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Pros of Visiting Ohio In July

July in Ohio celebrates the very beginning of a change in seasons (which is my favorite part). The warmer temperatures will be between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, plus there should be plenty of gorgeous summer storms rolling through to cool things off every now and then. I love that Ohioans really take advantage of summers, even though most of the state is a little landlocked.

Cons of Visiting Ohio In July

We only have access to one Great Lake (although, it is a good one). So, the resulting beach access is somewhat limited…thankfully, there’s plenty of fun to be had on Ohio rivers and lakes. Either way, you should be prepared to cool off due to the high humidity and dew point.

Ohio Weather in July

As mentioned previously, this time of year can be quite stormy and full of rainy days, so be prepared to alter your plans if the sky is looking a little grey.

At the Not Your Average Bucket List travel podcast by OnlyInYourState, however, our goal is to find the best things for you to do in Ohio during July…so, rain or shine, we will have you covered.

For this episode, we are going to focus on the best things to do in Ohio in July, but if we happen to skip something good…let us know! You can call or text 805-298-1420 and tell us what we need to know (or reach out to us via email at podcast@onlyinyourstate.com).

So, are you ready to dive into a month full of things to do this July in OH? First, if you want to listen to the episode, make sure to check it out on Spotify:

You can also watch our hosts Sara and Marisa break everything down on YouTube!

Top Ohio Attractions In July

1. Cedar Point (Sandusky)

July in Ohio
Cedar Point, 1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
Cedar Point via Facebook
Cedar Point is "America's Rockin' Roller Coast" and is arguably one of the best amusement parks in the country. Complete with a waterpark and on-site lodging, this is one of the best places to visit in July in OH if you love thrills. And if you're looking for hot tips... if you can, you should rope drop the Valraven, Steel Vengeance, Maverick, or Gatekeeper coasters. I love all of the rides at the park, but those are the new thrills where the waits will stack up!

2. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, Akron)

July in Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA
Douglas Sacha / Moment via Getty Images
River Park North is the only National Park you can find in Ohio, but it's a gorgeous one. With tons of trails, overlooks, glacial rocks, and waterfalls, it's a beautiful example of the lush forests throughout the state. With a "bike and ride" train service and a brand-new glampground, there are tons of things to explore in the warm summer months.

3. Hocking Hills State Park (Logan)

July in Ohio
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Holly Hildreth / Moment via Getty Images
Another must-visit Ohio Park in the summer, Hocking Hills is an outdoor wonderland in Ohio if you love natural adventures like I do. Hiking, biking, kayaking, ziplining, horseback riding, camping, and fishing are all activities you can enjoy at the park (and it's just so much fun during the summer months). It's even better to visit in the summer before the fall foliage crowds hit in the fall, which I try to avoid.

4. Amish Country (Berlin, Sugarcreek)

July in Ohio
Sugarcreek, OH 44681, USA
Berlin, OH 44654, USA
ImDerpyHooves/Flickr
Summer is the perfect time to go for a long, ambling drive through the different portions of Amish country covering the state. I prefer Sugarcreek and Berlin, but there are lots of places to explore! One thing is for sure, you'll find plenty of homemade food, crafts, candies, and furniture to take home.

5. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens (Cincinnati)

July in Ohio
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens via Facebook
You can spend an entire day at the Cincinnati Zoo, one of the best zoos in the state and home to a diverse range of animal species and beautiful botanical gardens. The entire family can enjoy the educational exhibits, animal encounters, and even some thrill rides at the zoo. It's perfect for summer!

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6. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland)

July in Ohio
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame via Facebook
If you're already on Lake Erie enjoying the coast and summer weather, you should definitely swing by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I love a good visit to the Rock Hall since the exhibits rotate and the inductees change every year. Voting is already over for 2024, but you should still consider swinging by for a visit!

