12 Best Weekend Getaways in Ohio

5/22/2018 12 Best Weekend Getaways in Ohio | PlanetWare
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12 Best Weekend Getaways in Ohio
Written by Anietra Hamper
When it comes to weekend getaways in Ohio, the state's diverse geographic
regions make it easy to find activities and places to stay that let you relax and
recharge. With Lake Erie to the north, the Ohio River to the south, and natural
forestland in between, weekends can be as laid-back or as active as you want.
Since Ohio is within a one-day drive of nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population,
the state is a prime place for weekend getaways that do not require much travel
time. Outdoor recreation such as boating, hiking, canoeing, and fishing is
plentiful. Sports venues are in every major city, and the state is home to many
hidden gems.
1. Downtown Columbus

Ohio's capital city can fill a weekend with culinary surprises and
activities. The expanding downtown riverfront is where you'll find cultural,
arts, and music festivals almost every weekend in the summer. If you
stay in the Columbus suburb of Worthington, you can bike your way to
downtown along the Olentangy Trail - an 18-mile trail that ends along
the Scioto River. The downtown area is bike-friendly, and you can
simply rent one at a bike station if you do not bring your own.
Nationwide Arena is an entertainment venue that hosts popular concert
tours and is home to Columbus' NHL Team, the Columbus Blue
Jackets. A short walk from the arena is Huntington Park, where you
can catch an evening ballgame with the Columbus Clippers.
On the fringe of downtown, you can walk the brick streets of German
Village and grab an outdoor coffee or authentic cream puff for a taste of
the area's German heritage. Catch an evening show at Shadowbox
Live, a non-profit performance theater that produces original comedic
and musical acts.
Downtown Columbus

For a quieter visit to the capital city, stop by the Franklin Park
Conservatory and Botanical Gardens or the Columbus Museum of
Art or pack a picnic for a lunch in one of the best hidden gems of the
city, the Topiary Park, on the site of the old deaf school. The topiary
garden is a lifelike replica of George Seurat's famous painting, A Sunday
Afternoon on the Island of LaGrande Jatte.
A popular stop for a weekend away near downtown is in the Short
North, Columbus' arts district. You'll find several blocks of galleries and
boutiques as well as unique culinary fare. Stop in at the Short North
Market, where you'll find local vendors selling fresh produce and a
variety of ethnic foods. If you visit on the first Saturday of the month,
take part in the evening Short North Gallery Hop to enjoy late gallery
hours, street entertainment, and some of the best people watching in the
Midwest.
Read More:
12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Columbus
2. Hocking Hills

The southern Ohio Hocking Hills region is one of the most popular
weekend getaways in the state. There are plenty of cabins to rent near
Hocking Hills State Park. This region is ideal for those who love the
outdoors and who are looking for romantic getaways. Hiking, canoeing,
zip-lining, and horseback riding are the best ways to enjoy the southern
Ohio region. Some people just come to hunker down for a quiet
weekend to be surrounded by nature.
There are several hiking areas with multiple trails in each that can fit
both leisure hikers and those looking for a challenge. Trail signage is
ample, so it is easy to find the right trails for your fitness level. Old
Man's Cave, Conkle's Hollow Nature Preserve, Cedar Falls,
Cantwell Cliffs, and Ash Cave have popular scenic hiking trails and
many have sections that are wheelchair accessible.
The best time to visit is in the fall, when southern Ohio is flush with
vibrant colors from the leaves changing on the trees. Winter provides a
unique way to see the Hocking Hills region with frozen waterfalls and a
popular annual winter hike that draws thousands of visitors.
Hocking Hills

3. Put-in-Bay
Few weekend getaways in Ohio compare to the island resort community
at Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. The Lake Erie getaway offers a
range of things to do, from boating and swimming to dining in open-air
restaurants while enjoying evening entertainment. The mood in Put-in-
Bay is one of leisure, so you can rent bikes or golf carts and just explore
at your own pace. A worthwhile stop while on the island is Perry's
Victory and International Memorial. For a small fee, you can make the
trek up to the observation desk on the 352-foot-tall monument, where
you get the best view of the island.
The best way to get to Put-in-Bay is by the Miller Ferry or Jet Express
Ferry that runs on regular schedules to take you to the island from Port
Clinton. It is important to take note of the last ferry that returns from the
island at the end of the day, as that is your final opportunity to leave
unless you are spending the night.
Put-in-Bay

