Things to Do Near Raymond, Ohio: Local Favorites You’ll Actually Love
If you’ve ever driven through Raymond, Ohio on a quiet afternoon, you already know the feeling. One stoplight (sometimes it feels like none), a handful of houses, and endless fields stretching out in every direction. Raymond is tiny and that’s exactly why people fall in love with it. But just because the village itself is quiet doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. In fact, living here or visiting here means you’re perfectly positioned for some of the best low-key adventures in central Ohio.
Exploring Nearby Towns – Start with Marysville (10 minutes away)
Most Raymond folks end up in Marysville at least once a week. The drive is an easy 10-12 minutes north on Route 4, and suddenly you’re in a real downtown with actual traffic lights and everything.
Uptown Marysville is the heart of it all. Walk the brick sidewalks, pop into Plumm Home for quirky vintage finds, grab a coffee at Kitschen Bakery (their lemon rolls will ruin you for every other pastry), or browse the Scotts Miracle-Gro store if you’re into gardening.
When hunger hits, you’ve got real choices:
- The Half Pint for gourmet burgers and 30+ Ohio craft beers
- Leon’s Garage for live music on weekends in a restored 1940s service station
- Homestead Taproom & Kitchen for wood-fired pizzas and local brews
- House of Spirits in a historic Victorian mansion for killer cocktails
Pro tip: Thursday nights in summer the streets fill up for Music on the Square. Free, family-friendly, and the vibe is pure small-town Ohio.
Local Parks Right in Raymond & Nearby
You don’t even have to leave the village for green space.
Wood Longbrake Memorial Park (21463 OH-347) sits right in Raymond and has a paved walking loop, playground, picnic shelters, and a big community center/VFW hall. It’s where the township holds its summer picnics and fireworks viewing.
Just south of town on Peoria Loop Road you’ll find Peoria Park—quiet, grassy, and perfect for tossing a frisbee or watching kids chase lightning bugs.
Fifteen minutes north in Marysville the options explode:
- Eljer Park (pickleball, tennis, disc golf, splash pad)
- Aldersgate Park
- Upground Reservoir (great for fishing and sunset walks)
- McCarthy Park and Greenwood Park for shaded trails
Scenic Drives – The Real Reason People Move Here
Roll down the windows and just drive. The back roads around Raymond are pure magic, especially in spring when the redbuds bloom and in fall when the maples turn.
My favorite loop: Take Route 347 west out of Raymond → turn left on Collins Rd → wind past the Pottersburg Covered Bridge → loop back on Spain Creek Rd (another beautiful covered bridge) → return through Richwood or Unionville Center.
You’ll pass working farms, old red barns, soybean fields that turn gold in September, and maybe a herd of cattle watching you go by. Bring your camera—fall color here rivals anything in Hocking Hills, but without the crowds.
Outdoor Activities That Actually Feel Relaxing
No traffic jams, no $40 parking fees. Just you and the quiet.
- Walk or jog the country roads at dawn
- Bike the flat rural routes (almost no hills!)
- Birdwatch in the open fields—red-winged blackbirds, pheasants, even bald eagles overhead
- Kayak or fish at Upground Reservoir or the smaller ponds scattered around the county
Glacier Ridge Metro Park (30 min south near Plain City) is worth the short drive if you want more trails—wetlands, boardwalks, and zero crowds on weekdays.
Covered Bridges – Union County’s Signature Attraction
We have more historic covered bridges per square mile than almost anywhere else in Ohio. Four are still standing and all are within 15-25 minutes of Raymond:
- Pottersburg Covered Bridge (1873) – bright red, perfect photo spot
- Spain Creek Covered Bridge (1883)
- Thompson Road / Mill Creek Covered Bridge (2010 rebuild but gorgeous)
- The one on Gilbert Rd (smaller, more hidden)
Drive the Covered Bridge Tour map you can grab at Union Station 1820 in Marysville. It’s free and the backroads are gorgeous.
Community Events & Festivals – The Calendar Fills Up Fast
- Union County Fair (last week of July) – tractor pulls, demolition derby, livestock judging, and the best fair food in Ohio
- Summer concerts on the Square in Marysville
- Farmers markets every Saturday
- Holiday lights in Uptown, pumpkin patches in October, Christmas parades
- Bokes Creek Winery and Dalton Union Winery both host live music and food trucks on weekends
Day Trips from Raymond (All Under 1 Hour)
- Honda Heritage Center (Marysville) – free museum, amazing motorcycles and cars
- Ohio Caverns (Bellefontaine, ~35 min) – “The Most Beautiful Cave in America”
- Mad River Mountain (in winter for skiing/tubing)
- Columbus Zoo or Short North Arts District (45 min)
Where to Eat When You Don’t Want to Cook
Besides the Marysville spots already mentioned, don’t miss:
- Benny’s Pizza & Pub (legendary local pizza)
- Tres Potrillos Mexican (fresh and fast)
- The Coffee Hall and Creamery for ice cream that will make you cry happy tears
Why Raymond Feels Like Home
At the end of the day, the best thing to do near Raymond, Ohio is… nothing fancy. It’s sitting on your porch watching the sunset turn the fields pink. It’s driving past a covered bridge with the windows down. It’s knowing your kids can ride bikes to the park without worrying about traffic.
If you’re thinking about moving here, visiting, or just passing through—slow down. Take the back roads. Stop at the little parks. Grab a burger in Marysville and come home to the quiet.
That’s the real magic of Raymond, Ohio.
Welcome to our corner of the world. We hope you stay a while.
