According to its website, the first mill was built in 1802by Owen Davis, a Revolutionary War soldier and frontiersman miller, who tookadvantage of the natural power of the concentrated water funneled into the gorge. Distance from Columbus to Athens: 75 miles/1 hour 15 minutes. Check out Lakeside Marblehead (Lakeside Chautauqua). How to get there: Take I-77 S, I-480 E, I-80 E, and I680 S to Youngstown. This region around Holmesville, Millersburg, and Berlin, Ohio in the heart of the Amish Country is populated by Amish families and homesteads. Tour these institutions of American government, or simply take a bike tour around the city and check off a lot from the DC Bucket List. Kingwood Center Gardens is a lovely place to visit if you enjoy the more refined things in life. Downtown Columbus Scioto Mile | Photo Copyright: Anietra Hamper Ohio's capital city of Columbus can fill a weekend with culinary surprises and activities to fill one to three days of itineraries. 100 mile radius from Columbus There are plenty of options for visitors of all types, all year long! 1. The Texas-born founder is from a Mexican family and makes high-quality, budget-friendly staples along with creative takes, all served up surrounded by fun decor. Visit Belle Isle State Park. Take a stroll through this collection of museums including the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium and explore Grant Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. The American Falls have a boardwalk with stairs to get really close (and wet!) Cleveland sits at the base of the Great Lakes region, one of America's most scenic coasts. This is a world-famous collection of botanicals and natural exhibitions in picturesque glasshouses. Ride the gondola at Ober Gatlinburg amusement park or hike to Mount Harrison and Cataract Falls. Bonus: There's a lifesize statue of Arnold Schwarzenegger downtown to celebrate the Mr. World competition. It offers the most, the largest and the most thrilling roller coasters in the state. Swim, canoe, or paddle board on Rose Lake or float along Queer Creek. Head to the Lincoln Memorial and statue and get that Instagram picture! Come here to explore, photograph, and enjoy (decorated seasonally around holidays). You cant beat the cool factor of the Museums collection of retired Air Force One planes that you can walk through. Geneva State Park offers hiking trails, and undeveloped areas to explore the peaceful and sandy Lake Erie shoreline. The national landmark is one of Ohio's largest underground caverns and is preserved close to its original . Philadelphia has a lot to offer with history, culture, and scenery as well, tons of popular attractions centered around early 18th-century American history and Revolutionary war history. The trip also offers the opportunity to visit some mountainous and scenic rivers and waterfalls as stopovers on the way through the Catskills. See how leaders from Roosevelt to Clinton rode in style! Walk, bike, take a Segway tour, take a trolly tour, use the train system, etc and visit all the main attractions. Attractions include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando Resort. You can easily spend a few days here. places within 2 hours of me in Columbus Did I mention that admission is FREE? Reservations for Cedar Point need to be made in advance. Distance from Columbus to Schnormeier Gardens: 50 miles/1 hour. Ohio's only national park, located in northeast Ohio, Nights of frights ahead as Zoombezi Bay becomes ZOMBIEzi Bay beginning Sept. 16. Today they serve up delicious homemade ice cream and more in their shop. Gulf Point Trail takes you walking out into the marshes and beaches on the farthest point of the peninsula, look for shorebirds and find serenity with a sunset or solitude on the beach. Our highlights: On the way from Cleveland, check out the Rothrock State Forest and Mount Pocono. Boston is an iconic American city with countless landmarks and historically significant sites as well as a very refined art scene, all set on the Charles River for a true north-eastern experience. Visit the incredible Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Tar Hollow State Park is another great place to hike, camp, swim and fish in a tranquil lake. Our travel tips: Travel to New York any time of the year but be prepared for hot humid weather in summer and cold snow in winter. We recommend Wayne Gretzky's with an ice rink on site or Peller Estates which has an ice bar in the winter. 15 hours 30 minutes from Cleveland (1,040 miles). It is said to be haunted by an old man in a top hat who died during its construction and a ghostly prankster who throws rocks at hikers from above (how can anyone be above you in a tunnel?) Learn how your comment data is processed. 