Ohio is a true wild card. Wouldn’t you agree?

You never know what sort of hidden gem you’re going to uncover next. From the world’s largest accessible glacial grooves to the oldest concrete street in the country, Ohio is hiding some really unique places you simply won’t find anywhere else. Here are 10 places in Ohio that are better than anywhere else in the country—and, for many of them, in the whole wide world.

  1. The Birthplace of Rock and Roll

management/TripAdvisor Cleveland is the proud home of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It belongs on every American’s bucket list. You can find it at 1100 E 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114.

  1. The Glacial Grooves Memorial

Jolene/Flickr Although you’ll have to take a ferry to see this natural wonder, it’s absolutely worth it. Few people are aware that Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world. The Glacial Grooves Memorial measures 400 feet long and 35 feet wide. You’ll find them at 739 Division St., Kelleys Island, OH 43438.

  1. Hocking Hills

Mark Thomas/Facebook Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound. Old Man’s Cave has an interesting history and origin to its name. Legend has it, a 19th-century hermit who once lived in the cave, (named Richard Rowe,) is buried under a cave ledge in the area. Popular, must-see landmarks along the Old Man’s Cave area trails include Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave (pictured), Upper and Lower Falls, the Sphinx Head, Ash Cave and the Devil’s Bathtub. Hocking Hills State Park is located at 19852 Ohio 664, Logan, OH 43138.

  1. Crystal Cave

Analogue Kid/Wikimedia Commons Crystal Cave on South Bass Island is a hidden gem that most people don’t about. Imagine a cave of nothing but celestine crystals. Pretty cool, right? In fact, Crystal Cave is the largest known geode in the whole world—and it’s hiding right here in the Buckeye State. You’ll find it at 978 Catawba Avenue, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456.

  1. The Roller Coaster Capital of the World

Alvin Trusty/Flickr Cedar Point Amusement Park is one of Ohio’s most popular attractions—and for good reason. There’s no better collection of roller coasters out there. It’s located at 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky, OH 44870.

  1. Oak Openings

Matt Taylor/Flickr Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony—and it will truly make you feel like you’re not in Ohio anymore. Oak Openings Metro Park is located at 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton, OH 43558.

  1. Great Serpent Mound

Ann Merrill/Flickr While Ohio is full of multiple earthworks from various cultures, there’s no earthwork in the world that compares to the Great Serpent Mound—both in shape and size. But what’s even more intriguing about the mound is its indefinite purpose, which continues to baffle archaeologists and anthropologists.Constructed in the shape of a snake, the Great Serpent Mound is one of the most impressive earthworks in North America and the world. You’ll find it at 3850 State Route 73, Peebles, OH 45660.

  1. Sunlite Pool

Coney Island Amusement Park/Facebook Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati is home to the world’s largest recirculating pool in the world. Sunlite Pool is truly massive. In fact, it’s larger than a football field. Sunlite Pool is fun for the whole family you don’t want to miss out on. You’ll find it at 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230.

  1. The Pro Football Hall of Fame

marada/Flickr Canton is the proud home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s another bucket list item for many Americans across the country. You’ll find it at 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, OH 44708.

  1. Ohio Caverns

Stanislav Vitebskiy/Flickr West Liberty is home to “America’s Most Colorful Caverns” that are sure to make you feel like you’re exploring another planet. Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old. Ohio Caverns is located at 2210 State Route 245 East, West Liberty, OH 43357.

What other famous and rare attractions would you add to this list? How many of these have you visited? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!

management/TripAdvisor

Cleveland is the proud home of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It belongs on every American’s bucket list. You can find it at 1100 E 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114.

Jolene/Flickr

Although you’ll have to take a ferry to see this natural wonder, it’s absolutely worth it. Few people are aware that Kelleys Island is home to the largest accessible glacial grooves in the world. The Glacial Grooves Memorial measures 400 feet long and 35 feet wide. You’ll find them at 739 Division St., Kelleys Island, OH 43438.

Mark Thomas/Facebook

Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio’s most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound. Old Man’s Cave has an interesting history and origin to its name. Legend has it, a 19th-century hermit who once lived in the cave, (named Richard Rowe,) is buried under a cave ledge in the area. Popular, must-see landmarks along the Old Man’s Cave area trails include Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave (pictured), Upper and Lower Falls, the Sphinx Head, Ash Cave and the Devil’s Bathtub. Hocking Hills State Park is located at 19852 Ohio 664, Logan, OH 43138.

Analogue Kid/Wikimedia Commons

Crystal Cave on South Bass Island is a hidden gem that most people don’t about. Imagine a cave of nothing but celestine crystals. Pretty cool, right? In fact, Crystal Cave is the largest known geode in the whole world—and it’s hiding right here in the Buckeye State. You’ll find it at 978 Catawba Avenue, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456.

Alvin Trusty/Flickr

Cedar Point Amusement Park is one of Ohio’s most popular attractions—and for good reason. There’s no better collection of roller coasters out there. It’s located at 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky, OH 44870.

Matt Taylor/Flickr

Close to Toledo you’ll find what’s considered to be Ohio’s rarest ecosystem (and one of the world’s rarest ecosystems) where rare plants and animals, oak forests, sand dunes, savannas, tall-grass prairies and swamp forests all thrive in harmony—and it will truly make you feel like you’re not in Ohio anymore. Oak Openings Metro Park is located at 4139 Girdham Rd., Swanton, OH 43558.

Ann Merrill/Flickr

While Ohio is full of multiple earthworks from various cultures, there’s no earthwork in the world that compares to the Great Serpent Mound—both in shape and size. But what’s even more intriguing about the mound is its indefinite purpose, which continues to baffle archaeologists and anthropologists.Constructed in the shape of a snake, the Great Serpent Mound is one of the most impressive earthworks in North America and the world. You’ll find it at 3850 State Route 73, Peebles, OH 45660.

Coney Island Amusement Park/Facebook

Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati is home to the world’s largest recirculating pool in the world. Sunlite Pool is truly massive. In fact, it’s larger than a football field. Sunlite Pool is fun for the whole family you don’t want to miss out on. You’ll find it at 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230.

marada/Flickr

Canton is the proud home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s another bucket list item for many Americans across the country. You’ll find it at 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, OH 44708.

Stanislav Vitebskiy/Flickr

West Liberty is home to “America’s Most Colorful Caverns” that are sure to make you feel like you’re exploring another planet. Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world’s largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000 years old. Ohio Caverns is located at 2210 State Route 245 East, West Liberty, OH 43357.

For more Ohio adventures, check out our previous article: 11 Quick Road Trips In Ohio You Can Take This Weekend.

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