Unearth The Voyage
Ohio is full of surprises, and some of its best-kept secrets reach straight up into the sky. From historic lighthouses on Lake Erie to soaring urban landmarks in Cleveland and Cincinnati, the Buckeye State has towers that tell fascinating stories.
Whether you love history, architecture, or just a killer view, there is something here for every kind of explorer. Pack your curiosity and comfortable shoes because these towers are absolutely worth the climb.
1. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial – Put-in-Bay
Standing 352 feet tall on South Bass Island, this granite column is the third-tallest monument in the United States and honestly looks like it belongs on another planet. Built to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, it carries some serious historical weight.
The observation deck at the top rewards climbers with jaw-dropping panoramic views of Lake Erie and the surrounding islands.
Getting there is half the adventure since you have to take a ferry to Put-in-Bay, which already feels like a mini vacation. The monument was completed in 1915 and has welcomed millions of visitors since.
Rangers on site share stories that make the history feel alive rather than dusty.
Pro tip: visit on a clear day for views stretching into Canada. Admission is affordable, and the experience is genuinely unforgettable.
2. Terminal Tower – Cleveland
For decades, Terminal Tower was the tallest building in North America outside of New York City, and Cleveland wore that title like a championship belt. Completed in 1930, this 52-story beauty anchors Public Square with old-school elegance that modern glass towers simply cannot replicate.
The architecture alone is worth the trip downtown, blending neoclassical grandeur with early skyscraper swagger.
The observation deck on the 42nd floor reopens seasonally and delivers some of the most sweeping views of Cleveland and Lake Erie you will ever see. I remember looking out and genuinely struggling to process how big the lake is.
It does not look real from up there.
Beyond the views, the tower connects to Tower City Center, a sprawling shopping and transit hub. Cleveland history lives in every brick of this landmark, making it a must-visit on any Ohio tower tour.
3. Carew Tower – Cincinnati
Art Deco lovers, consider this your happy place. Carew Tower rises 49 stories above downtown Cincinnati and has been doing so since 1930, making it one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the entire Midwest.
The building’s exterior is packed with decorative details that reward anyone willing to crane their neck and look up.
The observation deck on the 49th floor is open to the public and charges a small fee that is absolutely worth every penny. On a clear day, you can spot Kentucky across the Ohio River and feel like you are standing at the edge of two states at once.
The view of the Ohio River snaking through the landscape is genuinely stunning.
Fun fact: the tower was designed by the same architectural firm behind New York’s famous Rockefeller Center. Cincinnati quietly has world-class taste, and Carew Tower proves it every single day.
4. Marblehead Lighthouse – Marblehead
The oldest lighthouse still in operation on the American side of the Great Lakes sits quietly on a rocky point in Marblehead, Ohio, and it has been guiding ships since 1822. That is over 200 years of faithful service, which makes it feel less like a building and more like a living piece of history.
The tower stands 65 feet tall and is painted a crisp white that glows beautifully against the blue of Lake Erie.
Visitors can tour the grounds and climb inside during scheduled open hours, which are run by volunteers who genuinely love sharing the lighthouse’s story. The surrounding state park offers picnic areas and scenic lake views that make a full afternoon out of the visit.
Photographers especially adore this spot at golden hour when the warm light hits the white stone just right. Marblehead Lighthouse is charming, historic, and surprisingly easy to fall in love with.
5. Lake Erie Bluffs Observation Tower – Painesville Township
Tucked inside a gorgeous Lake County Metropark, this modest wooden observation tower punches well above its weight class when it comes to natural beauty. Lake Erie Bluffs is one of those places that feels like a secret even though it is open to everyone, and the tower sits at the edge of dramatic bluffs overlooking the lake with sweeping, unobstructed views.
The hike to the tower winds through meadows, wetlands, and forest, making the journey just as rewarding as the destination. Birdwatchers go absolutely wild here during migration season when thousands of birds funnel along the Lake Erie shoreline.
Bring binoculars and thank yourself later.
The tower itself is simple and unpretentious, which somehow makes the view from the top feel even more earned. No admission fee, no crowds fighting for selfie spots.
Just you, the wind, and a genuinely spectacular stretch of Ohio coastline that most people have never seen.
6. Toledo Harbor Lighthouse – Toledo
Sitting roughly two miles offshore in Lake Erie, Toledo Harbor Lighthouse looks like someone dropped a small Victorian house in the middle of the water and forgot to apologize. Built in 1904, this cast-iron and brick structure features a distinctive red roof and ornate architectural details that are almost comically fancy for something surrounded by open lake water.
Access requires a boat tour, which honestly makes the whole experience feel like a proper adventure. Several local tour operators run trips out to the lighthouse during the warmer months, and the ride across the lake is scenic and breezy in the best possible way.
The lighthouse was fully restored and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Up close, the craftsmanship is remarkable. Seeing it rise from the flat water with nothing around it creates a genuinely surreal moment that photos struggle to capture accurately.
Toledo’s hidden gem, full stop.
7. Loveland Castle Towers – Loveland
One man spent 50 years building a medieval castle by hand in suburban Ohio, and the result is as magnificent as it sounds ridiculous in the best possible way. Harry Andrews began constructing Loveland Castle, also called Chateau Laroche, in 1929 using stones pulled from the Little Miami River.
The towers and turrets are fully functional medieval-style architecture built entirely through personal determination and weekend dedication.
The castle is now maintained by a local scout group and is open to visitors most days for a small admission fee. Wandering through the stone corridors and climbing the towers feels like stepping into a fairy tale, except the fairy tale is located between a Kroger and a subdivision, which adds its own surreal charm.
The grounds along the river are peaceful and picturesque. Whether you are a history nerd, architecture fan, or just someone who appreciates a genuinely wild story, Loveland Castle delivers something completely unlike anything else in Ohio.
8. Ohio Statehouse Cupola – Columbus
The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the entire country, and its cupola sits at the very center of that distinction. Unlike typical state capitols with grand domes, Ohio’s statehouse features a low, understated drum cupola that gives the building a serious, no-nonsense dignity.
Construction took 22 years, wrapping up in 1861 just in time for the Civil War era to begin.
Free tours of the building are available and include access to areas that let you appreciate the cupola from the inside, where natural light filters down through the rotunda in a way that feels almost theatrical. The building has hosted presidents, hosted history, and continues to function as the working seat of Ohio government.
Capitol Square surrounding the statehouse is also beautifully maintained. This is architecture that earns its place on any Ohio itinerary, combining civic pride with genuine beauty and a surprisingly interesting backstory.
9. Veterans Glass City Skyway Towers – Toledo
Toledo’s Veterans Glass City Skyway is not just a bridge; it is a full-on architectural statement stretching across the Maumee River with two soaring cable-stayed towers that have become one of the most recognizable landmarks in northwest Ohio. Completed in 2007, the bridge was named to honor veterans and to celebrate Toledo’s historic glass manufacturing industry, which shaped the region’s identity for over a century.
The towers rise dramatically above the river and are especially striking at night when they are illuminated against the dark sky. Driving across the bridge for the first time is a genuinely thrilling experience, especially when you realize how high above the water you actually are.
The bridge replaced an older structure and immediately transformed Toledo’s skyline in the best possible way. Whether you are a design enthusiast or just someone who appreciates a good road trip sight, these towers are worth swinging through Toledo to see up close.
