Ultimate Guide for Summer in Ohio
Hey, loves! Today is summer solstice, which means it’s the first official day of summer! If you’re looking for fun things to do in the Buckeye State now that COVID-19 cases are decreasing, I’ve got some good recommendations for you!
If you’re not a local or familiar with the state, Ohio most likely is the last place you think of when you think of summertime 😂 It may not be as glamorous or as exciting as Florida or California, but it certainly has its own treasures that creates so much seasonal joy. And as a local myself, I definitely have a few fun ideas to share with y’all!
Things To Do in Ohio This Summer:
Have a beach day at Lake Erie
Whether you’re a Midwesterner or not, lake days are still just as fun as pool days! Anytime I get the opportunity to go out on a local lake with friends in a boat or just by the shore brings back good nostalgia and happiness. Lake Erie is definitely the place to be during the summer in Ohio. My aunt, uncle, and cousins have a lakehouse in Lakeside Marblehead that we’ll occasionally visit. It’s so cute!
Take a hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park or Hocking Hills
I absolutely love hiking in nature, and these two locations are the best two in the state. If you want proof of how beautiful God’s creation of this earth is, you better check these places out ASAP! Just make sure you bring plenty of water because it’s gonna get hot fast! 😅
Cedar Point & Kings Island
If you’re a big time roller coaster junkie, these two places HAVE to be on your bucket list! I used to go to Kings Island a lot as a kid when visiting my cousins in Cincinnati, but Cedar Point is closer and has a lot more fun rides in my opinion. My favorite rides are the Maverick, Valravn, and Millennium Force!
Shop for a fresh produce and goodies at a local farmer’s market
Personally, I believe no summer is complete without a few trips to the farmer’s market. The atmosphere and fresh varieties bring me so much joy! My mom, sister, and I take a lot of visits at the Countryside Farmer’s Market (located at Howe Meadow) and Szalay’s Farm & Market on Saturdays. The Hudson Farmer’s Market is also a great one to check out as well!
Visit a local winery or brewery
For adults 21 and up, this is definitely a must! I definitely prefer wine over beer, but either of the two are great summertime experiences. Ohio has some of the best wineries and breweries as well! Check out this blog post I wrote, in which I listed a few of my favorite local wineries! 🍷
Explore Ohio City for a day
This neighborhood is definitely one of my favorite areas in all of Cleveland. To start the day off, go to West Side Market to shop all the goodies and fresh produce (basically like a ginormous grocery store or indoor farmer’s market). Then later on, grab some lunch or dinner at Townhall and dessert at Mitchell’s Ice Cream!
Go to an Indians game
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, going to a baseball game during summertime is an absolute blast! One of my favorite memories growing up was going to Indians games with my family, even if I only cared about the food and playing on my Nintendo DS 😂 Now I enjoy it even more, and I love how the games brings people together in a fun and unique way!
Visit a zoo
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo, and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are definitely the top three zoos to visit in Ohio if you are an animal lover like me. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has a special place in my heart because I spent a lot of my childhood going there, but Columbus and Cincinnati are a lot bigger and have a variety of unique wildlife to check out! Columbus also owns Zoombezi Bay, a water park which is also so much fun in the summer!
Attend a concert at Blossom Music Center
This definitely is something I most look forward to every summer, ever since high school. This summer’s events actually don’t start until July 31st due to COVID-19, but there’s A LOT of great bands and artists coming to perform, including Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, Jonas Brothers, Chris Stapleton, Maroon 5, Jason Aldean, and so many more!
Watch 4th of July fireworks in Downtown Columbus
I did this with some friends four years ago and it was absolutely amazing! There’s so much fun activities and food trucks to check out, and the fireworks show is absolutely incredible. Just make sure you find somewhere good to sit fast because I’m sure this summer will be twice as packed now that Ohio has ended the mask mandate!
Head out to go strawberry picking
It’s been forever since I’ve gone strawberry picking, but it was one of my favorite things that I would do with family and friends every summer. I definitely wanna go back out and do it again soon, especially while strawberry season is still going strong!
Go to a drive-in movie
There’s honestly no better time to go to a drive-in movie than during the summertime! Even if it’s a new movie playing, I always feel like I’m being transported back into the 1950s with the vintage vibe and scenery 💖 The Midway Drive-In Theatre in Ravenna and Mayfield Road Drive-In are two of my favorites in the Northeast Ohio area!
If you want more fun ideas of what to do in Ohio during the summer, check out this source as well!
Any other recommendations for things to do in Ohio during the summer? Comment below and share!