1. An Outdoor Getaway in Hocking Hills

Voted as a top place to travel in 2023 by Forbes magazine, Hocking Hills State Park offers an experience for everyone. While hiking its many trails, you’ll find natural wonders including Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave, Whispering Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Cantwell Cliffs, and Rock House. The park’s cabins, resort lodges, and campgrounds provide lots of options for overnight trips. A schedule of events includes guided hikes, fishing, archery, boating, wildlife encounters, and activities at the John Glenn Astronomy Park.

2. Kayaking and Canoeing on the Muskingum River

Southeast Ohio’s Muskingum River watershed flows through all or part of 27 counties in Ohio. The river still uses one of only two remaining hand-operated lock systems in the United States. The river’s locks and dams were used to power trade and travel, and ten of the 11 original locks are still working. Today, the river continues to be a great spot for water sports enthusiasts. Take a peaceful kayaking or canoeing journey along this river to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the region.

3. Take a Safari at ‘The Wilds’ in Muskingum County

Visit The Wilds, southeastern Ohio’s safari park, and have a close encounter with African painted dogs, camels, cheetahs, oryxes, zebras, ostriches, wild horses, giraffes, and so much more! The park is one of the world’s largest conservation centers, sitting on 10,000 acres of reclaimed, surface-mined land. Park activities include overnight stays, ziplining, camping, and conservation education.

4. Riding Through the Wayne National Forest

Ohio’s Wayne National Forest boasts miles of trails across a quarter million acres of Appalachian foothills. Visitors can bike on trails managed for mountain biking and ride horses over 79 miles of horse trails. The national forest is also the largest off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system in Ohio for dirt bike and quad bike enthusiasts. The 145 miles of trail for OHVs provide riding variety. The parks department blocks trails from foot traffic during certain seasons for optimal riding safety.

5. Sample Sundaes at Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl

Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville is an award-winning local gem that has become a national destination for ice cream lovers and high-profile guests. Opened in 1948 by two cousins, Jack Hemmer and Tom Mirgon, the ice cream parlor became famous for its large portions and variety of flavors. Today, the restaurant maintains its 1950s diner experience with traditional uniforms for the staff and building renovations to keep the ‘50s era alive. The menu has also expanded to include candy, nuts, and comfort food.

6. Backpacking in the Shawnee State Forest

Avid backpackers have lots of options for multi-day hikes in southeastern Ohio, such as the Shawnee Backpacking Trail. The 40.9 mile loop includes an extra 15 miles of connecting side trails for trekkers who are looking for a weekend away. The rugged landscape is often referred to as the “Little Smokies” with a scenic trail system, two lakes, and access to the Ohio River. Backpackers can also enjoy boating, fishing, birding, and disc golf.

7. Explore the Zanesville Museum of Art

The Zanesville Museum of Art has been open for more than 85 years with over 8,000 works spanning 5,000 years of history. The museum’s collection spans multiple genres including American art, African art, Arts of Ohio, Asian art, and European art. Visitors can find paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, and more. With Zanesville being one of the world’s pottery epicenters, the museum’s American Art Pottery collection is a must-see.

8. Experience the Old Western Frontier at Historic Fort Steuben

Visitors to Historic Fort Steuben have a unique opportunity to see what life was like during the late 1700s and early 1800s in post-revolutionary America. The reconstructed historical fort in Steubenville, Ohio is modeled after the original fort built in 1786 to protect land surveyors. Conflict with local Native American tribes was a danger for frontiersmen on a mission to map out the Northwest Territory. Explore the blockhouses for the enlisted men, the officers’ quarters, the quartermaster and the artificer’s shops, the guardhouse, the hospital, and the commissary. Dive into the life of a surveyor and understand the significance of the Fort’s location and legacy.

9. Fishing and Hunting in Southeast Ohio

There is lots to do in southeast Ohio for anglers and hunters. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife offers information about hunting season, permits, trapping regulations, and optimal locations to conduct the sport. Public lakes and reservoirs are home to schools of largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, and catfish. Fishermen can visit Burr Oak Lake, Dillon Lake, Piedmont Lake, and Salt Fork Lake among others. Hunting during designated periods is a common regional pastime and supports animal management on public lands. Hunting is permitted in many areas including the Wayne National Forest, the Shawnee State Forest, and the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area.

10. Visit the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

There are over 1,200 Unesco World Heritage Sites across the globe, cultural and natural sites deemed to have outstanding value to humanity, and one lies right here in southeastern Ohio. The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks is a collection of eight different earthen mounds built between 2,000 and 1,600 years ago, and five of the mounds are located in Chillicothe. Built by indigenous groups in the region as ceremonial locations, the site construction aligns with astrological cycles. Visitors can walk throughout the sites, learning about their symbolism as places of assembly, ceremony, and burial. Guided tours offer insight into the sacred practices of indigenous groups who built altars and elaborate shrines at the site.