The Midwestern state of Ohio is bordered in the northeast by Pennsylvania, to the southeast by West Virginia, to the south by Kentucky, and to the west by Indiana. You can find a variety of indoor and outdoor activities in these states. And Ohio itself has both urban pursuits, in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, and rural activities in the surrounding areas.
Kentucky Area
The interactive Louisville Science Center, about 90 minutes from Cincinnati, Ohio, has more than 150 family friendly hands-on exhibits and activity stations. The KidZone is designed for children under age seven, and there is a water play area, climbing structure and a crawling area for infants and pre-walkers. The World Within Us exhibit focuses on information to help museum-goers learn about good health in a fun way. The World Around Us explores connections to the world and our impact on the environment.
West Virginia
Wayne National Forest, covering parts of Ohio and West Virginia, allows camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. Backpacking and hiking through the Appalachian foothills offers hikers rugged terrain. Designated trails allow ATVs, mountain bikes and horses, but you need a forest trail permit. The forest also offers geocaching. Whatever outdoor activity you pursue, note that you need to bring enough drinking water; forest streams are not safe for drinking.
Indiana Area
The Falls of the Ohio State Park, in Clarksville, Indiana, is part of the federally protected Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area. Two walking trails includes the Levee Trail along the Ohio River and the Woodland Loop Trail, with many species of flowering plants. Guided, strenuous fossil bed hikes and canoe or kayak hikes offer more active ways to explore the park. Visitors can also fish here with an Indiana or Kentucky license.
Pennsylvania
Have an urban adventure in Pittsburgh, where you can bike on specially designated bike paths; hike or bike the Three Rivers Heritage Trail System, a 37-mile trail and greenway system; scull, kayak, or canoe the Three Rivers Water Trail System; or fish along the 40 miles of river shoreline within the city limits. Within the city, visitors will find four public boat launches, one on the Monongahela River and three on the Allegheny River Trail.
Ohio Itself
Learn about conservation through science and education on safari in The Wilds of Ohio, near Cumberland. The 14-square-mile park has rare and endangered animals roaming in natural habitats. See and learn about, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and antelope. The Wilds also offers challenging mountain bike trails, a free birding station where you might see raptors in winter, or nesting birds in spring and guided fly-fishing excursions.
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