10 Amazing Ohio Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive In 2025
Ohio is often underrated and misunderstood, perceived as little more than a Midwest state dominated by cornfields and farms. But Ohio is so much more than that inaccurate assessment; in fact, only about 20 percent of the state's total population lives in rural areas. The rest are in vibrant cities alive with arts and culture offerings, good food, outdoor recreation, and interesting museums. Take a flight into one of the state's International airports, and you're just an hour at most from 10 day trips that are worth the drive.
Starting City: Cleveland
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Rock music fans cannot visit Cleveland and miss this museum, just 19 minutes from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. See iconic pieces of Rock history, like outfits and props from concert tours and music videos, as well as authentic instruments, paraphernalia, and posters. There's so much to see at the Rock Hall; be prepared to spend at least 2-3 hours there. Next door to the Rock Hall is The Great Lakes Science Center, featuring hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, and a giant dome theater.
The Flats
After taking in all the sights and sounds, take an Uber to The Flats. A waterfront destination only 20 minutes from the airport, The Flats have recently been renovated to be more family-friendly, ensuring a good time for all ages. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium has taken over the Powerhouse, a historic building on the West Bank. The open-air Jacobs Pavilion is the place to catch musical guests during the summer, while diners will delight in eating at Margaritaville, Lago, and Alley Cat, among many other restaurants. To see an overview of the city, take a ride on the Goodtime III sightseeing ship that sails during the summer.
Oberlin College
Oberlin was the first college in the U.S. to admit women in 1833 and African-Americans in 1835. At 30 minutes away from the CLE airport, the college’s namesake town is a walker’s paradise. It all starts at Tappan Square, the hub of the town’s downtown area. It features green space with plenty of places to sit and relax, or make it the starting point for exploring the shops and attractions on College and Main streets.
The Allen Memorial Art Museum is home to 14,000 works of art, including originals by Van Gogh and Monet, and it’s just a short walk from Tappan Square. From the museum, stroll to one of the town’s bookstores, boutiques, and cafes on Main Street, such as The Blue Rooster Bakehouse, Slow Train Cafe, or The Local Coffee and Tea.
For entertainment, catch a movie at the Apollo Theater, a century-old moviehouse with Art Deco architecture that is notable for being one of the first theaters in the US to show “talkies” in the early 20th century. Since Oberlin is home to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, one of the oldest music schools in the country, taking in a student recital or performance is a must.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Sandusky is an hour’s drive from the CLE airport, along the coast of Lake Erie, and famous as the home of Cedar Point, the second-oldest amusement park in the country. The park opened in 1870, and since then has become one of the most popular destinations in the world, with 68 rides, including the Steel Vengeance and Millennium Force roller coasters.
The Cedar Point Shores Waterpark features 18 water attractions, including slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. Visitors who stay on the property also get access to Cedar Point Beach, a mile-long shoreline with views of the waterpark and Lake Erie.
Starting City: Akron
Downtown Akron
Akron is known as "The Rubber City" for its role in the early twentieth-century manufacturing of the material, but it has come a long way since that time. Just 20 minutes north of the Akron-Canton Airport, downtown is home to The University of Akron, a liberal arts public university known for its programs in engineering, polymer science, and education. Downtown Akron has a lively arts and performance scene, anchored by the Akron Art Museum and the Historic Arts District. Live music clubs like Musica and BLU Jazz+ mingle with larger venues like E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron Civic Theatre, and the outdoor venue Lock 3.
Highland Square
Venture just outside of downtown about 10 minutes (about 20 minutes from the airport) to Highland Square, a several-block area of shops, restaurants, and stately historic homes. Grab lunch at Aladdin’s, a Mediterranean restaurant with an outdoor patio, or a latte at Angel Falls Coffee. Get some grocery shopping done at Mustard Seed Market, shop for vinyl at Square Records, or catch a movie at the nearly-90-year-old Highland Theatre. The Square comes alive at night, as students from Akron U and artsy residents gather at clubs and bars like Mr. Zub’s, LGBTQ-owned Square Nightclub, and Barmacy.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
If getting outside is a priority, Akron and Cleveland are surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with its 125 hiking and biking trails, as well as nature preserves and waterfalls, and it's only 25 minutes to get there from the Akron-Canton airport. The Cuyahoga River winds its way through 25 miles of the park, lending over 900 plant species, numerous mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, and 200 different species of birds. During the spring season, visitors flock (no pun intended) to the Bath Road Heronry to watch the Great Blue Herons nest and fly.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
No trip to Northeast Ohio is complete without visiting Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, the former home of F.A. Seiberling, the co-founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The century-old estate’s 64,500 square-foot Manor House, gardens, Conservatory, and Gate Lodge are open for tours and only a 20-minute drive from the airport. Fun fact: The first-ever Alcoholics Anonymous meeting took place in the Gate Lodge and led to the establishment of the organization worldwide. AA's co-founder, Dr. Bob Smith, is buried in Mount Peace Cemetery.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The first professional football league was the American Professional Football Association, which was formed in Canton in 1920. That legacy continues with the city’s Pro Football Hall of Fame. Every year, current and legacy players of the game gather in the stadium on the grounds of the Hall of Fame for the annual Enshrinement Weekend, when new nominees are welcomed into the year’s class. The week, which usually happens at the end of July, includes a pro football game, entertainment, and the Fan Fest. Best of all, it's only 10 minutes from the airport.
Millersburg
Need a true escape from modern life? Forego modern conveniences and embark on a trip an hour from the Akron-Canton airport to the Amish Country in Millersburg, Ohio. Begin exploring at Miller's Bakery, where scratch-made pastries and bread are baked without an electric oven, or get breakfast at Boyd & Wurthmann, an authentic Amish restaurant. After indulging in some treats, a trip to Heini's Cheese Chalet is in order. The Heini family uses local dairy and allows visitors to watch as the cheese is made. Many varieties of cheese are for sale, and they offer more than 50 types of sampling cheeses.
Driving through town might be challenging, as the Amish prefer horse-and-buggy to automobiles. Keep this in mind while exploring. The Amish Country Riding Stables at Guggisberg Swiss Inn provides horseback rides in warm weather and sleigh rides in the winter months. Golfers will delight in the 18-hole Black Diamond Golf Course, which features the only par 6 in the state, while little golfers can get their swings in at Country Acres Mini Golf. To truly experience Amish culture, though, book one of the available Amish Country tours of homes and churches.
The Heart of It All
As an old ad campaign used to say, Ohio is “the heart of it all”. The state features a surprising number of destinations, sure to suit the whole family. From big-city living in Cleveland to the most primitive conditions in Amish Country, the Northeast portion of the state is chock-full of things to do and see, and best of all, they're less than an hour's drive from the Cleveland airport.
