The 15 Most Popular Tourist Attractions In Ohio

Updated: July 14, 2026

Believe it or not, Ohio is emerging as quite the tourist destination. Our tourism industry has grown into a genuine powerhouse for the state’s economy.

Ohio logged 242 million visits in 2024, most of them from people within a day’s drive, which is the whole advantage of sitting in the middle of everything. And 48 million of those visitors stayed overnight, spending roughly three times more than the day-trippers.

All told, visitor activity generated $57 billion in economic impact and $4.7 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2024, supporting more than 443,000 jobs across the state.

All of that is to say that tourism is booming here in the Buckeye state, and we’ve got the data to prove it.

Ohio takes a lot of heat for not being cool, but the reality is that hundreds of millions of people are visiting every year and that number is only expected to grow.

To build this list, we started with TripAdvisor’s traveler rankings and then did our own homework: every entry below was re-verified in July 2026, from admission prices to what’s newly opened.

1. National Museum of the US Air Force

About: The oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, with more than 350 aircraft and missiles filling hangar after massive hangar. Admission and parking are both free, which is hard to believe for a museum this size.
Location: 1100 Spaatz St, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Cost: Free, including parking
From Columbus: About 1 hour 15 minutes
More info: National Museum of the US Air Force

2. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

About: This is where the history of rock and roll lives: costumes, instruments, and handwritten lyrics from the artists who built the genre. The museum has stayed open while constructing a 50,000-square-foot expansion. New galleries and a performance venue debut in fall 2026, so there’s about to be a lot more of it.
Location: 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114
Cost: About $40 for adults (timed-entry tickets)
From Columbus: About 2 hours
More info: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

3. Cleveland Museum of Art

About: This internationally renowned museum offers a vast collection that spans 6,000 years of world art, including Asian, European, American, African, and ancient art, along with contemporary pieces. It’s known for its high-quality exhibitions and is free to the public.
Location: 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Cost: Free (special exhibitions are ticketed)
From Columbus: About 2 hours
More info: Cleveland Museum of Art

4. Cedar Point

About: Often dubbed “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” Cedar Point is an adrenaline-pumping amusement park with a record-breaking number of roller coasters. The park runs 66 rides, including 18 coasters: Siren’s Curse, the tilting coaster that opened in 2025, joins Top Thrill 2, Steel Vengeance, and Millennium Force on a lineup nobody else in the world can match. There’s also Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, a mile-long beach, and on-site hotels. One thing to plan around: the park is seasonal, opening in early May and closing after the Halloweekends run each fall.
Location: 1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
Cost: Dynamic pricing; single-day tickets start around $52 online
From Columbus: About 2 hours
More info: Cedar Point

5. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

About: The second-oldest zoo in the country, it turned 150 in 2025 and is home to over 1,800 animals, with the botanical garden woven through the grounds. Plus a visit will get you the chance to see the world’s most famous (and adorable) hippo, Fiona.
Location: 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220
Cost: $9–$26 depending on the day (book online); parking $10
From Columbus: About 1 hour 45 minutes
More info: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

6. West Side Market

About: Cleveland’s public market tradition here goes back to 1840, and the landmark 1912 market house is still the heart of Ohio City. The city owns the building, but since 2024 the market has been run by a dedicated nonprofit that’s in the middle of a major renovation push. Around 70 vendors sell everything from smoked meats and pierogis to fresh flowers and ready-to-eat pastries.
Location: 1979 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Cost: Free to enter; lot parking free for 90 minutes
From Columbus: About 2 hours
More info: West Side Market

7. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

About: This world-class zoo and aquarium are recognized for their conservation efforts and educational programs. The Heart of Africa savanna is the star, but between Polar Frontier, the aquarium, and Zoombezi Bay next door, you can burn a whole day here without trying. Plus, in the warmer months you can hand-feed lettuce to the giraffes from the deck in the Heart of Africa region, weather permitting.
Location: 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
Cost: Adults from $34.95 online ($23.99 for Franklin County residents); parking $12
From Columbus: About 30 minutes
More info: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

8. A Christmas Story House

About: Fans of the classic film “A Christmas Story” will love this attraction, which is the actual house used in the movie. Visitors can tour the house and relive their favorite moments from the film.
Location: 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44109
Cost: $20 tours (kids under 5 free)
From Columbus: About 2 hours
More info: A Christmas Story House

9. Easton Town Center

About: Easton is the shopping district Columbus shows off to out-of-towners: an open-air town center where national flagships sit next to one-off boutiques, with enough restaurants that picking one is the hard part. Budget a full afternoon; the place is built for wandering.
Location: 160 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus, OH 43219
Cost: Free to visit; most garages are free, though a few lots went paid in 2025
From Columbus: 15 minutes; it’s in town
More info: Easton Town Center

10. Great American Ball Park

About: Home of the Cincinnati Reds, this ballpark offers a classic American baseball experience. Fans can enjoy the games, learn about the team’s history, and soak in the spectacular views of the Ohio River.
Location: 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Cost: Game tickets vary; ballpark tours include the Reds Hall of Fame
From Columbus: About 1 hour 45 minutes
More info: Great American Ball Park

11. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

About: This horticultural and educational institution showcases exotic plant collections, special exhibitions, and a landmark 1895 glasshouse. It’s a peaceful retreat that offers seasonal displays and art installations, including 17 Chihuly glass pieces that are now part of the permanent collection.
Location: 1777 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43203
Cost: $24 adults, plus a small city ticket fee
From Columbus: 10 minutes east of downtown
More info: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

12. Hocking Hills State Park

About: Known for its stunning natural scenery, Hocking Hills State Park features waterfalls, cliffs, gorges, and hiking trails. Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave draw the crowds; come early or on a weekday and you’ll have the gorges nearly to yourself.
Location: 19852 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138
Cost: Free, including parking
From Columbus: About 1 hour
More info: Hocking Hills State Park

13. Pro Football Hall of Fame

About: A shrine to the greatest players, coaches, and contributors in professional football, this museum offers interactive exhibits, historic memorabilia, and celebrates the sport’s impact on American culture.
Location: 2121 George Halas Dr NW, Canton, OH 44708
Cost: $45.95 adults
From Columbus: About 2 hours
More info: Pro Football Hall of Fame

14. The Wilds

About: One of the largest conservation centers in North America, The Wilds is home to rare and endangered species from around the globe. You ride an open-air safari truck past rhinos, giraffes, and wild horses roaming reclaimed strip-mine country, with a zipline course if that somehow isn’t enough. If you want to stay over, the Nomad Ridge yurts overlook the savannah from May through October. Just know they’re adults-only (21 and up).
Location: 14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732
Cost: Open-air safaris roughly $35–$49 depending on the day; open May through October
From Columbus: About 1 hour 30 minutes
More info: The Wilds

15. Cincinnati Museum Center

About: Housed in the historic Union Terminal, this complex includes museums focusing on history, science, and children’s themes. Three museums and an OMNIMAX theater share one roof, and the Art Deco rotunda alone is worth the ticket.
Location: 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Cost: Around $22–$26 for adults depending on museum package
From Columbus: About 1 hour 45 minutes
More info: Cincinnati Museum Center