Ohio – Activities and Attractions | 2024
Ohio
A location for thrill-seekers, families, foodies, and culture enthusiasts
Ohio might be the “greatest hits” state in the United States if there were such a thing. This place is home to all of your favorite American pastimes, including professional sports, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and even rock ‘n roll. This Midwestern state is surrounded by a broad range of people, places, and experiences, with Lake Erie to the north and the Ohio River to the south. There are authentic experiences all around the state, but three major urban centers—Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati—offer arts, culture, music, food, and spirits. There are excellent zoos, aquariums, and theme parks for families. Outdoor enthusiasts can camp, walk, cycle, and paddle among dense forests and sandstone cliffs, or along Lake Erie’s coastlines. Professional baseball, football, soccer, hockey, and basketball are available to sports enthusiasts. And when you’re in the mood for some food, Ohio has plenty to offer, from award-winning restaurants to comfort food from the region.
Urban Areas Boasting Top-Notch Attractions
Ohio is home to three sizable cities, each with a distinct character. History and culture abound in Columbus, the state capital, with locations including the German Village Historic District, the Short North Arts District, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and the Columbus Museum of Art.
Cleveland, a center for professional sports teams with a view of Lake Erie, is also home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square, the biggest performing arts venue outside of New York, and several remarkable monuments, such as the USS Cod Submarine Memorial, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and the James A. Garfield Monument.
Cincinnati’s Riverfront offers a lively residential environment, particularly in the historic Over-the-Rhine area, which is known for its amazing architectural design and serves as a shopping, dining, and entertainment hub. Also worth seeing are the Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously running public market, and the Cincinnati Museum Center, a renowned example of Art Deco design.
From Theme Park Rides to Nature Time, Ohio’s two largest amusement parks, Cedar Point and Kings Island, offer riders infinite loops, towering hills, and high-speed courses. Family-friendly rides and attractions abound, as do kid-friendly ones.
Would you rather go on slower adventures? Play on Lake Erie’s beaches, take a boat tour of the Lake Erie Islands, or head to one of Ohio’s many expansive nature parks. More than 200 kilometers of hiking and biking paths, camping and canoeing options, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train excursion are all available in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Hocking Hills region in southeast Ohio boasts breathtaking rock formations, waterfalls, and valleys that are perfect for hiking, zip-lining, and canoeing, all sculpted by the forces of nature and time.
Various Culinary Scenes
Ohio is a foodie’s paradise, home to over 300 wineries, 300 craft brewers, and a variety of dining establishments from casual favorites to fine dining. Taste local favorites like goetta, a morning sausage with characteristics reminiscent of the area’s German past, or Cincinnati-style chili, which is served atop a mound of spaghetti or hot dogs. Indulge your cravings with culinary trails featuring burgers, beer, cocktails, doughnuts, coffee, and the state’s well-known Buckeye candies—peanut butter balls covered in chocolate.
Foodies who are crazy about famous chefs can try a whole new kind of Eastern European-inspired barbecue at Cleveland’s Mabel’s BBQ, which is owned by Michael Symon, the star of “Iron Chef,” or treat yourself to a classier dining experience at Trentina, an Italian restaurant owned by James Beard Award winner Johnathon Sawyer.
Interesting Note
The film “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory located in Mansfield.