Trimble OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Trimble, Ohio.
1. Smoke Rise Ranch
RUSTIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Smoke Rise Ranch offers visitors a genuine ranch experience in the heart of southeastern Ohio. The ranch features horseback riding trails, camping facilities, and family-friendly activities surrounded by picturesque natural landscapes. Guests can enjoy guided tours, seasonal events, and the peaceful rural atmosphere that makes this attraction a local favorite.
2. Burr Oak State Park
LAKESIDE NATURAL RETREAT
Burr Oak State Park encompasses over 2,500 acres of forested hills surrounding the peaceful waters of Burr Oak Lake. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and miles of hiking trails that showcase the park's diverse ecosystem and wildlife. The park also features a lodge, cabins, and campgrounds for overnight stays, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts.
3. Murray City Coal Mine Museum
LOCAL MINING HERITAGE
The Murray City Coal Mine Museum preserves the rich coal mining history that shaped this region of Ohio. Exhibits feature authentic mining equipment, historical photographs, and personal stories from miners who worked in the local mines. Visitors can gain insights into the challenging lives of coal miners and the significant impact of the coal industry on southeastern Ohio's development.
4. Wayne National Forest
VAST WOODLAND PLAYGROUND
Wayne National Forest spans over a quarter-million acres across southeastern Ohio, offering abundant recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The forest features extensive trail systems for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV use through diverse landscapes of rolling hills, streams, and hardwood forests. Visitors can also enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing throughout this expansive natural treasure.
5. Robbins Crossing Historic Village
LIVING HISTORY SETTLEMENT
Robbins Crossing Historic Village recreates a typical 19th-century Appalachian settlement with authentic log cabins and period structures. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts and daily activities, bringing the pioneer lifestyle of southeastern Ohio to life. The village hosts special events throughout the year, including craft demonstrations, music performances, and seasonal celebrations.
6. Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
HISTORIC RAIL ADVENTURE
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway offers memorable train excursions through the picturesque Hocking Hills region. Passengers ride in vintage railroad cars while enjoying narrated journeys that highlight the area's natural beauty and rich history. The railway features special themed rides throughout the year, including holiday trains, fall foliage tours, and robbery reenactments that delight visitors of all ages.
7. Big Muskie's Bucket
MASSIVE MINING MARVEL
Big Muskie's Bucket is the preserved shovel bucket from what was once the world's largest earth-moving machine used in Ohio's coal mining operations. The enormous bucket, which could hold two full-sized school buses, now serves as a unique roadside attraction and monument to the region's mining heritage. Visitors can stand inside the massive steel structure to appreciate the incredible scale of the original machine and the engineering ingenuity it represented.
8. John Glenn Childhood Home
ASTRONAUT'S EARLY YEARS
The John Glenn Childhood Home preserves the early environment of famed astronaut and long-serving U.S. Senator John Glenn. Visitors can explore the modest home where Glenn grew up during the Great Depression and gain insights into life on the home front during World War II. The carefully restored property offers a glimpse into the formative years of one of Ohio's most celebrated figures.
9. OHIO Museum Complex
REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTER
The OHIO Museum Complex showcases the cultural, historical, and artistic heritage of the region through diverse exhibits and collections. The museum features rotating displays of art, artifacts, and interactive installations that explore southeastern Ohio's unique identity and development. Educational programs, workshops, and special events complement the museum experience, making it a vibrant cultural resource for visitors and residents alike.
10. Tintoretto's Genesis
LOCAL CULINARY GEM
Tintoretto's Genesis offers an exceptional dining experience featuring locally-sourced ingredients prepared with creative flair. The restaurant's menu blends traditional Appalachian flavors with contemporary culinary techniques, resulting in dishes that celebrate the region's food heritage. The warm, inviting atmosphere and attentive service make this establishment a favorite destination for both casual meals and special occasions.
11. Leo Petroglyph
ANCIENT INDIGENOUS ART
Leo Petroglyph preserves remarkable ancient American Indian rock carvings dating from approximately 1000 to 1550 AD. The sandstone surface features over 37 distinct figures, including human, animal, and footprint designs created by indigenous peoples. The site, located on the edge of a scenic ravine, offers interpretive displays that help visitors understand the cultural significance and possible meanings of these mysterious prehistoric artworks.
12. National Road & Zane Grey Museum
TRANSPORTATION AND LITERARY HISTORY
The National Road & Zane Grey Museum celebrates the historic U.S. Route 40 and the literary legacy of famed Western author Zane Grey. Exhibits include a 136-foot diorama of the National Road, extensive displays of regional art pottery, and a recreation of Zane Grey's study filled with personal artifacts. The museum effectively combines transportation history, literary heritage, and artistic traditions that shaped eastern Ohio's cultural identity.
13. Ohio River Museum
RIVERBOAT HERITAGE CENTER
The Ohio River Museum documents the rich history of river transportation that shaped the development of the Ohio Valley region. The museum's highlights include the W.P. Snyder Jr., the nation's last intact steam-powered, stern-wheeled towboat that visitors can tour and explore. Exhibits feature riverboat models, navigational tools, and engaging displays about the river's role in commerce, settlement, and cultural exchange throughout Ohio's history.
14. Our House Tavern Museum
HISTORIC FEDERAL-STYLE INN
Our House Tavern Museum preserves a restored Federal-style tavern built in 1819 that once served as a prominent inn and gathering place. The historic building hosted the Marquis de Lafayette during his celebrated 1825 tour of the United States, highlighting its significance in early American history. Period furnishings, artifacts, and interpretive displays offer visitors insights into early 19th-century travel, hospitality, and social life along the Ohio River.
15. The Great Stone Viaduct
IMPRESSIVE HISTORIC BRIDGE
The Great Stone Viaduct is a remarkable 19th-century railroad bridge reminiscent of a Roman aqueduct, constructed as part of one of America's longest railroad systems. This massive stone structure has been transformed through extensive renovation to feature a walking trail and scenic overlook that offers visitors unique perspectives of the surrounding area. The viaduct stands as a testament to the engineering prowess and ambitious infrastructure development of the railroad era in Ohio.