Ohio Facts: Entertainment, Sports, and Leisure
Great American Ballpark, located on the banks of the Ohio River, with the Cincinnati skyline behind it.

Ohio Facts: Entertainment, Sports, and Leisure

Learn about the biggest things to see and do in Ohio.

These are some of the biggest entertainment sources in Ohio. Visit Ohio.org to learn about the many things to do and places to visit in Ohio.

Amusement Parks

Ohio has two world-class theme parks – King’s Island in Mason, and Cedar Point in Sandusky – and more than a dozen smaller amusement parks that are local favorites. There are also indoor and outdoor waterparks around the state.

Collegiate Sports

With more than 50 colleges and universities, Ohio is a leader in collegiate sports. Ohio schools are members of six National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I conferences:

  • Atlantic 10: Dayton Flyers
  • Big East: Xavier Musketeers
  • Big Ten: Ohio State Buckeyes
  • Big Twelve: Cincinnati Bearcats
  • Horizon: Cleveland State Vikings, Wright State Raiders
  • Mid-American Conference: Akron Zips, Bowling Green Falcons, Kent State Golden Flashes, Miami Redhawks, Ohio University Bobcats, and Toledo Rockets

Many more schools represent Ohio in NCAA Divisions II and III, as well as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Ohio Regional Campus Conference, and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Sports played include football, basketball, baseball, softball, ice hockey, and soccer.

Museums and Learning Experiences

Art, history, and technology come alive in Ohio’s museums, large and small. You can explore Ohio and local history, fine and modern art, business and industry, science and technology, and aviation in fun and innovative ways.

National and State Parks

Ohio is home to eight National Parks, two National Trails, 23 National Natural Landmarks, and 76 National Historic Landmarks. There are more than 4,000 Ohio locations on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ohio's State Park System includes more than 70 parks and 1,000 miles of trails. Park activities and amenities include hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, camping, lodges, golf courses, and much more.

Professional Sports

Ohio hosts teams in all five major professional sports leagues, including:

  • Major League Baseball (MLB): Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians.
  • Major League Soccer (MLS): Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati
  • National Basketball Association (NBA): Cleveland Cavaliers
  • National Football League (NFL): Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.
  • National Hockey League (NHL): Columbus Blue Jackets.

Ohio is also home to notable minor league teams in professional baseball, football, basketball, ice hockey, and soccer.

Our state is home to some of the most iconic professional sports venues in the nation, which attract competitions and events from around the world. These include Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Progressive Field and Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, and Ohio Stadium, Nationwide Arena, and Lower.com Field in Columbus.

Inverness Club in Toledo and Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin are regular hosts of Professional Golfers Association (PGA) tournaments. The Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania and the Kenwood Country Club in Cincinnati host Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) events.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington is host to NASCAR and IndyCar races. Summit Motorsports Park hosts drag races for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is in Canton, Ohio and every football used in NFL games is manufactured by the Wilson Football Factory in Ada.

Zoos and Wildlife

Ohio is a great place to encounter and learn about wildlife. The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are counted among the best zoos in the nation. There are many other zoos, aquariums, safari experiences, and bird sanctuaries around the state.