6 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do In The Surprising Small Town Of Bellefontaine, Ohio
By Sarah McCosham|Published December 08, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Ohio is full of charming small towns, each with their own unique identity and culture. Yellow Springs, for example, is hailed as a mecca for the arts, while Athens is a frightfully delightful college town. Just an hour north of Columbus, Bellefontaine is another must-visit small town in Ohio that boasts its own unique resume of superlatives, historic points of interest, attractions, and more. Just when you think you’ve done it all in Bellefontaine, Ohio, this small town will surprise you with something fantastic!
If you drive about an hour north of Columbus, you'll arrive in Bellefontaine, Ohio, a small town that's full of BIG surprises.
In the late 1880s, local resident-turned-inventor George Bartholomew mixed up a concoction of clay, sand, and marl as a way to pave city streets. When that proved durable, local officials paved the block around the courthouse using Bartholomew’s process, creating the nation’s first concrete road. More than 50 percent of Court Avenue remains original to this day, and it's a celebrated point of interest in town.
After you've visited the oldest concrete street in America, it's time to walk along the shortest street in America. At just 15 feet long, you can take just a few steps to each end of McKinley Street!
McKinley Street, McKinley St, Bellefontaine, OH 43311, USA
In addition to its superlative streets, Bellefontaine is also home to the highest point in Ohio. At just over 1,549 feet, Campbell Hill might not be the Colorado Rockies, but the views from the top are pretty swell!
...epic winter recreation! Mad River Mountain is just 10 minutes from town, and in addition to being the largest ski resort in Ohio, it's *the* premier place for skiing and winter recreation in the Buckeye State.
Mad River Mountain, 1000 Snow Valley Rd, Zanesfield, OH 43360, USA
After all that exercise, you've likely worked up quite an appetite. Bellefontaine's bustling downtown district is home to numerous local restaurants and pubs, including Roundhouse Depot Brewing Co., the town's very first brewery.
Roundhouse Depot Brewing Company, 217 W Chillicothe Ave, Bellefontaine, OH 43311, USA
And if you're in the mood for some entertainment, the Holland Theatre is *the* place to go. It was built in 1931 and is the only Dutch-style atmospheric theater in the U.S., which is a pretty cool claim to fame!
Holland Theatre, 127 E Columbus Ave, Bellefontaine, OH 43311, USA
There’s no shortage of awesome things to do in Bellefontaine, Ohio. From walking the shortest street in America to hitting the ski slopes, this Ohio town is full of surprises!
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