peaceful and pastoral, blending rural charm and outdoor beauty. Logan Historic District, with its paver bricks, has buildings that date back to the 1800s. Pizza Crossing has previously been voted the best pizzeria in Ohio, and not just once. A stop here should pave the way for Kachelmacher Park, which provides access to the Hocking River and wonderful water views. If tagging your little angels along, ensure you pass by Hocking Hills Children’s Museum. The water area and the air suction tubes are always a big hit with kids. However, for an epic outdoor adventure, nothing comes close to the swoon-worthy Lake Logan State Park and the phenomenal Hocking Hills State Park, especially with its caves, waterfalls, and jaw-dropping cliffs.
Zoar Village
Zoar Village is a surreal spot filled with old-world charm, quiet streets, and historic architecture. Although it is in east-central Ohio, the vibe is of a small European historic village somewhere in Germany or rural parts of Austria. It was settled in 1817 by German religious dissenters, who soon after organized a communal society known as “the Society of Separatists of Zoar,” which operated until 1898. Members of the society believed that the church should be simple and bereft of all ceremonies. The 2.5-acre Zoar Garden, also called the Biblical garden, is the village's centerpiece. The landscape’s geometric design, with the large Norway spruce as the focal point (before it was snapped by strong winds in 2023), has interesting religious undertones. It is a cool way to have a glimpse of 19th-century America, especially with all the neat, historic homes and buildings that made Zoar special. Enjoy a flavourful burrito at the Los Venados Mexican Restaurant Grill & Cantina, then hit up the peaceful walking trails at the Zoar Wetland Arboretum, a hidden gem with a fishing dock and lots of birds.
Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs is green, artsy, and as vibrant as a small, charming town can be. Part Bohemian, part pastoral, you will find lots of galleries and other cultural attractions, as well as awesome outdoor spots for all kinds of mood-lifting fun. If it had vineyards, you would think you were somewhere in southern France. Creativity takes centre stage at places like the historic Little Art Theatre, a non-profit cinema offering contemporary and classic movies. The trick is to start at Dino's Cappuccinos, an intimate space loved for its laid-back atmosphere and delicious offerings, from traditional coffees and lattes to specialty house brews, Chai teas, hot chocolate, and other homemade treats. It does not get the attention it deserves, but House of Ravenwood Tarot Readings and Gifts is such a small-town gem and the go-to place for stuff like crystals, books, candles, incense, oils, jewelry, and several items in the realms of the mystic. No need to get started on the outdoors, especially with places like Glen Helen Nature Preserve and the John Bryan State Park.
Marblehead
With its lakeside setting at the tip of Marblehead Peninsula on Lake Erie, Marblehead can easily remind you of a Mediterranean coastal village known for a relaxed summer vibe. You will feast your eyes on beautiful architecture, browse small indie gift shops, and pop inside cute local restaurants to sample delicious cuisine. Although you will find numerous historical attractions to explore, the Marblehead Lighthouse is special for being the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the American side of the Great Lakes. Hop on the Kelleys Island Ferry, and enjoy the round trip to Kelleys Island, or just spend a tranquil mid-morning at the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve, where beautiful daisies will warm and ravish your heart to bits. After this, grab a meal at Rocky Point Winery, and wash it down with a glass of Riesling or any of the several options on offer.
Granville
With its white-steepled churches and neat, walkable downtown, Granville can also pass for a charming European town. It was founded in 1805 by settlers from Granville, Massachusetts, hence the name, and boasts beautiful historic architecture with New England elements. Keep in mind that Granville is a college town. It hosts Denison University, which was founded in 1831 and is one of the earliest liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. You will find Federal-style storefronts and a Main Street flanked by beautiful historic inns (such as The Granville Inn), awesome cafés, and boutiques. Whit's Frozen Custard is on Broadway Street and serves great rotating flavors in a cute college-town ambiance. They serve the tastiest frozen custards and equally awesome sundaes. You can get snug with a gripping read at the Granville Public Library, an amazing community space with a great selection of books and movies. If you want to stretch your legs or wash your face in the fresh air, the T.J. Evans Trail is incredibly scenic and peaceful.
Marietta
Marrieta is a historic river town that was founded in the late 1800s and is the first permanent American settlement in the Northwest Territory. With a well-preserved downtown that features original brick streets and Victorian-era architecture, Marietta’s appearance is a bit exotic. You can learn interesting stories about the town’s childhood years at the Campus Martius Museum for a $10 package that comes with touring the two oldest buildings in Ohio: The Rufus Putnam House and the Ohio Company Land Office. Taking the cue, the Ohio River Museum, set along the picturesque Muskingum River, chronicles the golden age of steamboat travel and is always a natural sequel. Keep in mind that Wayne National Forest surrounds Marietta and provides extensive hiking and mountain biking trails. If spending the night, the Lafayette Hotel, which dates back to 1892, is right at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers and close to most of the shops and restaurants in the downtown area.
Therefore, considering what Ohio offers, especially the small towns with storybook looks that dot it, you can enjoy a relaxed, therapeutic vacation and come back feeling like a little child. The best part is that some of Ohio’s visit-worthy towns are incredibly beautiful; they rival Europe’s best. You will find towns with Swiss influences, locations that look like southern France (without the vineyards), and white-steepled churches that resemble the old, historic villages across the Atlantic.
