50 Unique Things to Do in Ohio {FREE or Low-Cost!}

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Ohio today, we’ve got a list of 50 that are free or low-cost. So hop in the car and check out these quirky roadside attractions – from the world’s largest cuckoo clock to a flying saucer-shaped house!

These fun things to do in Ohio are organized geographically so you can quickly find the ones closest to you.

• Free Things to do in Cleveland Area
• Free Things to do in Columbus Area
• Fun Things to do Between Cleveland and Columbus
• Unique Things to do in Other Areas of Ohio

It doesn’t matter where your road trip takes you, you’ll find plenty of roadside attractions waiting to be explored and the Buckeye State is no exception. Here are some of our favorite quirky things to see in Ohio.

Free Things to do in Cleveland Area

The following are low-cost or free things to do in Cleveland and the surrounding area. Most are within a one to two hour drive of the city.

1.  Neil Armstrong’s First Flight

Travel to the spot where Neil Armstrong took his first airplane ride. You’ll find a mini-park that represents the accomplishments Armstrong made when landing on the moon.

Address: 2553 US-422, Warren, OH 44485
Cost: Free

2.  David Grohl Alley and the World’s Largest Drumsticks

Visit an alley dedicated to David Grohl, founder of Foo Fighters and former drummer of Nirvana. There you can see the World’s Largest Drumsticks, as well as other works of art dedicated to Grohl

Address: David Grohl Alley, Warren, OH. Downtown, just south of W. Market St. and the Courthouse Square, on the east side of Main Ave.
Cost: Free

3.  The Center of the World

In hopes of becoming an economic center, this small hidden town took the name “The Center of the World.” Look quick or you’ll miss it. Visit this spot when you’re checking out the world’s largest drumsticks.

Address: Center World, Braceville Township, OH 44430
Cost: Free

4.  The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Learn how Cleveland became the home of the world’s largest collection of rock and roll memorabilia in this museum that gives music lovers a chance to see and hear a collection of music history throughout the decades.

Address: 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114
Website: https://www.rockhall.com/
Cost: View the website for current pricing.

5.  The Christmas Story House

Open year-round, the Christmas Story House is available for tours and even overnight stays. It is the original setting for the filming of the famous movie “A Christmas Story” with a museum across the street containing original memorabilia.

Address: 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44109
Website: https://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
Cost: View the website for current pricing.

6. The biggest year-round Christmas museum in the United States

Castle Noel holds the magic of Christmas with different memorabilia from famous movies such as The Grinch, Elf, A Christmas Story and Cousin Eddie’s RV. A fan favorite is the red slide tourists can go down that is replicated from the movie A Christmas Story.

Address: 260 S. Court Street, Medina, OH
Website: https://castlenoel.com/
Cost: Check website for current pricing.

7.  The World’s Largest Rubber Stamp

Standing at 28-feet-tall and 48-feet-long, the World’s Largest Rubber Stamp states the word “FREE” across the front. This unique Ohio attraction is located two blocks from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Address: Willard Park, Cleveland, OH 44114
Cost: Free

8.  The Garfield Memorial

As it stands beautifully structured and intricately designed, the memorial of our 20th President provides a different outlook on American history. It also holds the only Presidential casket that is on display to the public.

Address: 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
Website: https://lakeviewcemetery.com/
Cost: Free for a self-guided tour.
Read More: Visiting the Garfield Memorial in Lake View Cemetery

9.  Handless Jacques

A statue that has stood tall for decades, Handless Jacques was once the front line attraction for “Jacques Sandwich Shoppe”. Jacques unfortunately lost his hands along the way to his current home, not far from the shore of Lake Erie.

Address: 6020 E Harbor Rd, Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440
Cost: Free

10.  Glacial Grooves

This natural attraction is located on Kelleys Island and is surrounded by other beautiful natural spots and trails.

Address: 739 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438
Cost: Free

11.  The World’s Largest Amish Horse and Buggy

The World’s Largest Amish Horse and Buggy is a great photo op moment when touring the Amish community in Trumbull County. Its size is proportional to an actual horse and buggy, and the horse even has a name! 

Update: There is a new twin horse and buggy located outside Savannah, Ohio that also claims to the world’s largest made by 2×4’s.

Address: 8719 State Route 534, Mesopotamia, OH
Cost: Free

12.  Amish Buggy ATM

Completely submerge yourself in Amish culture and retrieve your money from an ATM that looks like a real-life horse and buggy.

