Everybody needs to get out of town from time to time. And we don’t all have the time/money/babysitters to go on a long and far away trip. Don’t worry, there are plenty of day or weekend trips to take right here in Ohio. So visit these 20 towns that are at most three hours away, for a perfect weekend away.

Athens We all love to reminisce about college, so why not take a drive to one of the most picturesque colleges in all of America. Located in southeast Ohio just outside of West Virginia, the views and drive down to Athens is gorgeous, especially if you avoid the freeways. Photo via @AthensOhio/Instagram
Yellow Springs The home of Antioch College, this eclectic town boasts a plethora of art galleries and other cultural activities. You may not be able to visit those at the moment, but it’s still a really cool town to drive around. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Jamie Holly
Wooster Wooster is a small town for foodies. There are food tours throughout the city, as well as plenty of local restaurants and cafes to choose from, but make some time for Pine Tree Barn. It’s a cool spot incorporating a tree farm, furniture store, and restaurant all in one overlooking gleaming lakes, giving diners a gorgeous view. While you’re digesting all of that food head downtown and pop into the rare bookstore, Books in Stock. Woosterfest, taking place September 27 and 28, is an annual Oktoberfest type festival with live music, beer, food and more. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Lugevas
Put-In-Bay Put-in-Bay was on Huffington Post Travel’s list of The 12 Cutest Small Towns in America and lives up to its name. This island town is a great vacation getaway without leaving Ohio, full of scenic beach views, Visit Crystal Cave, the world’s largest geode. The Put-In-Bay Music Festival is June 8. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Analogue Kid
Perrysburg This town, located on the Maumee River, was the site of an historic battle in the War of 1812. After checking out the battlefield site, head uptown to many shops and restaurants. Swig is a gastropub with microbrews and pub eats and 5th Street Pub specializes in meatballs and pizza. Hit up Thrush’s Bakery for some desserts. Photo via Perrysburg, Ohio/Facebook
Oberlin Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind with this small town is the renowned liberal arts college that has produced people who have made it big in entertainment, like Lena Dunham, Ed Helms and writer William Goldman. But this college town really does make for a great day trip from Cleveland. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Weatherman1126
New Philadelphia Implied in the name, New Philadelphia was based on the design of its bigger brother in Pennsylvania. Tuscora Park is one of the main attractions here featuring, a carousel, Ferris wheel, and mini golf. It’s also home to one of the longest running historical dramas at the state of the art Performing Arts Center at Kent State University Tuscarawas. Photo via Tuscora Park/Facebook
Mount Vernon Located north of Columbus, Mount Vernon, is home to the oldest opera theater in the United States, the Woodward Opera House. Head to Ariel Foundation Park to see the river of glass and climb the Rastin Observation Tower, to get a great view of Mount Vernon. Photo via Mount Vernon/Facebook
Milan Milan is known as the birthplace of Thomas Edison, and the house he was born in has been turned into a small museum. Also, if you’re looking to get a tattoo The Electric Pen, named after the Edison invention, is the place to go. Grab breakfast at the Invention Restaurant and end your day at the Wonder Bar, for a tasty burger and an ice cold beer. The Milan Melon Festival will celebrate its 60th year this summer during Labor Day Weekend – the muskmelon ice cream and watermelon sherbet are must tries. Photo via @JEadelis/Instagram
Medina Stop by the Medina Toy and Train Museum to see some cute old toys and model trains. Eat on the square at Thyme2 or Serenite, from the same group that opened Edwin’s. There are a handful of coffee shops in town to keep you energized throughout your busy day, and at the end of it, drop by Lager Heads Brewing or Jilbert Winery to unwind and relax. Photo via Medina, Ohio/Facebook
Marblehead Marblehead boasts one the best scenic lighthouses in Ohio, perfect for taking in a summer sunset. While you’re there visit, Train-O-Rama, Ohio’s largest operating multi-gauge model railroad display, and Ferguson Gallery for some mesmerizing glass art. Venture over to Kelleys Island and grab a bite to eat at The Village Pump. Check out the Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival this October. Photo via @_Doctor_VV_/Instagram
Loudonville Loudonville is nicknamed the so-called “Canoe & Camp Capital of Ohio.” You can see beautiful river views here. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Mike Sharp
Loveland A little bit northeast of Cinncinanti, Loveland makes a great pit stop. It’s home to the famous Loveland Castle, which is a smaller replica of the 10th-century structure in France called Chateau Laroche. Downtown features an array of buildings built in the 1800s that are now specialty boutiques and homey restaurants. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Minh Nguyen
