National Geographic once ranked a rural Ohio county among the top ten places on Earth to see fall leaves. Not a mountain range. Not a famous national park.
A patch of farm country where horse-drawn buggies get their own trail.
That detail stuck with me. Then I learned one small town nearby has a hotel that has kept its doors open since 1847, and another sits beside a gorge so dramatic it’s a National Natural Landmark.
Autumn in this part of the Midwest doesn’t need a big city to show off. The best color often hides along two-lane roads, near old canal towns and quiet village squares with a maple sugar bush down the street.
I love the idea of a trip where the loudest thing around is crunching leaves. I’d happily spend a crisp autumn day exploring Ohio’s peaceful small towns and admiring the beautiful fall colors along the way.
1. Millersburg
Few towns can say their local hotel has been checking in guests since 1847. Hotel Millersburg holds that honor, and it ranks as the third oldest continuously operating hotel in Ohio.
That kind of staying power fits the town nicely. Millersburg sits in the heart of Holmes County, the area National Geographic named one of the top ten places in the world for fall foliage.
The color usually shines from late September through October. Rolling hills turn into patchwork quilts of red, gold, and orange around the town’s quiet backroads.
Downtown deserves a slow stroll, too. The historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with 19th-century buildings filled with shops, galleries, and restaurants.
History fans should head to the Victorian House Museum. The 1901 Queen Anne mansion holds 28 rooms of Holmes County history, Victorian furniture, and paintings.
Downstairs, you’ll find a surprise. The Millersburg Glass Museum shows off a rare collection tied to famous glassmaker John Fenton.
Got a sweet tooth? Troyer’s Sweet Shoppe is a third-generation family business making chocolates and fudge from original recipes for over 60 years.
Buckeyes, turtles, and sea salt caramels are on the lineup. Just try leaving with only one small bag.
Miller’s Creamery, open since 2019, adds another reason to linger. Look for puffles, which are bubble waffles stuffed with ice cream, plus burgers and sundaes.
For lunch with a local flavor, The Cider Press works with regional ingredients on a menu that changes with the seasons. It feels right for a fall day spent chasing leaves.
Want to stretch your legs afterward? The Holmes County Trail is Ohio’s only companion buggy trail, so don’t be shocked if you share the path with a horse and buggy.
Address: Hotel Millersburg, 35 W. Jackson St, Millersburg, OH 44654
2. Athens
Radar Hill sounds like a spy movie location. It’s actually the highest point in Athens County, and it sits on a 700-acre property called The Ridges.
The Ridges was once the Athens Lunatic Asylum, and today Ohio University owns it. You can explore miles of hiking trails and take a self-guided history tour using the mAppAthens app.
Fall in Athens leans hard into Appalachian scenery. The foothills around town usually hit peak color in late October, a bit later than northern Ohio.
Back on campus, College Green makes an easy first stop. Tall trees frame Cutler Hall, the oldest building at Ohio University, built in 1816.
Craving a longer outing? The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway runs nearly 22 paved miles between Athens and Nelsonville.
It follows the Hocking River through woods, wetlands, and campus. Bring a bike, or just walk a small slice of it.
Strouds Run State Park sits just outside town. Dow Lake and wooded trails make it a natural pick for leaf-peeping.
The Boathouse rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards through October. Paddling under bright trees might be the best seat in the county.
Sells Park offers more trails if you’d rather stay close to town. It’s a simple way to squeeze in a walk between other plans.
When evening comes, check out the Athena Cinema on Court Street. This century-old movie house has a neon marquee and shows new films, documentaries, and classics.
Art lovers can swing by the Dairy Barn Arts Center, one of Southeast Ohio’s leading galleries. A college town with this much forest nearby? That’s a pretty great combo.
Address: Athena Cinema, 20 S Court St, Athens, OH 45701
3. Marietta
Ohio had to start somewhere, and that somewhere was Marietta. Settlers founded the state’s first permanent settlement here in 1788.
Campus Martius Museum tells that story across three floors of exhibits. It also covers the Northwest Territory and includes the Rufus Putnam House.
History lovers won’t run out of things to see. The Castle, an 1855 Gothic Revival home, offers tours, events, and exhibits just a few blocks away.
Of course, the leaves are the real headliner this season. Fall color here peaks in October and can stretch into November.
Want to see it from the water? The Valley Gem Sternwheeler offers riverboat rides on the Ohio River, with hillsides changing color along the banks.
The Lafayette Hotel overlooks that same waterfront. It dates to 1918 and leans into the style of the grand riverboat era.
Hungry? Busy Bee Restaurant on Gilman Avenue focuses on farm-to-fork cooking with local meats, eggs, and produce.
It’s best known for breakfast, especially its big pancakes. Fuel up there before a long drive.
