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OHIO TRAVEL GUIDE

Target Field in Cincinnati, Ohio American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio
Welcome to the bigroads.com travel guide to Ohio! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Ohio.

Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.

Author/Contributor: Greg Parsons

 OVERVIEW


Ohio's major cities are scattered across the state, and so many of its attractions are too. Notable attractions in Ohio include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, and the amusement parks of Sandusky, including Cedar Point, widely considered one of the top rollercoaster parks in the world. For an awesome dose of nature, head to southeastern Ohio where you will find the amazing Hocking Hills State Park, a top-rated state park in the Midwestern region of the U.S. Ohio is also famous for its rail trails, with many long-distance cycling trips possible.

 TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN OHIO


Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Ohio? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Ohio, in no particular order:

Ride some of the world's best rollercoasters at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky
See historic American signs at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati
Cycle the excellent Little Miami Scenic Trail paved rail trail
Visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, which is one of the oldest, largest, and best aviation museums in the U.S.
Explore the hiking and cycling trails of Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Stop at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton
Visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, one of the finest zoos in the country
See impressive geologic attractions and waterfalls at Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio
Eat at the West Side Market in Cleveland
Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland

If I could select only one place to visit in Ohio, I would choose Hocking Hills State Park.

For a list of 10 great attractions in each U.S. state, click here.

 5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN OHIO


Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Ohio. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Ohio bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:

Northwestern Ohio (including Sandusky and Toledo)
Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky - arguably the world's best rollercoaster park
Fifth Third Field, Toledo - one of the finest minor league baseball fields in the U.S.; home of the Toledo Mud Hens
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, Sandusky - a tourist attraction with a haunted house and other family-fun activities like mini-golf
Imagination Station, Toledo - a large hands-on science and children's museum
Kalahari Waterparks, Sandusky - the largest indoor water park in the Midwest; there's a hotel on site
Kelleys Island State Park, Kelleys Island - take a ferry to see glacial geologic formations; the state park occupies 25% of Kellys Island
Marblehead Lighthouse, Marblehead - visit the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes
Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky - arguably the best Merry-Go-Round museum in the U.S.
National Museum of the Great Lakes, Toledo - an excellent maritime museum with 40 hands-on interactive exhibits; tour an iron ore freighter
Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay - climb a 352-foot Doric column for great views
Put-in-Bay - a lively small town on South Bass Island near Sandusky; the "Key West of the North"; offers water sports and a Peace Memorial
Soak City Waterpark at Cedar Point, Sandusky - a great water park next to the Cedar Point rollercoaster park
Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo - one of the best art museums in the Mid-Atlantic
Toledo Zoo, Toledo - one of the best medium-sized zoos in the U.S.; features more than 10,000 animals across 700-plus species


Cincinnati (see below for the rest of southwestern Ohio)
American Sign Museum - see an awesome and growing collection of historic American signs (including many "neon" type signs)
Breweries in and around Cincinnati - visit some of the more than 70 breweries found in this general area
Cincinnati Art Museum - large art museum with more than 100 art galleries
Cincinnati Museum Center - a huge museum complex with three museums and several other exhibits/attractions
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - one of the top 25 zoos in the U.S.
Great American Ball Park - famous MLB baseball park; home of the Cincinnati Reds
Guided tours in Cincinnati - several companies in Cincinnati offer guided sightseeing and/or food tours
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati - the best casino in the area
Krohn Conservatory - an art deco conservatory with several themed gardens and environments
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - visit a "museum of conscience, an education center, a convener of dialogue, and a beacon of light for inclusive freedom around the globe"
Roebling Suspension Bridge - a famous pedestrian bridge that connects Cincinnati, Ohio with Covington, Kentucky
Smale Riverfront Park - a public park along the Ohio River that has gardens, walking paths, a children's playground, and a splash pad
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum - visit the beautifully landscaped grounds of the third largest cemetery in the U.S.


