Romantic Getaways in Ohio

From the water activities of its lakes and rivers, to the rolling hills and farmland, Ohio is a state that is rich in scenic as well as historic and cultural attractions. So whether you live in Ohio or are just planning a vacation to the Buckeye State, you'll find that it has something to appeal to lovers of every taste and lifestyle.

Columbus City

Columbus City, Ohio is the bustling capital of the state and offers an abundance of entertaining and enjoyable choices for couples. If your idea of a romantic good time is spending time out in nature, check out the hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the Columbus Metro Parks system. Many of the parks offer full moon hikes, as well as organized tours for couples, but best of all they offer a chance to get out in the woods while still remaining close to the city. A particularly favorite attraction of this city is the German Village and couples who visit this will feel as though they have stepped back through time into olden-day Germany. This tree-lined neighborhood boasts more than two hundred acres of lovely landscaping and German-style homes. Stop by the visitors’ center for tour information and then simply stroll through its quaint streets. Columbus City also offers its couples several opportunities to revisit their youths – at the Magic Mountain Fun Center in either of its two locations. These entertainment center offer everything from arcades to laser tag to batting cages, and a little of everything in between. While the bumper cars and bumper boats can act as great stress relievers, Go-karts and flight simulators could fulfill the need for speed. Alternately you can hit the links with your partner on the miniature golf course and If you and your honey enjoy arts and culture, be sure to spend some time at the Columbus Museum of Art.

One of Columbus' best-kept secrets is its wineries and these can make for the perfect romantic destination. there are several wineries in the area that offer tastings on a regular basis. The suburb of Dublin is the home to the Winemakers Guild, a winery that makes a house product and encourages visitors to make one of their own to take home. Camelot Cellars on High Street offers weekend tastings, and over in the suburb of Gahanna, the family-run Wyandotte Winery invites guests to sample a number of different flavors during the week, or by special appointment. For another day trip, head to the northeast of Columbus City to an Amish village. Watch the Mennonite and Amish make their homemade delights, such as candy, cheese, bread, pies, and other mouthwatering treats. Go horseback riding through the forest or fishing, hiking, swimming, or picnicking. You can even be a passenger on an Amish buggy ride. Later, browse in the country stores, and enjoy a home-cooked meal made by the Amish.

Hocking Hills State Park

Southeast of Ohio, the Hocking Hills State Park has thousands of acres of hills and forests for the two of you to explore together. There are caves, waterfalls and rivers where you can go hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and boating. Or, just relax and enjoy the nature and wildlife. For lodging, there are various chalets, inns, and resorts where you can relax, dine, and enjoy the views. About 30 minutes away from the Hocking Hills State Park is the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway where you and your partner can take a historic locomotive rides on the weekends passing through amazing views of the Wayne National Forest.

Cleveland

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland makes for a beautiful romantic destination with its many parks, gardens, cultural institutions, restaurants, community events and natural wonders. The ideal time to visit is late spring to early autumn when the weather is perfect. Here , the West Side Market -designated a National Historic Landmark - is a delightful place to stroll hand in hand with your sweetheart on a sunny afternoon as you taste a wide variety of seasonal fruits, sip a freshly brewed cup of coffee and stock up on locally produced foods for a picnic or romantic meal. In the heart of the city is Lakefront State Park, which borders Lake Eerie. Various parks, including Edgewater Park, offer picnic areas, scenic boardwalks, beaches and a 9-mile bike trail along the lake. Couples may also want to take a sunset dinner cruise around the lake offered by numerous vendors, such as Nautica Queen. Stroll through one of the twenty gardens, specialty gardens and indoor biomes of exotic plants and flowers at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. The Mary Ann Sears-Swetland Rose Garden is known for its rich, vibrant colors and fragrances which makes for the ideal romantic setting. Again couples can cool off in the shaded Woodland Garden while catching glimpses of butterflies and listening to songbirds. Finally you can enjoy lunch in front of the 74-foot reflecting pool with water lilies at the Katherine Philipp Geis Terrace

Kelly's Island

four miles north of the mainland in the beautiful expanse of Lake Erie is located Kelly’s Island – a dream destination for lovers who wish to escape big city sights for something scenic. To reach Kelly’s Island, you can take a ferry boat from Marblehead or fly to the island on a charter plane. For pure fun on the water, book a ride on a sailboat with your sweetheart, or take lessons to learn how to navigate the boat together. There's also camping, fishing, and swimming at Kelly's Island State Park. Here wildlife lovers will dig the Butterfly Trail which will thrill them with the many species of butterflies and dragonflies flitting about the foliage. For a taste of the native grapes, slip into Kelly's Island Wine Company to do some sipping of its fabulous wines and take your getaway a notch higher on the romance quotient.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati offers plenty of romantic spots for those traveling to this old German town in the heart of the Midwest. Mount Adams offers beautiful river and city views and romantic hideaways where you and your sweetheart can steal some kisses. Eden Park is Cincinnati's own bit of Paradise where you and your beloved can get lost amidst the beauteous surroundings. Here the Krohn Conservatory is one of the country's largest indoor greenhouses with over 5,000 various plants as well as seasonal flower shows. There is also a lake you can view, a gazebo to sit and picnic, and sometimes outdoor concerts at the pavilion. Ault Park is another park on a hill in Cincinnati with a spectacular view of the Little Miami River. It is home to a large formal garden and arboretum as well as natural hillside trails and a variety of terrain to discover. The arts abound in Cincinnati and make for a vibrant nightlife in this city. The Aronoff Center downtown offers a variety of shows including the Cincinnati symphony orchestra, Cincinnati ballet besides consistently bringing Broadway to Ohio. The Playhouse in the Park is a regional theater and is set in scenic, hip Mount Adams. The Playhouse offers trendy, diverse plays and the neighborhood is fun to explore with its San Francisco feel, little alleys, and public stairways. Finally you can unwind over a romantic dinner and many hills and river settings make it easy for restaurants in Cincinnati to offer romantic vistas.

Akron

Affectionately known as the Rubber City, Akron in Ohio has endless number of romantic attractions for lovers. Experience the beauty of nature during a scenic walk at the Nature Realm, part of the Summit County Metroparks. The manicured gardens, abundant wildlife, ponds and the trails throughout provide the perfect backdrop for an intimate outing with your loved one. Gently glide along Portage Lakes in a rented pontoon boat as you explore the various 2,000 acres of connecting lakes, enjoy the peaceful sounds of the waves splashing the boat or maybe even dive in for a swim. Few things spell romance as much as wine which is why you can look forward to an enchanting at the Wolf Creek Winery. Savor various wines in the wine tasting rooms as you take in the beautiful outdoor scenery on the winery deck or the indoor sitting rooms. You can even head out to the acres of vines in the winery lawn for a romantic stroll while occasional concerts and festivals are held onsite throughout the summer months. In Akron another seasonal attraction which can make for a romantic outing is Stan Hywet - from April through December, you can tour the gorgeous Manor House, a Tudor Revival style 65-room mansion with its décor filled with treasures from around the world. There are 70 acres on the estate with a variety of beautiful gardens to get lost in during the warmer months. During the holidays, the estate transformed itself into a winter wonderland. Finally Akron offers a range of lodging options to its couples who can snuggle up together at a bed-and-breakfast or splurge at a luxury hotel.