There are a ton of things to do in Toledo, Ohio, that tourists can look forward to experiencing. Situated on the western end of Lake Erie, you can expect water activities such as canoeing and kayaking. For people who are fond of seeing different kinds of animals, visiting Toledo Aquarium and Zoo is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. On the other hand, for history buffs, there are several museums with interactive exhibits that present the rich history of Toledo. For photography hobbyists, there are a lot of beautiful street graffiti and urban parks that you can take a picture of. And people need not be bored, because the nightlife here is one of the things this part of Ohio is famous for. The one thing that Toledo is known for is glass. It is dubbed the Glass Capital of The World because of its long history in glass manufacturing and innovation in glassmaking. So if you have plans of visiting this lovely spot in Ohio, read on to learn more about some of the things to do in Toledo.
1. Wander around the scenic streets of Old West End
Visiting the Old West End is an ideal way to warm up to Toledo, Ohio. Here, you’ll have the vibe of the local culture, the vintage architecture, and the street artistry painted on the walls of its many buildings. If you are a photographer, you can take pictures of the buildings, arts, and all the interesting places and faces you’ll stumble upon your way. In addition, there are upcoming events to watch out for, such as the Music in The Park, and the Old West End Autumn Market.
Old West End
Address: From Collingwood Boulevard to Glenwood Avenue, W. Central Avenue and Monroe Street, Toledo, OH
Website: Old West End
2. Have fun at the Imagination Station
Posted by Imagination Station Toledo on Friday, 5 July 2019
After you’ve immersed yourself in the atmosphere of Toledo, it’s time to start exploring the things that this part of Ohio boasts. And one of the most famous places to be in Toledo is the Imagination Station, where you can learn scientific concepts in a fun and exciting way! So, if you have a child and you want to keep them entertained while at the same time stimulating their brain, then definitely check this place out. It features an Animation Station where visitors can learn all about animator tools and techniques. A gift shop with unique items is available as well. But if you’ll travel solo, this science museum is still a place worth visiting to be entertained.
Imagination Station
Address: 1 Discovery Way, Toledo, OH 43604, USA
Website: Imagination Station
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 70 USD
3. Go wildlife spotting in Toledo Zoo
After learning more about science, learn more about animals. Visit the Toledo Zoo, and see over 720 species display their magnificence here. From aquatic animals to animals that thrive on the land, they’ve got it all here. You see a lot of interesting lifeforms like insects such as butterflies and ants; fascinating reptiles such as exotic species of skinks, snakes, tortoises, and even crocodiles; birds such as flamingos, eagles, and ostriches; mammals such as gorillas, monkeys, elephants, and even giraffes. In addition to seeing animals, the zoo also offers a lot of activities such as ziplining, various rides, an aerial adventure course, a garden tour, and many more!
Toledo Zoo
Address: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
Website: Toledo Zoo
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 21 USD
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Marvel at European masterpieces in the Toledo Museum of Art
After learning about animals, it’s time to visit the Toledo Museum of Art and get in touch with a part of you that appreciates works of art. The art museum’s goal is to teach art to people of all ages. Their wide collection of art exhibits includes paintings, sculptures, a sculpture garden, and many others. They are open to people who want to learn the different forms of art. In addition, they also have a cafe’ on their premises, where visitors can fill the void in their stomachs, and a shopping center where they sell souvenirs and other artworks.
Toledo Museum of Art
Address: 2445 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43620, USA
Website: Toledo Museum of Art
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 10am - 4pm; Thu - Fri: 10am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
5. Spend time in nature at Toledo Botanical Garden
If you fell in love with the many different artworks found in the Toledo Museum of Art, how about seeing some of nature’s work? If you’re up for a relaxing stroll, the Botanical Garden on Elmer Drive features green spaces and beautiful plants that will surely ease the weariness of your soul. There are wild birds flying about the area, and you’ll surely have fun watching them swim in the pond. You’ll have a peaceful time reading your books here, or drinking a cup of coffee as you admire the beauty that’s in Toledo Botanical Garden.
Toledo Botanical Garden
Address: 5403 Elmer Dr, Toledo, OH 43615, USA
Website: Toledo Botanical Garden
Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)
6. Watch a live performance at Toledo Symphony Orchestra
If you can’t get enough of things that touch your human soul, a visit to Toledo Symphony Orchestra is a must. You’ll surely be mesmerized by the soulful music being played by their professional musicians. If you’ll stay in Toledo for an extended period of time, there are private lessons you can take. There are also several events to watch out for in Toledo Symphony Orchestra, from the month of August to the month of December 2019.
