Ready for a journey like no other?

This jaw-dropping road trip through Ohio features 10 spots that redefine the word “extraordinary”!

1. The Mushroom House (Cincinnati)

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fever dream of architecture!

The Mushroom House in Cincinnati is what happens when Alice in Wonderland meets The Flintstones after a wild night out.

This whimsical wonder, with its bulbous shapes and organic curves, looks like it sprouted right out of the ground after a particularly magical rainstorm.

As you approach this architectural oddity, you’ll find yourself questioning reality.

Is that a giant toadstool?

Did I accidentally eat something funny at lunch?

Nope, it’s just the brainchild of architect Terry Brown and his students, who apparently decided that straight lines were for squares (pun absolutely intended).

The house features a mishmash of materials – wood, colored glass, shell, and ceramic – all swirling together in a psychedelic dance that would make even Salvador Dali raise an eyebrow.

It’s as if Mother Nature decided to try her hand at interior design after binge-watching Tim Burton movies.

While you can’t go inside (unless you’ve got some serious connections), just standing outside this fungal fantasy is enough to make you feel like you’ve stepped into another dimension.

It’s the perfect spot for a selfie that’ll have your friends wondering if you’ve discovered a portal to Narnia in the heart of Cincinnati.

2. Otherworld (Columbus)

Imagine if your wildest dreams, most bizarre nightmares, and that weird screensaver from the ’90s all had a baby.

That baby would be Otherworld in Columbus.

This immersive art installation is what happens when a bunch of artists decide to bring a sci-fi fever dream to life, and boy, did they succeed!

As you step into Otherworld, you’re immediately transported into a technicolor alternate universe.

It’s like someone took a black light poster, gave it steroids, and then exploded it into a 32,000 square foot space.

The walls pulse with otherworldly light, strange creatures lurk around corners, and interactive elements make you question whether you’re the observer or part of the exhibit.

One moment you’re in a neon forest, the next you’re navigating an alien spaceship.

It’s as if Alice’s Wonderland got an upgrade for the Instagram generation.

And speaking of Instagram, prepare for your feed to explode with mind-bending photos that’ll make your followers wonder if you’ve been abducted by particularly artistic aliens.

But Otherworld isn’t just about looking pretty.

It’s a hands-on experience that encourages you to touch, explore, and play.

Push that glowing button!

Crawl through that mysterious tunnel!

Just don’t blame me if you end up accidentally summoning an interdimensional being.

That’s all part of the fun, right?

3. The American Sign Museum (Cincinnati)

Folks, prepare to be dazzled, bedazzled, and possibly a little bit frazzled by the neon wonderland that is the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati.

This place is what happens when Las Vegas has a garage sale, and let me tell you, it’s spectacular.

As you walk in, you’re hit with a kaleidoscope of colors that’ll make your retinas do a happy dance.

It’s like stepping into a time machine that’s been programmed by a caffeinated graphic designer with a penchant for nostalgia.

From the golden arches of yesteryear to signs that probably lit up your grandparents’ favorite diners, this place is a veritable treasure trove of typographic history.

The museum is a labyrinth of luminous lettering, each sign with its own story to tell.

There’s the giant genie that once beckoned customers to a carpet store, now lounging among its glowing brethren like a retiree on a Florida beach.

And let’s not forget the massive Howard Johnson’s sign, which might just trigger an intense craving for ice cream and road trips.

But it’s not all just pretty lights and nostalgic feels.

The American Sign Museum is also a testament to the art and craft of sign-making.

You’ll learn about the painstaking process of neon bending, which, let me tell you, is way more complicated than just writing your name with a sparkler on the Fourth of July.

As you wander through this electric forest of Americana, you might find yourself pondering the deeper meaning of it all.

Or you might just be thinking about how great these signs would look in your living room.

Either way, you’re in for an illuminating experience that’ll leave you seeing the world in a whole new light.

Literally.

4. The Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park (Hamilton)

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, where art meets nature in a dance so beautiful it might just bring a tear to your eye.

