Are you looking for things to do in Toledo Ohio? If so, you are in the right place! In this article, I will walk you through Toledo attractions, Toledo museums, and other things to do in Toledo.
I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and I know the area well. And in my mind, Toledo is definitely one of the most underrated places in Ohio. For such a long time it was just a place that people passed through on their way to Michigan.
Toledo is now a go-to destination in its own right with so much to see and do. You will find great museums, lots of attractions, some great recreational activities, and brilliant dining and entertainment. It’s a great city for a weekend getaway in Ohio.
Sitting on the banks of the Maumee River, Toledo is rich in history, a lot of it centered around the river. The riverfront has played an important part in the city’s regeneration, with many dining and unique shopping experiences in this area.
Toledo, Ohio also has a wonderful network of Metroparks to explore, so if you need a moment of quiet you will find a place in Toledo. I’ve included some of the parks in this list of things to do in Toledo Ohio.
The attractions in Toledo are numerous, the museums in Toledo are unique, and dining is fabulous and plentiful.
Here are 15 things to do in Toledo OH you shouldn’t miss!
If you’re exploring more of the state, take a look at our guide to the best things to do in Ohio for more inspiration.
Best Things To Do In Toledo Ohio At A Glance
Whether you’re interested in history, museums, outdoor adventures, or family-friendly attractions, Toledo has something for everyone. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose what to see and do.
| Toledo Attraction | Best For |
|---|---|
| Toledo Museum of Art | Art, culture and glass exhibits |
| Imagination Station | Interactive science and family fun |
| Old West End | Historic architecture and photography |
| The Volunteer Canal Boat | History and scenic canal rides |
| Toledo Botanical Garden | Gardens, sculptures and relaxation |
| Wildwood Preserve Metropark | Walking trails and historic houses |
| Toledo’s Food Scene | Local food and dining experiences |
| Toledo Harbor Lighthouse | Scenic boat trips and lake views |
| National Museum of the Great Lakes | Maritime history and historic ships |
| Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral | Architecture and history |
| Swan Creek Preserve Metropark | Wildlife watching and nature trails |
| Toledo Speedway | Motorsport and racing events |
| Toledo Firefighters Museum | Firefighting history and vintage equipment |
| Toledo Mud Hens | Baseball and family entertainment |
| Oak Openings Preserve | Hiking, wildlife and treehouse stays |
15 Things To Do In Toledo OH You Shouldn’t Miss
Enjoy The Toledo Museum Of Art
Recognized globally for its collections, the Museum Of Art is one of the museums in Toledo that you must visit. Not only is it free but it features art from all over the world.
You will find some classic masterpieces by Rembrandt and Rubens. If the classics aren’t your thing I’m sure you will find something you love within the museum’s collection of over 25,000 works of art.
The museum has extensive galleries and includes collections that are Greek, Asian, Egyptian, and African in origin. The collection spans from some medieval pieces to contemporary pieces.
The gardens are outstanding and include some great art sculptures. But the best place in the museum is undoubtedly the Glass Pavilion. The museum is most famous for its collection of glass art with an ever-changing exhibit.
You will need a few hours to get the most out of your visit and you can combine a trip with a walk around the stunning Old West End.
Some galleries are temporarily closed for renovations until 2027, so check what’s open before visiting.
Get Creative At Imagination Station, One Of The Best Attractions In Toledo
Located downtown, this is a great attraction in Toledo for all the family. There is something here that will entertain visitors whatever their age.
A science center with hundreds of exhibits to explore, Imagination Station is a great activity in inclement weather. Visitors can explore science through interactive stations in energy, water, agriculture, engineering, and health, to name but a few.
Make sure to head to the Extreme Science Stage and watch a live demonstration. It is definitely one the children will love. The whole place is an immersive hands-on experience that will keep you occupied for hours.
Located on the riverfront at 1 Discovery Way, it’s easy to find and you won’t regret a visit. With hundreds of exhibits, the only problem might be making sure you see everything at this Toledo attraction.
Wander The Pretty Streets Of The Old West End
A trip to the Old West End should be top on your Toledo list. It’s northwest of the city center and is a great place to explore on a sunny day.