Address: 216 N Main St., Wellington, OH
Cost: Free

13.  The World’s Largest Geode

The accidental discovery of this geode lead to a beautiful roadside attraction. Travel 40-feet underground for a chance to stand in the crystal cave.

Address: 978 Catawba Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456
Website: http://www.heinemanswinery.com/crystalcave.asp
Cost: View the website for current pricing.

14.  The Most Massive Doric Column in the World

The 352-foot-tall Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial honors those who fought and died during the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, as well as the War of 1812.

Admire this column from the ground, or take an elevator to the top and check out the observation deck.

Address: 93 Delaware Ave., Put-In-Bay, OH
Website: https://www.nps.gov/pevi/index.htm
Cost: Free to see.

15.  The Crying Haserot Angel

Don’t blink around this sculpture known as the “Weeping Angel” or you may miss the black tears that drip from her eyes down to her neck. She gives off an unsettling vibe while being stunningly beautiful.

Address: 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106
Website: https://lakeviewcemetery.com/
Cost: Free

16.  Squire’s Castle

Get a sense of mystery in Squire’s Castle while learning about the urban legends of the family who once lived there. This castle is open year-round with free admission. There are also plenty of hiking trails in the area.

Address: River Road, Willoughby Hills, OH, 44094
Cost: Free

17.  A Pizza Place in a Covered Bridge

Get a slice of pizza in this unique pizza parlor that was once the Foreman Road Covered Bridge.

Address: 380 East Main St Andover, OH, 44003 or 6541 South Main Street North Kingsville, OH 44068
Cost: Free to see.

18.  Giants in Seville

What was once the home of two real-life giants, the town of Seville now carries their history. You’ll find the graves of these almost 8-foot tall giants, their former home (private residence), and even a giant chair you can sit in for a perfect photo opportunity.

Address: Cemetery; East Main Street, Seville OH. House Museum; 70 West Main Street, Seville, OH
Cost: Free

19.  The Cow in Orrville

Look closely on top of one of the Smith Dairy twin silos for a replica of a two-ton cow defying all odds as she stands proudly over the city of Orrville.

Address: 1381 Dairy Lane, Orrville, OH
Cost: Free

Free Things to do in Columbus Area

The following are low-cost or free things to do in Columbus and the surrounding area. Most are within a one to two hour drive of the city.

20.  The Tomb of President Harding

At this roadside stop, you can see Grecian columns surrounding the gravesites of President Warren G. Harding and his wife Florence Harding. History buffs can step inside the graveyard across the street to see where his casket was originally entombed and to see the grave of his mistress.

You can also tour The Harding Home, where Harding famously campaigned for president from his front porch in 1920.

Address: Vernon Heights Blvd. Marion, Ohio, 43302
Cost: Free

21. Dog Fountain

This eye-catching fountain in Mt. Vernon is such a fun photo opp if you’re looking for unique things to do in Ohio! It showcases a variety of cast-iron dogs (as well as a cat and horse) circling a golden bone while shooting water out of their mouths. 

Address: 201 South Main Street Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Cost: Free

22.  The World’s Largest Market Basket

This basket is as large as a small house and took over 2,000 man-hours to weave. Part of the Longaberger legacy, it can be seen in Dresden.

Address: 508 Main St., Dresden, OH, 43821
Cost: Free

23.  The World’s Largest Basket Building

A replica standing 160 times larger than Longaberger’s Market Basket, the World’s Largest Basket Building is an eye-opener! It is the former home office for the Longaberger company. This building is currently empty and looking for a new owner. 

Address: 1500 E Main St, Newark, OH 43055
Cost: Free

24.  The World’s Largest Apple Basket

The apple basket can be seen at Longaberger’s Homestead in Frazeysburg, a short distance from the World’s Largest Basket building outside Newark, and the World’s Largest Market basket in Dresden.

Address: 5563 Raiders Rd, Frazeysburg, OH
Cost: Free

25.  The Big Muskie

What once was the World’s Largest Earth Moving Machine is now just the remaining metal bucket that can hold two school buses side by side. The bucket rests on a valley of a previous mine known as “Re-Creation Land” that is now part of Jesse Owens State Park and the Miner’s Memorial Park.

Address: OH-78, McConnelsville, OH 43756
Cost: Free

26.  The Topiary Park

A work of art that is as large as life; the Topiary Park in Columbus is an artist’s vision using plants of all types to create a masterpiece you can walk through.

