There are many amazing day trips and romantic getaways in Ohio to choose from. You will find quiet country spots, lakes, castles, restaurants, wedding venues and Ohio resorts with hiking trails.
Look for weekend packages in Ohio, destinations like Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton or Cincinnati where you can explore famous attractions. We've included driving times from Columbus to help you decide where to go.
The 25 Best Romantic Weekend Getaways in Ohio near me today according to local experts are:
- 1. Cheap Weekend Getaways in Ohio for Couples
- 2. The Villa Suites at Gervasi Vineyard - 2 hours
- 3. Romantic Getaways in Ohio: Landoll's Mohican Castle - 1 hour 30 minutes
- 4. The Inn at Honey Run, Ohio - 1 hour 45 minutes
- 5. OH Getaways: The Bertram Inn at Glenmoor - 2 hours
- 6. A Water's Edge Retreat on Kelleys Island, Ohio
- 7. Weekend Getaways in Ohio: Murphin Ridge Inn - 1 hour 30 minutes from Cincinnati
- 8. Romantic Getaways in Ohio: Glenlaurel - 45 minutes from from Columbus
- 9. Weekend Getaways in Ohio: The Inn At Dresden
- 10. Ohio Getaways: Berlin Resort
- 11. Belamere Suites Hotel, a Weekend Getaway in Ohio
- 12. HideAway Country Inn, a Romantic Getaway in Ohio
- 13. Romantic Weekend for Couples: Cherry Ridge Retreat
- 14. Ravenwood Castle for Couples
- 15. Family Weekend at Kalahari Resorts
- 16. Kelley's Island Weekend Getaway: Sawmill Creek Resort
- 17. Getaways Near Me: Salt Fork Lodge, Ohio
- 18. Romantic Getaways in Ohio: Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls
- 19. Fun Weekend Getaways for Couples Near Me: 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati - 1 hour 40 minutes from Columbus
- 20. Romantic Ohio Weekend Vacation: Spa & Golf Weekend at Inn Walden - 2 hours 15 minutes
- 21. Romantic Getaways in Ohio
- 22. Weekend Getaways in Ohio: Bourbon Ridge Retreat, Hocking Hills
- 23. The Grand Resort, Warren, Ohio
Attraction Spotlight: National Museum of the Great Lakes
Based in the Toledo Maritime Center on the banks of the Maumee River in Ohio, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is a museum dedicated to the fascinating history of the treasured Great Lakes. Operated by the Great Lakes Historical Society, the Museum is set within a beautifully landscaped 3.5-acre maritime-themed park and features over 40 hands-on exhibits made up of more than 250 original Great Lakes artifacts, objects, and photographs. The Museum is also home to the lake freighter, the S.S. Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, which is available for touring and offers modern meeting spaces for groups. Signature items in the collection include a recovered life raft from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the first gold ‘life-saving medal presented by the U.S. Government, and interactive activities include directing a computer-simulated submersible through the wreckage of a lost freighter and operating a bilge pump.
History
The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) was founded by the Great Lakes Historical Society, who operated a small museum in Vermillion, Ohio. When the Society moved operations and opened a larger museum in Toledo, they combined their museum functions with the display of a historic lake freighter, the S.S. Col. James M. Schoonmaker to become the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Built in the Second Industrial Revolution, the S.S. Col. James M. Schoonmaker is moored next to the museum and open to the public during the warm months. The NMGL's riverfront museum features exhibits and displays, including model ships, which take visitors through the Lakes' rich 350-year history of navigation, along with navigational memorabilia such as machinery, rigging, and chinaware used by passenger liners of old.
Collections / Exhibits
The National Museum of the Great Lakes is set in a building on the riverfront of the Maumee River that has been designed to celebrate both the natural and the human-made heritage of the Great Lakes. The museum features a variety of exhibits and displays, including model ships, which take visitors through the Lakes' rich 350-year history of navigation. Visitors can also explore a plethora of navigational memorabilia such as the machinery and rigging on river and lake-going vessels, and the cutlery and chinaware used by old steam packets and passenger liners.
Enhancing the artifacts are interactive exhibits, and visitors can enjoy several marine-based activities such as manually unloading coal from a rail car with a mini coal dumper, trying on an early-American voyageur explorer’s 85-pound backpack, or directing a computer-simulated submersible through the wreckage of a lost freighter with a joystick. Other hands-on activities include operating a bilge pump and a magnetometer to find buried relics from the HMS General Hunter, which was unearthed on a beach in Southampton after being shipwrecked in 1816.