Or maybe that’s just allergies.

Either way, prepare for a mind-bending experience that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about outdoor art.

Picture this: 300 acres of rolling hills, forests, and meadows, dotted with larger-than-life sculptures that look like they’ve been dropped from the heavens by a giant with impeccable taste in modern art.

It’s like Mother Nature decided to curate her own gallery, and let me tell you, she’s got style.

As you wander through this artistic wonderland, you’ll encounter everything from abstract metal behemoths that look like they could transform into robots at any moment, to delicate stone figures that seem to have grown straight out of the earth.

It’s as if the statues from Night at the Museum decided to have a picnic in the great outdoors.

But wait, there’s more!

Hop on one of their “Art Carts” (golf carts with delusions of grandeur) and zoom around the park like you’re on the world’s most cultured go-kart track.

Just try not to recreate that scene from “Titanic” on any of the sculptures.

They frown upon that sort of thing.

And let’s not forget the Ancient Sculpture Museum, because apparently, regular sculptures weren’t enough.

Here, you can gaze upon authentic pieces from Greece, Rome, Egypt, and beyond.

It’s like a history lesson, but without the boring parts and with 100% more fresh air.

So whether you’re an art aficionado, a nature lover, or just someone who enjoys the occasional oversized metal doodad, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park has got you covered.

Just remember: if you hear any of the sculptures start to whisper, it’s probably time to call it a day.

5. The Mansfield Reformatory (Mansfield)

Hold onto your prison jumpsuits, folks, because we’re about to take a stroll through the Mansfield Reformatory, a place so creepy it makes your average haunted house look like a bouncy castle.

This Gothic behemoth of a building is what you’d get if you asked Tim Burton to design a prison, and then let it marinate in spookiness for a century or so.

As you approach this towering structure, with its imposing stone facade and ominous turrets, you might find yourself involuntarily humming the theme from “The Shawshank Redemption.”

That’s because this very reformatory starred as the fictional Shawshank State Penitentiary in the film.

But trust me, the real-life stories of this place are way more hair-raising than anything Hollywood could cook up.

Step inside, and you’re immediately transported to a world of peeling paint, rusting cell doors, and an overwhelming sense that you probably shouldn’t have watched all those ghost-hunting shows before your visit.

The air is thick with history, and maybe a few lingering spirits who forgot to check out when their sentences ended.

But it’s not all doom and gloom!

The reformatory offers tours that’ll take you through its storied halls, from the eerily beautiful central guard room to the claustrophobia-inducing solitary confinement cells.

You’ll learn about the prison’s innovative rehabilitation programs, which were groundbreaking for their time.

Although, judging by the state of the place now, I’m not sure how well they worked out in the long run.

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And for all you paranormal enthusiasts out there, the reformatory offers ghost hunts that’ll have you jumping at shadows and mistaking your own echo for a spectral whisper.

Just remember, if you hear clanking chains or see a ghostly figure in a striped uniform, it’s probably just your imagination.

Probably.

6. The Chateau Laroche (Loveland)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, knights and fair maidens, welcome to Chateau Laroche, also known as the Loveland Castle.

This is what happens when a man decides that suburban Ohio is severely lacking in medieval fortifications and takes matters into his own hands.

Spoiler alert: it’s awesome.

Picture this: a fully-fledged castle, complete with towers, battlements, and a distinct lack of dragons (budget constraints, probably), nestled in the heart of Loveland, Ohio.

It’s as if a piece of Europe decided to pack its bags, cross the Atlantic, and set up shop next to your average American neighborhood.

Talk about culture shock!

The castle is the brainchild of one Harry Andrews, a man who clearly watched one too many episodes of “Game of Thrones” before it was even a thing.

Inspired by his experiences in Europe during World War I, Harry spent a good chunk of his life building this stone masterpiece, one boulder at a time.

It’s like extreme LEGO, but with more potential for tetanus.

As you wander through the castle’s rooms, you’ll find an eclectic mix of medieval-inspired decor and 20th-century practicality.