Dating from the 19th century, Old West End is a grid of picture-perfect streets with rows of Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
If you are looking for some stunning photographs this is the place to visit. It’s a beautiful spot to get lost in for a few hours.
There are tours of the area if you want to learn more about the architecture and history. However, you may prefer to just wander and go where the mood takes you. Whatever you decide to do, this area is well worth a visit.
Whatever you decide to do, this area is well worth a visit, especially if you’re planning one of our Ohio road trips.
Experience The Canal
The canal has played an important part in the past and present development of this city. And if you love learning about history, hopping on The Volunteer Canal Boat is a must.
Located within Providence Metropark, you can take a one-hour ride on The Volunteer. Onboard you will learn about the vital part the canal played in Toledo’s history.
The staff are in period costumes, adding to the ambiance. You’ll see a gristmill, one of the last working 19th-century canal locks, and parts of the Miami and Erie Canal towpath on your travels.
Tours operate seasonally from May to October, so check the schedule before visiting.
This is a great thing to do in Toledo Ohio.
Explore The Toledo Botanical Garden
If you need some downtime then I suggest a visit to the beautiful Toledo Botanical Garden. On the northern fringes of Toledo, you have over 60 acres to explore.
It’s just a stunning place with sculptures, all kinds of different flowers, and lovely places to sit and watch the world go by, or at least the wildlife.
The Secret Forest is a hit with children as they get to experience nature through an interactive outdoor play area. And the adults might like an evening of jazz here.
It’s free to visit and the charming paths and patchwork of flowers will delight you, making this Toledo attraction a great Midwest weekend getaway!
Take A Walk At The Wildwood Preserve Metropark
While there are many Metroparks in Toledo OH, this one should be top of your agenda. It’s one of the largest and most visited of the parks.
You will find meandering walking trails, rolling grassland, meadows, forest prairies, and a Georgian Colonial manor house at the center. If you love exploring on foot, take a look at our guide to the best hikes in Ohio for more places to discover.
You can tour the house and the regular public tours are free, although opening days vary. This is a great park to visit with lots to see and do. It’s close enough to the city center for an easy visit, yet you feel like you are out in the countryside.
Eat Your Heart Out Exploring Toledo’s Food Scene
While Toledo Ohio isn’t necessarily known as a foodie destination, it deserves a mention. Exploring the local food scene will allow you to sample the delights.
Downtown Toledo has plenty to offer, with restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, and other places to enjoy the city’s many flavors.
You can also visit the Toledo Farmers’ Market, which has been part of the city since 1832 and offers fresh produce and goods from local vendors.
Exploring the food scene is a great way to learn more about the city and its past and present.
Sampling the local food is one of the most delicious things to do in Toledo OH!
Enjoy The View Of The Toledo Lighthouse Tour
A small group boat tour around the Toledo lighthouse is a great thing to do in Toledo. It really is worth the effort.
On the boat tour, you can enjoy views of the lighthouse from the water. Public access inside the lighthouse is currently unavailable, with tours planned to resume in 2027.
The history of the lighthouse dates back to the early 1900s, when it played an important part in navigation on Lake Erie.
Boat rides are offered on selected dates by the Toledo Harbor Lighthouse Preservation Society, including during the annual lighthouse festival at Maumee Bay State Park. The tours are weather dependent due to the exposed location of the lighthouse.
If you love historic lighthouses, take a look at our guide to the best lighthouses in Ohio for more beautiful places to discover.
Learn At National Museum Of The Great Lakes
If you love discovering the history of a location you are visiting, then head to the National Museum Of The Great Lakes. It’s a great learning experience.
The interactive exhibits tell the story of the significance of the Great Lakes in this region.
One of the exhibits is the Col. James M. Schoonmaker museum ship, which is over a century old. They also have models of freighters and machinery left over from the industrial boom times.
The museum is self-guided, and you can also explore the historic ships outside as an added bonus. The ships are open seasonally from May through October.
Wonder At The Gorgeous Queen Of The Most Holy Rosary Cathedral
In the heart of the Old West End among the historic mansions sits the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral. If you are in this area I highly recommend a visit.
It’s architecturally beautiful and is a unique find in this part of America. Built in the early 20th century, it features Spanish Plateresque architecture inspired by the traditions of Toledo, Spain.
It’s a lovely place to explore and enjoy, and definitely one of the best things to do in Ohio.
