Five reasons to visit Ohio

The Ohio Statehouse
A statue of President William McKinley stands outside of The Ohio Statehouse on Sept. 2, 2011. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (defeo.biz) — It was dark when I was driving to Athens. I kept thinking about The Jayhawks’ song, “Somewhere in Ohio.”

It didn’t come on the radio. That would have been too perfect.

Ah, Ohio. “The Heart of it All.” I know what you’re thinking. Corn fields. Flat landscape. Swing state.

Forget it. Ohio is a great place to visit. It’s time we rethink an Ohio getaway. And, here are five reasons why.

Great Museums

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, as seen on Aug. 30, 2012. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

From the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the banks of Lake Erie to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio is home to a diverse range of museums. Makes sense, given how much of the nation’s history either happened here or has ties to the state. Think the Wright Brothers. Coincidentally, there is a museum to them, also in Dayton, their home town.

Phenomenal Food

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Und Restaurant
Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Und Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, has been delighting diners since 1886. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

As a college student, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Und Restaurant in Columbus’ famed German Village was the perfect restaurant. All-you-can-eat meat. As an adult, the glory is that much greater.

A Sense of History

Chief Leatherlips
The supposed location of Chief Leatherlips’ execution in Dublin, Ohio, as seen on Sept. 5, 2011. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Ohio is also known as “The Cradle of Presidents” since eight presidents are from the state. But, that’s really just more recent history. People have been coming here since about 13,000 BC, when the first nomads wandered to what is today Ohio. The state has some of the country’s most remarkable Indian Mounds, such as the Newark Earthworks in Newark and Heath.

Unique Events

Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival
Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival action on Sept. 4, 2010. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

Every year, base ball teams from across the region converge on Columbus for the Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival, which features games using rules from the 1860s. That means batters can choose where they want their pitches, balls caught on the first bounce are still an out and sliding is prohibited. It may be just one event, but it’s one of the more quirky events that shows just how much fun Ohio can be.

Random Roadside Oddities

Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees)
Field of Corn (with Osage Orange Trees) in Dublin, Ohio, as seen on Aug. 13, 2009. (Photo by Todd DeFeo/The DeFeo Groupe)

There may be no more random of a place than the field of concrete corn in Dublin, Ohio. It’s a personal favorite. Often known as Cornhenge, the field of 109 six-foot-tall concrete ears of corn plays tribute to the community’s farming past. It’s just one of many random roadies attractions waiting to be discovered.

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About Todd DeFeo 1625 Articles
Todd DeFeo loves to travel anywhere, anytime, taking pictures and notes. An award-winning reporter, Todd revels in the experience and the fact that every place has a story to tell. He is the owner of The DeFeo Groupe and also edits Express Telegraph and Railfanning.org.