Columbus
1 hostel · dorms from $29
Ohio's young, lively capital and biggest city.
Points of interest
- Short North
- German Village
- North Market
- Scioto Mile
State guide
Things to do in Ohio
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Columbus's Short North and German Village, Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine, roller coasters at Cedar Point and waterfalls in the Hocking Hills.
1
Hostels across its 3 main cities
9.3
Average, from 333 reviews
3
Big cities to explore
Three cities, one lake and the hills
Ohio is a state of three very different cities. Cleveland, on Lake Erie, is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a free world-class art museum and the historic West Side Market. Columbus, the capital and the biggest city, is young and lively, with Ohio State University, the arts district of the Short North and the brick streets of German Village. Cincinnati, on the Ohio River, has the restored Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood, one of the largest historic districts in the USA, and its own famous chilli.
Between the cities, Ohio has more to offer than people expect. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, between Cleveland and Akron, has waterfalls and trails and no entry fee. The Hocking Hills have caves, gorges and waterfalls. On Lake Erie, Cedar Point is one of the best roller coaster parks in the world, and the islands around Put-in-Bay are a summer party spot. Holmes County has one of the largest Amish communities in the USA.
Give Ohio four or five days, with a car. Late spring to autumn is the best time.
Where to base yourself
Columbus in the middle, Cleveland for Lake Erie and Cuyahoga Valley, and Cincinnati for the south.
Cleveland
A lakefront city of rock, art and food.
Points of interest
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- West Side Market
- Cuyahoga Valley
Cincinnati
A hilly river city with a restored historic centre.
Points of interest
- Over-the-Rhine
- Findlay Market
- Roebling Bridge
- Freedom Center
Regions of Ohio
Cleveland and Lake Erie in the north, Columbus in the centre, Cincinnati in the south-west and the hills in the south-east.
Cleveland and Lake Erie
Rock, art, lakefrontCleveland, Cuyahoga Valley and the lakeshore.
Central Ohio
Columbus, universityThe capital and its neighbourhoods.
South-west Ohio
Cincinnati, DaytonThe Ohio River city and the Air Force Museum.
Hocking Hills
Caves, waterfallsGorges and forest trails in the south-east.
Lake Erie islands
Coasters, island partiesSandusky, Cedar Point and Put-in-Bay.
Amish Country
Farms, quiet roadsHolmes County's Amish communities.
Things to do
Things to do in Ohio
In Cleveland, visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the lakefront, the Cleveland Museum of Art, which is free, and the West Side Market. Walk around University Circle and catch a show at Playhouse Square, one of the largest theatre districts in the USA outside New York.
In Columbus, explore the galleries and restaurants of the Short North, the brick streets and bookshops of German Village, and the North Market food hall. In Cincinnati, walk Over-the-Rhine and Findlay Market, cross the Roebling Suspension Bridge to Kentucky, and visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Hike to Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and to Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave in the Hocking Hills. Ride the coasters at Cedar Point in Sandusky, take the ferry to Put-in-Bay, and visit the National Museum of the US Air Force near Dayton, which is free.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Cleveland Museum of Art is free, and so is the National Museum of the US Air Force near Dayton, one of the largest aviation museums in the world. Cuyahoga Valley National Park has no entry fee, and Hocking Hills State Park is free.
The Columbus Museum of Art is free on Sundays. In Cincinnati, Findlay Market and Over-the-Rhine are free to explore, and the Connector streetcar is cheap.
In Columbus, the Scioto Mile riverfront is free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Cincinnati chilli is unlike any other: a spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti or hot dogs and covered in cheese. Try it at Skyline or Gold Star. Graeter's ice cream, also from Cincinnati, is a local favourite, and goetta, a sausage made with oats, is a breakfast speciality.
Cleveland has pierogi and Polish boy sandwiches from its Eastern European communities, and the West Side Market is great for food. Columbus has a big food scene in the Short North and at the North Market.
Ohio has many craft breweries, and Over-the-Rhine was once a famous brewing district. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Columbus has the busiest nightlife, with bars in the Short North, the Arena District and around Ohio State. Cleveland's Ohio City and Tremont have breweries and bars, and Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine is packed with bars and restaurants.
In summer, Put-in-Bay is a party island.
Bars close at 2:30am.
Getting around
Getting around
The main airports are Cleveland Hopkins, John Glenn Columbus and Cincinnati, which is across the river in Kentucky. Cleveland's Red Line train runs from the airport to downtown.
Cleveland and Cincinnati have Amtrak stations, but trains are infrequent and Columbus has none. Buses link the cities. Cincinnati has the Connector streetcar.
A car is the easiest way to see the state and its parks.
Costs
What Ohio costs
Ohio is good value, much cheaper than the coasts. Food, drink and accommodation are reasonably priced in all three cities.
Sales tax is 5.75 per cent statewide, plus county taxes, reaching around 8 per cent in Cleveland. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Free museums and parks help, and Cedar Point is the big expense.
Safety
Safety and scams
The areas visitors go to in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati are generally safe. Some neighbourhoods have higher crime; ask at your hostel and use rideshares at night.
Lake Erie has rip currents, so swim at lifeguarded beaches. In the Hocking Hills, stay on the trails, as cliffs and gorges cause falls every year.
Winters are cold and snowy, especially near Lake Erie. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
State fairs, Oktoberfest and summer on Lake Erie.
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Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Ohio, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
May to October is the best time, with festivals, Cedar Point and the Lake Erie islands. October brings autumn colour to the Hocking Hills. Winter is cold and grey.
Jan
Cold, grey
Feb
Cold
Mar
Cool
Apr
Spring
May
Pleasant
Jun
Summer, Cedar Point
Jul
Lake Erie islands
Aug
State Fair
Sep
Oktoberfest
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cold
Dec
Festive lights
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Columbus, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Ohio prices.
Treat these as a guide. Car hire and Cedar Point cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Ohio questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Ohio worth visiting?
Yes, for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, three lively cities, Cedar Point and the Hocking Hills.
Does Cuyahoga Valley National Park charge entry?
No. It is one of the national parks with no entry fee.
Which city should I base myself in?
Columbus is central, Cleveland suits Lake Erie and Cuyahoga Valley, and Cincinnati the south.
What is Cincinnati chilli?
A spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti or hot dogs, topped with cheese.
Do I need a car in Ohio?
It is the easiest way to get around. Trains are limited and Columbus has none.
When is the best time to visit Ohio?
May to October, with autumn colour in October.
Is the Cleveland Museum of Art free?
Yes, general admission is free.
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