9 Most Beautiful College Towns In Ohio

There is more to Ohio than its sprawling farmland and rolling hills; the state is home to adorable college towns that perfectly blend the spirit of academia with scenic surroundings that promise visitors a remarkable experience. Their vibrant downtown districts harbor an eclectic mix of community, culture, and collegiate pride to deliver diverse encounters. Furthermore, the youthful population has an infectious vibe guaranteed to get any newcomer in high spirits.

Whether a nostalgic alumnus tracing back your academic roots, a prospective student looking for a delightful institution, or a curious traveler exploring college culture in the Buckeye State, there is no shortage of hidden gems with an interesting backstory. From the lively art scene in Oberlin to the picturesque old-world architecture in Granville, here are some of the most beautiful college towns in Ohio.

Bowling Green

This lively Wood County municipality, situated 20 miles south of Toledo, is home to Bowling Green State University. It has a long history dating back to the 1830s when the first settlers arrived is carefully preserved at the Wood County Museum. This 50-acre complex connects guests to the memories from Bowling Green's past using rotating exhibits and tours of period structures. The town offers adequate room in the great outdoors for student playtime, including Otsego Park. Spread over 21 acres along the Maumee River bank, it is a popular escape for nature walkers, picnickers, anglers, and boaters.

This is also true for Simpson Garden Park, a well-maintained oasis with colorful flora split between a Hosta Garden, Japanese Gardens, a Children's Sensory Garden, and a Daylily Garden with elaborate water features and sculptures. Every September, Bowling Green's artistic side rears its head as the annual Black Swamp Arts Festival takes over the main thoroughfare with award-winning exhibitions, live performances, food, and other fun activities.

Oxford

Not to be confused with the famous university city of the United Kingdom, Oxford, Ohio, is a modest college town in Butler County that houses Miami University. Despite this, it impressively mixes artistic, historic, sports, and natural attractions to provide tourists with an all-around experience. The McGuffey House and Museum offers a look into Oxford's curious past inside an 1830s home built on the campus of Miami University. Furthermore, the Black Covered Bridge is another notable landmark from 1868, showcasing old-world engineering as one of the longest covered bridges in the state.

College sports are a big part of the community's heritage, and everybody converges at Yager Stadium to rally behind the university's RedHawks football team. Lastly, outdoor enthusiasts love to hang out around the 113-acre Oxford Community Park, whose amenities range from sports fields and concession stands to playgrounds and a gazebo.

Athens

Home to the Ohio University Campus, Athens is known for its bustling downtown region, where a lively arts and culture scene collide with thriving local businesses to result in a beehive of activities. Art lovers are drawn from all over the region by the Kennedy Museum of Art, an integral cultural hub exhibiting an array of top-notch American artwork at Ohio University. Meanwhile, the Dairy Barn Arts Center provides a catalog of workshops, classes, and displays where tourists can sample glass, ceramics, fiber art, and paintings.

The busy urban square offers pleasant shopping opportunities, especially when the weekly Athens Farmers Market comes to town. Dozens of local vendors present their fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables, baked goods, and other merchandise for potential buyers in a tremendous atmosphere. Elsewhere, outdoorsy travelers seek refuge at Athens' West State Street Park, whose quiet grounds provide access to the Hocking River and opportunities for picnicking, walking, fishing, and paddling.

Delaware

Ohio Wesleyan University is known for its strong international studies programs in a town renowned for its rich combination of natural, historical, and cultural attractions. Wide open spaces, led by the 1,680-acre Delaware State Park, offer adequate room for the outdoor incline. The reserve, which borders a shimmering reservoir, accommodates boaters, campers, swimmers, anglers, and wildlife viewers. Meanwhile, the Richard M. Ross Art Museum serves as the local cultural hub and showcases permanent and rotating pieces by acclaimed artists like Picasso inside Ohio Wesleyan University.

While in downtown Delaware, you can catch a fun movie at the Strand Theatre, a historic movie house from 1916, ranked among the country's longest-running theaters. Alternatively, you can stop at Staas Brewing Company for a pint of English or Belgian-style beer in a cozy neighborhood pub.

