Small town Ohio is beautiful year-round. From cozy restaurants to historic inns, there’s plenty to explore in some of Ohio’s most charming small towns—even in the dead of winter. If you find yourself experiencing a little bit of cabin fever during the long and dreary season, consider taking a weekend road trip to a charming small town for a change of scenery. You’ll get to try some new restaurants, explore shops you’ve never seen and likely fall in love with an unexpected little corner of Ohio. The following are some of our favorite cute towns in Ohio that are just as beautiful in the winter.

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1. Roscoe Village
Historic Roscoe Village, 600 N Whitewoman St, Coshocton, OH 43812, USA
Historic Roscoe Village/Facebook
Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio is a charming canal town Ohio history buffs will absolutely love. Complete with horse-drawn canal boat rides, living history tours and old-fashioned shops, this is one town everyone in Ohio needs to explore at least once. Tours can be scheduled year-round and the snow-covered town is unbelievably charming in the winter months.
2. Medina
Medina, OH 44256, USA
Jim Harper/Flickr
Although you might only know it as home to the year-round Christmas museum Castle Noel, this lovely Victorian-era town has much to explore. From beautiful places to stay and eat to local museums and shops, there's plenty to do and see in Medina, Ohio. (We recommend trying Courthouse Pizzeria, which is housed in the town's oldest building.)
3. Zoar
Zoar, OH, USA
Historic Zoar Village/Facebook
The small town of Zoar, Ohio, is a historic German village most people in the state (surprisingly) don’t know about. Beautifully preserved and full of fun places to explore, you’ll fall in love with this little-known town. The village of Zoar has more than 50 of the original historic structures and buildings still standing today. Consequently, the town has preserved much of its old world charm. Even after its month-long Christmas in Zoar event, the town is warm and inviting in the dead of winter.
4. Perrysburg
Perrysburg, OH 43551, USA
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Along the banks of the Maumee River is Perrysburg, home to Fort Meigs, the largest wooden wall fortification in North America. At Fort Meigs State Memorial, visitors can observe a reconstruction of the original 1813 fort of Ohio's War of 1812 Battlefield in Perrysburg. It's perfect for the Ohio history buff looking for a little adventure and charm.

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5. Germantown
Germantown, OH, USA
J Flerchinger/Wikimedia Commons
This Montgomery County town is home to about 5,500 residents. With strong German roots, it's a charming town that was founded in 1804 by German-speaking settlers from Pennsylvania. Although it covers a little more than four square miles, there's a lot of history to observe in Germantown.
6. Granville
Granville, OH, USA
Mark Spearman/Flickr
A lovely little New England style town, it's the perfect place to enjoy a hot meal, cozy shops and so much more. We recommend staying at the historic Buxton Inn, which dates back to 1812 and features exceptional wining and dining.
7. Steubenville
Steubenville, OH, USA
Steubenville Nutcracker Village/Facebook
With more than 20 downtown murals, this charming Ohio River town was named after the historic Fort Steuben from 1786. While you're in town, you'll want to take time to observe the murals and explore the fort site. (And if you're here during the holidays, be sure to check out the Steubenville Nutcracker Village in Fort Steuben Park, which features the largest display of life size nutcrackers in the U.S.)
8. Lebanon
Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
Ohio Redevelopment Projects - ODSA/Flickr
When you’re longing for a weekend away and some relaxation, the town of Lebanon is the perfect escape. It’s rich in history, charm, antiques, exceptional food and so much more. Even if you’re not an Ohio history buff, you’ll fall in love with the setting and atmosphere of this beautiful town. While you're here, we recommend staying at The Golden Lamb, where you'll find excellent food, rich history and so much more.
9. Marietta
Marietta, OH 45750, USA
Mike/Flickr
The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The town borders West Virginia and is nestled along the banks of both the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers. It's also known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets and sternwheelers. While you're visiting, be sure to take a trolley tour of the town and check out Lafayette Hotel.

Have you ever visited any of these towns during the winter season? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!

For more winter fun in Ohio, check out our previous article: Kick Off The New Year With A Beautiful Winter Hike At These 8 Ohio State Parks.

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More to Explore

Cute Towns in Ohio

Sarah M. | November 27, 2022

What are some other cute small towns in Ohio?

Here at Only In Ohio, we have big love for our small towns. While the Three C’s are certainly a quintessential part of the Buckeye State, the hundreds of small locales scattered across Ohio truly are its heart and soul. Here are just a few of our favorite small towns in Ohio:

  • Bowling Green. So much more than a college town, Bowling Green is a bit of a hidden gem to Ohioans that aren't familiar with the area just south of Toledo. Step back in time at Snook's Dream Cars for a few hours and check out the Wood County Museum for some local history. You'll also find multiple nature preserves, historic farms, and one of the most charming downtowns in Ohio in beautiful Bowling Green.
  • Hudson. Just outside Cleveland, Hudson is a picture-perfect town that's full of historic architecture, tree-lined sidewalks, and a thriving downtown district boasting shops, restaurants, and local businesses. Natural spaces abound in and around town; Hudson Park, Cascade Park, Wood Hollow Metro Park, and Boston Mills Park are just a few enchanting outdoor destinations in this community that features some 1,000 acres of parkland!
  • Loveland. Loveland is a darling town about 15 miles north of Cincinnati that has it all: a bustling downtown, gorgeous outdoor spaces (including a front-row seat to the Little Miami River *and* Loveland Bike Trail), and whimsical touches like quaint farms and even a castle! Add it all up, and it's no wonder why Loveland is known as the "Sweetheart of Ohio."
  • Oberlin. In Northeast Ohio, Oberlin is a delightful college town that's peak "small town" vibes. This progressive little town has a community-minded ethos, a rich history, and a lively arts and cultural scene. The town is set up like a grid, with a central park surrounded by tree-lined neighborhoods, stately college buildings, and historic monuments. What's more, there's pretty much always something going on in bustling Oberlin, a place that warmly welcomes everyone.

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