Off The Beaten Path Attractions | Ohio

The state of Ohio is filled with interesting attractions for visitors to enjoy. In the big cities there are museums and fun attractions. Throughout the countryside there are parks, beautiful landscapes and plenty of recreation for visitors to explore. Here are a few of the destinations and attractions that visitors to Ohio will want to be sure to explore.

Covered Bridge Scenic Byway

Visitors to Ohio won't want to miss the chance to explore the beautiful scenery of the state. The Covered Bridge Scenic Byway is a fun drive that takes visitors on a scenic route through the Ohio country. The byway travels a little over 40 miles and passes underneath  a few of Ohio's covered bridges. In addition, this byway takes visitors to Ohio through the beautiful Wayne National Forest.

Hocking Hills State Park

One of Ohio's most stunning State Parks is Hocking Hills State Park. The Sandstone throughout the park has been weathered and eroded creating some excellent attractions for visitors to explore. Some of the park's must-see spots are Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, Cantwell Cliffs and Rock Cave. This park has plenty of hiking, biking and other recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy as well.

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

This National Park protects and allows visitors to explore some of the archeology of Ohio. Hopewell Culture preserves the Hopewell earthworks, which were built and used by the native cultures of the Ohio River Valley for ceremonial and cultural reasons for hundreds of years. Today visitors to the park can explore the fascinating mounds that pepper the landscape of the Park, in addition there is a museum for visitors to learn about the historic cultures of the region as well as plants and wildlife native to the region.

Lake Erie Shoreline and Islands

Another of Ohio's beautiful destinations is the Lake Erie Shoreline and nearby islands. Along the shoreline visitors will find sandy beaches, plenty of opportunities for water recreation, boating, relaxing and much more. Visitors can take the ferries to visit some of the islands, including South Bas and Kelleys islands. The Lake Erie shoreline also has nearby state parks and other recreational areas where visitors can enjoy wildlife watching, birdwatching, hiking, biking and more.

National Aviation Heritage Area

Dayton, Ohio is the historic home of the Wright Brothers and is also considered to be the "Birthplace of Aviation." The National Aviation Heritage Area protects and honors the leaders in US aviation history.  Visitors to the Park can lear about the Wright Brothers work in Aviation at the John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers Aviation Center, where visitors can see the original Wright Flyer III. In addition, visitors can learn about the continuing developments in aviation at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and National Aviation Hall of Fame. Throughout Dayton there are hundreds of planes and other important pieces of aviation history.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

This Cincinnati destination is a powerful and moving visit. At the Center, visitors will see a variety of exhibits that tell the story of slaves escaping to freedom on the Underground Railroad and tell the story of modern slavery. With both permanent and temporary exhibits, this museum has a vast amount of information to share. One exhibit to note is the slave pen, moved from Kentucky to the Center.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

This fabulous attractions located in Cleveland is an ideal spot to enjoy learning about the history and evolution of rock and roll. Visitors to the museum are greeted by the distinct architecture of the museum, including an amazing glass pyramid. The museum's exhibits are filled with iconic pieces of Rock and Roll history, including items from Michael Jackson John Lennon and many more.