If you think of Ohio, you cannot but notice its natural borders as it is surrounded by both Lake Erie and the Ohio River.
The state is full of interesting cities, stunning natural scenery, and charming farms that tourists frequently visit.
Of course, some of them come to explore Ohio for a weekend and cannot see all the attractions it has to offer, but if you come for a long vacation, there are lots to see.
Besides its major cities Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, we also suggest more places to discover.
Contents
Lake Erie Islands
You can see the Lake Erie Islands within the Great Lake.
Actually, both Lake Erie and its islands are tourists attractions by themselves.
The islands can be reached by ferry from several places and are available to tourists.
However, some of them are privately owned or require a membership to be visited.
If you take into consideration those islands which can be visited, Kelleys Island is the best.
There, you should not miss Glacial Grooves State Park, created by glaciers moving through the limestone bedrock.
Holmes County
Holmes County is located in the eastern part of Ohio.
Once at Holmes County you can enjoy some beautiful steep hills and narrow green valleys.
This is definitely an agricultural hub of the state, but also the epicenter of Ohio’s Amish Country.
People who are interested in shopping should definitely visit Holmes County.
They will be able to buy handcrafted hardwood carpentry, homemade jams, and local cheeses, among many other things.
That way, they will experience Amish culture.
Other features are the visit to the Sistine Chapel of the Amish and Mennonites, which you should not miss.
Toledo
Toledo can be found on the lakes of Lake Erie.
It is not a big city but it has an enormous port.
People like to visit it so as to see historic buildings that have been rescued.
Nowadays, these buildings are used as spaces such as artist housing.
The artistic atmosphere makes this place a hub for arts and culture.
Some of its attractions are the Toledo Museum of Art, where the admission is always free, and the Old West End, which boasts century-old trees and beautiful historic mansions.
Sandusky
Sandusky can be found between Cleveland and Toledo.
It is located on the shores of Lake Erie, and this is a city whose most famous attraction is the Cedar Point Amusement Park.
This is the place where you can enjoy the most thrilling and extreme roller coasters and rides.
For those who are interested in a little more relaxing attractions, Sandusky can offer Cold Creek Trout Camp.
You can see the exact place where the waters of the Sandusky Bay mix with the waters of Lake Erie.
Dayton
In Dayton, everything is about aviation, as this is a place known in history as a city where the Wright brothers lived, worked, and where the first practical airplane was designed.
Once in Downtown Dayton, you should look for Flyover, which is a piece of structure that is designed so as to trace the path of that first flight of the Wright brothers.
Also, you can see the Wright Cycle Company Complex, the place where the Wright brothers operated their bicycle repair shop.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is very close to Cleveland, so you can go on a daily excursion there.
You cannot miss the most popular attraction – the beautiful Cuyahoga River.
Some of its features are rolling hills, gorges, and more than 70 waterfalls.
It boasts more than 200 miles of hiking trails.
If you are not interested in hiking, then there is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad with several stations, so you can see all the beauty a lot in a short period of time.
Columbus
Columbus is the capital city that boasts a range of cultures.
Columbus offers a mixture of different people and cultures as it is an intersection of the Rust Belt, the Bible Belt the Great Plains, and Appalachia.
Another feature of this city is the Ohio State University, bringing young people from all over the world to this amazing city.
Our suggestion for the exploration of Columbu’s history is to visit German Village, which boasts cobblestone streets and bungalows.
Cleveland
Another major city in Ohio is Cleveland, which was built on the shore of Lake Erie.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, designed by famed architect I.M. Pei, who also designed the iconic glass pyramid in front of the Louvre Museum is the must-see attraction there.
Our suggestion is to definitely check out exhibits on Elvis, David Bowie, and U2 inside this stunning building.
Plus, you will see the most famous instruments of all time.
All in all, Cleveland is an incredible monument to music.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati is situated on the Ohio River.
This place is nicknamed the Queen City, and Charles Dickens was so charmed with the beauties of this city.
Its uniqueness is the Mason-Dixon Line, the skyline that is incredible, and you should not miss seeing the buildings like Carew Tower or the Cincinnati Observatory Center.
Sawyer Point is the area where you can enjoy live concerts combined with the green space.
Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills State Park is certainly the most scenic place to visit in Ohio.
Inside this huge park, visitors can enjoy gorges, waterfalls, and amazing cliffs.
There are some caves, standing as proof that the Adena people lived there more than 7,000 years ago.
Popular caves are Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave, which are both available to visitors.
There are also miles of signposted hiking trails for explorers who like hiking.