The 'Eden Of Ohio' Blends Waterfall Hiking Trails, Lake Recreation, And A Film-Worthy Retro Diner

If you're planning a trip to Ohio, budget-friendly big cities like Cleveland and Midwest meccas filled with art, shopping, and dining like Dayton may be among the first destinations that come to mind. However, beyond the usual suspects, there are plenty of charming small towns in Ohio that make for an ultimate Midwest getaway.

Nestled about halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus in Clinton County, Sabina is one such destination. Home to around 2,450 people, the pint-sized village is surrounded by big beauty and brimming with charm. Nicknamed the 'Eden of Ohio,' Sabina has a beautiful backyard full of outdoor adventures, including waterfall-lined hiking trails, and a tranquil state park with campsites and a treasure trove of lake recreation. After exploring the great outdoors, you can settle into the town's classic diner that's filled with home-cooked comfort food and cinematic history. Then, dive into the area's rich history by visiting its local museum and historical landmarks.

Sabina may be small, but it's the perfect home base for embarking on big outdoor adventures. Situated about 20 minutes south of town, the Fallsville Wildlife Area boasts 1,785 acres of natural beauty and recreation. Take a scenic hike along the Fallsville Wildlife Area Trail to Upper Waterfalls, an easy 0.7-mile out-and-back trail through the woods that grants picturesque waterfall views.

For lakeside adventures, drive 25 miles west to Caesar Creek State Park. Embraced by beautiful meadows and tree-lined campgrounds, the park's focal point is a 2,830-acre lake that provides ample water recreation, including plenty of boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities. Meanwhile, a large public beach dotted with picnic tables is the perfect spot for lakeside lounging. If you have a horse handy, take a leisurely ride along the park's bridle paths, ranging from the 1.5-mile Rosebriar Trail to the 14-mile Solidago Downs Trail Loop. To make it an overnight outdoor retreat, set up camp at the idyllic Caesar Creek State Park Campground.

The cornerstone of any small town is an old-fashioned diner with tasty bites and retro charm. In Sabina, Kim's Classic Diner fills that order. Gleaming with a chrome-covered art-deco architectural design, the mid-century charmer has cinematic appeal, and has, in fact, been prominently featured in the Lifetime original 'Diner for Two.' Inside, its retro interior is a time capsule of nostalgia marked by yellow vinyl booths and a classic diner counter. Serving breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday, it's the ideal spot for filling up on home-style classics like French toast, omelets, and burgers served with fresh-cut fries.

When you've had your fill of tasty delights, you can bite into the Sabina's history at the Sabina Historical Society Museum, which houses a collection of local artifacts. Scattered throughout the town itself, you'll find historical markers like Sabina Veterans Memorial, a plaque that honors the Armed Forces of the United States of America, and the Beam Farm Mound, an ancient burial mound dating back thousands of years to the prehistoric cultures of the Ohio Valley.

Arguably the most bizarre attraction in town is Eugene the Mummy. Found dead in a ditch in 1929, the corpse of an unknown drifter was embalmed and displayed in the Littleton Funeral Home, drawing in hordes of morbidly curious tourists for decades. In 1964, the unidentified man was moved to his final resting place at the Sabina Cemetery, where visitors can pay their respects to the local legend that put Sabina on the map.