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What are the best theme parks within driving distance of Ohio? Our readers have chosen

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What are the best theme parks within driving distance of Ohio? Our readers have chosen


Ohio has Cedar Point and Kings Island, two great amusement parks. But if you’re willing to drive, there’s more to be found, like Dollywood and Hersheypark, all among the 10Best as chosen by readers.

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Cedar Point and Kings Island are among the top amusement parks in the country according to various USA TODAY 10Best lists, as chosen by readers. But if you’re looking for something new, there are other options within driving distance to consider.

Here’s a look at what’s new at the Ohio attractions and what’s ranked in the 10Best lists in nearby states.

What’s new at Kings Island, Cedar Point?

Cedar Point’s newest and biggest attraction this season is the Top Thrill 2 coaster. However, the amusement park was forced to close the ride barely a month after its debut for modifications to the vehicles.

On USA TODAY’s 10Best lists, Cedar Point came in at No. 10 for Best Theme Park and was No. 5 for Best Theme Park Hotel, Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point.

At Kings Island, Camp Snoopy, an extension of the Planet Snoopy kids’ area, will have a different look after construction. Existing rides in that part of the park will be open to start the season.

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Likewise, a new outdoor bar next to Coconut Cove Cafe will debut when Soak City opens on Memorial Day weekend. On the 10Best lists, Kings Island and Kings Dominion Grand Carnivale earned a mention on the Theme Park Festivals You Can’t Miss list.

If you’re willing to travel, Indiana and Pennsylvania have amusement parks that the 10Best voters believe are worth checking out.

Here’s what to know about them.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari — Santa Claus, Indiana

Splashin’ Safari came in at No. 6 for the 10Best Outdoor Water Parks. The article draws attention to Mammoth, a massive water coaster that takes up three acres and offers multiple drops with technology to plunge six passengers again and again.

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At Holiday World, wooden coaster The Voyage was tagged No. 7 on the 10Best Roller Coasters. Riders of this wooden coaster experience total weightlessness for 24.3 seconds as well as one of the steepest drops of any wooden coaster in the world.

  • Address: 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, IN 47579
  • Website: HolidayWorld.com
  • Distance from Akron: About 400 miles, or a six-hour drive
  • Distance from Columbus: About 280 miles, or a four-hour drive
  • Distance from Cincinnati: About 170 miles, or a 2.5-hour drive

Hersheypark — Hershey, Pennsylvania

Coming it at No. 4 on the Best Theme Parks list, Hersheypark features more than 70 rides, including more than a dozen roller coasters, shows, a water park and an 11-acre zoo, according to the article, all included with the admission.

One of its coasters, Wildcat’s Revenge, is No. 4 on the 10Best Roller Coasters ranking. It added steel to a wooden frame to create a new hybrid ride. It climbs to a height of 140 feet, hits 62 mph and drops at 82 degrees.

The Chocolatier at Hersheypark comes in at No. 2 for Best Theme Park Restaurant. It isn’t just about chocolate, according to the article, though cocoa is incorporated into many of its dishes. The Chocolatier is a full-service restaurant that offers views of the park from its second-story patio and bar.

And Hersheypark tops the list for Best Theme Park Hotel with The Hotel Hershey. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, the hotel is an “elegant retreat,” according to the article. It offers a wide range of facilities including a fitness center, golf, tennis, hiking and a pool with waterslides.

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  • Address: 100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
  • Website: Hersheypark.com
  • Distance from Akron: About 320 miles, or a five-hour drive
  • Distance from Columbus: About 380 miles, or a six-hour drive
  • Distance from Cincinnati: About 490 miles, or a 7.5-hour drive

Knoebels — Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels comes in at No. 2 for Best Theme Park, and claims the top spot in two categories — Best Roller Coaster and Best Theme Park Restaurant.

According to the articles, Knoebels is home to The Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden coasters in the country, and is practically a museum of classic rides that are still operating, like Whipper, Flying Turns, The Haunted Mansion dark ride and the Sky Slide. But don’t think it’s all vintage. The park has modern rides as well as a water park.

Its restaurant, The Alamo, still offers burgers and hot dogs priced at family friendly prices of $5 or less. But the menu includes so much more, like crab cakes, chicken and waffles, and spaghetti and meatballs.

  • Address: 391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg, PA 17824
  • Website: Knoebels.com
  • Distance from Akron: About 300 miles, or a 4.5-hour drive
  • Distance from Columbus: About 420 miles, or a 6.5-hour drive
  • Distance from Cincinnati: About 530 miles, or an 8-hour drive

Kennywood — West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 

Just outside of Pittsburgh, Kennywood only hits the 2024 10Best lists once, but it’s a big one.