Toledo Symphony Orchestra
Address: 1838 Parkwood Ave, Toledo, Ohio
Website: Toledo Symphony Orchestra
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: 6 USD
7. Witness a baseball match at Fifth Third Field
If you are a baseball fan, why not visit the home of Toledo Mud Hens and watch a live baseball game? Rally up your friends or family members and support your favorite baseball team. Shout with the crowds and cheer your team and send some boos to the opposing team. And after all the thrill and all the fun watching a baseball game, you’ll realize that the most important part of the experience is being able to bond with your loved ones.
Fifth Third Field
Address: 406 Washington St, Toledo, OH 43604, USA
Website: Fifth Third Field
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: 10 - 30 USD
8. Pamper your taste buds with hot dogs at Tony Packo's
One of the most famous eateries in Toledo is Tony Packo’s. With their delicious hotdog meals, coupled with a glass of beer, who wouldn’t be satisfied? But it’s not just their hotdogs that sell here, they also have fried pickles, roast beef sandwiches, soup and chilis, and more! They also sell raw Hungarian sausages, shirts, and gift packs. Tony Packo’s also hosts parties and special events.
Tony Packo's
Address: 1902 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Website: Tony Packo’s
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10:30am - 11pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9pm
Price: Starts at 3.39 USD
9. Catch a performance at Valentine Theater
If you love theatrical performances, you should head on to Valentine Theater on Adams Street. The Valentine Theater is a non-profit organization that has been providing entertainment to people for around 120 years. You’ll enjoy a wide variety of shows here, including ballet, concerts, and many others. It is one of the things that you should experience in Toledo, Ohio.
Valentine Theatre
Address: 410 Adams St, Toledo, OH 43604, USA
Website: Valentine Theatre
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: 10 - 120 USD
10. Sip on local beer at Black Cloister Brewing
Befriending locals and inviting them to have a drink with you is another experience travelers rarely say no to. Having a good time with locals, especially if they are willing to share with you their ‘tips and tricks’ in life, will give you a lot of valuable lessons, especially when the alcohol activates their ‘philosopher side’. The lessons you’ll learn from them may prove to be useful in your future endeavors. Black Cloister Brewing on Monroe Street has a wide variety of beers to choose from, so everyone in your gang, regardless of their tolerance, will definitely have a good time here.
Black Cloister Brewing
Address: 619 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43604, USA
Website: Black Cloister Brewing
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 12am (closed on Sun & Mon)
11. Visit the National Museum of the Great Lakes
If you want to learn about the history of the world-famous Col. James M. Schoonmaker, or if museums simply make you happy, there’s a maritime museum in Toledo that showcases a restored sunken ship to the public, that you’d probably want to go to, and that is the National Museum of the Great Lakes on 1701 Front Street. Aside from being a museum, they also sell items such as t-shirts and books which will serve as a souvenir for your visit to Toledo.
National Museum of the Great Lakes
Address: 1701 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Website: National Museum of the Great Lakes
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
12. Be enchanted by the architecture of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral
If you are a lover of beautiful architecture, you will surely love the designs of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral. It has a Spanish plateresque design, inspired by the architectural designs of the European churches back in the Middle Ages. It was built in the 20th century and was renovated in 2000, giving it a beautiful look that an architectural junkie’s eyes will surely feast on. It isn’t just its designs that are worth enjoying, the building, being a cathedral, has a solemn vibe where you can get in touch with your spiritual side.
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral
Address: 2535 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43610, USA
Website: Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm; Sat: 8am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 11am
13. Go kayaking in Cullen Park
Explore more of nature at Cullen Park, where you can go on kayaking, fishing, bird watching, or simply stroll around and appreciate being surrounded by the natural wonders. The park has been a go-to place for people who’d like to reconnect with nature since 1929. Visiting Cullen Park is convenient as there are three hotels nearby that can serve as your temporary headquarters, and there are several restaurants nearby where you can grab a meal if you get hungry.
Cullen Park
Address: 4526 N Summit St, Toledo, OH 43611, USA
Website: Cullen Park
Opening hours: 5am - 6pm (daily)
14. Marvel at Veteran's Glass City Skyway
Here’s another architectural wonder that you should visit in Toledo: Veteran’s Glass City Skyway, also known as Toledo Skyway Bridge. It was built to honor all veterans in the United States. At night, the bridge’s LED pylon is a sight you shouldn’t miss, as it has the capacity to produce over 16 million combinations of color and can be seen over 3 miles (about 5 kilometers) away, which is an amazing feat!
Veteran's Glass City Skyway
Address: I-280, Toledo, OH 43611, USA
Website: Veteran’s Glass City Skyway
15. Try your luck at Hollywood Casino Toledo
If you’re feeling a bit lucky and you want to test your luck in a game of gambling, head over to Hollywood Casino Toledo where you can win, or, most often than not, lose! But, the casino isn’t just known for its game of chances, it is also a venue for concerts, and special events. In addition, they also feature several restaurants where you can eat sumptuous meals. If you need a good night’s sleep, they have partnered with several hotels that will give you a special discount!
