Union OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Union, Ohio.
1. The Edge of Appalachia Preserve System
NATURAL WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
The Edge of Appalachia Preserve System offers visitors a chance to explore one of Ohio's most biodiverse natural areas. Hikers can enjoy trails through forests, prairies, and along limestone cliffs while experiencing rare plant and animal species. The preserve spans thousands of acres and provides opportunities for bird watching, photography, and connecting with nature.
2. Family Traditions Animal Adventure
INTERACTIVE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Family Traditions Animal Adventure provides visitors with hands-on experiences with a variety of animals in West Union. Guests can feed, pet, and learn about both domestic and exotic animals in a family-friendly environment. The facility focuses on education and creating memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.
3. Adams Lake State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION DESTINATION
Adams Lake State Park offers visitors a peaceful 50-acre lake surrounded by rolling hills and woodlands. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking in this scenic natural setting. The park provides habitat for various wildlife and offers beautiful seasonal changes throughout the year.
4. Buckeye Furnace
HISTORIC IRON-MAKING COMPLEX
Buckeye Furnace showcases a preserved 19th-century iron-making complex that played a crucial role in Ohio's industrial history. Visitors can see the original blast furnace and reconstructed buildings that illustrate how iron production helped fuel America's growth and the Civil War effort. The site also features a museum and nature trails that provide context to this important period in Ohio's development.
5. Campus Martius Museum
PIONEER SETTLEMENT HISTORY
Campus Martius Museum preserves the history of the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory established in 1788. The museum features the original Ohio Company Land Office and the Rufus Putnam House, which was once part of the Campus Martius stockade. Visitors can explore exhibits that detail the challenges and triumphs of America's westward expansion and early settlement in Ohio.
6. Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN MOUNDS
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park preserves geometric earthworks and burial mounds built by the Hopewell culture between 200 BCE and 500 CE. Visitors can explore multiple sites that showcase the sophisticated engineering and astronomical knowledge of these ancient Native Americans. The park's museum contains artifacts and interpretive displays that help visitors understand the cultural significance of these remarkable earthworks.
7. The Union Opera House
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VENUE
The Union Opera House stands as one of the city's significant landmarks from the 1800s. This historic venue once hosted a variety of performances and community gatherings during Union's early development. Today, the structure represents an important piece of the city's cultural heritage and architectural history.
8. Razor Mill
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITE
The Razor Mill represents one of Union's most significant industrial landmarks from the 19th century. This historic mill played an important role in the local economy and is commemorated on the city flag of Union. The mill stands as a testament to the industrial heritage that helped shape Union's development and identity.
9. Fallen Timbers Battlefield
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITE
The Fallen Timbers Battlefield preserves the site of a decisive 1794 battle that secured American control of the Northwest Territory. Visitors can explore trails and monuments commemorating this conflict between American forces under General Anthony Wayne and a confederation of Native American tribes. The site offers interpretive displays explaining how this battle shaped Ohio's early development and led to the Treaty of Greenville.
10. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
SCENIC RIVER VALLEY
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers visitors 33,000 acres of protected wilderness along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore over 125 miles of hiking trails, witness dramatic waterfalls like Brandywine Falls, and experience the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The park preserves both natural ecosystems and cultural resources including historic farms, structures, and the scenic railroad that runs through the valley.
11. Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial
NAVAL BATTLE MONUMENT
Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial commemorates the decisive naval victory of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The 352-foot tall Doric column, one of the tallest monuments in the United States, offers panoramic views of Lake Erie and the surrounding islands from its observation deck. The memorial also celebrates the lasting peace between the United States, Canada, and Great Britain following the war.
12. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
MUSIC HISTORY MUSEUM
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the history and cultural significance of rock music through immersive exhibits and an impressive collection of memorabilia. Visitors can explore multiple floors featuring instruments, costumes, and personal artifacts from legendary musicians spanning decades of musical innovation. The distinctive pyramid structure designed by architect I.M. Pei houses theaters, interactive displays, and special exhibits that tell the story of rock's evolution and impact on society.
13. National Museum of the United States Air Force
MILITARY AVIATION HISTORY
The National Museum of the United States Air Force houses the world's largest collection of military aircraft and aerospace vehicles spanning from the Wright Brothers to modern stealth technology. Visitors can explore over 350 aircraft and missiles displayed in multiple hangars chronicling the evolution of flight and its role in American history. The museum features remarkable exhibits including presidential aircraft, experimental planes, and space vehicles that showcase technological innovation and human achievement.
14. Cincinnati Music Hall
HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VENUE
Cincinnati Music Hall stands as one of America's most magnificent performance venues with its striking High Victorian Gothic architecture dating to 1878. The hall serves as home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, and May Festival Chorus in its meticulously restored Springer Auditorium. Beyond performances, visitors can admire the building's stunning façade with its rose window, towers, and detailed brickwork that earned it National Historic Landmark status.
15. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
TROPICAL PLANT PARADISE
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens delights visitors with exotic plant collections housed within a historic 1895 Victorian-style glass greenhouse. The facility features themed gardens including a tropical rainforest, desert environment, and Himalayan mountain biome alongside rotating seasonal displays and special exhibitions. Art installations, including permanent Dale Chihuly glass works, complement the botanical collections while educational programs and special events engage visitors throughout the year.