Visitor Information
Contact the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, 77 S. High St., 29th Fl., Columbus, OH 43216 (tel. 800/BUCKEYE; www.DiscoverOhio.com), and ask for the official state travel planner, which includes transportation information, comprehensive lodging listings, state parks with overnight facilities, and a wealth of information on sites of interest, as well as coupons for lodging discounts and a calendar of events.
Getting There
By Plane -- As the name implies, Ohio shares its largest airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (tel. 859/767-3144; www.cvgairport.com), with its southern neighbor, and is Delta Airline's second-largest hub in the United States. Mid-state is Port Columbus International Airport (tel. 614/239-4000; www.port-columbus.com/home.asp), and to the north are Akron Canton Airport (tel. 888/433-2359; www.akroncantonairport.com) and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (tel. 216/265-6000; www.clevelandairport.com).
By Train -- Amtrak (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) runs three long-distance lines through the state three times per week. The Capitol Limited runs from Chicago to Cleveland to Washington, DC; the LakeShore Limited runs from New York City/Boston to Cleveland to Chicago; and the Cardinal (also the name of the state bird) runs from Chicago to Cincinnati to Washington, DC, to New York City.
By Car -- The 241-mile Ohio Turnpike enters the state from the west in Indiana and exits into Pennsylvania in the east. In the southern part of the state, I-70 also enters from Indiana, and exits into West Virginia. From north to south, I-75 enters Ohio from Michigan and exits into Kentucky, whereas I-77 picks up on the edge of Lake Erie and exits into West Virginia.
Special Events
In February, just when winter seems like it will never end, Cleveland's IX Center mercifully holds the annual Home & Garden Show (tel. 800/600-0307; www.homeandflower.com), the largest in the country (20 indoor acres' worth), featuring all that's new and interesting in home and garden flora and decor. When the warm months make outdoor activities desirable, mid-June's CMJ/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Music Fest (tel. 216/515-1930; www.cmj.com), also in Cleveland, is a 5-day bonanza of new musical talent performing at venues around the city.
The cows come home in August for the annual Ohio State Fair in Columbus (tel. 888/646-3976; www.ohiostatefair.com), where you can see everything from baton twirlers and pie bakers to the requisite livestock showings to chainsaw artists, as well as recording artists like Kenny Rogers, Bo Bice, and the Average White Band. Also in early August is the Vintage Ohio Wine Festival (tel. 800/227-6972; www.ohiowines.org), showcasing the state's 92 wineries and their offerings.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