3 hours 20 minutes from Cleveland (220 miles). Explore the Boston Public Garden or take a stroll along the Charles River. Our travel tips: This is a walkable city and many sites are close together to walk to so wear comfortable walking shoes to explore and see the sites. The classic style grills and arcade attractions along the Strip are vintage from the 1950s. Distance: 82 miles Gentle Breeze Hot Air Balloon Company has been lifting people and their spirits for over 35 years. Be sure to spend some time hiking around The Ledges, which is a moderate 2 mile loop. Why you should visit: Visit early colonial history and a vibrant city with art, culture, and a riverfront. Distance from Columbus to Mansfield: 65 miles/1 hour 15 minutes. Rent a golf cart to tour the island in . This inn will take you just under 2 hours to drive from Columbus and is filled with beautiful scenery. You can also detour to stop in Charleston SC where you can eat oysters, southern food, walk along the waterway, tour old antebellum style houses. The national landmark is one of Ohio's largest underground caverns and is preserved close to its original . If you visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the summer, build time into your schedule to watch demonstrations of the canals lock system by historical reenactors, enjoy a free concert and take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway. Visit Finger Lakes National Forest and Taughannock Falls. Spend time in the famous Food Halls. If you're on the road, you can get a free hot dog or other roller grill item at Love's Travel Stops.Within the Love's Connect app from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 . From Cleveland you can drive to destinations like the Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls, Louisville, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Toronto, Chicago, and New York. Bonus: Akron is the hometown of LeBron James, NBA star, where Main Street was renamed King James Way in his honor. Experience Disney World Orlando. Bonus: The Toronto Islands are the largest community in North America that doesn't use cars. Why you should visit: A warm weather destination sure to offer outdoor time and iconic Disney and Universal Studio parks and attractions. 1 post 1 review Good Place to go with in a 6 hour drive of Columbus, OH 12 years ago Save Hi My husband and I are looking for a good place to go that is with in about a 6 hour drive of Columbus. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Youll enter through the small but excellent museum that houses both artifacts as well as representations of the Fort Ancient culture. For adults, there are several noteworthy on the Shawshank trail located in downtown. Here at this beautiful natural area, you can see Twin Sisters Falls and many other waterfalls and scenic water views along the Cuyahoga River Valley. You can also experience world-class ice fishing can be found here in the cold months on the harbor's frozen surfaces. Put-In-Bay, OH. The 14 Best Day Trips In Ohio To Take On A Weekend - Only In Your State Grab a burger at Bob's Hamburg. Nearby Lynd Fruit Farm (on the way from Columbus) always has something going on to extend your time in the area. Long weekend trips from Cleveland (5-8 hours each way). Barring a special event, theres not much that makes it sensible to take a road trip that requires driving 3+ hours each way in a single day. Bonus: Grand Rapids has great festivals hosted in Rosa Parks Circle, one of America's Great Public Spaces, including ArtPrize which is an internationally renowned art competition, and GrandJazzFest. The trail system is very extensive and you can also ATV and mountain bike as well as canoe and kayak in many areas. Charming towns with exciting activities in stunning mountain scenery. Kentucky has some amazing cuisine so find a delicious restaurant to eat some fried chicken, barbecue, Burgoo, a Hot Brown, or some Bourbon Balls. driving 300 miles from Columbus Our travel tips: This is an all weather destination. Why you should visit: The Big Apple has so much to offer and is an exciting city to experience. A hiker's paradise, the park boasts over 500 miles of trails, from easy to difficult, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. How to get there: Head south on I77 to exit 147 to Miller Rd, Snowville Rd and Dewey Rd to Columbia Rd within the Park area. Our travel tips: This state park is free to visit. Our travel tips: Sports teams that are home here are the Pittsburgh Penguins (hockey), Steelers (football), Pirates (baseball), and Pitt Panthers (college basketball) so depending on the season you can get tickets to see the home team. Just up the street in town, grab a slice of pizza from Benitos some people claim it serves up the best pizza in Ohio. Take the PA-340 E exit from US-30 E. Our highlights: You can find many tours that offer buggy rides, attractions, and Amish activities to experience from the locals. A big foodie city, find amazing restaurants and trendy bars. This is an easy stop to make on the way to Toronto and is worth the drive to see this spectacular gushing waterfall, in the summer take the Lady of the Mist boat ride to feel the mist up close! See if there are any shows while you are here. Nearby, you can go surfing at Cocoa Beach, home of 11x world champion surfer Kelly Slater. Ticket prices are very reasonable at $10 per adult and $5 per child, but Dawes also accepts reciprocal membership from other AHS gardens like Franklin Park Conservatory. Its a lovely place to spend an afternoon tossing a frisbee, playing on the playground or watching the swans