Things to Do in Ohio: Midwest Roadside Attractions

Ohio state flag

Fun Facts About Ohio

Ohio is the 35th largest state, which means 34 states are bigger and nobody’s mad about it.

Cleveland installed the first traffic light in the U.S., and Cincinnati launched the first ambulance service in 1865—basically, Ohio invented “wait at the light” and “call for help.”

Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta in 1930, proving that small-town Ohio kids can literally shoot for the moon.

Superman was created by Cleveland high school students Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1933, which makes sense—who else but bored Ohio teens would dream up an alien who escapes to a big city?


Ohio delivers Midwest weird—giant baskets, rubber stamps, and more factory tours than you can shake a stick at. Some of these we’ve visited, others are still on our list. When we’ve been somewhere, the link takes you to our photo page with details and snark. Otherwise, you’ll head to their official site (assuming one exists—sometimes that’s half the adventure).

Things To Do in Ohio

Blanchester

World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab – Located at 7592 OH-124.

Cincinnati

Abandoned Subway Tunnels – Unfinished subway system beneath the city.

American Sign Museum – Old neon signs on display with audio tour available. Located at 1330 Monmouth Avenue.

Indigo Hippo – Creative reuse center.

Scrap It Up – Art supply reuse center.

Circleville

World’s Largest Pumpkin – Water tower painted like a pumpkin on Logan Street.

Cleveland

World’s Largest Rubber Ink Stamp – Located in Willard Park, corner of Lakeside Ave E and E 9th Street.

America’s Largest Outdoor Chandelier – Located in Playhouse Square.

Upcycle Parts Shop – Creative reuse store.

Columbus

American Whistle Company Factory Tour – See how whistles are made.

Topiary Park – The only topiary garden based on a work of art.

World’s Largest Gavel – Located in front of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, 65 South Front Street.

Dublin

World’s Largest Corn Field – Cornhenge, located at 4995 Rings Rd.

Frazeysburg

World’s Largest Apple Basket – Located on Longaberger Homestead, 5563 Raiders Rd.

Galloway

Trap History Museum – 4,000 animal traps on display.

Jackson Center

Airstream Factory Tour – See the iconic silver trailers being built.

Maumee

Scrap4Art – Creative reuse center for artists.

Millersburg

Guggisberg Cheese Store and Factory – Over 60 varieties of cheese, plus cuckoo clocks and steins. Watch cheesemaking if you time it right.

Bunker Hill Cheese – Heini’s Cheese Chalet – Self-guided tour of the cheesemaking process.

Newark

World’s Largest Picnic Basket – Located at 1500 E Main St.

North Canton

Fannie May Chocolate Factory Tour – Sweet factory tour experience.

Perrysburg

577 Foundation Curiosity Shop – Oddities and curiosities collection.

Sugarcreek

World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock – Massive cuckoo clock in Amish Country.

Urbana

World’s Largest Loaf of Bread – Located at the Bundy Baking Company Museum.

Utica

Ye Olde Mill @ Velvet Ice Cream Tour & Museum – Ice cream factory tour in a historic mill.


More semi-local weird? Check out our Things To Do in Pennsylvania page for roadside oddities, get tips for traveling with pets, or browse our Homepage for road trip resources. Ready for your next adventure?

Click below to see all locations on Google Maps!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *