Ohio odysseys: come to the Buckeye State for country sights and city lights

Travel America, May-June, 2005 by Mary Quinley

CHOOSING OHIO AS A GETAWAY ADVENTURE is easy. The hard part is deciding what to see and do in the 17th state admitted to the Union.

One option for touting is to sample the state by its five geographic areas. From wild, wacky amusement parks and tales of Underground Railroad bravery to football, fishing, and presidential sites, this land the Iroquois named "good river" promises happy trails and pleasure-packed memories.

NORTHWEST

Lake Erie, the warmest of the Great Lakes, lures anglers to Ohio's northwest corner with the promise of walleye and other catches. The lake and its islands attract boaters and water sports junkies as well.

South Bass Island, best known for the village of Put-in-Bay, boasts two wineries, cave tours, an international peace memorial, and overnight possibilities. Day-trippers opt to leave their cars on the mainland and board ferries to Kelley's Island. Once there, they check out the world's largest display of glacial grooves and linger at the island's winery. Golf carts and bicycles are the preferred mode of transportation on both islands.

In the mood for heart-stopping scream machines? Cedar Point delivers. Home to 16 roller coasters--more than any other amusement park on earth--the complex on Lake Erie in Sandusky features three antique carousels, hotels, and campgrounds as well as thrill rides, stage shows, and Soak City water park. Families craving indoor wet fun are drawn to Sandusky's three big-time water park hotels--Cedar Point's Castaway Bay, Kalahari Waterpark Resort, and Great Wolf Lodge.

Toledo, bordering Michigan at the westernmost point of Lake Erie, is one of the Great Lakes' prime ports and industrial centers but also has outstanding tourist attractions. A hippo habitat where visitors are treated to underwater viewing and an African plain with native animals are reasons why some folks nominate the Toledo Zoo as the best in the Midwest. Equally impressive is the Toledo Museum of Art, founded in the late 19th century by Edward Libbey, creator of Libbey Glass, and his wife Florence. The Grecian-style structure shelters a collection of primitive scrolls, a medieval cloister, and works by Monet, Degas, and other masters. In keeping with Libbey's wish that art should be free for public viewing, the museum does not charge admission.

Favorite detours in the northwest include Thomas Edison's birthplace in Milan, Lakeside's Chautauqua-like summer playground, and a climb to the top of Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes.

CENTRAL

Columbus, the Buckeye State's capital, offers all the perks of a vibrant big city, quenching a variety of tastes. Choices include a first-class art museum, zoo, aquarium, interactive science center, spectator sports venues, ethnic fests, literary haunts, and eclectic dining and entertainment.

The historic North Market, a year-round home to butchers, bakers, fishmongers, farmers, and other merchants, provides a leisurely ambiance for eating and shopping. At the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden, meander through the desert, rainforest, and mountain climes to search for a handful of brilliant glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly. Interactive displays add to the conservatory's kid-friendly atmosphere.

On the grounds of Ohio State University, a museum pays tribute to Jack Nicklaus' golfing career and the history of golf. During Big Ten football games, chants from avid OSU fans resound from the stadium.

The outer limits of Columbus provide a treasure trove of options. Dublin, an easy drive northwest of downtown Columbus, celebrates the traditions of the Emerald Isle during its annual summer Irish Festival. Intriguing outdoor art sculptures are scattered around town.

Motorcycle enthusiast? Make tracks southeast to Pickerington's Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Spelunkers might prefer to venture northwest to the caverns in Logan County. Stalactites, stalagmites, and rare cave pearls are worth the trek. Two covered bridges and a couple of extravagant mansions add to the countryside's charm.

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gem? Head south to Canal Winchester to tour the Barber Hall of Fame. Ask for Ed Jeffers, barber and museum owner, who enjoys sharing anecdotes about his awesome collection of barber poles, tools, brushes, and knickknacks.

SOUTHEAST

On the weekend after Labor Day, Marietta, site of the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, hosts the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival. Clusters of spectators, sprawled on blankets dotting the river banks, cheer as steamboats race to the finish line. Powerboat fans show up on the weekend after the Fourth of July to watch a different kind of competition--the Marietta Riverfront Roar.

In Zanesville, once the capital of Ohio, pottery, antiques, and the Y-Bridge (a bridge that you can cross and still be on the same side of the river!) attract sojourners. A real jewel southeast of Zanesville is the safari-like adventure at The Wilds, North America's largest wildlife preserve. Bus tours allow visitors close-up peeks at white rhinos, wild horses, giraffes, antelopes, and other species grazing on an open range.