Any of Ohio's back roads will take you past one of the numerous little towns or villages that make up the state's rural landscape. While Ohio's large cities, such as Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, are popular tourist attractions, its smaller towns also make for pleasant weekend side trips or unexpected pit stops on the route to somewhere else.

Geneva-on-the-Lake, a historic community on Ohio's northern border, still has the feel of a summer vacation community from the 1950s on the shores of Lake Erie. A historical town known for being a sternwheeler stop along the Ohio River, Marietta is located on Ohio's southern border. It has the allure of the river as well as nearby lush woodlands.

These little communities off the beaten path in Ohio provide a different kind of escape from the offerings of the big metropolis. The charmingness of little towns, many of which have just one stoplight or none at all, appeals to nostalgia and makes for an enjoyable experience. Some of Ohio's prettiest tiny communities to visit can be found on this list.

1. Geneva-on-the-Lake, 

Geneva-on-the-Lake is one of the most endearing tiny villages in Ohio and on Lake Erie, a throwback to how healthy vacations used to be in the 1950s. The resort town hasn't altered much in the decades since its peak, which is what makes a visit so enjoyable.

There are donut shops, ice-cream vendors, and even the original arcade that has amused generations of families throughout the town's one-mile span. Play a round of mini golf, ride the little Ferris wheel, or browse the antique shops.

Eddie's Grill, which has been serving the same hamburgers, hot dogs, fish sandwiches, and handmade root beer since 1950, boasts some of the greatest food in the area.

Despite being 40 miles east of Cleveland, Geneva-on-the-Lake seems like a different planet. Since it is located along Lake Erie's shoreline, you are never more than a few feet from the lake. In the neighborhood is Geneva-on-the-Lake State Park, a fantastic place for hiking, fishing, and swimming at a public beach.

There are many cottages and campers nearby, as well as rooms at The Lodge at Geneva-On-The-Lake, which is directly on the water and connected to the state park by bike and walking routes, so finding a place to stay is simple.

2. Marietta

Old riverboat town Marietta is located along the Ohio River. Since it was the first settlement in the Northwest Territories, the region is rich in historical features. The Ohio River Museum features exhibits on the natural history of the region and the river's steamboat business.

The Ohio River and Marietta's contributions to the westward settlement movement of America are chronicled in the Campus Martius Museum. A little downtown area with charming streets and boutique stores.

Other attractions in Marietta include the historic earthworks known as the Quadranou Mound. The Castle, with its Gothic Revival architecture, is a further must-see. Its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Sites will become clear to you.

Outdoor pursuits abound, including hiking in Wayne National Forest and kayaking on the Muskingum River Water Route.

The weekend following Labor Day, when the annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival takes place, is one of the most breathtaking times to visit Marietta. Dozens of authentic sternwheelers arrive for a weekend of traditional enjoyment.

There are several chain hotels in the vicinity of Marietta, but if you want to make your trip more of a theme, consider staying at The Lafayette hotel, where each room is distinctively designed with Victorian riverboat decor.

3. Granville 

One of the greatest tiny towns close to Columbus is Granville, which has a New England vibe along its lovely tree-lined streets. It is the location of Dennison University, which has beautiful campus buildings that sprawl across the Granville countryside.

Granville is a well-liked location for golf and outdoor activities because of the area's rolling hills. In the village, there is a good track for running, biking, and strolling called the TJ Evans Trail.

Also, you may stroll through the charming downtown area to browse the boutique stores for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, take in the immaculate landscaping and summertime blossoming trees, and have a bite to eat at one of the numerous tiny eateries that provide homemade comfort food.

There are many bed & breakfasts in Granville, but you might choose to stay at the venerable Buxton Inn or The Granville Inn, both of which have been a part of the community since the early 19th and 20th century.

4. Millersburg 

Pick apples at a nearby orchard, or purchase a quilt or basket from an Amish roadside vendor to take home. Visit a nearby cheese factory on a tour, or have coffee and fresh Amish pastries in a bakery.

Spending a few days in the area and touring the nearby communities of Walnut Creek, Berlin, Sugarcreek, and Charm is one of the best ways to enjoy Millersburg. The little Amish settlements close to Millersburg are all connected, making it the ideal excursion for a leisurely drive with occasional stops.

Although there are other bed-and-breakfasts nearby, the Hotel Millersburg is a historic 1847 hotel located in the heart of the city. The B&Bs may make your trip more enjoyable by serving you a delicious breakfast produced with products from local farms.

5. Yellow Springs

Driving through Yellow Springs gives you the impression that you have stepped back in time. From the atmosphere and décor to the storefront signs, the town gives off the impression that it is a snapshot of life in the 1960s.

It is an interesting tiny town to visit because of its cultural richness. Spend some time browsing the stores and galleries where you may purchase jewelry and original artwork. Restaurants can be anything from cafes to burger joints. Come as you are because Yellow Springs is a laid-back town.

During the year, Yellow Springs organizes a wide range of community activities, including festivals and flea markets. In this community that promotes the arts, something interesting always happens.

There are chances for outdoor recreation on Yellow Springs' outskirts. There is a bike rental station if you don't have your own and a rails-to-trails biking path runs directly through the town. Moreover, John Bryan State Park and the Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve, two locations with some of Ohio's top hiking trails, are not far from the town.

6. Put-in-Bay 

Put-in-Bay is without a doubt one of the most well-liked vacation spots in the state, particularly in the summer, but it requires a little more work to get there. On South Bass Island, Put-in-Bay is encircled by Lake Erie.

You may take the Jet Express from Port Clinton and then take a quick ferry over to the island to get there. On the island, there are numerous bed & breakfasts, or you can just stop by for the day and stay on the mainland.

Renting a golf cart will allow you to quickly access all areas of Put-in-Bay and is the most efficient method to navigate around the island. Visit Perry's Monument, Perry's Cave, South Bass Island State Park, all of the eateries, and take your time.

You can rent Jet Skis and kayaks at Put-in-Bay or play a game of golf while observing the waves breaking on the Lake Erie shoreline. Put-in-Bay is the destination for summertime recreation.

7. German Town

One of the oldest and most populated settlements close to Columbus is German Village. You may appreciate the immaculate homes and landscaping in the residential section as well as the brick lanes in the back neighborhoods by exploring the little town on foot.

German Village's central area is reminiscent of the German immigrants who arrived in the United States and contributed to the founding of Columbus. Have coffee outside on a café terrace or indulge in a delectable cream puff at Schmidt's, a local institution.

The Book Loft is a notable stop in German Village. With 32 rooms to explore and a lovely outdoor terrace where you can sit and enjoy a new book, it is one of the biggest independent bookshops in the United States.

There are a lot of distinctive delis and boutique stores. Take a picnic lunch to Schiller Park, one of the city's oldest parks, where you may relax under a tree or catch an outdoor Shakespeare performance during the summer.

8. Waynesville 

Southwest Ohio's Waynesville is well-known for its sauerkraut and antique shops. The small town proudly refers to itself as the "antiques capital of the Midwest," and with good cause. The narrow strip that passes through town is home to a number of independent antique shops. To reach them all, you can park and walk.

The village is decked out for the holidays in classic decor throughout the winter, and you may ride in a horse-drawn carriage as the snow falls all around you.

Ohio's recent trends are not unfamiliar to politics junkies: suburbs bluer, rurals redder. All the raw vote losses in tiny little towns add up, but SE Ohio is where Dems have taken a beating. But as @BruneElections points out, it's bleeding in Cleveland/NE Ohio that is worse. pic.twitter.com/Wn18lBUmZ9

— Thorongil (@Thorongil16) January 19, 2022

The hamlet is also well-known for its annual sauerkraut festival, a tradition that has been going on for more than 50 years and each year brings a ton of people, food, and sellers to Main Street. Become one of the 350,000 attendees of the festival honoring sauerkraut.