For a quick pick-me-up downtown, Jeremiah’s Coffee House on Front Street serves coffee drinks, teas, lemonades, and baked goods. It’s an easy stop before strolling the river.
Now for the big draw. The Covered Bridge Scenic Byway follows State Route 26 from Marietta to Woodsfield, tracing the Little Muskingum River for much of the way.
It ranks among the most secluded drives in the state. Watch for the Rinard Covered Bridge, rebuilt in 1876 after a flood.
Pack snacks and skip the rush. Those winding curves were made for slow driving and lots of photo stops.
Address: Campus Martius Museum, 601 2nd St, Marietta, OH 45750
4. Yellow Springs
Some of the trees near Yellow Springs are about 400 years old. They grow in Glen Helen Nature Preserve, a 1,000-acre spread of woods, prairies, and streams.
Glen Helen has 25 miles of footpaths. Along the way, you’ll find limestone cliffs, Grotto Falls, The Cascades, and the actual yellow spring that named the town.
The preserve’s first 700 acres were donated in 1929. Generous gift, right?
Next door, John Bryan State Park takes the drama up a notch. The Little Miami River carved a limestone gorge here that’s a National Natural Landmark.
The park covers 752 acres with 10 hiking trails and 6 mountain biking trails. You can even try rock climbing and rappelling if heights don’t scare you.
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve protects another stunning stretch of the river. Rim trails and gorge paths lead past rapids and Amphitheatre Falls.
Fall paints these woods in orange, red, and copper. Downtown storefronts add their own color to the scene.
Prefer wheels over hiking boots? The paved Little Miami Scenic Trail runs through Greene County under tree canopies that glow this time of year.
Then comes the snack break. Young’s Jersey Dairy serves farm-fresh ice cream, homemade cheese, fried cheese curds, and baked goods.
Kids can try mini golf, batting cages, and Cowtherine’s Carousel. Yes, that’s really the carousel’s name.
Just down the road in Clifton, the Historic Clifton Mill dates to 1802. It’s one of the largest water-powered grist mills still standing, with a restaurant and gift shop.
Planning to stay overnight? Mills Park Hotel downtown has Ellie’s restaurant and coffee bar, so your morning latte is only steps away.
Address: Glen Helen Nature Preserve, 405 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
5. Garrettsville
Rock formations named Devil’s Icebox and Old Maid’s Kitchen sit just north of this small village. You’ll find them at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, a short drive up State Route 282.
The park covers 167 acres. Its cliffs rise 50 to 60 feet, and some cracks between the rocks drop about 60 feet deep.
Goldhunters Cave is another famous stop. Squeezing through narrow paths under a roof of fall leaves feels like a mini adventure movie.
Wear good shoes, though. Rocky trails and seasonal waterfalls can make footing tricky.
Back in town, Garrettsville has deep roots. John Garrett founded it in 1803 and finished a gristmill here in 1806.
Need an easier stroll after the ledges? The Headwaters Trail stretches eight miles on a former railroad bed.
The trail has a limestone surface and welcomes hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. One trailhead sits behind Garrettsville Village Park.
Nature fans can also explore Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve. It offers a six-mile trail system, a boardwalk, and a wildlife observation tower.
Keep your eyes open for beaver dams and marshes there. Small bogs and buttonbush swamps add to the wild feel.
Downtown, the Buckeye Block Amphitheater opened in 2022. It hosts concerts, festivals, and seasonal celebrations in the heart of the village.
When hunger hits, Two Travelers Tavern on Main Street keeps things interesting. Menu items include Korean Shrimp, Baja Pork, Tzatziki Chicken, and Smoked Street Corn.
October through December tends to be a quieter time here. Cool weather and changing trees make it a fine stretch for a laid-back Ohio day trip.
Address: Two Travelers Tavern, 8097 Main Street, Garrettsville, OH 44231
6. Loudonville
A town with the nickname Canoe Capital of Ohio clearly knows its rivers. Loudonville sits in the Mohican region, where forests and winding water surround the village.
Mohican State Park is the main event. The park covers 1,110 acres with hiking, biking, fishing, and canoeing.
Clear Fork Gorge and Lyons Falls rank among its highlights. A fire tower also gives you sweeping views over the treetops.
Picture climbing that tower when the hills turn red and gold. Okay, no picturing needed, just go.
Around the park, Mohican-Memorial State Forest spreads over 4,500 acres. It offers 32 miles of hiking trails and a 24-mile mountain biking trail.
Young explorers may like the 1.5-mile Discovery Forest interpretive trail. It’s short enough for little legs.
The park also has lodging choices, including a lodge, cabins, and campgrounds. That makes a sunrise hike much easier to pull off.
Downtown has charm worth a look, too. The Cleo Redd Fisher Museum covers local inventors, craftsmen, and industries, and admission is free.
