The 7 Best Ancient Ruins in Ohio, United States

March 18, 2022 Chanda Heide

If you are looking for an active place to stay with world-class attractions, Ohio’s major cities can satisfy any vacation desire. Each offers its own distinct flavor of fun, from professional sports – Bengals (Cincinnati), Cavaliers (Cleveland) and Indians (Cleveland again) – to museums, outdoor activities and more. One of the most famous is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. If football is your thing, don’t miss the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. For the science-minded, visit the meat eaters at the Carnivore Conservation Center in the Wilds near Cambridge, dedicated to the breeding and scientific study of endangered mid-sized carnivores. Kids will also love Planet Snoopy in Sandusky or the Columbus Zoo’s Zoombezi Bay Waterpark and Jack’s Landing rides.
Restaurants in Ohio

1. Great Circle Earthworks

455 Hebron Rd, Heath, OH 43056-1446 +1 800-589-8224 http://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/museum-and-site-locator/newark-earthworks
Excellent
57%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Great Circle Earthworks

Spanning almost a quarter of a mile, this round earthworks was an amazing construction feat 2,000 years ago.

Reviewed By Chuck52310

A look back nearly 200 years into Native American history and culture. This is well worth a visit. The grounds are pristine.

2. Mound City

Chillicothe, OH
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Mound City

The 13 acres of this Hopewell site contain 23 ceremonial mounds.

Reviewed By ConnecticutLocavore

Mound City is the main park within a collection of five parks known as the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. (See the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park page in TripAdvisor for reviews.) Mound City is an outstanding collection of mounds within an enclosure embankment, plus associated earthworks across the Scioto River. There is an excellent visitor center and guided tours. There is so much to learn here about the fascinating Hopewell culture, and the artifacts they left behind are fabulous. The park rangers do a great job of interpreting the park on their tours.

3. Serpent Mound

3850 State Route 73, Peebles, OH 45660-9128 +1 800-752-2757 [email protected] http://arcofappalachia.org/visit/serpent-mound/
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 244 reviews

Serpent Mound

Nominated as a World Heritage Site, Serpent Mound is a prehistoric effigy mound that was constructed by Native Americans at least 900 years ago, possibly much earlier. The earthwork depicts a serpentine form, 1,348 feet long, and represents the pinnacle of a flourishing ancient culture. Visitors can walk around the Serpent earthwork, and view three other ancient burial mounds. A museum, open seasonally, contains examples of ancient Native American tools, interpretive information, and an orientation video. The gift shop features authentic Native American made items, local artwork, archaeology books, and many fun gifts for children.

Reviewed By bradwN9107IR - Winchester, United States

Astonishing piece of ancient history. This earth mound is absolutely massive, and to think it built a thousand years ago by people using little more than sticks and hands to dig is just mind blowing. In a country where something that is a couple of hundred years old feels "ancient", to see something that had existed for centuries before Columbus came to America is something to see for sure.

4. Fort Ancient State Memorial

6123 State Route 350, Oregonia, OH 45054-9708 +1 800-283-8904 http://www.fortancient.org
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 66 reviews

Fort Ancient State Memorial

Historic site featuring 2000-year-old walls built by hand as a calendar system by Native American peoples.

Reviewed By EllabeansMa

I grew up near Cincinnati, so we would go out there all the time when I was a child and just had a blast. When I got older, it became a place to go, to get away from how fast the world has become and that was 20 year’s ago we’d do that. Now I have to hide in my writing because that can’t crash, just like the fort will always be a great place to go, to put your phone’s down and enjoy your life and friends.. hell maybe family too? lol I didn’t even mention the significance of the land itself. I grew up in Loveland, named by the same Indians that built fort ancient and they named it Loveland because of bad spirits in the valley. This is the lost and forgotten part of our history that’s way bigger than thanksgiving and the pilgrims. We’re thieves and murders and they say, “Violence gets you nowhere!” Tell that to world HIStory.

5. Octagon State Memorial

Newark, OH
Excellent
38%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 13 reviews

The mystery and beauty of this well-preserved earthworks is upset by the golf course surrounding it.

Reviewed By 915tu - Washington DC, United States

There are three preserved ancient mound complexes in Newark. The complex of all three makes one of the most interesting collections in the nation. There is a small museum onsite, and explanatory signs as you walk around the mounds.

6. Great Hopewell Road

Newark, OH
Excellent
67%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
33%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 3 reviews

The Hopewell Native American tribe built this road, surrounded by earthen mound formations.

7. Wright State Memorial

Newark, OH
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
100%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 1 reviews

A complex of earthen mounds used by the Hopewell Native Americans for religious ceremonies.

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