The cathedral is undergoing restoration during 2026, with reopening celebrations planned for November. Check visitor access before planning your trip.
It’s a lovely place to explore and enjoy, and definitely one of the best things to do in Ohio.
Seek Wildlife At Swan Creek
I told you there were a lot of Metroparks in Toledo and this is one of the best ones to visit. It’s smaller but perfectly formed.
You will find it between the city suburbs and southeast outskirts. It’s a triangular piece of land filled with trees and is known for migratory birds.
If you love wildlife watching this is the place in Toledo for you. It’s a great place for a summer picnic or a winter one for that matter, as the picnic spots have covered roofs. And it would make the perfect Ohio day trip!
In the woods, you might see deer and foxes, and birds can be seen along the creek bank. In spring this place is awash with wildflowers.
You also have a host of trails to explore here, a couple of playgrounds for the children, and a swinging bridge which is always fun.
Watch A Race At Toledo Speedway
Now I know the speedway might not be to everyone’s taste but if this is your thing then make a trip to Toledo Speedway.
You will find stock car racing, USAC events, and much more. There are also occasional driving experiences, so check the schedule if you’d like to get behind the wheel yourself.
The track is open seasonally, with the last race usually held in October. Please check before you visit.
Toledo Firefighters Museum
This is a quick and fun Toledo activity to do with children or adults who enjoy anything vintage. Inside the historic Firehouse Number 18, you will find vintage firefighting equipment and lots of history.
Inside there are rooms showcasing the stories of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
It’s a special museum that is perfect for those who love learning about history.
Admission is free, and the museum is open on Saturdays from noon to 4 pm.
Watch The Toledo Mud Hens
If you like baseball then a trip to watch the Toledo Mud Hens is a must. They are a minor league team but baseball is baseball.
Games take place at Fifth Third Field in the Hensville area of downtown Toledo’s Warehouse District. This area is well worth exploring even without baseball.
The facilities are award-winning and you can get anything from a hotdog to a steak. Selected home games also end with fireworks, so it really is a great Toledo experience.
Live In The Trees At Oak Openings Preserve
Located between Whitehouse and Swanton, this is one of the largest parks in a region of global significance. It’s also home to the nation’s only public treehouse village.
At 5,000 acres there is a lot to explore here, and this area looks just stunning in the fall. If you love autumn scenery, take a look at our guide to fall in the Midwest for more beautiful places to visit.
It was named “Oak Openings” by the pioneers because of the widely-spaced oaks dotting vast prairies.
It’s a mix of oak savanna, wetlands, and vegetated sand. These sandy regions were named by The Nature Conservancy as one of the 200 “Last Great Places on Earth.”
There are more than 70 miles of trails here to explore and the different types of trees make for some great photography spots.
Expect to see lots of wildlife, including birds, some quite rare, which come to this area. Also look out for cacti, orchids, and wild lupines.
The park is located on Girdham Road southwest of downtown Toledo.
As you can see, there are lots of things to do in Toledo OH. Whichever of these attractions you choose to visit, I am sure you are going to love this city and enjoy your time here.
Whether you visit one of the Toledo museums, explore the city’s attractions, or enjoy the beautiful open spaces, I hope you have a great time.
If all that exploring makes you hungry, take a look at our guide to the best restaurants in Toledo Ohio for some great places to eat.
You can even make a romantic weekend out of it!
Have you visited Toledo? I’d love to hear about your favourite places and experiences in the comments below!
Packing List For Visiting The Toledo Attractions
If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Toledo here are some tips on how to pack lightly.
A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when visiting Toledo Ohio. It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.
This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.
You can place it under your hiking clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.
If you have a pouch already that does not come with the RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.
This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.
If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery. This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone like I have. And wow is it fast!
I like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so I do not have to worry about it while out and about, and if I forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.
My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.
It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking selfies.
Hydration is so important when traveling. You want to remain hydrated throughout your travels to support your immune system which in turn will be stronger to fight off any germs you will encounter during your travels.
You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.
When filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the charcoal filter ensures fresh clean water whenever you fill the Bobble.
Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium in your suitcase, or in your car.
Then this set of collapsible silicone foldable water bottles would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all.
You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. when hiking This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great
It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.
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