The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Ohio, United States

December 23, 2021 Phylicia Berquist

If you are looking for an active place to stay with world-class attractions, Ohio’s major cities can satisfy any vacation desire. Each offers its own distinct flavor of fun, from professional sports – Bengals (Cincinnati), Cavaliers (Cleveland) and Indians (Cleveland again) – to museums, outdoor activities and more. One of the most famous is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. If football is your thing, don’t miss the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. For the science-minded, visit the meat eaters at the Carnivore Conservation Center in the Wilds near Cambridge, dedicated to the breeding and scientific study of endangered mid-sized carnivores. Kids will also love Planet Snoopy in Sandusky or the Columbus Zoo’s Zoombezi Bay Waterpark and Jack’s Landing rides.
Restaurants in Ohio

1. Hidden Sights and Stops of Cleveland

See-Cle
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

This 3-hour trip is a combination of driving and walking to some of the best sights and views of Cleveland you won’t see from Main Street. You will walk some the unique attractions of Cleveland while driving by our most popular sites. Get ready to take some photos. Highlights of tour include: Euclid Avenue- Heinen’s Lobby, The Flats- Bridges, Edgewater Park- Cleveland Script, West Side Market, A Christmas Story House Museum and many more!

Inclusions: Private transportation

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By GeorgeByrne4

Steve's tour was fantastic and I had a great time chatting with him. He is very knowledgeable about the history of Cleveland and really loves what he does.

2. Saturday Cincy Brunch, History and Streetcar Tour

Washington Park, 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA Riverside Food Tours
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5.0 based on 19 reviews

We have a hunch you'll love our Saturday morning Brunch Tour. Learn the history of Cincinnati while enjoying great food along the way! Maximize your time on this 3 hour guided walking tour and visit Over the Rhine and historic Findlay Market. We enjoy wonderful food from 6 local eateries: We promise you won't leave hungry on this tour. Experience the beauty and hear the stories about Washington Park, Music Hall, and the history of Over the Rhine. Highlights: *Experience colorful multi story murals throughout the city and the free art exhibits that you can return to. *Stroll through Findlay Market and hear the story of the oldest urban market in Ohio. Stay and shop awhile. You're only a few blocks north of our starting point. *Enjoy dining at locally owned restaurants and eateries.. *Receive a food guide with map, list of restaurants and advice from a local guide who knows the city. *Our promise to leave you full - both mind and body!

Inclusions: Brunch dishes at 6 local eateries, Food guide with map, Children 5 and under are free if sharing from parents plate

Exclusions: Parking (parking garage located underneath the meeting spot), Gratuities for your guide, Beverages (Water is served; other beverages may be purchased)

Reviewed By Storyteller756024

Amazing food, amazing host and amazing city!! This food tour was so much more than I expected. Our host was super friendly and so knowledgable about the history of the beautiful Queen City! Very highly recommend. Glad we took the tour beginning of our tip, gave us so many more ideas of what to see, do and where to eat!!! This is a must do!!!

3. Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery

4003 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223, USA The Necro Tourist
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Take a walking tour with Ken Naegele, the Necro Tourist at the historic Wesleyan Cemetery. Visit the grave sites of significant people who impacted US and Cincinnati history. Hear their stories and see how they are memorialized.

Inclusions: Bottled water

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4. 1919: The year that changed baseball tour

Graeter's Ice Cream, 511 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA American Legacy Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

This tour focuses on the events and activities surrounding the controversial 1919 World Series that matched up the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox. Join us as we explore how that series and Cincinnati changed baseball forever.

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Reviewed By 156janicep

We thoroughly enjoyed our underground tour today with Miranda. We are low goals and learned so much about the beautiful Over the Rhine area in Cincinnati. Thank you so much for a great afternoon!

5. Guided Walking Tour: Downtown Highlights

116 Rockwell Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA Tours of Cleveland, LLC
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

This tour covers all the highlights of downtown Cleveland in one great, two-hour tour! The tour discusses a brief history of Cleveland, the buildings on Public Square and along the Mall, the Cleveland Public Library, the Cleveland Federal Reserve, Playhouse Square, with a visit inside the Arcade and the Cleveland Trust Company Building (Heinen's), as well as tales of Cleveland’s most famous residents. This walking tour is approximately 2 hours long. Some stops on the tour offer the opportunity for participants to sit. A walking tour with a knowledgeable guide is one of the best way's to experience Cleveland!

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

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Reviewed By Dbuck24

We decided to stay in Cleveland for the weekend. We love coming downtown for something but wanted to learn more about our city . And we so did very cool ! And educational would so do this trip again.

6. "Built on Beer" Walking Tour

1939 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA Brewing Heritage Trail
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Brewing high quality beer was an art form to many Cincinnati breweries and the buildings that housed their operations needed to be an extension of this passion. This tour shares the evolution of the brewing industry through the size, complexity, and architectural grandeur of the city’s historic breweries. We follow the Brewing Heritage Trail and marvel at the many remaining 19th and early 20th century structures, while sharing stories of those who built or doomed these brewing empires during beer’s industrial revolution. Tours include a visit into the vast subterranean lager cellars of the historic (non-operating) Jackson Brewery.

