Toledo: Museums, Metroparks & Local Eats

Admire the flowers for free in Toledo Botanical Garden

Located on Elmer Drive northwest of downtown Toledo, Toledo Botanical Garden is a 60-acre garden owned by the Metroparks of the Toledo Area and one of the best things to do in Toledo OH. The only botanical garden in the area, the Toledo Botanical Garden is a garden open to the public and free of charge.

There are sculptures scattered here and there throughout the garden, and some of the gardens include the green garden, herb garden, perennial garden, pioneer garden, and many more.

The botanical garden hosts events like the Crosby Festival of Arts, Heralding the Holidays, and the Jazz in the Park Garden Concert Series. There is also a Seasons Gift Shop and Visitor Center. The botanical garden is open every day.

Address: 5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-536-5566

View over 30,000 works at the Toledo Museum of Art

Located on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo, the Toledo Museum of Art is one of the top Toledo attractions, with a collection of over 30,000 works.

Founded in 1901 by local glassmaker Edward Drummond Libbey, the museum moved to its current location in 1912. It is housed in a Greek revival building and underwent expansions in the 1920s and 1930s.

It is famous for its collection of 19th and 20th century glass art, but also has American, European, Greek, Japanese, Renaissance, and Roman works of art.

The Toledo Symphony Orchestra performs in the Peristyle, a concert hall in the east wing of the museum. There is also a sculpture garden.

Address: 2445 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH, Phone: 419-255-8000

Learn about animals at Toledo Zoo

Originally founded in 1900 as the Toledo Zoological Gardens after a woodchuck was donated to the city, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is today a popular and well-known zoo located southwest of downtown Toledo on Hippo Way. Built by the Works Progress Administration, the zoo continues to use many of the original historic buildings today.

Some of the Toledo Zoo’s exhibits include the Arctic Encounter, Cheetah Valley, Kingdom of the Apes, and the Tiger Terrace. The 178,000-gallon aquarium contains more than 3,000 exciting aquatic animals. Built in 1937, the aviary is one of the zoo's oldest buildings and is home to many interesting species of birds.

Address: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH, Phone: 419-385-4040

Take the kids to the Imagination Station

The Imagination Station is a hands-on interactive science museum located on Discovery Way on the riverfront of the Maumee River.

It is a non-profit organization formerly known as the Center of Science and Industry.

Today, the museum boasts more than 300 interactive exhibits, and it has a goal of making engineering, math, science, and technology fun for the whole family.

Some of the exhibits like “Eat It Up!” teach about nutrition, while other exhibits like the “Science Studio” teach children about biology, chemistry, and physics. If you are wondering what to do with kids in Toledo, the Imagination Station is a fun place to visit.

The museum offers several programs including early childhood programs, homeschool workshops, scout programs, and summer camps.

Address: 1 Discovery Way, Toledo, OH, Phone: 419-244-2674

Have dinner at Tony Packo's

If you ask Hungarians what a Hungarian Hot Dog is, they will tell you that there is no such a thing. Packo, of Hungarian origin, invented it and went down in history for this tasty innovation. His hot dogs, homemade buns, and special sauce are so famous that even celebrities come to Packo's just to try them. In keeping with tradition, they then leave a signed bun to be placed on the wall among other exciting souvenirs. Packo's is a family business that had its modest beginnings in 1932. Today, it boasts five locations in Toledo.

The original Packo's is a large, bustling family restaurant where servers glide about the room with full trays, people chat and laugh, and nobody feels embarrassed by the sauce stains on their faces.

Order a juicy smoked hot dog on a house bun, smothered with Tony Packo's famous sauce, and topped with a bit of chili and shredded cheese.

Address: 1902 Front Street, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-691-6054

Go on a casual date at Bar 145

If you don’t know what a gastropub is, a trip to Bar 145 will give you the proper introduction.

They advertise themselves as a burgers, bands, and bourbon place, but you can also get gourmet burgers you would expect to find in top restaurants.

The restaurant boasts 25 kinds of bourbon and some very good bands, features that regularly draw huge crowds. With its large patio and high tables, the enormous 50-seat oval bar, and a number of flat screen TVs, the atmosphere is very lively. Burgers are served on fine white china, the quality meat comes from Myers Ranch, Grand Rapids, a local baker provides the fresh buns, and Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor delivers the flavorful artisan cheese. There are also 20 house made sauces, allowing you to have a completely individualized dining experience.

Address: 5305 Monroe St., Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-593-0073

Take a free tour of the Wildwood Manor House

Located on West Central Avenue in the Wildwood Preserve Metropark northwest of downtown Toledo, the Wildwood Manor House is a Georgian Colonial home that offers free tours to the public. Taking tea in the Solarium is a popular activity on the first Friday of the months of April until November except July. The house hosts musical concerts and has a collectibles program.

It can be rented out for special events like weddings and parties, and specific rooms can be rented out as well. Tours are offered on Sundays from January through March, on Tuesdays through Fridays and on Sundays from April to October, and the house is closed in November and December.

Address: 5100 West Central Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-407-9844

Learn about Great Lakes history at the National Museum of the Great Lakes

Welcoming visitors all week, the National Museum of the Great Lakes makes a great addition to any itinerary for its well-thought-out exhibits and fascinating stories. It is dedicated to the marvelous history of the treasured and famed Great Lakes, which altogether represent 84% of North America’s freshwater sources.

Guests at the National Museum of the Great Lakes can learn all about the geographical and ecological history of one of the world’s greatest natural resources, hear stories about the great vessels to cross the waters of the lakes, or explore over 300 different artifacts on display. Some must-see exhibits include the Colonel James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Port of Toledo exhibit.

Address: 1701 Front Street, Toledo, Ohio 43605, Phone: 419-214-5000

See a performance by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1943 with 22 part time musicians, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra of today consists of 80 professional musicians who provide the Toledo area with performances and education. The symphony performs at the Peristyle Theater, which is part of the Toledo Museum of Art.

The symphony offers a variety of programs for children, youth, and adults.

The Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra consists of 200 students from the area, and private lessons are available from some of the symphony players as well as from other local musicians. The Toledo Symphony School of Music offers classes for groups, private lessons, and special performances. Young musicians have the opportunity to learn how to read music as well as play in a large group.

Address: 1838 Parkwood Avenue # 310, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-241-1272

Grab a slice of pizza at Zia's

Enjoying a flavorful pizza while sitting on the patio by the river and watching the sunset passing boats has to be one of life’s greatest pleasures. If you come to Zia's, you can do just that. In fact, whatever you decide to order, you can always enjoy sitting on their outdoor patio by the Maumee River. Everything is simply delicious.

Chef Sonny Ankney and his team serve delicious Italian comfort food – pizzas, delicious pastas, plenty of fresh fish, superb soups, and filling bread you just won’t be able to stop eating. The indoor dining room is a great place for a fun time. It’s very cheerful and colorful, with a number of Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, which you can order to go with your pizza or pasta.

Address: 20 Main St., Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-697-4559