From factories that turn out cars to acres of farmland, Ohio is a beehive of people hard at work – and folks who take relaxing seriously 🙂
Spring brings warmer temperatures and opening dates for seasonal fun so don’t miss the Cincinnati Botanical Garden & Zoo (cincinnatizoo.org) with one of the largest tulip displays in the Midwest and more than one million daffodils, hyacinths, flowering trees, shrubs and other spring bulbs exploding with color. Summer in Ohio is open season on travel – enjoy the outdoor adventure in 74 State parks – (parks.ohiodnr.gov) and more than 130 preserves that offer miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, boating, paddling, fishing and more. Ohio features miles of Lake Erie shoreline, so you can spend a day at the beach or go boating on the lake, or kayaking/ canoeing, jet skiing, and parasailing.
The most unique, one-of-a-kind summer island resort that has become #1 fun destination is Put-in-Bay. See what makes Put-in-Bay such a fun port of call for Ohio – review the schedule of events where every weekend is a new reason to have a good time (putinbay.com/calendar.htm). You can welcome the US Brig Niagara for the 2nd Annual Put-in-Bay Maritime Celebration on June 17th and open the 8th Annual Pirate Fest, join the Christmas party on July 24th with garland, lights, bells, and Santa hats abound, or celebrate the 202nd Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie on the most historical of weekends on September 9th – a celebration of history, art and music, and also a celebration of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry\\\’s naval victory over the British. Since then, there have been two centuries of peace shared by the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Stop by the Perry\\\’s Victory Visitor Center and Perry\\\’s Victory & International Peace Memorial (nps.gov/pevi/index.htm) and go to the top for the best view (rising 352 feet/107 m) of the Lake Erie islands and on a good day, you can even see Canada! Leave some time for a perch or walleye sandwich 🙂
For a serious cool off, head to one of the most amazing theme parks for a ride that will give you a new hairstyle and perhaps show off your coaster face – just 20 min boat-ride from Put-in-Bay or 10 min drive from Sandusky is the Roller Coaster Capital of the World – Cedar Point and its Soak City (cedarpoint.com). Try the tallest, fastest, longest dive coaster in the world – Valravn or go from 0 to 120 miles/h (193 km/h) in less than 4 seconds with Top Thrill Dragster – a few seconds later, you’re just 420 feet (128 m) in the air.
Autumn in Ohio is a feast for the senses – Ohio forests gradually begin to blaze with brilliant hues of red, gold and orange from September to November. It’s perfect time to explore the microbreweries – they are popping up in Ohio faster than spring wildflowers! One of the best things about visiting micro- and craft-breweries is the opportunity to have beer poured by not only a bartender, but the brew-masters themselves – check these two favorites: Put-In-Bay Brewing Company (putinbaybrewery.com) and Catawba Island Brewing (catawbaislandbrewing.com).
Last, but certainly not least, in October you will become a college-football fan – a real Ohio State Buckeye. Catch the game @ Ohio Stadium in Columbus (capacity 104,944) – be there on Saturday October 1, 2016 and go back and celebrate Oktoberfest with lots of food, good beer, and live entertainment by the ever-popular Maxx Band on October 8th – where? … Put-in-Bay, Ohio
