Urban Ohio: what to do in the state’s top cities

This Midwestern state – stretching around the southwestern edge of Lake Eerie, and parcelled between Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan – is sometimes overlooked by travellers. But culture seekers should put Ohio on their to-visit list.

Whether you want to wander diverse neighbourhoods, hop between art galleries, or explore the world through your tastebuds, Ohio’s roster of underrated cities are worthy of your attention. Plus, direct flights from London to Cincinnati (launched in summer 2023 and still going strong) mean you have an easy gateway for your urban adventures. 

Get to know Ohio’s top cities with our guide. You can weave the urban hotspots of Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus into a statewide adventure, or discover them on a broader Midwestern road trip. 

Best for: beer, bourbon, cool neighbourhoods, eclectic eats

The beauty of a trip to Cincinnati is that you can visit two states in one. The Queen City, as it’s affectionately nicknamed, noses up to the border with Kentucky, and the whole area has become known as the Cincy Region. Its heritage drinks scene, German history and quaint, boutique-filled streets will keep you busy for days. 

Start on the Ohio side of the river, where the city’s rich German heritage is revealed. Large numbers of German immigrants arrived in the city through the 1800s, trading as butchers, brewers and bakers. And they made such an imprint on one particular area that it became known as Over-the-Rhine. More than a century on, this deep-rooted German culture is best explored with a tour of the city’s underground lagering cellars. Knowledgeable guides will take you below the city’s streets, regaling the history of its German residents and speaking to its beer-brewing heritage too. 

Once above ground, make time for an IPA at the Rhinegeist Brewery (one of the best craft breweries in town), before exploring the indie boutiques and artisanal coffee shops that now characterise the neighbourhood. Another must-stop is Findlay Market, a foodie haven, local institution and the oldest continuously operating public market in the state. A Cincinnati Food Tour is a great way to get acquainted – you’ll try Cincy favourites such as goetta, a traditional German-invented patty made with meat and oats.

Next set your sights on the striking John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, named for and designed by its namesake (also the brains behind New York City’s famous Brooklyn Bridge). Venture across it and you’ll land yourself in Kentucky. Take time to explore Covington, a small city with a quaint Main Street and a stellar bourbon scene. Sample America’s Native Spirit at Wenzel Whiskey, which offers you the chance to blend your own bourbon with the help of connoisseurs. 

Don’t leave the city without visiting the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The city’s location at the Ohio/Kentucky border means it’s at the frontier of the American North and South. It was thus a pivotal location along the Underground Railroad, a network of safe spaces that helped enslaved peoples escape bondage and flee north – exhibits here dive into this history in Cincinnati and beyond. Another top stop is the American Sign Museum, a dazzling collection of vintage signs with an operating neon workshop. 

Top museum: There are two front runners in the city and you should make time for both. Duck into the Cincinnati Art Museum to see works spanning six millennia, from ancient Shang bronzes to contemporary photography. The Taft Museum of Art focuses on fine art, holding works by European masters such as Rembrandt. 

Best thing to eat: The city’s staple dish is Cincinnati chilli, which sees delicately spiced meat piled onto lashings of spaghetti – you can go ‘three way’ (adding cheese) or ‘five way’ (adding cheese, beans and onions). Sample it at one of Skyline’s cheerful locations; there’s even a veggie version. 

Where to stay: Elegant Lytle Park is the crown jewel of the city’s hotel scene: a neo-Tudor confection with a sleek lobby bar and sweeping views from the rooftop. Bonus points for its convenient Downtown location. 

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Best for: museums, art, history 

Ohio’s state capital packs a punch when it comes to cultural attractions. Begin your explorations at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens whose jewels include a huge store of works by lauded glass artist Dale Chihuly. Beyond the art, you’ll find absorbing nature exhibits and some 400 species of world plants spread across colourful beds and lush biomes. Next, beeline for the Columbus Museum of Art, whose collection includes an impressive horde of American and European modern works, and which also puts emphasis on Ohio natives, such as realist painter George Bellows. 

Art lovers should also make time for the Short North Arts District. The neighbourhood is full to the brim with galleries, showcasing everything from ceramics to landscape paintings to cutting-edge photography. Plus, it’s a hotspot for artisanal cafes, boutiques and live music too. Time your trip for the first Saturday of the month, when the district’s Gallery Hop event sees street vendors, performers and food trucks descend on the region in a fun celebration of creativity. 

And of course, you can’t leave town without getting your history fix at Capitol Square and the Ohio Statehouse. Drink in the Greek Revival façade, then take a guided tour to learn more about Ohio state history.

Top museum: The Center of Science and Industry is regularly ranked as one of the best of its kind in the country, with exhibits running the gamut from outer space to marine life to dinosaurs. 

Best thing to eat: North Market Downtown is a popular hangout. Come by to feast on everything from handmade pierogies to barbecue and drink in the atmosphere of the 149-year-old market hall. 

Where to stay: Located just across the Scioto River from the core Downtown area, trendy boutique The Junto makes a great base for exploring. You can drink in panoramic city views from rooftop bar Brass Eye too. 

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Best for: music, art, outdoor adventure 

There’s really one standout reason to hotfoot it to Cleveland and that’s the music. Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honour that was granted to the city since it hosted what’s considered the world’s first ever big rock concert (the Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952). Fast-forward almost three quarters of a century and Cleveland still has rock and roll clout. Cool, independently owned music clubs such as the Grog Shop have been around for decades, hosting up-and-coming acts as well as massive names such as Machine Gun Kelly. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is currently undergoing a massive expansion (tipped for completion in 2026) and its exhibits chronicle the story of rock music, from its roots to its modern form.

Neighbourhood hopping is another good way to get to know the city. Once you’ve soaked up the sights Downtown, explore the city’s buzzing Asiatown, where you can sample everything from Korean barbecue to bubble tea, and explore galleries brimming with contemporary Asian art. The cool crowd hangs out in Tremont, with its elegant Victorian-era buildings and trendy food spots, or Ohio City, home to foodie hub West Side Market. 

The city serves as a springboard to Ohio’s backyard too. Drive just 30 minutes from the city and you’ll reach Cuyahoga Valley National Park, protecting meadows, woodland and the snaking Cuyahoga River.

Top museum: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the big hitter – but you should also make time for the fascinating exhibitions at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, which reopened last year after major renovations. 

Best thing to eat: Cleveland’s sizable Polish population makes it a destination for Polish cuisine. The classic Polish Boy sandwich (a kielbasa sausage, with coleslaw, fries and barbecue sauce) was invented in the city – try it at crowd favourite Mabel’s BBQ. 

Where to stay: The Kimpton Schofield Hotel is a Cleveland classic. The design-forward property drops you right in the heart of the action – and all-day New American restaurant Betts is a destination in its own right. 

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