Ohio has island life, and you need to experience it.
The Lake Erie Islands are truly incredible. One of our favorites in particular is South Bass Island, often called the "Secret Midwest Playground" and home to the small town of Put-In-Bay---which has plenty to do and see.
The activities on South Bass Island are seemingly endless. In addition to boating and fishing, watercraft rentals such as jet skis, jet boats, power boats and kayaks are available. (There’s always something to do out on the water here.) You can also camp at South Bass Island State Park or explore the woodlands, museums and caves of the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center, if you’d prefer an outdoor activity out of water.
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Golf cart, moped and bicycle rentals are popular ways to get around the island. An Island Tour Train is also available, costing $10 per person and $4 for kids. (Children 6 and under are free.)
Other popular locations and attractions to check out are The Butterfly House, Adventure Bay Amusement Park, the Antique Car Museum, the Chocolate Museum, Put-In-Bay Winery and Kimberly’s Carousel.
(Pictured above: Kimberly's Carousel, a 1917 Herschel carousel.)
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial and Visitors Center is a popular destination on the island. Admission to the center is free, and admission to get to the top of the monument is $3. The monument honors Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry, who won one of the biggest victories in the War of 1812. This 352-ft. memorial became part of the National Park System in 1936 and was declared a National Monument by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
(Pictured above: The view from the top of the monument.)
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Perry’s Cave is another one of Put-In-Bay’s most well known historical landmarks. The cave was discovered by Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry during the war of 1812, and the underground lake in the cave provide him and his men drinking water. Visitors can take 20-minute tours of the limestone cave. Admission is $8 and $4.50 for kids. Other amenities near the cave include The Butterfly House, miniature golf, rock wall climbing, laser tag, gem stone mining and a human maze race.
For even more history, visit the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum, where you’ll learn all about the rich history of the Lake Erie Islands. The beautiful three-building museum features a Transportation Building filled with boats and models of some of the greatest ships to sail Lake Erie. Admission to the museum is $2.
(Pictured above: The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum.)
In addition to motels and bungalows, the island features several beautiful inns, bed and breakfasts and guest houses that will charm you with their history and architecture. Some favorites are Ashley’s Island House, English Pines Bed & Breakfast and Harriet’s House. For more information, click here.
To get an idea of what vacationing on the island is like, check out the video below showcasing a gulf cart ride around the island:
What do you think of this island? Have you been here before? What did you enjoy most about it? Share your experiences and any photos you may have with us on our Facebook page!
There's just something magical about small-town bookstores, right? If you're anything like me, you grew up reading the most incredible books, which has a tendency to spark a lifelong love of reading... and book collecting, which is arguably a different hobby than reading. (If you know, you know.) Whether you're a voracious reader or a collector and re-reader, this six hour road trip from Cleveland to Cincinnati will introduce you to ten of the very best bookstores in Ohio. You can navigate via Google Maps to make it easy, but don't forget to check out our road trip packing list before you head out. Whether you're planning on breaking this trip up into a few trips or powering through it all at once, it's best to be prepared!
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To kick off our adventures in Cleveland, we're going to visit the famous Loganberry Books.
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Loganberry is Cleveland's largest independent bookstore, and it's home to more than 100,000 tomes. Deliciously cozy and tended to by a friendly little cat named Alice, this cute bookstore has served the Larchmere neighborhood for circa three decades. Its massive floor-to-ceiling shelves and cozy little sitting areas make it a fan favorite, and the vast selection ensures there's something for everyone.
This cozy book business opened its doors in 2023, and it has since expanded to include two houses of books. Yeah, you read that right. Both houses have vast selections in different genres, with a particular focus on indie authors and local writers. With a slew of merch and stickers to pair with your literary adventures, you really can't go wrong with a visit! Plus, cool decorations make for the perfect photo props.
From here, we'll start making our way toward Columbus. But along the way, there's one flawlessly organized little storefront we have to visit: Holly's Book Rack in Ontario, Ohio.
If you've never heard of this Richland County community, it's probably because it's a teeny tiny town with a mere 6,000 residents. Its neighbor, Mansfield, helped bring industry into the area, and it's a fun road trip stop today. Holly's Book Rack is a great spot for both used and new books, and if they don't have what you're looking for, the staff is likely to go above and beyond to help you find it. The prices can't be beat, and the organization makes selecting your next read absolutely effortless.
