18 Fun Ohio Road Trips Within a Few Hours of Cincinnati

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Visit Malabar Farm State Park

4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas
Located in Richland County, the Malabar Farm State Park is located near Lucas and Mohican State Park. Eat at the Malabar Farm Inn, check out the Pugh Log Cabin or try to find a ghost in the Ceely Rose House. There’s also a petting zoo and a dairy barn at this getaway.

Explore the Simpler Side of Life in the Amish Town of Millersburg

Located in northeastern Ohio, the quaint town of Millersburg offers a glimpse into traditional Amish culture. Take a trip down its historic downtown strip built along the Amish Country Byway and find the Victorian House Museum, shops with handmade furniture and quilts, artisan cheese-makers, bakeries and refreshments at Millersburg Brewing Company. Stables, farms and the nearby Black Diamond Golf Course are just a short drive from the town center.

Take a Self-Guided Tour of the Ohio State Reformatory

100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield
Originally constructed in 1886, this sprawling 250,000-square-foot prison was once the set of the 1994 classic film The Shawshank Redemption, along with several other big-budget movie productions. Explore the grounds and interior through a self-guided audio tour to learn about Mansfield’s troubled past, book a paranormal activity tour or experience the prison while guided by a former inmate.

Feel Fancy at Stan Hywet Hall

714 North Portage Path, Akron
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.

See the Ancient Mounds at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Explore Chillicothe

16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe
The 2,000-year-old mounds featured at Hopewell Culture National Historic Park were built by Native Americans as sacred sites. Today, visitors can walk the grounds, appreciate its massive, ancient man-made structures and learn what they may have been used for. After, explore nearby Chillicothe, where you can visit the Adena Mansion and Gardens and the Chillicothe Railroad Museum. Also, go see the historic downtown where you can indulge your sweet tooth at Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, check out some books and history at Wheatberry Books and The History Store and grab a drink at Old Capitol Brewing and a meal at R Kitchen Deli and Provisions or Old Canal Smoke House.

Splash Around at Kalahari Resort

7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky
Everybody knows about the top attraction in Sandusky is Cedar Point. But if you’re itching for some more fun while you cool off after a hot day of rides, Kalahari, the indoor waterpark, is just the place for a day or weekend of family activities.

Experience the Great Outdoors at Salt Fork State Park

14755 Cadiz Road, Lore City
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.

Peruse the Collections at the Toledo Museum of Art

2445 Monroe St., Toledo
Located in the Old West End neighborhood of Toledo, it 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.