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The Ultimate Bucket List of things to do in Ohio

The ultimate bucket list of things to do in OhioThings to do in Ohio: From the top Ohio State Reformatory, Kalahari Indoor Water Park, Worden’s Ledges, Hocking Hills, Leaning Tower of Pizza.  

This list was last updated 2/03/2017 to include my glamping in Ohio post. If you’ve ever wanted to sleep in a treehouse, this is a must read!

Ohio is one of the top wine-producing states in the country, has the largest Amish population in the world and is known as the roller coaster capital, thanks to the thrill seekers paradise, Cedar Point. Ohio is pretty diverse and most people have no idea of all that Ohio has to offer.

My goal for the past couple years has been to explore that diversity and uncover some of the places, attractions, and events that make Ohio not only a great place to live, but also a great place to visit.

So I’ve compiled a list that I have dubbed “ The Ultimate Bucket List of things to do in Ohio ” to help me stay on track. As I discover new reasons to love my home state, I’ll write a post about it and share it here. Simply click on the link – or sentence that is blue or purplish- to go to that blog post to see what I have to say about that attraction or destination.

Hopefully, my experiences will help you as you plan outings with your own children, spouse or travel friends. I’ll also add a button to my sidebar so you can easily reference this post as I visit more Ohio attractions and add them to my list of things to do in Ohio. So make sure you bookmark this page, Pin it, or share it so you’ll have it to refer back to when you’re looking for more ideas.

Things to do in Ohio

Begin your tour of the 1830's Canal Era Town at the Roscoe Village Visitor Center

Historic Roscoe Village Visitor Center in Coshocton

1. Visit each of the 88 counties in Ohio.

The Chuck Wagon Dinner Ride at Bonnybrook Farms in Clarksville, Ohio near Cincinnati was a hit.

Bonnybrook Farms Chuck Wagon Dinner Ride in Clarksville

Sunrise at Lake Erie

The beach at sunrise at Hotel Breakers- Cedar Point’s on property hotel

  • Huron County
The World's Largest Eagle's Nest Replica in LaGrange, Ohio at the Raptor Center

The World’s Largest Eagle’s Nest Replica in LaGrange at the Raptor Center

Cell blocks at Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio

The World’s Largest Free Standing Cell blocks at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield

Hocking Hills - Four Surprising Facts you May Not Know About Ohio State Parks

Cantwell Cliffs in Hocking Hills

Kayaking in the early morning at Deer Creek State Park.

Kayaking in the early morning at Deer Creek State Park

2. Visit all of the National Park sites in Ohio that I’ve not already visited.

Perry's Monument as seen from Oak Point State Park.

Perry’s Monument on South Bass Island as seen from Oak Point State Park.

3. Go camping at least one time.

4. Stay overnight somewhere really unique.

The Beach at Lake Erie outside Hotel Breakers Resort provides a welcome break from Cedar Point.

The Beach at Lake Erie outside Hotel Breakers Resort

5. Travel along the length of the Lake Erie Coastal Trail.

Headlands Beach State Park - Four Surprising Facts you May Not Know About Ohio State Parks

Headlands Beach State Park

6. Follow a portion of the National Road, stopping at anything that piques my interest.

7. Take a train ride.

Cuyahoga Valley

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

8. Go on a Lake Erie island excursion.

9. Visit National Historic Landmarks.

Garfield Memorial in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland

Garfield Memorial in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland

10. Take factory tours.

Flags are hand-sewn to produce high quality flags at the Annin Flag Company in Coshocton, Ohio.

Flags are hand-sewn to produce high quality flags at the Annin Flag Company in Coshocton

11. Visit cultural attractions or events.

12. Hike at places that I’ve never hiked before.

Hiking the Pleasant Hill Trail

Hiking the Pleasant Hill Trail

13. Visit the Ohio Historical Sites.

Hayes Presidential Museum Photo credit: Lake Erie Shores & Islands

Hayes Presidential Museum Photo credit: Lake Erie Shores & Islands

14. Visit roadside attractions.

World's largest basket building

World’s largest basket building outside Newark

15. Visit festivals that I’ve never been too.

16. Eat at new restaurants.

The Price is Right Sign at the Lava Rock Grill in Coshocton, Ohio

Lava Rock Grill at the Unusual Junction near Coshocton

17. Visit the state parks.

Ohio State Park Lodges- Mural inside Salt Fork State Park Lodge tells some of the history of the area

Mural inside Salt Fork State Park Lodge near Cambridge tell some area history

Exploring Ohio State Parks as Mother and Daughter
Ohio State Park Lodges: Why You Should Plan a State Park Visit
Four Surprising Facts you may not know about Ohio State Parks

Cattails in the sunrise at Deer Creek State Park.

Cattails in the sunrise at Deer Creek State Park

1. Deer Creek State Park

Malabar Farm State Park - Four Surprising Facts you May Not Know About Ohio State Parks

Malabar Farm State Park near Lucas

2. Malabar Farm State Park

Mohican State Park - Four Surprising Facts you May Not Know About Ohio State Parks

Mohican State Park

3. Mohican State Park

The Stone House Museum as seen from the Lake at Salt Fork State Park

The Stone House Museum as seen from the Lake at Salt Fork State Park

4. Salt Fork State Park

Egret at Maumee Bay State Park

Egret at Maumee Bay State Park

5. Maumee Bay State Park

Places to Visit in Ohio: Headlands Beach State Park

Headlands Beach State Park

6. Headlands Beach State Park

7. Marblehead Lighthouse State Park

18. Visit new thrift stores, antique stores, unique stores or boutiques.

cute decor at Hartville Marketplace

Hartville Marketplace in Hartville

19. Visit places in my hometown.

The Blueberry Patch in Mansfield, Ohio

The Blueberry Patch in Mansfield

20. Visit museums that I’ve never been to before.

The 1939 Allan Herschell carousel is housed inside the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, Ohio

The Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky

21. Visit some great animal attractions.

a scene from The Wilds in southeastern Ohio

The Wilds in Cumberland

22. Spend a weekend in each of the major metropolitan areas: Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Akron/Canton, Cincinnati, and Dayton.

23. And, because I’m a mom and an aunt, I can’t leave the kids out of this. I plan to visit places that the kids will love.

The Kalahari indoor waterpark in Sandusky is the largest indoor waterpark in the United States.

The Kalahari indoor waterpark in Sandusky

This may seem like a pretty ambitious list, but let me remind you, I love me some road trips. So what do you think? Can I mark off each of the items on “ The Ultimate Bucket List for those who want to Explore Ohio? ” Wish me luck!

Do you have a favorite state park in Ohio, know of a great place to eat in the Buckeye State, have gone on a really fun factory tour, or have a favorite festival that you enjoy year after year? Please leave a comment and share your suggestions.

Do you like what you’ve read here? I’d love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter or sign up for my email subscription and never miss a post about travel in Ohio or throughout the United States. 

The Ultimate Bucket List for those who want to explore Ohio

Don’t miss:

What attractions do you think I should add to my bucket list of things to do in Ohio?

Things to do in Ohio Bucket List

© 2013 – 2017, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I was always under the impression Amish made Pennsylvania home, thanks for pointing out its your state! This post makes me want to visit now!

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    • I know, shocking right? A 2012 census shows that the Amish population in Ohio has bypassed that of Lancaster, PA. When I was little, my family took a trip to PA just to see Amish Country. Now I can drive an hour from my home. You should visit Ohio, Xenia. I’m a great tour guide. You know, there are several blogging conferences next year in the Buckeye State. 🙂

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      • I want to hit Cuyahoga National Park and Hocking Hills in Ohio. We are not too far from you guys here in Illinois. I did not know that about the Amish though, I had thought about visiting Lancaster County but Ohio is closer :). What blogging conferences are there? I’ve been thinking about going to one, but I wasn’t sure how to find where they are located. The only one I know of is through TBEX and that one is in Toronto this year. Love the idea of checking out your home state, I should do some of my own research on my home state.

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        • Cuyahoga National Park is on my list to visit. I’d actually like to take my train ride through the park in the fall. I think it’d be beautiful. Hocking Hills is beautiful. My parent’s visit often and had raved about it for years but we never went. After we finally did make the trek (under two hours from my house, not bad at all), and saw how beautiful the area was, we decided we needed to visit at least once a year. This year my goal is to find another trail to love there.

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    • We have TONS of Amish & Mennonites here. I live in Hardin co. There are also a ton east of here in Holmes county & south in Vinton co. 🙂 People from Columbus say they are going to “Amish Country” They are referring to hardin co! So funny. 🙂

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      • I spent the day earlier this week in Holmes County with my parents’. We try to go a couple times a year. It was a bit early in the season, as some attractions aren’t open yet but we did buy some great Amish Home Bakes! 🙂

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      • I live in Hardin County as well. I need not travel far for a real AUTHENTIC Amish experience. I’ve been to Holmes County several times and it is so commercialized. It is all about the tourism and selling rather than a true Amish experience. Over the years I have became friends with some Amish families in Hardin Co. and they are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. My family and I have been lucky enough to be invited in and shown the loom that’s used for making rugs, the medicine and supplies, and how they prepare the milk for pick up just to name a few. I can honestly say that I’ll never go anywhere else to see genuine Amish families and their way of living especially since they are only about 20 miles away.

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  2. My kids and I visited a beach last summer that was small, but had a really neat waterfall. It is great for dog owners because many of the locals walk their dogs on the beach. My kids loved the waterfall and climbed up and down almost the entire time we were there and did very little swimming. Here is a link to the website http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/coastal/Coastal_Main_Menu/LEPAG/Cu_ColumbiaPark/tabid/22771/Default.aspx
    I loved it so much because it was quiet and we were the only actual beach goers without a dog, the dog owners just walked their dogs and then left.
    That was during the week that I took my kids and a friend (or two or three) and visited something different each day. We went to Seneca Caverns, Akron Zoo (with a side trip to Mr Bulky’s), COSI, the Santa Maria museum, Topiary Gadens, Lake Erie Nature and Science Center (LENSC), Columbia Park Beach, and finished out the week with the Crestline pool and Kingwood Center. I hadn’t been to any of those places before except the Crestline pool and Kingwood Center. It was fun finding new things to do with the kids and I am hoping to do a vacation like that again for them this year.

    I want to go on some of your road trips with you 🙂 Maybe we could plan a couple together.

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    • Thanks for the tip. I’m going to plan on checking out that beach. When the kids were little we found a wonderful beach along Lake Erie that wasn’t very crowded and we spent the entire day there. I think it was near Huron. I wish I remembered which one it was. It would be fun to revisit now that my kids are older.

      We’ll definitely plan some day trips this summer when your little ones are out of school. I have some ideas that would be perfect for them! And I think you’ll enjoy them too! 🙂

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      • The beach in Huron was more than likely Nickelplate Beach or the park beach by the Episcopal church. Either are great! But when in Huron you have to get orange sherbet from the Pied Pipe.

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  3. I went on a trip to Ohio when my husband and I were still dating. As an AA-er we stopped by Dr.Bob’s house in Akron. Even if someone’s not AA, the history of that home and the many different people who detoxed and became sober is a remarkable thing. Great experience visiting.

