Top Tourist Attractions in Ohio
Ohio is one of the most beautiful and diverse states in the country. Located in the Midwestern region of the US, Ohio is known for its exceptional academic institutions, fine arts and architecture, world-renowned athletes, and mouthwatering cuisine.
Ohio is also home to numerous natural attractions that offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Ohio has a ton of great attractions, but the best things to do in Ohio are those that are unique to the state. Of course, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the most famous attractions in the state, but there are many other well-known destinations. So whether you prefer arts and culture or outdoor adventures, you will find something special in Ohio.
The best places to visit in Ohio are Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, Sandusky, and Put-in-Bay.
10 best places to visit in Ohio for your next vacation
- Dayton Art Institute
- Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
- The National Museum of the Great Lakes
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
- Nautica Queen Riverboat Cruises
- The Ohio State Reformatory
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- Murphy’s Farm Field Of Screams
The Buckeye State
The Buckeye State is unique. From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River, from the rolling hills of Appalachia to the farmlands of central Ohio, there are dozens of fun things to do and see for residents and visitors alike.
The Buckeye State is a popular destination among travelers in the United States. Lake Erie’s beaches, Greater Cincinnati restaurants, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and the baseball games at Progressive Field are just a few of the state’s best attractions.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
A trip to Ohio wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Opened in 1995, this museum included exhibits ranging from rock memorabilia and artifacts to costumes worn by musicians like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. You can even hear live music at this location!
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was built to tribute musicians who have influenced rock music through their talents, dedication, and passion for music. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is on Lake Erie’s shoreline in Cleveland.
Columbus
Columbus never has a dull moment; home to a vibrant performing arts scene, several universities, and professional baseball and hockey teams. The state capital also offers lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Ohio’s capital city has beautiful parks, diverse museums, and a vibrant performing arts scene. Visit the Center of Science and Industry to explore high-tech exhibits or ride on the Santa Maria, a replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship.
You can also see some of the world’s most famous paintings at the Columbus Museum of Art and enjoy theater performances by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
Other popular things to do in Columbus include trekking through Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, catching a concert at the Southern Theater, and visiting the Center of Science and Industry (COSI).
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Head over to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for some outdoor fun. This zoo features 3,000 animals from around 600 species, including manatees, cheetahs, and leopards.
Trip to Athens
If you love craft beer, no visit to Ohio is complete without a trip to Athens. Located about an hour east of Columbus along Route 33, this college town is home to over a dozen breweries, many with tasting rooms open to the public.
At Little Fish Brewing Company, try the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Ale (the name comes from the local bike path and a Native American tribe that once lived here), or go for a classic hefeweizen at Devil’s Kettle Brewing.
Need a bite? The family-friendly Court Street Diner serves breakfast daily and has a lunch and dinner menu. For more information on breweries and dining options in Athens, visit athensohio.com.
Cincinnati
Cincinnatus, the Roman citizen-soldier whose name means “the one from Cincinnati,” would be proud of his namesake city. His statue stands guard at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center entrance, celebrating freedom from slavery.
And nearby Smale Riverfront Park, families enjoy a carousel with carved wooden animals that whirl and dip to music. Fountain Square is a bit north of downtown Cincinnati, where you’ll find fountains and free concerts in summer and ice skating in winter.
Cincinnati Art Museum has an eclectic collection spanning 6,000 years; a whimsical stop-motion video brings ancient Egyptian artworks to life and shows how people used them long ago.
Cincy’s art scene also shines at Music Hall, home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In addition, look for early American landscapes and portraits by John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt at the Taft Museum of Art.
Summary
From Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Cincinnati’s Museum Center at Union Terminal, Ohio is full of great museums. Many fascinating historic sites include Ohio Village, Perry’s Victory, and International Peace Memorial.
If you love animals, stop by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or go on an African safari at The Wilds. The state also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun, including hiking at Hocking Hills State Park and skiing at Mad River Mountain.
