8 Quirkiest Ohio Towns You Didn't Know Existed
Take a walk on the wild side in Ohio. Following the pattern of its Midwestern counterparts, the state is no stranger to mysterious wonder. Launch a spine-tingling journey in Waynesville, famously known as one of Ohio’s most haunted towns. Equally unsettling is Richfield, where a shadowy stretch of Cuyahoga Valley National Park carries a grim, mysterious history. For a lighthearted, whimsical adventure, Yellow Springs radiates a joyful, carefree energy, and its hippie ambiance is sure to lift anyone’s spirits. From Swiss culture in Sugarcreek to Millersburg’s Amish lifestyle and Oberlin’s artsy college setting, Ohio has something for everyone.
Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs is one of Ohio’s most quirky towns, bursting with color and a bohemian flair. With brightly colored storefronts and rows of adorable little shops, strutting through downtown Yellow Springs is essential. Pop by the Little Fairy Garden for a whimsical outdoor decoration. From mermaids and pixies to dragons, tiny bridges, and fairy doors, each piece adds a specific type of magic to any exterior. A few doors down, Toxic Beauty Records and Poster Gallery is another Yellow Springs gem. Specializing in rare and collectible vinyls, grab a new favorite, find an oldie, or check out the poster-covered walls in this paradise for music lovers.
Equal parts strange and historical, take a trip to Glen Helen Nature Preserve for the Orators Mound. Earlier excavations uncovered human remains in the area, and Orators Mound is thought to have been an ancient burial site. Venture down the Inman Trail in Glen Helen Nature Preserve to access this uncanny region.
Stay awhile in Yellow Springs and get an Airbnb accommodation to match Ohio’s hippie town. Boasting a convenient location near all the happenings, Yellow Springs Tiny House is a beloved 400-square-foot residence. With modern amenities and minimalist vibes, the cute home complements the overall town atmosphere well.
Chagrin Falls
Just a half-hour drive from Cleveland, Chagrin Falls is as enchanting as it is eccentric. What makes this town stand out from the rest is the 20-foot cascading waterfall right in the middle of downtown. Take in this living postcard and feel instantly relaxed with the gentle flow of the water. Afterward, head downtown for some nostalgia. Open for over 70 years, the Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop is a longtime local favorite. Inside and out, the Chagrin Falls store still retains its vintage appeal. Go for classics like Real Caramel Corn or Original Movie Theatre, or get adventurous with Hometown Orange and Brown or Sweet Sriracha Cheese.
In the fall, when Ohio lights up with a spectrum of warm reds, oranges, and yellows, join the locals for the long-running Pumpkin Roll tradition. The event is as literal as the title, and festival goers roll pumpkins down a hill while sledding alongside. Cheer on with the crowd while watching these, round, orange gourds come barreling down a slope. Offbeat, slightly chaotic, and an all-around good time, the annual Pumpkin Roll is one of the best ways to celebrate the spooky season.
Creatives and art enthusiasts will fall in love with the Glass Asylum, an extraordinary glass-blowing studio. From bowls and vases to outdoor accent pieces, the artists at Glass Asylum are brilliant, and their talent oozes from every creation. For a more immersive experience, join a workshop and gradually master this fascinating craft.
Sugarcreek
Take a trip to Switzerland without having to leave the United States. Sugarcreek is a Swiss-themed utopia, just under a two-hour drive away from Columbus. One of the more prominent landmarks in this precious village is the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock. Complete with intricate details, a tiny polka band playing music, and a cuckoo bird popping out every half hour, the clock is an adored Sugarcreek masterpiece.
Typically held at the end of September, watch Sugarcreek come alive with Swiss culture at the annual Ohio Swiss Festival. Running since 1953, be in awe at the grand parade, sample local wine and cheese, cheer on contestants at the Steinstossen, and take home a handmade craft from the vendors. With traditional polka and alpine music in the background, the Ohio Swiss Festival is one of the best ways to truly capture the Swiss lifestyle. At other times throughout the year, discover Swiss history at the Alpine Hills Historical Museum. Conveniently located downtown, the museum nicely encapsulates local history through antique photographs, artifacts, clothing, and furniture.
Get the whole family together for an action-packed day at The Farm at Walnut Creek. Home to around 500 animals, the working Amish farm is a phenomenal spot to learn about agricultural practices and animal care. Wave hello to camels, zebras, giraffes, cattle, horses, kangaroos, and other majestic creatures. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the farm, watch the animals at feeding time, and observe daily chores like canning, growing produce, plowing, baking, and milking.
Millersburg
Embrace a simpler life in Millersburg, a welcoming town in Ohio’s Amish Country. Yoder’s Amish Home is an excellent starting point. Take an authentic Amish horse buggy ride, tour the old 1885 barn, and visit a one-room Amish schoolhouse. Just 10 minutes away, taste authentic delights at Heini's Cheese Chalet. Support the Amish community and try everything from cheeses, meats, jams, spreads, sauces, and dressings, all made with love. For more of a sit-down experience, head to the next town over, Berlin, just 10 minutes from Millersburg. From roast beef to traditional Amish noodles, cornmeal mush, and baked chicken, Berlin Farmstead serves absolutely delectable Amish meals that feel like a taste of home.
