Ohio

Whether you like your rock music classic, pop or heavy, Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is unbeatable in the depth and breadth of its musical celebration. Costumes, priceless artifacts, instruments, interactive displays and a huge hall of fame pay homage to the biggest names in music. It’s all housed within an iconic glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei with a massive red sign in front that reads “Long Live Rock”.

The self-proclaimed Roller Coaster Capital of the World boasts 18 coasters ranging from mild to mind-blowing. Smaller children can hop on carnival-style kiddie rides and watch family-friendly stage performances. Thrill seekers will be blown away by high-speed rides such as the record-breaking Steel Vengeance, a steel-on-wood hybrid coaster with a 63-meter peak, 90-degree drop and 30 seconds of air time. There’s also a water park, petting zoo and beach area.

Located between Akron and Cleveland, the natural treasure that is Cuyahoga Valley National Park is nature’s respite from the outside world. Explore more than 200 kilometers of hiking trails, listen to the cascades of Brandywine Falls and Bridalveil Falls, go paddling on the Cuyahoga River or take in the scenery on horseback. Running through the middle of the park is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which offers a three-hour round trip tour.

There are dozens of small islands off the Ohio shore in Lake Erie. Put-in-Bay is a local favorite, home to the World’s Longest Bar at Beer Barrel Saloon (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). Kelleys Island has shopping, dining and its very own winery. For camping and fishing, head to Middle Bass Island. On the mainland shore, check out Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Boat service is available from many points along the shore.

The dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and caves of Hocking Hills in southeastern Ohio make for stunning scenery and endless fun in the outdoors. Hike forested trails to cascading waterfalls, try a zip lining tour, go canoeing on the Hocking River, brave a rock-climbing or rappelling excursion and end the day in a cozy wooden cabin. Away from the city, you can view the starry night sky at the John Glenn Astronomy Park observatory.

A former train terminal, the circa-1933 Cincinnati Museum Center was given National Historic Landmark distinction for its astounding Art Deco architecture. Today, the facility is home to an OMNIMAX Theater, the Cincinnati History Library and Archives and several museums including a children’s museum. Plan to spend a day exploring the fun and educational cultural activities here.

Northeast Ohio is home to the largest Amish community in the USA, a heritage that dates to the start of the 19th century. While the generally Amish avoid the comforts and technology of modern society — opting for plain dress and horse-and-buggy transportation — they still welcome visitors to enjoy homemade cheeses and pastries, famously sturdy furniture and hand-crafted quilts.

Located in Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is for die-hard American football fans and the folks who love them. In addition to the hall of fame filled with life-like busts of the sport’s most-celebrated players, you’ll see authentic uniforms, footballs, photos and historic memorabilia.

Entertainment, dining, shopping and nightlife make the Short North Arts District one of the hottest spots in Columbus. Pop into funky boutiques, stroll the parks and green spaces, and stop for a quick bite to eat before happy hour – the district’s dozens of bars, breweries and restaurants offer tempting drink specials to usher in the nightlife.