Extended Weekend Getaways According to the Ohio Department of Development, there are 440 festivals and events happening across the state, reaffirming that Ohio is indeed in “The Heart of it All.” From thrilling rides at Ohio’s amusement parks, to rooting for the home team at a baseball game, check out these inspiring adventures and find more things to do this Spring in Ohio.
Experience the Thrill of the Ride
Ohio’s amusement parks can feed your need for speed and excitement.
Mason’s Kings Island opens for the season on April 19 and features a dozen roller coasters appealing to every level of adrenaline seekers. New to the amusement park is Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers, which features Peanuts-decorated soap box coaster cars and was named a “Best New Theme Park Attraction.”
Cedar Point Amusement Park (Shown in our header) in Sandusky draws thrill-seekers from all over and opens for the season on May 3. The iconic theme park has over 70 amazing rides of all different speeds, including 18 world-class roller coasters. New this year is Siren’s Curse, which is touted as the tallest, longest, and fastest tilt coaster in North America.
Stop and Smell the Flowers
Wildflower season starts in Southern Ohio around late March and steadily progresses northward through the middle of May. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) highlights the best places for viewing wildflowers in the weekly Ohio Wildflower Bloom Report. You can see white trilliums (Ohio’s state wildflower) peeking their heads up at Beaver Creek State Park in East Liverpool or peep the sharp-lobed hepatica that all-too-briefly bloom at Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville.
Enjoy more wildflower fun with the 14th Annual Wildflower Walk at Barnesville Memorial Park. You can also download a copy of ODNR’s Spring Wildflower Activity Book.
Root for your Team
Progressive Field – Cleveland Guardians. Photo courtesy of Destination Cleveland.
The Cincinnati Reds Opening Day on March 25 starts the season of America’s favorite pastime. Ohio’s other major league team, the Cleveland Guardians, take to the plate for their home opener against the Chicago White Sox on April 8. There are also amazing minor league teams throughout the state, like the Akron RubberDucks and Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
A Fin-tastic Time at the Aquariums
As the fish and other marine life just keep swimming at Ohio’s aquariums, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium has around 70,000 square feet of fun. Housed inside the Powerhouse on the West Bank of the Flats, this attraction lets you learn about aquaculture from Lake Erie to the greatest coral reefs.
Continue down to Central Ohio for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. At “Shores and Aquarium,” you’ll see all kinds of water-dwelling species, including the zoo’s manatee residents.
Or make your way over to the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. This Northwest Ohio attraction first opened on May 31, 1939, then renovated and reopened in 2015.
Cherry Blossom Time
You don’t have to travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Cherry Blossom Festival to see cherry blossoms. Thousands of cherry blossom trees can be found throughout Ohio. Ohio University in Athens boasts 200 flowering cherry blossoms which decorate the bike path along its campus. Cherry blossom trees have also been planted at Carillon Historical Park and the Dayton Art Institute. Be sure to also check out the Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival on April 5-13. See more Ohio events on our calendar page.
Ten Weeks of Tasty
Through May 2/WOOSTER – Are you a foody looking for some good eats? This event will highlight the amazing restaurants each Thursday and specialty drink shops on Fridays. Stop at five businesses on the passport, and be entered in to win $100 in Downtown Dollars! The passport is available free for download at https://www.mainstreetwooster.org/ten-weeks-of-tasty
