02020136 – Ohio – Go Funway

OHIO

Ohio offers visitors a mix of lively cities, rich history, and scenic countryside in the heart of the Midwest. Travelers can explore attractions like the Rock & Roll culture of Cleveland, the museums and neighborhoods of Columbus, and the revitalized riverfront in Cincinnati. From Lake Erie’s shoreline beaches and islands to peaceful Amish Country, Ohio provides a wide variety of experiences for every type of traveler.

Amish Country

Ohio is home to the largest Amish population in the United States. More than 80,000 Amish live in communities scattered across the state’s northeastern counties, where horse-drawn buggies remain a common sight on country roads.

The Amish are descendants of a Christian movement that originated in Switzerland before settling in Pennsylvania during the 18th century. They continue to live according to traditions that emphasize humility, family, faith, and simplicity, generally avoiding many modern conveniences in favor of a slower, community-centered way of life.

Visitors to Ohio’s Amish Country can experience picturesque farms, handcrafted furniture and quilts, local bakeries, and a lifestyle that has changed little over generations.

It’s hard to deny Ohio’s importance in the American story. Every presidential election seems to begin with candidates doing everything they can to win over the Buckeye State, and Ohio has long been regarded as a political bellwether. Its motto, “With God, all things are possible,” is a fitting sentiment for a state that has produced an extraordinary number of presidents, astronauts, and inventors.

Ohio proudly embraces several nicknames that reflect its remarkable legacy. It is known as the Birthplace of Aviation because the Wright brothers conducted much of their pioneering design and engineering work there. It is also called the Mother of Presidents, having produced seven U.S. presidents, while an eighth, William Henry Harrison, made Ohio his political home. The state also promotes itself as the Heart of It All, thanks to its central location, with roughly half of the U.S. population living within 500 miles of its borders.

Outside the Box

Ohio’s list of famous innovators extends well beyond politics. John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, and Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, were both born in Ohio. They are joined by more than two dozen other Buckeye astronauts who have ventured into space.

Inventive minds have flourished here as well. Thomas Edison was born in Ohio, as was Roy Plunkett, the inventor of Teflon. The state also laid claim to many American firsts, including the first cash register, the first electric traffic signal, the first professional baseball team—the Cincinnati Reds—and the first Wendy’s restaurant.

Ironically, some of Ohio’s toughest critics are Ohioans themselves. Ask someone from Cleveland what they think of Cincinnati—or vice versa—and you’re likely to hear a spirited response. The rivalry between the state’s major cities runs deep, while the capital, Columbus, often sees itself as occupying the middle ground between the two.

Entertainment

While southeastern Ohio offers rolling hills, forests, and scenic river valleys, and the Lake Erie Islands provide a relaxing escape along the state’s northern shoreline, Ohio’s biggest attractions are often found in its cultural and entertainment venues.

Cleveland is home to the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art and the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, celebrating the artists who shaped modern music. Football fans make the pilgrimage to Canton, where the Pro Football Hall of Fame has honored the sport’s greatest players and coaches since 1963. Although the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals have experienced varying fortunes over the years, football remains a passion shared across the state.

STATEHOOD

March 1, 1803

CAPITAL CITY

Columbus

STATE PARKS

Ohio has 76 state parks.

NATIONAL PARKS

Ohio is home to one national park.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

FUN FACTS

The Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, designed and built the world’s first successful powered airplane in their hometown of Dayton.

Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, was born in Wapakoneta. John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, was also an Ohio native.

Ohio technically didn’t officially become a state until 1953. While accepted into the Union in 1803, Congress forgot to execute a formal vote. President Eisenhower later signed the bill and backdated its statehood.

Ohio features the only non-rectangular state flag in the United States. It is a swallowtail pennant design known as a burgee.

The very first commercial UPC supermarket scanner was used in Troy, Ohio, in 1974. The first item ever scanned was a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum.

The town of Newark features a famous seven-story building shaped exactly like a giant Longaberger picnic basket.