Southwestern Ohio (including Dayton and Yellow Springs; see above for Cincinnati)
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton - features a children's museum, science and technology center, and zoo
Carillon Historical Park, Dayton - a historic museum complex on nicely landscaped 65-acre grounds
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Yellow Springs - see spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges; one of Ohio's most scenic areas
Dayton Art Institute, Dayton - an excellent fine arts museum
EnterTRAINment Junction, West Chester - supposedly the largest indoor train display in the world
Glen Helen Nature Preserve, Yellow Springs - a beautiful nature preserve with 20-plus miles of trails, a natural spring, and small waterfalls
Jungle Jim's International Market, Fairfield - visit a large farmer's market that is often called a "theme park of international food"
Kings Island, Mason - one of the best amusement parks in the U.S.; has several world-class rollercoasters and thrill rides
Little Miami Scenic Trail - an outstanding 78-mile paved rail trail that connects Anderson to Springfield; one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Miami Valley Gaming, Lebanon - one of the best horse racing casinos in the U.S.
National Aviation Hall of Fame, Dayton - a museum that honors aerospace legends; located next to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton - one of the oldest, largest, and best aviation museums in the U.S.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, Hamilton - a 300-acre outdoor sculpture park with more than 60 art sculptures
Serpent Mound, Peebles - the largest serpent effigy in the world (which is a prehistoric mound made in the shape of an animal)


Columbus (see below for the rest of central Ohio)
Center of Science and Industry (COSI) - a hands-on science and technology museum; also includes a planetarium
Columbus Museum of Art - an excellent art museum in downtown Columbus
Easton Town Center - a lively shopping center with open-air town squares and tons of shopping and dining options
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens - outstanding botanical gardens
German Village - a famous neighborhood in Columbus with many brick houses built by German settlers
Guided food tours in Columbus - several companies in Columbus offer guided food tours
National Veterans Memorial and Museum - a tribute to the veterans of the U.S. Armed forces; features a stunningly beautiful building
Ohio Stadium - visit a "legendary, horseshoe-shaped college football stadium"
Ohio Theater - a beautiful and historic performance venue with Spanish-Baroque architecture
Otherworld - an immersive art installation / entertainment center; features interactive puzzles and digitally augmented art
ZipZone Outdoor Adventures - excellent zip-lining tours and several aerial adventure park courses


Central Ohio (including Zanesville; see above for Columbus)
Airstream Heritage Center, Jackson Center - see more than a dozen vintage Airstream trailers and RVs at the Airstream headquarters
Amish Country Theater, Millersburg - a popular family theater that features a stage that looks like a barn
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell - an excellent zoo with more than 10,000 animals
Field of Giant Corn Cobs, Dublin - a roadside attraction of more than 100 giant ears of concrete corn; one of OH's best roadside attractions
Hershberger's Farm and Bakery, Millersburg - a popular agricultural attraction and farmers market; features Amish goods and crafts
Holmes County Trail - an excellent 23-mile paved rail trail with two segments (Fredericksburg to Killbuck and Glenmont to Brinkhaven)
Mohican State Park, Loudonville - nature preserve with interesting geology/rock formations, great hiking trails, and riverside scenery
Ohio Caverns, West Liberty - excellent underground guided cave tours
Ohio State Reformatory / Mansfield Reformatory, Mansfield - tour a historic prison that was open from 1896-1990
Valley Zipline Tours, Lancaster - excellent zip-lining tours
Wilds, The, Cumberland - a safari-like zoo that also offers zip-lining tours
World's Largest Basket, Newark - the former home of the Longaberger company was shaped like a giant basket; a classic roadside attraction
World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, Sugarcreek - a famous timepiece that performs every 30 minutes; one of OH's best roadside attractions


Cleveland (see below for the rest of northeastern Ohio)
A Christmas Story House - visit the actual home that was used in the beloved 'A Christmas Story' movie
Children's Museum of Cleveland - an excellent children's museum
Cleveland Botanical Garden - features small but lovely indoor and outdoor gardens
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - one of the top 25 zoos in the U.S.
Cleveland Museum of Art - one of the best art museums in the U.S.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History - one of the top-rated natural history museums in the U.S.
Lake View Cemetery - take a self-guided tour of a beautiful 285-acre cemetery
PlayhouseSquare - catch a concert or show at the largest performing arts center in the U.S. outside of New York City
Progressive Field - a famous MLB baseball park; home of the Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Cleveland Indians)
Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park - an indoor mountain biking complex (perhaps the finest in the U.S.)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - the most famous and arguably best rock & roll museum in the world
Severance Hall - a revered concert hall and the home of the Cleveland Orchestra
USS Cod Submarine Memorial - tour a World War II submarine
West Side Market - one of the best public food markets in the U.S.