Local Attractions
Toledo offers a variety of things to see and do for the whole family, ranging from arts and culture to shopping, dining out, and enjoying outdoor and recreational activities. The Toledo Botanical Garden is a 60-acre garden open to the public and free of charge and not only offers a variety of beautiful gardens in which to relax, but also hosts an array of events like the Crosby Festival of Arts, Heralding the Holidays, and the Jazz in the Park Garden Concert Series.
The Toledo Museum of Art boasts a collection of over 30,000 works and is famous for its collection of 19th and 20th century glass art, and the Toledo Zoo is home to a fantastic array of animals and birds, as well as a 178,000-gallon aquarium with more than 3,000 aquatic animals.
1701 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, Phone: 419-214-5000
Ohio Vacation Spots: Cuyahoga Valley
Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park spans over 32,000 acres between Cleveland and Akron. The park preserves the landscape surrounding Ohio’s Cuyahoga River. Ohio’s only National Park, it is also just one of two parks adjacent to America’s Great Lakes.
The backbone of the Cuyahoga Valley is formed by the Cuyahoga River, which winds through the park and contributes to the varying habitats of wetlands, oil fields and forests. The park is home to over 900 species of plants, and a variety of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds and aquatic macroinvertebrates. Birds at the park include peregrine falcons, bald eagles, great blue herons, and seven bat species. Wildlife includes beavers and river otters as well as minks, red and gray foxes, coyotes and white tail deer.
Biking and hiking are among the most popular activities in the park, especially along the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail, one of the park’s major trails, which passes by several natural and historic attractions. Following the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, the wheelchair and stroller accessible path passes by many of the historic canal locks. Historic stops along the path include the Canal Exploration Center, the park’s newest attraction. The historic Canal Center was once a tavern, general store, then residence and now hosts exhibits on the history of the Canal.
The Boston Store Visitor Center is also a historic building, and serves as the park’s primary information center. The Hunt House is a historic home that now offers child-friendly nature exhibits, restrooms and information. In the spring, summer and fall, visitors may ride the Towpath Trail one way by bicycle, and hitch a train ride back to their starting point via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The Scenic Railroad operates along a 26-mile north-south track and stops at three different locations throughout the park. A roundtrip ride along the full track takes approximately 3.5 hours. During the winter, the Towpath trail is a popular cross-country skiing trail.
Over 125 miles of trails exist throughout the park. From easy to challenging, the trail system passes through woodlands and oil fields, and crosses streams and wetlands. Over 10 miles of mountain biking is available throughout the park’s East Rim Trail System, while close to 50 miles of trails are open to horses.
A 22-mile stretch of the Cuyahoga River is the park’s primary waterway. The river is a popular destination for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Visitors should be advised that some stretches of the river are swift moving, and some areas require portage due to dams or other obstacles. The Park does not maintain the river for paddling, and does not remove submerged objects that may make passage difficult. Motorboats or any outboard motors are not allowed on the river. Motorboats, canoes and kayaks are allowed on all of the park’s ponds. Fishing is allowed on all the park’s rivers and ponds, and while catch and release is highly encouraged, it is not required.
Additional historic structures throughout the park include two facilities available for event rental, the Happy Days Lodge, and the Howe Meadow Barn. The Stanford House is a historic farmhouse built in the 1830’s, which became the park’s first lodging option in 2011. The Inn at Brandywine Falls is a more recent lodging option, and operates out of a luxuriously renovated 1848 Greek revival farmhouse.
History: Visitors began recreating in the area as early as the 1880’s with access provided by the train, and in 1910 the state government began intentionally establishing parks districts. In 1974 the area was designated a National Recreation Area to prevent urban sprawl from overtaking the many district parks. In 2000, the area was reclassified as a National Park.
The park’s Scenic Railroad began as the Valley Railway in 1880, transporting coal from the Tuscarawas River Valley to the cities of Ohio, while also providing leisure excursions for passengers. Having faded from popularity in the early 20th century as automobiles became the preferred method of travel, the train was revived in 1972 as the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The private sector non-profit organization operates in partnership with the National Park.
Ongoing Programs and Education: Events abound at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and include guided hikes and bicycle rides, yoga and tai chi in the fields, and a fitness series. An art program hosts indoor and outdoor art exhibits throughout the park and visitor centers. A concert series invites the Cleveland Orchestra and other guests to perform outdoors during the summer months. Lock demonstrations and a guided exploration of Beaver Marsh take place along the water. Programming aboard the scenic train includes Murder Mystery Dinners and a “Canvas and Wine” painting class.
1550 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula, OH 44264, Phone: 330-657-2752
Dayton
Dayton offers excellent attractions to keep visitors involved and busy all weekend. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force houses the largest military aviation collection in the country. The Aviation Hall of Fame pays tribute to America’s aviation pioneers, and the Aviation National History Park honors the legendary Wright brothers.
