Here are 5 of the best sites to see in Ohio.
Ohio is a relatively small state, only the 34th-largest in the country by area. Despite this, the Buckeye State is filled with several large metropolitan areas, including Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Dayton. It is no wonder that despite the small land mass, Ohio is actually the 7th-most populous state in Union.
The good news, then, is that if you are traveling to The Heart of It All (as Ohioans like to call their state), there are amazing experiences at virtually every exit. And, again, since the state is only 220 miles long (and wide!), all are within a half-day’s drive from each other.
Here are 5 of the best sites to see in Ohio:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland)
Even if rock and roll isn’t your first choice for music, the Hall of Fame is a must. You get to be up close and personal with memorabilia from so many iconic moments in American history, not just music history. The museum really emphasizes the interplay between music and the historical context around it–a fun reflection for anyone.
Besides the traditional exhibits, there are several floors of interactive fun for the whole family, such as creating your own band logo and learning some instruments. Plus, the architecture alone is simply stunning.
All in all, you definitely won’t be disappointed in your stop. Just make sure you have a few hours to spend here so that your trip is worth it.
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton)
Admittedly, this stop is most appropriate for the sports fans in your family. However, even non-sports fans often walk away from the experience genuinely impressed with all that the museum has to offer. And for those who love football…well, be sure to bring a drool towel. The place is absolutely stacked with everything a fan of the sport would appreciate, with tributes to great players, games, stadiums, historical moments, and more. In fact, they have so much to share that they can only display 2-3% at a time and continually rotate it.
One final appeal of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is that because legalized sports betting in Ohio could launch before the end of the year, the Hall is scheduled to see a sportsbook on premise. This is the trend in other Midwest States, many of which have both online and retail sports betting. There are even online casinos in Michigan.
So if your state doesn’t allow such gambling, this is a fun spot to get in on the action.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (Near Dayton)
While each metropolitan area in the Buckeye State has several museums, there are a few one-of-a-kind experiences. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati is a close 2nd, but the National Museum of the USAF is one of the most highly-rated museums in the entire world.
There are activities for everyone, no matter your age or your interest. You can sit in a cockpit, learn about amazing military battles, trace the history of flight from its beginnings to the automated drones of today, or even just sit and color.
Cedar Point Amusement Park (Sandusky)
Of course, if you want fun for the whole family, not much beats an amusement park, and Cedar Point is a classic. It is the second-oldest amusement park in the country, and it offers a great mix of old-school rides and the modern-day thrill machines. Indeed, Cedar Point has the 3rd-most roller coasters of any park in the world, including a record 5 that are over 200 ft. in height.
It is no wonder why the park is considered a historic landmark but also was named the “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today for 16 consecutive years.
Ohio Stadium (Columbus)
Of course Ohio has many different sports arenas, but only one can hold upwards of 100,000 people. Only one features “The Best Damn Band in the Land,” who famously comes out and dots the i of the script-written name of the state. Only one features so much pageantry that even non-sports fans will get swept up in the excitement. With no offense intended to any other stadium in the state, the home of the Ohio State University football team is this iconic venue that everyone should experience at least once.
Of course, this list is only a small fraction of all of the incredible fun that awaits you in Ohio. But it’s a great place to start, especially if your time is somewhat limited. Each of these venues offers a great amount of excitement, learning, and fun, no matter who you are.
This small-but-mighty state awaits. Get out and explore it!
Photo by DJ Johnson on Unsplash
