Hailing from the Midwest, Sara is a travel enthusiast and digital marketer that loves to experience new hidden gems throughout the country. Her passion is creating a place for people to discover both actionable and aspirational things to do in their very own backyard.
One good thing about visiting Ohio in July is that it will be the very beginning of a change in seasons (which is my favorite part). The warmer temperatures will be between 85 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, plus there should be plenty of gorgeous summer storms rolling through to cool things off every now and then. I love that Ohioans really take advantage of summers, even though most of the state is a little landlocked.
Cons of Visiting Ohio In July
We only have access to one Great Lake (although, it is a good one). So, the resulting beach access is somewhat limited…thankfully, there’s plenty of fun to be had on Ohio rivers and lakes. Either way, you should be prepared to cool off due to the high humidity and dew point.
Ohio Weather in July
As mentioned previously, July in Ohio can be quite stormy and full of rainy days, so be prepared to alter your plans if the sky is looking a little grey!
At the Not Your Average Bucket List travel podcast by OnlyInYourState, however, our goal is to find the best things for you to do in Ohio during July…so, rain or shine, we will have you covered.
For this episode, we are going to focus on the best things to do in Ohio in July, but if we happen to skip something good…let us know! You can call or text 805-298-1420 and tell us what we need to know (or reach out to us via email at podcast@onlyinyourstate.com).
So, are you ready to dive into a month full of exciting things in Ohio? First, if you want to listen to the episode, make sure to check it out on Spotify:
You can also watch our hosts Sara and Marisa break everything down on YouTube!
Top Ohio Attractions In July
1. Cedar Point (Sandusky)
Cedar Point, 1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
Cedar Point is "America's Rockin' Roller Coast" and is arguably one of the best amusement parks in the country. Complete with a waterpark and on-site lodging, Cedar point is the place to go if you love thrills. And if you're looking for hot tips... if you can, you should rope drop the Valraven, Steel Vengeance, Maverick, or Gatekeeper coasters. I love all of the rides at the park, but those are the new thrills where the waits will stack up!
2. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, Akron)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only National Park you can find in Ohio, but it's a gorgeous one. With tons of trails, overlooks, glacial rocks, and waterfalls, it's a beautiful example of the lush forests throughout the state. With "bike and ride" train service, as well as brand-new glampground, there's tons to explore in the warm summer months.
Another must-visit Ohio Park in the summer, Hocking Hills is an outdoor wonderland in Ohio if you love natural adventures like I do. Hiking, biking, kayaking, ziplining, horseback riding, camping, and fishing are all activities you can enjoy at the park (and it's just so much fun during the summer months). It's even better to visit in the summer before the fall foliage crowds hit in the fall, which I try to avoid.
Summer is the perfect time to go for a long, ambling drive through the different portions of Amish country covering the state. I prefer Sugarcreek and Berlin, but there are lots of places to explore! One thing is for sure, you'll find plenty of homemade food, crafts, candies, and furniture to take home.
You can spend an entire day at the Cincinnati Zoo, one of the best zoos in the state and home to a diverse range of animal species and beautiful botanical gardens. The entire family can enjoy the educational exhibits, animal encounters, and even some thrill rides at the zoo. It's perfect for summer!
If you're already on Lake Erie enjoying the coast and summer weather, then you should definitely swing by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I love a good visit to the Rock Hall, since the exhibits rotate and the inductees change every year. Voting is already over for 2023, but you should still consider swinging by for a visit!
Top Ohio Events In July
7. The Ohio State Fair (Columbus) - July 26th to August 8th
Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, 717 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211, USA
The state fair is held in Columbus; every year, it's a blast! The fair isn't just about agriculture, though -- there's live music, entertainment, exhibits, thrilling rides, and delicious fair food. I don't go to fairs often, but it's the Ohio State Fair if I do.
8. Blossom Music Center Summer Concert Series (Cuyahoga Falls) - ongoing
Blossom Music Center, 1145 W Steels Corners Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223, USA
Running through the summer alongside star studded performances at the venue, Blossom Music Center is the summer home to the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. Throughout the summer, the orchestra puts on shows (from musical hits and classical favorites to video game original soundtracks) -- and July is the perfect time to attend. Bring your own blankets, chairs, snacks, and drinks...and just enjoy yourself!
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9. Rockin' on the River (Lorain) - ongoing
Black River Landing, 421 Black River Ln, Lorain, OH 44052, USA
I hope you have lawn chairs and a party spirit, because Rockin’ on the River is one of Northern Ohio's biggest and best outdoor music festivals, complete with awesome guests and epic light shows. Most concerts are on Friday and Saturday, and the cost of admission is only $7.
10. Inkcarceration Music Festival (Mansfield) - July 14th to July 16th
The Ohio State Reformatory, 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905, USA
Do you like music festivals? Haunted prisons? Tattoo conventions? Well, Inkcarceration is for you! The coolest mash-up of interests ever, the music festival / tattoo convention is held on the grounds of the world-famous Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. Every ticket sold grants you admission to the reformatory, as well as the tattoo convention that will be running at the same time. If you want to have a wild weekend complete with awesome music and fresh ink, this might just be the Ohio event you've been looking for.
Even if you can’t hit every event and attraction on this July list for Ohio, I suggest trying one or two! The Midwest often gets overlooked, and there are a lot of awesome things to do in Ohio during the month of July.
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