    We also hit the Quaker Oats factory. Delicious! Highly recommend it the drive 🙂

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    • Sounds great! I’ll give you a call and we can figure out what to do. I have a few ideas that our families can do together too if your hubbie is up for it. 🙂

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  5. I live in Tuscarawas County, which has a lot of great hiking trails at the Norma Johnson Center and The Wilderness Center (which is actually in Stark Co. in Wilmot, but just across the border from Tusc.). We go camping a lot, and we always go to Hocking Hills every year. It’s probably our favorite place in Ohio. Our county borders Holmes County, which is Amish country, so that obviously is a place we go regularly. A state park that we enjoy is Dillon S.P. in Zanesville. It is never crowded and there is a lot to do there. We always stop at Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl when there…yummy! If you’re still looking for suggestions for a unique hotel, try Landoll’s Mohican Castle in Loudonville. We stayed there for our 3rd anniversary and it was MAGICAL! While there, check out Mohican S.P. – my hubby loves it for the mountain-biking. A place we are going to try to make it to this year is Jungle Jim’s International Market in Cincinnati.
    As much as I complain about the weather here, I have to admit that Ohio is an awesome place that offers a lot do. Best wishes on your bucket list!

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    • What great suggestions, Linda! I’m so glad you shared your ideas!

      Mohican State Park is near our home so we visit a lot. While we normally just spend the day hiking, we sometimes camp there. Last fall, my husband and I stayed at the resort for a church retreat. We had a great time! Have you been to nearby Malabar State Farm? Not as extensive as Mohican, but there are hiking trails there as well- one leads to a cave that you can actually walk through and climb out of.

      We stayed at Landoll’s last July for our anniversary and loved it. You can see my pictures and post here: https://travelinspiredliving.com/landolls-mohican-castle/ I can’t wait to go back. While we were there we took a carriage ride. The driver told us that winter is the best time to visit because they do sleigh rides. I’ve been dying to go back since we got snow! Landoll’s actually spoiled my husband, since then he’s decided that he won’t stay in a normal hotel room again if it’s a trip for he and I! Too funny!

      I would love to hear your recommendations for Amish Country. I’ve been there many times, but it’s beginning to feel like I see the same things each time- Heini’s Cheese Factory, Kaufmann’s Bakery, etc. This year I’d love to visit Behalt!

      I will definitely look into the state parks that you suggested and next time we’re in Zanesville I’m sure my teens wouldn’t complain too much if we stopped at Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl!

      I always complained about living in Ohio until we began traveling with my husband’s job and weren’t able to visit the things here that I loved. I do really hate the cold, but more than that, I hated the Alabama heat in the middle of July! 😉 Atleast when it’s cold in Ohio, I can bundle up and relax near a fire. When it’s hot in the South, it’s only legal to remove so much clothing! Ha!

      Jungle Jim’s International Market is a blast! Make sure you double check the times for the tours and find out in advance when they’ll have the food samples out. We went in the evening and it was pretty quiet with no samples. I was disappointed. 🙁

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      • Yes, we went to Malabar Farm this past summer, but didn’t hike. We just did the tour – it was super hot that day, so I don’t think my 4-year-old would have lasted long on a hike (probably mama wouldn’t either!) We’re definitely going back there again this year – they have some festivals coming up in the spring and summer that we’d like to go to.
        Sorry, I missed that you already went to Landoll’s – I just stumbled upon your blog today when I was on a bunny trail. Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did!
        We also tend to get in a rut with Amish Country…Heini’s, Flea Markets, Berlin, etc. We went to The Farm at Walnut Creek this past summer and loved it. They actually provide sleigh rides in the winter if there is enough snow on the ground – you still get to see most of the animals, but by sleigh! If you go to Sugarcreek, they offer wagon rides through town in the summer. They also have their 50’s Fling in June and the Swiss Fesitval in September. We also like Charm – Keim’s Lumber is more than a hardware store and Grandma’s serves up a great Amish breakfast. I’ll let you know if I think of anything more.
        Thanks for the advice on Jungle Jim’s! I definitely will keep my eye on your blog now that I’ve found it. We also are homeschooling and love to travel, so we have a lot in common!

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          • We love flea markets so I’ll definitely add these to my bucket list. I’m beginning to think my list is going to turn into a monster. 🙂

      • I found your blog through pinterest, fascinating read. I had no idea there were so many things to do in Ohio. If you are still looking for suggestions, there is an Amish run restaurant in Wilmot in Stark county called the Amish door. It would be a good place to visit if you were to also visit the Wilderness Center in Wilmot. In Beach City, just a couple miles from there, is a place called Baylor’s Beach where families can swim, play miniature golf, and camp. Thrre are also two camps near by: Camp Wanake and Camp Buckeye. There are a lot of amazing sights at Camp Buckeye.

        A factory tour you could go on could be Harry London’s in Canton.

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        • I’ve heard great things about the Amish Door. It would be a great place to eat next time I’m in Amish Country. I’ve never heard of the Wilderness Center or the camps. Harry London’s has the best chocolate! I can’t wait to visit again for some delicious samples. Thanks for sharing!

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      • Hi all, just want to say, I too love the Mohican State park area, in fact, love it so much and visited the area so often I started a Luxury cabin rental business. There is just so much to do in the area with Malabar farms, pleasant hill lake, horseback riding, canoeing, mountain biking, minerature golf, zip lines. I could go on and on there is so much to do. You can see our cabins at mohicanpines.com. , we now have three total all with hot tubs, fireplaces and fire pits.

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  6. What a great list! We are in Cleveland and have been to some of these places but there’s so many more to see. I’m bookmarking this so the next time we say to ourselves, what should we do?, we’ll have some ideas!

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    • Thanks Tesa! I’m so glad you found this list helpful. And while you’re out adventuring, if you find anything really cool, I’d love it if you could tweet me (@travelermom) so I can check it out too! 🙂

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  8. What an amazing list – you are going to be one busy lady! I have actually never been to Ohio so I look forward to reading about your adventures!

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  9. i love ohio!! my MIL lives near dayton – definitely head to the USAF museum – i could spend days there!! also, read terri weeks’ book, adventures around cincinnati – she covers a LOT of ohio, and really cool tips!

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    • We’ve been visiting the USAF museum since my kids were little! It tops the list of one of our all-time favorite museums. There is so much there to see and learn! I so have Terri’s book and plan to use many of her suggestions when I head back to Cincinnati. I’m especially interested in the Sign Museum. I’ve never seen anything like that before. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

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  10. I’ve done the Lake Erie Coastal Trail several times and written multiple stories about it (including one that lists many highlights along the 293-mile route and links to my other stories about individual sites along the trail. Among my favorites are Marblehead Lighthouse (a short detour off of the main route to the tip of the Marblehead Peninsula), Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland (for regional history, architecture and landscaping buffs), and the 18 covered bridges in Ashtabula County.

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    • I love Marblehead Lighthouse! I never visit the area without stopping at the lighthouse. I’ll definitely check out your site for some recommendations when we prepare to head out on the Lake Erie Coastal Trail. The cemetery sounds like a fun stop and the covered bridges have long been on my list to see.

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      • 2nd weekend in October is the covered bridge festival and it’s awesome to go to. They have maps to follow and park personal to give history of the bridges and even a few of the fily members that the bridges were named after. Its a wonderful weekend trip with lots of wineries and restraunts to eat at.

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  11. Nice list! We’ve spent fun days in Toledo and Columbus while driving through Ohio the past two summers. Definitely need to take the child to the USAF Museum. Haven’t been there since 2001.

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  13. You know I thought I did a lot of traveling throughout Ohio when I lived there, but I can tell now I missed out on so many neat things! It makes me wonder what all I’m missing in SC. You’ve given me a research project. 🙂

    Do you work for the US Family Guide? If not, you should definitely look into it. They pay their employees rather well, and I believe you’d love working with them. (If you don’t already.)

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  14. Check out Bowling green and go to the historical museum right off of I-75 to see the fingers. I loved seeing them when I was a kid and still do when I make it back home. Then there is a small town named Tontogany just west of BG at a bar called Doc’s and have the best ribs in Wood county. And just west of that in October I believe is the apple butter festival in Grand Rapids. In Grand Rapids too in the summer months you can take a canal ride on the Erie Canal along side the Maumee river.

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    • Great suggestions! I’ve not spent anytime in Bowling Green and didn’t even know Ohio had a Grand Rapids. The canal ride would be a great addition to my bucket list. Thanks for the ideas!

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  15. Hocking Hills State Park is fantastic. We spent many weekends there when our kids were young. You might try the winter hike next January. I think it is the 3rd Sat. in Jan. You will walk from Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave, to Cedar Falls where there will be hot bean soup, cornbread, and hot chocolate for a donation, then journey to Ash Cave where buses will pick you up and take you back to your car. Think it is about a3-5 mile hike, but one you will never forget. We have done it several times.
    Your list looks great, with retirement coming up, I might use your list to make my own. Thanks

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    • I love Hocking Hills. I really detest cold, but the hike does sound unforgettable. I had hoped to visit the area this winter so I could take some pictures. I’d love to photograph a frozen waterfall. This is a great suggestion!

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    • We just went to Old Mans Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave and had a blast. The ice was still everywhere but the weather was 49 degrees. We plan to go back this summer to hike more of it.

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      • I’m okay with ice when the temperatures are near 50. I’m hoping to visit Hocking Hills again this summer as well. The first time I was there, I could not get over how beautiful it was. Have you hiked to Rock House? It was great and my kids (who were much smaller at the time) loved it.

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  16. I originally looked at this list thinking it would be good inspiration for some short day trips with the kids this summer. I never realized how many things I drive past almost every day and never really think about! I guess we take for granted what’s always in front of us. The Little Buckeye Museum is great for the little ones (and the grownups!) And while you’re downtown, check out the Richland Carousel and grab lunch at Coney Island. We can spend a whole day there and it’s just minutes from home! I also highly recommend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for any music lovers, and the tour of the Christmas Story house is pretty fun, too!!

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    • Jill, This is exactly why I started this list. I do take the attractions around me for granted. There is so much to do in Ohio that I just overlook. I hope this bucket list gives you some ideas of places to go! I’ve enjoyed reading the comments with suggestions for me as well.

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  17. Thank you for the list! There are some great places in here that I’ve never heard of before (like Landoll’s) that I’d like to now see. 🙂 If you are interested in a few tips from a NE Ohioan: If you go to the Hartville Flea Market, stop at Hartville Kitchen for lunch. The Cuyahoga Valley Railroad sometimes has specials on Groupon and their website. We went in September and tickets were buy one get one free. They even have a complementary shuttle that will transport you to and from the Akron Zoo (and maybe some other places–I don’t remember which ones, though). When we would travel the state, we used some of Neil Zurcher’s One Tank Trips books. A lot of these places are similar to Roadside America attractions. Have fun!

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      • I still think that Hartville Kitchen had the best fresh peach pie ever. It was so yummy, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

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    • I’m not sure if you looked around my site at all, if you did I’m sure you can tell that I’m a fan of roadside attractions! The One Tank Books are awesome. I used to check them out of the library repeatedly. I’ve tried to convince my husband that we need to take a repeat trip to Landoll’s, but in the winter so I can have a sleigh ride.

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  18. The Olentangy Caverns (north of Columbus on Rt. 23) is a nice way to cool off in the summer and see how early settlers and native American tribes lived in them. Fans of architect Frank Lloyd Wright can tour one of his restored homes, Westcott House, in Springfield (near Dayton). It’s beautiful!

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    • I’ve never been to the Olentangy Caverns. Sounds like it would be cool– no pun intended. 🙂 I’d love to see Westcott- there’s definitely room for that on my list.

