Midwest · United States
Ohio
The Heart of It All: rock 'n' roll, creative cities and riverfront charm.
Discover Ohio
Ohio links three very different cities on one easy road trip. Cleveland on Lake Erie is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and one of the country's best arts districts. Columbus, the capital, is known for creative neighbourhoods, a fast-growing food scene and a world-famous zoo. Cincinnati sits on the Ohio River with 19th-century brewery streets, Findlay Market and its famous chili. Drives are short, the cities are packed with things to do and the welcome is warm.
Recommended Drives
Suggested itineraries
10 days
Ohio: The Heart of It All
Route: Cleveland – Columbus – Cincinnati. Culture, history & culinary delights.
A fly-drive through Ohio's three great cities. Rock history and lakefront dining in Cleveland, arts districts and German Village in Columbus, then Over-the-Rhine, riverboats and Cincinnati chili before a final bourbon stop across the river in Northern Kentucky.
- •Days 1–4, Cleveland: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square, Cleveland Museum of Art, West Side Market, Gordon Square Arts District, lakefront dining at Collision Bend Brewery or Alley Cat Oyster Bar, and live music at the Beachland Tavern & Ballroom. Stay at The Drury, The Fidelity or Hyatt Regency at The Arcade
- •Days 4–7, Columbus (2.25-hour drive): COSI science centre, the Scioto Mile riverfront, Ohio Statehouse tour, German Village and Schiller Park, The Book Loft, Chihuly glass at Franklin Park Conservatory and the Short North Arts District. Stay at the LeVeque Tower Hotel
- •Days 7–9, Cincinnati (2-hour drive): Over-the-Rhine and Findlay Market, Cincinnati Music Hall tour and Washington Park, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the American Sign Museum, a BB Riverboats dinner cruise and Cincinnati chili at Skyline or Camp Washington. Stay at the 21c Museum Hotel or Hilton Netherland Plaza
- •Day 10, Departure: goetta breakfast in Covington, Kentucky, a taste of The B-Line bourbon trail (New Riff Distilling), then drop the car at CVG airport
15 days · Chicago loop
The Great Lakes
Route: Chicago → Milwaukee → Green Bay → Hiawatha National Forest → St. Ignace → Mackinac Island → Traverse City → Detroit → Toronto → Niagara Falls → Cleveland → Chicago
A grand circuit of four Great Lakes, Chicago's skyline, Milwaukee's brewing heritage, Lambeau Field, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the timeless resort island of Mackinac, the Motor City, Toronto, the mighty Niagara Falls and Cleveland's rock 'n' roll waterfront, before returning to Chicago via Indiana Dunes.
- •Chicago, Willis Tower, 360 CHICAGO, Cloud Gate, the Lakefront & Navy Pier
- •Milwaukee, Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum & brewery tours
- •Green Bay, Lambeau Field, National Railroad Museum & Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
- •Hiawatha National Forest & St. Ignace, Gateway to the Upper Peninsula on Lake Huron
- •Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac, the Grand Hotel & 70 miles of car-free trails
- •Traverse City & Petoskey, Mackinac Bridge crossing & cherry country
- •Detroit, The Henry Ford, Ford Piquette Plant, Motown studio & the Riverwalk
- •Toronto, CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Distillery District & Toronto Islands
- •Niagara Falls, Skylon Tower, Journey Behind the Falls & nightly illumination
- •Presque Isle State Park & Cleveland, Lake Erie shoreline, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Great Lakes Science Center
- •Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore en route back to Chicago
15 days · Nashville loop
Bourbon, Bluegrass & Horse Country
Route: Nashville → Tullahoma → Pigeon Forge → Lexington → Versailles → Cincinnati → Indianapolis → Louisville → Owensboro → Nashville
A DriveAmerica-curated fly-drive through the heart of bourbon and bluegrass country, Nashville's honky-tonks and Ryman Auditorium, Tennessee whiskey at Jack Daniel's and George Dickel, Dollywood and the Smokies in Pigeon Forge, thoroughbred farms and Keeneland racecourse in Lexington, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam and Maker's Mark), Cincinnati's riverfront, Indianapolis's craft distillery scene, Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in Owensboro. Offered by our DriveAmerica partner ATI.
