Given its location and diverse terrain, which ranges from the shores of Lake Erie to the rolling hills of southern Ohio, Ohio has a ton of alternatives when it comes to things to do. You can easily spend a week or arrange a weekend break in the metro areas of Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, which are among of Ohio's largest cities.
There are outdoor activities to explore in places like Ohio's canoe capital along the Mohican River or the Hocking Hills region. In the winding roads in Amish country or by searching for some of the state's hidden castles, you can find more relaxed activities. Ohio does really have castles!
With this list of the best things to do in Ohio, you can take on some novel and surprising experiences as you plan your trips.
1.Adventure in the Hocking Hills,
The Hocking Hills, located close to Logan in the southern part of Ohio, are among the most well-liked tourist destinations. When it comes to outdoor activities in Ohio, like ziplining, hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing, this region is unmatched.
The abundance of information placed all around the trailheads serves as a reminder that there are several hiking routes to discover for hikers of every level. The greatest trailheads for strenuous walks are Conkle's Hollow and Cantwell Cliffs. Ash Cave and Old Man's Cave are excellent for leisurely hikes. Cedar Falls offers the extra splendor of a gorgeous waterfall that creates a soothing mist in the sun.
The Hocking Hills State Park, which offers a variety of routes and a calendar of open events all year long, is a terrific location to start. The spectrum of naturalist programs includes cave explorations, photography, and hiking. At the John Glenn Astronomical Park, you can also spend some time observing the stars.
Every time of year is a terrific time to visit Hocking Hills, but the most popular season is in the fall when the forest canopy's leaves transform into a stunning display of color. The area offers a wide selection of bed and breakfasts, cottages, and cabins for overnight.
2. Go to Amish Land in Ohio
Wandering along the peaceful country roads in Ohio's Amish Land is one of the best low-key things to do. The speed of life is slower here, and you may roll down the windows to enjoy the country breeze and the picturesque rolling hills.
You will encounter Amish buggies on the highways as you travel through Ohio's little communities, like Walnut Creek, Berlin, Millersburg, and Charm, and you will see the families at work in the fields. You may make impromptu pit stops at a few of the nearby cheese factories, go on a tour, and purchase some Amish-made furniture from one of the many stores by the side of the road.
Some enjoyable activities in Ohio's Amish Country include gathering apples at a nearby orchard, purchasing homemade goods, antiquing, or simply relaxing in a rocking chair in the middle of the small towns to take in the scenery.
The five counties that make up Ohio's Amish Country—Holmes, Coshocton, Stark, Wayne, and Tuscarawas—are the most popular for tourists. Spend a night at a B&B to extend your trip and enjoy a hearty breakfast made with fresh local ingredients like berries and eggs.
3. Grabbing islands in the Great Lakes
The next time you go island hopping on Lake Erie, you could forget that you are still in Ohio. Weekend adventures on South Bass Island (Put-In-Bay), Kelleys Island, Catawba, and Middle Bass Island can be had by visiting the northern shoreline. Although there are more islands in Lake Erie, these are the most well-known and easily reached.
Start your trip to Catawba Island by going to the state park there and stopping by one of the peach farms. The ferry connects the other islands.
You can board the Jet Express or Miller Ferry, which travel between the islands on a regular daily schedule, from cities like Sandusky and Port Clinton. Leave your car on the mainland and use a golf cart or bicycle to navigate about the islands.
One of the most well-liked of the lake Erie Islands is Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island, which has a ton to offer visitors, especially families. Fantastic restaurants, live entertainment, and scenic spots for hiking and watching sunsets can be found on the 3.5-mile-long island.
The largest island in the group, Kelleys Island, is renowned for its natural settings. This island is ideal for a day of bird watching, hiking, and taking in the lush, tree-covered terrain and rocky limestone shorelines.
Because Middle Bass Island is a little more remote and less popular with tourists, it is ideal for a day trip to enjoy the lake views and flowers that the island is famous for. Visit the beaches and the old town, or simply take a stroll across the island's nature preserve.
4. Canoe through Ohio's Canoe Capitol, Loudonville
The Ohio Canoe Capitol is located in Loudonville, which is tucked away in the state's center. Due to the abundance of canoe liveries in the area, the Mohican River region has a reputation for being a good place for paddling.