Read More:
12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Put-in-Bay, OH
4. Amish Country
Amish Country

A peaceful weekend getaway in Ohio's Amish country will remind you of
life's simple pleasures. The winding back roads that run through Amish
communities in east-central Ohio will take you past laundry drying on the
line and farmers plowing fields with work horses.
Many quaint bed-and-breakfasts lie throughout Holmes, Tuscarawas,
and Knox counties and they often serve up hearty breakfasts and baked
goods made from locally sourced ingredients. To make the most of your
visit, plan some time to meander through the winding back roads. Be
sure to stop for a tour and samples at one of several cheese factories in
the region like Guggisberg Cheese and Heini's Cheese Chalet in
Millersburg.
A must-visit in Ohio's Amish country is Walnut Creek Cheese in Walnut
Creek. It's a large grocery store with incredible prices on cheese blocks
and baking supplies. Be sure to take home a locally made Amish apple
fry pie or pick up a cookbook of Amish recipes from the expansive gift
shop.
5. Cincinnati

Cincinnati is synonymous with baseball, and a visit to the Great
American Ballpark for a Cincinnati Reds game is a must if you plan to
be here in the summer. If you come in the fall, you can join the legions of
local football fans for a Cincinnati Bengals game. History buffs can
plan an entire weekend visiting the many museums, including the
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, the National
Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Center for Holocaust
and Humanity Education, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.
A stroll along the downtown riverfront is a great way to see the sunset.
Enjoy the swings on the riverwalk as you watch runners pass by or stop
and wind down at the Smale Riverfront Park, a popular spot for
families.
Foodies can indulge in local history while eating their way through
neighborhoods like the Over the Rhine district with a Cincinnati Food
Tours experience. You can sample the fare at several restaurants on the
walking tour and meet local chefs. No matter where your stay in
Cincinnati, you do not want to head home without visiting the famous
Holtman's Donuts. This family-owned shop cranks out creative donuts
Cincinnati

every morning from scratch. It is an unforgettable experience for your
taste buds, and you can smell the bakery from a block away.
Read More:
10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Cincinnati
6. The Wilds
Imagine going on an African safari in Ohio. The Wilds is a 9,000-acre
open-range habitat in Cumberland that is home to hundreds of animals,
including buffalo, giraffes, rhinos, and many endangered species. It's a
conservation facility that is both educational and entertaining. There are
several options for enjoying a safari, from an open-air jeep ride to private
tours. Zip line excursions provide one of the most exciting ways to see
the animals.
This is a great location for a romantic getaway if you stay in a private
yurt in Nomad Ridge overlooking the grounds, and the lodge is perfect
for families.
The Wilds | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

Address: 14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio
Official site: https://thewilds.columbuszoo.org/
7. Marietta Sternwheelers
You can enjoy the charm of sternwheeler boats along the Ohio River
during your getaway in Marietta. The town is themed around Ohio's
riverboat heritage. Take a sightseeing cruise on board the Valley Gem
Sternwheeler, an authentic steamboat boat that has been in operation
since 1973.
The Ohio River Museum is nearby, with a vast history of steamboats
that dictates the bygone-era of this town. You can spend several hours in
the exhibit building on the campus. You will notice that nearly everything
in the town, including the rooms at The Lafayette Hotel, feature the
steamboat theme, with actual artifacts and historic photos.
Marietta is a great walking city. A trail runs along the riverfront, and the
small town is easy to navigate. The best time to visit is during the Ohio