Granville

Granville is a small town in Licking County with a fine display of Victorian buildings decorating its historic downtown, making it one of the most attractive college towns in Ohio. Home to Denison University, it hosts several historical landmarks that allude to its enduring heritage, such as the Robbins Hunter Museum. This stunning Greek Revival dwelling provides a view of life in Granville in the mid-19th century. Downtown also boasts an active brewery scene, and guests can find a nice spot to relax inside Three Tigers Brewing Company for a glass of great-tasting craft beer.

The Denison Biological Reserve spans 350 acres and is an outlet for people to connect with Mother Nature. Hosting a diverse mix of native flora and fauna, it provides an escape from the urban bustle, with a 2.2-mile walkway looping through the park calling for a laid-back hiking excursion.

Kent

Set on the scenic banks of the Cuyahoga River, this Portage County community charms first-timers with its lush natural surroundings. Environmentalists and outdoor lovers are drawn to Cooperrider-Kent Bog State Nature Preserve, which covers 60 acres of ecological diversity with thick forests and grasslands, providing a sanctuary for native wildlife like chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, and snakes.

Kent is also home to Kent State University, which invites guests for an eye-opening lesson on fashion and sociology at the Kent State University Museum. This world-class facility exhibits at least 30,000 pieces of textiles, fashion, costumes, and furniture designs across eight galleries. Finally, the historic Kent Stage keeps the performance art scene alive with a long lineup of plays, music, film, and other live shows scheduled throughout the year.

Oberlin

This Lorain County borough is known for hosting Oberlin College, which focuses on liberal arts. Unsurprisingly, it offers multiple performance and visual art venues, highlighted by the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Housed inside a stunning Renaissance Revival building, the famous center boasts at least 15,000 works of art from diverse periods and cultures. Additionally, the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts focuses on local arts by showcasing different creations by homegrown artists.

Every Saturday, the Oberlin Farmers Market breathes life into the downtown area as dozens of area farmers line Main Street with their colorful wares. The same street provides a reprieve from the crowds at Tappan Square, a 13-acre urban oasis with manicured lawns and shade trees providing the ideal atmosphere for picnics and leisure walks.

Cedarville

Cedarville is a tiny village within the Dayton Metropolitan Area and home to Cedarville University. It harbors a close-knit community that takes pride in its rich natural setting, inviting tourists to slow down and commune with nature at Peterson Park. This wooded reserve offers scenic trails overlooking the shimmering waters of Massies Creek. Also, the Indian Mound Reserve provides 169 acres of pristine beauty, with the focal point being the gorgeous Cedar Cliff Falls.

Meanwhile, Main Street Cedarville is home to an eclectic dining scene, with multiple restaurants serving an array of savory cuisines. If you love Mexican, you can pop into Lola's Mexican Restaurant for authentic dishes like chicken fajitas, enchiladas, and burritos in a romantic setting.

Berea

This western Cleveland suburb houses Baldwin Wallace University and boasts a rich heritage of grindstone manufacturing that once earned it the nickname "Grindstone Capital of the World." Today, people come to soak in its spectacular outdoor scenery from the Berea Falls Scenic Overlook. This adorable vantage point delivers unmatched views of the raging waters flowing down the Rocky River course. Also, college sports are a big thing in Berea, and George Finnie Stadium provides a 7,800-capacity state-of-the-art sporting facility where spectators enjoy college football, lacrosse, and track events.

The walkable downtown corridor provides access to quaint hangouts where visitors can chill during their downtime. This includes the trendy Mike's Bar and Grill, which offers an upbeat atmosphere and serves refreshing craft beers, artisanal cocktails, and delicious American comfort foods.

Final Thought

While big cities like Cleveland and Columbus are the talk among travelers to the Buckeye State, it also houses a nice selection of college communities worth exploring. Mixing small-town flair with the thirst for academia, the best college towns in Ohio expose visitors to a unique side of the state through novel experiences that can't be replicated elsewhere in the United States. Whether you want to attend an immersive arts festival in Bowling Green or watch an adrenaline-filled football game in Berea, each promises to leave a fine impression.