Ohio is a state that offers a variety of opportunities to spend a wonderful vacation. With many state parks, the place is wonderful for a holiday in nature with a view of beautiful lakes. For lovers of cultural experiences and urban everyday life, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton offer galleries, restaurants, museums, nightclubs, and shops. You can also visit some of the small towns in the area, where time has stopped and tranquility will overtake you.
Regardless of the season, there are entertainments for every type of tourist. However, some of the places stand out as major destinations, and in this article, we will mention them.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
This famous museum has become a hall of fame for rock and roll artists for decades. But you will also find exhibitions of musical instruments, costumes, and interactive halls. The architecture of the seven-story building itself is also impressive and has become a business card of Cleveland, where the museum is located.
National Museum of the US Air Force
America has a rich aviation history. Its development is traced in the exhibition of over 360 aerospace items, collected indoor and outdoor. The museum is located near Dayton. Here you can find everything from military airplanes to the first aircraft and modern technology of today. Most impressive is the Presidential Gallery, which houses the planes of President Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Cedar Point amusement park is a place for fun and family vacations. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the park features 17 impressive roller coasters, children’s play areas, and live performances. Last but not least, Cedar Point has a children’s pool, a lazy river, and an adrenaline-fueled water slide. There is also a wide choice of accommodation around the park, whether you prefer a campsite or a luxury apartment.
Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills State Park is the perfect location in Ohio for nature lovers. Here you can find many caves, picnic areas, hiking trails, and camps. The place is great for watching rare bird species and taking photos. For the greatest adventurers, there are opportunities for climbing, canoeing, zip-lining.
Amish Country
In the Amish Country, the time seems to have stopped and the atmosphere is calm – farmers working in the fields, small shops with local goods – sweets, fruits, cheese, and much more. This is a great trip if you want to escape from the hectic city life.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the richest zoos in America, home to over 10,000 animals from six different regions of the world. Animal performances and training seminars are often organized. In winter, the Wildlights light show is organized, during which the whole zoo is decorated with millions of lights (a great way to observe the animals at night). There is also Zoombezi Bay water park next door, in case you want to offer more fun for you and your family.
Cincinnati Museum Center
The Cincinnati Museum Center is housed in the Union Terminal and houses several museums storing cultural, historical, and archaeological artifacts. Some of the museums are the Cincinnati History Museum, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, the Cincinnati History Library and Archives, and the Museum of Natural History and Science. The 1930s Art Deco train station building itself is impressive enough to challenge your visit.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden have indoor and outdoor exhibitions throughout the year. You can see some of the most exotic flowers and plants from around the world, which are updated year-round.
Here you can find plants from all over the world – the Pacific region, desert flowers, representatives of the Himalayan flora, and much more. Some of the wings of the garden date back to the early 19th century (eg The Victorian-style glass greenhouse). Often Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a place for wedding ceremonies after which unforgettable memories remain.
The Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art has neoclassical architecture and was established in 1916. Over the years, the museum began to attract more and more tourists from around the world, and its building is constantly being renovated and expanded. Today, the museum focuses not only on American art and cultural heritage but also preserves many Asian and European artifacts.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is a 70-acre property consisting of ancient buildings and extensive gardens. The very name of this tourist attraction is a reference to its historical nature, and the beautiful details in the furniture and architecture will impress every tourist. The main halls you can see are Corbin Conservatory, Gate Lodge, and Carriage House., and together with the gardens, this can become a day trip. You can visit the gift shop or the café in the building at any time.
Toledo Museum of Art
The Museum of Experiences in Toledo is one of the city’s landmarks, dating back more than 100 years. In it, you can find artifacts from European, Asian, and Egyptian culture, as well as modern works of art and glass collection. The architecture of the museum is reminiscent of the Greek. The glass exhibition which is perhaps the most impressive consists of several galleries made entirely of glass (interior and exterior).
Fountain Square, Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Fountain is a place where people run away from hectic everyday life to drink coffee in one of the many cafeterias or to skate on ice in the winter. There are a number of cafeterias and musical performances in the square around the fountain. In the middle of the square is the ornate Tyler Davidson Fountain, which has adorned the city since the late 19th century.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located between Akron and Cleveland and is a great place if you want to enjoy the natural features of the region. The area is hilly with many forests and rivers. You will also be impressed by the fauna offering rare species such as bald eagles, peregrine falcons, coyotes, red foxes. There are hiking routes throughout the park. The park was established in 2000 to protect the lands around the Cuyahoga River.
West Side Market
West Side Market has been located in Cleveland since 1840 and in addition to regular visitors who come to shop, it attracts thousands of tourists. At the market, you can buy locally produced food (such as meat, dairy products, bakery, or ready meals) or just sit in the cafeteria and watch the people passing by. The tourist interest leads to an increase in the size of the original market. Today, tours are organized there, during which you can learn something about its centuries-old history.
American Sign Museum
This is a different type of museum that houses some of the most iconic signs, such as those of McDonald’s and those taken from old Las Vegas. The museum has been operating since 2005 and is located in Cincinnati. The entire exhibition presents the development in the technique and styles of the US signs in the 19th and 20th centuries. A walk in the museum can bring you a feeling of nostalgia, but it will certainly be an unforgettable memory.
