Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once declared Cincinnati "The Queen City of the West," and it remains a major regional hub with a surprising beauty and a love of five-way chili.
Marblehead Lighthouse, located within Marblehead Lighthouse State Park on a peninsula east of Port Clinton, is the oldest Great Lakes lighthouse in continuous operation, with a history dating back to 1822.
Head an hour southwest from Columbus and you'll find yourself in Hocking Hills State Park, one of Ohio's most scenic regions. Rockbridge, one of the park's numerous natural features, stretches 50 feet across a ravine.
The ceremonial cornerstone of the Ohio Statehouse was laid in 1839, but the structure wouldn't be completed for more than 20 years. Visitors to the Ohio capital city can explore the Greek Revival limestone building on daily free tours.
Outdoor recreation in Ohio doesn't end when temperatures drop. Winter activities in the state include skiing, tubing, winter hiking, snowshoeing and ice fishing (pictured).
One of Ohio's most fascinating attractions, Serpent Mound State Memorial, houses the nation's largest and best preserved serpent effigy. The 1,330-foot-long snake-shaped mound was likely built by early indigenous populations around 900 years ago.