18 Fun Ohio Road Trips Within a Few Hours of Cincinnati

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

This slideshow was originally published by our sister paper Cleveland Scene and is republished here with permission.

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Photo: facebook.com/visitthewilds

Walk on the Wild Side at The Wilds

14000 International Road, Cumberland
Part of the Columbus Zoo, The Wilds is a nonprofit 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, rhinoceroses and wild dogs.

Photo: JR P/Flickr

Hike it Up at Clifton Gorge and Get Weird in 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.

Photo: facebook.com/HistoricHarbor

Drive to the Coast and Experience 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.

Photo: Scene Archives

Try Everything at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn

668 US-250, Ashland
If you’ve never stopped at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn off of I-71, 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: instagram.com/@athensohio

Live it Up in Athens

We promise there’s more to Athens than drunk college students. There’s also drunk adults! While you’re in town, don’t forget to see Strouds Run State Park and eat at Casa Nueva, a worker-owned co-op Mexican restaurant that has live music, art, amazing huevos rancheros and a Bloody Mary made with housemade pepper-infused vodka, which is to die for. Don’t leave without getting a beer at Jackie O’s, a bagel at Bagel Street Deli and a hot dog and chili cheese fries at O’Betty’s.

Photo: Scene Archives

Surround Yourself in the Natural Beauty of the Lake Erie Bluffs

2901 Clark Road, Perry
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.

Photo: instagram.com/@thebookloft

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.

Photo: instagram.com/@ohiocaverns

Go Adventuring in Ohio Caverns

2210 East State Route 245, West Liberty
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 a mile of other caves and crystals, this is a natural wonder that everyone should see.

Photo: Scene Archives

Go Antiquing in Waynesville

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.”

Photo: Scene Archives

Climb Hills at Great Seal State Park

4908 Marietta Road, Chillicothe
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.