in the pond. The park is very driveable, or you can stop and hike some trails to see waterfalls, mountain views, and infamous fall foliage (during the right time of year). Visit the Lower East side Orchard Street. Feel free to load up the van! A standard balloon ride with Gentle Breeze can take up to five passengers. But I can tell you that Ive seen some downright silly far suggestions for day trips from Columbus, Ohio. Take a Day Trip to Charming Winona Lake, IndianaJust 2.5 Hours from Chicago and Indy. The season for The Wilds open-air safari is somewhat limited, running from early May into October. Find places to go within a day's drive of me in Columbus and plan a day trip near Columbus. Finally, take some time at The Nationality Rooms. Visit Times Square NYE. Pop over to Buckeye Lake and spend an afternoon walking on the lovely path next to the shore. Read on for inspiration to plan, book and head out on your adventure. See the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Fenway Park and museum, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for a taste of art and culture of the city. What to wear for travel (and how to pack it), 7 Things to do in Dayton That Should Be On Your Radar, demonstrations of the canals lock system, Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio With Kids, Things to do in Columbus in Winter to Avoid the Blues, 7 Things To Do In Dayton, Ohio That Should Be On Your Radar, Where to Stay on Oahu: 27 Places for a Tropical Getaway, Amazon Prime Day 2023: BEST Prime Day Deals for Travel Gear, Cameras and Electronics, Best Places to Stay in Oahu for Families (2023), 12 Day Trips From Columbus, Ohio That Everyone Should Take. Though both the story and movie are set in Maine (like most of Kings work), Mansfield and the surrounding area of Richland County are reasonable stand-ins. From forested beaches perfect for campfire by the lakes or sampling the Midwest's famous cuisine, you're in for a treat. Visit the awe inspiring Cape Canaveral Florida. Thunder on the Strip is an annual biker rally on Labor Day weekend. Renowned for its mind-bending and eye-popping 19th-century architecture, Cincinnati is a captivating city sitting on the beautiful Ohio River. Some favorites and notable ones are Twin Sisters waterfalls, the Cuyahoga Valley Ledges Trail, Brandywine Gorge Trail, and the Kendall Lake trail. With a signature local culture, Cleveland dazzles visitors with vibrancy and inspiration. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. You could make this a weekend trip and stay on-site at a lovely B&B or wintery boutique hotel. Stroll through the Point of View Park. If youre visiting when the weather is nice, Dayton also has plenty of lovely gardens to visit. Our travel tips: There are lots of sporting events from pro teams and colleges (Ohio State University) to see. Our highlights: Visit the historic Mohican State Park. Explore the Steel City for a great way to experience the industrial architecture, great restaurant scene, and scenic views from the hills and bridges. The Icewine festival in Niagara in 2023 is on the last two weekends in January. You can also rent a kayak or boat, or take a pontoon tour if you dont feel comfortable navigating on your own. While Mansfield is a small town, its worth a stop whether youre an adult or a kid. Main Street Beach offers just the right amount of sand and water to get your fix. This rural scenic area is left undeveloped and untouched by modern technology and infrastructure. The upper level is focused on Ohios history and development and includes a mock village to explore. A short drive takes you to the shores and beaches of Lake Michigan where you can swim, soak in the sunshine, and enjoy the sandy views. 2 hours 40 minutes from Cleveland (170 miles). There are many, many, scenic overlooks along the Parkway with various pullouts to hiking trailheads, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and other vistas. Cities 5 hours from me - Within Hours Hop across the street on nice days for dessert at Drip Dreams Ice Cream. You can take the gorge trail if you want some good exercise, but the best view of the falls is down the stairs (many of them) from the parking lot in the lower viewing area; the upper viewing area isnt quite as dramatic but thankfully it offers an accessible option. Take 66 N into the Forest towards Kane. 3 hours 50 minutes from Cleveland (220 miles), Why you should visit: This area has many state parks with unique features to enjoy for some natural scenery and recreation. Upstate New York offers scenic beauty among these 11 lakes and charming, colorful communities all around to explore. Or, take I-90 E to Syracuse. See the famous Harvard University. Some of these are awesome family day trips from Columbus Ohio, while some of these day trips in Ohio are better for couples or kid-free adults. We recommend at least 3 days to complete the drive, more if you wanted time to explore other areas along the route. Cross the river on elevated railroad bridges, look for wildlife, and enjoy the scenery of the Kokosing River. We especially love Aullwood Gardens Metro Park and look forward to visiting Wegerzyn Gardens and Cox Arboretum all three of those are totally FREE as well since theyre part of the fantastic Five Rivers MetroParks system. Here are 16 of the best spontaneous day trips from Columbus. 