Ohio is one of the most exciting states to visit in the United States. From scenic waterfalls to incredible museums, Ohio is full of things to do. The best attractions in Ohio are a mix of historical, outdoor, and cultural spots. It is a state that has something for everyone.
If you want to see the most beautiful state in the U.S., plan a vacation in Ohio. The great city of Columbus is the capital of Ohio, so you’re sure to be able to find a few fun things to do there, but there’s also plenty of other towns and cities that are worth visiting. One of the best places is a place called Alum Creek State Park. You can go here for a fun time swimming, boating or fishing. You can even camp out on the water if you have your own boat! Another place you should check out is Cuyahoga Valley National Park which features over 100 miles of hiking trails and has some great wildlife viewing opportunities.
One thing I’ve always wanted to do was visit the world-famous Cleveland Museum of Art, and finally got my chance this year when my family decided it was time for our annual trip down south! The museum has been around since 1916, so you may be wondering how much culture there really is here at all…and that’s where I come in! In this post, I will share some interesting facts about Cleveland’s art scene as well as give an overview of what visitors can expect when they go inside this amazing building.
This summer, my friend and I decided to take a road trip out of Ohio for the first time in our lives. It was a real adventure for us, and we learned that you never know what you might find when you leave home.
We started our trip at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio. The park has displays of historical buildings from Ohio—including a house that once belonged to President William Howard Taft—and an exhibit called “The Great Invention.”
A highlight at the park was the Carillon Tower, which houses one of the world’s largest musical instruments (carillons are very similar to bells). The tower stands nearly 200 feet tall and is absolutely beautiful. We had a great time learning about musical history and exploring the tower.
We also enjoyed our trip to Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield, Ohio. This park features 47 acres of beautifully manicured gardens that we walked through for hours. It was so relaxing that I almost fell asleep! We visited this park during the summer months and were able to see some amazing plants in bloom. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something unconventional to do in Ohio.
When I was young and naive, I used to think that going to Coney Island for the day was a big deal. It took about an hour on the D train to reach our destination, and that seemed like such a long time. Little did I know that as an adult, I would be doing much more substantial traveling—not as long as a trip across the country, but longer than an hour on the subway.
Case in point: I recently went on a road trip to Ohio with my husband and friends. We left at 6 a.m., and after eight hours of long stretches of highway, we finally arrived at our first stop: Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. We were excited—this was supposed to be one of the top amusement parks in the country! And then we saw it…and it looked kind of like a run-down version of Disneyland. But we had already paid for parking, so we thought we might as well go inside and see what it had to offer.
When I was in high school, my best friend and I would go to the Ohio State Fair every year. We’d take the bus up to Columbus, spend the night with her family, and then take the train into town. After a long day of rides, games, and food, we’d head home tired, sweaty, and full of cotton candy.
The following year, I went to college in Connecticut, but we still made it back for the fair. We went again during my junior year when I studied at a university in Ireland—we had about two weeks between classes where we could travel back to Ohio for our annual tradition. In fact, even when I was studying abroad in China for an entire semester during my senior year of college (which was halfway around the world from Ohio), she still took a flight all the way out there so that we could go to the fair together—she even made it back home with just enough time to start her own fall semester of college at a different school! A few years ago, she moved away and we haven’t been able to make it work since then…but we still talk about it every year!
Plain and simple, Ohio is one of the most diverse states on the east coast. Ohioans are friendly and welcoming, and engaged in their communities. Ohio has a number of interesting things to do for every interest imaginable, so whether you’re an Ohio native or planning a trip here, it’s never a bad idea to check out some of these great places.
The state of Ohio is filled to the brim with fun and interesting attractions. From major cities to natural wonders and historic landmarks, there’s a little something for every traveler. So if you’re hoping to take a weekend road trip or find a new place to call home, look no further than Ohio for some of the best things to do in every corner of the state.