Northeastern Ohio (including Akron, Canton, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park; see above for Cleveland)
Castle Noel, Medina - billed as "America's largest indoor year-round Christmas entertainment attraction"
Cuyahoga Valley National Park - activities and attractions along the Cuyahoga River (e.g. hiking, cycling, scenic railroad, waterfalls, etc.)
Geneva State Park, Geneva - shoreline park with a small beach, freshwater marshes, estuaries, great fishing and boating, and 3 miles of trails
Headlands Beach State Park, Mentor - features a lighthouse and the largest natural beach in Ohio
Mill Creek Park, Youngstown - a huge public park that offers a myriad of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, golf, and more
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, Garrettsville - nature park with several short hiking trails; known for its rugged cliffs and waterfalls
Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail - an outstanding 90-mile partially paved rail trail that connects Cleveland with Zoarville
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton - the official hall of fame museum of the National Football League
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron - tour a 65-room historic home on a 70-acre estate with gardens; one of the largest houses in the U.S.
Toboggan Chutes, Strongsville - an extremely popular toboggan run at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation; reservations required


Southeastern Ohio (including Logan and Rockbridge)
Big Muskie's Bucket, McConnelsville - see the "world's largest earth moving machine"; one of Ohio's best roadside attractions
Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills State Park, Logan - the premier waterfall found within Ohio's best state park
Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, Rockbridge - interesting waterfalls and sandstone cliffs; one of Ohio's best natural areas
Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, Rockbridge - a great aerial adventure park with zip-lining
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan - Ohio's best state park; features waterfalls (e.g. Cedar Falls) and imposing geologic features (e.g. Ash Cave)
Old Man's Cave, Hocking Hills State Park, Logan - the most popular area within Ohio's best state park features striking geology
Soaring Cliffs Zip Line Course, Rockbridge - excellent zip-lining and canopy tours


Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Ohio? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.

For a list of 5-star attractions in neighboring states, click on any of these links:  IN  |  KY  |  MI  |  PA  |  WV

 BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN OHIO


These towns and cities in Ohio are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:

Cincinnati - a large city in southwestern Ohio known for its abundance of breweries, excellent zoo, and several fine museums
Cleveland - a major city on Lake Erie known for its professional sports teams and several fine museums (e.g. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Columbus - a major city in central Ohio that is famous for its food scene; Ohio's largest city by far
Geneva-on-the-Lake - a small town on Lake Erie with beaches, water sports, and family-fun attractions (e.g. arcade, Ferris wheel, etc.)
Kelleys Island - a small island near Sandusky; offers great boating and fishing; the "Walleye Fishing capital of the World"; geologic attractions
Marietta - a small city in southeastern Ohio with a historic downtown and Victorian homes; lots of outdoor recreation is nearby
Put-in-Bay - a lively small town on South Bass Island near Sandusky; the "Key West of the North"; offers water sports and a Peace Memorial
Sandusky - a small city that is world-famous for its amusement parks and other family-friendly attractions; Cedar Point is there
Yellow Springs - a small town near Dayton that is dubbed a "hippie town"; the town has a historic downtown area with boutique shops

My favorite large city in Ohio is Cleveland - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 2-3 nights there

If you want to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park, stay in Peninsula or Hudson. You could also stay in Cleveland as well.
If you want to visit Hocking Hills State Park, stay in or near Logan.

Most would probably agree that Kelley's Island is more family friendly than Put-in-Bay. Kelley's is great for riding bikes around the island.

Click here if you'd like to see a complete list of towns and cities that I find interesting across the entire U.S.

 WHAT IS OHIO FAMOUS FOR?


Here are some things that Ohio is famous or well-known for:

amusement parks
aviation history
covered bridges
Dutch/Amish culture
presidential homes/birthplaces
professional sports teams
rail trails
rock n' roll history
zoos

Click here if you'd like to explore what other U.S. states are famous for.

 NATIONAL PARKS IN OHIO


There is currently one national park in Ohio. There are also several other federally-managed parks and properties in the state, including:

National Parks
Cuyahoga Valley National Park - activities and attractions along the Cuyahoga River (e.g. hiking, cycling, scenic railroad, waterfalls, etc.)

National Monuments
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

National Forests
Wayne National Forest

National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
First Ladies National Historic Site
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
North Country National Scenic Trail
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
William Howard Taft National Historic Site

For more information on Ohio's national parks, visit the Ohio page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all U.S. national parks, click here.

