It's no secret that we love Cincinnati. Our Queen City is located in the heart of the Midwest and, in our opinion, one of the best places to live in the world. But sometimes it's nice to get away. That's why it's so great that Cincinnati is such a centrally located city, surrounded by incredible vacation destinations just a short drive away. Whether you're looking for some mountain air, a country getaway or an exploration vacation in a new city, there's a destination on our list that fits the bill — and they're all within five hours of #Cincy! So pack up your family, grab your camera (and your hiking boots for that matter) and get ready to hit the road! But first, use our list to find out what to do, see and eat when you reach one of our favorite road trip destinations.
Yellow Springs
Distance: 70 miles | About 1 hour, 10 minutesWhat to Do: Named one of the most beautiful towns in Ohio by Culture Trip, Yellow Springs, Ohio offers a mix of unique shops, restaurants, theaters and museums. But it's the incredible wilderness that makes this spot so desirable! With multiple orchards in the area and over 2,000 acres of woods complete with cycling and hiking trails, you won't run out of things to do any time soon!We recommend visiting Glen Helen Nature Preserve, which features 25 miles of footpaths that allow you to explore streams, woods and fields, plus the town's namesake: Yellow Spring! If you have extra time, stop by Clifton Gorge, for incredible rock and waterfall views, and John Bryan State Park, where you can get a peek of the Little Miami River and a stunning limestone gorge. Things to See Along the Way: On your drive, you'll pass by some famous Ohio spots that are definitely worth a visit, including the historic Loveland Castle & Museum, the massive National Museum of the US Air Force, and an eclectic 8-acre corn maze! Where to Stay: Mills Park Hotel
Louisville, Kentucky
Distance: 100 miles | About 1 hour, 30 minutesWhat to Do: You probably know it as the home of the Kentucky Derby, but there is much more to Louisville than a stylish horse race! Not only is it a city of over 750,000 people, but it's also full of history, great bourbon, and a signature dish known as the Hot Brown (which you should definitely try when you visit). If you can only visit for a few hours, check out the famous Louisville Mega Cavern, an old limestone mine that stretches under 10 lanes of the Watterson Expressway and the Louisville Zoo. And, because of its support structures, it's considered to be the tallest building in Kentucky! If you have some extra time, stop by Churchhill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby goes down every year, and make sure to grab some fried chicken at Chicken King — because that's why you really came, isn't it? Things to See Along the Way: While you're in the car, you'll see some stunning towns, including Richwood, Sparta and La Grange. Bonus: If you're making this a weekend trip, why not stay a night at the beautiful Elk Creek Vineyard? Their luxurious lodge is the perfect spot to wind down and their famous restaurant really is as good as everyone says! Where to Stay: The Brown Hotel
Nashville, Indiana
Distance: 116 miles | About 2 hours, 10 minutesWhat to Do: Nashville, Indiana is what small town USA dreams are made of. Nestled among bountiful woodlands, this area offers plenty of outdoor adventures like zip lining, mountain biking and horseback riding. The small town itself is ripe for exploring with several art galleries, historic sites and antique stores sprinkled throughout the area. We recommend stopping by the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, a home and studio that teaches about the Hoosier Group impressionist who was largely responsible for turning Brown County into an artists' colony. And, if you have time, visit the Bean Blossom Bridge, a bright red, covered bridge that once served as a major passage into the area. Today, it's the perfect end destination on a hike or a great location to knab a rustic photo for your Instagram feed. Things to See Along the Way: Your drive from Cincinnati to Nashville, Indiana is one of the most beautiful road trips around. You'll pass by several parks, ranches and farms — all perfect places for picnics and wilderness excursions! Where to Stay: The Brown Country Inn
Red River Gorge
Distance: 146 miles | About 2 hours, 20 minutesWhat to Do: Settled among the rolling hills of Kentucky, just past Louisville, sits Red River Gorge. Totaling a beautiful 29,000 acres of land, this lush state park is a great place to spend the day hiking or the night camping. The gorgeous landscape features spectacular sandstone cliffs and breathtaking vistas — making it one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the Midwest. If you're looking for an incredible rock climbing experience, the 5.9-rated route, Send Me on My Way, is a fantastic choice. But you should also make sure to check out Chimney Top Rock, Caver's Route and Tower Rock. After a long day of hiking, climbing and exploring, visit Miguel's Pizza to refuel. There you'll find some of the best pizza around along with a climbing gear store, where you can purchase all of the gear your outdoor enthusiast heart desires! Things to See Along the Way: Enjoy lunch (or stay the night) in Lexington before continuing your trip! Where to Stay: Cliffview Resort
Millersburg
Distance: 204 miles | About 3 hours, 30 minutes
Photo courtesy of Loretta Coblentz viaThe Barn Inn Bed & Breakfast
