This is a list of ten great things to do while visiting the city of Toledo, Ohio. Parks, gardens, and museums are included.
Toledo is located in Lucas County in the state of Ohio. It is also known as the Glass City and has a population of 300,000 people. Toledo is in the northwestern part of Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie. The city has a small town charm mixed with big city living. Actress Katie Holmes was born here. Each year the city of Toledo embraces its heritage by hosting the German-American, the Polish-American, and the Greek-American Festivals. Here is a list of ten great things to do while visiting this city.
Toledo Museum of Art: This museum is the permanent home to many great works of art. Some things included are African art, American paintings, ancient and modern arts, Asian arts, European paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts. The museum hosts many traveling exhibits including photography, glass, and other artworks. The museum is located on Monroe Street and they offer a cafe, coffee bar, and a museum store.
Toledo Botanical Gardens: These gardens are 60 acres in size. They have a variety of plants and flowers that are pleasing to the senses. Some types included are a rose, herb, native, perennial, and native plant gardens. They offer beautiful landscapes and a serene atmosphere. Grand Vallee features Crabapple trees and Dawn Redwoods. Art studios and galleries are here as well. The gardens are located on Elmer Drive in Toledo.
Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship: This ship was built in 1911 and was used up until 1980 as a freighter on the Great Lakes. It is now permanently docked at waters edge in Toledo's International Park. The ship has been carefully repaired and they welcome you aboard. Here you can see many nautical themed photographs and memorabilia along with a tour of the interior. The ship is open to the public May through October. November through April the ship is viewable by appointment only.
Toledo Zoological Gardens: This zoo has a wide variety of animals presented in their natural habitats. Some of the habitats here are African Savanna, the Primate Forest, Hippoquarium, Reptiles, Cheetah Alley, Bald Eagles, Frog Town, Aviary, and the Children's Zoo. They also feature an aquarium, veterinarian hospital, Museum of Science, Tiger Terrace, and the Arctic Encounter. Here you will find dining, a zoo store, and many special events in their amphitheater. They are located on State Route 25, four miles south of downtown Toledo.
COSI Science Museum: The COSI Science Museum has great interactive learning for people of all ages. Some featured areas of the museum are Explorazone, Waterworks, Little Kidspace, Whiz Bang Engineering, Mind Zone, and Life Force. The Science Cafe hosts a changing world of interactive exhibits. They have a sports area, cafe, and museum store. COSI is located at 1 Discovery Way on the riverfront in Toledo.
Valentine Theatre: This theater is just over a hundred years old and seats 901 people. This venue features many cultural events including performances by the Toledo Symphony, the Toledo Opera, and the Toledo Ballet. They also host jazz and chorale events along with presentations from the University of Toledo and local high schools. The Valentine Theatre is located on Adams Street in downtown Toledo.
African Safari Wildlife Park: This park is one of the Mid-West's only drive through safari. The park is over 100 acres in size and features animals from all over the world. The animals are not penned and may wander right up to your car as you drive through the park. Here you will find camels, buffalo, zebras, alpacas, giraffes, warthogs, and white-tailed deer. You can eat at the Safari Grill or bring a picnic lunch with you. The safari is located on Lightner Road in Port Clinton.
Butterfly House: The Butterfly house features over 500 butterflies. These beautiful creatures flutter around you in a natural setting of flowers and waterfalls. The species of butterflies here come from Asia and the Americas. They also have a Garden Center that can teach you to attract butterflies to your own home garden. The Butterfly House is located on Obee Road in Whitehouse, near Toledo.
Fort Meigs State Memorial: On this site in 1831, General William Henry Harrison and his men withstood heavy attacks by the British and the Indians. Here you will find an exhibit of artillery and other memorabilia from military life in the 1830's. You can leisurely tour this 65-acre park and see the fort, stockade wall, and the canon batteries. This memorial site is located near Toledo in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Wildwood Metropark: The park provides a natural habitat for many plants and animals native to the area of Toledo. This reserve is the former home of Robert Stranahan, Sr., one of the founders of the Champion Spark Plug Company. Here you can visit the manor house and the one room Victorian schoolhouse. This park is located on West Central Avenue in Toledo.
