After a rather isolating year, (many) folks are all vaxxed up and ready to get out and explore the world again. But you don’t have to go far to satisfy that travel bug. There are plenty of destinations within a five hour drive of Cincinnati. From state parks to Bavarian or beach towns, distilleries, theme parks and more, here’s some nearby spots for when you’re feelin’ wanderlust. 
Ohio Caverns 2210 OH-245, West Liberty, Ohio Distance: 2 hours The Ohio Caverns is the largest cave system in Ohio and contains a plethora of crystal formations throughout this 35-acre park. The cavern stays at 54 degrees year-round and people from all around the world come to discover different colors and formations including The Crystal King, the largest stalactite in Ohio. Reopens to the public on March 15. Photo via Facebook.com/OhioCaverns
Rabbit Hash, Kentucky Distance: 45 minutes A scenic, 45-minute drive southwest takes you to Rabbit Hash, known for its historic general store and electing dogs as its mayor. Rabbit Hash General Store was known as “the best known and best preserved country store in Kentucky,” until it was destroyed by a fire in 2016. It was later restored and reopened in April 2017. Photo via Facebook.com/RabbitHashKY
Frankenmuth, Michigan Distance: 4 hours and 45 minutes This little Bavaria, located about an hour an half away from Detroit, is the perfect weekend getaway. With German-inspired architecture, food, and activities, Frankenmuth is sure to sweep you away to a small village in Germany. Although it is best known for Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world, the fun doesn’t stop there. Shop for authentic grandfather and cuckoo clocks at Frankenmuth Clock Company, enjoy classic chicken dinners at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn Restaurant, and even take a boat tour down the Cass River that runs through town. Photo via Facebook.com/Frankenmuth
Hocking Hills State Park 19852 OH-664, Logan, Ohio Distance: 2 hours and 30 minutes Hocking Hills State Park has five different sections within the 9,000+ acres of land to explore. Millions of guests embrace the forest year-round by hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and camping on one of the 200 campsites in the area. A must-see is Ash Cave, an out-of-this-world rock formation that just so happens to be the biggest recess cave in the state. Photo via Facebook.com/HockingHillsStatePark
Mammoth Cave National Park 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway Mammoth Cave, Kentucky Distance: 3 hours Mammoth Cave, the largest cave system known in the world (400+ miles to be exact), is just a 3-hour drive south of Cincinnati. The park offers tours of the caves, hikes, canoeing on the Green River, horseback riding, camping and much more. Photo via Facebook.com/MammothCaveNPS
Louisville Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes Louisville is Kentucky’s most populated city with an endless amount of things to do year-round. Visit the historic Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where they have been making the famous Louisville Slugger bats since 1884. Bask in historic architecture while walking through the Historic Old Louisville neighborhood, which has the nation’s largest group of Victorian mansions. Or, if you’re visiting during the first week of May, you have to experience “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” at the world famous Kentucky Derby. Photo via Facebook.com/GoToLouisville
Red River Gorge Robbie Ridge Road, Stanton, Ky. Distance: 2 hours and 15 minutes In east-central Kentucky, you’ll find the Red River Gorge, where the land is rich with sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, natural bridges and trails that draw in hundreds of hikers and campers every year. The large amount of sandstone has made “the Red” one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the world. You also can’t forget to stop by Miguel’s Pizza on Natural Bridge Road while you’re there — a Red River Gorge tradition. Photo: Catie Viox
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton Distance: 45 minutes This sculpture park sits on over 300 acres and features more than 60 outdoor sculptures, which can be seen throughout the many hiking trails, lakes, trees, hills and meadows. Though the Ancient Sculpture Museum is currently closed for maintenance until further notice, visitors are still welcome to roam around the outside park and view the large monumental sculptures. Educational programming for children is provided in multiple ways, and leashed pets are invited to Pyramid Hill as well. Photo via Facebook.com/PyramidHillSculpturePark
