Ohio – Eloray

Tall Stacks riverboart festival, Cincinnati (Bryce Mullet, Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s Visit Ohio

Join our virtual tour highlighting the top tourist attractions in Ohio.
For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Ohio

Highlights

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Ohio.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland): A world-renowned museum dedicated to the history of rock and roll music, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame features exhibits on iconic artists, albums, and instruments. It’s a must-see for music lovers and fans of rock culture.
Cedar Point (Sandusky): Known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” Cedar Point is a massive amusement park famous for its record-breaking roller coasters and thrilling rides. It’s one of the most popular amusement parks in the U.S.
Hocking Hills State Park (Logan): A beautiful natural area with stunning rock formations, waterfalls, and caves, Hocking Hills is famous for hiking, camping, and its scenic beauty. Popular spots like Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave draw nature enthusiasts year-round.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Cincinnati): One of the oldest zoos in the U.S., the Cincinnati Zoo is renowned for its diverse collection of animals, including Fiona the hippo. It’s also home to lush botanical gardens, making it a family-friendly destination.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (Dayton): Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, this is the largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world. It showcases historic aircraft, including presidential planes and space exploration exhibits.
Ohio Statehouse (Columbus): The Ohio Statehouse is both an architectural marvel and the heart of Ohio’s government. Visitors can explore its neoclassical design, historic artwork, and exhibits on the state’s political history.
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Canton): This museum celebrates the history of professional football and honors the greatest players and coaches in the sport. The Hall of Fame includes memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and the annual enshrinement ceremony.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Northeast Ohio): One of the few national parks in the Midwest, Cuyahoga Valley offers stunning landscapes, hiking trails, waterfalls, and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, making it a perfect retreat for outdoor lovers.
The Wilds (Cumberland): A large wildlife conservation center, The Wilds allows visitors to go on safari-style tours to see endangered animals in wide, open spaces. It’s a unique experience in Ohio, offering encounters with giraffes, rhinos, and more.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Columbus): This beautifully designed conservatory features indoor and outdoor gardens showcasing exotic plants from around the world. It is famous for its seasonal floral displays and the Dale Chihuly glass art installations integrated into the gardens.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Discover these little-known facts about Ohio.

Ohio is home to the first-ever professional baseball team: The Cincinnati Red Stockings, formed in 1869, were the first professional baseball team, marking the birth of professional sports leagues in the U.S.
The Cuyahoga River caught on fire multiple times: In the mid-20th century, Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River was so polluted with industrial waste that it caught fire at least 13 times. The 1969 fire became infamous and led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
There’s a festival for duct tape: Every year in Avon, Ohio, the Duct Tape Festival celebrates the iconic adhesive with parades, sculptures, and even duct tape fashion shows. Teens can marvel at the endless creativity people bring to using this simple tool.
Ohio is the birthplace of aviation: The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were born in Dayton, Ohio, and are credited with inventing the first successful airplane in 1903. The state proudly proclaims itself the “Birthplace of Aviation.”
You can visit a haunted penitentiary: The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, famous for being featured in The Shawshank Redemption, is also rumored to be haunted. Ghost tours are popular for those brave enough to explore its spooky corridors.
Ohio is home to the world’s largest basket: In Newark, Ohio, the Longaberger Basket Building is a seven-story building shaped like a giant picnic basket. It was once the headquarters for a basket company and remains a quirky architectural marvel.
Ohio has more presidents than any other state: Eight U.S. presidents were born in Ohio, including Ulysses S. Grant and William Howard Taft. The state is often referred to as the Mother of Presidents because of this historical connection.
Superman was created in Ohio: Teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, both from Cleveland, created the iconic superhero Superman in the 1930s. Their creation has since become a global symbol of heroism and justice.
The world’s first traffic light was in Ohio: Installed in Cleveland in 1914, the first electric traffic light helped drivers safely navigate intersections. This invention set the standard for road safety worldwide.
Cleveland hosted the first-ever rock concert: In 1952, Cleveland DJ Alan Freed organized the first rock and roll concert, called the Moondog Coronation Ball. The event was so popular that it caused a riot when too many people showed up!

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Ohio.

Famous Men

Thomas Edison (1847–1931): Born in Milan, Ohio, Thomas Edison was a prolific inventor, best known for creating the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the electric light bulb. His innovations changed the world and laid the foundation for modern technology.
LeBron James (1984–): Born in Akron, Ohio, LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He has won multiple NBA championships and MVP awards, and he is celebrated for his impact on and off the court, including his philanthropic efforts.
Neil Armstrong (1930–2012): Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. His historic achievement made him a global icon of space exploration.
Steven Spielberg (1946–): Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Steven Spielberg is one of the most influential filmmakers in Hollywood history. He directed iconic films such as Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List, earning multiple Academy Awards.
John Glenn (1921–2016): Born in Cambridge, Ohio, John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 and later became a U.S. Senator. He returned to space at the age of 77, making him the oldest person to fly in space.

Famous Women

Toni Morrison (1931–2019): Born in Lorain, Ohio, Toni Morrison was a Nobel Prize-winning author whose novels, such as Beloved and Song of Solomon, addressed African American culture and history. She was a powerful voice in American literature.
Annie Oakley (1860–1926): Born in Darke County, Ohio, Annie Oakley was a legendary sharpshooter who performed in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Her remarkable shooting skills made her an icon of the American frontier.
Gloria Steinem (1934–): Born in Toledo, Ohio, Gloria Steinem is a trailblazing feminist, journalist, and social activist. She co-founded Ms. Magazine and was a leading figure in the Women’s Liberation Movement.
Judith Resnik (1949–1986): Born in Akron, Ohio, Judith Resnik was one of the first American female astronauts and tragically died in the Challenger disaster. Her contributions to space exploration continue to inspire generations.
Sarah Jessica Parker (1965–): Born in Nelsonville, Ohio, Sarah Jessica Parker is an actress best known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City. She is also a producer and fashion icon.