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    11 Undeniably Cool Museums in Ohio

    Two historical automobiles parked inside a museum.

    Trying to find some new museums in Ohio? From a hall of fame for motorcycles to one of the only public soap box derby displays in the country, Central Ohio has you covered. Here are eleven of our absolute favorite museums in Ohio.

    11 Must-Visit Ohio Museums

    Does it take something a little special to catch your eye given the wide variety of museums in Ohio? Look no further! We guarantee these eleven Ohio museums will give you ideas for your next staycation or lazy Sunday with the family. Many of those listed below are members of the Ohio Local History Alliance, American Association for State and Local History, and/or the Ohio Museums Association… so you know they’re good!

    Soap Box Derby Museum and Racetrack

    A trophy room at the Soapbox Derby Museum.
    A bu nch of soapbox derby cars inside an Ohio museum.

    Soak up the fascinating history of an Ohio-born sport at The Soap Box Derby Museum. This museum includes memorabilia, photos , and a great variety of soap box derby creations from over the years. Be aware: the museum is only open during race weeks, rally weekends, and other times by appointment.

    Aha! A Children’s Museum

    The Nature Landscape at the AHA! museum.
    A young boy exploring the AHA museum in Ohio.
    Kids practicing fishing at the AHA! Museum.

    This amazing children’s museum is a total dream. Children from six months to eight years of age can go enjoy dozens of hands-on exhibits across 8,000 square feet in addition to a giant nature playspace. Watch as your kid(s) build a house, put out a pretend fire, make music on a pipe xylophone, and so much more. Get ready for tons of pure fun and discovery!

    Ohio Glass Museum and Glass Blowing Studio

    A couple looking at blue glass pieces.
    A woman working at the Ohio Glass Museum and Glass Blowing Studio in Fairfield County.
    Ohio museums don’t ALWAYS include a glass blowing studio. But when they do, it looks like this.

    Experience glass making like never before at the Ohio Glass Museum. Ohio has been a hotspot for glass companies over the years because of the state’s large quantity of sandstone and natural gas, two materials the industry relies on. Through a combination of exhibits and practical hands-on practice, the team at the Ohio Glass Museum and Glass Blowing Studio is dedicated to preserving the tradition of glass making in the state — a tradition that has already birthed countless breathtaking pieces of art.

    Sherman House Museum

    Firearms and photographs on display inside the Sherman House museum.
    A uniform on display inside the Sherman House in Lancaster.
    Display cases at a historical Ohio museum.

    General William Tecumseh Sherman was born in this house on February 8, 1820. Explore the history of the Sherman House, listed in the National Registry of Historic Places and included on the Civil War Preservation Trail. Tour guests get to see artifacts from the Civil War, a parlor set first owned by Ulysses S. Grant, and tons more memorabilia and restorations from the period.

    AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

    The exterior sign for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Ohio.
    Is The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame the coolest of Ohio museums?

    Got a biker in your life? The Motorcycle Hall of Fame presents an in-depth history of the vehicle and those figures who made it what it is. Two floors of history invite visitors to learn and engage. With 100+ historic motorcycles on display and a bunch of themed exhibits, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is as close to a biker’s happy place as anything this side of the open road.

    Baltimore Community Museum

    Old bottles on display at the Baltimore Community Museum.
    A historical automobile inside the Baltimore Community Museum.
    A replica of an old general store.
    Two historical automobiles parked inside a museum.
    A bright yellow airplane inside a hangar.

    Open from April through October, the Baltimore Community Museum seeks to inspire future generations by transporting visitors to a specific time in the history of the old village. Visitors learn about local artifacts, tools, farming equipment, and more as they explore various rooms made up to resemble what they would have looked like in years gone by. They even have an old, bright yellow airplane called the Airy Canary!

    Decorative Arts Center of Ohio

    Inside the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio museum.
    The exterior of the DACO building.
    A picture book exhibit inside the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio.

    There’s always something new and exciting at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, which won the Ohio Museums Association award for Best Exhibition (Under $500,000) in 2021. The museum admits visitors to experience current exhibitions from Wednesday through Sunday. Currently running through December 31st, Ohio: The Start of It All pairs picture book art from the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum with a carefully curated and diverse historical experience.

    Another exhibit, The Art of the Hidden Pictures Puzzle, will run simultaneously in the lower gallery of the Lancaster, Ohio museum. This second exhibit is a tribute to the beloved hidden picture art within the pages of the Ohio-based Highlights Children Magazine.  

    But that’s not all! Be on the lookout for A Storybook Christmas Featuring a Very Brady Holiday Exhibit later this year!

    Historical Aircraft Squadron Museum

    Folks in costume at the Historical Aircraft Squadron Museum.
    An airplanes inside the hangar at the Fairfield County Airport.
    A yellow airplane inside the Historical Aircraft Squadron Museum.
    An airplane inside the Historical Aircraft Squadron Museum.
    A plane and bikes inside the Historical Aircraft Squadron Museum.

    Climb into the cockpit of an old bomber or fighter at the Historical Aircraft Squadron Museum in Lancaster, Ohio! Put simply, there aren’t any other museums in Ohio quite like this one. The HAS Museum was founded in 1994 by a group who continue to grow in size and restore these military crafts while sharing their history with visitors (HAS Museum).

    Bremen Area Historical Society Museum

    A display at the Bremen Area Historical Society Museum.
    A period-based exhibit at a museum in Ohio.
    Displays at the Bremen Area Historical Society Museum.
    Glass display cases with a uniform and other historical artifacts inside.
    A historical exhibit inside a museum in Bremen, Ohio.

    Boasting four year-round exhibits and several others that rotate annually, the Bremen Area Historical Society Museum is a testimony to the history of a vibrant community. Community-focused Ohio museums like this one go a long ways toward ensuring that our local histories are never forgotten. The museum bears witness to historical Bremen and Rushcreek Township with “thousands of items, photographs, documents and other memorabilia” which have been generously donated or loaned out for the purpose.

    A pretty significant amount of information lives inside these walls. Luckily, the volunteers on site are available to assist in relevant research on the time period or even local genealogies.

    Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum

    The exterior of the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society.
    A cardboard cutout of a historical figure holding a sign that says Welcome to Pickerington.
    Period-appropriate clothing on display at the Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society.

    The Pickerington-Violet Township Historical Society Museum offers plenty of opportunities for in-depth exploration of the area’s rich history. And let there be no question… Pickerington is a place worth getting to know. These 10 Great Reasons to Visit Pickerington all but prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

    Located in what was once the Carnegie Library, this museum is one of just a “few Carnegie-financed buildings that exist in Central Ohio” according to Ohio. Find It Here. With guided tours, plenty of free events, and hands-on learning opportunities for the kids, what’s not to love (Ohio. Find It Here)?

    Georgian Museum

    A spiral staircase at the Georgian Museum in Lancaster.
    Spiral staircase at the Georgian Museum in Lancaster, Ohio, Tuesday, May 5, 2009. (Photo by Timothy E. Black)
    A parlor room inside the Georgian Museum in Ohio.

    From the stunning veranda to the cantilevered spiral staircase, The Georgian Museum is a testament to the history of Lancaster and the styles of the time. In addition to the sheer beauty of the restoration itself, the home contains miniatures, dollhouses, and pieces carved by famous folk artist Elijah Pierce. The structure is a lovely example of the Federalist style of architecture, restored to its original 19th century aesthetic and open for tours Wednesdays through Sundays.

    Visiting Museums in Ohio?

    Tell us all about it! We’d love to hear about your favorite museums in Ohio and why you love them. Find us on Facebook and Instagram and don’t forget to use #VisitFC to connect!