Visit Toledo in northwest Ohio, a vibrant city on the shores of Lake Erie which offers couples and families plenty to see and do. Best things to do in Toledo, Ohio with kids are the Toledo Zoo, the Imagination Station and Oak Openings Preserve.
Admire the flowers for free in Toledo Botanical Garden
Located on Elmer Drive northwest of downtown Toledo, Toledo Botanical Garden is a 60-acre garden owned by the Metroparks of the Toledo Area and one of the best things to do in Toledo OH. The only botanical garden in the area, the Toledo Botanical Garden is a garden open to the public and free of charge.
Address: 5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-536-5566
View over 30,000 works at the Toledo Museum of Art
Located on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo, the Toledo Museum of Art is one of the top Toledo attractions, with a collection of over 30,000 works. The Toledo Symphony Orchestra performs in the Peristyle, a concert hall in the east wing of the museum. There is also a sculpture garden.
Address: 2445 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH, Phone: 419-255-8000
Learn about animals at Toledo Zoo
Some of the Toledo Zoo’s exhibits include the Arctic Encounter, Cheetah Valley, Kingdom of the Apes, and the Tiger Terrace. The 178,000-gallon aquarium contains more than 3,000 exciting aquatic animals. Built in 1937, the aviary is one of the zoo's oldest buildings and is home to many interesting species of birds.
Address: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH, Phone: 419-385-4040
Take the kids to the Imagination Station
The Imagination Station is a hands-on interactive science museum located on Discovery Way on the riverfront of the Maumee River.Today, the museum boasts more than 300 interactive exhibits, and it has a goal of making engineering, math, science, and technology fun for the whole family.
Address: 1 Discovery Way, Toledo, OH, Phone: 419-244-2674
Have dinner at Tony Packo's
Order a juicy smoked hot dog on a house bun, smothered with Tony Packo's famous sauce, and topped with a bit of chili and shredded cheese.
Address: 1902 Front Street, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-691-6054
Go on a casual date at Bar 145
If you don’t know what a gastropub is, a trip to Bar 145 will give you the proper introduction. The restaurant boasts 25 kinds of bourbon and some very good bands, features that regularly draw huge crowds. With its large patio and high tables, the enormous 50-seat oval bar, and a number of flat screen TVs, the atmosphere is very lively. Burgers are served on fine white china, the quality meat comes from Myers Ranch, Grand Rapids, a local baker provides the fresh buns, and Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor delivers the flavorful artisan cheese. There are also 20 house made sauces, allowing you to have a completely individualized dining experience.
Address: 5305 Monroe St., Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-593-0073
Take a free tour of the Wildwood Manor House
Located on West Central Avenue in the Wildwood Preserve Metropark northwest of downtown Toledo, the Wildwood Manor House is a Georgian Colonial home that offers free tours to the public. Taking tea in the Solarium is a popular activity on the first Friday of the months of April until November except July. The house hosts musical concerts and has a collectibles program.
Address: 5100 West Central Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-407-9844
Learn about Great Lakes history at the National Museum of the Great Lakes
Welcoming visitors all week, the National Museum of the Great Lakes makes a great addition to any itinerary for its well-thought-out exhibits and fascinating stories. It is dedicated to the marvelous history of the treasured and famed Great Lakes, which altogether represent 84% of North America’s freshwater sources.
Address: 1701 Front Street, Toledo, Ohio 43605, Phone: 419-214-5000
See a performance by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1943 with 22 part time musicians, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra of today consists of 80 professional musicians who provide the Toledo area with performances and education. The symphony performs at the Peristyle Theater, which is part of the Toledo Museum of Art.
Address: 1838 Parkwood Avenue # 310, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-241-1272
Grab a slice of pizza at Zia's
Enjoying a flavorful pizza while sitting on the patio by the river and watching the sunset passing boats has to be one of life’s greatest pleasures. If you come to Zia's, you can do just that. In fact, whatever you decide to order, you can always enjoy sitting on their outdoor patio by the Maumee River. Everything is simply delicious.
Address: 20 Main St., Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-697-4559
Dine with a view of the Maumee River at Real Seafood Company
Located at Toledo Docks, the Real Seafood Company is a spacious, luxurious restaurant with a spectacular view of the Maumee River, and the original art pieces hanging on the walls add to the contemporary and upscale feel. It’s the perfect place for important business lunches or romantic dinners for two.