Top Ohio Events In July

7. The Ohio State Fair (Columbus) - July 24 - Aug. 4, 2024

July in Ohio
Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, 717 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211, USA
The Ohio State Fair via Facebook
The state fair is held in Columbus; every year, it's a blast! The fair isn't just about agriculture, though -- there's live music, entertainment, exhibits, thrilling rides, and delicious fair food. I don't go to fairs often, but it's the Ohio State Fair if I do. Discover more details on the Ohio State Fair website.

8. Blossom Music Center Summer Concert Series (Cuyahoga Falls) - ongoing

July in Ohio
Blossom Music Center, 1145 W Steels Corners Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223, USA
Blossom Music Center/Facebook
Running through the summer alongside star-studded performances at the venue, Blossom Music Center is the summer home to the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. Throughout the summer, the orchestra puts on shows (from musical hits and classical favorites to video game original soundtracks) -- and July is the perfect time to attend. Bring your own blankets, chairs, snacks, and drinks...and just enjoy yourself! Find the schedule on the Blossom Music Center web page.

9. Rockin' on the River (Lorain) - ongoing

July in Ohio
Black River Landing, 421 Black River Ln, Lorain, OH 44052, USA
Rockin' on the River via Facebook
I hope you have lawn chairs and a party spirit, because Rockin’ on the River is one of Northern Ohio's biggest and best outdoor July festivals in Ohio, complete with awesome guests and epic light shows. Shows are happening all summer long. For further details, visit the Rockin' on the River website.

10. Inkcarceration Music Festival (Mansfield) - July 19-21, 2024

July in Ohio
The Ohio State Reformatory, 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905, USA
Inkcarceration via Facebook
Do you like music festivals? Haunted prisons? Tattoo conventions? Well, Inkcarceration is for you! The coolest mash-up of interests ever, the music festival/tattoo convention is held on the grounds of the world-famous Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. Every ticket sold grants you admission to the reformatory, as well as the tattoo convention that will be running at the same time. If you want to have a wild weekend complete with awesome music and fresh ink, this might just be the Ohio event you've been looking for. Visit the Inkcarceration Music Festival website.

July in Ohio offers endless opportunities to explore and enjoy the Buckeye State. Check out some more planned activities on the Ohio History Connection website. Even if you can’t hit every event and attraction on this July list for Ohio, I suggest trying one or two! Have you experienced some of these events? Did we leave out one of your favorites? Please share in the comments below.

Here’s a list of some of the best day trips in Ohio. And if you need a place to stay while traveling around Ohio, explore the options on Expedia.com.

The 15 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take In Ohio

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More to Explore

July In Ohio

Carolyn Harmon | June 04, 2024

What else can I do during the month of July in Ohio?

  • Summer weekend (Granville, Columbus): Granville is home to Dennison University, a top liberal arts college that brings new visitors every year. Several restaurants - new and old - are set up to accommodate them. One of our favorite old diners is Aladdin Restaurant with the best stack of pancakes in the area. And don't forget to stay at one of the most haunted hotels in the world: The Buxton Inn.
  • Gibraltar Island (Put-in-Bay): This property on Lake Erie is so named for its resemblance to a famous British fortress at the end of the Mediterranean Sea. The Ohio State University now owns the former summer retreat. The island is closed to the public, but history tours take place during the summer months.
  • Blooms & Berries Farm Market (Loveland): U-pick blueberries are available in mid-June through early July at this picturesque farm in Ohio. In addition, folks can dig their own potatoes and pick their own blackberries in July. The play yard and petting farm are also open during most of the summer — so after all of that picking, have some fun!

What other July festivals in Ohio can I attend?

  • Jazz & Rib Fest (Columbus): Every July you can dance to the tunes and eat some of the best ribs and sides around. Enjoy several bands on three stages for three beautiful days of fun in the summertime.
  • Asian Lantern Festival (Cleveland): This fun event takes place at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo which offers even more exciting things to do during the day. The festival takes place on certain summer evenings lighting up the night sky. The dazzling display is available on foot or by car.

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