Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit the state of Ohio. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to see in Ohio, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do as you tour the best places to visit in Ohio.
Don’t Think Ohio is Landlocked
Just because Ohio is in the Midwest, doesn’t mean that Ohio is landlocked. Ohio actually has over 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Erie. There are lakeside resorts and villages, not to mention islands in Lake Erie where you can ferry out and spend a weekend. Ohio has beautiful public beaches and lighthouses, so it’s a boaters paradise! And the other border of the state is the Ohio River, which also presents some pretty awesome recreational opportunities.
Don’t Forget to Bring Your Outdoor Gear
Ohio is a recreation paradise! There are tons of cool (free!) state parks in Ohio, and the Lake Erie beaches. Ohio even has a national park, which is Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are rivers that are perfect for canoeing and kayaking, and tons of cool hiking, biking and OHV spots, like Hocking Hills State Park and Wayne National Forest.
Don’t Believe that North Carolina is the Birthplace of Aviation
Ohioans know that Ohio is the true birthplace of aviation. The Wright Brothers are originally from Dayton Ohio and did most of their research and testing in Ohio before achieving the first flight in North Carolina.You can learn all about it at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Other cool aviation attractions in Ohio include:
- John Glenn Astronomy Park in Hocking Hills
- John & Annie Glenn Museum in New Concord
- MAPS Air Museum in North Canton
- National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton
Don’t Think Florida is the Best Theme Park Destination
Florida has Disney, but Sandusky Ohio has Cedar Point, which is consistently rated as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. It’s also the second-oldest amusement park in the nation. Every year, they try to outdo previous years with bigger, faster and crazier rides. There’s also King’s Island, a Cincinnati amusement park, plus several cool water parks like the Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky.
Don’t Think the Christmas Story House is in Indiana
“A Christmas Story” is a classic 80s holiday movie and it’s set in Hammond, Indiana. But the real Christmas Story house is actually in Cleveland and you can visit it! There’s a house tour, a museum, a gift shop (with Red Ryder BB guns for sale!) and you can even Airbnb it and stay the night! Check out our overnight stay at the Christmas Story House!
Don’t Underestimate the Roads in Ohio
Whether it’s the potholes or the road construction, or the tolls, the roads in Ohio will get to you. The drivers in Ohio are actually pretty good and nothing to complain about, but the driving conditions can be frustrating, especially when you are paying to drive on the turnpike.
Don’t Diss Ohio
Ohioans may talk smack about their state, but that doesn’t mean you can. Cleveland’s nickname is the “mistake on the lake” but it’s actually a pretty cool city. It’s got the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, the Christmas Story House, plus MLB, NFL and NBA teams. And really cool architecture. And that’s just Cleveland! Ohio has world-class museums and a lot of history as well, as it was once the frontier of the Northwest Territory.
Don’t Miss Ohio’s Amish Country
Pennsylvania is more known for Amish, but there are actually more Amish in Ohio than Pennsylvania. Ohio’s Amish Country is set in the Eastern/Central part of the state extending from Pennsylvania. It’s a fun area to visit, with lots of attractions, but take those horse and buggy signs seriously when you are driving around. The Amish Country Byway is a beautiful drive, but it’s hilly so you can quickly come upon a horse and buggy if you’re not paying close attention.
Don’t Forget to Try a Buckeye
In Ohio, a buckeye can mean a lot of things. It mainly refers to the buckeye tree, and the seeds which resemble a large acorn. The Ohio State University mascot is also a Buckeye, but the Buckeye you want to eat is the sweet treat that resembles the tree seeds, but is way kinder on your teeth. It’s basically a peanut butter ball covered in chocolate.
Don’t Worry About Going Hungry in Ohio
There is so much great food when you come to Ohio. It’s not just the hearty Midwest food that you’ll find, but each region of Ohio has various pockets of immigration that still influence the local food. Cleveland has a lot of Eastern European influence and Columbus has a large German population and a great German neighborhood, and Cincinnati has the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany!
Wolters World Eats Shares What to Eat in Ohio
Don’t Skip Ohio Ice Cream
Ohio has some pretty amazing homegrown ice cream to try when you visit. Jeni’s Ice Cream and Graeter’s Ice Cream are both fantastic! Even the humble Wendy’s frosty has roots in Ohio; the first Wendy’s was opened by Founder Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio.
Don’t Be Surprised by the Chili
When you get chili in Ohio, especially Cincinnati, it’s usually served over a bed of spaghetti noodles and topped with cheese. The most famous is Skyline Chili, a chain you’ll see around the state. Cincinnati chili is kind of a “love it or hate it” dish. So, you’ll just have to try it for yourself and decide. Just remember when you’re ordering your drink to go with your chili: it’s POP, not soda in Ohio!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Ohio! Mark spent nearly every childhood summer visiting Ohio; it’s a great place to visit and there’s truly something for everyone in Ohio. From cool state parks to awesome museums, Ohio has it all! Start planning your trip at the official Ohio tourism site, Ohio.org.
Want more Midwest travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: