When most folks picture Ohio, they think of the big three: Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Lively cities, no doubt, but the true treasures sit quietly between the highways and rolling farm fields. Ohio is a patchwork of landscapes and stories that reward those who linger.
Over the last 36 years of hosting guests at HideAway Country Inn, I have watched people’s faces light up when they discover how much this state still has tucked away from the crowds.
Across Ohio, beauty hides in plain sight. You might stumble upon a waterfall where you can hear nothing but your own breath, or a historic site that whispers of centuries gone by.
Some corners carry the eerie charm of ghost towns, while others invite you into forest tunnels draped in moss. Just when you think you have seen it all, an artistic oddity will appear that makes you smile, snap a photo, and shake your head in delight.
Here are some of the wonders that you can stumble into in the great Buckeye State:
- Waterfalls that trickle, rush, or tumble into cool swimming holes.
- Historic hideaways where brick walls and quiet cemeteries hold the past.
- Ghost towns with stories in every shadow.
- Forest tunnels where wildflowers and owls still claim the land.
- Artistic oddities that prove Ohioans never run short on imagination.
Tucked in the center of this bounty is my own little secret: HideAway Country Inn, a romantic retreat built for privacy, comfort, and memory-making. Stay with me, and I will share not only my kitchen but a guide to rare places, some natural, some architectural, all waiting to surprise you.
Skipping the Big Cities May Be the Best Thing You Do All Year
Visitors often land in Ohio looking for the bright lights and busy streets of Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati. Those places certainly have their charms, but the heart of Ohio beats strongest in its smaller towns and open countryside.
If you are searching for quiet beauty, rich history, and a slower rhythm that lets you breathe, the real discoveries happen once you step away from the interstate exits.
The Small-Town Secret
Communities like Wapakoneta, the hometown of astronaut Neil Armstrong, carry stories that shaped our nation. Coshocton, with its canal history and quaint Roscoe Village, feels like a walk through another century.
These towns do not compete with skyscrapers or massive stadiums. Instead, they invite you to stroll main streets lined with family businesses and sip coffee where the locals gather.
As an innkeeper, I often hear guests say that these small towns remind them how good life feels when it slows down.
Regions to Watch
Southeast Ohio draws nature lovers with Hocking Hills, where waterfalls and caves sparkle in the morning light.
Central Ohio, where Bucyrus and HideAway Inn are located, is still overlooked by many travelers, which makes it perfect for those who want a true off-the-grid experience. Here, covered bridges, candle makers, and country roads shape the landscape.
Northwest Ohio holds Oak Openings Preserve, a sandy and rare ecosystem that feels worlds away from the Midwest you expect.
These regions prove that beauty does not need to be staged; it’s already there for those who seek it.
Easy Access, No Crowds
One of the joys of Ohio travel is how accessible it all is. From almost any corner of the Midwest, you can reach hidden waterfalls, historic cemeteries, or forest trails in two hours or less.
People often worry about crowds, especially in popular spots that have appeared in too many guidebooks. The simple trick is to plan a midweek visit or come during cooler seasons when leaves crunch underfoot and trails are quiet.
That is when Ohio’s secrets truly reveal themselves.
15 Secret Beautiful Places in Ohio Worth Seeing In Person
When you are looking for beauty in Ohio, you do not have to travel far. Some of the most remarkable places hide quietly between small towns, winding roads, and stretches of countryside that look ordinary until you take a closer look.
Guests often ask me if there are still true hidden gems that have not been taken over by tour buses or online “top ten” lists.
The answer is yes, and I have spent years sending visitors to places where they can still find peace, history, and delight without feeling crowded. Here are some of my favorite secret spots, all worth the journey and each offering its own kind of wonder.
- Charleston Falls Preserve – Near Tipp City, this 37-foot waterfall feels like a smaller version of a national park. Families enjoy shaded trails, while those seeking solitude bring along a book or journal to savor the quiet.
- Lake Erie Bluffs – These cliffs rise dramatically above Lake Erie with sweeping sunset views. Photographers love the coastal feel, and travelers who time their visit for a weekday often have the overlook almost to themselves.
- Moonville Tunnel – Deep in Zaleski State Forest, this abandoned railway tunnel carries ghost stories alongside a rich history of the railroads. Adventurers often come seeking both an eerie atmosphere and a scenic hike.
- Oak Openings Preserve – In Northwest Ohio, rare sandy soil has created a unique ecosystem filled with orchids, lupine, and elusive owls. Birders and hikers alike treasure this preserve as one of the state’s least-known sanctuaries.
- Temple of Tolerance, Wapakoneta – Built stone by stone in one man’s backyard, this quirky sanctuary offers both reflection and whimsy. It is proof that some of Ohio’s greatest art lives outside gallery walls.
- G & R Tavern, Waldo – The fried bologna sandwich here is legendary, drawing visitors from all corners of the state. The tavern itself feels unchanged by time, with the kind of local hospitality you remember long after the meal.
