Highest-rated free things to do in Ohio, according to Tripadvisor

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(STACKER) – It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven’t caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.

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That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.

It’s no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that’s enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there’s a roster of completely free things to do in Ohio.

Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you’re just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you’re a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

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To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Ohio using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#30. Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve

– Rating: 5/5 (380 reviews)
– Address: 24858 Big Pine Road Rockbridge, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Cedar Falls Hiking Trail

– Rating: 4.5/5 (532 reviews)
– Address: Highway 374 Logan, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Old Man’s Cave

– Rating: 5/5 (410 reviews)
– Address: State Route 664 Logan, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Rock House

– Rating: 5/5 (589 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Riverwalk

– Rating: 4.5/5 (318 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#25. Heinen’s Downtown

– Rating: 4.5/5 (713 reviews)
– Address: 900 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Miami Valley Gaming

– Rating: 4.5/5 (4,259 reviews)
– Address: 6000 West State Route 63 Lebanon, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Short North Arts District

– Rating: 4.5/5 (628 reviews)
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery

– Rating: 4.5/5 (506 reviews)
– Address: 5452 State Route 557 Millersburg, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Fountain Square

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,287 reviews)
– Address: 520 Vine St. 5th and Vine St. Cincinnati, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#20. Marblehead Lighthouse

– Rating: 4.5/5 (655 reviews)
– Address: 110 Lighthouse Drive Marblehead, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Roebling Suspension Bridge

– Rating: 4.5/5 (693 reviews)
– Address: Ohio River Trail Cincinnati, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Findlay Market

– Rating: 4.5/5 (609 reviews)
– Address: 1801 Race St. Cincinnati, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Cleveland Metroparks

– Rating: 5/5 (653 reviews)
– Address: Cleveland, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Smale Riverfront Park

– Rating: 5/5 (714 reviews)
– Address: 166 West Mehring Way Cincinnati, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#15. JACK Cleveland Casino

– Rating: 4/5 (7,398 reviews)
– Address: 100 Public Sq Cleveland, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum

– Rating: 5/5 (758 reviews)
– Address: 4521 Spring Grove Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Ash Cave

– Rating: 5/5 (593 reviews)
– Address: 26400 OH-56, South Bloomingville Hocking Hills State Park Logan, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (912 reviews)
– Address: 15610 Vaughn Road Brecksville, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. German Village

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,175 reviews)
– Address: 588 South 3rd St. Columbus, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#10. North Market Downtown

– Rating: 4.5/5 (841 reviews)
– Address: 59 Spruce St. Columbus, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Lake View Cemetery

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,035 reviews)
– Address: 12316 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Cincinnati Art Museum

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,109 reviews)
– Address: 953 Eden Park Drive Cincinnati, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Jungle Jim’s International Market

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,121 reviews)
– Address: 5440 Dixie Hwy Fairfield, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Toledo Museum of Art

– Rating: 5/5 (1,218 reviews)
– Address: 2445 Monroe St. Toledo, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

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#5. Hocking Hills State Park

– Rating: 4.5/5 (1,505 reviews)
– Address: 19852 State Route 664 South Logan, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Easton Town Center

– Rating: 4.5/5 (3,304 reviews)
– Address: 160 Easton Town Center Columbus, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. West Side Market

– Rating: 4.5/5 (4,460 reviews)
– Address: 1979 West 25th St. Cleveland, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Cleveland Museum of Art

– Rating: 5/5 (3,572 reviews)
– Address: 11150 East Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. National Museum of the US Air Force

– Rating: 5/5 (5,124 reviews)
– Address: 1100 Spaatz St. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Dayton, Ohio
– Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.

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