Toledo is such a short drive from Detroit and its cultural institutions shouldn’t be overlooked for a fantastic day trip. I’ve shared a fun date night down Toledo way and there’s the best amusement park in the world, Cedar Point, to spend your summer days. Our neighbor to the south has many more options too.
5 things to do in Toledo:
1. Imagination Station – A hands-on science museum that’s fun for both big kids—like my husband an me—and actual little kids too. I had a blast riding the High Wire Cycle 20 feet above the ground. The distorted gravity room and the hurricane simulator were also great fun.
Riding 20-feet above the ground and Andy in the hurricane simulator.
2. The Toledo Zoo – They have a few new baby animals that were born this summer. Lucas, an elephant, was born in June and a baby giraffe was born in late July. This is a great zoo to take small children to as the habitats and amusements are close together.
Lucas, the baby elephant, and his mom.
3. The Glass Pavilion – This striking building sits across from the Toledo Museum of Art and houses over 5,000 works of glass. I loved being able to watch glass being blown in the demonstration area and seeing a piece evolve from beginning to end. Pill Spill is a current installation by Beverly Fishman, an artist-in-residence and head of painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art.
4. Toledo Museum of Art– Art lovers will appreciate the free admission and a world-famous collection of Old Masters paintings. They also have an extensive children’s program and the “Meet me at TMA” program for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
5. Toledo Botanical Garden – 60 acres of beautiful gardens are perfect for a leisurely walk, a picnic, birdwatching or a photowalk. It’s free and open year round. They also have docent-guided tours for $5 for a more informative and educational experience.
The next time you want to take a short jaunt and explore another city give Toledo a try.
Disclosure: Destination Toledo and Cedar Point sponsored the media tour of Northwest Ohio. All of my expenses for the trip were provided except for transportation and incidentals. The opinions and words expressed here are my own.