3. This space houses the largest collection in the US. Stop in Lancaster and Lancaster County to visit the Amish attractions (see above). distance of 250 miles from Columbus Steal away from the city for a weekend in the Green Mountains where you can raft, hike, explore charming mountain towns, and take in the scenery. The national landmark is one of Ohio's largest underground caverns and is preserved close to its original state. Bonus: Inniskillin winery is the original maker of icewine in North America. The most famous shopping street in the city, offers luxury brands and storefronts straight out of magazines. For families, flash your COSI card for free admission to The Works. While visiting the city, you must try the famous Chicago deep dish pizza at Giordano's, Lou Malnati's, or Beatrix Market. Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls Source: innatcedarfalls Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls Wrap yourself in coziness at this ultimate couples' getaway destination. What better winter activity in New York than seeing some Broadway shows, or any time of year? Our travel tips: This can be a year-round destination with activities for any season. Wilks wanted to preserve the land for future generations, which promptedhim to createa sculpture park. 7 hours 20 minutes from Cleveland (435 miles). The 16 Best Day Trips From Columbus, Ohio - Zen Life and Travel See the Millersburg Glass Museum, Open Air Art Museum, German Culture Museum, Wendell August Forge, and the Victorian House Museum. Our travel tips: There are many different access areas to the park so look ahead of time to where to plan to park based on what trails and sites you want to see, or plan to take a scenic drive throughout the park all day. Photographers gather every sunrise and sunset at the vistas, and even more so in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. While theres plenty to fill an entire weekend with things to do at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you can get a taste on a day trip as well. 5 hours 20 minutes from Cleveland (350 miles), Why you should visit: All bourbon fans would love this trip through the heart of Kentucky to find rare and small-batch bourbons and soak in the stunning mountain scenery. 7 hours 50 minutes from Cleveland (520 miles), Why you should visit: Nashville is a great destination for those wanting a road trip out of the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy small historic towns, art museums and some nature along the way. So get your road trip playlist ready and set out on one of these incredible road trips from Cleveland, Ohio. How to get there: South on I-71 to Burbank. But there's still time to squeeze in one last summer trip! Ohio's only national park isn't all that far from Columbus, depending on which part of the park you want to visit. While youre there, be sure to take a walk around the charming historic part of campus as well as the adjacent town. Niagara is often considered the eighth wonder of the world and the surrounding area including Niagara on the Lake is renowned for winemaking. He eventually builtroads, hiking trailsand small lakes on the property. Take a sunset river cruise on a riverboat to experience a true Kentucky dining night with great food and bluegrass music. With hiking and mountain biking trails that can also be hiked in the winter and snow. Rent kayaks and paddle boats, relax on the beach, or charter a wooden boat on the lake and soak in the sunshine. On the way, stop in Ann Arbor for a walk around Main Street. Distance from Columbus to The Wilds: 75 miles/1 hour 15 minutes. Columbus, Ohio. Me too, but sometimes that isnt in the cards. You can also find many breweries, cider houses and distilleries in the region. A portion of the state Buckeye Trail goes through the park and connects to the North Country Trail. 50 Romantic Midwest Getaways | Midwest Living Also, see the historical home of one of the founders of Goodyear in the Rubber Capital at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. driving 8 hours from Columbus You can easily enjoy two of these sites in a single day if you get an early start, as theyre all fairly close together. They can float you across the countryside or you can take an aerial tour of Cincinnati or Dayton. Get your fill of nature at the Ariel-Foundation Park. New York is the city where things happen! Downtown is fun to explore and do a brewery tour or restaurant tour. Enjoy a weekend trip or a longer vacation at these charming Ohio escapes. You'll take a ferry to the island and find live music, nightlife, great shopping and food, as well as plenty of things to keep you busy! Take I-26 Southeast to meet I-95 S to Jacksonville FL. by Brittany Varano Updated February 23, 2023 Charleston, West Virginia a vibrant road trip destination, less than 3 hours from Columbus. Bonus: The most iconic food of Detroit is the Coney Dog - grab one from American Coney Island Chili Dogs! You can also stay in many of the smaller towns