TOLEDO MAGAZINE

Summer fun guide: Ready, Set, Go!

Ohio has lots of options for a fun, active summer

5/19/2013
BY ROD LOCKWOOD
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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    Images of Hocking Hills zip-lining.

  • Images of Hocking Hills zip-lining.
    Images of Hocking Hills zip-lining.

    Springfield Ohio's Buck Creek State Park features the ECO Sports Corridor.
    Springfield Ohio's Buck Creek State Park features the ECO Sports Corridor.

    Spanning the state this summer for entertainment makes more sense than ever.

    Just be aware that you might come back home pleasantly exhausted, thrilled and chilled, and perhaps a little sore.

    This summer’s guide of fun stuff to do in Ohio provided by the state’s major news media outlets, including The Blade, features lots of zip-lining, cave-exploring, skydiving, roller coaster riding, and hiking through wilderness and urban oases.

    FULL LISTING OF EVENTS: Summer Fun Guide

    Regional Guides: NORTHWEST
, NORTHEAST, 
CENTRAL
SOUTHWEST
, and SOUTHEAST 

    Zip-lining is a big deal right now in Southern Ohio where the heavy tree canopy, precipitous valleys, and steep hills make for excellent sailing through the trees. You'll have to venture down into the southeast and southwest portions of the state for the most action, but it's worth it for thrill seekers who want to fly over the ground. 

    A view of The Ohio State Fair as photographed from the roof of the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio.
    A view of The Ohio State Fair as photographed from the roof of the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio.

    Of course, up here in the northwest corner of the state we have lots of water thanks to Lake Erie and the Maumee River, with Grand Rapids an ideal spot to kayak or canoe. The big lake has access to walleye, perch, and plenty more fish.

    Avid hikers in this area owe it to themselves to routinely visit Oak Openings Preserve and the other Metroparks, but it also would be wise to head east to Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Spanning 33,000 acres, the park is filled with long trails that take hikers deep into the forest.

    These are just a few of the choices and we haven’t even gotten to the Ohio Caverns about two hours south of here, skydiving in the Columbus area, and all the amusement parks, outdoor concerts, water parks, and gobs of festivals taking place all summer long.

    Contact Rod Lockwood at: rlockwood@theblade.com or 419-724-6159.