By Jacqueline Thomas
Fun Things to Do in Ohio
In the Iroquois Indian word, Ohio means "beautiful," and the state truly lives up to its name. Filled with stunning natural beauty and progressive, modern art, Ohio is brimming with culture and fun activities. It's home to many famous people, including Steven Spielberg, Halle Berry, Jack Nicklaus, Sarah Jessica Parker and John D. Rockefeller. Nicknamed the Buckeye State, after its most famous tree, the buckeye, Ohio contains over 2,500 plant species. Its temperate climate welcomes visitors year around.
Cleveland
Heather McLaughlin, Flickr
Cleveland is host to many cultural museums and activities. The most popular activity in Cleveland is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Opened in 1995, this features artists like U2, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Sam Cooke. The Great Lakes Science Center appeals to the scientist within, with more than 400 interactive exhibits.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 781-ROCK
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 694-2000
Columbus
Thomas Alexander, Flickr
Columbus is the capital of Ohio and home to the largest university in the U.S., Ohio State. As such, Columbus is a popular educational destination, with many cultural activities. One such place is the German Village. Settled by German immigrants in the 1800s, this historic village features brick roads, quaint shopping, and neighborhood cafes. While in the German Village, check out the Book Loft, a blocklong bookstore with 32 rooms devoted to bargain books. Stop by the Topiary Garden, which uses topiaries to reenact the famous painting "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat.
German Village Meeting Haus
588 South Third Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 221-8888
Topiary Garden
480 E Town Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-0197
Book Loft
631 S 3rd Street
Columbus, Ohio 43206
(614) 464-1774
Toledo
The McClouds, Flickr
Toledo is perhaps best known for its zoo, which is consistently rated one of the top 10 in the country. Opened in 1900, the zoo contains close to 5,000 animals and 700 species. Across the street from the zoo is Wallbridge Park, a family-friendly place to picnic. The Toledo Museum of Art contains over 30,000 pieces, including work from Rembrandt, Money, van Gogh and Cézanne. Admission to the museum is free.
Toledo Zoo
Broadway Entrance
2700 Broadway
Toledo, Ohio 43609
(419) 385-5721
Wallbridge Park
Broadway Street
Toledo, Ohio 43614
(419) 936-2875
Museum of Art
2445 Monroe Street
Toledo, Ohio 43620
(419) 255-8000
Cincinnati
Robert Meeks, Flickr
Cincinnati is filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Visit the Krohn Conservatory, a greenhouse with a wide assortment of flora and fauna. The Krohn Conservatory is a choice for weddings, due to its breathtaking backdrop. Coney Island is an amusement park, featuring a Ferris wheel, bumper boats, water slides and live stage shows. All baseball fanatics must visit the Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds.
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 421-4086
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45228
(513) 232-8230
Great American Ball Park
100 Main Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 381-7337
Dayton
Brian Miller, Flickr
Birthplace of the Wright Brothers, Dayton is also known by its nickname "birthplace of aviation." Dayton is dedicated to science and education. Visit the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery for a healthy dose of natural history. This museum will appeal greatly to children, but everyone who goes there will have fun discovering the mysteries of the universe. Also visit SunWatch Indian Village, an archaeological park and recreation of a thirteenth-century village. Shoppers will love the National City Second Street Market. Inside an old freight house, this farmer's market has over 40 vendors.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 Deweese Parkway
Dayton, Ohio 45414
(937) 275-7431
Sunwatch Indian Villages
2301 W. River Road
Dayton, OH 45418
(937) 268-8199
National City Second Street Market
600 E 2nd Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
(937) 228-2088
Off the Beaten Path
Johnny_appleseed1774, Flickr
Other places to consider in Ohio include Fossil Park, where visitors can participate in excavation, and the Amish Culture Tour in Millersburg, where visitors can have dinner with an Amish host family. Another must-see is the Ghostly Manor Thrill Center in Sandusky. This haunted house is open from May through October, and is one of the scariest destinations in the country. Round off your trip to Ohio with Seneca Caverns.
Fossil Park
Centennial Road
Sylvania, Ohio 43560
(419) 882-8313
Amish Culture Tour
5568 Township Road 381
Millersburg, Ohio 44654
(330) 893-3248
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center
3319 Milan Rd
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
(419) 625-0212
Seneca Caverns
15248 Township Road 178
Bellevue, Ohio 44811
(419) 483-6711
About the Author:
Jacqueline Thomas is an award-winning writer and poet. She studied creative writing at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and has written critically acclaimed pieces for over 20 years. Thomas is published in both traditional and online press, and has articles that reached the Digg Front Page.
Photo Credits:
Rona Proudfoot, Flickr