Ohio attractions seamlessly combine history and a timeless beauty. Marvel at an incredibly rare and massive collection of glass at the Millersburg Glass Museum. Historic and mesmerizing, book a tour and browse breathtaking works, including the Millersburg Carnival and Crystal Glass, created between 1909 and 1912. The artifacts are one-of-a-kind and a must-see when in Millersburg. Featured on TV, in movies, and in magazines, the Victorian House Museum is a work of art. Originally built in 1901, the Queen Anne-style home boasts an impressive 28 rooms and is a time capsule of the Victorian era. Its intricate woodwork, glowing stained-glass windows, and graceful wraparound porch make it look as if it were plucked out of a storybook.
Oberlin
Oberlin is an Ohio college town that radiates a vintage character. Complete with 19th-century architecture, red brick buildings, tree-lined streets, and a historical downtown, Oberlin successfully fuses a modern college atmosphere with a step back in time. Showcasing a permanent collection alongside ever-changing exhibits, the works at the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College are a sight to behold. Spend an afternoon discovering thousands of artistic treasures from an array of cultures and time periods. Just 10 minutes from the campus, Tank Hall, is far from typical, and the Queen Anne-style building now operates as a student co-op.
Kick off the summer with the annual Juneteenth celebration in Oberlin. Celebrate the end of slavery with festivities that include a parade, line dancing, storytelling, live music, and appearances by Freedom Riders. Join Oberlin locals at the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center in June for this lively and engaging tribute.
Catch a flick at the Apollo Theatre, not your average movie theater in Ohio. Dating back to 1913, this cherished landmark retains its outdoor ticket booth and timeless Art Deco design. Bring the family along, grab some popcorn, and enjoy a movie in this treasured relic.
Waynesville
Get the ghost-hunting gear and head out to Waynesville, allegedly the most haunted town in Ohio. Book a Historic Haunts walking tour through the Museum at the Friends Home. Stroll through town and learn about the ghosts, legends, and lore that roam through Waynesville. Take it up a notch with the Ghost & Goblet Dinner and Tour. Listen to chilling tales, including first-hand local accounts, while savoring a dinner at the Venue at THE Historic Lockup. After filling up on a tasty meal, the walking tour takes eager explorers through the Historic District, complete with more stories for a truly enchanting evening.
One of the most well-known haunted buildings in Waynesville is The Hammel House. Once a stagecoach inn in 1822, the Hammel House is now rumored to be home to numerous mysterious occurrences. Within the walls of the Hammel House, people have reported unsettling noises, shadowy figures, a ghostly cat, and an uncanny feeling of being watched. Over the years, the property has undergone restoration and operates as an inn and restaurant. Unfortunately, after a fire broke out in 2024, the Hammel House is closed indefinitely, though visitors can still walk by and view the exterior.
Equal parts tasty and offbeat, the Sauerkraut Festival is something locals eagerly anticipate each year. Traditionally an October affair, this magical event lights up Main Street in downtown Waynesville. The weekend is filled with live music, including performances by Waynesville High School and an energetic German band. Hundreds of vendors line the streets with crafts, jewelry, art, body-care items, and plenty of sauerkraut for everyone.
Put-in-Bay
Referred to as the “Key West of the North”, Put-in-Bay deviates from the typical Midwest landscape. This coastal slice of paradise sits on the banks of Lake Erie and is a fantastic spot to relax and take things slow. What better way to immerse yourself in a waterfront lifestyle than by grabbing a pirate hat and joining in on the Pyrate Fest? With many pirate-themed activities, get the whole family together for pirate sword fighting, cardboard boat races, and black powder firing demonstrations. Take a break from all the excitement at the Beer Barrel Saloon, home to the World’s Longest Bar. Kick back with a drink and catch a live performance at this beloved local favorite.
Summertime in Put-in-Bay offers many exclusive, unparalleled experiences. Only open to the public for a couple of months, Cooke Castle on Gibraltar Island gives off major Great Gatsby vibes. Built in 1865 as Jay Cooke’s magnificent summer retreat, the estate was later gifted to Ohio State University and transformed into a research facility. Wrap up the day with a sunset cruise or private charter on the shimmering waters of Lake Erie aboard Put-in-Bay Floating Tiki. No need to jet off to the Caribbean as this getaway delivers all the tropical vibes.
Marion
Get popping in Marion, the Popcorn Capital of the World. Usually held in September after Labor Day, the annual Marion Popcorn Festival attracts a fairly large crowd to the downtown area. With a popcorn parade, carnival rides, live music, concessions, and a 5K race, the event is nothing short of extraordinary. At other times of the year, the Wyandot Popcorn Museum is ready to give visitors a popcorn fix. Set beneath an actual circus tent, appropriately enough, the museum houses beautifully restored vintage popcorn wagons and a treasure trove of antique popcorn artifacts.
Marion is the proud owner of a handful of spellbinding oddities. Head to Marion Cemetery for the burial site called the Merchant Revolving Ball, which features a granite sphere set atop a pillar. Over the years, reports have claimed that the ball mysteriously shifts and rotates on its own. After, embark on a cardinal scavenger hunt in town. Referred to collectively as The Cardianal Project, the 17 artist-designed pieces bring an innovative flair to downtown Marion. Take the guesswork out of the search and view the Cardinal Map online at downtownmarion.com.