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  19. I live in central Ohio and there are so many things to do here! The Columbus Zoo is always great, the Columbus Art Museum, COSI is a must, and for awesome food the North Market is awesome, and in the short north which has a wonderful variety of shops and eateries. To the south in Fairfield County is Rockmill, an original restored grist mill with the largest waterwheel in the US, it sits at the top of a gorge and looks over the upper falls of the Hocking River. There are plenty of covered bridges to see in the area if that’s your think, and the childhood home of General Sherman is open for tours. In nearby Ross County is Chillicothe, the first state capital, with the preserved plantation home of Thomas Worthington, Ohio’s statehood founder and the founder of ohio university. They give wonderful historic tours of the homestead and have a beautiful new museum that covers subjects from Worthing to pioneer life to local Native American history. check out the adena and hopewell Indian mounds at the park across the highway from the plantation, there is also a museum there. You can also find the outdoor ampitheatre production of Tecumseh, the great Shawnee warrior, who was born nearby. There are so much more things to see and do in this part of Ohio…Hocking Hills are awesome, I recommend Cantwell Cliffs or Conkles Hollow as nice hikes and an alternative to the always busy Old Mans Cave. Plenty of accommodations for overnight stays, and there are now zip lines in the area for the adventurous! There is also a trainride that starts in Nelsonville and ends in Athens that is fun.

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    • I’m a huge fan of the Columbus Zoo and when my kids were younger, my husband and I made sure we always had a membership to COSI. I admit that I’ve never been to the North Market, though I’ve heard so much about it. Rockmill is definitely on my radar now as are the covered bridges- thanks so much for the recommendations!

      My husband and I visited Adena last year and really enjoyed our tour. Unfortunately, it was raining and we were short on time (just passing through) so we weren’t able to explore the grounds as much as I would have liked.

      I LOVE Hocking Hills! My family has enjoyed seeing Old Mans Cave, Conkles Hollow and Rock House. Each year we want to return but somehow haven’t managed. I’d love to return and spend the night at Glen Laurel or Ravenwood Castle.

      Great tips! Thanks so much for the recommendations- these are exactly the type of attractions my family enjoys visiting.

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  20. The first Saturday in December is the Horse and Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival in Lebanon, Ohio. There are two parades – at 1:00 and 7:00. The only things in the parade are horses (well over 100 entries of all kinds of horses from miniature to Percheron) and the carriages they pull. The carriages are decorated for Christmas and even decorated with lights for the evening parade. It is beautiful and a great way to get in the Christmas spirit! Lots of other great things to do and places to eat in Lebanon as well…fabulous frozen custard at Whit’s, dinner at The Golden Lamb (Ohio’s oldest inn) or The Black Horse Tavern, treats from The Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory, a ride on the LM&M train, visit to Fort Ancient, museums, and lots of cute shops downtown. In the summertime, there are lots of outdoor activities within a few minutes…canoeing on the Little Miami River, waterparks, disc golf courses, and Kings Island, just to name a few! Lebanon is halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati, so easily combined with a road trio to either of those cities,

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    • I’ve never heard of the Horse and Carraige Parade and Christmas Festival. It sounds like something I’d love to see. Are carraige rides available? Great tips! I’m definitely going to look into these further and I’m thinking a trip to Ohio’s oldest inn would be pretty amazing.

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      • I don’t think carriage rides are available, which seems strange, but I’ve never seen them offered. The carriages in the parade aren’t necessarily the kind you see downtown in big cities. Some are traditional carriages, but there are also antique vehicles like fire wagons or milk wagons, and various other carriages.
        Also, there are so many things to do in the greater Cincinnati area, but one that is not to be missed is the Underground Railroad Freedom Center right on the river.

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        • Carraige rides or not, it still sounds like a fascinating festival. My husband and I just returned from a trip to Cincinnati. Sadly, we only had time for the aquarium.

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  21. Cleveland’s West Side Market is a destination not to be missed? The vast variety of ethnic vendors is a cultural delight sure to please all of your senses!

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  22. Champaign County has the Piatt Castles, Ohio Caverns, and over a dozen cute shops in downtwon Urbana, mainly vintage and antique. There’s a Home & Garden Tour the last weekend in June. Also, there’s a Flea Market the first weekend of each month (except August) in Urbana. All this just 50 minutes west of Columbus.

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    • My husband and I celebrated one of our wedding anniversaries touring the castles and really enjoyed it. I wish we would have stuck around to explore Urbana. It looked charming. I’d love to visit again.

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  23. Pro football hall of fame in Canton, The Hot Dog Shoppe in Warren is fantastic, Cleveland Zoo, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in the German village of Columbus is an experience, COSI if you have kids. There’s tons to do in Ohio!

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    • I love the Cleveland Zoo and the Rainforest! We had a membership when my kids were younger. The German Village is awesome, but I’ve not eaten at Schmidt’s. Must do that on my next trip. COSI has always been a favorite for my family. Thanks for the suggestions!

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  25. We live near Cincinnati and have done the Cincinnati Underground tour. It gives the history of how Cinci was settled and a tour of Over-the-Rhine. It’s one of the most interesting things we’ve done here.

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    • I would love to do the Underground Tour. I read about it from another blogger and it looked very interesting! Thanks for the tips, I’ll check them out.

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    • I love Mohican! Our first camping trip was at the state park when they still rented tee pee’s. It was so much fun for our kids. We love to hike there. You’re right, it is gorgeous.

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  27. When in northwest ohio, if on rt 6 about 25 minutes west of 75 is an apple orchard called Headliners with thw best apple cider. Not terribly far from their maybe 20 minutes SW is a farmers market on rt 12 near a town called Burnsville. They have some of the best produce, plants and flowers. If while traveling on 75 you stop in Findlay you have to go Wilson’s hamburgers. They’ve been around for ages. Other great stops in Findlay would be Oler’s for the margaritas and Dietsch’s for the ice cream and chocolate covered pretzels. While in town you can visit Riverside park and go for a canoe or paddle boat if you wish too.

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    • Thanks for the update,Regina. I’m beginning to think I need an auto correct for my auto correct! 🙂 I love your recommendations. Definitely planning a stop at Wilson’s!

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  29. I’d like to put in a small plug for my hometown of Marion. They have the best known attractions for the city – President Harding’s Home and Museum. However – there is another small gem of a museum in Marion called the Stengle-True museum which was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This house was built around the mid 1800 – and it acts like a time capsule for the period. If you decide to stop – there is also a small winery just south of Marion in the village of Waldo (know for the G&R and it’s bologna sandwich) called Shamrock Vineyard. Stop on by and pick up some Buckeye Red. =)

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    • I lived in Marion shortly and have never heard of the Stengle-True museum. I can’t wait to visit! I also want to visit the popcorn museum and my husband would love that bologna sandwich in Waldo. 🙂

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      • Julie, when in Marion don’t forget the Marion Popcorn Festival! Held the first weekend after Labor Day, from Thursday through Saturday,and takes place in the streets of downtown Marion!. They have big name entertainment play free to the public with one night being a country act and the other a pop/rock act, as well as a cover band for the opening night on Thursday It’s a rather large festival with lots of food concessions, kids rides, entertainment, beer gardens, parades, and more! Worth the trip to catch a free concert? You can visit http://www.popcornfestival.com for more details.

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  30. Piatt Castles is in Logan County. There is Zane Caverns, Madriver Mtn-great place during winter months even if you don’t ski! Highest Point in Ohio, Campbell Hill. There’s a Hot Air Balloon Festival in Marysville. Honda Homecoming Parade with hundreds of lighted and decorated motorcycles in Bellefontaine. Pumpkin Festival in Circleville. Don’t forget Cedar Point (Roller Coaster Capital of the world) and Kings Island (largest amusement and water park of the Midwest) ! Just a few high points (Campbell Hill) and low points (caverns) of the state!!

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    • I’ve been to the Piatt Castles but I’m definitely due for another visit. It’s also been years since I’ve been to the Pumpkin Festival. Each year I swear I’m going to go back and it never happens. It’s time to get some of these trips on the calendar. We did visit Cedar Point as a family last year and have plans to return again this fall. We stayed on property at Hotel Breakers and made a weekend of it. The hotel itself is a bit dated, and undergoing reservations, but it offers a stunning view of Lake Erie. Great place to watch the sun rise and set. Thanks for sharing your tips. I’m adding them to my list. 🙂

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  31. Great list! Some of my favorite Ohio places include End of the Commons General Store in Mesopotamia which has an old fashioned charm and Amish country treats. The Kent State Fashion Museum is another great place to see as well as the city of Kent. Short North gallery hops in the summer is a fun Columbus activity. Looking forward to summer to go new places!

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    • I’ve never even heard of Mesopotamia. The roadside attraction junkie in me wants to visit just to get a picture of the sign! 😉 My daughter would probably love the fashion museum. Great tips!

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  33. When you plan your weekend in Toledo, some places to consider visiting is the Toledo Art Museum, the Toledo Zoo (I believe it’s ranked in the top 10 of the country), Imagination Station (a wonderfully awesome science place that’s great for people of all ages), the Botanical Gardens, and Sauder Village is not too far. A unique, and delicious, place to eat would be the original Tony Packo’s on Consaul. Jamie Farr’s character, Klinger, on the t.v. show MASH often talked of it. Famous people from Toledo and all over the world have come to it and autographed a hotdog bun there. There has to be quite a bit more; but I believe those are the highlights.

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    • I haven’t been to Toledo since I was little and visited the zoo with my grandparents. I think it’s definitely time for a return visit. Love the tie in to MASH, what a fascinating tidbit. Adding it to my list!

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  34. I just wanted to add one that I did not see as I scrolled through the various comments–The Plastic Brick Museum in Bellaire Ohio. Better known as “the unofficial Lego Musuem”. There are some old fashioned toys from your childhood that you can show your children, but the focus of the museum is on Lego structures. It was well worth our trip across the state. The admission is $8/adults and $6/children. We spent more than 2 hrs. there, but I would have stayed longer and checked out more of the details of the models if we did not have a long drive back home. It is in an old elementary school building with both 3-D Lego models and flat (a black and white “painting” of Mt. Rushmore) designs everywhere. A life sized 3-D spiderman, 7′ tall 3-D giraffe, miniature model of the white house, 3-D Statue of Liberty, and so many more.

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  35. If you ever get to Bettsville, to that Haslingers orchard, just east of there is Fremont. ohio that has the Rutherford B. Hayes house and museum. The house is beautiful and the grounds are amazing to walk around. Just east o there is my hometown of Bellevue. I read that you went to the Seneca caverns, but did you know that Bellevue also has a train museum and a place called Historic Lyme Village? In September I believe, they have an outside thing going on that includes people in civil war camps set up and also Abraham Lincoln. They have cloggers performing and also Indian campsites. Fun for all as they have an oldtime schoolhouse that children can go to and they show old games that the kids can play. Also different Indian instruments that they teach the kids to play. I try to make it every year.

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    • My husband and I toured Spiegel Grove last spring and loved it. What an amazing property! Thanks for the suggestions in Bellevue- I’ve driven past Historic Lyme Village but didn’t really know much about it. It sounds like September would be thee perfect time to check it out.

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  36. If you’re into history at all, you should visit Johnson’s Island in the Marblehead, OH area. It was where they kept Civil War prisoners. It’s now a private community, mostly a summer residence area with absolutely
    beautiful homes. There is a cemetery there with gravesites of soldiers who died in the Civil war! Just a neat place!!!

