If you have yet to make your New Year’s resolutions, consider this list an Ohio bucket list for 2016. Ohio is full of natural wonders, quirky roadside attractions and impressive destinations you won’t find anywhere else in the world. From the iconic and the obvious to the lesser-known gems, there are certain things in Ohio you simply have to experience.
- Ride as many roller coasters as possible at Cedar Point.
Alvin Trusty/Flickr Ohio’s very own Sandusky is home to the Roller Coaster Capital of the World (and you’d be a fool not to take advantage of that.)
- Explore Old Man’s Cave.
Tabitha Kaylee Hawk/Flickr Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound.
- Visit the Birthplace of Rock and Roll.
Erik Drost/Flickr Cleveland is the proud home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- View the Great Serpent Mound.
OZinOH/Flickr This 1,348-foot-long and three-foot-high prehistoric snake-shaped effigy mound along Ohio Brush Creek in Adams County continues to marvel locals and visitors alike.
- Eat an epic chili dog from Tony Packo’s…and check out the bun museum.
Weird Ohio/Flickr This strange tradition of displaying autographed hotdog buns began in 1972 when Jamie Farr of MAS*H signed a bun at Tony Packo’s in Toledo. While that bun is no longer in existence, today the cafe proudly showcases Styrofoam bun look-alikes signed by various celebrities, including five U.S. presidents.
- Hike to Brandywine Falls.
daveynin/Flickr Ohio’s very own national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is home to what is arguably Ohio’s most beloved waterfall.
- Tour the Adena Mansion and Gardens.
Maia C/Flickr This historic mansion in Chillicothe was once home to Thomas Worthington, who is considered to be the father of Ohio’s statehood. It is also the site of the view of the Great Seal of Ohio.
- Feast at The Melt Bar and Grill.
Jim Reynolds/Flickr This iconic, mouthwatering sandwich joint has various locations throughout Ohio and was featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” as well as the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” and “Food Paradise.”
- Take a safari.
Mike/Flickr Although Ohio is full of several impressive zoos, The Wilds offer you a unique way to observe exotic animals. Cumberland is home to Ohio’s very own safari-like experience. Though you won’t get an up-close encounter with the animals here, you will board a Safari Transport so you can observe them (from a safe distance) roam freely while learning all about the giraffes, rhinos and many other rare and endangered species the facility conserves.
- Explore the Ohio Caverns.
Wes Reimer/Flickr “America’s Most Colorful Caverns” can be found in West Liberty, Ohio.The caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through ancient limestone and created vast rooms and passageways. These passageways are now filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites and many other formations.Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King (pictured) is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old.
- Check out the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Joseph Novak/Flickr Canton is the proud home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Have a beach day at Lake Erie.
Andrea_44/Flickr Lake Erie is the closest you can get to an ocean experience in Ohio. Set aside a day during the summer months to take advantage of this.
- Discover the Chateau Laroche.
Erica Minton/Flickr Explore this historic medieval-style structure (more commonly known as the Loveland Castle,) and its beautiful gardens in Loveland for just $5. Built brick-by-brick by just one man, this gem along the banks of the little Miami River will surely charm you.
- Take a selfie with the world’s largest basket.
erika/Flickr Longaberger’s headquarters in Newark serves as the world’s largest basket.
- Visit the U.S. Air Force Museum.
Hsuan-Han Huang/Flickr Learn about the history of our nation’s development in aviation at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, where admission is FREE.
- Walk the Scioto Mile.
Bob Hall/Flickr This beloved riverfront park in Columbus features miles of recreational trails, a cultural arts center, water fountains, local food vendors and complimentary Wi-Fi.
- Hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Joanne/Flickr Tour the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley by train via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Peninsula. For more information click here.
- Take the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour.
Mark K/Flickr Drive through America’s shortest and longest covered bridge along this scenic route, which features 18 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. Begin your drive at the Netcher Road bridge near Jefferson and continue to the Smolen-Gulf Bridge (pictured) near the Ashtabula River. To view a map of the complete routes of this drive click here.
