Ohio is full of surprises. From one of the most underrated national parks in the country in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to being home to 7 U.S. presidents, there’s a lot to discover in the Buckeye State!
One of these wonderful discoveries is the quaint city of Mount Vernon, Ohio. To Mount Vernon residents, this comes as no surprise, but for us uncultured Columbus residents who have overlooked Mount Vernon for years, this is like striking gold.
Whether you want to visit the unique South Main Plaza Dog Fountain or explore the winding Kokosing Trail, this is your guide to one of Ohio’s hidden gem cities.
Your Guide to Exploring Mount Vernon, Ohio
South Main Plaza Dog Fountain
📍 201 South Main Street, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
If you think you’ve seen it all in this world, the South Main Plaza Dog Fountain will leave you questioning everything. This fountain features 18 dogs (along with a cat, some birds, and more) spitting water into a circular pool of water. It sounds crazy, but it’s actually really adorable and an excellent microcosm of Mt. Vernon in one spot.
Romantic Adventure Getaways – Mount Vernon Hotel
📍 206 N Main St, Mt Vernon, OH 43050
If you want to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway, the Romantic Adventure Getaway is perfect for couples who love a cheeky (and romantic) love story. It’s like an escape room, but each solved puzzle leads you to another romantic adventure that pampers and surprises you and your partner at every turn. We’re talking hidden slides, jungle-themed jacuzzis, and more.
Kokosing Trail
📍 Mt Vernon, OH 43050
This beautiful trail follows the Kokosing River as it traverses through Mount Vernon over to Danville, Ohio. Along the trail, you’ll travel over the river twice via historic railroad bridges, as well as pass through forests, wetlands, and can even see historic Locomotives and Cabooses. The Kokosing Trail is praised by bikers and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Ariel-Foundation Park
📍 10 Pittsburgh Avenue, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Perhaps the only park like it in the world, the Ariel-Foundation Park makes use of the former site of a glass-making factory in Mount Vernon. The smoke stack and portions of the brick building still stand today, along with sculptures paying tribute to the glass-making history, an observation tower, and so much more. It almost looks as if they purposefully left the buildings only partially finished, and the way they maintain the landscape in such pristine condition is a sight to behold!
Woodward Opera House
📍 107 S Main St, Mt Vernon, OH 43050
Standing firm as the oldest opera theater of its kind in the entire country, the Woodward Opera House is a sight to behold. Having opened in 1851, the opera house is rapidly approaching its 200th anniversary and still going strong, providing a beautiful space for the arts in the heart of Mount Vernon.
Find upcoming events and shows here.
The Hiawatha Water Park
📍 100 Sychar Rd, Mt Vernon, OH 43050
This is the perfect place to cool down in Mount Vernon, complete with a lap pool, diving boards, and even several different waterslides. It’s not as robust as Zoombezi Bay, but it’s certainly not as expensive or crowded, either! It’s a perfect spot for families and couples if the Ohio heat starts getting under your skin.
Honey Run Waterfall
📍 10855 Hazel Dell Rd, Howard, OH 43028
Home to a diverse and rare plant community as well as 350 million year old Blackhand sandstone, the Honey Run Waterfall is uniquely positioned in one of Mount Vernon’s most beautiful areas. With cascading water dropping from 25 feet and easy access to the nearby Kokosing River, this is the perfect spot for nature-lovers to unplug and destress.
If you want more guides to help you discover all the cool things you didn’t know Central Ohio had to offer, check out our things to do guides below!
Things To Do
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