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    • Thanks, Linda! I’ve heard of the cemetery. Will definitely check it out next time I’m in Marblehead. I believe Johnson’s Island is right down from the Keeper’s House, another attraction that I’d like to visit.

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  37. How have you not been to Michigan? GO!!! The west has giant sand dunes and lighthouses on Lake Michigan, and if you go up to Mackinaw, you can step in Lake Michigan on one side of the bridge and Lake Huron on the other! Mackinaw Island has a bunch of family things to do (famous Grand Hotel, butterfly gardens, Fort Mackinaw with reenactors, etc.), with a fort and museum on the mainland, too. On the other side of the bridge, just in the UP, there’s a Native American Ojibway museum, a deer park, and train/steamboat activities. There are a whole bunch of waterfalls, campgrounds, and lighthouses. Drive an hour or two north, and you can visit The Shipwreck Museum on Lake Superior. Go west a ways (an hour or two) and you get to the Painted Rocks National Lakeshore. There is soooooo much to do in Michigan! And if you make it up to the UP, eat a pasty for me! (I’m from Ohio).

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    • I guess I’ve been too busy driving to California! 🙂 Seriously, I don’t know how on earth we’ve missed Michigan. I think it’s because it’s so close, I just thought I could visit anytime. Everything you’ve mentioned sounds wonderful and I’ve actually taken a look at the Grand Hotel- I love that porch! I’m hoping to make it this year.Keeping my fingers crossed. 🙂 Great suggestions!

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  38. Hi there! I’m originally from Toronto, OH, but I live in Youngstown now with my fiance. East Liverpool has a 4 story antique mall that overlooks the Ohio River — definitely one of the best that I’ve been to. (If you go there, you *must* check out the Hot Dog Shoppe for lunch, and if you have time the Homer Laughlin factory is just across the river if you’re interested in a WV jaunt. That is where they make all of the Fiestaware plates, and you can score aaamaaazing deals in their seconds room.) Youngstown is home to the 2nd largest metropark in the country (even bigger than NYC’s Central Park!), and it has a huge variety of trails and attractions scattered through it. You can also find the Butler Institute of American art right on Youngstown State University’s campus. It was the first museum in the US dedicated to strictly American art, and contains paintings by Mary Cassatt, Norman Rockwell, Jasper Johns, Edward Hopper, and many more big names in art. (http://www.butlerart.com/index.asp).

    I wrote a post a while back about “daycationing” in Northeast Ohio and PA: http://dameswhodish.com/2012/07/22/daycations-the-best-of-northeast-ohio-and-pittsburgh/

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    • It’s great to learn more about Youngstown. I was scheduled to fly out of the regional airport a couple months ago and struck up a conversation with one of the passengers who had grown up in the area. They really couldn’t point me to anything in Youngstown but I’ve read that the area has undergone a revitalization. I hope the trails on the metropark are marked better than Central Park! 🙂 The tips sound great- several things I’m interested in. Especially the antique store. Sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

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  40. Hi. I am from Northeastern Ohio. Home of President James A Garfield, in Mentor, OH. You are able to do tours. It is under restoration at this time, but hopefully back up and running soon. http://www.nps.gov/jaga/index.htm. It is has one of the largest high school’s in Ohio. My 2002 class, was just under 1000 kids. One of my favorite places to stay at is Geneva on the Lake, please take your RV there and stay a week, after Memorial Day. I love to eat at Mary’s Kitchen. It is small little strip, cute shops, putt-putt, go karts, etc. http://www.visitgenevaonthelake.com. With some amazing wineries. In the Summer, there is also a Medieval Faire. The shows are amazing, plan on staying the whole day, they have so much to do. http://www.medievalfaire.com/ There is also an Indian Museum in Willoughby, OH. http://www.indianmuseumoflakecounty.org/index2.html. There is also part of the Underground Railroad through Painesville, OH.http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Underground_Railroad?rec=1518. Which is also home to one of the oldest liberal arts colleges, it also started out as an all girl school. Lake Erie College. Which is also said to be haunted. Now we also have Squires Castle, where people like to go for a nice walk on a sunny day. http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Squires-Castle.aspx. I hope this helps to give you some ideas from the Northeast Side of OHIO. 🙂

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    • Thanks for the great tips, Keri! I’ve visited the Garfield Memorial in Lake View Cemetery and would love to see his home. I didn’t realize it is under restoration. Thanks for the heads up! All of your ideas are perfect (except I’m not a fan of things that are haunted). I may just visit the college during the day. 🙂

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  41. Also, if you are looking for great pizza near Toledo there is a family friendly bar called the Country Keg in Graytown. It is by far the best pizza I have ever had!

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  42. I have been doing a fishing tour of Ohio, lived here most of my life and am finding more parks, bridges, creeks and streams than I ever knew existed! Awesome! I have been so many places, and many more to go! never know when I am going to find a piece of history right where I am at either.

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  43. If you are at Rogers Flea Market you are only 5 miles from The Company Store in Negley, Oh. It was the largest
    general store in the state in 1904, providing supplies for the coal miners and their families. Today it is an antique and stuff store that is filled to overflowing with everything you can imagine. One of those “you have to see it to believe it” kind of places. Linda has been there for 25 years and never stops bringing in new things. Last year she purchased another building across the street and the second store is up and running. On Fridays both stores are swamped with people on their way to and from Rogers flea market. Definitely a place to add to your bucket list

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  45. Stop by Tiffin and visit the Ballreich’s Potato Chip Factory YUMMY!!! We also have the Tiffin glass museum with a stunning array of very sought after glass items. One more great place that I could suggest is Seneca Caverns in Bellevue (15248 E Township Road 178, Bellevue, OH 44811) They have the oldest recorded cave in the state. It is a beautiful work of nature and a wonderful adventure for the whole family.

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  46. If you have not been to Yellow Springs Ohio, may I suggest this wonderful little “hippy town” to you!!! It is one of my favorite places to visit in Ohio. Near Dayton Ohio this little town has friendly people, beautiful art, and tons of character!!! It is a MUST visit to put on your bucket list 🙂

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    • Oh! I drove through Yellow Springs on the way to Clifton Mill and thought it was the cutest little town! I told my husband that we needed to plan a trip back but we’ve just not made it yet. So many places to go and so little time…

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      • if you’re near yellow springs, don’t miss Young’s Jersey Dairy! best. ice cream. anywhere! you can also tour the barns, play putt-putt, or enjoy a meal at the Golden Jersey Inn. Mmmm…

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  47. If you’re ever in the Canton/Akron area, be sure to check out Harry London’s, where you take a tour of a chocolate factory!

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    • I’ve been there twice on field trips with my kids and it’s always been a hit. The samples at the end of the tour may have a large part to do with that. I need to plan another trip. 🙂

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  48. Great ideas! Between your post and the comments I now have a whole list of cool places to visit in my new home state! I might add the WORKS museum in Newark (right down the road from the Longaberger Basket Co). It’s a great hands on science Museum that also has glass blowing demos and great programs for the kids. Also mastadon fossils and historical relics from Ohio’s rich past. Around the corner from Newark is the quaint village of Granville. It bosts a historical museum, great shops and (what I believe is) the original Whits custard shop.

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      • If you’re in Newark don’t forget a stroll through the Indian Mound Earthworks! I’ve always wanted to go but never have.

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      • Gosh if it’s not already on your list it’s in the comments! We have so many great things to do in our state! When I was little there used to be a Johnny Appleseed outdoor drama in Ashland. I don’t know if they still do it. I don’t think anyone has mentioned King’s Island either. I’ve also always wanted to do Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo. I suppose if you like pro sports we have 2 football teams and a hockey team. Also, my family has always really enjoyed Mount Gilead State Park. It’s a small park but they do fun things like outdoor movies and an apple butter “festival” in the fall. What a great list i’ve stumbled upon. 🙂

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        • Yes, the comments have kind of taken on a life of their own! I love the comments because every time I get a new one, I learn about another place to go. 🙂 The Appleseed Drama is no longer in operation. Wildlights is fun- my kids always loved it when they were little. Mt. Gilead State Park is nearby, but I’ve never been there. Adding it to my list. Thanks for the tips!

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  49. Stan Hywet Hall in Akron is a pretty place to spend the afternoon. We usually take a picnic and eat by the Carriage House and then tour the gardens and conservatory. The manor is fascinating, but probably not the best bet for younger kids. It’s exceptionally pretty at Christmas time, of course, but then you have the crowds to deal with. In summers past, they have had a native butterfly display as well.

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    • My husband and I took a behind the scenes tour at Stan Hywet last year. It was so much fun and we explored all the nooks and crannies.

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  50. I love this list, but cringed when I saw Castaway Bay on there. My family loves water parks, but we recently went to that one and were quite disappointed. It was really small, and the kids wanted to leave after a couple hours because they were so cold. The website says they keep it 82 degrees, but my son seriously looked like a vampire he was so white. Great Wolf Lodge is ok, and Fort Rapids in Columbus is ok, but once you go to Kalahari everything else seems lame. Kalahari all the way!

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    • I wouldn’t take my teens to Castaway Bay or Great Wolf Lodge, but my younger nieces and nephews loved the smaller water parks. My teens loved Kalahari. Their only complaint is how long the lines can be to go down some of the slides.

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  51. One place I see that has been missed is Grandpa’s Cheesebarn in my home of Ashland, Ohio. Amazing place. Go to Sweety’s Chocolates in the same area. Heaven on Earth. You will love the whole place. Enjoy!!

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    • I’ve been to Grandpa’s Cheesebarn but missed the chocolate shop. I think I arrived too late in the day. Looks like I need to plan a trip back.

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  52. Great restaurants in Cleveland- The Greenhouse Tavern, Red the Steakhouse, Happy Dog, and D’Agnese’s.
    Great Lakes Brewing Company has a great tour and great beer. Jeni’s Ice Cream is fantastic. Big Lyon’s Falls trail in Mohican State Park is an enjoyable hike. A picnic atop Mt. Jeez in Malabar Farm is something I do every year. The Nautica Queen Brunch Cruise in Cleveland is a must do. Go to a concert at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Hts. And check out PuppyPalooza at an Indians game!

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    • Great suggestions! I’ll keep these in mind when I visit the WestSide Market. Big Lyon’s is on my list to write about. Hasn’t been much of a falls the past few times we’ve hiked to it, but it’s still an enjoyable hike.

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  53. You really need to add the Hanoverton Inn to your bucket list. It’s also called the Spread Eagle Tavern and Inn. My husband and I enjoyed our stay with several other couple and the food was amazing. They had “ghost walks” available in the evening as well, although we didn’t do that. We stayed in the Lincoln Room, and Abraham Lincoln actually gave a speech in the room while on his campaign tour long ago.
    There really is nothing else to see or do in the town of Hanoverton, but we did stop at the P. Graham Dunn store on the way up, and it’s not far from Berlin either. Beautiful, beautiful place!

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    • I’ve never heard of Hanoverton Inn, but it sounds like something I’d like to check out. Only if I don’t see a ghost. 🙂 I love P Graham Dunn!

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  54. You don’t have many places on your bucket list from the Cincinnati area. Do I see a bias? We have a Great Wolf Lodge here, too, right by Kings Island! Music Hall, Hamilton County Parks, Fossil Park, Ohio River, Underground Railroad sites, Rainman Tour, wonderful museums, zoo, camping, Conservatory, “haunted” tours, Finlay Market, besides the obvious sports teams. We have so many historical and archaeological sites one would be busy for a month. I was raised in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and have been to many of the places on your list. Don’t forget Gnadenhutten, Schoenbrunn, Zoar, Zanesville, Athens, and many others.

