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- Kathryn Houghton
Instagram Worthy Places Around Mount Vernon, Ohio
When you think of Ohio, you probably think of miles and miles of cornfields and odd Jesus signs. Whilst we do have plenty of those things, we also have some hidden gems! Some are especially Instagram-worthy, and I plan on showing you exactly where to go around Mount Vernon, Ohio to have the best kinds of adventures.
Honey Run Waterfall
Honey Run is about a 15-minute drive from Mt. Vernon, and I highly recommend you make a stop there! As soon as you get to this location, you’ll hear the subtle roaring of the waterfall, and it's only about a two-minute walk to see it for yourself. There are several photo opportunities to try out, but you’ll just have to see it with your own eyes to really know what I mean!
Schnormeier Gardens
To see some Chinese architecture and breathtaking gardens, I’d go to the Schnormeier Gardens. It’s only open to the public one weekend in July, so it’s definitely a rare opportunity to enjoy this place. The Schnormeiers went to China in 1995, where they acquired a lot of replicas and artifacts to add to the area. My sister and I unfortunately didn’t get to stay very long here, but there is truly so much to see and admire. The gardens are in Gambier, which is only about a 12-minute drive from Mt. Vernon.
The Mount Vernon Inn
Maybe I’m partial to this location from working here, but it’s such a gem in Mt. Vernon. The original building is over 100 years old, and the architecture and atmosphere are classy and elegant. Besides the swoon-worthy cottage covered in ivy and the cozy little house, the gardens here really have my heart. Overlooking 11 of the standard rooms and the main building, the gardens have multiple seating arrangements and a gorgeous fountain. There are so many flowers and foliage to admire that are perfect for pictures. This would be a wonderful option for a bed and breakfast if you’re looking to stay in Ohio for a while.
The Book Loft
I’ve lived in Ohio for most of my life, and I can say with certainty that this is my favorite bookshop in the whole state. With 32 rooms of books, you can easily get lost in this place. It’s located in German Village, which is in Columbus. This is about an hour's drive, but as a bibliophile, I have to visit this store a couple of times a year! It has other book memorabilia inside along with beautiful lights and ivy on the outside. There’s plenty of benches to sit and read, and it faces cobblestone streets. There’s also a local coffee shop next door!
Ariel Foundation Park
This park in Mt. Vernon has ruins from a glass factory, which makes it so unique. There’s so much to explore here, from the observation tower to the glass waterfall. I love taking pictures here because there are so many industrial buildings (or what’s left of them) to admire!
North Main Street Café
Every town has its own cafe that everyone seems to flock to, and for Mt. Vernon, that’s definitely North Main! We have many coffee shops, but this one is my favorite for snapping pictures of latte art. They also have an amazing menu for breakfast and lunch. There is outdoor seating as well as perfect spots inside for people-watching through the windows.
Robbins Hunter Museum
Located in Granville, this house museum is wonderful for bibliophiles, thanks to the study room alone! It is about a 45-minute drive from Mt. Vernon, but surrounded by little shops that could keep you occupied all day. I love seeing the curated antiques in this house. I opted for a Nancy Drew-inspired look for these shots and couldn’t be happier!
Columbus Museum of Art
This could be paired with the Book Loft, as they are both in the same area, only around 11 minutes away from each other. I’ll be writing about this museum in more depth in the coming months, but this is a great place to take pictures and see traveling exhibits! The CMA has so many hidden treasures from all around the world, but I especially love their European collection.
I could list plenty of other cafés, museums, gardens, and more around my home, but these are my absolute favorites. Ohio is full of culture and history that often gets overlooked, but hopefully I’ve convinced you to give this state a second glance!
Have you ever visited Mt. Vernon? Let us know in the comments which of these places looks most intriguing to you!