along the trail for a unique bed and breakfast experience. There are also guided tours of the Big House for adults in April through December. If you're willing to drive farther, try 6 hours. Read more: 7 Things to do in Dayton That Should Be On Your Radar, Distance from Columbus to Springfield: 50 miles/50 minutes. Visit the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The park also features asculpturemuseum that displays Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Syrian and Egyptian art. 1. There is so much to see within a day trip, a weekend adventure, or a cross country road trip through the USA and Canada. Its free and located in someones backyard, but dont let either of those stop you. We really want something out of state since neither of us have left Ohio in the last 12 years! Another great draw is the wineries. This is a great stop to see and explore the Adirondack Mountains and enjoy the lake with a hike or paddle. . 2 hours 10 minutes from Cleveland (140 miles). How to get there: Take I-71 S through Columbus to Chillicothe. These expansive gardens with butterflies house Hershey's Chocolate World: chocolate themed attraction with many things to do like rides, 4D shows, chocolate candy bar tasting, and the chance to create your own chocolate bar and visit the largest candy store in America. There are great displays covering the history of aviation and space travel as well as Ohios role in both. 48 Hours in Columbus: The Ultimate Itinerary - TripSavvy Take a hot air balloon ride over southwest Ohio. Places to visit about 5 hours from Columbus 261 miles east of Columbus: Skyline Dr Luray Caverns 250 miles southeast of Columbus: Shenandoah National Park Lexington (Virginia) Roanoke Blacksburg (Virginia) Blue Ridge Parkway 261 miles south of Columbus: Boone (North Carolina) Johnson City (Tennessee) 255 miles southwest of Columbus: This quest has truly been a delight so far, and we have even more planned for the coming months and years. The Cincinnati Zoo also has lots of keeper chats and animal encounters included with the price of admission be sure to check the daily schedule dont miss Wings of Wonder on a summer visit. If you want a longer visit, spend time visiting the farm animals, testing your skills at batting cages and mini golf or going down the fast slide. 200 mile road trip from Columbus Visit Niagara Falls and Niagara wine region. Also, explore the old glass factory ruins that dapple the park. Don't believe it? Ben Hartmans hand-made creations are absolutely incredible and are still going strong a century later. Hotel itself is lovely and its in a nice central location. Learn all about the history of the automobile and industry in Detroit and visit the living history village for a blast back to the turn of the 19th century in Detroit. A must see destination is the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Legend Hills has a market on-site and is open year-round. Trius Winery and Restaurant has great romantic vibes for couples. See live music shows at many different venues around town, the most famous being the Ryman Auditorium, and the Grand Ole Opry. Why you should visit: Niagara Falls and the town of Niagara are beautiful destinations that make the perfect road trip from Cleveland to witness a bucket list-worthy natural phenomenon. Below, we've listed our favorite road trips from the 216. We like scenery, sightseeing, good food. Simple! Any suggestions on places to visit within 6-8 hours from columbus, ohio for spring break in the last week of March - we have been to the Tulip festival in Holland, Lilac festival in Mackinaw island and looking for some ideas to see some good blooms as well as have something for kids 9 and 5. thanks !! The island offers a state park with beaches, waterfront dining, and marinas for boat tours. Hocking Hills State Park is surely one of the most popular day trips in Ohio. This is a great place for hiking in Ohio. Our highlights: Get on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Our highlights: Visit the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum to learn about this famous president and his life and American History of the time. Bonus: Holmes County and the surrounding area has the largest concentration of Amish settlers in the world. The OBS is open year-round Sunday through Tuesday so its a nice Columbus day trip option all year long, though youll find bigger crowds as the weather gets warm. For a fun throwback, stop in Operation Fandom & Blackbird Records. 6. Try these unique conglomerations of eateries and market vendors in a foodie heaven like North Market (and Short North Arts District), Budd Dairy and Bubbly Hall and East Market. The most popular trails are Old Mans Cave (about 1.5 miles and rated moderate) and Ash Cave (about 0.5 miles whether you make a loop around the rim or go through the middle of the gorge and back out, though the gorge trail is paved for accessibility), which are great for preschoolers through adults. 9 hours 40 minutes from Cleveland (640 miles), Why you should visit: Experience true American culture and history with 18th-century British colonial, revolutionary war, and American civil war history sites.