Hero Image Courtesy of Put-In-Bay Ohio

When you and your friends are looking for a great place to spend spring break this year, look no further than Ohio!

That’s right-- forget the hot, crowded beaches of popular resort destinations, and trade them for the shores of Lake Erie or the vibrant metropolis of Columbus. There is so much to do and see throughout Ohio-- you can never run out of fun things to do.

In addition, you might save a buck or two-- none of these destinations will break your bank account! So check out any of the places listed below or check out any of the many other spots that are just waiting for you on your spring break!

1. Cedar Point

1 Cedar Point Drive
Sandusky, OH 44870

419-627-2350

May-October

If you’re looking for an awesome place to spend your spring break, look no further than the roller coaster capital of the world, Cedar Point. This awesome park is full of all the best roller coasters-- but is also home to a host of thrilling rides such as the Skyhawk, Ocean Motion, and the Scrambler.

You’ll need a couple days at least to explore the entire park-- and ride all the coasters to your heart’s content. If you and your friends are the thrill seeking kind of spring breakers-- this place is for you! Located right next to Lake Erie-- it’s also a great place to spend some time at the beach-- and to wind down after all those roller coasters.

‍"The best place to experience thrill rides This place is honestly like no other." - Google Reviews ★★★★★

2. Put-in-Bay

148 Delaware Ave.
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456

419-285-2832

Open year round
Spring Fling Event: May 3-4

It may be a small island in Lake Erie, but Put-in-Bay sure packs in a lot of fun and entertainment-- perfect for any spring break. Accessible via ferry, this island is home to some great beaches and parks-- and is great for anyone looking to do some outdoor activities. A great way to see the island is via kayak-- or even parasailing-- for a spectacular bird’s eye view.

Full of wonderful spots to explore via bike or walking, Put-in-Bay also has some interesting historical sites to see. It was a part of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812-- and proved to be of great strategic value. You can explore the history museum of Put-in-Bay and even tour the monument put in place after the war-- the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.

You can even attend Put-in-Bay's Spring Fling (pictured in hero image), a fun outdoor event with tons of people, live music, and icy cold drinks!

Our family visits Put-in-Bay every year. There are many good restaurants to eat at & there are activities for the whole family to enjoy. Kids especially like the butterfly house. The island's history is very interesting & fun to explore. - Google Reviews ★★★★★

3. Geneva on the Lake

5540 Lake Road E.
Geneva on the Lake, OH 44041

800-862-9948

Open year round

People have been traveling to this part of northern Ohio for years to vacation and relax at the lakeside town known as Geneva on the Lake. This is another great location along Lake Erie to plan your spring break.

A small town that’s full of fun activities at any time of year-- once spring settles in, things start to really ramp up. There are all kinds of festivals and concerts scheduled throughout the warmer months that are sure to be a great time. Biking or walking tours are another fantastic way to get outdoors and see the city a little-- and also get some great photos of the lake!

Make sure to take advantage of the huge Geneva on the Lake State Park Beach as well-- a great place to soak up some sunshine.‍

Our family visits Put-in-Bay every year. There are many good restaurants to eat at & there are activities for the whole family to enjoy. Kids especially like the butterfly house. The island's history is very interesting & fun to explore. - Google Review ★★★★★

4. Cleveland

If you’re looking to explore a city instead of taking in the sites of the lakeside towns, take a trip to Cleveland for your spring break instead. Although located on Lake Erie as well, there are so many other things to do and see in this vibrant city.

The number one destination on everyone’s list is the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Full of all kinds of musical artists, you can easily spend a whole day in here. There are always new exhibits to see and new inductees to check out.

Another fun place to explore is Cleveland’s West Side Market, which is the city’s oldest public market and home to over 100 vendors on meat, seafood, produce, and baked goods. If you’re staying in the city this would be a great place to go and pick up dinner essentials for the evening!

You can’t visit Cleveland without exploring the Museum of Art, which is home to some incredible pieces of art. It exhibits art from all over the world-- and in all time periods-- from ancient to present-day. It’s easy to spend hours in here, so perhaps you want to plan on having more than one day to check it out.