Open year-round, this park shows its beauty through nature along with events held by the community.

Address: 480 E Town St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: http://www.topiarypark.org/
Cost: Free

27.  The World’s Largest Gavel

Placed in between two justice buildings this stainless steel gavel stands tall on top of a crystal clear reflecting pool for all to stop and view.

Address: 145 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43215
Cost: Free

28.  Cornhenge

In honor of Sam Frantz, the creator of hybrid corn seeds, Ohio’s Cornehenge sprouts 109 larger than life-sized ears of corn. This creates a weird but exciting sight for those driving past.

Address: 4995 Rings Rd, Dublin, OH 43017
Cost: Free

29.  Leatherlips

This monument represents the great Wyandot Indian Chief., made completely out of native limestone slabs. Visitors to this 12-foot tall portrait are able to stand on top of the attraction to capture a memorable photo.

Address: 7377 Riverside Dr, Powell, OH 43065
Cost: Free

30.  The Y-Bridge in Zanesville

The Y bridge is an attraction you can drive across. It splits three ways and bridges over the Muskingum River.

Address: Zanesville, OH 43701, Traffic carries off U.S. Rt 40 (Main St. and West Main St.) and Linden Ave.
Cost: Free

31.  The Pencil Sharpener Museum

If pencil sharpeners happen to be your thing, the Pencil Sharpener Museum displays 3,479 different pencil sharpeners. It’s a quirky, free thing to do in Ohio and a fun place for tourists to stop and view the large collection.

Address:  13178 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138
Cost: Free

32.  Ariel Foundation Park

The remains of an old glass-making facility has been turned into this park. It has incorporated the ruins from the PPG factory as well as a nature preserve.

Address: 501 South Main St., Mount Vernon, OH
Website: https://www.arielfoundationpark.org/
Cost: Free

33.  The World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock

Listen carefully because every 30 minutes you will hear this giant, 24-foot tall cuckoo clock put on a show with polka music played by a five-piece robotic band.

Address: 100 N Broadway St, Sugarcreek, OH 44681
Cost: Free

34.  Vasehenge

In honor of the now-collectible Weller Pottery, artists of the town placed giant vases in a circular formation reminding its visitors of the famous Stonehenge. Try finding all one hundred vases spread across the town.

Address: North Pine Street, Zanesville, OH
Cost: Free

35.  The World’s Largest Washboard

Stop for a selfie in front of the World’s Largest Washboard! You can take a tour through the company’s museum, and even enjoy the washboard festival that is held annually.

Address: 14 Gallagher Ave, Logan, OH 43138
Website: https://columbuswashboard.com/
Cost: Free to see. Factory Tours adults $6/seniors $5/students & children $4/Active Military Free.

36.  The World’s Largest Pumpkin

The water tower in Circleville, Ohio is painted to look like a large pumpkin hovering over the city. This eye-catching attraction is to promote the town’s annual Pumpkin Show.

Address: Logan Street, Circleville, OH
Cost: Free

37. National Museum of the United States Air Force

Learn more about our nation’s Air Force with a tour of this free museum that provides many galleries, exhibits, and even plane simulators.

Address: 1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Website: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
Cost: Free

38. Early Television Museum

Step back into time as you learn about technology systems from the 1920’s up to the 1950’s when color television was finally introduced.

Address: 5396 Franklin Street, Hilliard, OH, 43026
Website: http://www.earlytelevision.org/
Cost: Free but donation of $5 per adult and $2 per child is suggested.

Fun Things to do in Ohio Between Cleveland and Columbus

Many of these free things to do in Ohio are in and near Mansfield – my hometown.

39.  Elektro

A walking, talking robot manufactured by Westinghouse for the New York World’s Fair, Elektro shocked the world by smoking a cigarette while crossing the border into Canada.

You can see this attraction at the Mansfield Memorial Museum, the oldest museum in Richland County. Other displays in this regional museum include local aviation and military history, as well as a rare collection of Victorian anthropomorphic scenes — animals that are stuffed and dressed depicting various scenes.  

Address: 34 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44902
Website: https://www.themansfieldmuseum.com/
Cost: Donations

40. The World’s Longest Free-Standing Jail Cell

Located within the Ohio State Reformatory this jail cell contains 600 different cells for its inmates. Not only can you walk alongside the free-standing jail cell you also have the option of entering one of these supposedly haunted rooms. The very brave (or crazy) can spend the night in this haunted attraction. Guided and self-guided tours are available. 