Now, we're going to continue inching our way toward Columbus, and Mount Vernon is the next city of interest on our road trip.
Paragraphs Bookstore is the cutest little book shop in town, and the staff is famously passionate about literature. You'll find an incredible selection and all sorts of new releases, and you can even preorder upcoming books if you have something special on your TBR. With comfy chairs and bonus selections like puzzles and games, there's something for everyone at this quaint little store. And don't pass up the opportunity for conversation... shoppers can't help but rave about how kind the staff is!
Now that we've spent some time in the suburbs, we're going to venture into Columbus to visit The Book Loft of German Village.
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Before you even set foot in the bookstore, you've got to explore German Village a bit. It's one of my favorite places in Columbus, and it has a fascinating history and colorful architecture to boot. This National Historic District was once a cultural hub for German immigrants, and those roots are celebrated today with quirky businesses and annual events like Oktoberfest.
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The Book Loft of German Village is cozy as can be, and to say it's massive is an understatement. This cool independent book shop is one of the nation's largest, and its complex spans several pre-Civil War buildings. An astonishing 32 rooms of bargain books await visitors, and since the store is open seven days a week, it's always a good time to visit.
Once you're done exploring the charms of this unique Columbus neighborhood, we'll continue our road trip to Epic Book Shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
I just adore the atmosphere in Yellow Springs. With under 4,000 residents, it's a picturesque small town that just moves at a slower pace of life. Though it started as a utopian community, its book store carries various different genres. It's open seven days a week, and its cozy book-filled rooms are a literary dream come true. With new and used books alike, there's something for every type of reader. Don't be afraid to ask the staff about their featured picks!
Continuing our journey, we're going to head into Dayton for a book store that won't break the bank: Dollar Book Swap.
Sure, the merch selection is cool, but the draw here is truly the bargains. Most of the books are around $1, but some are even cheaper! This is an incredible spot for stocking up on children's books, and special deals might even let you snag a whole bag of books at a price you can't beat. Though it's rather like a warehouse in its setup, cute picture-perfect areas are ideal for snapping a photo or two.
Next up on our trip, we're going to visit Miamisburg, Ohio to stop at Monocle Comics & Coffee.
With books, comics, coffee, games, and merch, there's so much to love about this cool local shop. You'll love the coffee, and even if you're not much of a comics reader, you'll want to peruse their selection. The artistry in these books is incredible, and collectibles and new releases alike delight visitors.
Our road trip is winding down, but we still have two more stops to check out as we inch toward Cincinnati. Continuing our trend of visiting scenic cities, we're going to head into Loveland, Ohio to check out Bike Trail Books.
This charming family-owned bookstore opened its doors in 2023, but it already feels like a fixture of the community. That's thanks in part to an emphasis on local authors, but also to its location in the historic Bond Furniture Building. With a vast selection of children's and adult books, the shop is perfectly cozy and poised to help satisfy readers of every background.
Are you ready for the final stop on our trip? We're going to go to Cincinnati to visit a bookstore worthy of Princess Belle: Ohio Book Store.
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This adorable little book shop has a whopping five floors of books and magazines, and it has served the area since 1940. For generations, avid readers have found a home at this incredible bookstore that's one of the finest in Ohio. Though it doubles as a bindery, the store is open Monday through Saturday, and if you can't find what you're looking for... well, you might have to check a different floor. With a helpful staff and a collection that will knock your socks off, you're going to love this Ohio bookstore.
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From Cleveland to Cincinnati, there are many incredible bookstores in Ohio. Visiting is a great way to support local businesses while fueling your literary appetite!
If you're a bookworm, you'll also love visiting Malabar Farm. It was home to Pulitzer Prize winning author Louis Bromfield, and it's said to be haunted.
Someone recently told me, "Ohio is like five states in one, culturally and physically." I laughed at first, because we definitely have a diverse culture that varies from region to region... but then I started reflecting on the landscape aspect of that comment. Up north, the Pleistocene-era glaciers created a flat landscape with one Great Lake. In the southern reaches of The Buckeye State, the Appalachian foothills add some movement to the landscape. We have waterfalls, plains, sandy beaches, sand dunes, and, overall, so much natural variety. Today, we're going to visit some of Ohio's most iconic views to experience the very best of its diverse landscape. This road trip takes 6.5 hours in driving alone, so don't be afraid to break it up with some overnight stays. This is the perfect opportunity to break out some snacks and a good travel scavenger hunt game, because you're going to adore seeing Ohio like never before.
