Top Things to do in Ohio
Top Hotels in Ohio
- 1. Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown
- 2. Hilton Cleveland Downtown
- 3. Graduate Columbus
- 4. The Westin Cincinnati
- 5. Berlin Grande Hotel
- 6. Ohio University Inn & Conference Center
- 7. Hyatt Place Columbus/Worthington
- 8. Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade
- 9. Hampton Inn Cleveland-Downtown
- 10. 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati
What to do and see in Ohio, United States: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
If you are looking for an active place to stay with world-class attractions, Ohio’s major cities can satisfy any vacation desire. Each offers its own distinct flavor of fun, from professional sports – Bengals (Cincinnati), Cavaliers (Cleveland) and Indians (Cleveland again) – to museums, outdoor activities and more. One of the most famous is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. If football is your thing, don’t miss the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. For the science-minded, visit the meat eaters at the Carnivore Conservation Center in the Wilds near Cambridge, dedicated to the breeding and scientific study of endangered mid-sized carnivores. Kids will also love Planet Snoopy in Sandusky or the Columbus Zoo’s Zoombezi Bay Waterpark and Jack’s Landing rides.
Restaurants in Ohio
1. Ohio Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 504 reviews
Broadway shows are performed in this historic theater.
Reviewed By rs49ss47 - Germantown, United States
Do you like seeing great performances? Do you enjoy visiting older, historic buildings? You can satisfy both desires by coming to this beautiful building in downtown Columbus. My family and I have attended many great events at this theatre over many years. Seating capacity is in excess of 2,500 but for particularly popular events the tickets go quickly. I remember as a child being particularly excited to see the wonderful organ which is still in use today. So many big name stars have performed here that it would be impossible to name them all. Much of the beautiful interior is close to its' original grandeur. Among the big draws are the Columbus Symphony, ( really worth seeing ) and BalletMet. One of our favorites was The Nutcracker when our children were young. No matter what the event is a trip here is one you will not regret. Underground parking is available across the street.
2. Cleveland Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,468 reviews
The Cleveland Museum of Art creates transformative experiences through art, “for the benefit of all the people forever.” The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 61,000 objects and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and performing arts. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the dynamic University Circle neighborhood.
Reviewed By journeymaid48 - Fairport, United States
This was a tremendous pleasure to tour this museum again. The collections and the buildings are wonderful. The list of artists represented there is amazing including, Caravaggio, Gainsborough, Lawrence, Constable, Whistler, Goya, El Greco, Thomas Cole, Gilbert Stuart, John Singer Sargent, Charles Wilson Peale, Monet, Courbet, Caillebotte, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Rosseau, Seurat, Pissarro, Matisse, Diego Rivera, Picasso, Braque, Dali, Magritte, Max Ernest, Pollock, Joan Mitchell, Miro, Calder and so many others! A definite half day or longer experience. If visiting Cleveland please stop and admire these wonderful works.
3. Toledo Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,184 reviews
Art from all over the world and every time period is housed at this outstanding museum, considered one of the world's best. From paintings by Renoir to sculptures by Alexander Calder to a vast glass collection, you'll find wonderful treasures here. Founder and first president Edward Drummond Libbey wanted to build a place where art was accessible to everyone, hence the museum's free admission policy, which continues to this day. The Toledo Museum of Art is open: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Reviewed By bookgirl211
Museum is free but you pay for parking which is one amazing deal. Lots of great art in the permanent collection, always great exhibits - saw one on sneakers a year or two back and just went for the Rebecca Olmstead Law one this past weekend. The restaurant is always very good but only open in the afternoon. Definitely worth a road trip.
4. National Museum of the US Air Force
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,908 reviews
Reviewed By I6851YTnickg - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
Fantastic museum, great staff, had a great day here, taking tours, using the cinema and flight simulators and looking at the great collection of aircraft on display here. It has the best collection of US aircraft ive ever seen, where else can you go and see a B36 peacemaker, a B2 spirit and a B58 hustler in the same room! Dont miss this place, its worth the flight to the US to visit this place! If you've never been go!
5. National Museum of the Great Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 335 reviews
This is a maritime museum dedicated to the Great Lakes. There are six exhibit galleries, an outdoor maritime park, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, and the Museum Tug OHIO. While the Ship is open seasonally May- October, the museum and maritime park open year-round. Capacity is limited and pre-purchased reservations is available online.
Reviewed By VegGardenPro - Cohocton, United States
The museum was fun and had some really interesting hands-on exhibits, including a diving simulation to explore the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. But touring the freighter, Col. James M Schoonmaker was an incredible experience. The boat has been equipped so that visitors can go into the engine room, the crew quarters, the hold, the incredibly beautiful captain's and guest accommodations in the bow. The museum volunteer, Dave, was full of information and stories and made our visit extra special. The tug Ohio, only available by tour, is an amazing restoration in progress. This is a unique museum honoring and working toward preservation of our beautiful Great Lakes.