For art and music lovers, there are several attractions worth checking out. Dayton Art Institute’s fine art collections span from the 17th to 19th century and also include contemporary works. Oregon Historic District has great architecture, galleries and restaurants to explore. At Schuster Performing Arts Center, you can enjoy the Dayton Philharmonic, the opera or a ballet. If you’re in the mood for a laugh, visit Wiley’s and Funny Bone Comedy Clubs.
Children will enjoy the Boonshaft Museum of Discovery and a visit to Aullwood Audibon Center to explore the natural environment and learn about conservation. The whole family can enjoy the great outdoors by seeing the beautiful flora at Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark and Riverscape Metropark.
Cincinnati
Get a great overview of Cincinnati by joining an American Legacy Tour or by going on a Stratus Helicopter Tour over the city Skyline. You can also spend some time in a few of the world-class museums such as the Cincinnati Art Museum, which showcases collections spanning six centuries, and the Taft Museum of Art, which houses many prominent artists including Goya and Rembrandt. The Natural History Museum and the Observatory are fascinating for all ages. Lovers of the performing arts head to the Cincinnati Music Hall for symphony, pop orchestra, opera and ballet or visit the annual Fringe Festival in early June.
Eden Park has walking trails, a Magnolia Garden, Butterfly World and the majestic Krohn Conservatory which houses over 3,500 plants. Children will love the Rosenthal Educational Center, which highlights participative art making, the very hands-on Duke Energy Children’s Museum, the Cincinnati Zoo and the thrilling rides at Coney Island Amusement Park. Baseball fans will enjoy the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame while foodies can eat their way through the city on a food tour.
Columbus
A weekend in the bustling capital city of Columbus is a treat for the entire family. Sport fans will be in their element with several sports venues to visit including the Ohio Stadium football arena that can seat over 104,000 spectators. The Nationwide arena hosts ice hockey and fitness events, while Huntington Park is home to the Columbus Clippers baseball team. Art and culture fans will enjoy the Columbus Museum of Art and the Spanish-Baroque Ohio Theater, where you can enjoy classical music, opera or the ballet. The Center of Science and Industry is a dynamic hands-on center for all ages and is a must see for inspiring scientists, dreamers and innovators.
There are many outdoor parks perfect for strolling through beautiful gardens including Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Topiary Park and Park of Roses. Schiller Park is great for walking trails, picnics and fishing, while the Scioto Mile runs along the river and boasts 145 acres of lush parkland. For shopping, dining and entertainment, head to the Short North Arts District and the vibrant Downtown area.
Clevelands
Discover the beating heart of Cleveland in the vibrant University Circle Area, teeming with trendy eateries, shops and boutique hotels. This is also where the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is located, which is a great place for families and children. Other notable Cleveland museums include the Cleveland Museum of Art, situated in a beautiful neo-classic marble building, the International Women’s Museum of Air and Space Travel and the Museum of Modern Art. Theater fans gravitate to Playhouse Square to watch live shows, opera and ballet, and head to Severance Hall to hear the Cleveland Orchestra.
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens, designed by students of the university, are inspired by cultures from around the world. Children are well catered for by the Children’s Museum, which encourages learning through fun, as well as the Cleveland Zoo and the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, where you can walk through a shark tunnel. Sports enthusiasts can go on a guided tour of Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians.
Toledo
Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo offers weekenders a variety of attractions. Admire the famous collection of glass art at the Toledo Museum of Art, which also houses a wide selection of other visual art. The Museum has a concert hall where you can watch performances of the Toledo Symphony. The Wildwood Manor House is a historic home in the Greek revival style that is open to the public and serves tea in the solarium.
Toledo Botanical Garden is a great place to stroll among beautifully tended theme gardens. If you are traveling with kids, visit the Toledo Zoo, which has enthralling displays including Arctic Encounter, where they can see Polar Bears, a fun family weekend getaway idea. Imagination Station has over 300 interactive exhibits to make science and math fun, and Oak Opening Preserve features diverse natural habitats to explore, which are home to rare plants and birds. Foodies can enjoy a food tour to sample a variety of local foods.
Driving Distances from Columbus
From Columbus To | Driving Time |
Cleveland | 2 hours and 10 minutes |
Cincinnati | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
Aurora | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
Canton | 2 hours |
Loudonville | 1 hour and 20 minutes |
Millersburg | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Canton | 2 hours |
West Union | 2 hours |
Rockbridge | 45 minutes |
Dresden | 1 hour |
Yellow Springs | 50 minutes |
Perrysburg | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
Bucyrus | 1 hour and 15 minutes |
Hocking Hills | 1 hour |
New Plymouth | 1 hour and 10 minutes |
Sandusky | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
Logan | 50 minutes |