Division Releases

Ohio Offers Plenty of Free, Low-Cost Tourism Opportunities
Ohio's world-class and one-of-a-kind tourism experiences won't break the bank
5/26/2009

CONTACT:
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591

COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 26, 2009) - According to the U.S. Travel Association, Americans plan to take more day and weekend trips this year rather than spending money on lavish destination travel. Visitors seeking fun, unique, budget-friendly tourism opportunities this summer need look no further than Ohio.

"Ohio has some amazing free tourism opportunities including 74 State Parks, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Museum - which rivals or exceeds the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., three world class art museums, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and so much more," said State Tourism Director Amir Eylon. "Even some of our one-of-a-kind attractions are less than $20 or $25 including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Wilds and zoos ranked in the top ten in the country."

Located within about 600 miles of roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population, Ohio is an ideal driving destination for visitors seeking top-notch, budget-friendly getaways this year. Following is just a sampling of Ohio tourism experiences ranging from free to $25 per person or less. More travel ideas, an events calendar, package deals and coupons are available from Ohio's official tourism Web site, www.DiscoverOhio.com.

FREE Admission! (Please note regions denoted by NW, NE, C, SW and SE)
--74 Ohio State Parks offer visitors fantastic outdoor experiences including boating, biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting, backpacking and camping. Check out the individual parks for other opportunities such as exploring Marblehead Lighthouse, searching for fossils at Caesar Creek and great family events. Even if you don't have your own camping gear, check out a rent-a-camp, rent-an-RV or rent-a-tepee options offered at certain parks. Other options include yurts, cabins and cottages.

--National Museum of the United States Air Force, near Dayton (SW): The oldest and largest military aviation museum in the country showcases more than 300 aerospace vehicles ranging from the Wright Brothers to the latest stealth technology and drones. Don't miss the Presidential Hangar where visitors can enter the (Air Force One) aircrafts of U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. Five smaller presidential planes and four other aircraft also are on display.

--Cincinnati Art Museum (SW): From African to Eastern art and European sculptures to costumes and textiles, the Cincinnati Art Museum holds more than 60,000 works of art. Right now is a great time to entice the car enthusiast to the museum to see Alfa Romeo's 1964 Giulia Sprint Speciale on display until June 7. Two upcoming exhibits explore the beauty of women in sculpture and photography.

--Newark Earthworks, Newark (C): The Earthworksis a National Historic Landmark and a place where visitors can explore the 2,000 year-old geometric earthworks that served as both cathedral and astronomical observatories for the people known to archaeologists as the Hopewell Indians (100 BC - AD 500). In January 2008, the Newark Earthworks was submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage List by the United States Department of Interior for inclusion.

--Wyandot Popcorn Museum, Marion (C): Pay homage to this delicious treat in the home of the world's largest collection of popcorn poppers and peanut roasters and enjoy free popcorn served all day. Check out the world's largest popcorn festival, the Marion Popcorn Festival, Sept. 10 - 12.

--Tiffin Glass Museum, Tiffin (NW) - Admire the artistry of more than 2,000 pieces of Tiffin Glass that includes stemware, lamps, optics and more. Nearby, Crystal Traditions gives free tours of their facility including the studio where visitors can watch the glassmaker and glasscutters showcase their skills and explain their techniques to onlookers.

--Toledo Museum of Art (NW): Discover art objects from Africa, Asia and ancient cultures. The museum also holds paintings and sculptures from famed artists including Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso. Be sure to check out the Glass Pavilion, a work of art in itself that celebrates Toledo's glass heritage and holds one of the country's finest collections of glass from antiquity to present day. Enjoy extended hours Friday evenings until 10 p.m. with an ever-changing combination of events including free tours, activities, live music, glassblowing demonstrations, and more.

--Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brecksville (NE): From the Towpath Trail along the historic Ohio and Erie Canalway to the Ledges and the 60-foot Brandywine Falls, nature's beauty abounds here. Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association invites you to explore this amazing national treasure. If you have a few dollars, board the Cuyahoga Valley National Scenic Railway for a trip through the park or take the train to the end of the Ohio & Erie Canalway bike trail and bicycle back (you can take you bike on the train) or you can make stops are sites along the way. May 22-24, the railway turns into Thomas the Tank Engine. Regular tickets run about $10; Thomas tickets are $14-$18.

--Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown (NE): Check out masterpieces from artists like Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe and Winslow Homer on permanent exhibit. A tour of the Butler Institute would not be complete without a visit to the Donnell Gallery of American Sports Art that features pieces like boxing subjects by George Bellows and an Andy Warhol portrait of Pete Rose.