- •Day 1, Nashville: Ryman Auditorium, bluegrass venues & Nelson's Green Brier Distillery
- •Day 2, Nashville to Tullahoma: Jack Daniel's in Lynchburg, Miss Mary Bobo's, Short Springs waterfalls & George Dickel at Cascade Hollow
- •Day 3, Tullahoma to Pigeon Forge: WDVX Blue Plate Special in Knoxville & Dollywood in the foothills of the Smokies
- •Day 4, Pigeon Forge to Lexington: Daniel Boone National Forest & the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in Mount Vernon
- •Days 5–7, Lexington: Darley at Jonabell, Keeneland racecourse, Blue Door Smokehouse BBQ & Claiborne Farm
- •Day 8, Lexington to Versailles: WinStar Farm, Lane's End, Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve & Ashford Stud
- •Day 9, Versailles to Cincinnati: the Purple People Bridge, Newport riverfront & New Riff Distilling
- •Day 10, Cincinnati to Indianapolis: 12.05 Distillery, West Fork Whiskey, Hotel Tango & dinner at Bluebeard
- •Day 11, Indianapolis to Louisville: Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby Museum, Stitzel-Weller (Bulleit) & Doc Crow's on Whiskey Row
- •Day 12, Louisville to Owensboro: Jim Beam American Stillhouse, Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History & Maker's Mark in Loretto
- •Day 13, Owensboro: Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum and O.Z. Tyler Distillery
- •Day 14, Owensboro back to Nashville via Rosine and the Bill Monroe Museum, home of the 'father of bluegrass'
- •Day 15, Nashville: return car at BNA for departure
Top Places To Visit
The unmissable Ohio
Cleveland
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square, West Side Market and Lake Erie dining.
Columbus
Ohio's creative capital: Short North, German Village, COSI and a world-class zoo.
Cincinnati
Over-the-Rhine, Findlay Market, riverboat cruises and famous Cincinnati chili.
Northern Kentucky
Just across the river: Covington's charm and The B-Line bourbon trail.
Simple Things To Do
Top attractions in Columbus
A quick-hit list of ideas for first-time visitors to Ohio.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Powell)
One of the most highly regarded zoos in the USA, home to thousands of animals from around the world, immersive habitats, conservation programmes and family-friendly experiences.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Historic glasshouses, seasonal exhibitions, botanical collections, art installations including the world's largest Chihuly collection in a botanical garden, and beautiful outdoor gardens.
COSI – Center of Science and Industry
An award-winning interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations and educational experiences, popular with families and curious travellers of all ages.
Short North Arts District
One of Columbus' most vibrant neighbourhoods, known for its galleries, colourful murals, independent boutiques, restaurants, nightlife and creative atmosphere.
Why Columbus
Key destination highlights
Creative arts & culture
Acclaimed galleries, public art, live performances, museums and creative neighbourhoods that showcase the city's innovative spirit.
Vibrant neighbourhoods
From the artistic Short North Arts District to historic areas and independent communities, full of local shops, restaurants, galleries and unique experiences.
Award-winning food scene
One of the Midwest's fastest-growing food destinations, from chef-led restaurants and local favourites to craft breweries, markets and international flavours.
Events & sports city
Major college sports, professional teams, annual festivals and a year-round events calendar, with something happening in every season.
Green spaces & family attractions
Extensive parks, riverfront areas and trails, plus family-friendly attractions including the world-renowned zoo and aquarium.
Inclusive & welcoming
A diverse, welcoming community with a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, inclusive neighbourhoods, lively nightlife and annual Pride celebrations.
Where to go
Key areas of Columbus
Short North Arts District
A walkable creative hub of independent galleries, colourful street art, boutique shopping and a wide choice of bars and restaurants.
German Village
A beautifully preserved historic neighbourhood of brick-lined streets, charming architecture, independent cafés and local restaurants.
Arena District
A lively entertainment area with major sports venues, live concerts, restaurants and bars throughout the year.
Scioto Mile
A scenic riverfront park system with walking and cycling paths, fountains, green spaces and great views of the city skyline.
Easton Town Center
A popular open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination on the northeast side of the city.
Where to stay
Recommended Columbus hotels
Hotel LeVeque
A historic Art Deco landmark offering boutique luxury, elegant interiors and a distinctive Columbus stay with plenty of character.
The Junto
A stylish, modern hotel blending contemporary design with local influences, with creative social spaces and an experiential approach to hospitality.
Hilton Columbus Downtown
A contemporary full-service hotel with comfortable rooms, excellent amenities and a convenient downtown location.
Graduate Columbus
A fun, design-led hotel inspired by local culture and university heritage, with a strong sense of place.
The Blackwell Inn
An upscale hotel connected to Ohio State University, a popular choice for visitors attending events and exploring the area.
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