Most people don’t realize how much there is to do and see in Ohio. We’ve got so much more here than Cedar Point and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ohio is a wild card—and it was made for explorers. Here are 15 epic things you never thought of doing in Ohio, but definitely should.
- Hike to a waterfall.
Megs/Flickr Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek. Known as Brandywine Falls, these easily accessible, beautiful falls are a popular highlight within the park. For more information click here.
- Take a day trip via train.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway/Facebook Most people don’t realize you can take day trips in Ohio via train. From scenic railways to dinner trains, Ohio features several train rides you and your friends and family will love. (Pictured is the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway.) For more information click here.
- Snow tube down a 1,000-ft. slope.
Mad River Mountain/Facebook Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Ohio features all the wintertime fun you could possibly want—and then some. It’s the largest ski and tubing resort in Ohio, featuring 144 acres. The Avalanche Tubing Park is loads of fun for families and groups of friends. The 1,000 ft. tubing hill features 10 lanes. (Group tubing rates are also available.) For more information click here.
- Explore a castle.
April Dray/Only In Your State Known as the Loveland Castle, this lovely little medieval structure was built by hand—brick by brick—by one man, Sir Harry Andrews. Today it is open for the public to view for $6 a person, and is operated by modern day knights. For more information click here.
- Spend the night in a castle.
ravenwoodcastle.com If you’ve ever longed for a mediaeval experience (complete with many of the comforts of home), you’ll definitely want to check out Ravenwood Castle. This lovely little inn is tucked away in the scenic Hocking Hills in New Plymouth. Stay in the castle itself, or out back in the Huntsman’s Hollow, Medieval Village Cottages or Gypsy Wagons. For more information click here.
- Hike through a tunnel of trees.
Jamie F./Yelp Sugarcreek Metro Park in the Dayton area is home to some really, really old trees. Be sure to check out the 550-year-old Three Sisters and the Osage Orange Tunnel (pictured), which is made up of trees that were purposefully planted in rows in the late 1800s to serve as a farm fence. For more information click here.
- Dine inside an old train depot.
Union Depot Taverne/Facebook If you’re a train enthusiast, there’s a restaurant in Ohio that’s just for you. The Berea Union Depot Restaurant in Berea, Ohio features a unique dining experience inside a historic train depot alongside active railroad tracks. What was once a bustling railroad hub in the late 1800s is now a family favorite restaurant where visitors can enjoy the history, unique atmosphere and passing trains. For more information click here.
- Explore the country’s largest candy store.
Bob L./Yelp Did you know Ohio is home to the largest candy store in America? With an inventory of more than 4,500 different items valued at $2,000,000, you really won’t find a better candy selection than at b.a. Sweetie Candy Company. For more information click here.
- Visit a little-known resort.
Management Photo/Trip Advisor Tucked away in one of Ohio’s lesser-known state parks, you’ll find the Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center. It’s the perfect place for some peace, quiet and a little adventure. Kayak, swim, golf, dine, shop, fish and much more at this central Ohio getaway. For more information click here.
- Take a canopy walk.
rescueagreyhound/Trip Advisor Not many people are aware that Ohio is home to an incredible canopy walk. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful experience—unless you’re absolutely terrified of heights, that is. The Judith and Maynard H. Murch Canopy Walk at Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio features a 500 ft. long elevated walkway suspended 65 ft. above the forest floor. (And as an added bonus, there’s an observation tower on site that takes you up even further up—so much further that you end up above the trees.) For more information click here.
- Tour an ice cream factory.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr There’s no place quite like the Ye Olde Mill in Utica—where you can see how Velvet Ice Cream is made, take a free tour of the mill and try delicious flavors of ice cream you won’t find anywhere else. For more information click here.
- Explore a MASSIVE international market.
Dan M./Yelp With rows and rows of fresh produce, meat, seafood and other foods you’ve likely never seen before, a trip to this international market is truly an unforgettable experience. You’ll find much more than food here—although the food selection itself is certainly worth the trip. Jungle Jim’s International Market has two Cincinnati area locations. For more information click here.
- Spend a day in the Old West.
Dogwood Pass/Facebook Most people don’t know there’s an impressive replica of an Old West town tucked away in the hills of southern Ohio. Dogwood Pass near Beaver, Ohio was built to look and feel as authentic as possible, complete with bath houses, saloons and gun fights. Step back in time into the Old West at this unique town that’s anything but ordinary. For more information click here.
- Dine inside a former schoolhouse.
Trip Advisor management photo The Schoolhouse Restaurant in Camp Dennison offers an incredible look into the past—while also serving up some pretty incredible, home-cooked cuisine. It is rumored to have been the first two-room, two-story school house in the Midwest. For more information click here.
- Take a ride on a trolley.