It’s as if a knight and a 1920s accountant decided to become roommates.

Don’t miss the Great Hall, where you half expect to see King Arthur and his knights debating the merits of round tables over square ones.

But the real magic of Chateau Laroche lies in its quirky charm.

This isn’t some polished tourist trap; it’s a labor of love, built by hand and infused with the eccentric spirit of its creator.

It’s the kind of place where you can almost hear the stones whispering tales of garden parties masquerading as jousting tournaments.

So whether you’re a history buff, a fantasy fan, or just someone who appreciates a good castle when they see one, Chateau Laroche is sure to tickle your fancy.

Just remember to bring your own sword and shield – the gift shop’s selection is surprisingly limited.

7. The Field of Corn (Dublin)

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a sight so corny, so utterly a-maize-ing, that it’ll leave you wondering if you’ve accidentally stumbled into some sort of vegetable-based “Twilight Zone” episode.

Welcome to the Field of Corn in Dublin, Ohio, where art meets agriculture in a spectacle that’s sure to pop your kernel!

Picture this: a field filled with 109 human-sized ears of concrete corn, standing at attention like some sort of bizarre veggie army.

It’s as if the Children of the Corn grew up, got art degrees, and decided to make their hometown proud.

This isn’t just farm-to-table; it’s farm-to-modern-art-installation!

Created by artist Malcolm Cochran, this cornucopia of concrete (see what I did there?) is officially titled “Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees),” but locals affectionately call it “Cornhenge.”

Because nothing says “ancient druidic ritual site” quite like oversized produce, right?

As you wander among these towering tributes to Ohio’s favorite crop, you might find yourself pondering the deeper meaning.

Is it a commentary on the state’s agricultural heritage?

A warning about the dangers of GMOs?

Or did someone just really, really like corn?

The beauty of art is that it’s open to interpretation, so feel free to come up with your own corny theories.

But wait, there’s more!

The field is surrounded by Osage orange trees, which, despite their name, are neither orange nor particularly edible.

They do, however, produce these weird, brain-looking fruits that add an extra layer of “what the heck?” to the whole experience.

So whether you’re an art enthusiast, a lover of quirky roadside attractions, or just someone who appreciates a good visual pun, the Field of Corn is sure to delight.

Just remember: no matter how tempting it might be, these ears of corn are definitely not for eating.

Unless you fancy a trip to the dentist, that is.

8. Landoll’s Mohican Castle (Loudonville)

Hold onto your crowns and tiaras, folks, because we’re about to take a royal journey to Landoll’s Mohican Castle in Loudonville.

This isn’t your average “I built a sandcastle at the beach” kind of castle.

Oh no, this is a full-blown, honest-to-goodness, “am I in Ohio or did I accidentally step through a portal to medieval Europe?” kind of castle.

As you approach this majestic structure, nestled among the rolling hills and forests of Ohio’s Mohican country, you might find yourself checking your GPS.

“Surely,” you’ll think, “I must have taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque and ended up in some fairy tale land.”

But nope, you’re still in the good ol’ Buckeye State, just with a generous sprinkle of fantasy thrown in for good measure.

Landoll’s Mohican Castle is what happens when someone decides that what Ohio really needs is a touch of old-world charm, complete with turrets, suites fit for royalty, and a distinct lack of fire-breathing dragons (much to the relief of the local fire department, I’m sure).

Step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a world where medieval meets modern in a delightful mishmash of styles.

It’s as if a Renaissance fair decided to settle down, get a mortgage, and invite guests over for the weekend.

The suites are decked out with all the modern amenities you could want, but with enough ye olde charm to make you feel like you’re living out your favorite fairy tale.

But it’s not all just fancy rooms and impressive architecture.

Landoll’s Mohican Castle also boasts beautiful grounds for you to explore, perfect for those “I’m a Disney princess twirling through the forest” moments we all secretly crave.

Just try not to break into song – the local wildlife might not appreciate your rendition of “Someday My Prince Will Come.”

