Imagine a U.S. state with islands, white sand beaches, astounding cave systems, and peaceful nature trails. Imagine that same state is home to spine-tingling urban legends, one of the best amusement parks in the world, historic marketplaces, and a free art museum with a collection to rival the Met’s. Lucky for us, this isn’t a fictional wonderland: Welcome to Ohio, the Midwest’s overlooked gem.
From the get-go, these lands were a place of innovation and quirkiness. Some 2,000 years ago, the Hopewell civilization built elaborate ceremonial earthworks here (one of the only UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Midwest) to track solstices and lunar cycles. Fast-forward to 1803, and Ohio was declared a state (but, due to congressional oversight, only officially became a state in 1953). Since then, Ohio has witnessed the birth of the Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong, and even sharpshooter Annie Oakley.
Those new to Buckeye State should start in Cleveland or Cincinnati. Cleveland is a city of vibrant neighborhoods (check out Tremont, Ohio City, University Circle, and quaint Chagrin Falls) and historic marvels (such as Ohioan John D. Rockefeller’s arcade). It’s home to the Cleveland Art Museum with works by Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso, and Caravaggio; the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; and the 1912 West Side Market packed with regional eats like pierogies and pączki (Polish doughnuts).
Slightly smaller than Cleveland, Cincinnati feels like a tiny San Francisco thanks to its many hills and historic architecture. Climb to the top of Mount Adams for sweeping views next to a 19th-century Catholic church or visit the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood dotted with local shops and eateries, including the 1852 Fidlay Market.
Then hit the road to explore Ohio’s natural wonders, quirky towns, and unexpected islands. From Cleveland, visit the beaches and ancient glacial grooves on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie, uncover the ghostly tales of the Ohio State Reformatory and Helltown, or explore the small town of Sugarcreek, the so-called “Little Switzerland of Ohio.” From Cincinnati, search nearby Loveland for its human-frog cryptid, the Frogman, hike Hocking Hills State Park to find a waterfall cascading through a cave’s opening, or venture (if you dare) to the former Athens Lunatic Asylum. And don’t forget the odd castle or two.
— Sarah Durn
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Get ready for an adventure! Delta Airlines and Atlas Obscura will soon unveil the top 24 destinations for 2024. Stay tuned!
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