Ohio Railway Museum/Facebook The Ohio Railway Museum is a great day trip destination for train enthusiasts and the whole family to enjoy. It’s a train station, museum and railroad that offers fun, round-trip demonstration rides on some of the streetcars and interurbans. For more information click here.
Have you done any of these things before? What other surprising and epic things are there to do in Ohio? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
Megs/Flickr
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio is home to a breathtaking 65-foot waterfall that flows from Brandywine Creek. Known as Brandywine Falls, these easily accessible, beautiful falls are a popular highlight within the park. For more information click here.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway/Facebook
Most people don’t realize you can take day trips in Ohio via train. From scenic railways to dinner trains, Ohio features several train rides you and your friends and family will love. (Pictured is the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway.) For more information click here.
Mad River Mountain/Facebook
Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Ohio features all the wintertime fun you could possibly want—and then some. It’s the largest ski and tubing resort in Ohio, featuring 144 acres. The Avalanche Tubing Park is loads of fun for families and groups of friends. The 1,000 ft. tubing hill features 10 lanes. (Group tubing rates are also available.) For more information click here.
April Dray/Only In Your State
Known as the Loveland Castle, this lovely little medieval structure was built by hand—brick by brick—by one man, Sir Harry Andrews. Today it is open for the public to view for $6 a person, and is operated by modern day knights. For more information click here.
ravenwoodcastle.com
If you’ve ever longed for a mediaeval experience (complete with many of the comforts of home), you’ll definitely want to check out Ravenwood Castle. This lovely little inn is tucked away in the scenic Hocking Hills in New Plymouth. Stay in the castle itself, or out back in the Huntsman’s Hollow, Medieval Village Cottages or Gypsy Wagons. For more information click here.
Jamie F./Yelp
Sugarcreek Metro Park in the Dayton area is home to some really, really old trees. Be sure to check out the 550-year-old Three Sisters and the Osage Orange Tunnel (pictured), which is made up of trees that were purposefully planted in rows in the late 1800s to serve as a farm fence. For more information click here.
Union Depot Taverne/Facebook
If you’re a train enthusiast, there’s a restaurant in Ohio that’s just for you. The Berea Union Depot Restaurant in Berea, Ohio features a unique dining experience inside a historic train depot alongside active railroad tracks. What was once a bustling railroad hub in the late 1800s is now a family favorite restaurant where visitors can enjoy the history, unique atmosphere and passing trains. For more information click here.
Bob L./Yelp
Did you know Ohio is home to the largest candy store in America? With an inventory of more than 4,500 different items valued at $2,000,000, you really won’t find a better candy selection than at b.a. Sweetie Candy Company. For more information click here.
Management Photo/Trip Advisor
Tucked away in one of Ohio’s lesser-known state parks, you’ll find the Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center. It’s the perfect place for some peace, quiet and a little adventure. Kayak, swim, golf, dine, shop, fish and much more at this central Ohio getaway. For more information click here.
rescueagreyhound/Trip Advisor
Not many people are aware that Ohio is home to an incredible canopy walk. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful experience—unless you’re absolutely terrified of heights, that is. The Judith and Maynard H. Murch Canopy Walk at Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio features a 500 ft. long elevated walkway suspended 65 ft. above the forest floor. (And as an added bonus, there’s an observation tower on site that takes you up even further up—so much further that you end up above the trees.) For more information click here.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
There’s no place quite like the Ye Olde Mill in Utica—where you can see how Velvet Ice Cream is made, take a free tour of the mill and try delicious flavors of ice cream you won’t find anywhere else. For more information click here.
Dan M./Yelp
With rows and rows of fresh produce, meat, seafood and other foods you’ve likely never seen before, a trip to this international market is truly an unforgettable experience. You’ll find much more than food here—although the food selection itself is certainly worth the trip. Jungle Jim’s International Market has two Cincinnati area locations. For more information click here.
Dogwood Pass/Facebook
Most people don’t know there’s an impressive replica of an Old West town tucked away in the hills of southern Ohio. Dogwood Pass near Beaver, Ohio was built to look and feel as authentic as possible, complete with bath houses, saloons and gun fights. Step back in time into the Old West at this unique town that’s anything but ordinary. For more information click here.
Trip Advisor management photo
The Schoolhouse Restaurant in Camp Dennison offers an incredible look into the past—while also serving up some pretty incredible, home-cooked cuisine. It is rumored to have been the first two-room, two-story school house in the Midwest. For more information click here.
Ohio Railway Museum/Facebook
The Ohio Railway Museum is a great day trip destination for train enthusiasts and the whole family to enjoy. It’s a train station, museum and railroad that offers fun, round-trip demonstration rides on some of the streetcars and interurbans. For more information click here.
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