Address: 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905
Website: https://www.mrps.org/ 
Cost: Varies by tour. CLICK HERE TO SAVE MONEY ON TICKETS FOR A SELF GUIDED TOUR OF THE OHIO STATE REFORMATORY. 

41.  Biblewalk

Containing 78 scenes and over 300 wax figures, Ohio’s only wax museum is a new way to see the Holy Bible come to life.

Address: 500 Tingley Ave, Mansfield, OH 44905
Website: https://www.biblewalk.us/
Cost: View the website for current pricing.

42.  The Shawshank Trail

Take this trail across the Mansfield area to get a chance to step right into the movie “Shawshank Redemption”. There you will be able to see and visit many places that were used in the original filming.

Address: 124 North Main Street, Mansfield, OH 44902
Website: https://shawshanktrail.com/
Cost: Free

43. Tomb of President McKinley

A walk up 108 steps to the beehive-shaped grave leads visitors through beautiful bronze doors where President William Mckinley and his wife, Ida, lay to rest. The tomb stands close to the McKinley Museum where travelers can learn more about the president’s history.

Address: 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton, OH
Cost: Free

44. Hiking at Malabar Farm State Park

Malabar Farm State Park is a popular outdoor destination to hike, ride horses, fish, and watch the sunset from Mt. Jeez. The park also offers a historic home and a wagon tour.

Address: 4050 Bromfield Road Lucas, Ohio 44843
Cost: Entrance to the park is free but there is a fee to tour the home and to take a wagon tour.

Unique Things to do in Other Areas of Ohio

45. Futuro-Mating Flying Saucer House

If you’re in the Dayton / Cincinnati area, this currently lived-in house stands as one of the more interesting examples of architecture. Constructed of two silver saucers joined by connecting tubes, this house may not be open for public viewing but is worth a drive by.

Address: Chamberlain Rd, Carlisle, OH
Cost: Free to see from the road.

46.  Former World’s Largest Freighter – The Col. James M. Schoonmaker

Col. James M. Schoonmaker is a lake freighter that served as a commercial vessel on the Great Lakes for much of the 20th century. Take a self-guided tour through this once active ship when you visit the National Museum of the Great Lakes. 

Address: 1701 Front St., Toledo, OH
Website: https://nmgl.org/
Cost: Free to see. View the website for current pricing for museum and ship admission.

47.  The Mortuary Museum

This museum contains a collection of hearses, caskets, and other funeral memorabilia from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s.

Address: Behind Marietta Chapel, at 408 Front Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750
Website: https://www.cawleyandpeoples.com/peoples-mortuary-museum
Cost: Free, call to schedule a tour.

48. Covered bridges in Marietta

Did you know there are nine covered bridges in Marietta, OH? The covered bridges are connected via a self-driving trail that offers a fantastic way to see the scenic countryside and spend a leisurely weekend or summer day.

49.  Giant Can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup

This giant can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup can be seen at the Campbell’s Soup Plant.  

Address: 12772 State Route 110 Napoleon, Ohio
Cost: Free

50.  Giant Bull in Gilboa

This giant 16-foot tall fiberglass bull is located next to Gilboa Grain in the small town of Gilboa. According to Ohio Magazine, the bull once stood in Toledo before it was moved to its current location along State Route 224.  

Address: 219 Pearl Street, Gilboa, Ohio 45875
Cost: Free

Which one of these unique things to do in Ohio would you like to visit? 

More Roadside Attractions You Can Visit 

If you’re looking for things to do outside of Ohio we have an entire list of roadside attractions from around the country that you can seek out on your next road trip.

They range from single attractions like a giant can of paint, to a collection of classic Cadillacs partially embedded in the ground, to unique museums like the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas.

• Must-See Roadside Attractions along I-70
• Odd Roadside Attractions Along Route 80 Trip Planner
• 10 Must-see Roadside Attractions on Your Next Road Trip
• 15+ Fun Roadside Stops to Make on the Way to Branson
• How to Find Roadside Attractions in the U.S. and Other Stops Worth Visiting

You’ll Love These Road Trip Resources

Check out My Roadside Attraction Adult Coloring Book

I love visiting roadside attractions when I’m traveling, and when I’m home, I enjoy re-living my experience. I created this roadside attractions adult coloring book based on photos I’ve taken when traveling throughout Ohio and the United States. Get yours today!