DETROIT — Not just a city that you drive through on your way somewhere else, Toledo is a town worth stopping in.
Known as the Glass City because of its historic connection to that industry, the fourth-largest city in Ohio is home to award-winning parks, museums, restaurants and a small, but dense, zoo.
Whether you’re looking for art, attending a concert or a Mud Hens game, or just passing through, here’s a look at a few things you may enjoy while visiting Toledo.
The Secret Forest at the Toledo Botanical Gardens has a tree house, rope bridge and other things for kids to climb on.
The many parks and trails in Lucas County’s Metroparks system offer countless outdoor activities including archery, boating, fishing, hiking and horse trails. Toledo’s parks offer more than tent camping, too, giving adventurous souls a chance to experience backpack camping, or sleep in a rented treehouse feet above the forest floor at the Cannaley Treehouse Village, said to be the only public treehouse village in the country. Another popular destination is the Toledo Botanical Garden, a wonderland of plants and nature with touches of art. metroparkstoledo.com.
The 617-foot iron ore freighter Col. James M. Schoonmaker is part of the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo.
This maritime attraction tells the story of the Great Lakes from the 1600s fur traders through modern day using more than 300 artifacts, 40 interactive exhibits and audiovisual displays. There are even two boats you can get a close-up look at: the 617-foot iron ore freighter Col. James M. Schoonmaker and the historic Museum Tug Ohio, both open May-October. Get a preview of what’s at the museum on the website with a virtual tour. Admission is $11 for adults with discounts for kids, seniors and military. 1701 Front, Toledo. (419) 214-5000. nmgl.org. Open most days.
This historic art museum has many rooms full of paintings, glass objects, sculptures and other works of art. The Toledo Museum of Art is home to the Avery Coonley Playhouse Window by Frank Lloyd Wright and several works from Tiffany, including a stunning Lotus Lamp. Current exhibits include “Seeing Stars, Divining Futures,” featuring constellations, tarot cards and more (runs through June 18) and “Expanding Horizons: The Evolving Character of a Nation,” a collection of more than 80 items that explore national identity and character through mythmaking and religion. “Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg — Machine Auguries: Toledo” just debuted, marking the London artist’s first solo installation in the United States. During your visit, don’t miss the 74,000-square-foot postmodern Glass Pavilion across the street, a piece of art in itself, and home to glass-blowing classes, demonstrations and glass artwork displays from across the centuries. Admission is free; parking is $10. 2445 Monroe, Toledo. (419) 255-8000. toledomuseum.org. Closed Mon.-Tues.
Take in America’s pastime on a more intimate level at the 10,000-seat Fifth Third Field where minor league team the Toledo Mud Hens call home. Named one of the best minor league ballparks in America by Newsweek, the stadium is just two blocks from the Maumee River in downtown Toledo, with much to eat and drink nearby. There are also bars and restaurants inside the park, which hosts about 70 games a year. Tickets start at $13. 406 Washington, Toledo. milb.com/toledo.
Explore the Tiger Terrace, Reptile House, Primate Forest or Kodiak Ridge, plus a barn yard, aviary and aquarium. Check out the Aerial Adventure Course three-stories high, cool off in the splash pad, take in a concert or feed the giraffes or barn yard animals for an extra fee. Nonresident admission is $29 for adults with discounts for seniors and kids. 2 Hippo Way, Toledo. (419) 385-5721. toledozoo.org. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tony Packo’s has “Packo’s” locations around town, but the original is in the historic district of Birmingham. The menu features a “Hungarian dog” with mustard onions and “hot dog sauce,” plus pierogi, stuffed cabbage, paprikas, fried pickles and more. There’s also a full bar, and that means beer from Yuengling, America’s oldest independently owned brewery. Tony Packo’s is at 1902 Front, Toledo. Visit tonypacko.com for more locations. A bit older than Tony Packo’s is Rudy’s, a chain of hot dog restaurants that started as a modest stand and grew to six, family run locations. The menu features their version of chili dogs, plus corn dogs, hamburgers, gyros, chili mac and more. Visit rudyshotdog.com for locations.
Tribune News Service
