Living in Ohio: Travel Guide

From the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio is a beautiful Midwestern state that provides residents with delightful culinary experiences, a thriving culture, and fun attractions. No matter where you live in Ohio, you'll have easy access to big-city amenities and outdoor activities.

State and national parks

Ohio is home to 75 state parks and a national park that provide residents with peaceful outdoor activities like fishing, sailing, camping, and hiking. Here's an overview of these Ohio parks.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just a short distance from the urban destinations of Akron and Cleveland. During your time at the park, you're certain to spot all kinds of wildlife and plants that are native to the region. Throughout your journey, you'll come across rolling hills, spacious farmlands, and dense forests. Make sure you visit Brandywine Falls to see some breathtaking views of the 65-foot waterfall.

Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills State Park is a calm and peaceful park in Hocking County that gives you access to more than 25 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, recess caves, and rock formations. If you enjoy hiking, there are seven unique hiking areas to visit, which include everything from Cantwell Cliffs to Ash Cave. Every destination is different and provides you with a fresh experience.

Caesar Creek State Park

Caesar Creek State Park is a picturesque park and recreation center in Waynesville that provides visitors with a 1,300-foot public beach and a 2,830-acre lake. This park offers something for everyone who loves the outdoors. Along with boating, camping, fishing, and hiking, guests can take part in hunting, mountain biking, swimming, or archery. There are also several hiking trails in the area that you might wish to visit.

Restaurants

From classic American to German and French, Ohio plays host to restaurants with all different types of cuisines. While there are many delicious and popular eateries in Ohio, there are several that you might wish to visit when you're searching for the best the state has to offer.

Olde Dutch

The Olde Dutch is a traditional American restaurant in Logan that offers affordable Amish-style comfort food. You have the option of ordering at a buffet or a la carte. Their all-you-can-eat menu consists of two hot bars and six or more meats at any given time. Some of the favorites among locals include the marinated grilled chicken and the bacon cheeseburger. Pair your meal with a fresh slice of pie.

The Barn at Rocky Ford Creek

The Barn at Rocky Ford Creek is a country-chic steakhouse near Columbus with a focus on delivering the most appetizing cuts of steak around. Along with their hand-cut steak dishes, you also have access to plenty of seafood dishes, cocktails, wine varieties, and desserts. During your visit, try the dry-aged Kansas City strip or St. Louis-style BBQ ribs. This is a fine-dining option, so plan on making a reservation around one to two weeks ahead of time.

Pier W

Pier W in Cleveland is a modern and upscale seafood restaurant that provides visitors with live piano and music on the weekend as well as scenic views of Lake Erie. Its menu consists entirely of fresh seafood and fine wines. Whether you visit for lunch or dinner, many of the dishes on the Pier W menu center around fish, clams, shrimp, mussels, lobster, and scallops. Pair your roasted sturgeon or lobster bisque with one of the many red and white wines they offer from all around the world.

Entertainment

Ohio residents have quick and easy access to entertainment. Whether you like theaters, markets, museums, art galleries, or sports stadiums, Ohio has something for you. For instance, Progressive Field is a sprawling stadium in Cleveland that's home to MLB's Cleveland Guardians.

West Side Market

West Side Market is the oldest indoor and outdoor market in Cleveland. It began operation in 1840 and has had a position on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. Today, there are more than 100 vendors that provide visitors with everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to delicious meats and seafood. You'll also have access to baked goods, flowers, spices, and dairy products. It's open all year round for five days each week.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame sits along the shore of Lake Erie in Cleveland and pays tribute to decades of rock history. Since its founding in 1983, this museum has grown to include dozens of temporary and permanent exhibits across the building's two spacious levels. The main exhibits cover rock legends like the Supremes, U2, Elvis Presley, the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones, and U2. You'll also discover numerous exhibits of historic artwork and photography that center around rock and roll.

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art is a large art museum in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland. It currently houses over 61,000 works of art from all over the world. While their collections span hundreds of years and cover many different art styles, the Cleveland Museum of Art has substantial holdings of Egyptian and Asian art. Consider stopping by the African art section of the museum as well, which consists of around 300 traditional works from the Congo and Bini peoples.

Cost of living

If you're looking to visit Ohio to find a place to live, the cost of living in this state is around 11% below the national average. It's also lower than the national average in major Ohio cities like Cincinnati and Dayton. In comparison to the national average, the cost of living is lower in all categories, which include:

• Transportation: 1% lower
• Food: 2% lower
• Goods: 4% lower
• Utilities: 7% lower
• Healthcare: 8% lower
• Housing: 28% lower

Check in while you're away from home in Ohio

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Vivint security equipment works together to make your life easy. For instance, the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro makes it easy to view your camera's live and recorded footage at any time. This camera also detects lurkers and scares them away using light and sound. Vivint also offers smart locks, smart lighting, a smart thermostat, and more.

Ready to get started? Let Vivint help you improve the safety of your Ohio home today by calling us at 855.822.1220.