Granville Like others on this list, Granville is a college town, home to Denison University, with its population almost doubling when school is in session. This town, with New Englandesque charm and feel, has plenty to see. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Chamberednautilus
Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is a restored canal town. One of the most popular attractions here is taking a canal boat ride, along the original Miami and Erie Canal drawn by mule power. Go on a village walk and soak in the town’s history. Afterward, grab a bite to eat at LaRoe’s, featuring a riverside patio for their dinner guests. Also, Wild Side Brewing Company has some tasty brews. Photo via Visit Grand Rapids
Kent Want to feel like you’re back in college enjoying your glory days? Head to Kent’s Main Street. It’s both one place and many at the same time! Kent Main Street features a slew of arts and crafts stores, places to eat and lots of cultural richness. The burger’s at Ray’s are a mainstay of the town, see a show at Kent Stage and Zephyr Pub is a fun place to drink to end the night.. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Amish Country Visit Millersburg, about 60 miles south of downtown, to see the biggest town in Ohio’s Amish country. You may not be able to get an Amish home cooked meal but you can still probably see a horse and buggy driving around. Photo via Ohio Amish Country/Facebook
Ashtabula This town was built on the coast of Lake Erie, an hour between Cleveland and Erie, Pennsylvania. Ashtabula offers plenty of covered bridges, parks, and beaches to to drive around. Photo via Historic Ashtabula Harbor/Facebook
Chagrin Falls If you’re a fan of quaint downtown areas, there’s nowhere better than Chagrin Falls. This throwback is filled with great shops and restaurants. Take a walk along the falls with some ice cream from the Popcorn Shop or Jeni’s, eat at The Paris Room, Aurelia or 17 River Grille, and do some shopping at Haven, a women’s boutique and Chestnut Hill, a furniture store. On the way home, stop in neighboring Moreland Hills to see the birthplace of President James A. Garfield. Photo via Scene Archives
Tipp City “There’s always something happening in Tipp City,” boasts the small town’s website. There’s the Tipp City Mum Festival in September, which is great for antique shoppers and car enthusiasts, showing off hundreds of unique vehicles. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located here as well as the Historic Waco Field & Aircraft Museum. Be sure to check out a show at the Tipp Roller Mill, a historic mill turned into a concert venue. Photo via Tipp City Life/Facebook
Willoughby Willoughby is another small town not too far away from Cleveland making it another spot perfect for a day trip. Downtown is the cultural hub of Willoughby, offering plenty of restaurants to choose from and a variety of festivals throughout the spring and summer. Holden Arboretum being right down the road from downtown is a nice perk too. Photo via Downtown Willoughby /Facebook
Medina Medina is one of the great small towns of Ohio and maybe the midwest. With an awesome downton and town square, there are a ton of are wonderful dining options within walking distance like Thyme2, Serenite, the Farmer’s Table and Courthouse Pizzeria. Grab a sweet treat from Circles on the Square, Honey Bee Bakery or A Cupcake a Day. Have high tea at Miss Molly’s Tea Room or a coffee from Cool Beans Cafe. Then grab a drink from Corkscrew Saloon, Foundry Social/MAD Brewing Company or Lager Heads Brewing and you’ll have the perfect night on the town. Photo via Scene Archives
Geneva If there’s anywhere in Ohio that could be considered wine country, it’s definitely Geneva on the Lake. With close to 20 wineries in a pretty small area, it’s an oenophile’s dream and it’s the perfect destination to see the beautiful fall foliage. Photo via Scene Archives
Hudson Quaint downtown Hudson is that perfect weekend day trip that is just the right distance from home to make you feel like you’re venturing out, but close enough where you won’t be stuck in the car for hours. Learned Owl is a fantastic bookstore, One Red Door is one of the best restaurants in the area and their Summer Music Nights are every Friday and Saturday in July and August. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Marietta Marietta is a historic town known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest territory. This picturesque town on the Ohio River is perfect for Ohio history buffs, explore the small town’s past at Campus Martius Museum or the Ohio River Museum. The Buckley House offers middle eastern cuisine or if you’re looking for more traditional fare, stop by the Levee House. The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival always takes place the weekend after Labor Day, with boat races, a car show, fireworks and more. Photo via Marietta Main Street/Facebook

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