Are you planning a trip to Ohio? Or maybe you live in Ohio and want to explore more of the state? Here you’ll find 17 best things to do in Ohio.

Well I was born and raised in Columbus, OH and I had the opportunity to explore a lot of the surrounding areas.

Even though I did move to LA a year ago, I figured I could write about some of the great things Ohio has to offer (and yes, there is more to Ohio than just cornfields!)

Related Post: “11 Amazing Places To Visit In Oregon“

Obviously Ohio is home to major cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

My main focus in this post will be Columbus, but I’ll also touch on some other areas that are worth visiting too.

Columbus is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States…people are moving here for the school systems, the job opportunities, and even major tech companies are opening up corporate offices due to the amount of available land. 

So, if you’ve never been to Columbus, why should you travel there?

Keep reading to find out!

The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Okay, you might be thinking “but Taylor, what’s so special about a zoo? Zoo’s are everywhere.”

That is true, but this zoo is very special. 

The Columbus Zoo and the San Diego Zoo have been neck and neck the last several years for being the best zoo’s in the country. 

There’s something to see all year round at the zoo, and it’s the perfect place to bring your family.

During the summer months, I highly recommend visiting Zoombezi Bay which is the water park owned by the zoo. It’s impressive, and a great place for families, friends, and adults alike.

During the winter months (specifically around Christmas time) The Wildlights at The Columbus Zoo is a stunning display of energy-efficient LED lighting.

This is a must-see if you are in the area during the month of December. It’s truly unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

I could say so much more about the zoo, but I won’t spoil it for you. Visiting this zoo from my childhood all the way until adulthood should be enough to convince you from a child’s perspective and an adult’s perspective!

Easton Town Center 

If you love shopping, check out this outdoor mall at Easton Town Center. This outdoor mall is constantly changing as it adds new shops, restaurants, and things to do. 

If you’re looking for fine dining, you should check out:

• Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
• Brio’s Tuscan Grille
• Mitchell’s Ocean Club
• Smith & Wollensky

There are so many more places to eat, so if you’d like a full list you can check that out here. 

Polaris Parkway

If you’re looking for another shopping & dining experience, I highly recommend heading up north of Columbus to Polaris Parkway.

Now I may be a bit biased because this is where I grew up, 5 minutes down the road from the mall, but I know this area like the back of my hand.

There are nearly a dozen different hotels to stay in, which is great if you plan to stay in this area.

Click here for a comprehensive list of hotel options.

If you love donuts, check out Duck Donuts. They’re made-to-order donuts with unique toppings and combinations.

If you’re an ice cream lover, check out Simply Rolled. It’s the type of ice cream that is rolled up into little cylinders. Super delicious and I’ve tried probably 6+ different flavors.

One of my personal favorite restaurants on Polaris is Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro. I’ve been there dozens of times and never once have I had a bad experience. The food is ALWAYS on point, the service is excellent every single time. Hands down one of the best places to eat.

If you’re into live country music, you can check out Tequila Cowboy for great live music, karaoke, bull riding, and good times. 

For more options, you can find a comprehensive list of shops and restaurants here. 

Top Golf

Top Golf is a recent addition to Polaris Parkway.

Whether you’re a golfer or not, this is a great place for families and for adult gatherings as well.

It’s basically a three-story “driving range” that is equivalent to an upscale bowling alley but for golf instead. 

They have clubs for men and women, lefty’s and righty’s, and junior clubs.

What I really enjoy about this concept is that they also allow you to order food and drink right to your bay. 

Star Lanes Polaris

If you’re looking for another fun family event, you really should check out Star Lanes Polaris. It’s an upscale bowling alley with an arcade, bar/restaurant, and lots of big TV screens and fun lighting. 

I’ve been here on several different occasions, and it’s a great way to gather with family & friends.

They also offer private VIP rooms for large group reservations.

Olentangy Indian Caverns

Explore some of the hidden underground caverns local to Lewis Center.

Take a tour of the Olentangy Indian Caverns and learn about history that goes back hundreds of years. This is another family-friendly activity, and they offer several other activities as well.

This is another one of those places I’ve frequented when I was younger, and I really enjoyed going. 

Bring a sweatshirt…it gets cold in the caverns!

Alum Creek Lake & Buckeye Lake

Both of these lakes are pretty similar, but I’m going to focus on Alum Creek Lake more. 

Alum Creek Lake is minutes away from Polaris Parkway and offers lots of great things to do for the whole family. 

I also grew up going to this lake all the time, so I may be biased yet again…but at least I can be a trustworthy source!

Lots of people take their boats out on the lake for a day of sailing, tubing, fishing, kayaking, you name it. It’s the perfect place for a summer boating day.

There’s also a “beach” area where you can put chairs out in the “sand”. It’s a different kind of sand though…lake sand. Not beach sand. 