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Naturally, the first stop on our road trip is in the stunning Cleveland Metroparks.
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For over a century, the Cleveland Metroparks' landscape has delighted Northeast Ohioans with diversity. Berea Falls in Rocky River Reservation is one of the park district's most calendar-worthy locations, and visitors can't help but snap photos. Rocky River Reservation is so large that it stretches into several cities — Berea, Brook Park, Cleveland, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Olmsted Township, and Rocky River — but we'll just stay in one area for this road trip.
At the Berea Falls Scenic Overlook, the famous Berea Sandstone is carved and shaped by post-glacial waters left behind during the last ice age. Historic bridges, which are still in use by railroads, prove that thoughtful engineering can enhance natural urban beauty. A small parking lot provides easy access to the falls, making this an effortless choice for starting our road trip.
However, you can't just visit one waterfall in Northeast Ohio. That should qualify as a crime! We're going to take an easy drive down to Brandywine Falls from here.
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Brandywine Falls is an impressive 60 feet tall, which is nine feel shorter than the smallest features on the American side of Niagara Falls. It's absolutely stunning, and it's surprisingly easy to reach. From the parking lot, you'll just take a short staircase alongside fern and lichen-covered stone walls until you reach this roaring cascade.
The might of the waterfall depends on local rainfall, of course, so don't be surprised if your visit ends up looking a bit different than the picture above. You can treat this stop on the road trip as a quick photo op, but you're also encouraged to explore more of Cuyahoga Valley National Park while you're in the area. It's the only national park in Ohio, and it has so much to offer... especially if you're a fan of waterways and waterfalls.
Next, we're going to inch our way closer to Ohio's Appalachian bioregion with a visit to Richland County.
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This gorgeous landscape belongs to Malabar Farm State Park, one of Ohio's many working farms that's open to the public. The historic landscape of the park once belonged to Pulitzer Prize-winning author and socialite Louis Bromfield, who managed to make this region famous in his Hollywood circles. While his historic home (and other local places of interest like the Ceely Rose house) are often the main draw for visitors, it's Mount Jeez that earns this place a spot on our list of Ohio's most iconic views.
The Mount Jeez Overlook in Malabar Farm State Park has an elevation of circa 1320 feet, making it a lovely way to take in the surrounding landscape. Rolling hills and forested stretches of land will awe you, and it's easy to see why Louis Bromfield decided to settle in this area.
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After visiting a hidden gem in Ohio, we might as well visit one of the state's most famous attractions, right?
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Upper Falls in Hocking Hills is yet another gorgeous example of how architecture can enhance the natural landscape. Also known as Upper Old Man's Cave Falls, this stunning spot is arguably the most famous natural attraction in The Buckeye State. Tucked away in Southeast Ohio's Appalachian foothills, this gorgeous spot is one of many attractions tucked away along circa 25-miles of trails. And as this spot is highly isolated, you might want to print off directions on the off-chance that you won't have a phone signal. Trust me on this one.
The gorgeous stone walls in this area are a reminder of Ohio's days as part of the Atlantic Ocean, as its Black Hand Sandstone predates the era when dinosaurs walked the earth. Stunning crystalline waters and lyrical birdsong make the region downright memorable.
Love waterfront views? You're going to adore the next stop on our list.
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The Ohio River Scenic Byway in and around Marietta, Ohio is always a treat to visit. It curves along Southern Ohio, spanning 14 counties along its 452-mile expanse. However, the stretch of this byway we're going to visit for this particular road trip is in Marietta.
With the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers right in town, water is highly important to this historic community. Indigenous peoples once prospered in this region, and archaeological earthworks keep this history in the public eye. When European Americans arrived, industry quickly blossomed, with railroads and oil becoming central to the region's success. Today, all that hustle and bustle has slowed down, making the sleepy community a gorgeous stop for natural attractions.
These five spots are some of Ohio's most iconic views, but they're far from the only incredible scenic overlooks in the state. Which are your favorites? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