The area is ideal for an outdoor escape because it has a lot of campgrounds, a state park, and a state park lodge.
Day trips down the Mohican River by canoe and float are also very popular. Renting canoes, kayaks, or rafts allows you to choose your level of activity for the day. Spend many days canoeing, or take a break by going for a hike along one of the Mohican State Park's woodland pathways.
The Mohican Fire Tower Viewpoint is a must-see location for the best panoramic views of the area.
Rustic campsites and treehouses are just two of the several hotel alternatives available in this region that are geared toward outdoor explorers.
5. Have a traditional holiday in Geneva-on-the-Lake
When it comes to unforgettable getaways, Geneva-on-the-Lake in northern Ohio is unequaled for its vacation nostalgia. This mile-long section of the Lake Erie shoreline hasn't undergone much modification since the early 1900s. The original donut shops, arcade, and Ferris wheel still provide the kind of clean, family-friendly enjoyment that Ohio vacations were built on more than a century ago.
Spare your appetite for restaurants like Eddie's Grill, a landmark in Geneva-on-the-Lake that continues to serve the same hot dog and root beer combo that made it famous in the 1950s.
You can spend time at Geneva State Park for fishing, hiking, and paddleboarding in addition to the main street through the town. From here, you can board a fishing excursion to pursue some of the renowned walleye or perch from Lake Erie.
There are many B&Bs, lakefront cottages, and The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, which is close to the state park, thus lodging is simple to come by in the neighborhood.
6. Explore the Ohio Caverns in West Liberty's caves.
One of the best cavern experiences in the state is at the Ohio Caverns in West Liberty. To visit the cavern pathways that were uncovered in the 1920s, you can go on an underground tour. The most stunning crystal stalactites and stalagmites in the state can be seen on tours that last about an hour.
There are many different tours available, including historical and tours of natural treasures. These caverns contain The Crystal King, Ohio's oldest and largest stalactite, which is more than 200,000 years old. The chance to see the 400-pound, five-foot-long gemstone is extremely unusual.
Families can engage in above-ground activities like fossil and gem digging.
Visit Seneca Caverns in Bellevue, which has one of the largest subterranean caverns, Zane Shawnee Caverns in Bellefontaine, Perry's Cave and Crystal Cave in Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie's South Bass Island, and Zane Shawnee Caverns in Bellefontaine.
7. Explore Legends at the Cleveland Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Each year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces which musicians will be inducted, drawing worldwide attention to Cleveland. Nevertheless, anybody can visit at any time to get up up and personal with rock royalty and their music. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of Cleveland's main attractions, is located on the city's riverfront and takes a full day to tour.
The Hall of Fame and interactive exhibits that take you through the history of numerous musical genres are located on the museum's six floors. You will get an inside look at some of rock's most influential performers as well as unique artifacts including handwritten lyrics, costumes, and musical equipment.
After spending the day at the museum, walk over to Cleveland's Flats to enjoy some live entertainment.
8. Go Wild in Cumberland's Wilds.
There is no better location to go if you want to go on a safari than The Wilds. Many endangered species of animals, including giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and rhinos, call the 9,000-acre Cumberland ecosystem home.
This region of the state's open-range terrain allows the conservation site to provide a variety of trips with a safari-like experience. Open-air safaris and the more personal Wildside Tour are two options for daily excursions.
You can indulge in activities like fishing, birding, ziplining, and mountain biking at The Wilds for a more engaging experience.
You can hire a private yurt on Nomad Ridge that overlooks the terrain and offers some of the best views of the night sky from your private terrace, or you can arrange an overnight escape at the lodge.
9. Adhere to the Lake Erie Birding Trail
The northern section of the Lake Erie Birding Trail in Ohio is the finest site to see migratory birds. Seven loops make up the entire 312-mile track, which runs between the cities of Toledo and Conneaut along the shore of Lake Erie.
