If you have ever visited The Buckeye State, then you know there are oodles of reasons to love Ohio. More than cornfields, football and the drastic weather changes people often joke about, Ohio serves as an all encompassing state when it comes to things to do, see and taste — a state that locals can be proud to call home and out-of-towners can feel at home in. Check out these reasons to love The Buckeye State:

1. Rural scenery: Ohio farms and country lands are seriously underrated. I don’t care how many people have said it. Believe them.
Aaron Shirk/Flickr
Ohio has some impressively big cities, but it is largely farmland. Some sources state that Ohio is home to more than 13 million acres of farmland.
2. Nature and parks: There are numerous, impressive nature getaways in Ohio to give you the adventure or serenity you’re in need of.
George Bannister/Flickr
For one, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a must-see for locals and visitors alike. It's the only National Park in the state!
3. Four Seasons: We experience a symphony of seasons here — occasionally all in the very same week.
Erik Drost/Flickr
And, sometimes, in the same day if you are really lucky!
4. Autumn: This is not repetitive. This is a necessary recognition.
Rona Proudfoot/Flickr
Ohio is home to just under 100 documented species of trees, a diversity that lends magnificent color to the local landscape each fall.
5. Locally produced food: The undeniable plus of being an agricultural state in this day and age is that a farmer’s market is usually close by and ice cream can be made with REAL milk and your food can actually taste and be FRESH.
Edsel Little/Flickr
Even in big cities like Cleveland, you can find fresh farm produce. In fact, Clevelanders have been visiting the same market since circa 1840 to snag the most delicious produce anywhere.
6. Roller coasters: Does this really need an explanation?
Patrick McGarvey/Flickr
Cedar Point is, arguably, the Disneyland of the Midwest.
7. Lake Erie: We know it’s not a beach. We know it’s not an ocean. But we do know it’s beautiful and a way to truly seize the day. Or weekend.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
In fact, Lake Erie is home to some beaches that feel like the ocean.
8. Speaking of eerie…Ohio has a rich history of all things creepy, ghostly and paranormal.
Sarah Le Clerc/Flickr
In fact, two of Ohio's haunted locations are considered to be among the most haunted destinations in the nation. Those spooky places are the Ceely Rose House and the Ohio State Reformatory, both of which tingle spines to this day.
9. Buckeyes: Here in Ohio they come in all sorts of forms and sizes… football players, mascots, fans, trees and those heavenly melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter chocolate snacks no one should have to live without.
Steven Depolo/Flickr
Never had a buckeye? Ask a local for the best place to find them in town... your taste buds will fall in love instantly.
10. Art: Fine art. Street art. Historical art — you’ll find it in Ohio.
Bob Hall/Flickr
No matter where you are at, you'll find something unique to gaze upon. Don't believe us? Just wait until you see the world's largest side of drumsticks or Cornhenge waiting in plain sight.

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11. Swing state status: We can keep you on the edge of your seat during presidential elections.
Steven Depolo/Flickr
We can and we will... that we promise.
12. Aviation: Ever heard of the Wright brothers, North Carolina?
Loz Pycock/Flickr
These guys were actually two brothers from Ohio. Their historic flight was also first recorded in an Ohio periodical about beekeeping, of all things!
13. We house the “Christmas Story” house.
Frank Steele/Flickr
And you can actually stay in it to live out your own Hallmark holiday fantasy.
14. Also, castles.
April Jaynes
To sum it up, we have a lot of them. So many, in fact, that you could take an entire road trip dedicated to their beauty.
15. Wendy’s: No one would know what the French fry, frosty combo has to offer if it wasn’t for Columbus.
Mike Mozart/Flickr
Equally as delicious: chicken nuggets in chocolate frosty. Mmm.
16. The Birthplace of Rock N’ Roll.
Bob Hall/Flickr
We're also home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
17. Put-in-Bay: Ohio has island life too.
Snassek/Flickr
This place is said to be the Key West of the Midwest, in case you were wondering.
18. Burgers: Whether it’s from Wendy’s, Frich’s Big Boy, Sumburger — or you’re ambitious enough for the Thurmanator— it’s fair enough to say that Ohio is serious about burgers, all kinds of burgers.
Ben Britten/Flickr
There's something here for everyone, which you'll discover as soon as you fall in love with just one bite.
19. Ohioans are good sports: Often, you’ll catch an Ohioan making fun of their hometown or state, all in good humor. Ohio is a place where the people know that loving their state means embracing their state, flaws and all.
Noe Alfaro/Flickr
We love it here, even though we might be trash talking a little bit.
20. They call us “the heart of it all.” Come on, that’s pretty big.
William Clifford/Flickr
Home is where the heart is, and Ohio is a literal heart. It's easy to see why so many have fallen in love with the state.

Of course, you’re free to decide for yourself which state is the absolute best. But here in Ohio we are who we are, America, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. There are so many reasons to love Ohio.

Love Ohio? You might resonate with a few local traditions.

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More to Explore

Reasons To Love Ohio

Nikki Rhoades | November 01, 2020

Is Ohio a great place to live?

The Buckeye State is a great place to call home. In addition to offering incredible things to do, it's also home to a variety of excellent schools.

What are people from Ohio known for?

Ohioans are known to the outside world as rural Midwesterners, but there is so much more to our state and our people than that. We're bold, we're driven, and we know how to embrace different milieus, whether we're from Farmersville or Cincinnati.

What unique words and phrases do people in Ohio say?

"Ope, lemme sneak past ya and grab the ranch." Kidding, of course, but Ohio does have its own unique phrases, ranging from ope to warsh.

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