We all love the excitement and vibrancy of Cincinnati, but you can’t exactly refer to our city as slow-paced. Of course, it’s all in how you approach it, but there are many small towns near Cincinnati where life actually is still simple, and locals and visitors love their laid-back, relaxed attitudes and lifestyles. These small towns near Cincinnati, Ohio, offer the perfect combination of charming and slow-paced living (but don’t skimp on attractions and amenities), and a visit to one may be just what you need to simplify your life, even if only for a few hours.

1. Lebanon, Ohio
Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
Facebook/Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad
Lebanon has grown quite a bit over the years, but it's managed to maintain that laid-back attitude. It's one of the best places in Cincinnati to enjoy a nostalgic afternoon of strolling past antique shops and historic buildings and even hopping aboard a train from the LM&M Railroad station in town.
2. Aurora, Indiana
Aurora, IN, USA
Facebook/Main Street Aurora
Aurora is just across the river in Indiana and is filled with charm, history, and a relaxed lifestyle. The town has worked to revitalize its Main Street and you will often find festivals and other gatherings happening throughout town.
3. Independence, Kentucky
Independence, KY, USA
Facebook/Independence Farmers Market
The city of Independence in Northern Kentucky is a rural town that is a bit like stepping back in time. The Farmers Market is held at the county Courthouse, there's a festive parade for most holidays, and locals love that it's just a bit removed from the hectic nature of nearby Covington and Cincinnati.

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4. Oxford, Ohio
Oxford, OH 45056, USA
Photo Courtesy of Jugal Jain
The town of Oxford, Ohio, may be known for the hustle and bustle from Miami University, but the town is actually a quaint, slow-paced place to live. Uptown is filled with restaurants and shops, the park has a wonderful farmers market and concerts in the summer, and the town itself is surrounded by sprawling farmland and rolling hills. (And the food scene here? Unreal!)
5. Yellow Springs, Ohio
Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Facebook/Yellow Spring, OH
Yellow Springs is one of those towns that if you happen to find it by chance, you ask yourself, "Where am I?!" It's that charming and that idyllic. This colorful town is vibrant, creative, inviting, and has the perfect slow-paced attitude.
6. Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
Rabbit Hash, KY 41091, USA
Facebook/Made by Mavis
Though the official population of Rabbit Hash is only a few hundred people, anyone who enters its city limits begins to feel a slower pace of life. You can step back in time at the rebuilt General Store and walk along the river to take in the scenery and historic feel of this beloved area. One of the most impossibly charming small towns near Cincinnati, Ohio, Rabbit Hash even has a dog for mayor!
7. New Richmond, Ohio
New Richmond, OH 45157, USA
Facebook/Village of New Richmond
There is something about a historic town that just makes you slow down and appreciate the simple sights and sounds around you. New Richmond is a river town located east of Cincinnati on the Ohio River, and it's filled with interesting historic spots. It's removed enough from the city that you'll feel more relaxed, but there is still plenty to do to keep you intrigued.

Of course, there are countless towns and neighborhoods around Cincinnati that embody the simplified, slow-paced lifestyle approach. These are just a few of our favorite small towns near Cincinnati, Ohio. Did your favorite little locale in the area make the list? What other towns around Cincinnati seem to live the simple life? Let us know in the comments!

And for another unique town near Cincinnati that’s perfect for a day trip, check out our previous article about Pleasant Hill, Kentucky.

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More to Explore

Small towns near Cincinnati, Ohio

Sarah M. | September 12, 2022

What's another must-visit small town near Cincinnati, Ohio?

Close your eyes and point to a place on a Buckeye State map and you’re bound to land on a charming small town in Ohio. While Ohio might be best-known for the Three C’s (Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati), the heart and soul of the Buckeye State really does lie in its small towns. These are places full of hard-working people with a proud history; places like Milford, Ohio. This charming small town in Ohio isn’t just irresistibly charming; it has a fascinating history, too — starting with its namesake. Milford is a town of about 6,800 in Southwest Ohio. It's a river town, located on the banks of the Little Miami -- and this geography plays a key role in the town's history. Established in 1836, the area was first surveyed by John Nancarrow, a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia, in 1803. John Hageman was the first permanent settler, and the area was originally named Hangeman's Mill. Today, the history and legacy of this original mill can be felt throughout the town. All improvements and construction in Milford's downtown are carefully arranged around the standing structures with new businesses, like Little Miami Brewing Company, breathing life into these historic buildings.

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