100 Things to Do in Ohio's Amish Country Before You Die (100 Things to Do Before You Die) P8LSFPChttps://t.co/BIY1EyucbX pic.twitter.com/osXilFE0Ty
— Herminia_Bechtelar72akTSG (@HerminiaBechte2) December 29, 2022
Grab a pair of binoculars and search the route for some of the 400 different bird species that have been identified. There are 84 sites where you can watch bald eagles that are breeding and several warbler species that are travelling. You can either include it into another excursion in the area or design your trip around a specific place and take numerous loops on the trail.
Early spring, when more than 200 species of warblers migrate north via the Maumee Bay region in northwest Ohio, is one of the greatest times to explore the Lake Erie Birding Trail.
10. In Columbus, Taste Cuisine from Across the Globe
The state capital of Columbus is a great place for foodies to experience an ethnic food escape. More than 40 different nationalities are represented in small restaurants all across Columbus, which is experiencing a boom in the city's international cuisine scene. German immigrants, who were among the first to establish roots in the capital city in the 1800s, helped to create the melting pot of immigration that exists today.
Some of the best authentic foods from Vietnam, Italy, India, Mexico, Nigeria, and Nepal are currently on display in Columbus' ethnic culinary scene. Also, there are a variety of ethnic foods available at the town's numerous food trucks.
Take a tour offered by Columbus Food Adventures to try a number of these eateries if you are unsure of where to begin. It is among Columbus's best things to do.
11. See the diverse neighborhoods in Cincinnati
While Cincinnati is well-known for its professional sports teams and diverse cultural offerings, its more than 50 distinct neighborhoods also offer diversity, making this a delightful way to tour Cincinnati.
Before touring some of the distinctive areas, you might begin in the city's Smale Riverfront Park, a well-liked gathering spot with walking paths and swings.
The Over-the-Rhine District is a growing neighborhood with a good blend of historically significant buildings that have been modernized with hip restaurants. Holtman's Donuts, a landmark in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood since 1960, is a must-see for its original recipes and unusual variations of donuts, such as those with cereal toppings, vegan doughnuts, and traditional glazed donuts.
The historic West End, the arts district of Pendleton, the mountainous streets of Mount Adams, and Queensgate, where the magnificent Cincinnati Union Station is located, are more districts worth seeing.
12. Get Royal Status at Ohio Castles
There are more than a dozen castles scattered throughout Ohio, which may be the last location you'd expect to find them. Several of them even let visitors stay the night to get a fuller sense of medieval life.
Families who want to take a self-guided tour of Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek in West Liberty can enjoy exploring the castle's grounds and more than 200 years of history.
Another one is Loveland Castle, which is next to the Little Miami River. Here, you may explore the castle grounds and learn about the history of knighthood, including how to grow herbs like they did in the tenth century.
Ohio's Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, which was modeled after an English castle, is a well-known castle. The gorgeous 65-room manor house has 70 acres of gardens to explore.
One of Ohio's most illustrious families in the 1800s once resided at The Castle in Marietta, which is now a museum.
The Brumback Library Castle in Van Wert, Ravenwood Castle in New Plymouth, Franklin Castle in Cleveland, Landoll's Mohican Castle in Loudonville, GreatStone Castle in Sidney, Squire's Castle in Willoughby Hills, The Glamorgan Castle in Alliance, and Cooke Castle on Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay Harbor are a few additional Ohio castles worth visiting.
13. Ride the scenic railroad in Cuyahoga Valley.
Take one of the most breathtaking tours of Cuyahoga National Park by boarding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The journey takes the train from Independence's Rockside Station to Akron's Northside Station.
For a superb perspective of the landscape and wildlife, reserve a seat in the executive class or coach cars, or sit high in the upper dome car. The railroad offers themed excursions all year long, including family-friendly holiday excursions, supper excursions, and trips for seeing fall foliage.
14. Locate Art Barns in Ohio
Driving through Ohio's countryside and coming across adorned barns is a fun way to see the state. The intricately painted barns, which represent major figures, occasions, and historical occurrences in Ohio, may be seen all across the state.
Check for the Tecumseh-honoring barn painting near Xenia or the Annie Oakley barn in Ansonia.
Find the Bicentennial Barns, which were painted to commemorate Ohio's bicentennial, in addition to the tribute-painted barns. Each of Ohio's 88 counties received a barn, and the majority of them are still standing as striking additions to the countryside.