From the briny, wind-swept air of Lake Erie to the mossy sandstone crevices of Hocking Hills, Ohio hits the senses in warm, unexpected ways.

The tart sweetness of grape jelly at a lakeside winery, the leathery scent of a new handcrafted chair in Amish Country, and the clang of glassware in a Cambridge studio kiln.

Walk a morning in Cleveland’s West Side Market or Columbus’s North Market and you’ll hear vendors calling out over piles of apples, jars of honey, and stacks of hand-thrown pottery; textures, smells and regional stories fuse into the perfect souvenir hunt.

On back porches and in makers’ studios across Holmes County and the Short North, artisans shape wood, weave quilts, and bead buckeyes into lucky charms.Here’s what to buy in Ohio to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Ohio Buckeye Candy

Why pick this up:
Buckeye candy—a dense peanut-butter center dipped in chocolate and left with a small circle of peanut butter showing—captures Ohio’s unofficial state emblem and makes for an instantly recognizable, shareable treat. It’s a culinary keepsake tied to autumn tailgates and family kitchens across the Buckeye State.

What to look for:
Seek small-batch versions made at farmer’s markets or specialty chocolatiers rather than mass-produced boxes; homemade buckeyes often use Ohio-grown peanuts and local chocolate for a fresher flavor. Check for firm centers and a smooth, even chocolate shell with a visible “eye” of peanut butter at the top.

Price bracket (2025):
$6–$18 per box

Where to find it:
North Market (Columbus), West Side Market (Cleveland), Findlay Market (Cincinnati), local confectioners and Amish country stands.

2. Buckeye Nut Jewelry

Why pick this up:
Polished buckeye nuts strung into bracelets or necklaces are a tactile memento of Ohio woodlands and collegiate fandom alike. They’re lightweight, personal, and carry a farm-to-workshop story that’s lovely to pass along.

What to look for:
Look for items with real polished buckeye shells (not imitation resin), solid clasps, and quality stringing or metalwork; artisan-signed pieces from local makers indicate care. Note that natural buckeyes have unique markings—uniform beads can be a sign of plastic substitutes.

Price bracket (2025):
$10–$50

Where to find it:
Craft stalls at Hocking Hills fairs, Holmes County craft shops, college-town boutiques, and market vendors in the Short North.

3. Amish Quilts & Handcrafted Woodwork

Why pick this up:
Quilts and furniture from Ohio’s Amish communities in Holmes County and Wayne County are heirloom-quality: densely stitched quilts with geometric patterns and simple, sturdy furniture that ages beautifully. These pieces embody slow craftsmanship and rural Ohio tradition.

What to look for:
Inspect stitching and fabric quality on quilts—tight, even stitches and natural fibers like cotton or wool are signs of authentic Amish work. For woodwork, look for solid-wood joinery (dovetails, mortise-and-tenon) and finishes that reveal hand-planing rather than machine perfection.

Price bracket (2025):
$50–$1,800 (small quilts to custom furniture)

Where to find it:
Amish Country shops (Berlin, Walnut Creek), Holmes County craft markets, weekend craft shows and select galleries.

4. Rookwood & Local Pottery

Why pick this up:
Rookwood Pottery (Cincinnati) and other Ohio ceramic studios offer pieces that reflect the state’s long art-pottery history—glazes with subtle depth and forms that suit both display and everyday use. A hand-thrown mug or decorative tile connects you to Cincinnati’s artistic heritage.

What to look for:
Choose pieces with artist signatures or stamped marks, consistent glaze application, and well-finished rims and bases. Vintage Rookwood items will often have the company’s mark and can be found alongside new studio work at museum shops.

Price bracket (2025):
$20–$500

Where to find it:
Rookwood Pottery showroom and museum-related sales, Columbus and Cleveland gallery shops, North Market artisan stalls, museum shops.

5. Mosser & Cambridge Glassware (Ohio Glass)

Why pick this up:
Ohio has a storied glass tradition—companies like Cambridge and Mosser produced elegant pressed and blown glass for generations—making hand-blown tumblers or colored art glass a luminous keepsake. The way light refracts through local glass evokes lake sunsets and museum displays.

What to look for:
Prefer pieces with identifiable maker marks or a certificate of origin; inspect for air bubbles or seam lines consistent with handmade techniques rather than machine molds. For vintage finds, provenance from respected collectors or museum deaccessions is a good sign.

Price bracket (2025):
$15–$400

Where to find it:
Cambridge/Mosser outlets, antique shops near Akron and Zanesville, museum gift shops (Toledo Museum of Art), and glass studios around Cambridge, Ohio.

6. Lake Erie Wines & Grape Products

Why pick this up:
The Lake Erie shore produces crisp Rieslings and fruit-forward wines grown on the state’s northern vineyards; bottles and grape jellies carry the maritime brightness of the lake. Small-batch grape preserves and wine-based syrups are edible souvenirs that travel relatively well.

What to look for:
Buy bottles from bonded wineries and ask about vintage and grape variety; look for jars labeled with regional grapes (Concord, Niagara) for jellies. Producers in the Lake Erie Islands often offer well-packaged gift sets for travel.

Price bracket (2025):
$12–$35 per bottle; $6–$18 per jar

Where to find it:
Lake Erie wineries and tasting rooms (Put-in-Bay, Geneva-on-the-Lake), winery shops, farmers’ markets, and select North Market vendors.