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    • I’ve written about visits to Cincinnati on my site and my husband and I were there a couple months ago. I just haven’t had time to write about it yet. 🙂 So much too see, so little time.

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  55. There are now two Jungle Jim’s. Make sure you visit the original. It’s on Route 4 in Fairfield.

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    • Yes! I’ve been to Jungle Jim’s, but unfortunately I wasn’t there when they offered tours or samples so I definitely need to return.

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  56. Hocking Hills State Park, McKinley Monument and Museum, Seneca Caverns, Olentangy Indian Caves.. all awesome, and inexpensive places to go see

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  57. You can’t miss this park: Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirkland. It was a favorite place to go when my children were little and we visited Grandma.

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  58. I was glad to see Lehman’s on your list. Jay is my uncle. Amazing store! I didn’t read through all of the comment, so I don’t know if other Wayne County attractions were mentioned. Just 10 minutes north of Lehman’s is P Graham Dunn which I saw on your factory tour list. Probably 7 minutes from P Graham Dunn is the Smucker’s store, with all of the brands the JM Smucker company owns. Both of these places are closed on Sun also. In Holmes County, Hershberger’s truck patch on the way to Charm & Keim Lumber (another must see location) is fun. You can ride horses, go for a buggy ride, & feed the goats on the roof. The Farm at Walnut Creek is a cool experience. Take a wagon ride through & feed the animals, including giraffes. The first week-end in December they have a live nativity in the Journey to Bethlehem. Tuscora Park is an old style amusement park in New Philly open in the summer. Check it out with Warther’s Museum. The Hall of Fame hot air balloon launch in July is incredible.

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    • I loved Lehman’s! Your uncle has an amazing store! I can’t wait to go back and explore further. I’ve also been to P Graham Dunn and it’s pretty amazing too. Great suggestions. I’d love to see the live nativity.

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  59. I may have missed it, but the Carillon Historical Park in Dayton is awesome, and also lets not for get the Air Force Museum.

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  60. I glossed over the previous comments and saw no mention of the Poultry Days festival in Versailles, Ohio. Best BBQ chicken in the state. I believe it happens in August.

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  61. Kalahari is the best water park in Ohio!
    Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
    National Air Force Museum in Dayton
    Space Museum in Wapakoneta
    Bicycle Museum in New Bremen
    Airstream does factory tours in Jackson Center
    Graeters Ice Cream does tours in Columbus
    Ohio caverns outside of Bellefontaine
    I definitely second Youngs jersey dairy too!
    Columbus Zoo is FANTASTIC!
    Newport Aquarium is also pretty neat.
    There are so many things to do in Ohio, I’ve lived here all my life and yet there’s are about all I’ve visited.
    I’ve been to and live near all these places, if you would like further information let me know!

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    • I forgot to mention the strawberry festival in Troy! Best strawberry donuts ever! Tons of local craft and food vendors too.

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    • Airstream and Graeters are on my list. Just made it to Newport Aquarium a few weeks ago. Have always enjoyed the aquarium. Thanks for the tips! And the Strawberry Festival sounds fun too.

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  62. I’m not sure if any of this is in your list, or if you’ve heard of it.
    Mentor Ohio was home to James A Garfield, 20th president of the United States. His home is available for tours.
    Kirtland Ohio has a Mormon Temple which is a tourist attraction that gathers 10’s of thousands of people yearly. Also in Kirtland, around Christmas every year there is a nativity exhibit at the Kirtland visitor’s center. There are hundreds of Nativity sets from over 30 countries there. kirtlandchristmas.com
    My father had an apartment in Loudonville OH when I was a kid, it was nice to see them on the list. I haven’t been back in a few years, but that town always felt like stepping back a few decades when we would visit. They have a fun little town festival every fall that I loved. They also had fun attractions like waterslides, putt putt and go karts.

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    • It would be really neat to see all of the Nativity sets- I hope to see that in December. We spend time in the Loudonville area because we love Mohican State Park. I’m sure if you visited downtown today you’d think it still felt like stepping back into the past. Thanks for the tips!

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  63. Geneva on the lake during summer is great!! There is a strip of privately owned stores and restaurants and bars. The best winery is old fire house!! Cleveland area you need to visit the Christmas story house (tour) and the aquarium. The zoo is also very nice… A fun fair I went to as a child was a medieval faire not sure the name if town it was in.. Since you love hiking and since try a place called Nelson ledges once again not sure if the name of town it’s in. Magic mountain in Columbus.. Do the polar express train ride during winter in cuyhoga falls. A must see is the Ohio fallen heros memorial in sanbury ohio!! If you have military ties be ready to cry. Warren ohio has 2 of the very few remaining drive in movie theatres. Just some fun ideas that I’ve experienced In my 23 years

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    • We have two drive-in theaters here in Mansfield too! They are so much fun in the summer! Everyone should go to the drive-in at least once. 🙂 Would love to visit Geneva. Are you thinking of the Renaissance Faire in Harversyburg? We’ve been there a couple times but not recently. Last time we went my entire family dressed up in costume. I’m sure my teens WOULD NOT do that now. 🙂 It was a blast though. Nelson Ledges sounds like fun and the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial is going on my list. Thanks for the tips!

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  64. I for one LOVE Cincinnati, Im from a super small town here in northwest ohio-

    So I would suggest – Krohn Conservatory, Especially when the butterflies are there, Eden Park, Mt Lookout, Fountain Square, Newport Aquarium, I could go on and on. There is so much to see and do with the kids even. 🙂

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    • My family has enjoyed several visits to Cincinnati. My husband and I were there a couple months ago. We wanted to visit some historic homes, but they were closed for the season. We did visit the aquarium though. And have enjoyed Krohn Conservatory in the past. Thanks for the tips!

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  65. Hot Times Community and Arts Festival in Columbus is the weekend following Labor Day, In addition to great music, food, artists and vendors and children’s activities, it also has the largest collection of artcars in Ohio. Artcars come from all over the country and Canada to exhibit. http://www.hottimesfestival.com

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    • So I took a peak at the Art Cars website and I’m definitely intrigued. I want to go just to see the World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Collection of the World’s Largest Things. It sounds like it would go hand and hand with my obsession of roadside attractions. Thanks for the tip!

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  66. I’m from Scioto Co originally and transplanted to Virgina. This list makes me sad to have missed out on so much!! My area of the state gets a bad rap… But you should check out Serpent Mound, Hickie’s Hamburgers, the flood wall murals in Portsmouth, Shawnee State Park and Lake Vesuvius in Lawrence Co. My brother is moving back to Ohio with his 2 young kids so I will share this list with him!!

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    • A few years ago, my husband was working in Kentucky and so the kids and I followed him and stayed at a camper at Lake White. We were so close to Serpent Mound and didn’t make it! We did take time to visit the Portsmouth murals though. They were amazing!

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  67. If you are in the Akron/Canton area, I would definitely recommend eating at Gervasi Vineyards! It is a gorgeous winery in North Canton with great food and fabulous sangria! Especially fun to go in the summer and sit on the piazza and listen to live music! A must see for sure!

    And of course as a KSU grad, I have to say visiting the University and city of Kent is also a must! Kent State has a lot of history (May 4th Memorial) and the town is growing more and more everyday. You should check out Ray’s Place..a classic in Kent and a great place to eat.

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  68. Saw a pin on Pinterest! I’m originally from Ohio. Family roots in Stark County. Might want to check out Canal Days in Canal Fulton, Ohio (Clay Park?) (I think in July of every year)! Lots of history in that area too. I hope they’ve preserved it. Locke 4 and all. Haven’t been back in years. Used to go with my grandmother to Hartville when I was very young. Loved it.

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    • I’ve only been to the Hartville Marketplace, but I’d love to explore more. I’ll look into the Canal Days. Sounds like a great festival for my list. 🙂

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  69. Marietta, Ohio (Washington County) has the Sternwheel Festival in September, Campus Martius Museum, Ohio River Museum, very quaint town with alot of history!

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  70. My home town is #6 on this list. Marietta, Ohio in Washington County is awesome!! Historical first settlement in Ohio. Ohio River Museum, Campus Martius Museum, Underground Railroad history in the Cutler area outside Marietta, plus lots more.

    The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014
    http://www.smithsonianmag.com

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    • Marietta is definitely on my list of places to visit this summer. I’m especially interested in places that are off the beaten path so if you have more suggestions, please let me know.

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  71. If you like anything and everything pumpkin, Circleville has the Pumpkin Show the 3rd week of October. You can get everything from pumpkin pie, pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin burgers, and pumpkin chili! They also have a contest for the biggest pumpkin, most weigh well over 1,000 pounds.

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    • I’ve been to the Pumpkin Show years and years ago when I was young. I’ve always wanted to take my kids. I’m hoping to go this year.

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  72. Tonya, I have two suggestions for you, if they haven’t already been mentioned. You should check out the boardwalk/ wetlands preserve at Maumee Bay State Park (they also have a very nice lodge to stay in there. And while you are in that general area, go and eat at Tony Packo’s in Toledo. Great food, and Jamie Farr made it famous when he talked about it on MASH.

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    • I’ve always wanted to visit Maumee State Park. Thanks for the tip on the lodge- I’ll look into it. Tony Packo’s sounds great!

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  73. I’m from Conneaut, Ohio – sharpest corner of the state – and I may be a bit biased, but I love my little hometown. Conneaut Creek is a state wild and scenic river in Ohio and is famous for its steelhead fishing. But Conneaut’s true treasure is its gorgeous lake front, one of the nicest along the Lake Erie coastline, in my opinion. Township Park in Conneaut is site of the annual D-Day reenactment, which is a great family event. It really is a beautiful little town with some great hidden treasures. Well worth a visit!

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    • I’ve not spent any time in Conneaut. I think it’s time for that to change. Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve never even heard of the D-Day reenactment, but it sounds like it would be great.

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  74. Hey I came across this list from Pinterst! We currently live in New York but we are from Ohio and moving back soon! I thought it was so awesome that you are from the Mansfield area because we are from Shelby!! When I saw the list of things to do in your hometown I realized where you were from! Can’t wait to take my daughter to the Little Buckey Museum! Also I’m not sure if they still do it because its been years since I’ve been but the Ohio Historical Museum has this old town you can walk through and the have houses you can tour and demonstrations. Last time I was there they had and old fashion baseball game going on and all the players were in vintage uniforms. It was awesome and I plan on going again once we get back!

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    • The Ohio Village is only open on select days and events throughout the year so you’ll want to check that out when you get back. The Little Buckeye Children’s Museum is awesome! My kids always wish they were younger when we visit with my nephew. 🙂 You’ll also enjoy the carousel less than a block away. And Buckeye Bakery has the best donuts ever! If you need ideas when you move back, let me know.

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      • I live in Mansfield, I also work downtown on the square at one of the banks. The downtown area is becoming more and more popular again. the first Friday of every month they have things going on down there. The Carousel obviously and the little buckeye museum. We also have a tour on Mansfield where they open up the old building and take you through tours of them. We have open-mic nights at some of the places down there. Very exciting stuff happening there. But also in Columbus there is a whistle factory, where you can take a tour and see how they make them and then you receive one at the end of your tour. Very neat. Call ahead though and schedule a tour. There is so much to do in Ohio. The one thing I wish we did have though is the dinner shows such as Dixie Stampede or the Medieval Times Dinner. Good Luck with your bucket list and Thank you for reminding us of this wonderful place so many of us call home.