Coming in at No. 8 for Best Theme Park, Kennywood offers iconic rides and classic favorites, according to the article. These include wooden roller coasters such as the side-by-side Racer and the 1920s-era Jack Rabbit. Plus, there’s a collection of dark rides like the Old Mill and the last-of-its-kind Noah’s Ark, as well as modern rides like the Steel Curtain coaster.

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  • Address: 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122
  • Website: Kennywood.com
  • Distance from Akron: About 120 miles, or just over a 2-hour drive.
  • Distance from Columbus: Nearly 200 miles, or just over a 3-hour drive.
  • Distance from Cincinnati: About 300 miles, or more than a 4.5-hour drive.

Dollywood — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 

Dollywood seems to be a popular destination for USA TODAY readers — it landed on 10Best lists for Best Theme Park, Best Roller Coaster, Best Outdoor Water Park, Best Theme Park Hotel and Best Theme Park Restaurant.

Tucked in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Dollywood has it all, according to the article — thrill rides, coasters, kiddie rides and everything in between.

It also features live demonstrations, lavish shows and special events all year long, landing Dollywood at No. 5 on the best theme parks list. Its Splash Country came in at No. 10 for outdoor water park.

At No. 5 for best roller coaster, Dollywood’s Lightning Rod lifts its riders more than 20 stories before sending them down a 165-foot drop. And that’s just at the start. The coaster, modeled after a 1950s hot rod, reaches speeds of 73 mph.

Aunt Granny’s, No. 3 for best theme park restaurant, is a sit-down dining experience offering comfort food such as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese served family-style. And the HeartSong Lodge & Resort, No. 3 for best theme park hotel, is rustic yet modern, according to the article, featuring two pools, restaurants and outdoor fire pits.

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  • Address: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
  • Website: Dollywood.com
  • Distance from Akron: About 520 miles, or about an 8-hour drive.
  • Distance from Columbus: About 390 miles, or a 6-hour drive
  • Distance from Cincinnati: About 285 miles, or less than a 5-hour drive.



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Ohio

Thousands head to Columbus for 23rd annual Home Improvement Show at Ohio Expo Center

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12 minutes ago

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March 27, 2026

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Thousands head to Columbus for 23rd annual Home Improvement Show at Ohio Expo Center


COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Thousands of people are expected to head to downtown Columbus for the 23rd annual Home Improvement Show this weekend.

Organizers say visitors can find ideas for everything from small interior design projects to major renovations.

The event is being held at the Ohio Expo Center and includes seminars, exhibits and demonstrations from local and national companies.

The show begins at noon Friday and runs until 6 p.m.

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It continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adult tickets cost $5 at the door.



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Matt Patricia sought stability in return as Ohio State football defensive coordinator

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12 hours ago

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March 26, 2026

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Matt Patricia sought stability in return as Ohio State football defensive coordinator


Matt Patricia’s contract extension earlier this offseason included a pay raise that figures to make him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football this year.

But Patricia, who will make $3.75 million in guaranteed compensation as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2026, also held an appreciation for his situation.

“Ohio State is such a special place, not only just the history, the tradition, the football program, the school, but the people here,” Patricia said. “Having a chance to have a little stability with my family, it’s hard when you have to move your family around, your kids and the new school and all that.”

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Before he joined Ryan Day’s staff last year, the 51-year-old Patricia had bounced around as an assistant in the NFL for much of the decade.

He spent 2021 and 2022 in a variety of roles with the New England Patriots, then a year as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. He took off from coaching in 2024. The frequent relocation gave him perspective.

“We had an unbelievable experience settling into Columbus,” Patricia said. “Everybody’s been so nice and welcoming. It feels like home. It’s a big deal for us to be in a place where everybody’s happy. That’s really important.”

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Patricia had a significant impact on the Buckeyes in his first year replacing Jim Knowles. Despite heavy roster attrition following their national championship season, he kept the defense atop the Football Bowl Subdivision. For the second straight season, no one allowed fewer points than Ohio State.

The 9.3 points per game allowed by the Buckeyes were the fewest by any defense since Alabama in 2011.

The success made Patricia a hot commodity on the coaching market, rebuilding his reputation as a sharp and creative football mind only a decade removed from his tenure as a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator for the Patriots. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant.

Patricia said he heard about opportunities in the NFL and elsewhere across the college football landscape, though none of them would pry him away from Ohio State.

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“It wasn’t necessarily something where you’re looking to leave,” Patricia said, “but you do have to listen when those things come up. I’m just glad everything worked out.”

His challenge in his second season mirrors his previous one, as the Buckeyes are again managing the loss of eight starters on defense.

But unlike 2025, they have fewer returning pieces, relying on a larger class of transfers to help fill the holes on the depth chart.

