25 Perfect Weekend Daytrip Destinations Within 4 Hours of Cleveland

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 Commons

Grandpa’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/Facebook

Walter 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 Archives

Toledo Museum of Art

Located in the Old West End neighborhood of Toledo, the spot 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.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The 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/Facebook

Stan 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 Archives

Salt 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/Facebook

The 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 via Wikimedia Commons

Ohio 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/Instagram

The 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/Instagram