 STATE PARKS IN OHIO


Ohio has more than 75 state parks. Here is a list of many of Ohio's finest state parks:

Northwestern Ohio (including Sandusky and Toledo)
Kelleys Island State Park, Kelleys Island - take a ferry to see glacial geologic formations; the state park occupies 25% of Kellys Island

Southwestern Ohio (including Cincinnati, Dayton, and Yellow Springs)
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, Yellow Springs - see spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges; one of Ohio's most scenic areas

Central Ohio (including Columbus and Zanesville)
Mohican State Park, Loudonville - nature preserve with interesting geology/rock formations, great hiking trails, and riverside scenery

Northeastern Ohio (including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Geneva State Park, Geneva - shoreline park with a small beach, freshwater marshes, estuaries, great fishing and boating, and 3 miles of trails
Headlands Beach State Park, Mentor - features a lighthouse and the largest natural beach in Ohio
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, Garrettsville - nature park with several short hiking trails; known for its rugged cliffs and waterfalls

Southeastern Ohio (including Logan and Rockbridge)
Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, Rockbridge - interesting waterfalls and sandstone cliffs; one of Ohio's best natural areas
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan - Ohio's best state park; features waterfalls (e.g. Cedar Falls) and imposing geologic features (e.g. Ash Cave)

My favorite state park in Ohio is Hocking Hills State Park. The scenery (rock formations, waterfalls, etc.) is gorgeous, well beyond what most people would think Ohio is capable of holding.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources website offers an excellent PDF guide to the Ohio state parks. You can find that here.

To see my list of the top 100 state parks in the country, click here.

 BEST WATERFALLS IN OHIO


Ohio is believed to contain more than 200 natural waterfalls. Here is a list of many of the best waterfalls in Ohio:

Central Ohio (including Columbus and Zanesville)
Hayden Falls in Hayden Falls Park, Dublin

Northeastern Ohio (including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Blue Hen Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Buttermilk Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Chagrin Falls, Riverside Park, Chagrin Falls
Dundee Falls in Beach City Wilderness Area
Great Falls of Tinkers Creek in Bedford Reservation, Bedford
Mill Creek Falls in Cleveland
Paine Falls in Paine Falls Park

Southeastern Ohio (including Logan and Rockbridge)
Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills State Park
Old Man's Cave Waterfalls in Hocking Hills State Park

For a listing of all known waterfalls in Ohio, visit the World Waterfall Database.

 BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN OHIO


Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Ohio:

Covered Bridge Scenic Byway - a 47-mile series of paved roads (mostly OH-26) from Marietta to Woodsfield past many covered bridges
Hocking Hills Scenic Byway - a 26-mile series of paved roads (mostly OH-374) from Rockbridge to Hocking SF and Hocking Hills State Park
Ohio Amish Country Byway - a 160-mile series of paved roads (including OH-60, US-62, and OH-515) in the largest Amish community in OH

The 290-plus Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Scenic Byway is likely to have a few scenic spots too, but I haven't driven that road yet. The roads of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (e.g. Riverview Road) may also be interesting as well.

For a list of great scenic drives in each U.S. state, click here.

 BEST RAIL TRAILS IN OHIO


Ohio is one of the very best states for rail trails (competing with states like FL, PA, MI, MN, and WI). Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Ohio:

Northwestern Ohio (including Sandusky and Toledo)
Wabash Cannonball Trail

Southwestern Ohio (including Cincinnati, Dayton, and Yellow Springs)
Great Miami River Trail
Little Miami Scenic Trail - this trail is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.

Central Ohio (including Columbus and Zanesville)
Holmes County Trail - this trail is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Kokosing Gap Trail
Little Miami Scenic Trail - this trail is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.

Northeastern Ohio (including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Western Reserve Greenway

For detailed information on all known rail trails in Ohio, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.

 BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN OHIO


There are several great amusement parks in Ohio, including.

Northwestern Ohio (including Sandusky and Toledo)
Cedar Point, Sandusky
Cedar Point Shores, Sandusky
Kalahari Waterparks, Sandusky

Southwestern Ohio (including Cincinnati, Dayton, and Yellow Springs)
Coney Island Park, Cincinnati
Kings Island, Mason
Soak City, Kings Mills
Stricker's Grove, Hamilton

Central Ohio (including Columbus and Zanesville)
Zoombezi Bay, Powell

Northeastern Ohio (including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park, Chardon

Cedar Point is consistently rated as one of the very best rollercoaster parks in the world. Having been there myself, I can certainly understand why.