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        • I’ve wanted to go on one of the Secret City Tours since they’ve started and I’ve missed every single one of them. Maybe next time…

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  75. Sounds like you have not been in SE Ohio too much. Down in Gallia County, you could go to the Bob Evans Farm Festival (usually the 14-16 of October)and see where Bob Evans started it all, visit the Mothman Bridge going in to West Virginia, take in a sporting event at the University of Rio Grande, head up to Jackson County and visit Fourmile Bakery to get a doughnut, while there stop over at the Fourmile Greenhouse(Amish and Mennonite establishments) Welsh culture is strong in both counties, while in Jackson see what is happening at the Markay Cultural Arts Center, they have performances and Art classes from local artists. If you are going through Chillicothe, the Majestic Theater also has a nice set of programs(Vern Riffe Center in Portsmouth has phenomenal performances as well).I did see other things people mentioned about Chillicothe, all great sights, the Lucy Hayes(Rutherford’ s wife)house is there as well. Tecumseh is a terrific performance if you have never been, happy travels!!

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    • Great suggestions! My husband and I visited Adena in Chillicothe but I’d really like to see the Lucy Hayes house. We toured Speigel Grove and it was beautiful and so interesting. Definitely worth a tour. I like all of your suggestions, but I admit the Mothman Bridge may freak me out just a bit. 😉

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  76. While you are in Sandusky Ohio taking the ferry to Put-in-bay… ask about the Merry-Go-Round Museum. Head over to Dover to the Warther’s Museum (http://www.warthers.com). Go to the Troy Strawberry Festival. Or the Marion Popcorn Festival. How about the Civil War reenactment at George Rogers Clark Park in Springfield Ohio. Can’t miss the Wright Brother’s Museum in Dayton, or see the sculpture of the ‘actual flight’ in Downtown Dayton. Visit the Blue Danue restaurant in Columbus, or Hike Old Man’s Cave in Logan Ohio. Boy this Buckeye can go on and on… Serpent Mound?? Football Hall of Fame in Canton… ok, I’ll stop now.

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    • I wanted to visit the Merry-go-Round Museum last year but it was closed on the day I planned to go. Bummer. I’ll definitely make my way back up there so I’d love to pop in and explore.

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    • Don’t go to the Marion Popcorn Festival. I am from Caledonia and this annual festival is about as pathetic as it gets. There are WAY better fairs and festivals to enjoy fried food at that won’t involve gangs, drugs, or low budge entertainment.

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      • I went to the Marion Popcorn Festival when I was in high school and I remember it as fun then. You don’t really hear so much about it anymore (or I don’t). Thanks for the tip.

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  77. I don’t know if anyone mentioned it, but Ohio wine country is awesome. We booked a tour and went to 7 wineries in 2 days in Northeast Ohio. I think it was ohiovines.com, or ohiowines.com, you’ll have to google it. We stayed at an Irish B&B in Painesville which was lovely! I think it was Fitzgerald’s but i’m not sure. There are also some nice wineries near Sandusky and Vermillion.

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    • I’ve toured some of the wineries along the lake but that’s the extent of that. I’ll check out the website you suggested and the B & B in Painesville looks like it would be a great place for a getaway!

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  78. Greene Co. is amazing! Cedarville has Cedar Cliff Falls which is a smaller version of Hocking Hills (and just as good IMO.) You can go off the trails and hike along the creek or follow the trail to see historic Indian Mounds. There are also gorgeous falls throughout the park, with a pretty good size one at the entrance that you can stand at the top of.
    Also, Yellow Springs is an adorable town with lots of murals on most buildings in downtown. Its also home to Young’s dairy where they make their own ice cream/cheese and have lots of activities for the kids!

    Also, In Madison Co. (my home!) be sure to check out Plain City. They have lots of Amish/Menonnites and great furniture/food shops. Also The Red Brick Tavern on the National Rd. in London has lodged 4(I think) Presidents and has pretty good food!

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    • I love Hocking Hills so I definitely need to check out Cedar Cliff Falls so I can compare. 🙂 I drove through Yellow Springs on the way to Clifton Mill to see the Christmas lights a couple years ago and it looked like a great place to explore.

      Thanks for the tips!

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  79. Don’t forget our Cleveland museums ! The Cleveland art museum is fantastic , and free. There is the Natural History museum, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Rock and Roll museum too ! You could spend a great weekend in Cleveland visiting the museums ! We go all the time and my kids often take great classes at the museums too.

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    • I love the Cleveland Art Museum! I’m hoping to visit for the current Van Gogh exhibit- not free, but I’m sure it’s well worth the admission fee.

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  81. I’m from Auglaize County, Ohio! In Wapakoneta there’s the Neil Armstrong Museum which is really neat, and in this tiny little town called New Bremen there’s the Bicycle Museum of America which has lots of neat historic bicycles!

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    • Oh, and New Bremen also has a Giant Pumpkin festival each year… I think it’s called “Pumpkinfest”, but some years they try to break the world record for the largest pumpkin pie. I know they’ve broke it once or twice, just can’t remember if they still hold it. They usually do Giant Pumpkin carving and a series of other fun events with lots of food, and of course, lots of beer!

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    • I’ve actually visited the Neil Armstrong Museum, but that was pre-blog. 🙂 I’m not familiar with the Bicycle Museum but it sounds like a great stop! Thanks for sharing!

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  82. Just want to mention a sweet little town of Delaware halfway between Cincinnati and Cleveland. Great little shops, restaurants like Buns and Hamburger Inn, both over 100 years old and the Strand Theater, also over 100 years old.. We have a Whit’s Custard and Thurmans, home of the Thurmanator Burger. One of the best Arts’ Festivals in Ohio the weekend after Mothers’ Day, fabulous Farmers Market Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. And, don’t forget the Little Brown Jug Horse Race at the Delaware County Fair the 3rd Thursday in Sept. with the All Horse Parade the Sunday before. And, I have to mention the overlooked Delaware State Park which is beautiful and has great camping and a wonderful beach and marina. Delaware is the birth place of Rutherford B. Hayes, the19th US President. Not to mention the Ohio Wesleyan University with the fabulous Gray Chapel where we are so fortunate to enjoy the Central Ohio Symphony. Great town you should not miss!

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    • Delaware is really close to me, but I haven’t been there for years. I’m especially interested in the restaurants and shopping. Sounds like a great place to explore. The Thurmanator sounds intriguing… Thanks for sharing!

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  83. There are a few places that you should add… cesser’s creek, sun watch Indian village, Carillon park (has a bunch of the Wright brother’s stuff) Wright Patterson air force museum. . I am from dayton ohio and these are some local specials also we have some great thrifty places too and jungle jims which is the most amazing grocery stores in the country!

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    • Jungle Jim’s is amazing. I was just disappointed because we visited when they weren’t offering tours or food samples. I’m definitely going to visit again so I can get the full experience. Thanks for the suggestions- I’ve not spent much time in Dayton.

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  84. I’m from Marietta, and if you’re looking for some great festivals to visit we’ve got Sternwheel in the fall and the Riverfront Roar in July. You should check it out!

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    • I actually drove past Marietta yesterday! I remember going to the Sternwheel Festival when I was little with my mom and dad and grandparents. I thought it was great then so I’m sure I’d enjoy it now. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  85. I highly recommend Holmes County for Amish. The Holmes-Wayne Amish settlement is the largest in the world. My husband makes his living driving Amish workers. Yes- it’s a real job! Just drive pretty much anywhere and you will pass Amish farm after Amish farm. Their business are plentiful and always interesting too! Berlin is more commercialized… I prefer Mt. Hope, Charm…. basically anywhere off the beaten path.

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    • I prefer off the beaten path as well. One of our favorite stops is to Miller’s Bakery- they have the best buttermilk cookies. My teens look forward to them every time we visit. There is so much that we haven’t seen in Amish Country. Would love to spend more time nosing around.

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  87. I live in Ashland, but if you get up around Akron, find a place called Stricklands. Best Ice cream EVER!! Also Nelsonville, is home to the Rocky Boot factory, Hocking College, and is in the Hocking Hills. Great times on the last Friday of the month in the summer!

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    • My teens are always interested in ice cream. That may be enough to bribe them to go to Akron with me. 🙂 My grandma grew up in Nelsonville so I’ve heard a lot of stories from that area. Planning a trip back to Hocking Hills later this year. Thanks for the tips!

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  88. For an interesting factory tour, try Honeywell in Dayton. They manufacture turn out gear for firefighters.

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  89. Born and raised in Summit County, OH, so I’m here to vouch for the BEST in Akron. 🙂 I’m a world traveler as well so I won’t waste your time. If you’re in Akron: Our art museum is small, but it still has some neat pieces and is absolutely free on Thursdays. Just a block or two away is Lockview restaurant which is a restaurant and bar. Their best menu items include cheese – cheese lovers rejoice! My favorite macaroni and cheese worldwide was in Dana Point (Laguna Beach), CA at Salt Creek Grille until I had the mac and cheese at Lockview in my own back yard. NOT to be missed.
    If you feel like seeing a baseball game at our small, family-friendly Canal Park (AA), stop by the Peanut Shoppe but beware they close around 5 or 6 (last I checked) – such a fun, old school type of candy shop!!

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    • The BEST is definitely what I’m looking for! 🙂 My daughter is on a hunt to find the best mac & cheese so we just may plan a trip to Lockview. I can’t believe how difficult it is to find a decent mac & cheese dish. What a perfect suggestion! 🙂

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  92. If your ever in the onterio area out near mansfield (Richland county) there is a wonderful boutique I highly recommend visiting. The owner actually opened up a second in Ashland . It’s called B.E. Humble. The owner Brittany Humble is absolutely adorable and amazing at helping you find the perfect outfit. She has something for all ages and sizes and makes everyone look amazing. She’s expecting her second baby in June 2014 so she might not be around much then and her website isn’t getting updated as much but she has some wondeful employees that are super helpful too. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram or her website http://behumblefashion.com. She posts new arrivals on Facebook and Instagram and she ships.
    Around that area they also have some beautiful bike trails and the Blue patch which is fun for families. Also it’s near the ohio state reformatory you visited.
    Also loudenville is a fun place to go canoing, kayaking, rafting or relax in a tube floating down the river. My friends and I love to go canoing every summer.
    You should check out the color run coming to Columbus Ohio July 19th https://reg3.thecolorrun.com/registration/28/? You can join team “sparkle” and save an extra $5 it’s a really fun family activity you can walk, get messy, take pictures and have a great time. I do it every year and love it my family started doing it with me last year and they can’t wait to do it again this year. It’s great for all ages and kids especially love it. The jazz and rib festival takes place in the same area as the color run on the same day so you can check it out right after you finish and there’s a ton of great hotels to stay at in the area if you don’t live close.
    Also if you haven’t checked out the Columbus Zoo it’s a really great place to take the kids. They are getting a new African Safari exhibit the end of this spring. And they have a wonderful watermark Zoombezi Bay.
    Thank you for your wonderful blog post there are so many things I didn’t realize we’re in Ohio and can’t wait to check them out!

