Ohio is full of one-of-a-kind sites places to stop you dead in your tracks. From amazing roadside attractions to magnificent natural wonders, themed restaurants to places that simply defy explanation, the Buckeye State is home to some wholly unique sites that simply must be experienced in person. So of course, we’ve designed an amazing road trip to do just that! Buckle up, prepare your playlist, and get ready to visit some of the most iconic landmarks in Ohio. Let’s go!
Our Iconic Ohio Landmarks Road Trip visits seven must-see sites in southwest and central Ohio. The trip totals 291 miles and takes just over five hours, start to finish. Of course, we recommend taking more time – even a few days! – to allow for visits at these only-in-Ohio sites.
Google Map View the Google Map to plan your route.
We’re starting with an impressive one: the Roebling Suspension Bridge. An Ohio icon, this world-famous piece of architecture is a big point of pride in the Buckeye State.
DelensMode/Moment Open Collection via Getty Images It spans 1,057 feet across the Ohio River, connecting Ohio and Kentucky, and was once the longest suspension bridge in the world. Few people know it was designed by the same architect who designed New York’s Brooklyn Bridge – but it’s actually older than the acclaimed New York bride. Completed in 1867, this beloved landmark has seen its fair share of history. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY, USA
Gustave Eiffel was born on Dec. 15, 1832, in France. He went on to design the eponymous Eiffel Tower in Paris, but did you know there was a 314-foot replica of this magnificent monolith in Ohio?
Laimis Belzinskas/Google Local You’ll find it in Ohio’s Largest Playground, at Kings Island. Kings Island’s version opened in 1972, and is the park’s signature attraction. Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 45040, USA
Next, we’re going someplace a bit, well, odd. Put this one down as one of Ohio’s more bizarre attractions: a 28-foot wide and 68-foot long horseshoe crab known as “Crabby" (of course!).
Scott Grossman/Google Local You’ll find this epic crustacean in the fields of Hillsboro, and he’s absolutely something you must see to believe. World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab, 7592 OH-124, Hillsboro, OH 45133, USA
Ohio takes its corny stereotypes in stride, as evidenced with this epic outdoor art display in Dublin. Known as the “Field of Corn,” this display includes 109 human-sized ears of corn that stand upright in realistic row patterns.
Brandy Allen/Google Local The installation symbolizes the history of the community’s farming legacy and serves as a memorial to rural landscapes. Field of Corn, 4995 Rings Rd, Dublin, OH 43017, USA
A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is so boring. How about a golden cow?
Sarah McCosham, OIYS Located in Yellow Springs, Ohio, you’ll find this golden bovine welcoming visitors to Young’s Dairy Jersey, the most family-friendly farm in the Buckeye State! Young’s is a real working dairy farm, and the cows are the stars of the show here. These benevolent bovines produce the high-quality, farm-fresh milk that’s used in Young’s restaurants, and the cheese curds and handmade ice cream is the best you’ll ever have! Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Here in Ohio, we are so lucky to have many top-notch museums all across the state. Just north to Dayton, you’ll find the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force – one of the best museums in the country.
Sarah McCosham, OIYS The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the largest aviation museum in the world and one of Ohio’s most glorious hidden gems. The museum is divided into four massive buildings/hangers, each housing a different time period of the history of the Air Force, from WWI and WWII to the Cold War and even space travel. There are countless planes, engines, models, missiles, and space shuttles, spread out throughout the grounds. The best part? Admission to this only-in-Ohio museum is free! National Museum of the US Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
The Cincinnati Zoo is one of Ohio’s greatest assets; it’s the second-oldest zoo in the country, founded in 1873 and officially opening in 1875. Our zoo is a media darling, too, gaining national acclaim for everything from its role in cutting-edge research, education, and conservation efforts to its superlative holiday lights display and world-famous #TeamFiona.
Sarah McCosham, OIYS It’s home to more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species, making the Cincinnati Zoo one of the largest collections in the entire country; and, as the final destination on this road trip, it’s a place well-worth stopping to explore! Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
How many of these iconic landmarks in Ohio have you visited before? Whether you’ve seen one of them, or all of them, this Ohio Landmarks Road Trip is one you must experience!
Google Map
View the Google Map to plan your route.
DelensMode/Moment Open Collection via Getty Images
It spans 1,057 feet across the Ohio River, connecting Ohio and Kentucky, and was once the longest suspension bridge in the world. Few people know it was designed by the same architect who designed New York’s Brooklyn Bridge – but it’s actually older than the acclaimed New York bride. Completed in 1867, this beloved landmark has seen its fair share of history.
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY, USA
Laimis Belzinskas/Google Local
You’ll find it in Ohio’s Largest Playground, at Kings Island. Kings Island’s version opened in 1972, and is the park’s signature attraction.
Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 45040, USA
Scott Grossman/Google Local
You’ll find this epic crustacean in the fields of Hillsboro, and he’s absolutely something you must see to believe.
World’s Largest Horseshoe Crab, 7592 OH-124, Hillsboro, OH 45133, USA
Brandy Allen/Google Local
The installation symbolizes the history of the community’s farming legacy and serves as a memorial to rural landscapes.
Field of Corn, 4995 Rings Rd, Dublin, OH 43017, USA
Sarah McCosham, OIYS
Located in Yellow Springs, Ohio, you’ll find this golden bovine welcoming visitors to Young’s Dairy Jersey, the most family-friendly farm in the Buckeye State! Young’s is a real working dairy farm, and the cows are the stars of the show here. These benevolent bovines produce the high-quality, farm-fresh milk that’s used in Young’s restaurants, and the cheese curds and handmade ice cream is the best you’ll ever have!
Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is the largest aviation museum in the world and one of Ohio’s most glorious hidden gems. The museum is divided into four massive buildings/hangers, each housing a different time period of the history of the Air Force, from WWI and WWII to the Cold War and even space travel. There are countless planes, engines, models, missiles, and space shuttles, spread out throughout the grounds. The best part? Admission to this only-in-Ohio museum is free!
National Museum of the US Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
It’s home to more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species, making the Cincinnati Zoo one of the largest collections in the entire country; and, as the final destination on this road trip, it’s a place well-worth stopping to explore!
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
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