Bass Islands Distance: 3 hours and 45 minutes + ferry ride to island Just north of Sandusky, Ohio, you’ll find North Bass Island, Middle Bass Island, and South Bass Island, surrounded by the beautiful water of Lake Erie. The Bass Islands are small in size, but there’s more than enough to do with state parks, boating, water sports, eating and shopping. North Bass Island, however, is only open for camping. Put-In-Bay, located on South Bass Island, is considered “The Key West of the North” and has a great nightlife scene and many places with live entertainment. To get there, you’ll have to take a ferry, boat or plane, but these little islands are worth the trip. Photo via Facebook.com/PutInBayOhio
Lake Cumberland Distance: 3 hours and 30 minutes Lake Cumberland is another tourist favorite in southern Kentucky. This huge reservoir is the place to be on a warm, sunny day for boating, fishing, jet skiing or just cooling off in the water. You can stay in a houseboat, cabin, hotel or camp. Photo via Facebook.com/LakeCumberlandKY
Columbus Distance: 2 hours Columbus, Ohio’s state capital and home of The Ohio State University, is a great weekend getaway spot. There’s a great collection of outdoor parks — some popular ones include Scioto Audubon Metro Park, Franklin Park and Goodale Park. For educational attractions, check out the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or COSI (Center for Science and Industry), an award-winning science center with more than 300 interactive exhibits. Photo via Facebook.com/ExperienceColumbus
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes Known for their bourbon whiskey, this distillery offers up multiple tasting and history tours. Once night falls, you can even opt to explore its ~spooky~ and haunted past. Make it a weekend at Elkhorn Campground, which is only a 10-minute drive from Buffalo Trace. Private and RV-friendly, this cozy site is located on the banks of a creek and has a stocked general store onsite, a pool, putt-putt and more. The distillery reopens March 7. Photo via Facebook.com/BuffaloTraceDistillery
Big Bone Lick State Park 3380 Beaver Road, Union, Kentucky Distance: 45 minutes Big Bone Lick State Park, “the birthplace of American paleontology,” offers several nature trails for hiking, camping, picnicking, indoor and outdoor fossil exhibitions, American art, a 1,000 pound mastodon skull and even its own small herd of bison. Photo via Facebook.com/BigBoneLickSHS
Yellow Springs 1.5 hour and 30 minutes Yellow Springs is the perfect destination for those who have a love for arts, culture and nature. Throughout the year the town hosts various arts and music festivals, ranging from intimate gatherings to large events. The village is surrounded by nature reserves, hiking and biking trails and canyons. With its close proximity, Yellow Springs is a great choice for a day trip filled with adventure and stunning sights. Photo via Facebook.com/FriendsofJohnBryanStatePark
Cleveland Distance: 4 hours Cleveland has something to do every day of the week and is only a 4-hour drive from Cincinnati. If you are a football, basketball, baseball or hockey fan, Cleveland always has a team you can cheer on. You can also visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, which was voted one of the best museums in the country in 2016. Outside of the city, there are 18 Metroparks that have 300 miles of hiking trails and lake access when you need a break from the city. Photo via Facebook.com/ThisisCleveland
Land Between the Lakes Distance: 4 hours and 30 minutes Located near Murray, Kentucky near the southwestern tip of the state, Land Between the Lakes is sandwiched between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. This recreational area is perfect for camping, hiking and boating. Take the family to explore the “170,000-acre playground” complete with elk and bison as well as a planetarium where you can admire the stars. Although the park stretches into Tennessee, Cincinnatians can drive to the northernmost part of Land Between the Lakes in less than five hours. Photo via Facebook.com/LBLNatlRecArea