“With as much coming into the program for the first time, not only are you trying to catch them up on the football scheme, but you’re also trying to catch them up on everything else,” Patricia said. “This is how we work, this is how we do things, this is the standard we’re looking for, this is how we practice, this is how we prepare, this is how we go to school. That has to be also taught. It becomes a lot, but that’s why you bring in the right guys that have the mental makeup to do all that.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.

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Which central Ohio schools get the best results for their money?

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1 day ago

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March 26, 2026

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Which central Ohio schools get the best results for their money?


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Which central Ohio school districts get the most bang for their buck?

On average, school districts in Ohio spend $16,069 per-pupil for education, according to the education think tank Fordham Institute.

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However, different district types spend different amounts of money. For example, large urban districts with very high poverty spend around $21,000 per-pupil, but small towns with low poverty spend around $14,900. The district type closest to the state average are those considered rural and high poverty and suburban districts with low poverty.

Aaron Churchill, lead Ohio researcher for the Fordham Institute, said that urban districts – like Columbus City Schools, the state’s largest district – often have higher spending because they can pull more in tax revenue and the state supports them at a higher rate because they are serving a higher proportion of disadvantaged students. Small, high-poverty towns on the other hand, generate less tax revenue from property values and district employee wages, the highest expense for schools, may be lowered by less market competition.

Churchill said schools should be focused on directing their funding toward initiatives that improve student outcomes and achievement.

“It’s making sure we’re focused on quality, we’re focused on performance, and that we’re rewarding performance,” Churchill said. “And we don’t do enough of that in the education system now.”

More: How do central Ohio school districts score on state metrics? See the report cards

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Churchill said there is a long-running debate among education researchers about whether increasing spending translates to meaningful results for students. Overall, school funding has increased on average over $2,000 per-pupil since 2015 and reached a record-high in 2025, according to the Fordham Institute.

“You can see in the numbers that we’re spending more than we ever have,” Churchill said. “The real million-dollar question is ‘Can our schools spend the money well?’”

Which central Ohio districts have the best results compared to funding?

The Dispatch compared overall spending per-pupil for central Ohio school districts to the ODEW’s performance index, using 2025 state data.

The Performance Index uses the performance level results for students in third grade through high school on Ohio’s state testing. The Performance Index (PI) score accounts for the level of achievement of every student, not just whether they are “proficient.” Higher performance levels receive larger weights in the calculation, but all achievement levels are included. Overall, the state average of performance scores was 91.8, according to 2025 state data.

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The central Ohio school district with the highest spending was Columbus City Schools, which spent $24,505 per pupil and received a PI score of 60.7. The district with the highest PI was Grandview Heights Schools, which received a 106 PI score and spent $21,567 per pupil. New Albany-Plain Local Schools was a close second in PI at 105.1 while spending more than $4,000 less than Grandview Heights at $16,923 per-pupil.

Here’s how central Ohio schools stack up by spending versus achievements on tests, according to the Ohio Department of Education (sorted by highest spending per-pupil):

  • Columbus City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $24,505; PI score: 60.7
  • Grandview Heights Schools – Spending per-pupil: $21,567; PI score: 106
  • Bexley City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $21,025; PI score: 102.7
  • Dublin City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $18,702; PI score: 97.6
  • Worthington City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $18.573 ; PI score: 94.3
  • Madison-Plains Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $17,646; PI score: 88
  • New Albany-Plain Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $16,923; PI score: 105.1
  • Westerville City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $16,815; PI score: 89.7
  • Olentangy Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $16,780; PI score: 103.9
  • Groveport Madison Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $16,236; PI score: 72.6
  • Upper Arlington City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $16,282; PI score: 103.6
  • Canal Winchester Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $16.154; PI score: 89.1
  • Average Ohio school district – Spending per-pupil: $16,069; PI score: 91.8
  • Reynoldsburg City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $15,956; PI score: 72.2
  • Gahanna-Jefferson City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $15,742; PI score: 89.7
  • Hilliard City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $15,694; PI score: 90
  • South Western City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $15,600; PI score: 78.5
  • Whitehall City Schools – Spending per-pupil: $15,593; PI score: 66.95
  • Johnstown-Monroe Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $15,163; PI score: 94.5
  • Jonathan Alder Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $14,803; PI score: 95.9
  • Pickerington Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $14,470 ; PI score: 90.9
  • Big Walnut Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $14,239; PI score: 95.1
  • London City – Spending per-pupil: $13,750; PI score: 81.3
  • Marysville Exempted Village Schools – Spending per-pupil: $13,608; PI score: 95.5
  • Licking Heights Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $13,585; PI score: 85.4
  • Hamilton Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $12,971; PI score: 82.2
  • Bloom-Carrol Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $12,720; PI score: 90.89
  • Licking Valley Local Schools – Spending per-pupil: $12,587; PI score: 85

Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report



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