Whether you live in the Buckeye State and are looking for day trips or the best weekend getaways for a change of scenery, or you’re visiting Ohio and want to fully immerse yourself in exploring everything the state has to offer, these ideas for weekend trips in Ohio provide major trip planning inspiration.
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Ohio just might surprise and delight you with diverse landscapes, vibrant cities and rich histories. Whether you’re looking to soak in charming small-town vibes, or experience outdoor adventures, Ohio checks all the boxes for fun escapes.
1. Hocking Hills State Park
Located in southeastern Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. With sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and deep gorges, this park provides a picturesque backdrop for hiking, rock climbing and nature walks.
Explore Ash Cave, admire the towering Old Man’s Cave or take a scenic hike to beautiful Cedar Falls. If you’re planning a couple’s getaway, romantic options like having a picnic near Lake Logan or renting one of the park’s cozy cabins will pique your interest. There are also treehouse style cabins available to rent.
2. Find Urban Excitement in Cleveland
This vibrant city on the shores of Lake Erie has lots to offer. Explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art or the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. If you’re a sports fan, Cleveland is your place. With Cleveland Cavaliers basketball, Cleveland Browns football and Cleveland Guardians (formerly Cleveland Indians) baseball, the odds are good that you’ll find a home game whenever you roll into town.
If you’re looking for trendy restaurants, craft breweries and fun local markets, visit the lively Ohio City and Tremont neighborhoods.
3. Ohio’s Amish Country
Many of Ohio’s Amish live in Holmes County. This picturesque region showcases the Amish way of life, preserving traditions dating back centuries. Experience horse-drawn buggy rides, sample homemade Amish cuisine and explore quaint shops filled with handmade quilts, crafts and furniture. Check out the village of Berlin, home to antique stores and delicious bakeries.
If you’re looking for a couples trip or romantic getaways in Ohio, consider one of Holmes County’s unique bed and breakfast inns with cozy fireplaces or a unique boutique hotel.
4. Explore Cincinnati on a Weekend Getaway in Ohio
Located on the banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati offers a mix of history, outdoor fun and cultural activities. Highlights include the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and the Cincinnati Art Museum. Noteworthy outdoor spaces include Smale Riverfront Park and Carew Tower Observation Deck.
This is another Ohio city sports fans will enjoy. Home to Cincinnati Reds baseball and the Cincinnati Bengals football, you can plan a visit to align with a home game.
5. Columbus Has A Little Bit of Everything
A fun food scene, rooftop bars, hiking trails and no shortage of family-friendly activities makes Columbus an ideal weekend getaway spot for a variety of travel groups, from couple to multigenerational travelers. The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden is one of the most-Franklin tourist attractions. There’s also a LEGOLAND Discovery Center, a zoo and lots of shopping, live music and nightlife.
Sports fans visiting during hockey season can take in a Columbus Blue Jackets home game. If you’re looking for something more active, check out one of Columbus’ 20 parks. The Metropark system has 230 total miles of trails to explore. If you’re a beer lover, don’t miss German Village and Brewery District.
6. Canton – All About The Gridiron
If you’re a football fan, you probably already know Canton is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since it takes three to four hours to fully explore this venue dedicated to gridiron greats, you can easily make a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame a major focus of your Canton weekend adventure.
Other things to do in Canton include visiting Gervasi Vineyards Inn & Spa. As the name suggests, this is much more than a wine tasting experience. Book a luxury suite and a spa treatment and enjoy delicious on-site dining. The seated wine tasting in a cave is a don’t miss experience in Canton.
7. Tackle Ohio’s Ice Cream Trail
Ohio is home to over 2,000 dairy farms and locally made ice cream shops, so wherever you roam within the state, you’ll be able to easily find a frozen treat. Ohio’s Ice Cream Trail has 20 official stops throughout the state, so if you’re up for a challenge and perhaps a bit of brain freeze, plan accordingly.
8. Geneva-on-the-Lake
Located on the southern shores of Lake Erie, Geneva-on-the-Lake is Ohio’s first summer resort town. This is a four-season resort with winter activities such as skiing the lakeside trail and snowshoeing in the winter and ziplining and other lake activities in the summer. Geneva-on-the-Lake also has easy access to Ohio’s wine country.
A stay at The Lodge makes a great adult only trip or romantic getaway. Soak in a relaxing hot tub after a day of winery tours. That said, the resort is completely suited to families, too.
9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Although Cuyahoga Valley National Park is but a short distance from Cleveland and Akron, Ohio’s only national park offers anything but an urban experience.
Home to 125 miles of hiking trails and the winding Cuyahoga River, the park has deep forests, rolling hills and open farmlands. Walk or ride the Towpath Trail to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.
10. Put-In-Bay
Put-In-Bay is a village on South Bass Island, located in Lake Erie. Accessible by ferry, this island offers a charming, laid-back vibe and a range of outdoor activity choices, ideal for a weekend getaway in Ohio.
Check out Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, a 352-foot-tall monument commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie. If you love water sports, kayak or paddleboard rentals are available to enjoy in the crystal-clear lake water. This is also a great spot for canoeing. If you’d prefer to enjoy the water in a more chill way, relax on the island’s sandy beaches.
11. Cedar Point
If you’re an amusement park lover, this amusement park near Sandusky definitely belongs on your list of spots to visit in Ohio. Cedar Point amusement park has a nice mix of thrill rides, including several roller coasters and tamer, family-friendly rides. There’s also a waterpark, Cedar Point Shores, as well as several other activities you won’t typically find in a theme park complex, such as a beach, jet ski experiences and various bike tours.
12. Stay in a Castle
Ravenwood Castle in New Plymouth is a charming bit of medieval life located in Hocking Hills and a very romantic weekend getaway in Ohio. Featuring themed suites, murder mysteries, scavenger hunts and other games, this is a one-of-a-kind weekend experience in Ohio.
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