Payne OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Payne, Ohio.
1. Oasis Bar & Grill
LOCAL DINING HOTSPOT
Oasis Bar & Grill is a popular dining establishment in Payne offering casual food and drinks. Visitors can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere while mingling with locals and fellow travelers. The venue serves as both a restaurant and social hub for the community.
2. Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society
RAILWAY HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society preserves the region's rich railroad heritage through exhibits and restored trains. Visitors can explore vintage locomotives and learn about the impact of railways on local development. The society occasionally offers special excursions on historic train cars for an immersive experience.
3. Big Muskie's Bucket
MINING HISTORY LANDMARK
Big Muskie's Bucket is the preserved remnant of what was once the world's largest earth-moving machine. Visitors can stand inside the enormous bucket to appreciate the scale of this engineering marvel. This unique roadside attraction offers a glimpse into Ohio's industrial mining history.
4. The Bridge to Nowhere
DEPRESSION-ERA ABANDONED PROJECT
The Bridge to Nowhere in Hillandale Park is a curious structure completed nearly 100 years ago but never connected to any roads. The project was abandoned after the 1929 market crash, leaving behind this peculiar S-curved bridge. Visitors can view this unusual piece of infrastructure standing isolated in the wooded valley.
5. Fountain of Lights
SPECTACULAR WATER DISPLAY
The Fountain of Lights at Riverscape Metropark is one of the largest fountains in the world. The impressive display features five 60-foot-high fountains shooting over 2,500 gallons of water per minute, reaching 200 feet high and spanning 400 feet across. The spectacular water show can be seen from miles away, creating a memorable visual experience.
6. The Great Stone Viaduct
HISTORIC RAILWAY BRIDGE
The Great Stone Viaduct in Bellaire was once part of the country's longest railroad system, built over 150 years ago. Reminiscent of a Roman aqueduct, this impressive stone structure has been renovated into a walking trail and overlook. Visitors can enjoy both the historical significance and panoramic views from this magnificent piece of engineering.
7. West Side Market
HISTORIC FOOD MARKETPLACE
West Side Market is Cleveland's oldest continuously operating public market, offering an array of fresh foods, ethnic specialties, and local products. The historic building, with its distinctive clock tower and vaulted ceiling, houses over 100 vendors selling everything from meats and produce to baked goods and prepared foods. Visitors can experience the vibrant atmosphere while sampling diverse culinary offerings that reflect the city's multicultural heritage.
8. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
LUSH INDOOR GARDENS
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens showcases exotic plant collections from around the world in a historic Victorian-style glass greenhouse. The facility features changing seasonal displays, art installations, and special exhibitions throughout its diverse biomes and outdoor gardens. Visitors can enjoy educational programs, classes, and special events in this botanical oasis.
9. James A. Garfield Memorial
PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
The James A. Garfield Memorial is an impressive monument where President Garfield is entombed at Lake View Cemetery. The memorial features a circular tower 50 feet in diameter and 180 feet high, built of native Ohio sandstone on a broad stone terrace. Five panels in bas-relief around the exterior depict Garfield's life and death, making this National Register of Historic Places landmark a significant historical site.
10. Cozad-Bates House
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HERITAGE
The Cozad-Bates House is a historic interpretive center highlighting University Circle's participation in the Underground Railroad. This National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site offers educational exhibits about anti-slavery activists and freedom seekers who traveled through the area. The house features provocative displays on constitutional voting rights and tells important stories of the region's role in the abolition movement.
11. Take A Hike Tours
INTERACTIVE HISTORY WALKS
Take A Hike Tours offers 16 different guided history tours throughout Cleveland, available both in-person and as self-guided experiences. Tour guides use local knowledge and heart to make each 90-minute exploration (45 minutes for Friday lunchtime tours) an enriching and fun experience. A unique feature of these tours is the appearance of historical Clevelanders portrayed by actors who share stories about their role in shaping the city.
12. Ohio & Erie Canal National Landmark
HISTORIC WATERWAY
The Ohio & Erie Canal National Landmark preserves an important transportation route that helped develop Ohio's economy in the 19th century. The historic canal system connected Lake Erie to the Ohio River, allowing goods to move between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. Visitors can explore towpaths, locks, and structures that tell the story of this engineering achievement that transformed the region.
13. Cleveland Arcade
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Cleveland Arcade is one of America's first indoor shopping malls, an architectural masterpiece built in 1890 featuring a stunning five-story atrium with intricate ironwork and a glass skylight. This Romanesque-style structure houses shops, restaurants, and a luxury hotel while maintaining its historic charm. Visitors can admire the ornate details while exploring this National Historic Landmark that exemplifies Cleveland's gilded age prosperity.
14. Sailors & Soldiers Monument
CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL
The Sailors & Soldiers Monument stands in Public Square as a tribute to those from Cuyahoga County who served in the Civil War. The impressive structure features a central column topped by a statue of the Goddess of Freedom, surrounded by bronze statues depicting war scenes and military branches. Inside the monument, visitors can explore a museum with artifacts, documents, and displays honoring the local contribution to the Union cause.
15. Lake View Cemetery
GARDEN CEMETERY
Lake View Cemetery is a historic 285-acre garden cemetery established in 1869, featuring beautiful landscapes, notable architecture, and the final resting places of many prominent figures. Visitors can explore ornate monuments, beautiful gardens, and significant memorials including the James A. Garfield Memorial. The cemetery offers a peaceful setting that combines natural beauty with historical significance, making it both a place of remembrance and a cultural attraction.