With a revitalized Main Street and fresh lineup of locally owned shops, restaurants, and attractions, Bellefontaine is taking center stage as a tourism destination. If it’s been more than 15 years since you’ve been to Bellefontaine, you may not recognize it today. And if you’ve never been to the Logan County capital, you may be surprised at what you find.
That’s because Bellefontaine’s Main Street has undergone a dramatic makeover that transformed the town center from a veritable ghost town full of empty storefronts and run-down historic buildings to a vibrant, bustling destination, filled with bright, unique, locally owned shops and eateries. That’s thanks in large part to Small Nation, a then two-employee real estate developer with a unique approach: investing in renovation of historic buildings. “We went one building at a time,” says Adam Rammel of Small Nation. “Then we secured financing, recruited tenants, and provided branding and marketing support to help them succeed.” To date, the small-but-mighty developer has renovated 56 buildings in Bellefontaine, grown to 12 employees, and advises destinations around Ohio and beyond on their own town revamps.
The result of their investment in Bellefontaine is clear. The city is brimming with entrepreneurial spirit that’s created a wealth of award-winning restaurants and best-in-class shopping experiences to pair with a historic theatre and exciting attractions. Stay overnight steps away from all the fun at more than a dozen short-term rentals in downtown alone.
One of the biggest hallmarks of Bellefontaine’s downtown makeover is the focus on homegrown businesses, making it the perfect destination for unique, handmade, and locally sourced items you can’t find on Amazon. Antique hunters will especially love the collection of curio shops throughout the downtown area, including The Olde Mint Antiques, which offers vintage clothing, furniture, décor, and other treasures from more than 40 vendors, and The Nest 1896 with a curated collection of handmade, antique, and vintage items covering three levels.
Boutiques are also big business in Bellfontaine, with six women’s clothing stores downtown. Four Acre Clothing Co. offers up fun graphic tees and Ohio sports gear, while The Poppy Seed Salon & Boutique, PeachTree Boutique, and Rustic Boutique have all the latest fashions. Find styles for both women and kids at Hanger Boutique.
For some self-care indulgence, book a blow out or get your hair styled at Salon Platinum 121 or a rejuvenating facial at Skin Sanctuary Boutique Spa or Undertone Beauty Bar. Pick up some gourmet chocolates, specialty goods, and home accents at Queen of Hearts Fine Chocolates & Gifts.
Great gifts can be found at Mystic Mama Rock + Jewelry, offering up crystals, gemstones, and soul-soothing accessories, and The Naked Goat Bath & Body for nourishing, milk-infused bath-and-body goods, along with cozy robes and PJs. For the little ones (and the young at heart), The Fun Company is bursting with fun and educational toys, games, puzzles, books, and more.
Share an award-winning pizza from Six Hundred Downtown.
Order a bagel sandwich at the alien-themed The Morning Riot.
Order off the family-friendly menu at Brewfontaine.
Opening in the first building Small Nation purchased in 2012, Six Hundred Downtown was the original eatery to attract foodies to Main Street. Owner Brittany Saxton has done the city proud — she’s a six-time champion and two-time record holder in the World Pizza Games for fastest dough making. Her secret for perfect crust: use locally sourced ingredients and fire it at 600 degrees. Try a signature pie or create your own combo from four crust styles (Detroit, Sicilian, Italian, and cauliflower), seven sauces, and more than 20 toppings.
For more award-winning fare, pull up a stool at Brewfontaine and sample from a wide range of craft beers, wines, and cocktails — the lively restaurant was the only Ohio establishment deemed a Great American Beer Bar by Craftbeer.com. Right next door, The Syndicate serves top-notch locally sourced steaks and seafood in a sophisticated supper club-style setting. Come again for brunch for unforgettable buttermilk fried chicken and waffles and mimosa flights. It’s big city dining in a small town!
Brewery and beer options abound in Bellefontaine. Experience the city’s first ever brewery at the Roundhouse Depot Brewing Company. Choose from an array of craft beers on tap, wines, bourbon, and canned cocktails. A variety of food trucks serve up quick bites on Saturdays, or you can bring your own snacks. Shop for select IPAs, stouts, porters, sours, and more at The Craft Emporium, Bellefontaine’s unique and first retail craft beer store and mini pub.
