Tired of the same dinner-and-a-movie date night routine? Fortunately for you (and your partner), Ohio is full of unique destinations and attractions that are perfect for a romantic, fun, and unconventional date. Make your significant other fall in love with you all over again with these 16 ideas for the best dates in Ohio!

1. Go on a real adventure.
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH, USA
Tabitha Kaylee Hawk/Flickr
Take your pick of Ohio's unbelievably beautiful state parks and hike, chase waterfalls, and explore the caves of Ohio. (Pictured: Old Man's Cave at Hocking Hills State Park.)
2. Explore the Chateau Laroche...
Loveland Castle Museum, 12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH 45140, USA
Richard Cawood/Flickr
Prove to your date that chivalry isn't dead and explore this historic medieval-style structure (more commonly known as the Loveland Castle,) and its beautiful gardens in Loveland. Built brick-by-brick by just one man, this gem along the banks of the little Miami River will surely charm you and your date. (And, seriously, WHAT is more romantic than a CASTLE in a place called LOVELAND?)
3. Stay overnight in an Ohio castle.
Landoll's Mohican Castle - Luxury Hotel in Central Ohio, 561 Township Road 3352, Loudonville, OH 44842, USA
Brian Giese/Flickr
If visiting a castle isn't romantic enough for you...for a more elaborate date night that you plan to turn into a weekend, stay at one of Ohio's very own castle getaways. (Pictured: Landoll's Mohican Castle.)
4. Have a lakeside picnic and tour Marblehead Lighthouse.
Marblehead Lighthouse, 110 Lighthouse Dr, Marblehead, OH 43440, USA
Dave/Flickr
Picnic at Marblehead Lighthouse along the shores of Lake Erie and visit the lighthouse’s museum in the Keeper’s House.
5. Experience the Columbus Zoo Wildlights.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA
Sam Howzit/Flickr
Although you’ll have to plan this one around the holiday season, it’s well worth it if you’re aiming for a true Winter Wonderland kind of date.
6. Check out Ohio’s outdoor sculpture park.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
elycefeliz/Flickr
The Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum in Hamilton is every art enthusiast's dream come true. The park features a 10,000-square-foot Ancient Sculpture Museum, which displays Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan sculptures that are thousands of years old.
7. Enjoy a wine tasting.
Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant, 11069 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45252, USA
ohkylel@twitter/Flickr
Because there's nothing more romantic than a wine tasting to set the mood--and because Ohio is home to more than 150 wineries. (Pictured: Vinoklet Winery in Cincinnati where, as an added bonus, there is a heart-shaped lake. A HEART-SHAPED lake.)

If you're looking for a weekend getaway in Ohio Wine Country, look no further than The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake! This resort boasts breathtaking views and a prime location on the southern shore of Lake Erie, near Geneva State Park in the heart of Ohio Wine Country. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake offers 109 rooms and suites in a variety of configurations, as well as 25 lakeside cottages for those seeking a more private experience. Swoon!
8. Explore the cobblestone streets of German Village.
German Village, Columbus, OH, USA
Photographer/Flickr
Where the cobblestone street charm and 32-room book store make you feel like you're a living, breathing love story.

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9. Indulge your childhood dreams and spend a night in the trees.
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue, 23164 Vess Rd, Glenmont, OH 44628, USA
The Mohicans
In addition to the great outdoors and beautiful cabins, The Mohicans in Glenmont feature some mind-blowing tree houses (complete with electricity and running water) available for overnight stays. Truly impress your date with one of Ohio's best-kept secrets.
10. Tour the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303, USA
Amy/Flickr
This beloved mansion in Akron is an undeniably romantic destination for a date.
11. Visit the Columbus Park of Roses.
Columbus Park of Roses, 3901 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
Edward Raybould/Flickr
Because honestly, WHAT is more romantic than a stroll through a park full of ROSES?
12. Catch a classic film at the historic Ohio Theatre…
Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Ohio Theatre
This beautiful place is located in the heart of Columbus and it's as romantic as it gets.
13. … Or catch a film under the stars at a drive-in movie theater.
Starlite Drive-In Theatre, 2255 OH-125, Amelia, OH 45102, USA
Starlite Drive-In
For an affordable, nostalgic, and romantic movie-viewing experience, check out one of Ohio's drive-in theaters. (Pictured: Starlite Drive-In in Amelia.)
14. Observe fine art.
The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Tim Evanson/Flickr
Ohio is full of several impressive art museums where you can impress your date with your knowledge of art. (Pictured: The Cleveland Museum of Art)
15. Hop aboard a train and travel a scenic railroad.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Rd, Independence, OH 44131, USA
Joanne/Flickr
Impress your date with another one of the state's best-kept secrets. Ohio is home to two beautiful scenic railroads. Tour the Cuyahoga Valley by train via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Peninsula. You can also opt to tour the Hocking Valley by train along the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville.
16. Dine with a view.
Primavista, 810 Matson Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45204, USA
Primavista/Facebook
For a twist on the traditional dinner date night, check out one of our previous lists of Ohio's scenic restaurants, where the views are just as captivating as the food. (Pictured: Primavista in Cincinnati.)

Have you done any of these before? What other unique attractions or destinations are there in Ohio that are ideal for an unconventional date? Your picks for the best dates in Ohio? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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More to Explore

Best dates in Ohio

Sarah M. | September 29, 2022

What are some fun day dates in Ohio?

What do you get when you combine a charming castle with a scenic kayaking excursion? One of the best day dates in Ohio, that's what! So what is this royal adventure, you ask? The Castle Adventure with Loveland Canoe & Kayak is a five-mile excursion where you'll get to paddle right by the stunning Loveland Castle! An easy kayaking trip, intrepid explorers will meet at Loveland Canoe & Kayak, where they'll be checked in, outfitted with life vests, and then transported to the launch point at Carl Rahe Park. This portion of the Little Miami River is calm and generally not too deep, making for a relaxing paddling adventure for beginners and seasoned pros alike. About halfway through, the castle will come into focus; it's so beautiful, it doesn't seem real! Along the way, there are lots of banks and beautiful spots to stop and enjoy a swim or picnic, which, if you ask us, sounds like a super romantic way to spend a beautiful Ohio day with your special someone!

Another super romantic spot to spend the day (or weekend!) is German Village, a slice of the Old Country in Columbus, Ohio! This unique locale in Ohio features charming, locally-owned shops, housed in historic brick and Tudor-style buildings, all in a walkable downtown. Restaurants serving the best, most amazing German cuisine: sausage and sauerkraut, schnitzel and dumplings, cream puffs and stollen, and some of the best brews in the Buckeye State! This neighborhood is as romantic as it gets, and the perfect place to wander hand-in-hand!

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