Ohio Overview
Nestled in the heart of the Great Lakes region, Ohio is the place to go if you want a taste of authentic America. The state has everything: the beaches of Lake Erie, the banks of the Ohio River, three large cities (Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland) and Appalachian charm, as well as world-class museums, the world’s largest Amish enclave and world-record-breaking amusement parks.
Family-friendly events, recreation opportunities and culture for sophisticated palates are hallmarks of Ohio’s largest cities.
In Cleveland, visit the Greater Cleveland Aquarium or Great Lakes Science Center before an outing to the House of Blues. In addition to a ballet company and symphony orchestra, Cincinnati offers art museums, theaters, and music and food festivals. Lively neighborhoods in Columbus include Short North with art galleries and boutiques, German Village and its Old World charm, and sports venues, bars and restaurants in the Arena District.
In Holmes County, a farming community between Cleveland and Columbus, Amish children walk to attend classes in one-room schoolhouses. The family transportation is a horse-drawn buggy. The Amish, traditional Christians who left Europe in the 1700s, number about 40,000 in eastern Ohio. Their craft stores, flea markets and restaurants dot the countryside. Learn about the religion and culture at the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin.
For some classic made-in-Ohio ingenuity, tour Warther Cutlery in Dover, Columbus Washboard Co. in Logan and the KitchenAid Experience in Greenville. Head outdoors to canoe the Mohican River or visit The Wilds, a 4,000-hectare facility in Cumberland for endangered animals.