Address: 22 Main St., Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 888-456-3463
Dine at Registry Bistro
Registry Bistro is located in the heart of the Toledo’s entertainment district in the old Secor Hotel, which was built in 1906. The tapas, small plates that encourage sharing between friends, are her particular specialty. Try delectable concoctions like Scotch Olives - green olives that have been generously stuffed with finely herbed goat cheese, layered with chorizo, coated with bread crumbs, and then deep fried. You will love every morsel. The wine list features many choices from small wineries and local and European wines, and you can also order American craft beers.
Address: 144 N Superior St, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-725-0444
Taste unique flavors at the Maumee Bay Brew Pub
The Maumee Bay Brew Pub serves house crafted beer and tasty American food like burgers and pizza. The pub sells craft ales and lagers as well as Buckeye Beer. Once inside, diners can get a good look at the 500-gallon tanks that hold the brewing company’s beers. The pub features a wood firebrick oven for its pizzas, and its menu features a build-your-own burger.
Address: 27 Broadway Street, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-243-1302
Learn about firefighter history at the Toledo Firefighters Museum
The Toledo Firefighters Museum takes great effort to preserve the storied history of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department in a beautiful and entertaining way. Aptly located in an old fire station, the museum proudly displays replicas, mementos, and photographs of firefighter history.
Address: 918 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43612, Phone: 419-478-3473
Go fishing in Oak Openings Preserve
Located on Girdham Road southwest of downtown Toledo, Oak Openings Preserve is a nature preserve and the largest park in the Toledo area. It is part of Toledo Metroparks and is the home of the Beuhner Center, a popular location for scout camping that also serves as an interactive nature center. The preserve contains an oak savanna, sand and vegetated dunes, wetlands, and several rare species of plants. Some of the interesting plants that grow here include cacti, orchids, and wild lupines. There are also many birds such as whippoorwills, indigo buntings, and bluebirds. Some of the available activities include camping, fishing, horseback riding, and picnicking. The preserve is open every day.
Address: 4139 Girdham Road, Swanton, Toledo, Ohio, Phone: 419-407-9700
Pick up a snack at the Toledo Farmers' Market
If you are on the hunt for some of the freshest and highest quality products that Toledo can offer, look no further than the Toledo Farmers' Market.
Address: 525 Market Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604; Phone: 419-255-6765
Have fun at Hollywood Casino Toledo
If you’re heading to Hollywood Casino for a visit, you can be sure of this: you’re never going to run out of ways to play and have fun. The Hollywood Casino Toledo is proudly home to 125,00 square feet of adrenaline-pumping casino action with more than 2,000 hot slots, 59 table games, and a 19-table poker room.
1 Address: 968 Miami Street, Toledo, Ohio 43605, Phone: 419-661-5200
Go for a walk in Swan Creek Metropark
Take a break from the noise and busyness of city living at Swan Creek Metropark. Named for the creek at the heart of the park, Swan Creek Metropark is beloved for the eye-catching display of wildflowers that bloom every spring, and the gorgeous Ohio buckeyes and tulip magnolias that grow on the park’s trees. With a total area of 441 acres, Swan Creek features attractions like the Windows on Wildlife observatory and wildlife feeding station, access to the Swan Creek Connector Trail, a swinging bridge, two playgrounds, and gorgeous gazebos perfect for special ceremonies and events like weddings. Make sure to snap photographs as you cross the park’s swinging bridge, which offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape.
Address: 4301 Airport Highway, Toledo, Ohio 43615, Phone: 41-407-9718
Step back in time at the Toledo Police Museum
Founded in 1985 through the efforts of a local police officer, Officer Kenneth Deck, the Toledo Police Museum is dedicated to the brave men and women in uniform who bravely serve the city of Toledo, as well as preserving the history of the Toledo Police Force. The museum also has plenty of heartwarming and also heart-wrenching exhibits like the Our Fallen exhibit, the Postal Dog Wonder, Bum the First Police Dog, and the Black and Blue exhibit.
Address: 2201 Kenwood Boulevard, Toledo, Ohio 43606, Phone: 419-720-2485
