Tucked into the northeastern edge of the American Midwest, Ohio is easy to miss and even easier to dismiss. Yet this often overlooked state offers a wealth of experiences and things to do that are unexpected and diverse—and you won’t have to battle tourist crowds to enjoy them. The state is largely rural and home to some beautiful state parks and waterways, yet its big cities are cultural heavyweights home to thriving dining, arts, and music scenes, as well as nationally renowned museums both sophisticated and swaggering—we see you, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Summer is undoubtedly the best season to visit Ohio. The days are long and sunny, and there are ample opportunities to cool off outdoors, from natural swimming holes to shaded waterfalls. Ohioans make the most of summer with a packed calendar of events. In Columbus alone you’ll find a festival nearly every weekend, from the renowned Columbus Arts Festival to Stonewall Columbus Pride and the Festival Latino.
Fall is also a great season for visiting Ohio. Most people don’t associate the Buckeye State with fall foliage. But it has plenty to offer leaf peepers whether they’re coming just to take in the beautiful colors with their eyes or are coming to use their high-tech cameras. Fall is also when the state’s farmers host markets and you can’t drive 50 miles (80 kilometers) without encountering at least four pumpkin patches. The town of Fairborn is known as “Halloween Town” because it goes all out. Admission is free to the 3-day festival.
There’s really no reason to visit Ohio in the winter, unless you have to come for business. Then it makes sense to extend your work trip by a couple of days if you’re a skier or a snowboarder. The Buckeye State has a few ski resorts including Alpine Valley. It’s located 32 miles (51.5 kilometers) east of Cleveland and offers a variety of terrain for different abilities. It’s been a popular place to ski for more than 60 years; however, the ski season is shorter than what you’ll encounter out west. The mountain usually closes by mid-March, if not before.
Spring in Ohio can be fun if you follow sports or like roller coasters. The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians usually kick off their seasons in late March. Spring is also when the state’s world-class amusement park, Cedar Point, opens for the season. A beloved institution since 1870, it’s one of the country’s oldest continuously operating amusement parks. Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, approximately halfway in between Toledo and Cleveland.
The car is king in Ohio. Driving is by far the main form of transportation, so renting a vehicle is highly recommended. You’ll find rentals at every major airport. The shuttle from the terminal to the rental car lots at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport runs 24 hours per day. Choose from Thrifty, Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo, and more.
If renting a car is not an option, you can make use of Amtrak train services to Cincinnati and Cleveland—though you can’t use the train to get around the state. You can also try the Greyhound bus line, which serves more destinations. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus all have public transport systems that are limited but useful for getting around the city centers.
If you’re just visiting Cleveland, keep in mind that it’s a very pedestrian-friendly place. In fact, it has one of the country’s highest “walkability” scores. Most main attractions are within a 20-minute stroll. That said, the city also offers bike shares and a scooter share. Cleveland has decent public transit, too. For example, the red line train goes from East Cleveland to the airport. There’s also a trolley which runs from downtown to the Wolstein Center, home of the Cleveland Charge and where Cleveland State plays.
Between Cleveland and Akron, the sprawling Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers history and nature in equal measure. Cycle or walk along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a restored section of the Ohio Canal's original towpath; then dive into the 19th-century waterway’s rich history at the Canal Exploration Center. You can also take a picturesque ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
It’s hard to come to Ohio without stopping by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pro tip: while the experience starts on Level 0, if you want to avoid the crowds on a weekend, start on Level 2 and go out of order. Most visitors stay for 2–3 hours. If you run out of time, stop by Member Services and tell them you’d like to come back. They’ll apply the cost of your paid admission to a membership. If you decide to purchase a membership, you’ll be able to return for free at any time for a full year.
