The Ultimate And Definite Bucket List For Everyone In Ohio
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April Dray
Author
If you don’t already have an Ohio bucket list—consider this one yours.
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. Here are 39 things (listed in no particular order) to add to—and then check off of—your Ohio bucket list:
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.) Learn more about why Cedar Point is also one of the best waterparks in Ohio.
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. Here's more on why the Great Serpent Mound belongs at the top of your Ohio bucket list.
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Cleveland is the proud home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you've never been, you'll quickly discover what makes the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame such a must-visit destination.
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Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio's most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound. It's impossible not to love this easy waterfall trail in Ohio.
This strange tradition of displaying autographed hotdog buns began in 1972 when Jamie Farr of M*A*S*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. Curious to try the best chili dog in Ohio?
Guided tours of the Statehouse are offered Monday through Friday on the hour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 3 p.m. Touring the Ohio Statehouse is one of just many fun things to do in Ohio for $10 or less.
Ohio's very own national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is home to what is arguably Ohio's most beloved waterfall. For an unforgettable adventure, hike the Brandywine Gorge Trail.
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. Learn more about the Adena Mansion and other breathtaking historic homes in Ohio.
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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." Here's more on why you'll want to visit Melt Bar and Grilled for the best grilled cheese of your life.
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.
"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. If you love caverns, you'll want to be sure to check out our road trip that takes you to the best caverns in Ohio.
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. In fact, here are some beautiful Lake Erie beaches that will remind you of the ocean!
Canton is the proud home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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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. Have you ever visited this stunning castle in Ohio?
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.
This beloved riverfront park in Columbus features miles of recreational trails, a cultural arts center, water fountains, local food vendors and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Did you know that Marblehead Lighthouse is the most photographed landmark in Ohio? Picnic at Marblehead Lighthouse and visit the lighthouse’s museum in the Keeper’s House. Tour the actual lighthouse for just a few dollars.
Tour the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley by train via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Peninsula. For more information click here.
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What was once Longaberger's headquarters in Newark serves as the world’s largest basket. It now sits as a peculiar building but there are big plans for this basket in the country.
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What was once the Athens Lunatic Asylum is now owned by Ohio University in Athens, but parts of the facility still hold shadows, stains and spirits of former mental patients who often suffered from violent treatments such as lobotomies. The grounds of the former asylum are still home to a few unusual—and extremely eerie—cemeteries. Patients of the former insane asylum were buried on the facility's grounds, and their restless spirits are left to wander to property. Most of the graves are without names, and merely display the number of the former mental patient buried beneath.
Ohio's favorite German food's first television debut was in 2008 on the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food." Since then, this iconic restaurant in German Village has been featured on numerous television programs. Learn more about the iconic Schmidt's Sausage Haus and Restaurant.
Fred Hasser/Flickr
The 186-foot steam-engine yacht is more than a century old and was first launched in April of 1902, as The Celt, by a rich railroad executive. Since then, the ship has been renamed numerous times and owned by multiple individuals throughout its lifetime. While it actually came to Ohio from Kentucky, it currently sits in a small creek off of the Ohio River, about 25 miles from Cincinnati, according to Roadtrippers.com. Here's more on Ohio's ghost ship.
The Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum in Hamilton is every art enthusiast's dream come true. The park features a 10,000 square foot Ancient Sculpture Museum, which displays Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan sculptures that are thousands of years old.
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Catch a play or classic film at this historic theater in downtown Columbus.
The bridge over the Muskingum and Dillon Rivers in Zanesville is world famous. Why? Because it is the only bridge in the world that you can cross and still be on the same side of the river. (And while you're in town, head over to Tom's Ice Cream Bowl for some of the state's best homemade ice cream.) Here's more on the world-famous Y-Bridge in Ohio.
Cedar Point isn't the only place in Ohio you can indulge the thrill seeker side of you. Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason features another one of Ohio's most beloved vacation destinations.
Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world. Learn more about this fascinating Ohio destination.
This signature fast food joint in Lima has three locations that serve up the city's best french fries, burgers and milkshakes. Have you ever been to Ohio's oldest burger restaurant?
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Drive through America's shortest and longest covered bridges 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.
Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this historic prison is the site where the state's most violent ghosts can be found. Additionally, prison scenes from "The Shawshank Redemption" were filmed here.
Where the simple things in life are celebrated and the homemade bread never tasted so good. Have you ever been to Ohio's famous Amish Country?
Ohio’s oldest continuously operating hotel can be found in Lebanon. The Golden Lamb Inn features a unique dining experience, complete with antique furnishings and historic rooms upstairs where famous individuals such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Charles Dickens and U.S. Presidents have stayed. Many of the hotel's rooms are named and themed after the famous guests.
Cincinnati is home to the largest collection of signs in America. It's truly one of the quirkiest hotels in Ohio.
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This beloved mansion in Akron is an undeniably romantic destination for a date or unique day trip. Learn more about the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.
Youngstown is home to the second largest metropark in the U.S. (after Central Park in New York City), and it's unbelievably gorgeous in the fall. This quiet gem amid the hustle and bustle of the city features some of the area's most popular attractions such as Fellows Riverside Gardens and Lanterman's Mill.
If you take exit 165 off of Interstate 71, you'll find this iconic not-your-average diner. (Note: Michigan fans must park across the street.) Buckeye Express Diner is located at 810 State Rt. 97 W., Bellville, OH 44813.
Ohio has island life too —and you need to experience it. Have you ever been to Put-In-Bay?
Not many people are aware of the dark, lonely and long-forgotten subway beneath the streets of Cincinnati—the country’s longest abandoned subway system that never transported a single individual. Located under Central Parkway in downtown Cincinnati, (from Walnut Street to just south of Hopple Street,) sits the incomplete, eerie series of tunnels, which have been abandoned since 1928.
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Learn all about your state's past at the Ohio History Center in Columbus for just $10.
How many of these things have you experienced? What else do you think should be added to this Ohio bucket list? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
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More to Explore
Ohio bucket list
What else is there to do in Ohio?
As you've now learned, there is so much to do here in Ohio! However, even the list above doesn't mention everything. If you're looking for additional activities and destinations, you might consider the following: b.a. Sweetie Candy Company in Cleveland, Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Dogwood Pass in Beaver, Jungle Jim's International Market in Cincinnati, and the Sugarcreek Metro Park in Bellbrook. Learn more about these fun Ohio activities.
What are the top natural wonders in Ohio?
For impressive natural wonders in Ohio, look no further than Cyrstal Cave in Put-In-Bay, Johnson Woods in Marshallville, Natural Bridge in Rockbridge, the "Yellow Spring", the Rock House in Logan, and Brandywine Falls.
Where can I go in Ohio that only the locals know about?
It's no mystery that Ohio is filled with hidden gems. To explore Ohio as the locals do, you can visit any of the following places: the small town of Zoar, Columbus Park of Roses, Deer Creek State Park Lodge, the Osage Orange Tunnel, Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park, Peaceful Acres Lavender Farm, Hidden Falls at Hocking Hills State Park, and Cedar Point Beach. Curious to learn more about these magical places? Read our previous article: Hidden Places In Ohio Only Locals Know About.
Featured Addresses
Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
Serpent Mound State Memorial, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, OH 45660, USA
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Old Man's Cave parking lot, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Tony Packo's Restaurant, 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Statehouse Ct, Sugarcreek Township, OH 45305, USA
Brandywine Falls, Sagamore Hills Township, OH 44067, USA
Adena Mansion & Gardens Historic Site, 847 Adena Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA
Melt Bar and Grilled, 840 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
The Wilds, 14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732, USA
Ohio Caverns - Open All Year, 2210 OH-245 E, West Liberty, OH 43357, USA
Lake Erie, Lake Erie
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2121 George Halas Dr NW, Canton, OH 44708, USA
Loveland Castle Museum, 12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH 45140, USA
National Museum of the US Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
Scioto Crest Dr, Columbus, OH 43017, USA
Radar Hill Trail, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant, 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206, USA
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Mason, OH 45039, USA
Lima, OH, USA
The Ohio State Reformatory, 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905, USA
The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel, 27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225, USA
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303, USA
Mill Creek Park - South End, Boardman, OH 44512, USA
Buckeye Express Diner, 810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, USA
Put-in-Bay, Put-In-Bay, OH, USA
Ohio History Center, 800 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211, USA