Five Amazing Day Trips: Ohio

You’ll find some of the best day trips in the United States across the five travel regions of the Buckeye State. Ohio is also one of the best places to visit to catch a professional or collegiate sporting event, with dozens of sports venues across the major cities. The National Park Service maintains eight units in Ohio, including the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For the history fanatic, there’s Dayton for aviation heritage and the Wright Brothers National Museum, Akron for Stan Hywett Hall & Gardens, the former family home associated with Good Year Tire and Rubber, and Historic Roscoe Village on the Ohio and Erie Canal. There is also no better place than Ohio for family fun, with Cedar Point, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and unforgettable destinations on the shores of Lake Erie. Our day trip recommendations are convenient to Cleveland and highlight some of the best destinations in this midwestern state.

Here are five great day trips to explore across the Buckeye State:

Courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Canton (Museums & Attractions) 

A bucket list item for all sports enthusiast is the Pro Football Hall of Fame, located in Canton. The shrine to football is located just 60 miles south of Cleveland and honors players, coaches, team owners, and administrative personnel who have made significant contributions to professional football. The museum covers multiple floors with interactive exhibits, one-of-a-kind artifacts, and multimedia presentations that lead to the Hall of Fame Gallery with 326 bronze busts, one for each member. Kiosks provide the opportunity to learn about each member of the Hall with bios, photos, and videos. Some of the highlights of this day trip are sure to be the Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery with an actual Lombardi Trophy, the display of Super Bowl Championship Rings, and the Hunt/Casterline Pro Football Hall of Fame Card Collection. The Hall of Fame uses the term “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth”, which is shown through the teamwork, achievement, sportsmanship, and honor on display at this world-class institution.   

Columbus (Museums & Attractions)

Located in downtown Columbus, about 145 miles southwest of Cleveland, the Center of Science & Industry (COSI) is one of the best science museums in the United States. This family day trip makes learning about science, natural history, and geology fun. COSI has more than 300 interactive exhibits, a state-of-the-art Giant Screen Theater with 3D technology and 4K projection system, and a Planetarium with Digistar 5 projection system and 60-foot dome. From the museum’s classic exhibits to the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery, there’s nothing boring about this trip. If you have a little more time in Columbus, spend a few hours in the Short North Arts District. This eclectic neighborhood is packed with fun shops and excellent restaurants. The historic North Market is a neighborhood gem, with dozens of independent merchants serving authentic and fresh cuisine.

Peninsula (Parks & Recreation)

Stretching between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves more than fifty square miles of beautiful midwestern landscapes from dense forests to open fields and farmland. The park has over 125 miles of hiking trails leading recreational enthusiasts through wooded areas and wetlands to explore gorges and waterfalls. Start this day trip and get your park map at the Boston Mill Visitor Center. Two of the popular points of interest in the park include the Canal Exploration Center and the National Park Scenic Excursion on the Cuyahoga Valley National Railroad. This is a unique national park located in an urban environment, with a diverse range of activities available to guests. Customize the day trip by finding the activities that interest you— there is something for everyone Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Sandusky (Museums & Attractions)

The “Roller Coaster Capital of the World”, Cedar Point is located in the city of Sandusky about 60 miles west of Cleveland. Nestled along the shores of Lake Erie, the 364-acre amusement park has over 70 rides, a waterpark (Cedar Point Shores), and a sports complex (Cedar Point Sports Complex), as well as a resort area with beaches, pools, and a marina. The peak operating season at the park is Memorial Day to Labor Day; however, the park opens on the weekends in early May and for special events during September and October. The 18 roller coasters and many other thrill rides are perfect for the adrenaline junkies in the family. This day trip will give you a taste of the Cedar Point experience— we strongly recommend booking a hotel at one of the Cedar Point Resort properties and enjoying all of the attractions and activities over a long weekend. This will also give you a chance to explore the restaurants and shops in historic downtown Sandusky.

Vermilion (Small Town Experience)

It’s time to spend a day at the lake! Located on the calm shores of Lake Erie, the small town of Vermilion is only 40 miles west of Cleveland. The quaint downtown is brimming with historic buildings as well as boutique shops, cafes, and fine dining establishments. Just a short distance away is the public swimming beach and town harbor, the largest small boat harbor on the Great Lakes. This day trip encourages family fun on the lake or a romantic getaway from the big cities. The town of Vermilion also has an active festival calendar; plan your visit around one of the popular ones, including the Vermilion Ice-A-Fair (February), the Festival of the Fish (June), Annual Antiques, Collectibles & Artisan Show (August), and Woollybear Festival (October).

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hours at attractions may be limited. Make sure to check the websites and add to your list for future travels!