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Family Vacations to Ohio

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Ohio – Family Vacation Guide

There are beaches to relax on, tree houses to sleep in and stars to lay down and gaze at. Ohio family vacations have a little bit of magic and adventure for everyone, no matter their age or interest.

Why Go

  • Unique Explorations

    Ohio is divided into five regions, each with unique characteristics worth taking a look at. In the southwest, where you’ll get a mix of cityscapes and farmland to explore. Make your way north and then east for a taste of outdoor adventures, like skydiving and roller coasters, to arts and culture hotspots to Amish country.

  • Cities

    Cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati are teeming with cultural offerings and activities from museums to sports to the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Cleveland

Your first stop should be Cleveland, where kids can run through fountains at the newly renovated public main square. Explore the surrounding towns of Akron and Canton before heading to Amish Country for antiques and homemade goods you can’t find anywhere else.

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Cincinnati

Take a minute to stop and admire the beauty and quaintness of this part of the U.S., southwest Ohio. Drive to one of the many parks in the area, like Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve or Rocky Fork State Park. When you’re done with the beach, you’re just over an hour’s ride to city living in Cincinnati.

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Lake Erie

Lake Erie is a great place to take advantage of the water and enjoy everything from scenic views to kayaking and swimming. You can visit the Great Lakes museum or hop in a water taxi to Put-in-Bay. Along Lake Erie’s shores is Sandusky, the self-proclaimed “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” Here, Cedar Park beckons with its thrilling coasters.

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Granville

Besides finding the best food and art selection in this hub, you’ll also come across some New England charm in the surrounding town of Granville. Small speciality and artisan shops are scattered all over the area and are the perfect place for finding that one-of-a-kind gift.

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Appalachia

The southeast Ohio area is Appalachia, where nature come first and foremost. Get ready to get up close and personal to some animals for a safari at the Wilds. Then head over to Hocking Hills to experience an outdoor adventure park the whole family can have fun at.

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What to Do

  • Make sure you visit the three largest cities in the area, Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati; an easy diagonal route straight across the state.
  • You’ll find a lot of history along this route, from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the National Underground Freedom Center.
  • A detour is definitely required so everyone can explore the Armstrong Air and Space Museum.
  • Visit the Hocking Hills to burn off their energy zip lining or on a ropes course.
  • Keep with the outdoor theme by staying a night the Mohicans, where families can rent a treehouse to stay in for the night.
  • Don’t forget to take in the stunning beauty of the Appalachian region.

Getting Around

This road trip is best by car. Some of Ohio’s major cities offer great metro systems, by bus and train. Once you park there, you’ll be good to get around. Although there is a lot to see in the state, a drive from one end to the other without stops takes less than five hours. You can easily break this drive up so no one will get restless in the back seat.

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