By Alexandra Haller
With a population of more than 11 million people, those in the state of Ohio have found numerous ways to entertain themselves in the summer. From festivals and water parks to museums and sporting events, there are a wealth of things to do in Ohio. Whether you are an older couple or a young family trying to find outings for the little ones, start with this list of adventures and see why nearly 23 million visitors keep coming back each year.
Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Game
A Mud Hens game is a true chance to see America's favorite pastime in a wholesome, family-friendly atmosphere. The minor league team tends to pack in major crowds during the summer with all its promotions. It has theme nights for Scouts, seamstresses, Catholics and those with bad hair. With most tickets priced under $20, this is an inexpensive way to enjoy a true Ohio experience. The games are played at Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo. To buy tickets or find more information on games, log on to their website at Mudhens.com.
Champaign County Balloon Fest
The Balloon Fest takes place on the grounds of the Urbana city airport. Urbana is a 45-minute drive west of Columbus and it's about two hours south of Toledo. Featuring a late night "balloon glow," the fest showcases a light-up nighttime display of incandescent, vibrant floating hot air balloons. It's hosted the second weekend in July and the best part is that admission and parking are free. For more details on this event, call the Urbana Chamber of Commerce at (937) 653-5764.
North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival
Held annually in Columbus since 2001, the festival places a celebratory emphasis on local food and wines. The weekend festival kicks off with a preview party on a Friday night, then there is wine tasting, food sampling, cooking demos and live music until the festival wraps up on Sunday at 6 p.m. It's free to walk around the grounds, but you will have to buy tickets if you are interested in sampling the diverse array of whites and reds (bonus--you get to keep your glass).
The festival is hosted by North Market, a large farmers' market that showcases all types of local culinary masters, from butchers to specialty fish preparers. Visit their website for more information about the July festival at Northmarket.com.
Cedar Point
To enjoy Ohio in July, one must spend a day at Cedar Point. Cedar Point is a gigantic amusement park that features the biggest roller coaster in the world and Soak City, an 18-acre water park. If you love the blood rushing through your veins and the stomach-dropping delights of roller coasters, this is a must-see spot in Ohio. This park has more rides than any other park in the world. For those who operate on a slower pace, there are children's rides and more moderate rides as well.
The park opens at 10 a.m. every day in July and stays open until 11 p.m. Most adult tickets are $45. Teens under 4-feet tall and seniors older than 62 can enter the park for only $20. The park is in Sandusky, Ohio, which is about two hours from Detroit and two and a half hours from Columbus. Check the website at Cedarpoint.com for more details about getting to the park and maximizing your fun.
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About the Author:
Alexandra Haller has written for numerous health and fitness outlets. Her work has been picked up by "Runner's World," "Reuters." She has worked as a copy editor for the American Mathematical Society, the editor-in-chief for Her Active Life and is now a proofreader for Plante & Moran.