--The Dairy Barn, Athens (SE): Originally built in 1914, the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center is on the National Register of Historic Places and features exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. Check out the Quilt National 2009, the16th biennial juried exhibition of contemporary art quilts running through Sept. 7, 2009.

--Final Fridays on the Square, Nelsonville (SE): Galleries and retails shops on this historic town square stay open late for special art events the last Friday of each month. Enjoy artists' demonstrations, art chats, and openings of new art exhibits, plays, and musical shows. Watch drum circles, street musicians, dancers, and other sidewalk entertainment amidst artists & craftspersons selling their wares.

Great Fun for $15 or Less
--Cleveland Botanical Garden, (NE): Visit Costa Rica and Madagascar without leaving Ohio in the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse that is home to more than 350 species of exotic plants and more than 50 species of butterflies, insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians living in delicate balance. Outside, enjoy 10 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens including the nationally recognized Western Reserve Herb Society Garden and the Hershey Children's Garden. Pal around with your "best friend" when dogs are welcome at no extra charge on Sundays between June 7 and September 27 ($7.50 for adults).

--Adena Mansions and Gardens, Chillicothe (SE): Take in the breathtaking view of the Scioto River Valley from the 300-acre estate of Ohio's sixth governor, Thomas Worthington. The renovated 1800s home is one of only three remaining buildings designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the architect of the U.S. Capitol under President Thomas Jefferson. Here, visitors can take in the breathtaking view of the Scioto River Valley, the inspiration behind the picture on the Great Seal of the State of Ohio ($8 for adults).

--Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum, Wapakoneta (NW): Chronicle Ohio's contributions to the history of space flight and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission and Ohio-native Neil Armstrong's historic first steps on the moon ($8 for adults).

--National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati (SW): Appropriately located on the banks of the Ohio River, the barrier that separated slave states from free states, the museum is dedicated to telling the stories of freedom's heroes, from the era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times ($9 for adults).

--Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Columbus (C): In central Ohio, visitors can explore the home of Director Emeritus and animal lover Jack Hanna and the zoo's newest member of the Asian elephant family, Beco. The zoo is also home to Zoombezi Bay, the waterpark with 15 state-of-the-art water slides, a wave pool, action river, lazy river and more ($12 for adults; general admission to Zoombezi Bay is $29 for adults).

One-of-a-Kind Experiences for less than $25
--Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton (NE): This museum houses all of football's finest and is home to the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival and Hall of Fame Game in August ($18 for adults).

--The Wilds, Cumberland (SE): The Wilds is one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world, spanning nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed former strip mining land. Board a safari transport to view and learn about rare and endangered animals from around the world roaming freely together in large, natural areas. Visitors may see rhinos, giraffes, zebras and antelope. Stop at the Mid-Sized Carnivore Conservation Center to see cheetahs, African wild dogs and Asiatic wild dogs and learn how the Wilds is helping to support these endangered species in the wild ($20 for adults).

--Coney Island, Cincinnati (SW): This park is home to Sunlite Pool, the world's largest recirculating pool, holding more than 3 million gallons of water! New in 2009 is the Twister, a four-chute megaslide that offers non-stop family fun ($21.95 for adults).

--Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland (NE): Check out the new Bruce Springsteen exhibit at the world's only museum celebrating all things rock. The museum hosts the largest single collection of rock and roll memorabilia and includes items like performers' outfits, hand-written song lyrics, videos, instruments and so much more ($22 for adults).

Discounted Rates to Amazing Attractions!
--Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum: Receive special discounted rates at Pickerington's area hotels Country Inn and Suites and the Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites. http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/about/hours.asp

--Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: When purchasing a Hall Pass, receive discounted admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum! The price for a Hall Pass is $36, saving you $4 (adult ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is $18; adult ticket to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is $22). http://www.profootballhof.com/hall/info/index.html

--Cedar Point and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: When purchasing a Rock and Ride Package, receive discounted admission to Cedar Point and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum! The price for the Rock and Ride Package is only $53, saving you $12.99 (adult ticket to Cedar Point is $43.99; adult ticket to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is $22). http://www.rockhall.com/visit/discounts

About the Ohio Tourism Division
The Ohio Tourism Division is the premier source of information for travelers and media about Ohio's vibrant tourism experiences, attractions, and economy. Division marketing programs contributed to an estimated $38 billion in visitor sales in 2007 and 454,000 jobs sustained by visitors to the state. A part of the Ohio Department of Development, the Division's mission is to promote and celebrate Ohio's unique travel opportunities and market the state's outstanding quality of life.

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