By Melinda Gaines
There are many things to do if you're visiting Ohio, and there's something for everyone. Many of the available activities are inexpensive, fun for the whole family, and are distinct to the state of Ohio.
Sports
If you're visiting during football season, catch a Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals or Ohio State Buckeyes game. If basketball is your sport and you're visiting during basketball season, check out the Cleveland Cavaliers or Rockers. Other sports with teams in Ohio include hockey (Columbus Blue Jackets), baseball (Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds) and soccer (Columbus Crew). Another attraction for sports enthusiasts is the Pro Football Hall of Fame, located in Canton, Ohio. Fans of golf will be able to find a course in just about every city, since there are over 840 public and private golf courses in the state.
Theme Parks
Theme parks are an ideal choice for family vacations, and there are several located in Ohio, including Cedar Point (Sandusky), Kings Island (Mason), Coney Island (Cinncinnati) and Stricker's Grove (Ross). These are all great choices for families with children of all ages, and King's Island bills itself as "Ohio's Largest Playground" (it is in fact one of the largest theme parks in the Midwest).
Outdoor Activities
Depending on what time of year you visit, there is a wide assortment of outdoor activities available across the state. Ohio has quite a few state and national parks, including Salt Fork State Park, Headlands beach State Park, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For a look at beautiful wildflowers and garden collections, visit The Holden Arboretum. If you're visiting Ohio in the winter and want to do some skiing, check out Alpine Valley, Ski Clear Fork or Snow Trails.
Educational Sights
There are many top museums, state, and national parks in Ohio, including the U.S. Air Force Museum, The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, The Toledo Zoo, The Wilds (Cumberland), The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, and HealthSpace Cleveland. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Toledo Zoo are consistently ranked as two of the nation's top zoos.
Other Attractions
Music lovers won't want to miss seeing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, located in Cleveland. It's a gallery of contemporary exhibits showcasing the legends of rock and roll music. If you want a one-of-a-kind experience, try the I-X Indoor Amusement Park, also located in Cleveland. There you will find occasional celebrity appearances, plenty of rides, food, and an area called Kidzville.
About the Author:
Melinda Gaines has been a freelance writer since 2006, with work appearing online for YellowPages and other websites. Her areas of expertise include business, beauty, fashion and sports. Gaines attended the University of Houston where she earned a Bachelor of Science in sport administration.