Don’s Downtown Diner offers up classic 1950s diner favorites with a twist, including fully loaded burgers, baby back ribs on Saturdays, and creamy milkshakes. For colorful, flavorful Mexican fare, stop by the Flying Pepper Cantina and try a specialty taco, custom enchilada dinner, or a curated flight of tequilas from various regions. And for something completely different, indulge in an out-of-this world brunch at The Morning Riot, offering hearty breakfast burritos, cronut holes, and creative bagel sandwiches with a delightfully weird alien disco theme.
If caffeinated beverages and a sweet treat are calling your name, there’s plenty to be found in the area. Stop by Sweet Aromas for a cozy local hangout spot offering classic coffees, teas, smoothies, and baked goods. Relax at Native Coffee Co. and indulge in a specialty latte or pour over made with the highest-quality beans. And the self-proclaimed “friendly neighborhood wizards” of Allways Brewin’ serve up a fun retro menu with creative drink names and yummy flavors like peach cobbler, lavender and marshmallow, and caramel brown sugar.
Alongside the lineup of local businesses, Bellefontaine is also home to offbeat superlatives that set it apart from other towns — and create fun photo ops. Court Avenue holds the distinction of being the country’s first concrete-paved street. A monument honors George Bartholomew, who tested the innovative new pavement in 1893. The town is also the proud home of America’s shortest street, measuring in at only 15 feet long and featuring a fun mural to get your photo by.
Architecture lovers: don’t miss the stately 1870 Logan County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and constructed from locally mined sandstone, and the nearby Holland Theatre, the only Dutch-style atmospheric theatre in the U.S. and one of very few in the world. A new marquee lights up the exterior.
Just outside of town, visitors can trek to the top of Campbell Hill, the highest point in Ohio standing at 1,549 feet above sea level. Just a short drive away in West Liberty is Ohio Caverns, known for dramatic, brightly colored passages and the 250,000-year-old Crystal King, the largest stalactite in the state.
Logan County has a vibrant and curious history that spans millennia and includes Native American settlements dating back to 8000 B.C. and more than 100 locations that sheltered those escaping to freedom along the Underground Railroad. In the late 1800s, Bellefontaine was also a thriving railway junction and manufacturing hub, producing horse-drawn carriages and autos via the A.J. Miller Co. Get the full story at the Logan County History Center and Transportation Museum, then embark on a Historic Walking Tour of downtown to check out storied locations and eclectic architectural styles from the mid-1800s to modern day.
For outdoor adventures, Ohio’s largest ski resort is just a short drive away. At Mad River Mountain, skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can choose from 20 trails, a tubing area, and two beginner hills — or opt for cocktails at the lodge’s Loft bar. In the warmer months, bring your boat or rent one for a cruise on Indian Lake, which boasts some of the best saugeye, bluegill, and crappie fishing in the state. And in nearby Zanesfield, saddle up a horse for some riding lessons or hit the lake for some paddle boarding at family-owned Marmon Valley Farm.
Back in Bellefontaine, tee off with some indoor mini golf, laser tag, and more than 40 virtual reality games at Putt & Play Golf Center or try your hand at axe throwing under the guidance of an experienced instructor at Axe Quacks.
Stop for a photo op at Umbrella Avenue and admire the colorful floating rainbow of umbrellas right next to the cheerful facades of Rainbow Row.
There’s something special happening nearly every weekend in downtown Bellefontaine, as well as extra-special Downtown Days street festivals celebrating every season. Warm up in winter with some sweet treats and special offers at more than 20 downtown businesses at February’s Chocolate Walk. Listen to music and stop at food trucks in the summer months.
Don your best costume for the popular Great Pumpkin Walk in October —in addition to free activities like a petting zoo and trick-or-treat, kids’ passports are available to access hayrides, bounce houses, and even a candy apple bar.
And in December, all the halls in Bellefontaine are decked out to showcase the town as Ohio’s Christmas Capital, complete with beloved annual traditions like the festive holiday parade, the ugly sweater bar crawl, and the magical Santa Shed.
There are 12 Airbnbs within walking distance from downtown, including the Flats at Rainbow Row, a cheerful collection of rentable rooms each themed by a different region of the world, and The Loft Above, a modern two-bedroom suite with all the amenities of home. Newly opened, the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites is just minutes from downtown at the intersection of U.S. Rte. 33 and U.S. Rte. 68 and features an indoor swimming pool, lounge, and complimentary breakfast.
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