7 Museums Over An Hour From Cleveland That Are Well Worth A Road Trip
By Nikki Rhoades|Published January 07, 2020
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
The Land is slowly becoming accepted as a unique travel destination. In fact, last year, Cleveland broke records in terms of the tourism it attracted. However, we Clevelanders are accustomed to the familiar sights of our landscape. While we still adore the many incredible museums, parks, and other attractions we have, there are several museums in Northeast Ohio that are beyond the boundaries of Greater Cleveland that will feel as new and fresh to us as our landmarks do to visitors.
Cadiz, Ohio can be found about two hours away from Cleveland. If you've never heard of this community, you're not alone... but you've doubtlessly heard of at least one notable former resident. Clark Gable, perhaps most famously remembered as Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind, was born in Cadiz. His birthplace is now a museum, and you'll find all sorts of relics from his lifetime, including his 1954 Cadillac.
Canton may seem to be a bit of a hike from home, but it is worth the journey if you're heading to the First Ladies National Historic Site. It celebrates the contributions of our many First Ladies, and its collection encompasses everything from clothing to photos and documents from their respective timelines. And, of course, the museum is housed in part in Ida McKinley's former home!
There's something irresistible about those collectible troll dolls. They're so ugly they're cute, and some people have made it their mission to collect them. The Troll Hole Museum in Alliance takes this passion to the extreme, displaying thousands of unexpected troll dolls, statues, paintings, and more.
Cats are a highly unusual species, and yet they've accompanied humans for thousands of years. From the ancient Egyptians to modern memes, we've maintained a consistent fascination with these critters... and that very fascination is celebrated at The Feline Historical Museum in Alliance. Located near the Troll Hole, this unique destination features all sorts of cat-themed items. And, every so often, actual cats are on-site to greet visitors.
Editor's Note: As of January 2023, the Feline Historical Museum is temporarily closed. Please check the Feline Historical Foundation website for updates before attempting to visit.
BibleWalk is a unique museum. It started as The Living Bible Museum, though it has since evolved into a totally immersive walk through Biblical literature. Its rare Bible collection is endlessly impressive, but its claim to fame is that BibleWalk serves as the only wax museum in Ohio.
Plan your visit today - there are several different tours to choose from!
It should come as no surprise that Ohio is home to the nation's construction museum. However, this unique spot in Bowling Green is worth checking out. In fact, it's the only museum of its kind in the world!
Remember when the book fair would come to your school and you'd stock up on fun supplies like shaped erasers and pencil sharpeners? Pencil sharpeners come in a number of shapes and sizes, something that's celebrated at the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum. With more than 3,400 pencil sharpeners in this museum's collection, this petite destination is truly one of a kind.
These museums in Northeast Ohio may not be in our own backyard, but they’re worth visiting. Have you journeyed to any of these unique destinations? Which is your favorite?