6. The Amish Country Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By tracyc884 - Newcomerstown, United States
Great place for the whole family to enjoy. We have been there 4x this year, lynyrd, Niels, Ken, and the others are really good. You laugh so hard ( might want to bring a puppy pad) lol . Great entertainment, we always have a great time here. We always bring someone with us. We plan on coming again next year . So if you’re in Amish country, this is a must see. We have seen shakin bacon and catastrophe, would love to see the Saturday morning show with Niels , wow what more can I say, ya’ll need to come and enjoy, food is great, priced like being at the movies. Pretzels are homemade , very good at the social distancing
7. Cincinnati Museum Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,811 reviews
Visit cincymuseum.org for details on updates regarding the museums, programs, events, hours and more!
Reviewed By jwrw919
What do you like to see at a this is not a artist display per say but there is art here too. There are nature displays past and present. There are historical displays some years to long ago Natural science to modern science. There is a cave area with dinasaurs and the ice age There are special displays too. The kids area has climbing,water play and crafts too. Yes there is food too. And don't forget the 360 movies
8. Cincinnati Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,072 reviews
One of the most prestigious art museums in the country, with over 100,000 works of art, this grandiose building atop an Eden Park hill, is well-known for its 19th-century European and American paintings, but also contains numerous other works including an outstanding pottery gallery.
Reviewed By Go785432
Terrific Museum with diverse collection. It's an excellent way to spend an afternoon wandering and discovering.
9. Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,427 reviews
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI), located in Columbus, Ohio, is a dynamic, hands-on science center with more than 55 years of award-winning expertise in providing engaging, inspiring, and transforming learning experiences. From hands-on interactive exhibits in themed exhibition areas, and state-of-the-art planetarium, to traveling and education outreach programs, COSI delivers science and science educational experiences both in its building and far beyond its walls. With unprecedented and one-of-a-kind partnerships, including with the New York City-based American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), COSI has positioned itself as a national powerhouse museum with content and experiences for people of all ages. Located in Central Ohio, COSI stands as a leading cultural institution and destination attraction for regional, national, and international audiences. For more information on COSI's reopening and COVID-19 policies, please visit cosi.org.
Reviewed By JackieM125 - Toronto, Canada
COSI is definitely a place you have to visit, we were so impressed with how much there is to do and we could have easily spent a few days there. I loved how well laid out the center is so that you can easily go from exhibit to exhibit without getting lost in a maze. We loved the Dinosaur Gallery with awesome replicas, real and cast fossils. We entered Lost Egypt with its stunning artifacts including a real mummy and sarcophagus! The Oceans area is visually stunning, one side was like being on board an interactive submarine and the other side was a totally hands on Neptune themed water play area. It has to be seen to believed with all the watery, cavernous detail that kids and adults will love. A really cool area was Progress which depicted a life like reconstruction of a typical street corner during the turn of the 20th century. Then you turn the corner and the exact same street corner is updated to the 1950s. It was so interesting to experience how transportation, communication and technology have changed over the past century. Gadgets is a terrific hands on area with tonnes of experiments and simple machines. There are experiment labs that are first come first serve which book up quickly, so I recommend checking that out earlier in the visit. There is also Planetarium on the upper level showing spectacular films inside the 60 foot dome. It is a great place to take a mid visit break and check out any of the eye-catching, cinematic gems. There are some great outdoor areas to see too like the courtyard with any larger kid-friendly experiments and a beautiful, new playground just outside the main entrance. The amenities like the Atomic Cafe had tasty, healthy food options for all ages that were very reasonably priced and the huge gift shop had fun and educational mementos. Needless to say COSI does not disappoint and would definitely consider the annual membership as it is a great visit anytime of the year, rain or shine. Thanks COSI
10. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,466 reviews
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is alive with the energy, passion and the spirit of music we celebrate. The 150,000 square-foot museum features seven floors, four theaters for films and ever-changing exhibits. Get a front row feeling for 30+ years of induction performance highlights through the all-new Power of Rock Experience. You can spend as little as an hour, or up to an entire day exploring all the Rock Hall's exhibits. Right here in Cleveland, Ohio, you will find the only museum devoted to the story of rock and roll! Photos and video encouraged!
Reviewed By boscobrand - Stamford, United States
Held our attention all the way through. Great exhibits & memorabilia showcase music history, highlighting guitars & items from the private collections of legends, and presentations that immerse you in concert like experiences. They also have live bands on occasion too. We will be back with the rest of the family.
