Tuscarawas: Discover History, Culture, and Trails

In Tuscarawas County, early Ohio history meets a variety of ideas for active days on vacation. The area is located in the foothills of Appalachian Ohio and Amish Country. With historic sites, museums, parks, and trails to choose from, you can shape your trip around history, outdoor activity, or a mix of both.

History at Specific Places

Schoenbrunn Village was founded in 1772 as a Moravian mission and was the first Christian settlement in Ohio. The site is also associated with the state’s first church and schoolhouse. The village includes the original cemetery and 16 reconstructed log houses. A visitor center with a museum and introductory video rounds out the tour. Here, you can explore early history through several tangible features of the site.

Historic Zoar Village also tells the story of an early community: German religious dissenters settled Zoar in 1817; in 1819, it was organized as a communal society. Historic Zoar Village is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour restored buildings and shops belonging to the Zoarites. A guided tour of historic Zoar includes samples of cheese, baked goods, pickles, and apples, as well as a sauerkraut-making demonstration.

Fort Laurens was built during the American Revolution as a strategic site for an attack on the British at Fort Detroit. Visitors can walk around the grounds and see the fort’s original outline. The Fort Laurens Museum shares the history of the frontier soldiers through videos and artifacts excavated on-site. The fort’s historic purpose and the traces still visible today offer different ways to connect with the site.

Museums, Parks, and the Stage

The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum is a National Historic Landmark. Its exhibits and special events focus on railroad history and the history of World War II. At the Ernest Warther Museum, the Button House displays more than 73,000 buttons in a variety of quilt and geometric patterns. Stories come to life at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. Each place has a distinct focus: railroads and modern history, an extraordinary button collection, or stories told on stage.

Trails and Outdoor Activity

Trail lengths and permitted uses vary considerably. The Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail is more than 90 miles long and runs south from Cleveland to Bolivar; it can be used for biking or walking. The Buckhorn Creek Trail is eight miles long, has a limestone surface, and runs between Newcomerstown and Stone Creek. This gives you a choice between a very long route with explicitly stated ways to travel and a shorter trail with a specified surface and endpoints.

At Camp Tuscazoar, hikers can use all the trails; Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on the mountain biking trails. Pioneer Point is an authentic Native American overlook with panoramic views of the northern Tuscarawas River Valley. The W.C. Moorhead Museum displays photographs, books, uniforms, badges, artifacts, and other memorabilia related to the history of the camp and scouting in the region. For planning purposes, the differences in trail rules are as specific as the view from the overlook and the historic collection.

Park Attractions and Finding the Right Vacation Rental

Tuscora Park has three swimming pools, historic rides, and miniature golf. Its historic carousel dates back to 1928 and has been operating there since 1941. For families planning a trip together, the different options offer a clear choice: historic sites and collections, outdoor trails, or park attractions. Which stops shape your vacation depends on the interests of your fellow travelers.

When searching for a vacation rental in Tuscarawas, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip. If you’re especially interested in early history, you can center your plans on historic sites and museums; if you’re looking for outdoor activity and park attractions, you can plan differently. Compare accommodation locations based on the places you want to visit, and assess each vacation rental based on your own needs.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Newcomerstown, New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville, Dover, Sugarcreek, Henry, Holmes County, Belmont County.

Return to the main travel overview: Ohio.