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    • I live in Mansfield but I’ve not stopped in at B. Humble yet. I have heard that the boutique has really cute clothes though. I love the bike trail and walk portions of it several times a week. My daughter would love to participate in the Color Run- thanks for mentioning it and offering your suggestions! There is so much to do in Ohio, if only I had more time (and money). 🙂

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  93. I didn’t see this one, in Marietta there’s a glass factory called Fenton glass factory. (Or maybe it’s on the WV side! I was little when we went there!) I thought it was a fun trip, they had free tours. Also good ice cream place: Handels! There’s a couple in the Akron/Kent area and one in Columbiana. I also remember going to Loveland, Ohio (near Dayton) to see a castle of some sort. Can’t wait to check back and see where you’ve gone!

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    • I’m headed through Marietta later this week, I’ll try to check out the glass factory. I have hoped to see the Loveland Castle for years…maybe I’ll finally make it this year. Thanks for the suggestions!

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  94. If you ever make it to the southeastern part of Ohio, in Monroe County, you should venture to Sardis. A small town along the river, it’s where I grew up. It’s such a small town, not even a stop light but everyone knows us for Ables Cheese. It’s a small store the locals frequent for snacks, fishing bait, even crafts, but most importantly, the best cheese around! In near by towns there are other sites to see. Fly, Ohio has an operational ferry that’s been there for years! Hannibal is home to the Hannibal Locks and Dam, which you can tour. In the country behind Hannibal is a place called Kiedaisch Point where you can look out over the entire Valley, it’s truly a breathtaking view.

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    • I’ve never heard of Sardis. It sounds like a great place to visit. I’d also like to visit the locks in Hannibal. Thanks for the recommendations!

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  95. Don’t forget to stop by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton to visit the FREE musuem. It contains different types of planes and space/NASA equipment. Pretty cool! Also, in Dover, Ohio, there is Warther’s carvings and it has a very unique gift shop. I highly recommend!

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  96. I almost forgot to mention the best burger place in Ohio… Thurman’s in German Village, Columbus, is home to some of the best burgers. The small, dark atmosphere serves up burgers on a paper plate and takes up the entire plate! They have recently opened up Son of Thurman’s on Sandusky St., in downtown Delaware, Ohio. I promise you that you won’t regret eating here.

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    • Thurman’s has been suggested more than once, so you know what that means? It must be great! I an’t wait to try it but it sounds like I may need to split the burger with someone else. A whole plate, really? Wow.

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  97. As a student from Ohio University I want to put in a plug for Athens! The university is set in the hills of the hocking hills area and is set in all brick even the roads! It’s a must see in the summer or fall when the leaves are changing. It truly is a special place-beautiful. Athens is home to lots of organic resturants and home breweries. Very unique! Also since you talked about wine in your blog when checking out Holmes county you should drive over to Breitenbaugh Winery they have cookouts some Saturdays. Lastly, tuscarawas county has a small park with amusement rides, batting cages, a pool, concessions, and lots more! I’ve worked there for many summers and I always love hearing where people have traveled from to come visit. Great bucket list you have!

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    • I’ve been told that the university campus is beautiful, but I’ve never stopped to see it. Definitely adding it to my list of places to see. Thanks so much!

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  98. Ice carving festival in Medina square in February is awesome. Also tons of events in the square in the summer.,

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  99. You should put Yellow Springs on there. Lots of cute stores to shop and a great hiking trail. Also Cox Arboretum in Centerville. Thanks for the list. I’ve only lived in Ohio five years and thought I was running out of things to do.

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  100. I grew up in Dayton and now live near Cincinnati.
    Dayton-University of Dayton see the “Ghetto” college housing, drink a beer at Flannigans or share a fishbowl at the Fieldhouse and dance at Timothy’s or in the Oregon District.
    Dayton Flyers Basketball game (elite 8)
    Eat @ The Pine Club (bring cash only) it made a Top 10 International list of old restaurants steak and potatoes place.
    Esther Price Chocolates
    Boonshoft Museum
    Youngs Dairy
    “The Greene” shopping
    Dayton Dragons baseball game
    Cox Arboretum
    Renaissance Festival
    Springboro-La’Comedia Dinner Theatre
    West Chester-IKEA
    Niedermann Farm (paintball)
    Cincinnati-Reds game and walk through Swale park along river pretty fountains
    Toby Keith’s Bar
    Christian Morelein
    Hofbrauhaus Newport
    Coney Island swimming
    Kings Island new Rides. Banshee and Diamondback
    Skyline Chili
    Loveland Castle-this only takes a few hours smaller than I thought)
    Cousin Vinny’s Pizza (open until 3 or 4AM)
    Make it to Kentucky check out the Horse Park during Breyer Fest in July

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  101. This is a great list! I came here looking for ideas of things to see around Ohio because I’ve decided I wanted to try to visit every county this summer (I call it 88 counties in 88 days!). It might be extremely ambitious for me but I love road trips so it should be fun even if I don’t get it done! I have seen many things around the state but never paid particular attention to the different counties. My plan is to photoblog it and take pictures of one cool/interesting thing I visited in each county. I just started this past weekend so so far I only have 4 counties: Licking (Velvet Ice Cream Factory), Muskingum (Longaberger HQ building and Factory Stores), Coshocton (the country’s largest inland lighthouse), and Knox (Honey Run Falls and park). Now I have some great ideas to do in some other counties thanks to this blog and all the comments! Good luck with your bucket list 🙂

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    • Correction on my part: the Longaberger giant basket HQ is actually in Licking. I meant to say I visited the Longaberger Homestead and Factory Stores in Muskingum.

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      • I love the giant basket! I’ve seen that and the giant Market Basket in Frazeysburg, but the Longaberger Homestead was closed the day I stopped so I didn’t see the giant apple basket. I definitely need to plan to stop back by.

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  102. If you are in Sandusky again go to Tofts Dairy, they have the best ice cream. Also sandusky played a part I’m the Underground Railroad. I think there might be a tour. Just south of Sandusky is Milan, the birth place of Thomas Edison. you can tour the home he grew up in. Milan also hosts the Milan festival, where you can try homemade melon ice cream. Just west of Sandusky is castalia. home of the blue hole and the duck pond that never freezes. in Fremont Ohio you can your the President Hayes museum.

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    • Toft’s is yummy. I actually had it this past week in Bucyrus! Th Hayes Museum and home is gorgeous. My husband and I visited right after it had been renovated. When I was a child I used to visit a blue hole with my parents’ but I didn’t think it was open anymore. I’ll look into it and see if the one in Castalia is one in the same. Thanks for the suggestions!

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  103. Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakonta (Auglaize County)
    Wilson Football Factory in Ada (Hardin County)
    Mazza Museum in Findlay (Hancock County)

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  104. I’m so surprised nobody’s said anything about the COUNTY FAIRS! I grew up in Wellington, which is home to the Lorain County Fair, which is in late August. They have a huge array of animals for show, with auctions and competition. You can watch them milk cows each day, and they have draft horse pulls too. I love to go down each year (I live near Cleveland Hopkins Airport in North Olmsted now) and see the tractor pull and the combine derby—which is indeed a demolision derby with combines!!! I’ve heard it’s the best fair in the state, but my Youngstown friends always tout the Canfield Fair near Youngstown as the best.

    Also, Cleveland has an incredible culinary scene along with some great architecture. Downtown be sure to visit the Terminal Tower Observation Deck, which is on the 42nd floor of Cleveland’s iconic tower—it’s open on Saturday afternoons I think again, and I got to go to a special night tour this past winter. The Arcade is I believe the first indoor mall in the entire state, but in the 1880s (!) and has the most beautiful brass and glass interior architecture. Directly across from the Arcade is the East 4th Street entertainment district, which includes Iron Chef Michael Symon’s Lola, along with the one of the best comedy clubs in the country, Hilarities, at Pickwick & Frolic. It’s also well worth your while to check out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center, as well as take a stroll out to Voinovich Park on the end of the East 9th Street Pier. As for neighborhoods, you can’t find more great breweries in one place than Ohio City, across the River from Downtown. They also have some of the best food, the West Side Market of course, a brand new Mitchell’s Ice Cream shop (which includes a factory where you can see them make the ice cream!), and tons of cool Victorian houses along Bridge Avenue and Fulton Road. Tremont, just a small trip down Abbey Avenue from the West Side Market is home to one of the greatest Art Walks in the city, not to mention great restaurants, coffee shops, and Tremont Scoops Ice Cream. University Circle has tons of great museums, the Case Western Reserve University Campus, the Botanical Gardens, Rockefeller Park and the cultural gardens along MLK Drive, and the Western Reserve Historical Society. Just down from there is Little Italy, which feels like you’ve been transported to a whole other city and contains another huge concentration of art galleries, unique shops, and of course, Italian restaurants. Just up the hill from Little Italy is Coventry Village in Cleveland Heights, again with a full gamut of ethnic restaurants, cool stores, and the famous Big Fun novelty store. When in Cleveland Heights, also catch an independent film, documentary, or an old favorite at the Cedar Lee Theater, along with more restaurants and shops, as well as the Tudor Village at Cedar and Fairmount. The Shaker Lakes and Shaker Square are also beautiful places to see some beautiful homes and great architecture. Back on the West Side, I highly recommend visiting Lakewood, which has a booming restaurant and bar scene which includes the original Melt Bar & Grilled, featured plenty on the Food Channel, along with tons of art galleries all along Detroit and Madison Avenues. Be sure to drive down Clifton Boulevard as well as Lake Avenue and Edgewater Drive, where you find Cleveland’s best seafood restaurant overlooking Lake Erie and the city skyline at Pier W, as well as taking a walk along the promenade at Lakewood Park. Past Lakewood’s West End takes you across into Downtown Rocky River, and also has the northern terminus of the Cleveland Metroparks Valley Parkway, which has a parallel bike trail that runs for nearly 20 miles. Along the Valley Parkway, you will see one of Greater Cleveland’s best-kept secrets with the picturesque Rocky River’s 90-foot cliffs along either side of the river, as well as golf courses, hiking, waterfalls, and Rocky River Nature Center. The East Suburbs have their own, and arguably better counterpart along the Chagrin River between Downtown Willoughby (also worth the trip) and Chagrin Falls, an upscale village with a picturesque waterfall, Jeni’s ice cream, lots of little shops, and of course, the falls.

    A couple of other highlights of the Cleveland area would be the beaches, Edgewater Park has been cleaned up beautifully now, Huntington Beach in Bay Village, Lakeview Park in Lorain, and the ***best*** beach on Lake Erie—Headlands Beach near Mentor/Grand River/Painesville, which is the only NATURAL sand beach left on the American side of Lake Erie…it even includes a nature preserve protecting the dunes that used to be common along Ohio’s lakefront—it’ll make you swear you’re actually on the East Coast! By the way…if you hit Lakeview Park in Lorain, DEFINITELY check out K-Cream Korner just down the road at Oberlin and West Erie Avenues—they have the coolest vanilla ice cream/orange sherbet twist there!

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    • Awesome tips, Lee! I actually LOVE to spend time in Cleveland- I just haven’t found the time to write about our time there yet. My husband and I visited the Lake View Cemetery last year for a trolley tour and loved it. I had hoped to visit Melt at that time, but I’m still waiting. I see another trip is in order. Thanks for sharing. I’m definitely adding to my list.

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  105. When visiting Dayton, make sure you look into the metro parks. A few are kid centered or have kid friendly attractions. My favs are Wegryzn, Cox Arboretum and Aullwood. Near Wegrzyn is Boonshoft Children’s Museum, always a must for our visitors from out of town. My favorite festivals that I hadn’t seen mentioned earlier are Waynesville’s Sauerkraut Fest(second weekend in October), Centerville’s Americana (4th of July)- look for zombie dogs food truck, and during June-early July Springfield has weekly concerts in Cliff Park. I also enjoy the festivals at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering.