- Check out the Ohio Theatre.
Brook Ward/Flickr Catch a play or classic film at this historic theater in downtown Columbus.
- Experience Ohio’s Amish Country.
Pat Cletch Williams/Flickr Where the simple things in life are celebrated and the homemade bread never tasted so good.
- View the glacial grooves on Kelley’s Island.
Britt Reints/Flickr Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world.
How many of these things have you experienced? What else do you think should be added to an Ohio themed bucket list? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
Alvin Trusty/Flickr
Ohio’s very own Sandusky is home to the Roller Coaster Capital of the World (and you’d be a fool not to take advantage of that.)
Tabitha Kaylee Hawk/Flickr
Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound.
Erik Drost/Flickr
Cleveland is the proud home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
OZinOH/Flickr
This 1,348-foot-long and three-foot-high prehistoric snake-shaped effigy mound along Ohio Brush Creek in Adams County continues to marvel locals and visitors alike.
Weird Ohio/Flickr
This strange tradition of displaying autographed hotdog buns began in 1972 when Jamie Farr of MAS*H signed a bun at Tony Packo’s in Toledo. While that bun is no longer in existence, today the cafe proudly showcases Styrofoam bun look-alikes signed by various celebrities, including five U.S. presidents.
daveynin/Flickr
Ohio’s very own national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is home to what is arguably Ohio’s most beloved waterfall.
Maia C/Flickr
This historic mansion in Chillicothe was once home to Thomas Worthington, who is considered to be the father of Ohio’s statehood. It is also the site of the view of the Great Seal of Ohio.
Jim Reynolds/Flickr
This iconic, mouthwatering sandwich joint has various locations throughout Ohio and was featured on the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” as well as the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” and “Food Paradise.”
Mike/Flickr
Although Ohio is full of several impressive zoos, The Wilds offer you a unique way to observe exotic animals. Cumberland is home to Ohio’s very own safari-like experience. Though you won’t get an up-close encounter with the animals here, you will board a Safari Transport so you can observe them (from a safe distance) roam freely while learning all about the giraffes, rhinos and many other rare and endangered species the facility conserves.
Wes Reimer/Flickr
“America’s Most Colorful Caverns” can be found in West Liberty, Ohio.The caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through ancient limestone and created vast rooms and passageways. These passageways are now filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites and many other formations.Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King (pictured) is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old.
Joseph Novak/Flickr
Canton is the proud home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Andrea_44/Flickr
Lake Erie is the closest you can get to an ocean experience in Ohio. Set aside a day during the summer months to take advantage of this.
Erica Minton/Flickr
Explore this historic medieval-style structure (more commonly known as the Loveland Castle,) and its beautiful gardens in Loveland for just $5. Built brick-by-brick by just one man, this gem along the banks of the little Miami River will surely charm you.
erika/Flickr
Longaberger’s headquarters in Newark serves as the world’s largest basket.
Hsuan-Han Huang/Flickr
Learn about the history of our nation’s development in aviation at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, where admission is FREE.
Bob Hall/Flickr
This beloved riverfront park in Columbus features miles of recreational trails, a cultural arts center, water fountains, local food vendors and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Joanne/Flickr
Tour the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley by train via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Peninsula. For more information click here.
Mark K/Flickr
Drive through America’s shortest and longest covered bridge along this scenic route, which features 18 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. Begin your drive at the Netcher Road bridge near Jefferson and continue to the Smolen-Gulf Bridge (pictured) near the Ashtabula River. To view a map of the complete routes of this drive click here.
Brook Ward/Flickr
Catch a play or classic film at this historic theater in downtown Columbus.
Pat Cletch Williams/Flickr
Where the simple things in life are celebrated and the homemade bread never tasted so good.
Britt Reints/Flickr
Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world.
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