Everyone needs a break from the everyday routine now and then. As amazing as Cleveland is, sometimes an escape from the Forest City is necessary. If you find yourself in need of some R&R, these fantastic places are only a few hours’ drive from the heart of Cleveland, but transport you to a whole different world.
- Put-in-Bay
Google Maps
Wikimedia Commons There’s no place in the world like Put-in-Bay. This island town manages to combine a beach boardwalk, miles of preserved beautiful greenery, and an unforgettable view of Lake Erie all into one densely packed slice of land right on the lake.
- Columbus
Google Maps
Flickr/Mark Spearman Our sister city to the south, Columbus is one of the most exciting places to visit to get away from it all. As the largest city in Ohio, there’s always something exciting going on, whether you want to pack the stands At Ohio Stadium to cheer the OSU Buckeyes to victory or explore the exhibits at the now-famous Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, you can always find something amazing to do in Columbus.
- Erie, Pennsylvania
Google Maps
Flickr/uniquelycat (Cathy) Smith One of the most charming little cities on the North Coast, Erie is a wonderful place to visit that gives you a whole different perspective on the Great Lakes than what you’ll find on the Cleveland waterfront. There’s a friendly, small-town feel to Erie that extends to its wonderful people and amazing businesses. A weekend in Erie will feel like visiting old friends even if you’ve never been before.
- Detroit, Michigan
Google Maps
Flickr/James The Motor City is a truly fantastic place to visit. The vibrant music scene, from historical Motown to the cutting edge of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, is one of the best in the country. And if that’s not enough to catch your attention, you can take in a show at the legendary Fox Theatre.
- Hocking Hills
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Flickr/See1,Do1,Teach1 Hocking Hills is Ohio’s greatest geological treasure. The stunning rock formations, from the deep gorge of Old Man’s Cave or the rushing stream of Cedar Falls, are proof positive that the Midwest isn’t nearly as flat as people seem to think it is.
- Cincinnati
Google Maps
Flickr/GPS Though not as large as its more coastal sister cities, Cincinnati has a unique identity all its own among Ohio’s urban centers. Whether you’re chowing down on Skyline Chili or taking in a Bengals game (probably not,) there’s no shortage of wonderful things to do and experience in Cincinnati.
- Mill Run, Pennsylvania
Google Maps
Flickr/brian donovan It’s not every day that you come across a piece of legendary architecture in the middle of the woods, but the Frank Lloyd-Wright designed Fallingwater estate in Mill Run, Pennsylvania is just that. The rest of the town is just as amazing, boasting everything from guided nature walks to a tour of this gorgeous house.
- Niagara Falls
Google Maps
Flickr/amanderson2 Arguably the most famous waterfall in the world, the stunning drop at Niagara Falls is one of nature’s most unforgettable sights. Both the American and Canadian sides of the Falls are fantastic places for a weekend trip, complete with great hotels, shops and restaurants within earshot of the roaring falls.
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Google Maps
Flickr/brian donovan While the most loyal and dedicated Browns fans might hesitate to admit it, Pittsburgh is a truly beautiful city that has an awful lot in common with Cleveland. The riverside atmosphere, the lovely park system, and even the lively, sprawling downtown recall shades of the Forest City, making for a great choice for a weekend adventure that still feels a little like home.
Are there any more incredible spots you like to visit for a weekend away from the city? Tell us about them in the comments!
Google Maps
Wikimedia Commons
There’s no place in the world like Put-in-Bay. This island town manages to combine a beach boardwalk, miles of preserved beautiful greenery, and an unforgettable view of Lake Erie all into one densely packed slice of land right on the lake.
Flickr/Mark Spearman
Our sister city to the south, Columbus is one of the most exciting places to visit to get away from it all. As the largest city in Ohio, there’s always something exciting going on, whether you want to pack the stands At Ohio Stadium to cheer the OSU Buckeyes to victory or explore the exhibits at the now-famous Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, you can always find something amazing to do in Columbus.
Flickr/uniquelycat (Cathy) Smith
One of the most charming little cities on the North Coast, Erie is a wonderful place to visit that gives you a whole different perspective on the Great Lakes than what you’ll find on the Cleveland waterfront. There’s a friendly, small-town feel to Erie that extends to its wonderful people and amazing businesses. A weekend in Erie will feel like visiting old friends even if you’ve never been before.
Flickr/James
The Motor City is a truly fantastic place to visit. The vibrant music scene, from historical Motown to the cutting edge of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, is one of the best in the country. And if that’s not enough to catch your attention, you can take in a show at the legendary Fox Theatre.
Flickr/See1,Do1,Teach1
Hocking Hills is Ohio’s greatest geological treasure. The stunning rock formations, from the deep gorge of Old Man’s Cave or the rushing stream of Cedar Falls, are proof positive that the Midwest isn’t nearly as flat as people seem to think it is.
Flickr/GPS
Though not as large as its more coastal sister cities, Cincinnati has a unique identity all its own among Ohio’s urban centers. Whether you’re chowing down on Skyline Chili or taking in a Bengals game (probably not,) there’s no shortage of wonderful things to do and experience in Cincinnati.
Flickr/brian donovan
It’s not every day that you come across a piece of legendary architecture in the middle of the woods, but the Frank Lloyd-Wright designed Fallingwater estate in Mill Run, Pennsylvania is just that. The rest of the town is just as amazing, boasting everything from guided nature walks to a tour of this gorgeous house.
Flickr/amanderson2
Arguably the most famous waterfall in the world, the stunning drop at Niagara Falls is one of nature’s most unforgettable sights. Both the American and Canadian sides of the Falls are fantastic places for a weekend trip, complete with great hotels, shops and restaurants within earshot of the roaring falls.
While the most loyal and dedicated Browns fans might hesitate to admit it, Pittsburgh is a truly beautiful city that has an awful lot in common with Cleveland. The riverside atmosphere, the lovely park system, and even the lively, sprawling downtown recall shades of the Forest City, making for a great choice for a weekend adventure that still feels a little like home.
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