As an Ohio local who’s lived in Cincinnati and Cleveland and explored much of the state, I have insights into the best places to visit in Ohio.
You’ll find it all in Ohio, from big cities to small towns, historic attractions, hiking trails, and more.
This guide covers a range of popular attractions for all types of visitors, as well as a few unexpected spots. For example, did you know you can take an island vacation in the Midwest? Read on for more hidden gems you won’t want to miss!
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23 Best Places to Visit in Ohio
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
An epic shrine to rock and roll located in Cleveland.
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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a museum located in downtown Cleveland where you can learn tons about the history of rock music. Exhibits discuss notable figures who have played a role in developing the genre.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has seven levels. The lowest level is home to the Ahmet M. Ertegun Exhibition Hall, the main gallery of the museum. It contains exhibits on the artists and origins of rock and roll.
There are many other fascinating exhibits, including the actual Hall of Fame on the third floor. The building itself is a work of art, containing an array of geometric forms that overlook Lake Erie, and one of the most famous attractions in Cleveland.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
A historic mansion and estate in Akron.
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Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is a historic house in Akron which has been converted into a museum. It belonged to the Seiberling family (co-founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company) who built it as a family home and gathering place for the community [ source].
Today, you can explore the estate, which includes the main mansion, a greenhouse, gardens, and a carriage house. It has been restored multiple times, and there are many tours available to visitors.
It is often used for special events, and it is considered to be one of the loveliest wedding venues in northern Ohio.
Huntington Park
A fantastic hub for baseball fans in Columbus.
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Huntington Park is Columbus’ baseball stadium. It’s the home of the Columbus Clippers, a minor-league baseball team, and an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The stadium is known for its optimal location, great design, and amenities for baseball fans. This is a great place to visit if you’re a sports fan.
Lake Erie Islands
Explore these unexpected island getaways in the Midwest.
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The Lake Erie islands are great for anyone who wants a serene, quiet getaway. Kelleys Island is the largest of the islands and is perfect for anyone who loves nature, with its forests and sandy beaches.
South Bass Island, also known as Put-in-Bay, was established as a visitor destination mostly by wine making and other amenities. There are several amazing amenities on North Bass Island and Middle Bass Island as well.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
An “Amazement Park” on the banks of Lake Erie.
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Cedar Point Amusement Park is located in Sandusky, Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie. This park is sure to create some amazing memories. There are so many family-friendly rides to enjoy, as well as thrill rides, such as Millennium Force.
Some people refer to Cedar Point as The Amazement Park! In addition to the 17 world-class roller coasters, you can enjoy tours on the boardwalk, charter a boat, or just enjoy views of the Lake Erie shore.
During the summer, you can cool off at the neighboring Cedar Point Shores Waterpark. There are pools for children, tons of water gadgets, and fun water slides to enjoy.
🌊 Love Waterparks? Check out Soak City of Kings Island, Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, and Coney Island Park in Cincinnati!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Ohio’s only national park features a plethora of things to do and see.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park is between Cleveland and Akron. This park is unique among national parks in that it borders two large urban areas.
It consists mostly of rural landscapes along the banks of the Cuyahoga River. The park is home to small towns, multiple parks, and a dense road network.
This is one of the best places to visit in Ohio if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. There are many amazing sights, both natural and man-made, such as Brandywine Falls.
Enjoy taking in natural beauty or get some exercise on the hiking trails and mountain biking trails. In the winter, you can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and more!
👉 Love History? The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Take a train ride tour to learn about the interesting history of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad!
Hocking Hills State Park
A haven for nature lovers in Southeastern Ohio.
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No list of the best places to visit in Ohio would be complete without Hocking Hills State Park. It’s located in Logan and is a must-visit for fans of outdoor activities. There are seven hiking areas in this park, including Rock House, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, and Old Man’s Cave.
Hocking Hills State Park is home to hiking trails and a popular campground adjacent to Old Man’s Cave. There are fully-equipped campsites and cabins, as well as a hike-in camping site.
There are plenty of things to do at Hocking Hills, with all the waterfront trails for hiking and horseback riding. You can also go rock climbing or just take in the beauty of the rolling hills.
👉 Pro Tip: Be sure to research hiking trails before visiting, as some like Cedar Falls are more challenging. Also, take a look at our Hiking Essentials Checklist to arrive prepared!
Franklin Park Conservatory
An impressive plant conservatory in the middle of Franklin Park in Columbus.
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Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of the best things to do in Columbus, Ohio. Plant lovers will especially love it here.
You can see over 400 amazing plant species here, from climate zones all over the world. There are also stunning Dale Chihuly glass sculptures to admire. This Conservatory became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Cincinnati Museum Center
This train station is home to some of Cincinnati’s best museums.
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North of the Ohio River in the Queensgate neighborhood of Cincinnati lies the Cincinnati Museum Center. This is the biggest half-dome building in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most notable historic buildings in Ohio.
The Cincinnati Museum Center operates out of the Cincinnati Union Terminal Train Station and is home to three different museums. These include the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and Duke Energy Children’s Museum. All of these museums are full of amazing and interactive exhibits.
Merry Go Round Museum
Go round and round and learn all about the history of the carousel.
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The Merry Go Round Museum is located in Sandusky, OH, and opened its doors to the public in 1990. Here, you can learn all sorts of interesting things about the carousel.
There is a carousel at the heart of the museum, with multiple colorful figurines. This carousel is a work of art in itself. You can even take a tour of this museum, learning all about the art and history behind the carousel.
Strouds Run State Park
A serene getaway full of outdoor adventures in Southeastern Ohio.
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Strouds Run State Park is located in Athens. This park consists of acres of hardwood forest, coves, and hills, as well as a scenic lake.