5. Geauga County Maple Festival

Geauga County

April 25-28, 2019

If you’d like to experience a unique part of Ohio culture, check out the Geauga County Maple Festival, which happens every year in April. This is a true town event, complete with a beauty pageant, parade, golf outing, and tractor pulls. It is put on every year in celebration of the gathering of the sap from the maple trees-- which is then made into the nationally known Ohio maple syrup.

If you’re in town a little earlier, you can also check out Tappin’ Sunday-- which is when the trees are officially tapped for sap.

"Loved and so enjoyed the concert, the vendors and fair food!" - Google Reviews ★★★★★

6. The Wilds

14000 International Road
Cumberland, OH 43732

If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, be sure to stop by The Wilds-- which is a conservation center located in rural southeastern Ohio. But this isn’t just any zoo-- the tours here get you up close and personal with the animals. It’s far more interactive and the tour groups are smaller-- letting you really get a close experience with an informed guide.

The Wilds is also on the cutting edge of conservation science-- and seeks to learn about and study endangered animals and their habitats. You can even rent a yurt and stay on the grounds overnight! What a great way to truly get away from it all and relax on spring break.

"I'd go again in a heartbeat. This park and the staff are amazing. The staff just loves what they are doing and it shows. They also have a Veterans program, which, warms my heart and makes me love this place more." - Google Reviews ★★★★★

7. Hocking Hills

19852 State Route 664 S
Logan, OH 43138

If you’re looking to explore new places-- and learn some new things along the way-- then you and your friends will want to check out Hocking Hills. It’s a collection of state parks that offer some of the most amazing natural wonders in the state of Ohio.

Some of the must-see attractions in the parks include Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave-- which is the largest recess cave in the state-- and the stunning Cedar Falls. If viewing and exploring these natural beauties wasn’t enough, you can also further explore the parks in a canoe-- on Lake Hope and Lake Logan-- or even through a zip line course. You’ll definitely have a great time whether you stay at a campsite or in one of the many cabins located throughout the parks.

"My cabin had a nice small loft a kitchenette a little bathroom and a hot tub." - Google Reviews ★★★★★

8. Columbus

A spring break in Ohio wouldn’t be complete without checking out some of the awesome attractions located in the capitol-- Columbus.

Home to some amazing restaurants and bars, you’ll also find that the city is full of interesting museums, such as the Centre for Science and Industry and the Columbus Museum of Art. Both feature wonderful exhibits that are sure to stimulate the mind and senses.

Another must-see in Columbus is it’s world famous zoo-- where everyday you can learn about animals from all over the world. It is also one of the leading zoos on the cutting edge of conservation science-- and works with collaborators all over the world to try and prevent habitat loss and help get animals removed from  the endangered species list.

Spring break would be a great time to visit the Franklin Park Conservancy and Botanical Gardens. Their spring flower show will be in full effect, and the native trees and flowers will be just starting to bud. With so much to do in Columbus, your spring break will seem to fly by.

9. Kings Island

6300 Kings Island Dr.
Kings Mills, OH 45034

513-754-5700

Open April-October

Kings Island is the largest amusement park in Ohio, and one that should definitely be on your list of places to visit for spring break! It’s not too far from Cincinnati-- perfect for a day trip away from the city! It’s full of some of the best roller coasters around-- but also be sure to check out their Soak City, if the weather permits! Kings Island should definitely be on your list of spring break destinations in Ohio-- it’s guaranteed to be a fun stay!

Whether you’re looking for an action-packed spring break with roller coasters and thrill rides-- or you would prefer a slower more relaxing getaway in the towns on Lake Erie-- Ohio is a great spring break destination. There so much fun just waiting for you at these-- and many other-- Ohio destinations!

"Always a favorite! We love visiting during the summer, but Winterfest is just as fun! So much to do. We love the thrills and could spend the whole day here! Guest services is very accommodating if you go in with the right attitude. Definitely a top tier amusement park!" - Google Reviews ★★★★★