The Ohio Theatre was built in 1909 as the City Hall and Opera House. Today it shows first-run films and hosts live performances.
Want a night in a historic home? Blackfork Marken Inn Bed and Breakfast operates in a house built in 1856.
Wolf Creek Mill and Historic Park sits inside the state park. It features a restored early 1800s grist mill plus log cabins and farm buildings.
Tours there are usually offered on summer weekends. Even so, the grounds look lovely surrounded by autumn trees.
Address: Mohican State Park, 3116 State Route 3, Loudonville, OH 44842
7. Sugar Grove
Ohio’s largest natural arch sits near this tiny village. The rock bridge at Rockbridge State Nature Preserve stretches about 100 feet long over a 50-foot ravine.
Sugar Grove calls itself Ohio’s Lovely Gateway to the Hocking Hills. The nickname fits, since thick forests surround the village.
Maples put on a strong show here. Peak color usually arrives in October.
Start at Wahkeena Nature Preserve on Pump Station Road. It has four hiking trails, a nature center, and housing for raptors.
A floating boardwalk crosses part of the preserve. On the Pond Loop, you might even spot a beaver at work.
Rhododendron, mountain laurel, ferns, and orchids grow there, too. It’s a peaceful pick for a solo hike.
Craving bigger views? Cantwell Cliffs, part of Hocking Hills State Park, sits nearby.
The Cantwell Rim Trail is challenging. Your reward is a striking look along the cliff edge.
The Hocking River flows near town as well. Birders, tubers, and smallmouth bass anglers all enjoy it.
History buffs might like this tidbit. Sugar Grove grew up along a canal route and was incorporated in 1851.
Keep an eye out for news on the Sugar Grove Lookout Tower. The 110-foot steel tower is the focus of efforts to relocate and restore it.
The village itself stays small and calm. That makes it a handy base for exploring famous spots without big-town noise.
Cedar Falls and Old Man’s Cave are close enough for a day trip. Canoeing, horseback riding, and zip-lining are also nearby if you feel bold.
Address: Wahkeena Nature Preserve, 2200 Pump Station Rd SE, Sugar Grove, OH 43155
8. Jackson
Any town with an apple-shaped water tower deserves a visit. Jackson has one, along with an Apple Festival held every September since 1937.
The town sits in the foothills of the Appalachians. Rolling hills around it light up with color in autumn.
Just northwest of town, Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve covers nearly 2,000 acres. You’ll find two deep sandstone gorges, hemlock ravines, and small waterfalls.
Rare bigleaf and umbrella magnolias grow here at the northern edge of their range. Leave your dog at home, since pets aren’t allowed on the trails.
Lake Alma State Park offers a quieter, uncrowded setting. The 292-acre park includes a 60-acre lake and a gentle creek.
Camping, fishing, and picnicking keep things simple there. Sometimes simple is exactly right.
Now for something truly old. Leo Petroglyph Site and Nature Preserve protects a sandstone slab with 37 drawings made by the Fort Ancient peoples.
The carvings show animals, humans, birds, and footprints. A half-mile trail also winds through a gorge with sandstone cliffs and small waterfalls.
Iron history is big in this area, too. Buckeye Furnace State Memorial is the only fully restored 19th-century iron furnace site in Ohio.
You can tour the furnace area on your own and visit the company store. A covered bridge on the property makes a great photo spot.
Downtown, the Lillian E. Jones Museum has shared Jackson County history since 1995. Its collection includes items from local industry.
Want a scenic drive with a story? The Welsh Scenic Byway honors Welsh immigrants who settled the county in the 1800s.
Address: Leo Petroglyph Site, 400 Park Rd, Ray, OH 45672
9. Berlin
Cheese lovers, meet your fall headquarters. Guggisberg Cheese near Berlin is home to the Original Baby Swiss, and it has been making cheese since 1950.
The shop offers more than 60 other varieties. You can watch cheese being made in European copper vats, which is oddly mesmerizing.
Heini’s Cheese Chalet has been at it even longer, since 1935. It also sells fudge in fun flavors like Root Beer Float.
Berlin sits in the middle of Ohio’s Amish Country. Its pace feels slower than bigger tourist towns, and the hills around it burst with color.
The Amish Country Byway is the best way to soak that in. It winds about 160 miles through Holmes County past working farms and small towns.
Roadside stands sell seasonal produce along the way. Keep some cash handy for pumpkins or squash.
Hillcrest Orchard is another fall favorite. Pick apples, grab an apple cider slushie, and munch kettle corn among festive displays.
For a deeper look at local roots, visit the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center, known as Behalt. A 30-minute tour walks through Amish and Mennonite history.
The center also has a pioneer barn and an Amish schoolhouse. It adds real meaning to the farms you pass on the road.
Shopping more your style? Schrock’s Heritage Village has been family-owned since 1991.