Hollywood Casino Toledo
Address: 1968 Miami St, Toledo, OH 43605, USA
Website: Hollywood Casino Toledo
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
16. Pamper your taste buds at Mancy's Steakhouse
Your tour in Toledo just would not be complete without having a taste of the food at one of the most famous restaurants in the area: Mancy’s Steakhouse. Known for their tasty-looking, and great-tasting steaks, you will surely want to come back here time and time again. Aside from their famous steak menus, they also serve shrimp, sandwiches, and other sumptuous foods, and alcoholic beverages.
Mancy's Steakhouse
Address: 953 Phillips Ave, Toledo, OH 43612, USA
Website: Mancy’s Steakhouse
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 4:30pm - 10:30pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 7 - 15 USD
17. Learn about Toledo's firefighters at the Toledo Firefighters Museum
Here’s another interesting museum to visit: Toledo Firefighters Museum! You’ll learn about the history of the firefighters of Toledo, from their vintage 19th-century firefighting equipment to stories of bravery, you’ll get it all from here. They are only open every Saturday, so you might want to drop by for a few hours to pay tribute to the service of our firefighters who are willing to put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of everybody else in the community.
Toledo Firefighters Museum
Address: 918 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43612, USA
Website: Toledo Firefighters Museum
Opening hours: Sat: 12pm - 4pm (closed from Sun - Fri)
18. Relax in the serene Stranahan Arboretum
Here’s another place where you can unwind your weary mind; Stranahan Arboretum. You’ll be surrounded by trees, lawns, natural ponds, and wildlife as you relax in their 47-acre (19-hectare) site. Stranahan Arboretum is acknowledged as part of the 50 most beautiful college arboretums in the United States. Admission is totally free for both locals and tourists alike.
Stranahan Arboretum
Address: 4131 Tantara Rd, Toledo, OH 43623, USA
Website: Stranahan Arboretum
Opening hours: Mon: 8am - 3pm; Tue: 8am - 6pm; Wed - Thu: 8am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 7pm (closed on Sun)
19. Explore Wildwood Preserve Metropark
Wildwood Preserve Metropark is a huge park to explore! The 493-acre (200-hectare) park features several trails to stroll through, such as the bike trail where you can ride a bike with your friends or family members, and Wildwood Meadow Loop Trail where you can birdwatch all you want. There are several species of wildlife you can see here, such as the Eastern Box Turtle and Barred Owl. There are also a variety of interesting plants to see, such as the Bloodroot and Fringed Gentian.
Wildwood Preserve Metropark
Address: 5100 Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43615, USA
Website: Wildwood Preserve MetroPark
Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)
20. View glassblowing demo art at the Glass Pavilion
Toledo is known as the glass capital of the world, and for a good reason! They have been pioneering in glassworks and glass manufacturing in the US! However, if you want to see how glasses are made, head on to Glass Pavilion to witness the art of glassblowing! You will be fascinated by the process by which beautiful glasses are made through the breath of skilled glass artists!
Glass Pavilion
Address: 2444 Monroe St, Toledo, OH 43620, USA
Website: Glass Pavilion
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 10am - 4pm; Thu - Fri: 10am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
21. Browse through the impressive collections at Blair Museum of Lithophanes
Laurel Gotshall Blair, the founder of the Blair Museum of Lithophanes, opened the museum to showcase his collection of Lithophanes. The museum was established with the goal of expanding the people’s knowledge of art, specifically of Lithophanes. Lithophanes are made by carving wax using special equipment on a piece of glass that has a source of light that reveals the details of the carvings. If you want to learn more about this fascinating form of art, definitely pay a visit to the Blair Museum of Lithophanes.
Blair Museum of Lithophanes
Address: 5403 Elmer Dr, Toledo, OH 43615, USA
Website: Blair Museum of Lithophanes
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 1pm - 4pm; (closed from Mon - Fri)
22. Unwind at Swan Creek Metropark
Here’s another park where you can relax and unwind and connect with nature and its creatures. Swan Creek Metropark has a lot of birds, squirrels, and other cute animals that will keep you company while you are relaxing and spending time with yourself, or perhaps, drinking your favorite brand of coffee. It’s probably a good idea to bring your smartphone or a digital camera to be able to record or take a shot of the animals that you might encounter here. You’ll never know, your simple relaxation could lead you to the next viral video on Facebook or YouTube if an animal decided to behave in an eccentric way in front of your camera!
Swan Creek Metropark
Address: 4659 Airport Hwy, Toledo, OH 43615, USA
Website: Swan Creek Metropark
Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)
Lots to discover in Toledo
These are just some of the things to do in Toledo, Ohio. You’ll be surprised that there is more for you to discover and explore in this part of the world. After visiting these places, we’ll leave the rest of discovering hidden gems to you. Remember to always stay curious and fascinated on your journeys!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to