Northern Ohio is awash in free things to do, either on extended vacation or just a quick day trip.
Hiking
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has an extensive network of trails throughout Ohio, with some especially well-constructed ones in northern Ohio. My favorites are the North Coast Inland Trail from Monroeville to Norwalk, a short jaunt between two small towns that offers a free glimpse of beautiful northern Ohio countryside, and the Huron River Greenway, a 1-mile forest trek featuring a sweeping view of a former rock quarry. For more prolific hikers, there’s a 13-mile trail from Elyria to Kipton, a 19-miler from Clyde to Elmore. Most of these trails are also open for biking, horseback riding, skating, and even cross-country skiing. Check the Rais-to-Trails Conservancy website for details on each one.
Town Festivals
Almost every northern Ohio town has its own free things to do. My favorite are the themed festivals, from the Dam Festival in my hometown of Monroeville to the Melon Festival in nearby Milan. While you may have to pay for food and rides, the festivals never charge admission, and there are plenty of free things to do. Most offer free open-air concerts and uniquely rural entertainment like tractor pulls and toilet races. Each local celebration has its own claim to fame. The Melon Festival, for example, is legendary for its huge parade. The Dam Festival features a Dam Duck Race, a community-wide competition where racers purchase rubber duckies that are herded into the Huron river; the first duck to make it a point downstream is the winner.
Check the websites of any small northern Ohio towns you may be passing through (you’ll be surprised how many have pages of their own) for festival dates and other free things to do.
Lake Erie
Recent conservation efforts have restored Lake Erie’s natural beauty. There are public beaches all over the coast of northern Ohio where anyone can swim for free. Uptown Port Clinton has one of the best, offering a gorgeous view of the Lake Erie islands and passing sailboats. East Harbor State Park in nearby Marblehead also has extensive beach front as well as as free community events like nature walks and their Christmas in July party.
If you would rather see the sights than swim, there’s plenty of free things to do on the coast. The Marblehead Lighthouse State Park features the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes as well as a free lighthouse museum. If you happen to be in the Cedar Point area, take a drive down the Cedar Point Chaussee. The secluded road right is home to some of the most expensive and architecturally diverse houses in northern Ohio.
Of course, some of the best free things to do in northern Ohio are what you find driving through rural villages and country roads. Depending on the time of year, you could find free corn mazes, bike tours, or extravagant Christmas lighting displays. The beauty of these free things to do is not only that you save money, but you and your travel companions have a great time in northern Ohio.