River Sternwheel Festival, a free event that brings many riverboats into
town. The annual festival is always held the weekend after Labor Day.
8. Cleveland
Cleveland is an easy getaway that can fill your agenda with plenty of
things to do. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-see
if you have never been to the city. At Progressive Field, you can attend
a Cleveland Browns Football Game or a Cleveland Indians baseball
game.
Cleveland has an impressive Metroparks system that lets you enjoy the
outdoors, with hiking, biking, bird watching, rowing, and one park with an
ice chute that is open in the winter. The metroparks are connected
around the city.
Cleveland

For a night out, the Flats East Bank is an easy one-stop venue for
dining and entertainment. The renovated district is one of the most
popular areas in the city, so restaurant reservations are recommended.
Other notable stops in the city include the Cleveland Museum of Art,
West Side Market, Cleveland Zoo, and a nostalgic visit to the A
Christmas Story House, which has been turned into a museum
commemorating the classic Christmas movie.
Read More:
11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Cleveland
9. Maumee Bay
For time away that includes the shores of Lake Erie, hiking, birding,
biking, and s'mores by the campfire, Maumee Bay in northwest Ohio
makes for a full weekend. Just outside of Toledo, the Maumee Bay area
Maumee Bay | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

has a diverse ecosystem and a wide range of things to do, including time
on Lake Erie.
Maumee Bay State Park has dozens of hiking trails throughout 1,300
acres as well as recreational options. The landscape ranges from
forestland to marshes, and convenient trails and boardwalks get you up
close to the wildlife. Maumee Bay sits along the Lake Erie Birding Trail,
so take your binoculars to spot eagles and songbirds. One of the most
popular times to visit is during the Biggest Week in American Birding
each spring, when hundreds of birders and photographers come to see
the tiny warblers on their migration path.
10. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
One of the most unique cities you can visit for a weekend getaway is in
the tiny northern town of Peninsula within the Cuyahoga Valley
National Park. The quaint community has shops featuring the work of
Cuyahoga Valley National Park

local artisans and quaint B&Bs that make the stay a peaceful one,
whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or solitude.
Since you are within the national park, biking and hiking trails are
abundant. There is even a stretch of trail that is part of the B&B Bike
Trail. This trail connects small B&Bs across the country that serve as
overnight stops for cyclists, who are making multi-day trips.
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is an enjoyable day out to view
the national park by train. For a special occasion, you can book a trip on
one of the themed train excursions that change throughout the year.
11. New Plymouth Ravenwood Castle
While New Plymouth is not on many destination searches, it's one of the
best-kept secrets in Ohio because of the medieval Ravenwood Castle.
This is one of the most unique romantic getaways in the state. The
New Plymouth Ravenwood Castle | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

castle, a replica of 12th- and 13th-century castles, is tucked away in the
Hocking Hills region. The grounds in the area lead you through a
medieval village and themed cottages. A New Plymouth getaway is a
great home base if you plan to visit the Hocking Hills, as it is set apart
from the other cottages in the area.
Address: 65666 Bethel Road, New Plymouth, Ohio
12. Geneva-on-the-Lake
Geneva-on-the-Lake is a throwback to the time when vacations were
made up of simple pleasures like arcades, ferris wheels, and diner
foods. Along the one-mile strip through town, many of these notions
have not changed from when the resort community was in its heyday in
Geneva-on-the-Lake | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper

the early 1900s. You can see donut shops, miniature golf, antique shops,
and ice-cream parlors all with nostalgic facades.
While cottages are available to rent in the center of the action, your best
bet is to stay just off the strip at The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake or
in a nearby B&B. This allows you to enjoy the quiet serenity that you will
find from being on the shores of Lake Erie, yet keeps you close to the
tourist attractions in town.
Be sure to make time for lunch at Eddie's Grill, where coney dogs and
root beer have been staples on the strip since 1950. Prepare for a wait,
especially in the busy summer season.
Geneva State Park has hiking trails, fishing, biking, and a marina where
you can rent jet skis and paddleboards or book a fishing charter to catch
local walleye. A multi-use recreational trail winds through the park and to
a public beach. What is billed as Ohio's first summer resort is ideal for a
weekend getaway, because everything is so close and it offers a perfect
mix of activities and opportunities to relax and enjoy a Lake Erie sunset.

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