11 Quick Road Trips In Ohio You Can Take This Weekend

Ohio is a state that was made for road trips. Drive a couple of hours in any direction, and you're bound to stumble upon something wonderful! The beauty of a road trip is that it doesn't require extensive planning, time, or resources; you simply need to gas up the car and go! Here are 11 quick road trips in Ohio that showcase the beauty and appeal of the Buckeye State, and are sure to satisfy your appetite for wanderlust. Let's go for a drive! (We call shotgun...)

1. COSI (Columbus)

Indulge your inner mad scientist with this one-of-a-kind, hands-on science museum in Columbus. In 2008, Parents Magazine named COSI the #1 science museum for families in America. With constantly updated exhibits, it's tons of fun for both kids and adults alike. COSI is located at 333 W Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43215.

2. The Chateau Laroche (Loveland)

Also known as the Loveland Castle, this lovely little medieval structure was built by hand -- brick by brick -- by one man, Sir Harry Andrews. Today, it is open for the public to view and tour, and is operated by modern day knights. Hours vary by season. The Loveland Castle Museum is located at 12025 Shore Rd., Loveland, OH, 45140, and you can learn more at the official website.

3. The Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour

Drive through America’s shortest and longest covered bridge along this scenic route, which features a total of 18 covered bridges in Ashtabula County, with 16 of them drivable. Begin your drive at the Windsor Mills Covered Bridge near Orwell and end your journey at Creek Road Covered Bridge near Kingsville. To view a map of the complete route (including four separate tour options,) click here.

4. National Museum of the United States Air Force (Dayton)

Learn about the history of our nation's development in aviation at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, where admission is always FREE. It is located at 1100 Spaatz St., Dayton, OH, 45431, and you can learn more at the official website.

5. Peninsula

If you’ve ever heard of a tiny town called Peninsula, Ohio, you should know it’s a must-visit that belongs on your bucket list. Blending natural beauty with modern amenities, this town beautifully preserves a rural setting in an urban environment. It's a charming village that sits in the middle of the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

6. Velvet Ice Cream Factory (Utica)

There’s no place quite like the Ye Olde Mill in Utica -- where you can, and should, see how Velvet Ice Cream is made. While you're there, take a free tour of the mill and try delicious flavors of ice cream you won’t find anywhere else. It is located at 11324 Mt Vernon Rd., Utica, OH, 43080.

7. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum (Hamilton)

Within this amazing outdoor sculpture park, you'll find a wide variety of sculptures standing in meadows, forests, and gardens. The park also features an indoor Ancient Sculpture Museum, which displays Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan sculptures that are thousands of years old. This place truly is one of the most unique and beautiful hidden gems in all of Ohio! Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is located at 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013.

8. The Amish Country Scenic Byway

The Ohio Amish Country Byway includes more than 160 miles of beautiful countryside, weaving through several Amish towns and counties. It's such a heartwarming drive to take, no matter the season.

9. Marblehead Lighthouse State Park (Marblehead)

Explore the gorgeous grounds of Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, which is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes, and visit the lighthouse’s museum in the Keeper’s House. You'll pay a nominal fee to tour this beautiful beacon, but it's worth it. You'll find the lighthouse located at 110 Lighthouse Dr., Marblehead, OH, 43440.

10. Zoar

The small town of Zoar, Ohio, is a historic German village most people in the state (surprisingly) don’t know about. Beautifully preserved and full of fun places to explore, you’ll fall in love with this little-known town. The village of Zoar has more than 50 of the original historic structures and buildings still standing today. Consequently, the town has preserved much of its old-world charm.

11. Oak Openings (Swanton)

Close to Toledo you'll find what's considered to be Ohio's rarest ecosystem (and one of the world's rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony. The Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is located at 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton, OH, 43558, and you can learn more at the official website.

How many of these places have you explored? For more quick road trips in Ohio, check out our previous article: The 15 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take In Ohio.