Ashville OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Ashville, Ohio.
1. Ohio's Small-Town Museum
PRESERVING LOCAL HISTORY
Ohio's Small-Town Museum is housed in a former silent film theater and showcases unique local memorabilia including a 17-star United States flag and a buoy from the USS Maine. The museum is particularly famous for displaying the world's oldest functioning traffic light, invented by resident Teddy Boor in 1932 and recognized by Guinness World Records. Established in 1978 by the Ashville Area Heritage Society, this charming museum offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history of small-town America.
2. Mirabelle Farm & Vineyard
RUSTIC WINE EXPERIENCE
Mirabelle Farm & Vineyard offers visitors a chance to sample locally produced wines in a picturesque rural setting. The vineyard features tastings of their handcrafted wines made from grapes grown on the property. Guests can enjoy the peaceful countryside atmosphere while learning about the winemaking process from vineyard to bottle.
3. Cooks Creek Golf Club
PREMIER GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Cooks Creek Golf Club provides golfers with a challenging and beautifully maintained course in Ashville. The course features well-designed holes with strategic water features and bunkers that test players of all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy the scenic natural surroundings while experiencing one of the area's most respected golf destinations.
4. Slate Run Metro Park
HISTORICAL FARM EXPERIENCE
Slate Run Metro Park encompasses over 1,700 acres of diverse habitats including forests, fields, and wetlands perfect for outdoor exploration. The park features the Slate Run Living Historical Farm, where visitors can experience life on an 1880s working farm complete with period-dressed staff and heritage livestock breeds. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy miles of hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and abundant wildlife viewing throughout the seasons.
5. M&O Spirits
CRAFT DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE
M&O Spirits is a craft distillery producing small-batch spirits using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. Visitors can tour the facility to learn about the distillation process and sample the handcrafted spirits in a tasting room with a warm atmosphere. The distillery takes pride in creating unique flavor profiles that showcase the character of Ohio's agricultural bounty.
6. Ashville Community Park
FAMILY RECREATION SPACE
Ashville Community Park offers residents and visitors alike a variety of recreational facilities including athletic fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The park hosts community events throughout the year, bringing locals together for festivals, sports tournaments, and holiday celebrations. Its central location makes it a popular gathering place for families looking to enjoy outdoor activities in a well-maintained setting.
7. Ashville Depot
HISTORIC RAILWAY MUSEUM
The Ashville Depot is the only remaining train station from the Scioto Valley Railway, built in 1876 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This historic weatherboard building now serves as a meeting place and railroad museum, showcasing the important role railways played in the development of the region. Owned and operated by the Ashville Community Men's Club, the depot preserves an important piece of local transportation history at the intersection of Madison and Cromley Streets.
8. Old Town Jail Museum
CRIMINAL JUSTICE HISTORY
The Old Town Jail Museum occupies a building that served as police headquarters from 1886 until 1988, located at the corner of Cherry and Long Streets. Established in 2021, this museum pays tribute to Ashville's criminal justice history through exhibits and artifacts from the village's law enforcement past. Parts of the historic building continue to serve the community as Council chambers and the village's streets department.
9. Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve
PROTECTED NATURAL WETLANDS
Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve protects a rare kettle lake wetland formed by glacial activity thousands of years ago. The preserve is renowned for its spring and fall bird migrations, making it a premier destination for birdwatchers hoping to spot waterfowl and other species. Visitors can explore the area via a network of walking trails and observation platforms that provide views of the diverse ecosystems without disturbing the sensitive wetland habitat.
10. Upper Lansdowne Golf Course
SCENIC GOLFING DESTINATION
Upper Lansdowne Golf Course offers golfers a well-maintained public course with beautiful rolling terrain and strategic challenges. The course features tree-lined fairways and water hazards that require thoughtful shot selection from beginners and experienced players alike. After a round, golfers can relax in the clubhouse while enjoying views of the manicured landscape.
11. Hocking Hills State Park
DRAMATIC NATURAL BEAUTY
Hocking Hills State Park, located about an hour's drive southeast of Ashville, is renowned for its spectacular geological features including deep gorges, waterfalls, and massive sandstone cliffs. Visitors can explore popular sites like Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls via an extensive network of hiking trails that wind through hemlock-shaded valleys. The park offers year-round natural beauty with vibrant autumn foliage, frozen winter waterfalls, spring wildflowers, and cool summer retreats in its many caves and grottos.
12. Easton Town Center
PREMIER SHOPPING DESTINATION
Easton Town Center, located in Columbus just north of Ashville, is an innovative indoor-outdoor shopping complex designed to resemble a small-town center with streets, fountains, and architectural details. The center features over 240 best-in-class retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues spread across beautifully landscaped grounds with pedestrian-friendly promenades. Visitors can enjoy premium shopping experiences, diverse dining options, and entertainment venues like movie theaters and comedy clubs in this award-winning retail destination.
13. COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE MUSEUM
COSI is a cutting-edge science center located in Columbus featuring more than 300 interactive exhibits that make learning fun for visitors of all ages. The museum offers hands-on experiments, live shows, a planetarium, and a giant screen theater that brings scientific concepts to life through immersive experiences. Special exhibitions regularly rotate through the facility, complementing permanent displays on topics ranging from space exploration and dinosaurs to the human body and energy conservation.
14. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
LUSH BOTANICAL WONDERLAND
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens showcases exotic plant collections within historic glass greenhouses originally built in 1895, just a short drive north of Ashville. Visitors can explore themed gardens representing diverse global biomes, from desert cacti to tropical rainforests, along with stunning seasonal displays and a renowned collection of Dale Chihuly glass artwork integrated throughout the gardens. The conservatory also features a butterfly exhibition, community garden campus, and regularly hosts special events including seasonal flower shows and cultural celebrations.
15. Scioto Downs
GAMING AND RACING ENTERTAINMENT
Scioto Downs combines a racino experience with harness racing, creating an entertainment destination near Ashville that appeals to gaming enthusiasts and racing fans alike. The facility features over 2,200 video lottery terminals, multiple dining options, and live horse racing events during the season on its historic track. Visitors can enjoy the excitement of both electronic gaming and the tradition of harness racing in a venue that has been a regional landmark since 1959.