Ohio Hiking & Outdoor Recreation

You’ll find many hiking and biking trails to your liking throughout the Buckeye State. Indian Lake State Park (20 miles from Lima, Ohio) is known for its many hiking, biking, jogging, and walking trails. Dix Park in Streetsboro features a 2-mile woodlands trail that is ideal in the fall and spring. Mount Airy Forest in Cincinnati (near Blue Ash and West Chester) is home to several trails that combine to create a delightful 4-mile loop. Best of all, it can be reached by public transportation.

Golfing in Ohio

As you might imagine, Ohio is rich in inviting golf courses. Ranked highly by Golf Digest, Hawthorne Hills Golf Club is the top public course in the Lima, Ohio area. In Toledo, you’ll discover the award-winning Inverness Course at the Inverness Club as well as the Ottawa Park Golf Course. Plus, the 9-hole Spuyten Duyval Course in nearby Sylvania is perfect for golfers long on golf desire but short on time. Nestled in the rolling hills of Western Cincinnati not far from Blue Ash and West Chester, Deer Run Country Club delivers a championship layout highlighted by tree-lined fairways and stunning river valley vistas.

Ohio Fishing

It’s not hard to find good fishing holes in Ohio. Folz Fishing Lakes in Cincinnati (within 20 miles of Blue Ash and West Chester) await you with all types of fish, including shovelhead, bluecats, carp, crappie, bluegill, bass, and channel cats. Terrific sturgeon, perch, and walleye fishing can be found in Toledo (10 miles east of Sylvania) on beautiful Lake Erie. Portage Lakes State Park in Akron (20 miles south of Streetsboro) welcomes anglers with everything from largemouth bass, walleye, and pickerel to pan fish, channel catfish, and carp.

Skiing in Ohio

Wintertime is ski time in Ohio. The biggest ski resort in the state is Boston Mills/Brandywine. Located in Peninsula, Ohio (15 miles west of Streetsboro), this two-for-one resort features more than 15 trails and a ski school for novices. Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Indiana will entice you with over 15 exciting runs over 70 superb acres. Enjoy almost two dozen trails, most of which are geared towards intermediate and beginner skiers.

Ohio Shopping

Tip-top shopping abounds in Ohio. JC Penney, Macy’s, and Sears are at the heart of Lima Mall in Lima, Ohio where name-brand retailers like Old Navy, American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, and the Children’s Place also reside. Discover more than 70 antique dealers at the Greater Columbus Antique Mall in Columbus, OH, one of the area’s largest antique malls. Summit Mall in Akron, OH (20 miles south of Streetsboro) welcomes shoppers with such retailers as Macy's, The Disney Store, Eddie Bauer, Coach, and New York & Company.

Nationwide Arena

Sports, concerts, and family-friendly entertainment are the hallmark of Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Beginning each fall, the arena comes to life with the skating and shooting skills of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. Nationwide Arena is also a terrific venue for a variety of other sporting events, including Professional Bull Riders, and a wide range of shows, such as the So You Think You Can Dance Tour and Cirque du Soleil. Big draws in the music scene range from Keith Urban and the Jonas Brothers to Miley Cyrus and classic rock groups like STYX and REO Speedwagon.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Built in 1915, Stan Hywet was the country home of F.A. Seiberling, who founded the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Located in Akron, Ohio (20 miles southwest of Streetsboro), the 65-room Tudor-style mansion was named Stan Hywet for an interesting reason. It’s old English for “stone quarry,” which is the estate’s predominant natural feature. The family donated their home in 1957 to a non-profit organization. Their goal was to allow the public to enjoy the gorgeous home and gardens. The only National Historic Landmark in Akron, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is also a “Save America’s Treasures” project.

Toledo Museum of Art

Experience some of the world’s most important paintings and sculptures at the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio (10 miles east of Sylvania). Be prepared to be amazed with the impressive collection of more than 30,000 works of art. Discover three dozen galleries that contain the masterpieces of such respected artists as C?zanne, Degas, van Gogh, El Greco, Matisse, Mir?, Monet, Picasso, and Rembrandt. You’ll also enjoy the Sculpture Garden, stunning glassworks in the Glass Pavilion, Asian art, and decorative arts. In addition, the Community and Little Theater Galleries are dedicated to the works of local artists.

Paramount’s Kings Island

You’ll find lots of action at Paramount’s Kings Island in the “Queen City” of Cincinnati, Ohio (within 20 miles of West Chester and Blue Ash). Featuring more than 80 rides, shows and attractions, plus a 30-acre water park, Kings Island is the Midwest's largest theme park. This park is not for the squeamish as it boasts 15 hair-raising roller coasters. Test your inner strength by riding Diamondback, Kings Island’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, and the Beast, the longest wooden roller coaster anywhere. Little ones will be drawn to Nickelodeon Universe, which has the distinction of being named the “best kid’s area in the world.

Armstrong Air & Space Museum

The year 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the moon. Experience the thrill of that historic moment at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio (15 miles south of Lima). This first-rate museum showcases all the contributions the state of Ohio has made to the history of space flight. There are also many out-of-this-world displays, including the Gemini VIII spacecraft, artifacts from Apollo 11, a moon rock, and F5D Sky Lancer. Visit the Astro-Theatre for a variety of must-see multimedia presentations that will give you a new appreciation of the vastness of space.