Toledo is known for being family-friendly! From history to a hike in one of our 19 Metroparks, this collection of Toledo gems is designed to be a low cost way to enjoy the city!
577 Foundation
577 E. Front St, Perrysburg, OH | 419-874-4174
Founded by Virginia Secor Stranahan, The 577 Foundation is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the historic property. The Foundation, open to all, is an ecologically sensitive place that encourages personal enjoyment and creativity in education. Property includes community gardens, a river walk, log cabin, a cow barn, carriage room and many more treasures.
Cost: FREE
577foundation.org
Art Loop
Downtown/UpTown Toledo
Explore the downtown creative community through self-guided tours of the art, artists, and spaces that inspire a vibrant Toledo. The Art Loop takes place each third Thursday of the month April-December, 5:30-9pm.
Cost: $1.25 for bus wristband
*The Art Loop Hub takes place at the Toledo-Lucas County Main Public Library (325 N. Michigan St). Parking is available in the Library garage (enter off Adams St) until 9:00 pm. Find convenient parking, Info Table, and hop on any bus from one location.
theartscommission.org/events/art-loop
Boyd’s Retro Candy
954 Phillips Ave., Toledo, OH | 419-720-7387
A true old time candy store where you'll find candy from the late 1800's. Specializing in the 50's, 60's and 70's but satisfying candy lovers of every generation. Share a memory or make a memory with your children.
Cost: Great old-time candy at reasonable prices
boydsretrocandy.com
Canal Experience
13827 U.S. 24, Grand Rapids, OH | 419-832-6004,
Characters in period attire welcome you aboard a mule-drawn canal boat in a scenic river town. Attractions include a working gristmill, limestone locks, scenic dam and original Miami and Erie Canal and towpath.
Cost: $7 adults, $6 seniors (60 +) $4 children (3-12); ages 2 & under free.
metroparkstoledo.com/features-and-rentals/canal-experience/
Fossil Park
5705 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, OH | 419-882-8313,
More than 200 prehistoric species include 375-million-year-old Devonian fossils. Three dig sites include an ADA-friendly dig site and ADA accessible ramp to the quarry bottom with concrete walkways. Open mid-April to mid-November.
Cost: FREE
olanderpark.com/olanderpark/fossil-park
Heritage Sylvania
5717 N. Main St., Sylvania, OH | 419-517-5533
Your Bridge to the Past — Your Path to the Future! Heritage Sylvania is a multi-site history experience located in historic Sylvania, OH. Heritage Sylvania includes the Historical Village, The Cooke/Kuhlman Home and The Lathrop House, the only Underground Railroad site in Northwest Ohio open to the public. See website for current hours.
Cost: FREE
heritagesylvania.org
Lunch at Levis Concert Series
Levis Square, 435 N. St. Clair St., Toledo, OH | 419-249-5494
Take an extra-long lunch, head downtown and eat at the food trucks, enjoy the weather, and listen to some great tunes. Concerts run every Thursday, June through September from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Cost: FREE
downtowntoledo.org
The Manor House
Wildwood Preserve, 5100 W. Central Ave., Toledo, OH | 419-407-9700
The Georgian Colonial home is open for free tours and hosts a variety of cultural and historical events, including popular monthly Teas hosted by the Manor House Volunteers. With more than 30,000 total square feet, the Manor House is a one of a kind property used in part today as the headquarters for the Metroparks district.
Cost: FREE
metroparkstoledo.com/features-and-rentals/the-manor-house
Maumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park Rd., Oregon, OH | 419-407-9700
Maumee Bay State Park offers 1,336 acres of not only the finest of recreational facilities in the Midwest, but also a unique natural environment created by the convergence of the land and Lake Erie. The balance of recreational facilities with the natural world gives visitors a diverse experience in a coastal environment. Check out the beach, hiking trails, the boardwalk and Storybook Trail as you explore!
Cost: FREE
maumeebaystateparklodge.com, parks.ohiodnr.gov/maumeebay
Metroparks Toledo
419-407-9700
With more than 12,000 acres of protected natural land to explore and 198 miles of trails to traverse, there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the wonder and majesty of nature in northwest Ohio. Today, there are 19 Metroparks, plus special use areas, regional trails connecting parks, a water trail and two new parks in development. Metroparks Toledo promotes conservation and restoration, encourages active lifestyles and nurtures lifelong learning and an appreciation for natural resources. All Metroparks open daily 7 a.m. to dark year round.
Cost: FREE
metroparkstoledo.com
Old West End Walking Tour
From Collingwood Boulevard to Glenwood Avenue, W. Central Avenue and Monroe Street
Take a self-guided tour of a neighborhood that remains one of the best-kept secrets in the country. Twenty-five city blocks making up one of the largest collections of late Victorian houses left standing in the United States. Frank Lloyd Wright studied this area in his planning of his Oak Park Project in Illinois. Pristine examples of Colonial. Georgian, Italian Renaissance, Queen Ann, Dutch Colonial, French Second Empire and Arts and Crafts homes fill our streets. Strolling the neighborhood is free, but if you'd like a guided audio tour check out holytoledohistory.com/tours for affordable VoiceMap GPS Tours created by local historian, Tedd Long.