 BEST MUSEUMS IN OHIO


Ohio has an amazing assortment of museums. I would say it ranks within the top 10 best states for museums. The best museums in Ohio include:

Northwestern Ohio (including Sandusky and Toledo)
Imagination Station, Toledo
Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky
National Museum of the Great Lakes, Toledo
Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo

Cincinnati
American Sign Museum
Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincinnati Museum Center
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Southwestern Ohio (including Dayton and Yellow Springs; see above for Cincinnati)
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton
Carillon Historical Park, Dayton
Dayton Art Institute, Dayton
National Aviation Hall of Fame, Dayton
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, Hamilton

Columbus (see below for the rest of central Ohio)
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Columbus Museum of Art
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Wagner-Hagans Auto Museum

Central Ohio (including Zanesville; see above for Columbus)
Airstream Heritage Center, Jackson Center
Ohio State Reformatory / Mansfield Reformatory, Mansfield

Cleveland (see below for the rest of northeastern Ohio)
Children's Museum of Cleveland
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
USS Cod Submarine Memorial

Northeastern Ohio (including Akron, Canton, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park; see above for Cleveland)
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton
MAPS Air Museum, North Canton
National Packard Museum, Warren

 BEST DAY HIKES IN OHIO


Ohio has some great hiking trails, especially in the premier hiking areas of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hocking Hills State Park. Here are some of the very best day hikes in Ohio:

Northwestern Ohio (including Sandusky and Toledo)
17 Mile Trail, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, Swanton

Northeastern Ohio (including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Brandywine Falls via the Stanford House, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Brandywine Gorge Loop, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Blue Hen Falls via the Buckeye Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Buckeye Trail-Red Lock to Boston Shore, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Hell Hollow Wilderness Area trails
Ledges Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Mill Creek Park trails, Youngstown

Southwestern Ohio (including Cincinnati, Dayton, and Yellow Springs)
Glen Helen Nature Preserve trails

Southeastern Ohio (including Logan and Hocking Hills State Park)
Arches Fork Trail, Wayne National Forest (Marietta District)
Ash Cave, Hocking Hills State Park
Backpack Trail-South Loop, Zaleski State Forest
Cantwell Cliffs Loop, Hocking Hills State Park
Cedar Falls, Hocking Hills State Park
Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve trails (e.g. Gorge Trail, Rim Trail)
Natural Bridge, Rockbridge State Nature Preserve
Old Man's Cave & Ash Cave via the Buckeye Trail, Hocking Hills State Park
Rockhouse, Hocking Hills State Park
Upper Falls to Lower Falls via the Buckeye Trail, Hocking Hills State Park
Whispering Cave, Hocking Hills State Park

Before you hike in Hocking Hills State Park, study a trail map. There are a lot of trails that can be connected. However, take note that the state park asks folks to hike some trails in a certain direction in order to cut down on passing hiker traffic.

A good resource for hiking in Ohio is the Trek Ohio website.

The highpoint of Ohio is Campbell Hill (1,549'). You can drive right to the top, and so no hiking is required.

 BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN OHIO


Ohio offers a few great backpacking opportunities. Some of the premier backpacking routes/areas in Ohio include:

Backpack Trail
Buckeye Trail
Mohican-Memorial State Forest
North Country Trail
Oak Openings Metro Park
Tar Hollow State Forest
Twin Valley Trail
Shawnee State Forest
Wayne National Forest
Zaleski State Forest

 CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN OHIO


Ohio offers many great outdoor adventures, including these classics:

Backpacking the Backpack Trail
Backpacking in Shawnee State Forest
Bouldering at Chippewa Creek
Bouldering in Hocking Hills Forest
Bouldering at Salt Fork State Park
Bouldering at Whipp's Ledges
Canoeing/kayaking on Big Darby Creek
Canoeing/kayaking on Blackfork River
Canoeing/kayaking on Cuyahoga River
Canoeing/kayaking the Hocking River
Canoeing/kayaking the Little Miami River
Canoeing/kayaking the Mahoning River
Canoeing/kayaking the Mohican River
Cycling the Holmes County Trail
Cycling the Little Miami Scenic Trail
Cycling the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Cycling the Western Reserve Greenway
Day hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Day hiking in Hocking Hills State Park
Hot air ballooning in Lebanon
Kayaking on the Mahoning River
Mountain biking the Alum Creek Phase II trails in Lewis Center
Mountain biking the Metroparks Mountain Biking Area in Huffman Metropark in Dayton
Mountain biking in the Mohican Wilderness in Loundonville
Mountain biking at Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland
Mountain biking in Strouds Run State Park in Athens
Mountain biking at Vulture's Knob Mountain Bike Park in Wooster
Mountain biking in Wayne National Forest
Rock climbing at Logtown
Rock climbing in Rockbridge
Rock climbing at Whipp's Ledges
Skydiving in Alliance, Ashland, Garrettsville, Middletown, Petersburg, Waynesville, and Xenia
Tubing the Cuyahoga River
Tubing the Great Miami River
Tubing the Hocking River
Tubing the Little Miami River (in Oregonia)
Tubing the Mad River
Tubing the Mohican River
Tubing the Tuscarawas River
Tubing the Whitewater River

 SKI RESORTS IN OHIO


There are currently four ski areas in Ohio. All four ski areas are very small. The largest resort is Mad River, with 24 trails and a vertical drop of 300ft.

