Looking to get out of town for a day? Or the weekend? These places are less than 4 hours outside of Cleveland and are all definitely worth the drive. There’s no need to sit at home this weekend, when you could be getting out.
The Warhol Museum
Did you know that Andy Warhol was from nearby Pittsburgh? The pop artist is so associated with New York City that people often don’t realize that he grew up in the nearby Steel City. With seven floors, the museum has an extensive collection of Warhol’s art and is a must for any fan of the artist, art in general or American culture.
Photo via Wikimedia CommonsGrandpa’s Cheesebarn
We’ve all passed Grandpa’s Cheesebarn on the way to and from Columbus on 71. But if you haven’t stopped, you’re certainly missing out. Homemade spicy beef jerky, every kind of cheese imaginable, a candy store, jams and jellies and butters, cinnamon rolls, syrups and meat and cheese dips are just some of the goodies you can get in Ashland. In fact, the shop is so great, it’s worth the trip alone.
Photo via Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweetie’s Chocolates/FacebookWalter Best Wildlife Preserve
This small preserve, part of the Geauga Park District, has areas for fishing, picnic tables and trails that run along Best Lake. Perfect for a quiet hike and an ideal spot to watch wildlife.
Photo via Scene ArchivesToledo Museum of Art
Located in the Old West End neighborhood of Toledo, it was founded by Toledo glassmaker Edward Drummond Libbey in 1901. It continues to hold one of the largest glass art collections in the world. Stop at Tony Packo’s for some world famous chili dogs on the way. Credit:Wikimedia CommonsThe Wilds
Part of the Columbus Zoo, The Wild’s is a non-profit nature reserve, safari park and conservation center located in southeast Ohio. The park has many animals that you’d see on an African safari, like cheetahs, giraffes, rhinocerosases and wild dogs. Watch out!
Photo via The Wilds/FacebookStan Hywet Hall
Stan Hywet Hall is the former estate of F.A. Seiberling, founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The estate consists of a 65 room Tudor Manor House, a conservatory, a lodge, and 70 acres of beautiful gardens. The estate offers both guided and self guided tours. There are also various events that take place at Stan Hywet throughout the year.
Photo via Scene ArchivesSalt Fork State Park
Just east of Columbus, this state park is a beautiful place to hike, bike, camp and do whatever else those do outdoors. The sunsets over the lake are gorgeous. But it’s also a wonderful place to see Big Foot, supposedly. Over the years, there have been supposed sightings of the giant. See for yourself.
Photo via Salt Fork/FacebookThe Ohio State Reformatory
Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, some of the sites here might look familiar if you’ve ever seen “Shawshank Redemption” (who hasn’t?). Take a tour and see the now-closed (and super creepy) prison for yourself.
Photo viaOhio Caverns
Just outside of Dayton, you can visit America’s “most colorful Caverns”. Featuring the Crystal King, an almost 5-foot long crystal stalactite, and almost one mile of other caves and crystals, this is a natural wonder that everyone should see.
Photo via @OhioCaverns/InstagramThe Miamisburg Mound
Just outside of the Cincinnati, the Miamisburg Mound is one of the two largest conical mounds in eastern North America. Built by the Adena people in what historians best estimates say was around 1000 to 200 BC, the mound was used as a burial ground, but many facts about the mound remain unknown. The mound is 65-feet-tall and 800-feet-wide.
Photo via @CallieVZ/InstagramMalabar Farm State Park
Located in Richland County, the Malabar Farm State Park is located near Lucas and Mohican State Park. Eat at the Malabar Farm Inn, check out the Pugh Log Cabin or try to find a ghost in The Ceely Rose House. There’s also a petting zoo and a dairy barn in this getaway.
Photo via Wikimedia CommonskLake Erie Bluffs
Lake Erie Bluffs provides a combination of wetland hiking and dry trails. There is access to a natural lake and areas open for fishing. The park also has a 50-foot coastal observation tower, providing a view of the lake as well as the surrounding forest.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKent Main Street
Want to feel like you’re back in college enjoying your glory days? Head to Kent’s Main Street. It’s both one place and many at the same time. Kent Main Street features a slew of arts and crafts stores, places to eat and lots of cultural richness. The burger’s at Ray’s are a mainstay of the town, see a show at Kent Stage and Zephyr Pub is a fun place to drink to end the night.
Photo via Main Street Kent/FacebookKalahari
Everybody knows about the top attraction in Sandusky — Cedar Point. But if it’s still too cold for Cedar Point and you’re itching for some fun, Kalahari, the indoor waterpark, is just the place for a day or weekend of family activities.
Photo via Scene ArchivesAshtabula
This town was built on the coast of Lake Erie, an hour between Cleveland and Erie, Pennsylvania. Ashtabula offers plenty of covered bridges, parks, and beaches to explore. Check out the Maritime Museum, located atop a cliff overlooking the harbor. When you’re done go down to the Harbor District, which was once the third largest iron ore port in the world, for some fresh seafood and wine at Hil-Mak’s.
Photo via Historic Ashtabula Harbor/FacebookDowntown Hudson
Hudson is another quaint downtown you can drive through to remember the olden days. Not just the olden days where it looks like a 1950s town but the olden days like three weeks ago when there were people around.
Photo via Wikimedia CommonsHocking Hills
In southern Ohio, the Hocking Hills are some of the most beautiful hiking trails and natural attractions in the midwest. Some of the trails may be closed but the views are still breathtaking from the car.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGreat Seal State Park
Looking to see some hills? Great Seal State Park has over 1,800 acres of hilly and challenging trails worth seeing. This park’s hills are depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio, hence the name.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesAthens
We promise there’s more to Athens than drunk college students. There’s also drunk adults. While you’re in town, don’t forget to see Stroud’s Run and eat at Casa Nueva, a worker-owned co-op Mexican restaurant that has live music, art, amazing huevos rancheros and a bloody mary made with house-made pepper infused vodka, which is to die for. Don’t leave without getting a beer at Jackie O’s, a burrito at Big Mamma’s and a hot dog and chili cheese fries at O’Betty’s.
Photo via @AthensOhio/InstagramYellow Springs
The home of Antioch College, this eclectic town boasts a plethora of art galleries and other cultural activities. The best time to go? Yellow Springs Street Fair takes place on June 8 and on October 12 this year, and there’ll be two stages of live music, arts, crafts, food and beer vendors, a beer garden, street performers and much more.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Jamie HollyMarietta
Marietta is a historic town known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest territory. This picturesque town on the Ohio River is perfect for Ohio history buffs, and combines the best of small town living with history. Explore the small town’s past at Campus Martius Museum or the Ohio River Museum. The Buckley House offers middle eastern cuisine or if you’re looking for more traditional fare, stop by the Levee House. Take a trip down the river on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler.
Photo via Ohio River Sternwheel Festival/Facebook