Inclusions: Visit into a historic pre-Prohibition brewery lagering cellar., Discount on merchandise in the Brewing Heritage Trail store.

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Reviewed By Excursion95825

Bill and Mike were our tour guides and they were both terrific. They gave us great historical info and made it interesting for everyone . I. Additionally, they played off of each other like a comedy team :) The tour was lively and the 1+1/2 hour flew by . Thank you !! We would definitely recommend this tour !

7. Private Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cleveland

116 Rockwell Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA Wandering Tours Cleveland
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

With no in-person contact, our smartphone-guided experience brings the real facts and stories behind Cleveland to life with the quality of a personal private tour crafted by Cleveland-locals. We've taken the same stops and sights we share with our friends and families when they come to town, and created an interactive web-based tour - read the stories behind the city, answer questions about what you've seen to reveal fun facts, and experience what makes Downtown Cleveland incredible! Purchase your tour and then navigate to our website to enter your access code and launch the tour. You can either start immediately or create an account and come back when you've reached the starting location and are ready to explore.

Inclusions: Family-friendly stops and questions, Easy-to-use web interface, 24/7 support by phone or email

Exclusions: But we'll point you to some of our favorite places!

8. Top 10 Sites + Top 5 Foods of Cincinnati Morning Tour

16 West Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA Riverside Food Tours
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5.0 based on 104 reviews

Is this your first time in Cincinnati? Well do we have the tour for you! The Top 10 Tour crams all of Cincinnati into one big morning adventure. It is a fast paced tour that kids enjoy too. Come hungry and wear comfy shoes because we cover a lot of ground. You are entertained by a friendly local guide as you explore the city's natural riverfront beauty and amazing architecture while learning about its rich and diverse history. To add to the fun, you enjoy 5 of Cincinnati's favorite foods. Throw in a streetcar ride, a visit to an historic urban market, beautiful parks and you'll be ready to put down roots! All food, transportation and a 3 hour guided tour is included in your ticket cost! Foods may include a Belgium waffle, a Cincinnati chili dog, a serving of Graeter’s ice cream, a Holtman’s donut, German goetta sauage or a French macaron. Please note: Findlay Market is closed on Mondays.

Inclusions: 5 Food tastings, Local certified guide, Food Guide and map

Exclusions: Parking fee (payable at the time of tour check-in), Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities for your guide , Drinks such as soda, coffee, tea (available to purchase)

Reviewed By Storyteller756024

Amazing food, amazing host and amazing city!! This food tour was so much more than I expected. Our host was super friendly and so knowledgable about the history of the beautiful Queen City! Very highly recommend. Glad we took the tour beginning of our tip, gave us so many more ideas of what to see, do and where to eat!!! This is a must do!!!

9. Ultimate Queen City Underground Tour

1332 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA American Legacy Tours
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4.9 based on 416 reviews

Join us on a walking tour of Cincinnati to learn about Cincinnati's hidden history on one of the Top Five Underground Tours in the U.S.* Enjoy a stroll through Over-the-Rhine, home to America's largest set of historical landmarks. Visit buildings in the Gateway District that were home to over 130 saloons, bars, beer gardens, and theaters that hosted iconic entertainers like Buffalo Bill Cody. Then, descend below the city streets to a hidden crypt where some of Cincinnati's first residents were buried. Next return underground to explore newly discovered tunnels vital to Cincinnati's brewery heritage. Finally end the tour with a beer tasting in OTR.

Inclusions: Walking tour lead by experienced guide, Bottled water, Beer Tasting

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Reviewed By 156janicep

We thoroughly enjoyed our underground tour today with Miranda. We are low goals and learned so much about the beautiful Over the Rhine area in Cincinnati. Thank you so much for a great afternoon!

10. "Brewers & Barons" Walking Tour

1939 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA Brewing Heritage Trail
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4.8 based on 6 reviews

Step into the past and discover the people who made brewing a cornerstone of the Queen City’s history. Beginning at the Tour Center on Race Street, we follow the Brewing Heritage Trail, sharing stories of the workers, brewmasters and beer barons from the 19th and early 20th century. Experience the places they worked, learn the dangers they faced, and the empires they built by producing America’s best brews. Tours include a visit into the subterranean lagering cellars and tunnels of the historic (non-operating) Schmidt Brothers / Crown Brewery.

Inclusions: Discount on merchandise in the Brewing Heritage Trail shop., Visits to multiple historic brewing sites.

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Reviewed By LiketoeatCincinnati

Aaron, who is also director, did an awesome job of providing a very informative and interesting tour. He took us on areas of town that we have never seen. It is a bit off the beaten path but is also very interesting. This is definitely worth a visit.

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