What to Do: If you haven't visited Ohio's Amish Country yet, you're in for a treat. Holmes County, Ohio is home to the world's highest Amish concentration and the idyllic area features gently rolling hills and charming farms. While you can't go wrong with visiting any of the 10 tiny country towns around the area, Millersburg is a fantastic starting point. Get a taste of an authentic Amish experience at Yoder's Amish Home, a 116-acre farm open for tours almost every day. Take a tour of Heini's Cheese Chalet, home of one of the most famous products that comes out of Ohio's Amish Country. There are so many things to do in the area, you can make an entire weekend out of it, but if you don't do anything else in the Amish Country, you absolutely have to stop and grab something to eat. The area boasts some of the best cozy restaurants around, including Tarragon at the Inn at Honey Run, The Chalet in the Valley and Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen — all offering mouthwatering, homecooked meals that are crafted with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Things to See Along the Way: The trip to Millersburg is pretty much a straight shot, passing right through Columbus! Stop for a spontaneous lunch at one of our favorite restaurants that don't require reservations or grab a coffee to fuel the rest of your journey at one of the best coffee shops around. Where to Stay: The Barn Inn Bed & Breakfast
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Distance: 250 miles | About 3 hours, 50 minutesWhat to Do: Ann Arbor is one of the most charming towns in the Midwest and if you haven't paid a visit yet, a summer road trip is the perfect opportunity! Ann Arbor was recognized by Business Insider as one of the coolest small towns in 2018 and holds a high spot on plenty of other "top 10" lists. While you're there, keep an eye out for fairy doors — artist-designed miniature doors hidden on walls or in entryways in downtown. For the perfect Ann Arbor outing, take a picnic lunch from Zingermans, a historic marketplace that offers all of your deli favorites, out to Gallup Park and spend the day enjoying the beautiful Michigan wilderness. While you're there, you should definitely try out some of the fantastic breweries all around the city! Our favorites include Jolly Pumpkin Café and Brewery, Arbor Brewing Company and Wolverine State Brewing Company. Things to See Along the Way: On your journey, you'll pass through the beautiful town of Maumee, a charming town just outside Toledo. Stop and stretch your legs and grab lunch, or simply spend a few hours roaming the town! Where to Stay: Weber's Boutique Hotel
Put-In-Bay
Distance: 239 miles | About 4 hours, 20 minutesWhat to Do: Located on South Bass Island just off of the coast of northern Ohio, Put-In-Bay is a beloved summer getaway from people all over the Midwest! This gorgeous town draws nearly two million visitors each year all due to the charming shops, fantastic fishing opportunities and excellent restaurants. Due to Put-In-Bay's incredible location on the coast, kayaking, swimming and boating are all great choices of activities in the area! And, amusem*nt park enthusiasts should definitely pay a visit to Cedar Point before you leave. This incredible park is consistently ranked among the best in America and offers some of the best roller coasters, rides and petting zoos around.Things to See Along the Way: If you feel like stopping during your trip, there are plenty of museums and attractions along the way! The Bicycle Museum of America, Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum and Gene Autry Mural & Park are only minutes away from your route and offer some truly spectacular sights. Where to Stay: Put-in-Bay Resort
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Distance: 291 miles | About 4 hours, 40 minutesWhat to Do: Known as a gateway to the 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee offers pretty much any type activity you love to do on vacation, from tourist attractions to outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. The first thing you should do when you get into town is take a ride to the top of the Space Needle! The 407-foot high observation deck offers a breathtaking view of the Smokys and will kick off your sense of adventure. Then head into town for some good old-fashioned Southern grub at Bennett's Pit BBQ, a locally owned and operated restaurant for over 27 years. Finally, partake in a Gatlinburg must — eclectic attractions. Learn something new at the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum, play a round of Hillbilly Golf, and be amazed at the Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum. You'll never be bored in this weird and beautiful city! Things to See Along the Way: Pigeon Forge is another touristy and stunning town full of things to do located just 25 minutes from Gatlinburg. Dolly Parton's famous amusem*nt park, DollyWood, is located here and definitely worth exploring on a summer afternoon along with hundreds of other fun attractions in the area. Where to Stay: The Lodge at Buckberry Creek
Chicago, Illinois
Distance: 294 miles | About 4 hours, 40 minutesWhat to Do: There are plenty of things to do and see in the Windy City, from exploring Millennium Park and getting a photo with the illustrious Bean to getting a thrill at 1,353 feet at the Willis Tower Skydeck. One of our favorite things to do in the area is visiting the Art Institute of Chicago, which is filled with masterpieces from every era. Travel Tip: Enter the museum on the Monroe Street side instead of on Michigan Avenue, you'll encounter fewer lines and will be able to get out of the Chicago heat faster! While you probably won't be able to see the whole city in one day or even a weekend, there are a few essential spots that you should visit to get the full Chicago experience. Grab a slice of the city's famous pizza at Pequod's; see a show at Second City, where Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Gilda Radnor and many other SNL alumni got their start; and take a leisurely stroll along the Lakefront Trail, where you'll get stunning views of both the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan! Things to See Along the Way: Stop halfway in between Cincinnati and Chicago in Indianapolis. If you only have time to see one thing, check out the largest children's museum in the world — the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Inside the massive museum, you'll find a planetarium, a carousel, science labs and so much more! Where to Stay: Freehand Chicago
Have a safe trip!
Looking for more Ohio travel inspiration? Check out these 11 incredible road trip destinations within a six-hour drive of Columbus!
