These are the best places to travel this summer

Ohio

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Great Falls of Tinker's Creek in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Getty Images

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Ohio

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

Ohio has a split personality. The nation's seventh most populous state has big cities Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus that lead its urban charge, rolling out a spread of kicky eateries, IPA-loving breweries and one-of-a-kind museums. Northern Cleveland exudes a feisty, rock and roll vibe, while southern Cincinnati feels more languorous and European. Columbus is the polished art and tech hub that rises up in the middle. Meanwhile, Ohio's rural side is way off the grid, from the horse-and-buggy-filled roads of its enormous Amish community to the moonshine makers in its southeastern hills. It makes for an intriguing mash-up, with just a short drive between wildly different lifestyles. In between, the roadways lead to the world's fastest roller coasters, rocking party islands, beatnik towns, pie shops and a mist-draped national park.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio.

    Cedar Point Amusement Park

    Ohio

    Cedar Point is one of the world's top amusement parks, known for its 18 adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. Stomach-droppers include the Top Thrill…

  • The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum

    Cleveland

    Cleveland's top attraction is like an overstuffed attic bursting with groovy finds: Jimi Hendrix's Stratocaster, Keith Moon's platform shoes, John Lennon…

  • Interior of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

    Cleveland Museum of Art

    Cleveland

    Cleveland's whopping art museum houses an excellent collection of European paintings, as well as African, Asian and American art. Head to the 2nd floor…

  • Aircraft at the National Museum of the Unites States Air Force.

    National Museum of the US Air Force

    Ohio

    Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 6 miles northeast of Dayton, this huuuuge museum has everything from a Wright Brothers 1909 Flyer to a Sopwith…

  • Baby goat at Young’s Jersey Dairy.

    Young's Jersey Dairy

    Ohio

    Young's is a working dairy farm with a famous ice-cream shop, the Dairy Store, which many say whips up Ohio's best milkshakes. There are also lots of fun…

  • COSI

    COSI

    Ohio

    The acronym stands for Center of Science and Industry, and it ranks high in the pantheon of children’s museums around the country. Of the 300-plus hands…

  • Cincinnati Museum Center

    Cincinnati Museum Center

    Cincinnati

    This museum complex occupies the 1933 Union Terminal, an art deco jewel still used by Amtrak. The interior has fantastic murals made of local Rookwood…

  • MY3RYA A man walks past the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Money Museum

    Money Museum

    Cleveland

    Pop into this small gallery inside the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and you'll emerge richer than when you entered. Literally, since the Money…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Once the epitome of a postindustrial Midwestern city, Toledo today is on the rise. Here’s why you should visit this Ohio destination now.

Read article

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Ohio