It includes Tis The Season Christmas Shoppe, Ohio’s largest year-round Christmas shop. Yes, you can buy ornaments while leaves are still falling.
The Olde World Bistro and Bakery there makes a tasty break. Then hit the back roads again before the sun dips.
Address: Schrock’s Heritage Village, 4363 State Route 39, Berlin, OH 44610
10. Middlefield
Middlefield sits at the center of the fourth largest Amish settlement in North America. It’s also the second largest in Ohio.
That means buggies, farms, and country roads lined with fall color. It’s a peaceful place to slow down for a day.
Start with the oldest building in town. The Century Inn was built in 1818 by James Thompson and now houses the Middlefield Historical Society.
The inn once served as a busy stop for travelers. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hungry yet? Nauvoo Family Market sells bulk foods, hardware, and bakery treats like doughnuts, pies, and cookies.
It also makes sandwiches with local cheeses, meats, and breads. That’s a road trip lunch sorted.
Right down the road sits Rothenbühler Cheese Chalet. Swiss immigrant Hans Rothenbühler started it on July 4, 1956.
An exhibit traces the company’s story back to Switzerland. Swiss carvings and old cheesemaking tools are on display.
The Geauga Amish Historical Library opened in 2014 on Nauvoo Road. Its documents and artifacts reach back to the 16th century.
A gift shop there sells Amish handcrafts. It’s a thoughtful place to find a souvenir.
For a full meal, Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen has served old-fashioned Amish cooking since 1987. It also has an on-site bakery.
Ready to chase leaves? The Ohio Department of Natural Resources suggests a fall drive on State Route 608 from Middlefield northwest toward I-90.
Roll the windows down and take it easy. Buggies share these roads, so patience pays off.
Address: Rothenbühler Cheese Chalet, 15815 Nauvoo Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062
11. Coshocton
Two draft horses pull the Monticello III canal boat through a restored stretch of the Ohio and Erie Canal. The 45-minute ride shares stories of canal-era life.
Rides run Fridays through Sundays until mid-October. Go early in the season so you don’t miss the boat, literally.
Coshocton’s star attraction is Historic Roscoe Village. This restored 1800s canal town was once a busy port.
Today you’ll find shops, restaurants, and living history tours. Costumed interpreters show crafts like blacksmithing, weaving, and broom making.
Mid-October brings the Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival. Expect copper kettles, artisan booths, food vendors, and live entertainment.
Hungry while you wander? Roscoe Barbeque Company serves Texas-style barbecue with house-made sides.
The Coshocton County Fall Foliage and Farm Tour is another beloved autumn tradition. This free, self-guided drive takes visitors through colorful countryside, working farms, and historic sites.
Clary Gardens is a quieter treat. The 20-acre garden has spring-fed ponds, sandstone outcrops, a ravine, and trails, with free admission.
Museum fans can visit the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum, which is nationally accredited. Its collections include American Indian, Historic Ohio, decorative arts, and East Asian artifacts.
Downtown adds small-town shopping. The 1874 Coshocton County Courthouse makes a handsome backdrop for fall photos.
With rolling Appalachian foothills all around, the drive in is part of the fun. Plan extra time for scenic pull-offs.
Address: Historic Roscoe Village, 600 N. Whitewoman Street, Coshocton, OH 43812
12. Burton
Maple syrup isn’t just a pancake topping in Burton. Century Village Museum runs a working farm with its own sugar bush for making syrup.
The museum recreates a Western Reserve village from 1798 to the late 1800s. It holds more than twenty historic buildings and over 15,000 artifacts.
Here’s a nice bonus. You can take a free self-guided tour of the grounds from sunrise to sunset.
Every October, Century Village Museum celebrates the season with its Apple Butter Festival and Ox Roast, a popular tradition featuring homemade apple butter, historic demonstrations, and family-friendly activities.
Burton’s roots trace back to New England settlers. The historic village square still serves as the heart of town.
The Burton Village Historic District joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It covers the park and nearby streets.
Fall paints Northeast Ohio in amber, crimson, and gold around here. Amish farmland surrounds the village, adding even more charm.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources suggests a couple of fall drives. Try State Route 700 south to Freedom or State Route 87 toward State Route 11.
Prefer a paddle? Crooked River Adventures rents canoes and kayaks on the upper Cuyahoga River.
Floating past colorful riverbanks sounds like a pretty great afternoon. Bring a dry bag for your phone, just in case.
Nearby in Mesopotamia, End of the Commons General Store opened in 1865 as Ohio’s oldest general store. It makes fresh fry pies daily and sells penny candy and old-time soda.
Punderson State Park in Newbury rounds out the trip. Its lakeside manor offers lodging and dining, a lovely final stop before heading home.
Address: Century Village Museum, 14653 E. Park St, Burton, OH 44021
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