7. Ohio Maple Syrup & Honey

Why pick this up:
Ohio’s sugarbushes, especially in the Hocking Hills and Appalachian foothills, yield clear, buttery maple syrup and rich wildflower honey—flavors that bottle seasonal Ohio forests and meadows. These are classic edible gifts that last and travel well when sealed.

What to look for:
Choose amber, pure-grade syrups labeled 100% maple with a producer name and harvest year; for honey, look for local floral source labeling (clover, wildflower) and crystallization patterns that indicate raw honey. Beware of blended or “maple-flavored” syrups which lack true maple content.

Price bracket (2025):
$8–$30

Where to find it:
Farm stands in Hocking Hills, Holmes County farmers’ markets, West Side Market, and country syrup shacks.

8. Cincinnati Chili Spice Mix & Regional Condiments

Why pick this up:
Cincinnati’s distinctive chili—spiced differently than Tex-Mex or Greek-style—makes for a memorable pantry souvenir in the form of spice mixes and canned chili sauces. Bringing home a mix means you can recreate the city’s unique layered-dish flavor for friends and family.

What to look for:
Look for mixes listing specific regional spices (cinnamon, allspice, cloves) and clear cooking instructions; small-batch, locally branded mixes are preferable to anonymous supermarket jars. Check for airtight packaging and producer notes for storage.

Price bracket (2025):
$5–$15

Where to find it:
Findlay Market, Cincinnati specialty food shops, North Market, and local deli counters.

9. Handmade Soaps, Candles & Short North Crafts

Why pick this up:
Columbus’s Short North and Cleveland’s arts districts teem with makers producing scented soaps, hand-poured candles, and small leather goods that capture urban Ohio creativity. These items are fragrant, practical, and ideal for suitcase-friendly souvenirs.

What to look for:
Pick products with natural ingredients (olive oil, beeswax, essential oils) and clear labels of where they were made; artisan tags or handwritten notes are a good sign of small-batch production. Avoid overly cheap, mass-produced candles marketed as “artisan.”

Price bracket (2025):
$6–$45

Where to find it:
Short North Arts District boutiques (Columbus), Cleveland arts markets, weekend maker markets, and museum shops.

10. Pro Football Hall of Fame & Sports Memorabilia

Why pick this up:
From a Cleveland Browns vintage-style cap to Ohio State Buckeyes keepsakes, sports gear captures the state’s competitive spirit and long-standing team loyalties. Museum-quality items—from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton to officially licensed team goods—make for meaningful, officially stamped mementos.

What to look for:
Choose officially licensed merchandise or museum-produced keepsakes to ensure quality; for vintage items, check condition and authentication details. Smaller items like pins or patches travel easily and are great for collectors.

Price bracket (2025):
$12–$150

Where to find it:
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton), team stores (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati), airport shops and stadium gift shops.

Tip: Pack fragile glass and ceramics between clothes and use a small padded tote for market trips to keep breakables safe. 🧳

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Ohio’s shopping culture mixes urban arts districts, century-old public markets, and rural craft traditions.

Cities like Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati center their retail life around historic markets such as West Side Market, North Market and Findlay Market, where butchers, bakers and ceramicists sell side-by-side.

In contrast, Holmes County and the broader Amish Country host family-run craft shops and roadside stands where quilts, furniture and preserves come with stories about maker families and seasonal rhythms.

Weekend craft fairs, seasonal farmers’ markets and summer county fairs are key moments to meet makers directly; many artisans schedule pop-ups in Hocking Hills and at college-town festivals.

Bargaining is uncommon in most urban markets but perfectly normal at flea markets and some farm stands- approach with friendliness and respect for the maker’s time.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for maker signatures, stamped marks, or labels that identify the town or producer—Rookwood stamps, Mosser glass labels, or an Amish shop address reassure provenance.

Examine materials: real buckeye shells have natural mottling and weight, handmade quilts show uneven but tight stitches, and pure maple syrup will list “100% maple” without corn syrup or additives.

Ask vendors about their process, authentic artisans usually enjoy describing how items are made, and watch for consistent imperfections that indicate handwork rather than mass production.

For food items, check packaging dates, vacuum seals, and USDA or state farm certifications; vendors at recognized markets (West Side, North Market) are more likely to sell properly labeled, locally produced edibles. If a “local” item seems unusually cheap or is shipped from overseas, it’s likely imported rather than handmade in Ohio.

Where to Shop in Ohio

• West Side Market, Cleveland (historic open-air market)
• North Market, Columbus (artisan foods and crafts)
• Findlay Market, Cincinnati (open-air market and specialty vendors)
• Holmes County / Ohio Amish Country (quilts, furniture, preserves)
• Short North Arts District, Columbus (galleries and boutique crafts)
• Hocking Hills craft shows and weekend fairs (regional makers)
• Toledo and Cincinnati museum shops (Toledo Museum of Art, Cincinnati Art Museum)
• Airport gift shops: Cleveland Hopkins, John Glenn Columbus Intl, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Ohio expensive?
A: Prices vary—farmers’ market finds and small crafts can be very affordable ($5–$30), while antiques, quilts and furniture command higher prices ($100–$1,800).

Q: Is bargaining common in Ohio markets?
A: Bargaining isn’t typical at urban markets and museum shops, but it can be practiced politely at flea markets, vintage stalls, and some rural craft stands.

Q: How do I know if a food item is safe to bring home?
A: Buy from reputable vendors at established markets, check for proper sealing and labeling, and keep receipts; perishable items should be well-packed and, if necessary, declared at customs.

Enjoy exploring Ohio’s markets and studios—there’s always a tangible story waiting to come home with you in the form of an Ohio souvenir.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!