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  107. I just came across this lovely post today. I have so much pride for Ohio and love when people take the time to explore what it has to offer. I know several have mentioned the Hocking Hills. I love not far from there and it truly is a gem. I didn’t read through everyone’s comments, so I apologize if someone already mentioned it, but the Circleville Pumpkin Show is something everyone should see once in their life! Circleville is my hometown and I do love me some Pumpkin Show!!!! 🙂 Chillicothe has Mound City, which is an ancient Hopewell burial ground. Very cool! Chillicothe also has Tecumseh, which is an outdoor drama about the legendary Shawnee leader. It is beautiful!

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    • I went to the Circleville Pumpkin Show when I was little and I remember it bored me to death. lol That’s a young kid for you. My mom and dad wanted to look at all the different pumpkins and I’d had enough after the first 10. As an adult, I’d love to go back…and take my kids. 🙂

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  108. Have you been to the Butler Institute of American Art? It is in Youngstown Ohio. It is free to everyone, open Tuesday thru Sunday from 11:00-4:00. It is a wonderful museum of American artists. Amazing collection!!

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  109. I’m an Ohioan. Hocking Hills State Parks are a great visit, which I see you’ve done. You could always visit Glen Helen and John Bryan State Park in Yellowsprings, and even ride a bike on the bike trail from Yellowsprings, through Xenia, and onward. Xenia is known as the Bicycle Capital of the Mid-West. In Hocking County, they have Zip-line and Canopy Tours that are fun. You could also try Disc Golfing, there are tons of courses throughout Ohio in various towns that are beautiful and fun. There is also the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio, I loved it when I was in grade school. OU campus in Athens, Ohio has some great locations to check out, like the Ridges that’s on campus. If you are into haunted attractions around Halloween time, the Haunted Hoochie in Pataskla is a great haunted house to experience.

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  110. I am not sure if I skipped over Geneva-On-The-Lake being mentioned, but if it wasn’t, make it be known now! Just outside of Ashatabula, sweet little strip filled with all kinds of exciting things to do. A must see is Firehouse Winery, which used to be a firehouse. A must stop while on the strip is Eddie’s Grill or Capo’s Pizza. Your can also see the worlds longest covered bridge in Ashtabula. Travel an hour or so south and go to Canfield to Whitehouse Fruit Farm to have their world famous blueberry doughnuts, that have been served by The Whitehouse…in Washington D.C. Yes indeed!

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  111. Hi!
    I wanted to let you know of a wonderful place to eat and take advantage of the lake. It’s called Geneva on the Lake. There is a historical diner up there called Eddies Grill. It’s open Memorial day through Labor day and is open air. It’s super popular with the locals and vacationers, so finding a seat can sometimes be difficult, but it’s definitely worth the wait! The town is super charming as well. Tons of small cottages to stay in on or near the lake, wineries for the adults, a strip of shops and restaurants and an arcade! There is also Madsen dougnuts, which are to die for!! Hope you add Geneva on the Lake to your bucket list! It’s well worth a visit!

    Sara

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    • Thanks so much for leaving this comment, Sara. Geneva on the Lake sounds wonderful and I really hope that I’m able to visit this year. I’ll definitely check out Madsen for the doughnuts and Eddies Grill sounds right up my alley.

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  112. If you are going to go antiquing, then you need to go to the antique capital of the mid-west, Waynesville!

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  113. Im not sure if you mentioned this or not. In Youngstown OH there is Mill Creek Park that is absolutely beautiful. There is hiking trails, paddle boats, a rose gardem and much more! Gorgious especially during the fall. Worth checking out.

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  114. Thank you! I’m always looking for a weekend road trip here in Ohio. We rented a cabin in Hocking Hills last year and visited Old Man Caves. Lots of beautiful scenery!

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  115. Born in Ohio, moved to California when I was 2, finally got back to visit my home state, hometown of Salem last October and November…..AND LOVED IT!! I’m so glad I found your site because I plan to get back to visit Salem and the whole state in the next year or so. This is going to be a treasure trove of things for my husband and me, along with my cousin, to do. Thank you so much!! We’ll be camping, so any hints about great campgrounds would be wonderful. I haven’t had time to look over your site very much. Maybe you already covered campgrounds, but if not, there’s another idea for you. Again, thank you and this is going to be a great adventure, thanks to this blog!!

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    • Welcome back to Ohio, Cynthy! I hope that my site will be a valuable resource for you, as I do write a lot about Ohio. I don’t have many camping stories. My husband and I camped regularly with our kids when they were younger and got away from that. He and I are planning to get back to camping this year so who knows? I may have some posts to share as the year goes on. Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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  116. if you are in the Columbus area, you should consider a trip to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Gardens. There is a historic conservatory building (where you can have a wedding or a party) and beautiful gardens surrounding it. Currently one of the biomes is filled with butterflies. There are community gardens and an outdoor cooking venue where,if you’re lucky, you may find wood fired pizzas being made. The park hosts many art, cooking and educational programs, as well as a farmers market (check their website for dates and times). Right now a 200 year old barn is being restored and built on the property! Come visit!!!

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    • I’ve planned on visiting the Franklin Park Conservatory for years! I really need to put it on my list of places to visit in Ohio this summer! Thank you for all the information. I’d love to visit!

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  117. Hocking Hills and more, I never realized how much there was to do in Ohio and I live only 20 mins from it.

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  118. When you visit Akron, Quaker Square’s hotel is AMAZING!!!! Made from the old grain silos, the rooms are round. Super-cool.

    In Stark County (Canton), Heggy’s chocolates are the bomb! THE BEST!!!! Still hand made in small batches. Their greasy spoon restaurant (for lack of a better term) on the main drag between Canton and Massillon serves the best buttered french fries ever. Trust me — It took great discipline not to eat them every day. Thankfully, we lived nearby and could walk there. Burned some calories before dinner and after. 🙂

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  119. Love all the OHIO places and things to do! So much offered here, and this is a great list of ideas 🙂

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  121. Revisiting this list…there are still so many places to go in Ohio…and I’m sitting right in the middle of many of them!!

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  122. My girlfriend and I are planning on a trip to hocking hills this summer, but I’ve always wanted to go to the tree houses at mohican too!

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  123. Your bucket list has me dying for adventure hehe. I haven’t been to cosi since I was a little girl. I haven’t explored Columbus much either other than concerts(and I go to a lot of those).

    One of my favorite things about Ohio is antiques and Amish 🙂

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  124. Visiting baseball parks around Ohio is on my list, both Major and Minor League. As a runner I would like to participate in as many marathons in Ohio as I can. I’ve done the major ones – Toledo, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Cleveland…Some 2-3 times each!

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  126. We LOVE the CVSR! We participate in Bike the Trail, Ride the Rail every year. Great activity for kids and adults alike!

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  127. If you want awesome food you should try Bella Bleu’s in Ashland. IT’S AMAZING! The food is wonderful. Also I HIGHLY recommend Lucky’s Cafe in Tremont (Cleveland). They have a fantastic Reuben. They brine their own corned beef and they MAKE THEIR OWN Sauerkraut. Yup, with cabbage from their garden next door. The desserts look great but I’m always stuffed unfortunately! If you come to Grandpa’s Cheesebarn in Ashland please let me know. I’ve never met a blogger before. I love Sweetie’s and their chocolates. Yum! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  128. Now that’s an amazing bucket list! Definitely a great guide to for anyone visiting Ohio soon! I absolutely loved this! Pinning as well 🙂

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  130. You have a great list here! There are so many things on there that I didn’t even know existed! I was surprised that I didn’t see Old Man’s Cave or Ash Cave on your list!

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  139. so many fun places to go…i love reading about all these places and making an itinerary with my family

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  140. This is the coolest thing ever! With our kids finally at a good vacation age this will be the perfect guide for experiencing everything Ohio has to offer. I wonder if all states have this because another bucket list item is to visit all 50 states.

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  146. cuyahoga county – Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort
    summit county – Hale Farm & Village, schwebel’s bread factory, swensons drive-in restaurant
    stark county – harry london chocolate factory
    franklin county – creekside of gahanna

    akron – FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby Championships
    canton – football hall of fame
    cleveland – rock n roll hall of fame, great lakes science center, cleveland west side market, a christmas story house
    columbus – columbus food truck, ohio state fair
    cincinnati – National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
    sandusky – cedar point
    port clinton – african safari wildlife park

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  147. Neil Armstrong Museum, Wright Brothers, National Air Force Museum, Cedar Point, Unofficial Lego Museum…. just a couple more ideas

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  148. If you’re in Akron, you may want to go to Stan Hewitt Hall if you haven’t already. It’s a beautiful mansion, and it has spectacular gardens! 5 Oaks in Massillon is another, but you need to research ahead of time. The last I knew you had to schedule tours and have a party of at least 10 people. Canton has the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum (which is actually more fun than it sounds), the First Ladies Library, The Palace Theatre, etc. I hope it gives you some ideas. Happy traveling!

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  149. What about Renaissance Festivals! The Ohio Renaissance Festival in Harveysburg, Oh is so much fun. Great food, a variety of stage shows, crafts and medieval artisans. They are open Saturdays and Sundays from the first weekend in September to the middle of October. Make sure you try a “bread bowl”, take in a Jousting match, and see the Mudd Showe.
    Also the Great Lakes Medieval Faire is in Geneva, Oh (near Cleveland). They are also open Saturdays and Sundays from mid-July through mid-August. Huzzah!

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  150. The National Park Service Aviation Trail begins in Dayton with a museum complex displaying the story of the Wright Brothers and flight: Their print shop, a restored Wright Cycle Shop, and the site of their home. Downtown Dayton has a sculpture of them and their airplane, and another depicting the first 112-foot flight. A mile south at Carillon Park is a reconstructed bicycle shop and their 1905 Wright Flyer. Five miles east is a Wright Memorial overlooking the field where they learned to fly. The Visitor Center has a flight simulator so you can experience flying early planes. Then go to the spacious U.S. Air Force Museum for a free tour of the history of military flight, including hundreds of airplanes and a space capsule. Appropriately, you can bicycle the trail on bike-laned streets and on dedicated, paved bike trails. Or take a short driving tour.

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  151. Maybe I missed it but I didn’t see any mention of the wonder Native American historical sites in southern Ohio. Chillicothe, Dayton, Columbus of the Ancient Fort people and Adena cultures. I’ve made a few videos of my swing through that area this summer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vwu_Cq3h9E. This one is on Fort Ancient. One of the largest effigy mounds in the WORLD is in Ohio, The Serpent Mound. Thanks for you list…I’ll be coming back through there because Ohio really has so much to see.

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    • Hi Sue,

      You didn’t miss it. Up to this point, I’ve pretty much only added sites that I’ve been to personally to review and have had time to write about (that’s the kicker- getting those posts written). Have you been to Marietta? They have several mounds that you may want to check out as well. Thanks for sharing your video. I’ll check it out.

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  152. Please don’t forget Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Medina County. They host a large variety of special events over and above their apple farm heritage. Check out their website. Another place I have not visited yet but hear about is Castle Noel, a unique Christmas museum in Medina near the historic Medina Square (another nice place with events all year on the grounds). The Saturday farmers markets are wonderful at Medina Square along with the art shows, music shows, Christmas candlelight walk, ice carving festival, and many, many other fun events.

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