By Margaret Briller
If staying at home is driving you stir-crazy, it’s time to take a one-day trip to see Ohio’s greatest treasures. From the gorgeous shores of Lake Erie to the historic Ohio River Valley, there are 27 designated Ohio Byways ready to explore from the COVID-safe confines of your car. No hotels, no airport lines, no worries.
You’ll find gateways to cultural, historic, natural, scenic and recreational areas in every corner of the state. Make tracks. Hit the road. Vamoose. Get out of Dodge. It’s time to go — at least for a day.
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
Lake Erie is Ohio’s greatest resource and the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail provides travelers with 293 miles with access to its beaches, state parks, preserves, lighthouses, islands, historical sites, adventure sites, quaint villages and big cities.
The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail is an America’s Scenic Byway, which weaves along the southern shore of Lake Erie, part of the largest freshwater system in the world. It’s the trail for shopping, fishing, birding, biking, boating, camping, touring and exploring.
From the east, the byway begins at Conneaut and follows the Erie shoreline to Toledo and the Michigan border. From the west, part of the byway winds through Ottawa and Lucas counties, offering visitors views along the Maumee State Scenic River. The byway passes right by Cedar Point, America’s premier coaster park, and ferry rides to Lake Erie’s islands.
Visit: ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/tourism/resources/scenic-byways. Also, check out the Lake Erie Ohio Coastal Trail app.
Follow the River
The history-rich Ohio River Scenic Byway meanders along the banks of the Ohio River, hugging its shoreline and offering majestic views. The history of this “Beautiful River” is found both in rural landscapes and quaint river communities. It marked the boundary between the North and South during the slavery era and was the gateway to freedom for many.
From East Liverpool on the eastern edge of the state, the Ohio River Scenic Byway meanders along the Ohio River for 462 miles through 14 counties via State Route 7 south to U.S. Route 52 west to Cincinnati. There are many museums and historic sites that can be explored (check ahead for hours).
The Byway runs through Wayne National Forest and Shawnee National Forest, as well as several state parks, all of which offer trails, biking, water activities, camping, picnicking and adventure courses.
“In southern Ohio, Portsmouth boasts massive floodwall murals by famed artist Robert Dafford,” says Judy Bratten, assistant director of Steubenville Visitor Center. “And in Steubenville, you will find another self-guided tour of 25 larger-than-life works of art in ‘The City of Murals.’”
Most of the Ohio River Scenic Byway runs through Appalachia and travelers can explore its unique foods, wineries, breweries and crafts. Visit: ohioriverscenicbyway.org.
Bridges of Ashtabula County
A covered bridge is a trip back in time when wood was plentiful and a bridge was the fastest way over the river. As Ohio’s Covered Bridge Capital, Ashtabula County is home to 19 covered bridges, with 17 of them still open for vehicle traffic. The majority are in farmland and woodland, making fall a popular time to see colorful leaves as a backdrop for these picturesque bridges. Two bridges in Ashtabula County are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The earliest documented covered bridge structures remaining in the area date back to 1867 in Mechanicsville and Windsor Mills, and 1868 for Root, Middle and Harpersfield bridges. The shortest drive-through bridge is Liberty Street Bridge at 18 feet. Riverview Covered Bridge carries only pedestrian traffic and mirrors the Pratt arch design of the 613-foot Smolen-Gulf Bridge, the longest covered bridge in the U.S. Visit: visitashtabulacounty.com.
Margaret Briller is a freelance writer in Northeast Ohio and a road-trip warrior.
Photo courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