And let’s not forget the on-site restaurant, where you can dine like kings and queens without the fear of being overthrown by your subjects.

It’s all the pomp and circumstance of royal dining, but with the added bonus of not having to worry about court intrigue or poison in your goblet.

So whether you’re looking for a unique getaway, a place to live out your medieval fantasies, or just somewhere to wear that suit of armor you bought on a whim, Landoll’s Mohican Castle has got you covered.

Just remember: the jousting tournament is BYOH (Bring Your Own Horse).

9. The Hartman Rock Garden (Springfield)

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to have your minds rocked (pun absolutely intended) by the Hartman Rock Garden in Springfield.

This isn’t your grandma’s garden gnome collection – oh no, this is what happens when a man decides that regular gardening is for chumps and opts to create a wonderland of concrete and stone instead.

It’s like SimCity but with more rocks and less chance of alien invasion.

As you wander through this petrified paradise, you’ll encounter a mind-boggling array of miniature structures, all painstakingly crafted by Ben’s own hands.

We’re talking about everything from a replica of the White House (because why not bring a little D.C. to Ohio?) to intricate biblical scenes that’ll have you squinting and saying, “Is that Moses? In concrete?”

But wait, there’s more!

Interspersed among the tiny buildings and figurines are inspirational messages spelled out in – you guessed it – rocks.

It’s like Instagram motivational quotes, but way more permanent and significantly harder to scroll past.

The attention to detail in this rocky wonderland is truly astounding.

Ben didn’t just slap some concrete together and call it a day.

Oh no, he meticulously placed hundreds of thousands of stones, creating intricate mosaics and patterns that’ll have you wondering if he had some sort of stone-whispering superpower.

And let’s not forget the plant life!

Because what’s a rock garden without a few actual plants, right?

The juxtaposition of vibrant flowers against the grey concrete creates a visual feast that’s part Flintstones, part Better Homes and Gardens, and 100% uniquely Ohio.

10. The Futuro House (Carlisle)

Alright, space cadets and retro-futurism enthusiasts, strap in because we’re about to blast off to the grooviest, most out-of-this-world attraction this side of the Milky Way – the Futuro House in Carlisle!

This isn’t just a house; it’s what happens when the 1960s, a flying saucer, and a Finnish architect walk into a bar and decide to revolutionize weekend getaways.

As you approach this cosmic curiosity, you might find yourself checking the sky for any signs of an alien invasion.

But fear not, earthlings!

This UFO-shaped dwelling is 100% terrestrial in origin, even if it looks like it could take off at any moment.

Designed by Matti Suuronen in 1968, the Futuro House was meant to be a portable ski chalet.

Because nothing says “hitting the slopes” quite like a house that looks like it could beam you up to the mothership, right?

Step inside (if you’re lucky enough to get a peek), and you’ll find yourself in a interior that’s part “2001: A Space Odyssey,” part “The Jetsons,” and all awesome.

The circular layout, the built-in furniture, the oval windows – it’s like someone took the 1960s vision of the future, shrunk it down, and plopped it in Ohio for our viewing pleasure.

But the Futuro House isn’t just a pretty face (or should I say, a pretty flying saucer?).

It’s also a testament to the ingenuity of prefab design and the optimism of an era that truly believed we’d all be zipping around in personal spaceships by now.

Sure, we ended up with smartphones instead, but you can’t live in a smartphone, can you?

(Note to tech companies: please don’t take that as a challenge.)

So whether you’re a fan of quirky architecture, a lover of all things retro, or just someone who wants to pretend they’re an alien overlord for a day, the Futuro House is sure to delight and amaze.

Just remember: if you see any little green men, they’re probably just very lost tourists.

Probably.

There you have it, folks – ten mind-bending spots that prove Ohio is anything but ordinary.

Adventure is calling!

Use this map to steer your road trip in the right direction—and maybe discover a surprise or two along the way.

From concrete corn to flying saucers, this state’s got it all.

So gas up the car, pack your sense of wonder, and get ready for a road trip that’s out of this world!