20 Fun Ohio Day Trips Within a Few Hours of Cleveland

By Scene Staff on Thu, May 25, 2023 at 12:54 pm

If you're looking to get away from Cleveland with just a short little jaunt, you're in luck. There are plenty of awesome experiences within driving distance. You can explore the outdoors, you can check out Native American monuments, explore historic towns, visit cities like Toledo, Pittsburgh and Columbus, have a waterpark experience, see Amish Country and much, much more.

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Malabar 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.

Historic Ashtabula Harbor/Facebook

Visit Ashtabula

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.

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Lake 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.

20 Ohio Day Trips Every Clevelander Should Take

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Great Seal State Park

Looking to climb some hills? Great Seal State Park has over 1,800 acres of hilly and challenging trails worth exploring. This park’s hills are depicted on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio, hence the name.

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Go shopping at Waynesville’s “Antiques Capital of the Midwest”

Waynesville, Ohio

The quaint, rural town of Waynesville is home to over 60 shops and restaurants. But with two antique malls and over a dozen antique shops, it’s no surprise that they are considered the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest.”

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Visit the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and take a walk through Yellow Springs

2381 State Route 343, Yellow Springs

A getaway to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is sure to stun visitors, no matter the season. Dolomite and limestone cliffs tower over 2 miles of the Little Miami River and trails traverse the vast, 268-acre forest. After a picture-perfect hike, take a stroll through the nearby town of Yellow Springs to visit a cafe, peruse a quirky bookstore or purchase products crafted by local artisans. The home of Antioch College, this eclectic town boasts a plethora of art galleries and other cultural activities.

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Get lost in the Book Loft of German Village

1631 South Third St., Columbus

Wind and weave your way through 32 rooms full of books at this German Village bookstore. The shop opened its doors in 1977 and expanded eight times before becoming the eclectic literature maze it is today. Then, walk around quaint German Village and visit some shops and grab a bite to eat at Lindey’s, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Chapman’s Eat Market or Bistrolino.

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Explore the Simpler Side of Life in the Amish town of Millersburg

Millersburg, Ohio

Just over 1.5 hours from Cleveland, the quaint town of Millersburg offers a glimpse into traditional Amish culture. Take a trip down its historic downtown strip built along the Amish County Byway and find the Victorian House Museum, shops with handmade furniture and quilts, as well as artisan cheese-makers, bakeries and refreshments at Millersburg Brewing. Stables, farms, and the nearby Black Diamond Golf Course are just a short drive from the town center.

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Toledo 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.