Keeneland Race Track 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, Kentucky Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes In the heart of the Bluegrass state, you’ll find Keeneland Race Track, a beloved Kentucky thoroughbred racing tradition that dates all the way back to 1939. The picturesque grounds are open year-round for tours. Racing takes place in April and October, where visitors can place bets, enjoy a nice Mint Julep, and see what the South is really all about. Photo via Facebook.com/Keeneland
Nashville Distance: 4 hours and 30 minutes Nashville is a legendary city less than a 5-hour drive from Cincinnati. Whatever brings you there — the music, historic buildings, Broadway — there’s always something going on. You can see a show at the Grand Ole Opry, a historic music stage dating all the way back to 1925 where some of Country music’s most well-known artists have played. Or visit The Parthenon, a full-size replica of the original Greek landmark in Athens that’s also one of Nashville’s most popular art museums. Photo via Facebook.com/NashvilleParthenon
West Virginia Penitentiary Distance: 3 hours and 45 minutes 818 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, West Virgina Just over three hours away in Moundsville, West Virginia, this penitentiary, although no longer operating, may retain some unwelcome, spooky inmates. Take a historical or paranormal tour of this fascinating prison that first began housing prisoners in 1876 and stopped in 1995. In that time, over 100 executions occurred as well as escapes, prison riots and fires. History and ghost-hunting fanatics alike will geek out over this spooky destination. Photo via Facebook.com/WVPen
Indianapolis Distance: 1 hour and 45 minutes Clocking in at less than a two-hour drive from Cincinnati, Indianapolis has a slew of options for everyone. Visit the Motor Speedway Museum and see famous cars that have won races at the Indy Speedway. Take the kids to explore the Children’s Museum and the Indianapolis Zoo — the orangutans are a must-see. Or stop by the area’s Bottleworks District — a Coca-Cola bottling plant turned entertainment hub. If you’re exploring the downtown area, the Central Canal walk is a great place for a stroll with the best views. Photo via Facebook.com/VisitIndy
Cedar Point 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio Distance: 4 hours Located in Sandusky, Cedar Point is the second oldest amusement park in the country. The park has a record-breaking 71 rides that bring millions of guests in each year. The multiple award-winning park is just a four-hour drive from Cincinnati. The park is scheduled to open May 29. Photo via Facebook.com/CedarPoint
Dayton Distance: 1 hour Only about an hour away from Cincy, some notable attractions here are the Dayton Art Institute and the National Museum of the US Air Force, which has more than 360 aircrafts and missiles to view. The city also has great restaurants, breweries, shopping, parks and outdoor recreation. Photo via Facebook.com/DowntownDayton
Hoosier National Forest 811 Constitution Ave., Bedford, Indiana Distance: 2 hours Just over in south-central Indiana is where you can find Hoosier National Forest. The 203,000-acre forest is a great place to hike, camp, ride horses, fish and bike. This massive piece of land has lots of special attractions including Patoka Lake, which is the second largest reservoir in the country. Photo via Facebook.com/HoosierNF
Gatlinburg Distance: 4 hours and 45 minutes The wildfires that devastated Gatlinburg in 2016 did no harm to the town’s enthusiastic spirit. Gatlinburg is still full of fun activities and adventures for everyone. There are outdoor activities, family attractions, breweries, live entertainment, art galleries and more. A popular spot is Pigeon Forge, which has go-kart tracks, mini golf, restaurants and Dollywood, Country singer Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park, which has over two million visitors every year. Photo via Facebook.com/Dollywood
Chicago Distance: 4 hours and 30 minutes Chicago, home to some of the country’s most successful artists and entertainers, is just a drive through Indiana away. The Windy City sits right on Lake Michigan, and the endless list of activities makes it an excellent getaway for a weekend. You can relax at the beach and play sand volleyball with the locals or take a two-wheeled ride through the extremely bikeable neighborhoods. There are also various boat tours that lead you through the city via canal, giving you a glimpse into the history and architecture of Chicago. With attractions such as Millennium Park, the Museum of Modern Art and Navy Pier, a day downtown is sure to give you your big city fix. Photo via Facebook.com/ChooseChicago