Fun Things to do in Ohio

The rides have some amazing names like the Blue Streak, Corkscrew, Magnum XL-200. The Blue Streak is the oldest coaster ride at Cedar point, rising up to 78 feet above the midway and is one of the most popular destinations for kids.

Ohio's rich culture is reflected in the numerous museums it has. The Columbus Museum of Arts has a wide collection of major works that range from the early French Impressionists to the Modernist American artists of the late 19th and early 20th century. All legendary art works of most European artists are also found here.

The Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, Zaha Hadid, is famous for exhibiting works of leading American and international artists. All forms of art including film, photography, audio, video, and live performance are exhibited and performed here. For any art fan, this arts center is a treat.

Festivals of Ohio are famous for their fun filled activities. There are many festivals based on different themes. The Marion Popcorn Festival is one of the biggest popcorn festivals in the world, attracting crowds from all over the world. Many known international artists like Gloria Estefan, Neville Brothers, Huey Lewis, etc., perform during this festival.

• Circleville Pumpkin Show: One of the things you can do for free is to attend the Circleville Pumpkin show held in October. As admission is free, it is also dubbed as 'The Greatest Free Show on Earth'. One can do many things here such as taste every kind of pumpkin related food, be part of judging the biggest pumpkin, and enjoy many carnival rides.

• Renaissance Festival: The renaissance festival is held in Harveysburg, located west of Columbus. Popular sport jousting (a game played by two armored knights mounted on horses) is one of its major attractions. One can also see many medieval plays and costumes here.

• Portsmouth River Days: River days festival is a huge musical entertainment held on the riverfront, near the historic Boneyfiddle district of Portsmouth. Admission to this festival is free. Renowned as well as regional musicians & singers give live performances throughout the festival. The festival also stages art and craft stalls, roller coaster rides, etc.

Ohio has numerous state parks that allow camping. Some of them are Beaver Creek State, Wayne National Forest, Spencer Lake State Wildlife Area, etc. The parks teem with numerous species of flora and fauna and the scene is spectacular.

The Columbus zoo is an animal education and research center. It is a 400 acre zoo and houses many different varieties and species of animals.

For all those who want an escape from the hustle-bustle of life, Ohio offers many peaceful retreats along its coastline, e.g. national wildlife refuge, countryside, etc.

For art collectors, art galleries of Columbus' Short North Arts District offers a wide range to suit different artistic tastes. There are many malls and street shops where one could purchase anything at some very tempting bargains.

Ohio offers both, international as well as regional cuisine. Right from Hungarian hotdogs to famous handcrafted beers, Ohio offers food enthusiasts a wide range of delicacies.