You can also walk along the top of the dam while enjoying sprawling views of the lake.

Down at the lower dam area, there are playgrounds and picnic areas perfect for kids and families to have a picnic. 

Metro Parks

There are lots of different Metro Parks around the central Ohio vicinity. My Favorites are Highbanks Metro Park and Inniswood Metro Gardens. 

If you enjoy nature and walking through trails, this is for you!

Many of these parks also have playgrounds and picnic areas that are great for families.

As you can see, there are SO many different activities offered in each of the different parks. 

If you enjoy nature, you’ll want to check out the next item on the list.

Franklin Park Conservatory

Become one with nature at the Franklin Park Conservatory where you’ll see award-winning gardens, art exhibits, and a stunning collection of Chihuly glass.

I’ve been here numerous times, and there’s so much to learn about and explore!

Great for family outings and kids as well. If you check out their website, there are numerous events and things happening for kids to learn (and they’re included in the admission price).

If you’re into art, horticulture and nature, this is something you should definitely add to your list. 

Cosi 

Pronounced “KO-sigh”, Cosi is the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, OH.

This massive 320,000 square foot facility is home to some of the greatest exhibitions and hands-on learning experiences.

This is another one of those places that I have visited dozens of times as a kid and even as an adult, as the exhibits are constantly changing. 

Another perfect place for a family outing, there is SO much to discover here – you could take the family and have enough to do all day long.

Nationwide Arena & Arena District

Home of the Columbus Blue Jackets, check out Nationwide Arena for an evening of hockey!

I’ve gone to Blue Jackets games since I was really young, and my family used to be season ticket holders. 

This is a great way to spend time with family and friends!

There are also lots of bars and restaurants in the arena district to explore, to which you can find a comprehensive list here.

Scioto Mile

While you’re in downtown Columbus, you should check out the Scioto Mile.

There are a variety of restaurants, parks, and things to do along this stretch of riverfront. 

It’s one of the best places to grab photos of downtown Columbus! Photographers – this one’s for you!

You can also go kayaking on the river, biking along the path, take your kids to the fountains, and have dinner at Milestone 229 along the river.

This is probably one of my favorite areas of Columbus, and there are always events going on. 

Outdoor concerts, food truck festivals, you name it. There’s so much to explore!

The Short North

Another great place for grabbing a bite to eat or to have drinks with friends! 

The Short North is a stretch of bars & restaurants and shops along N High Street just north of Downtown Columbus.

There are also art galleries, record stores, coffee shops, and more.

Due to the close proximity of Ohio State University, this draws in a lot of the college crowd as well.

You can find a comprehensive list of places to eat here.

Kings Island & Cedar Point

If you’re an amusement park junkie, Kings Island and Cedar Point are two must-see’s to add to your list.

Cedar Point is up in Sandusky, OH with great views of Lake Erie, and King’s Island is located in Mason, OH (outside of Cincinnati).

I’ve been to both parks numerous times, but I’ve come to discover that amusement parks and roller coasters are not my favorite.

However, these are great parks to check out for people who love roller coasters!

Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills is a great way to become one with nature in southeastern Ohio. 

Located in Hocking County, you can stay in your own cabin with a large group of people, hit the hiking trails, go camping, fishing, and more.

One of the most popular sites to visit is Old Man’s Cave. This is another great spot for photographers!

You can also do things like zip lining, kayaking, and exploring all Hocking Hills has to offer.

A lot of Ohio natives make a trip here as a weekend getaway where they aren’t too far from home, but just far enough to make it a nice break!

Cleveland

I’ve only been to Cleveland a few times so I don’t have too many honest suggestions here, but I will say that you should definitely check out East 4th Street.

Right in the heart of downtown Cleveland, you can discover a lot of great local bars, restaurants, and shops. 

For a comprehensive list of places to visit on E 4th Street, click here. 

Of course if you are a sports fan (depending on the season) there is always the option of going to a Cavs game, Browns game, or Indians game.

Cincinnati

I’ve also only been to Cincinnati a handful of times, but here are a couple of things that I really enjoyed while I was there. 

The Newport Aquarium (which is technically in Kentucky) is just right across the river from downtown Cincinnati. 

This aquarium was amazing and a perfect activity for family fun. It boasts 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, and they are the first to be successful at breeding shark rays. 

They’re also a global leader in wildlife conservation, offering lots of educational opportunities and ocean conservation events.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re visiting Ohio for the first time or you live in Ohio and are looking for another city to explore, this is a list of some of the things I had the privilege of growing up with.

There are certainly lots of other things to do in Ohio, but I love combining these resources with my own personal experiences to help it feel more authentic!

Hopefully this comprehensive list of some of the best things to do in Ohio will be a helpful guide for if you plan to visit, or if you live in the state and are looking to explore different areas!

Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you live in Ohio? If not, have you ever visited before?