You’ll find this park especially intriguing if you’re a fan of natural history. The effects of glacier movements are still visible in the landscape of this park.
Strouds Run State Park is abundant with wildlife. It’s an excellent location for bird watching and a refuge for nature lovers in general.
👉 Pro Tip: For more natural wonders, visit Serpent Mound in Adams County, about 50 miles east of Cincinnati. Built by American Indians, this effigy mound pictures the shape of a curved snake.
Fountain Square
Downtown Cincinnati’s restaurant and entertainment hub.
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Fountain Square is a city square in downtown Cincinnati, full of shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars. The Tyler Davidson Fountain is the centerpiece of this entire buzzing district.
There is a constant stream of events going on here, including an ice rink open every day in the winter! Fountain Square is located just north of the Ohio River.
Columbus Zoo
This top-rated, fun-filled zoo is home to animals from all over the world.
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The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was named one of the best zoos in the country by USA Today. You can see more than 800 species, with over 7,000 animals in total. There are eight sections in this zoo, each representing animals from parts of the world.
Along with housing these animals, the Columbus Zoo participates in multiple conservation efforts. It’s donated to over 70 projects all over the world.
👉 Pro Tip: The Columbus Zoo isn’t the only zoo in Ohio worth visiting. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden opened in 1875 and is the sixth-oldest zoo in the nation.
Cincinnati Music Hall
Cincinnati’s historic performance venue.
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Connoisseurs of the arts will love Cincinnati Music Hall. It is home to various arts organizations, including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. There’s also the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Cincinnati Ballet. Other musical performances are put on by the May Festival Chorus and Cincinnati Opera.
The main concert hall for performances is the Springer Auditorium, and the Music Hall Ballroom is often used for large gatherings.
West Side Market
A historic Cleveland market that features global cuisines.
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West Side Market is the oldest publicly owned market in Cleveland. When I first went, I was astounded by the diversity of the products available.
There are more than 100 vendors representing many countries and cultures. They sell seafood, dairy products, baked goods, fresh produce, fine meats, candies, nuts, flowers, and much more.
Progressive Field
This MLB field is home to the Cleveland Guardians and fits right into the industrial cityscape.
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Progressive Field is a Major League Baseball stadium in downtown Cleveland that’s home to the Cleveland Guardians. This team has won many different accolades since moving to Progressive Field. Sports fans will find this place to be worth visiting.
The exposed steel structure and vertical light towers make this venue unique. These design elements were chosen to fit in with the smokestacks of buildings in industrial Cleveland.
Cleveland Museum of Art
A free, diverse repository of some of the finest art in the world.
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The Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland. It’s acclaimed for its permanent collection of over 61,000 pieces of art from all over the world. It’s especially well-known for its Egyptian and Asian art galleries.
This Cleveland museum draws approximately 770,000 visitors every year, making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. Perhaps the best part is that admission is free to the public.
National Museum of the US Air Force
The largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world.
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The National Museum of the US Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force. It’s located at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base north of Dayton. It’s the largest and oldest museum of military aviation worldwide.
Displays such as the Boeing B17-F Memphis Belle and the Apollo 15 Command Module Endeavor are impressive to see in person. If you visit, you will be able to see over 360 missiles and aircraft on display.
With approximately a million visitors every year, this is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the state of Ohio.
👉 Pro Tip: Most exhibits can be seen online with the Virtual Tour, launched in 2010. This is ideal for people who don’t have time to see the full museum, or, aren’t able to visit in person.
American Sign Museum
This Cincinnati museum houses a collection of signs from different decades.
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The American Sign Museum is located in Cincinnati. This museum archives, preserves, and displays collections of signs. It also features the equipment that has been used in the design of these signs.
There are more than 200 signs and other items on display. There is an extensive collection, ranging from the late 19th century to the 1970s. Some of the older items include gold leaf lettering on glass, which serves as an impressive contrast to neon signs from later decades.
Toledo Museum of Art
A collection of incredible galleries, free to the public.
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The Toledo Museum of Art is known all around the world for the quality of its collections, as well as the architecture of the building itself. It is a non-profit institution that is open to the public, with no admission fees.
There are more than 25,000 works of art housed in this museum, with more than 40 galleries. The Glass Pavilion is one of the most famous collections of glass art worldwide. Both antique and contemporary works of art are featured in this museum.
NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame
A shrine to the excellence of pro football,located in Canton.
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Canton, OH is often referred to as the Hall of Fame City because of this attraction. The NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame is essentially a shrine to all sorts of inspirational figures in pro football. These include players, coaches, franchise owners, and other officials. Don’t miss this attraction if you’re a sports fan!
German Village
These historic streets in Columbus will transport you back in time.
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The German Village is a historic neighborhood in Columbus, and a unique place to stay in Columbus.
At the Columbus German Village, you’ll find rows of stately brick houses built by immigrants in the 19th century. Many charming little shops sell handmade jewelry, books, traditional fudge, and more. You also can learn about local history and attend an array of special events, too.
Amish Country
Visit an Amish refuge in Holmes County.
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Travel to Holmes County, OH for a different kind of experience. Here, you can experience Amish country and a simpler way of life. Learn about Amish traditions when it comes to making simple, yet beautiful furniture, clothing, and other items.
FAQs About Places to Go in Ohio
What are some underrated places to visit in Ohio?
Lake Erie Islands, the German Village in Columbus, and Amish Country in Holmes County are some underrated places to visit in Ohio.
What are the best places to visit in Ohio?
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hocking Hills State Park, and Lake Erie Islands are some of the best places to visit in Ohio. Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Columbus Zoo, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton are top Ohio attractions.
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Hopefully, you found this guide to be helpful! Ohio is home to some truly cool places. Check out our guides to the neighboring state of Pennsylvania next!