- Damascus Room, Cincinnati Art Museum – Hidden within the museum is an ornate room from 1930s Syria, carefully preserved and transporting guests far beyond Ohio. A gem for those who enjoy global culture without leaving the Midwest.
- The Healing Chapel, Coolville – This small roadside chapel welcomes anyone seeking quiet reflection. Travelers stop here to light a candle or sit in silence, making it a meaningful pause during a long drive.
- Portage Lakes State Park – Known for boating, fishing, and scenic hiking, this Akron-area park remains under the radar compared to larger destinations. Its lakeside trails are perfect for dog walkers and families wanting a calm day outdoors.
- Prospect Place Mansion, Trinway – Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, this historic mansion has a reputation for hauntings and history tours. Guests fascinated by both heritage and mystery find it unforgettable.
- Holden Arboretum Canopy Walk – Walk among the treetops on a 65-foot-high suspension bridge that sways just enough to thrill. The views across the forest canopy are especially breathtaking in autumn.
- Trammel Fossil Park, Sharonville – Families and amateur paleontologists love this site where you can collect fossils that are more than 400 million years old. It is one of the few free fossil digs open to the public.
- Candle Factory Tour, Bucyrus – At Crossroads Candles, visitors watch skilled artisans hand-pour candles in traditional molds. Guests of HideAway Inn often pair this visit with a stroll through Bucyrus’s charming downtown.
- Pencil Sharpener Museum, Hocking Hills – This tiny museum houses thousands of pencil sharpeners of every shape and era. It is quirky, photogenic, and a fun stop after a hike through nearby caves.
- Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus – Far from an ordinary burial ground, Greenlawn offers Victorian-era monuments, birdwatching, and open lawns for stargazing. It is a serene space that blends history and natural beauty.
Why Central Ohio Is an Off-the-Grid Dream
Central Ohio rarely makes it into glossy magazines or the social media feeds that showcase the same waterfalls over and over. This is the part of the state where you trade crowded overlooks for backroads lined with barns, where the landscape opens wide and the pace of life steadies.
The area is known for its Amish heritage, where quiet lanes bring you past horse-drawn buggies and farm stands overflowing with fresh produce.
Covered bridges still cross slow rivers, each with a story as old as the wood beams themselves. Local makers carry on candle-pouring traditions in Bucyrus, and skies stretch far enough to remind you that open space is a luxury in its own right.
Travelers sometimes worry about finding their way because GPS can be unreliable in rural corners. My advice is to welcome it. Bring a paper map, ask a local for directions, and see where the road takes you. That sense of discovery is part of the reward.
One surprise in this region is the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Guests often combine a weekend of racing excitement with the serenity of country lodging. The contrast is striking, but that is Central Ohio’s charm: a place where adrenaline and stillness live side by side, offering travelers experiences they never expect to find in the middle of farmland.
HideAway Inn: Ohio’s Hidden Gem in the Middle of It All
In the middle of Ohio’s farmland, surrounded by high-production agriculture, sits a retreat that has quietly welcomed guests for more than three decades. HideAway Country Inn is easy to reach yet feels far removed from the pace of daily life.
Over the last 35 years, I have transformed a private residence into one of the top 600 inns in the country, a place recognized by the New York Times for its pastries and chosen by celebrities and executives who value privacy as much as comfort.
Guests come here seeking experiences they cannot find at a standard hotel. A morning might begin with deer grazing outside your window, followed by a breakfast crafted with the care I learned while training under a Michelin-starred chef.
Afternoons often drift toward spa treatments or simply walking the tree-lined grounds, and evenings bring romance in the form of rose petal massages, stargazing under skies free of city light, or a glass of wine chosen by a level two sommelier.
A Peek Inside Our Most Romantic, Secluded Suites
Eagle’s Nest Luxury Suite
High ceilings with exposed beams, a private Jacuzzi, and a wood-burning fireplace create the perfect space for honeymoons or evenings spent gazing at the stars.
Cherry Luxury Suite
A canopy bed sets the stage for romance, with spa treatments available in-room and gourmet chocolate-covered strawberries waiting as a sweet surprise.
Tree House Luxury Apartment
Built around a living tree, this apartment offers floor-to-ceiling windows and a blend of rustic beauty with the comfort of modern amenities. Wildlife sightings add to the charm, making each stay feel like a retreat into nature itself.
The Real Ohio Starts Where the Highway Ends
The most beautiful places in Ohio are rarely found on crowded itineraries. They rest in quiet valleys, stand beside covered bridges, linger in hidden chapels, and shine in small towns that still greet travelers with warmth.
Whether you are chasing waterfalls, walking through historic tunnels, or savoring the calm of a candlelit inn, Ohio offers moments of beauty to those who don’t mind searching in unexpected places and looking beyond the obvious.
Itching for your next escape?
HideAway Country Inn is ready to help you turn a weekend into a life-marking memory. Explore our suites, packages, and personal touches, then reach out to start your journey.
Visit our Contact Us page to begin planning today.
