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For music lovers, the renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland (home to the Rock and Soul Festival in June) is a must-see, followed by two days of R&B jams at Cincinnati's Macy's Music Festival in July. Couples with romance in mind make for southeast Ohio, where Logan's Inn at Cedar Falls offers luxurious cabins and an upscale spa ? welcome amenities after an action-packed day spent exploring the Hocking Hills. And girlfriends who need a stress-free escape shop 'til they drop in Columbus' bustling Short North Arts District, then dance until the wee hours at the area's Sugar Bar and Axis Night Club.
When you announce a family trip to northwest Ohio, fishing poles and binoculars will suddenly appear from the attic. Anticipation about watching barn and screech owls, golden eagles and yellow warblers combine with conversations about days filled with swimming, sunbathing and shopping in the quaint beach towns that line Lake Erie. For food and fun, visit World Pizza Champion and Food Network guest star Michael Shepherd's restaurant, Michael Angelo's Pizza. After lunch it's time for the serious aquatic adventurers in the family to enjoy gallons of fun at Great Wolf Lodge, or you can take a trip back in time at Sauder Village. Costumed guides will lead you through hands-on activities and more.
Where else but northeast Ohio does Elvis meet up with LeBron James? Come prepared with your purple Chuck Taylors and some uber chic after-hours looks to be ready for a day that begins at the Rock Hall and ends with the Cavs. In between, a stop at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is in order, where individual stories come to life through interactive exhibits, artifacts, films and more. Or you can take the kids to the Great Lakes Science Center for hours of educational entertainment where fun reigns supreme and learning is just an afterthought. Traveling around town will leave you hungry, so make reservations at Lola, where Iron Chef Michael Symon shows his culinary skills.
Pack your most comfortable walking shoes to be ready for everything that central Ohio has to offer. An early morning hike on the trails at the Columbus Metro Parks will prepare you for an afternoon at COSI, the Statehouse and the Columbus Museum of Art. All of that walking works up an appetite, so plan to stop at the Thurman Café, where fresh-cut fries and enormous burgers rule the menu. Save room for dessert at the Chocolate Café, the perfect spot for indulging desserts big enough to share, plus three hot chocolate fountains that allow you to choose between a white, milk or dark cocoa beverage. And before you leave, don your scarlet and gray to watch the Buckeyes at Ohio State. Go Bucks!
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Become the ultimate tourists when visiting southwest Ohio, with worn-in jeans, Crocks, sketchpads and blankets. Plan to take everything in, from information on Ohio inventors, to Wright Brothers' creations and tales of the Underground Railroad at area museums. The Cincinnati Opera, the symphony, Playhouse in the Park and the Taft Museum of Art will more than satisfy artsy natures, and the Lindner Family Tennis Center, with year-round sporting events, concerts and more, will rev up the sports enthusiasts in you. Cap off your visit with a stop at Coney Island to enjoy classic rides and live shows, followed by a trip to Bella Luna Café for authentic Italian dining in a fun atmosphere.
Grab your cameras and backpacks and head for southeast Ohio in time to hear the conductor of the Hocking Hills Scenic Railway beckon "all aboard" the old-time passenger train. Let your inner child out as you watch electric trains make their way around the track at Harmar Station. Later, gaze out over rolling hills and covered bridges and watch the cattle at the Smoke Rise Ranch Resort to feel like you've been transported to the days of the Old West. Be sure to pack a nice outfit to experience regional flavor at Rhapsody restaurant in Nelsonville. All that fresh air is sure to work up an appetite, and Rhapsody's upscale, seasonal menu and eclectic wine list will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.
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