 OHIO TRAVEL TIPS


For offbeat and unique Ohio attractions, visit one or both of these amazing websites: Atlas Obscura and Roadside America

 UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN OHIO


Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Ohio:

buckeyes
chili
Cincinnati chili
Dutch apple pie
goetta (e.g. around Cincinnati)
pierogis
polish boy
sauerkraut balls

For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Ohio (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each of the 50 U.S. states, click here.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Ohio (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.

 OTHER KEY OHIO INFORMATION


Here is some helpful key information about Ohio:

State Capital:
Columbus

Major Airports:
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) near Columbus

Largest Cities:
Columbus (929,492), Cleveland (367,786), Cincinnati (311,791), Toledo (267,603), Akron (188,741), Dayton (136,868), Parma (81,054)

Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-70, I-71, I-74, I-75, I-76, I-77, I-80, I-90

State Highpoint:
Campbell Hill (1,549'); you can drive right to the top

Professional Sports Teams:
MLB: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians
NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets

Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Bloody Corners, Fleatown, Knockemstiff, Lickskillet, and Pee Pee

Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.

Cocoa, Milk, and Sugar Silos in Cleveland, Ohio
Cocoa, Milk, and Sugar Silos in Cleveland, Ohio

Ballantrae Community Park in Dublin, Ohio
Ballantrae Community Park in Dublin, Ohio

Field of Giant Corn Cobs in Dublin, Ohio
Field of Giant Corn Cobs in Dublin, Ohio

giant McDonald's statue in Sunbury, Ohio
giant McDonald's statue in Sunbury, Ohio

Tall Stack of Books in Centerville, Ohio
Tall Stack of Books in Centerville, Ohio

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton Ohio
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton Ohio

World's Largest Stamp in Cleveland, Ohio
World's Largest Stamp in Cleveland, Ohio

American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio
American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio

Target Field in Cincinnati, Ohio
Target Field in Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio
downtown Cincinnati, Ohio

Giant Paddle Ball in Cleveland Ohio
Giant Paddle Ball in Cleveland Ohio

Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum in Logan, Ohio
Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum in Logan, Ohio

USA's Tallest Our Lady of Guadalupe statue in Windsor, Ohio
USA's Tallest Our Lady of Guadalupe statue in Windsor, Ohio

Plastic Brick Museum in Bellaire, Ohio
Plastic Brick Museum in Bellaire, Ohio

signed hot dog rolls at Tony Packo's Cafe in Toledo, Ohio
signed hot dog rolls at Tony Packo's Cafe in Toledo, Ohio

Tower of Volkswagen Bettle Cars in Defiance, Ohio
Tower of Volkswagen Bettle Cars in Defiance, Ohio

 ROAD TRIP GUIDEBOOKS


In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any link to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com (affiliate).

Fodor's Bucket List USA (1st edition; 2021)
Moon USA State by State (1st edition; 2021)
Your Guide to the National Parks (3rd edition; 2022)
Road Trip USA (9th edition; 2021)

 MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES


Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:

Alabama Maryland Oregon
Arizona Massachusetts Pennsylvania
Arkansas Michigan Rhode Island
California Minnesota South Carolina
Colorado Mississippi South Dakota
Connecticut Missouri Tennessee
Delaware Montana Texas
Florida Nebraska Utah
Georgia Nevada Vermont
Idaho New Hampshire Virginia
Illinois New Jersey Washington
Indiana New Mexico Washington DC
Iowa New York West Virginia
Kansas North Carolina Wisconsin
Kentucky North Dakota Wyoming
Louisiana Ohio  
Maine Oklahoma  

As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or those that come highly recommended by trusted peers.

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Travel & outdoor activities can be extremely dangerous. Use of this website and all of its information is at your own risk! We strongly believe in personal responsibility when it comes to staying safe. We will not be held liable for any injuries and/or death that occur.
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