9. Cambridge 

One of the first roads in the country to run from east to west was U.S. Route 40, which runs through the center of Cambridge, Ohio. Cambridge has a small downtown that is enjoyable to stroll through while enjoying homemade pastries from the neighborhood bakery and stopping into antique stores that are now housed in restored historic structures.

A tour of the Mosser Glass firm and the National Museum of Cambridge Glass are two of the best attractions in Cambridge. The Wooden Toy Company and the Great American Steam Locomotive Museum are great for kids. The Deerassic Park Education Center offers information on native white-tailed deer and other wildlife of Ohio.

Winter is one of the best seasons to visit Cambridge because of the Dickens Victorian Village exhibit. The downtown is covered in dozens of life-size figures, transforming it into an English festive scene from the 1950s.

10. Loveland 

Loveland, Ohio, a small town, has a distinctive mix of alluring elements. With its architecture and atmosphere, it exudes a historic, rustic charm from the 1800s. It features the homemade pies and comfort meals you would anticipate from local mom-and-pop restaurants. The Loveland Castle, a must-see sight in the region with a royal history of knights and battle, is one of its eccentric components.

The Little Miami State and National Scenic River, which flows through the area, adds to Loveland's attraction for outdoor enthusiasts. There are places to go swimming, kayaking, and hiking.

Stop by the Loveland post office if you're ever in the city before Valentine's Day to watch a small group of volunteers hand-stamping more than 100,000 cards with sentimental notes.

11. Mount Vernon,

Mt. Vernon, which is roughly an hour northeast of Columbus, is a booming community but yet has a small-town atmosphere. One trip around the town square is all it takes to become familiar with the region's farming and historical roots.

Visit the Knox County Agricultural Museum, which is devoted to the history of farming in Ohio and displays equipment and a way of life that has been essential to this region since the 1800s.

See a show at the historic Woodward Opera House, a restored theater that is said to be the oldest remaining example of a 19th-century theater, for a rare treat. You may go on a supervised rafting excursion down the Kokosing River in Mount Vernon for a little outdoor excitement.

12. Delaware 

Even though Delaware is only a short distance from Columbus, it is far enough enough to have a small-town atmosphere. Explore the historic downtown, where new businesses like quaint restaurants and gift shops are housed within the old building facades.

Visit the Olentangy Indian Caverns if you're looking for a little bit of historical adventure. There, you may go underground and explore the meandering tunnels while learning about the stalactites and stalagmites that are naturally growing.

Learn about the solar system and astronomy at this prestigious educational facility while gazing at the stars at the Perkins Observatory during a nighttime event. Spend the day hiking in Alum Creek State Park or playing a game of golf at one of the area's well-maintained golf facilities. Schedule a nighttime show at the historic Strand Theatre, which has been beautifully restored to its presence from 1916.

13. Ashtabula 

Its status as a significant port in the iron ore business is hinted at by Ashtabula, a small Ohio town, which has both rural agriculture and a lovely harbor district. The community is situated at the point where Lake Erie and the Ashtabula River converge.

Start your journey at the harbor area to see some of the former port structures and warehouses that have been converted into eateries and retail establishments. Visit the Ashtabula Maritime Museum to learn more about the past of Lake Erie shipping in the region.

Walnut Beach is a welcoming swimming beach with white sand and fantastic views of Lake Erie if you would rather be in the water than just be around it.

Ashtabula is full with history, but you should also take a drive there because there are 19 covered bridges there, making it the covered bridge capital of Ohio.

14. Milan

The small town of Milan's most significant claim to fame is that it is where Thomas Edison was born. There are memorials honoring Edison all across the city, as well as opportunities to learn more about his early years in Ohio.

The Edison Birthplace is a tiny museum that is dedicated to the inventor and has images and details about his early years in Milan. The Milan Historical Museum, a seven-building campus with relics and interactive exhibitions concentrating on early American society, is another great destination for history aficionados.