Cost: FREE
toledooldwestend.com
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
14000 OH-2, Oak Harbor, OH | 419-898-0014
Located in northwest Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge provides valuable habitat for a diversity of waterfowl and other migratory birds, resident wildlife, and endangered and threatened species. It provides a place for people to enjoy wildlife-dependent activities and learn about the complexities of the natural world through education and interpretive programming.
Cost: FREE
fws.gov/refuge/Ottawa/
Ottawa Park Ice Rink
2015 Parkside Dr., Toledo, OH | 419-245-3388
Open mid-December through mid-March.
Cost: Admission is $4, and skate rental is $2
ottawapark.org/outdoor-ice-rink-ottawa-park-toledo
Perrysburg Farmers’ Market
Indiana Ave., Perrysburg, OH | 419-874-9147
Visit the Perrysburg Market in historic downtown Perrysburg for locally grown and produced annuals, perennials, herbs, baked goods, garden art, prepared foods, fruit, vegetables and unique gifts. Every Thursday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Mid-May through Mid-October.
Cost: FREE
perrysburg-farmers-market.com
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral
2535 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, OH | 419-244-9575
This Plateresque (architectural style of 16th century Spain) cathedral features layers of paintings and frescoes of saints and angels that reach to the ceiling with a magnificent stained glass rose window and mosaic altars. Call for group tours.
Cost: Donations welcome
rosarycathedral.org
Toledo Botanical Garden
5403 Elmer Dr., Toledo, OH | 419-536-5566
Enrich your life with over 60 acres of serene landscapes and picturesque gardens alive with color and fragrance. Explore the Artists Village and outdoor sculpture collection and discover unique treasures at the Vintage Gardens Gallery gift shop. Open year-round during daylight hours.
Cost: FREE
toledogarden.org
Toledo Farmers' Market
525 Market St., Toledo, OH
Browse and visit with local farmers, bakers and craftsmen selling home-grown sweet corn, tomatoes, fruits and vegetables, homemade pies, colorful flowers and plants, fresh-dressed poultry and more. Open year-round.
Cost: FREE entrance
Contact: 419-255-6765, toledofarmersmarket.com
Toledo Firefighter’s Museum
918 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH | 419-478-3473
Tales of firefighting 150 years ago come alive in the midst of vintage pumpers, uniforms and equipment used by the city's first bucket brigade. Open every Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. Also available weekdays or evenings by appointment.
Cost: FREE
toledofirefightersmuseum.org
Toledo Lucas County Public Library
325 N. Michigan St., Toledo, OH
Visiting the newly renovated Main Library in downtown is a memorable experience. Includes children’s area, computers, free internet, organized activities, café and gift shop. Convenient, free parking garage (minimal fees for longer stays).
Cost: FREE
Contact: 419-259-5200, toledolibrary.org
Toledo Museum of Art & Glass Pavilion
2445 Monroe St., Toledo, OH | 419-255-8000,
Discover 30,000 masterworks, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, works on paper and more. Make sure to see the Toledo Museum of Art’s world-famous collection of glass art and the beautifully designed Glass Pavilion, where daily glassblowing demonstration take place. Closed Mondays.
Cost: FREE (Fee for Parking)
toledomuseum.org
Toledo Museum of Art Sculpture Garden Tour
2445 Monroe St., Toledo, OH | 419-255-8000
Over nearly a century, the Toledo Museum of Art campus has grown from a single building to an architecturally significant campus that is a highlight of the city. With six buildings on 32 acres, TMA's campus offers Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Postmodern architecture, as well as green space and a sculpture garden, all surrounded by the celebrated Victorian homes of Toledo’s Old West End neighborhood.
Cost: FREE
toledomuseum.org/visit/campus-maps/
Toledo Police Museum
2201 Kenwood Blvd., Toledo, OH | 419-720-2485
Visitors to the museum are able to follow a timeline of the history of the Toledo Police Department, view a collection of historical artifacts and participate in interactive exhibits, which include entering a mock jail cell and having a mug shot photo taken from a 1920’s era booking camera. Hours of operation are Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: FREE
toledopolicemuseum.com
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609 | 419-385-5721
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium offers a variety of ticket discounts and free admission opportunities for visitors including Lucas County Residents. For Zoo Members, unlimited daily admission is included with your annual membership. Membership also included reciprocal admission discounts with hundreds off across the country. Some limitations apply, see site for details. Toledo Zoo also proudly offers free admission for active military and $1.00 off for immediate family.
toledozoo.org/tickets.
University Parks Trail (Bike Trail)
Toledo to Sylvania Township | 419-407-9700
The six-mile trail stretches from the University of Toledo campus to King Road in Sylvania Township. It offers a lush greenway through woodland, passing meadows and wetlands. The level, paved path is suitable for joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters, and can easily accommodate wheelchairs.
University of Toledo campus to King Road in Sylvania Township
Cost: FREE
metroparkstoledo.com/trails/universityparks-trail
Wabash Cannonball Trail (Bike Trail)
Access at Oak Openings Metropark | 419-407-9700
Northwest Ohio's premier rails-to-trails project is also one of the longest in the state, stretching 64 miles through four counties and Oak Openings, Ohio's most unique natural area.
Cost: FREE
metroparkstoledo.com/trails/wabash-cannonball-trail
