These 11 Towns In Ohio Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026
Sugarcreek runs a 23-foot cuckoo clock in its town square that performs on the half hour. Dublin grows 109 concrete ears of corn in a public park. These are the kinds of towns that keep landing Ohio on national favorites lists for 2026. Their claims to fame run to college campuses and Swiss cheese. A few added river trails and a Reader's Digest crown. Each one rewards a weekend without much of a drive.
Dublin
Just north of Columbus, Dublin is a verdant and vivacious community of just under 50,000. Dublin's walkable historic district features businesses like Dublin Toy Emporium, while the city's wider public-art collection includes the Field of Corn at Frantz Park, where 109 human-sized concrete ears stand in rows.
Just like its European namesake, Dublin is home to many pubs. Dublin Village Tavern is a favorite for its Braised Beef Shepherd's Pie, and if you are craving a deli sandwich, Katzinger's Dublin makes a Reuben piled high with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and house-made Russian dressing.
Within the town, Bridge Park is a favorite, boasting a weekly market that is an homage to local growers and artisans. And the Dublin Irish Festival, held in early August in Coffman Park, is a three-day event with food, festivities, and live entertainment.
Mariemont
Just outside of Cincinnati, Mariemont is an inner-ring suburb that's home to about 3,500 residents. It's known for its Tudor architecture and cobblestone streets. Landscape architect John Nolen designed the village for philanthropist Mary Emery in the early 1920s, and it was named a National Historic Landmark in 2007 as one of the country's model planned communities.
Downtown Mariemont is friendly and walkable. The National Exemplar serves American cuisine inside the Mariemont Inn, and Graeter's offers ice cream near the village square. During the day, Dogwood Park draws families for its playground and playscapes. The Village Bookworm is a family-owned bookstore that is a good place to stop for story time, with local art and gifts for sale, too.
Oberlin
In Northeast Ohio, Oberlin is a college town with a community-minded ethos and a lively arts scene. Home to Oberlin College, it was the first US college to admit students regardless of race as a matter of policy in 1835 and the first coeducational college to grant bachelor's degrees to women in 1841. That progressive history still shapes the town's character.
The town of 8,300 residents is laid out in a grid, with a central park surrounded by tree-lined neighborhoods, historic college buildings, and monuments. Tappan Square is the heart of the town: a 13-acre green space listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where you will often find students playing frisbee and studying. Also off the square is the Apollo Theatre, a 1913 moviehouse, and a classic five-and-dime, Oberlin's Ben Franklin.
Bowling Green
Located just south of Toledo, Bowling Green is home to the eponymous university and is full of small-town character. Tree-lined streets hold historic homes and student housing, and the town is very friendly to walkers and bikers.
Step back in time at Snook's Dream Cars for a few hours, and check out the Wood County Museum for some local history. And grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants along Main Street, including Pagliai's, Old Town Buffet, Mr. Spots, and Kermit's Family Restaurant.
Columbiana
Named the "Nicest Place in America" by Reader's Digest in 2019, Columbiana is a small locale in the northeast quadrant of Ohio near the Pennsylvania border. There is usually something happening here. During the holidays, Joy of Christmas and Christmas in the Woods are two family-friendly events full of holiday cheer.
For shopping and dining, TownCenter at Firestone Farms is a newer complex that has become a busy local hub, with a range of restaurants and shops. Homestead Kitchen & Cocktails is a fan favorite for its locally inspired menu and its beers on tap.
Granville
With its distinctly New England sensibility and influence, Granville is an Ohio town rich with history. Best known as the home of Denison University, Granville offers sites such as the Granville Historical Society Museum and historic lodging at the Granville Inn and Buxton Inn, one of the state's oldest continuously operating inns. Granville's business district along Broadway is full of local shops, restaurants, and parks. Diners enjoy spots like the Broadway Pub, Day Y Noche, and Alfie's. Visit in warmer weather and dine al fresco. Broadway is a good street for people-watching.
Hudson
Just outside Cleveland, Hudson is full of historic architecture, tree-lined sidewalks, and a busy downtown of shops, restaurants, and local businesses. The town has a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area for visitors looking to sip and stroll, while The Brew Kettle and Lager & Vine are local options for drinks.
Natural spaces surround the town, which is home to 20 parks, many with walking paths and picnic areas. Hudson Springs Park, Cascade Park, and Wood Hollow Metro Park are a few of them, and Boston Mills Park sits nearby in the Cuyahoga Valley.
Loveland
Loveland is a town about 15 miles northeast of Cincinnati that has a thriving downtown district, good outdoor spaces, and plenty of small-town character.
The town is bisected by both the Little Miami Bike Trail and the Little Miami River, making it a popular place for outdoor recreation. Restaurants and ice cream shops along the Loveland Bike Trail make it easy to spend an afternoon in this town known as the Sweetheart of Ohio. Loveland Castle, also called Château Laroche, is a local landmark built largely by one man, Harry Andrews, over some 50 years. It's open for tours and visible from a kayak, since the Little Miami River runs right past the grounds.
Sugarcreek
In the heart of Amish Country sits The Little Switzerland of Ohio, Sugarcreek. German and Swiss heritage is on proud display throughout the town, which was established by Amish, Swiss, and German immigrants in the 1800s. That heritage is celebrated at the annual Ohio Swiss Festival, a weekend-long event held every fall since 1953.
The rest of the year, Sugarcreek's Swiss pride runs deep. Shops like Broad Run Cheese sell award-winning Swiss, and the town's cuckoo clock sits in the town center and performs on the half hour through the warmer months. Built in 1972, it landed on the cover of the Guinness Book of World Records in 1977 and stood for years as the world's largest.
Yellow Springs
In southwestern Ohio, Yellow Springs is an artistic town with hippie roots and lots of natural beauty. Beyond the shopping and dining, you can explore Glen Helen Nature Preserve, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, and John Bryan State Park, and even access the Little Miami Bike Trail.
Young's Jersey Dairy is a popular year-round destination for homemade ice cream, and its 2026 calendar includes Cowvin's Corny Maze & Playland from August through early November.
Loudonville
Located in southern Ashland County, Loudonville is a town of roughly 2,800 residents often called the Canoe Capital of Ohio. The nickname comes from its spot on the Mohican River, a principal tributary of the Walhonding River that runs roughly 40 miles and offers plenty of recreation on and off the water. Mohican Adventures is one of the most popular liveries along the river and welcomes both experienced paddlers and families.
A Weekend Within Reach
These towns cover most of what Ohio does well close to home. College towns like Oberlin and Bowling Green keep their downtowns lively year-round. Sugarcreek and Granville trade on deep roots in immigration and New England. Loveland and Yellow Springs put a river trail within a few minutes of a good meal. Any one of them makes a full Saturday, and most sit close enough to a city that you can be home for dinner.
