If you’re looking to get away from Cleveland with just a short little jaunt, you’re in luck. There are plenty of awesome experiences within driving distance. You can explore the outdoors, you can check out Native American monuments, explore historic towns, visit cities like Toledo, Pittsburgh and Columbus, have a waterpark experience, see Amish Country and much, much more.
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Kalahari
Everybody knows about the top attraction in Sandusky – Cedar Point. But if it’s still too cold for Cedar Point and you’re itching for some fun, Kalahari, the indoor waterpark, is just the place for a day or weekend of family activities.
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Take a self-guided tour of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield
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.
Salt Fork State Park
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.
The Wilds
Part of the Columbus Zoo, The Wild’s is a non-profit 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. Watch out!
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Stan Hywet Hall
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.
The Warhol Museum and Explore Pittsburgh
Did you know that Andy Warhol was from nearby Pittsburgh? The pop artist is so associated with New York City that people often don’t realize that he grew up in the nearby Steel City. With seven floors, the museum has an extensive collection of Warhol’s art and is a must for any fan of the artist, art in general, or American culture. Then walk around the trendy Shadyside neighborhood where you can see restored Victorian mansions, stop in some cool shops and grab a drink at The Urban Tap or Le Mardi Gras and a bite to eat at Casbah, Acorn or Noodlehead.
Ohio Caverns
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 one mile of other caves and crystals, this is a natural wonder that everyone should see.
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Grandpa’s Cheesebarn
We’ve all passed Grandpa’s Cheesebarn on the way to and from Columbus on 71. But if you haven’t stopped, 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.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
See the Ancient Mounds at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park and Explore Chilicothe
16062 State Route 104, Chillicothe
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Though the Visitors Center of the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park is currently closed, the grounds are still open to tourists. The 2,000-year-old mounds featured at the 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 may have been used for. Also explore nearby Chllicothe, where you can visit the Adena Mansion and Gardens and th 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.
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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 Stroud’s Run 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 house-made 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.
