Things to do in Toledo Ohio

May 8, 2009 6:31 AM

Things to do in Toledo, Ohio? I'll be in Toledo this weekend with my extended family and plenty of free time. What are some cool things to keep us busy?

Much of the time will be just my four-year-old son and me, but all of Saturday I'll be in charge of the entertainment for a group of us of varying ages including a teenager and older adults. All suggestions welcome. Thanks.

posted by Otis to travel & transportation (18 comments total)

Toledo has a surprisingly excellent art museum. The one time I went there, that was why.

Also looks like the Mud Hens will be home this weekend.
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 6:36 AM on May 8

Depending on where you are coming from, the zoo is pretty decent. But if you are from somewhere with an awesome zoo, its not the best.
posted by JonnyRotten at 7:13 AM on May 8

it's been years & years since i was there, but i was surprised by the park system. it looks like they have free canal boat rides tomorrow.
posted by msconduct at 8:18 AM on May 8

Seconding the art museum -- it's one of Toledo's few world-class assets. Also you can look at lake ships, something that might amuse your 4-year-old.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 8:33 AM on May 8

The Metroparks are awesome, if you like walking in the woods, and it's not quite Black Swamp Mosquito Assault season yet. My favorite metropark is Oak Openings, which has sand dunes. If you're not averse to driving a little, the Goll Woods is probably still covered with fantastic wildflowers.

The metroparks also have birdwatching programs and stuff if you want something a little more structured than just a walk in the park.

The art museum has free parking, extended hours (until 10 p.m.) and special programming on Friday evening, if you'll be here. It looks like there's some stuff going on over at the new SANAA-designed Glass Pavillion (across the street from the "old" museum building) this week. There are often glassblowing demonstrations there on the weekends, but I don't know the details, and it's around the time that the BFA students have their end-of-semester show.

Toledo has a farmer's market on Saturday mornings, but I'm not sure how active it is right now. It can be a nice non-restaurant place to have breakfast--in addition to produce there's usually baked goods and (locally roasted) coffee.

On the ship front, Toledo has the Willis Boyer, a former Great Lakes freighter. It's not free, but it's cheaper than the zoo, and there are usually a bunch of adorable swallows down by the river.
posted by pullayup at 8:53 AM on May 8

They have an excellent central library, and an even better kids section. (I know, who goes on vacation and visits a library? But it's pretty and almost a museum.)

The U of Toledo Library has an elaborate museum dedicated to Toledo glass. I actually found it better than the Glass Pavilion, because the latter didn't have much structure beyond 'ooh look, pretty shiny stuff.'

JohnnyRotten understates the quality of the zoo. It's epic. Go.

The houses in the nicer parts of Toledo, for some reason, just look cuter than most. For example, I lived here for a few years. If you just can't find anything to do, walk around the Old Orchard neighbourhood.

And before you go, find a copy of the song 'Saturday Night In Toledo, Ohio' to instill an unshakable fear that spending a weekend in Toledo will be a wash. :)
posted by spamguy at 10:12 AM on May 8

Tony Packo's.
posted by Oriole Adams at 10:24 AM on May 8

I think that the glass exhibit at the University of Toledo's Carlson Library was temporary, and it might be gone now. Definitely call first. I'm a little embarrased that I don't know--I was on the same floor as the Canady Center (where I rember that the exhibit is/was housed) this morning. It was really cool, though, and provided an interesting angle on Toledo's history as a glass-producing town.
posted by pullayup at 10:39 AM on May 8

Butterfly House out in Whitehouse (about 30-45 minutes outside of Toledo). (Their page is down for some reason, so check out the cache.) Kids will really enjoy a visit, though I'm 35 and had a great time last year.
posted by longdaysjourney at 11:22 AM on May 8

This list of attractions might be of interest as well.
posted by longdaysjourney at 11:25 AM on May 8

As pullayup noted, yeah, the exhibit was most likely temporary. I was there two and a half years ago. This was the exhibit I was thinking of.

Seconding Tony Packo's. As seen on M*A*S*H.
posted by spamguy at 11:38 AM on May 8

If the weather is nice, I would suggest the Med Hens game. There is a Tony Packo's directly across from the ballpark.

We also have a great zoo and art museum(which may be perfect if it rains).

Lastly if you have never been there Cedar Point is the best amusement park for roller coasters in the world.
posted by travis08 at 12:13 PM on May 8

Lastly if you have never been there Cedar Point is the best amusement park for roller coasters in the world.

Cedar Point is in Sandusky, which is a good 2 hours or more away from Toledo.
posted by Oriole Adams at 3:02 PM on May 8

I live in toledo and we do it in under an hour and a half usually no problem. Depending where you leave from in toledo you could be looking at under an hour easy.
posted by travis08 at 4:24 PM on May 8

My comment above is in regards to driving to Cedar Point.
posted by travis08 at 4:25 PM on May 8

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. Looks like the rain might stay away and we are staying close to the zoo, so we'll probably check that out. Also a trip to Tony Packos is on the agenda.
posted by Otis at 5:34 AM on May 9

If the weather is nice, I would suggest the Med Hens game.

Klinger, is that you? How's that Section 8 coming along?
posted by JHarris at 12:53 PM on May 9

My two cents for future travelers: the zoo is interesting, and worth a trip just to see all the WPA-era buildings, which give the place a really unique feel. Tony Packo's is not to be missed - great atmosphere, good service and food. Random people seemed to recommend the M.O.A.D. (The Mother of All Hot Dogs), but if you are not up for that, be sure to at least get some fried pickles with the house ketchup.
posted by Otis at 5:34 AM on May 11