Ohio, home to more than 11.5 million residents, sits between Lake Erie to the north and the Ohio River to the south. The "Buckeye State" has large cities, including Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, as well as scenic rural areas, such as Ashtabula County to the northeast and the Hocking Hills in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the southeast.
Cleveland, Ohio's largest metropolitan region, combines the beauty of the Lake Erie waterfront with a diverse cultural mixture and a rich cultural climate. Cleveland is home to the (free) Cleveland Museum of Art, the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra, one of the nation's best library systems and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Interesting neighborhoods include Little Italy on the city's east side, Ohio City and Tremont on the south side, and West Park on the west side of town.
Ashtabula County, in Ohio's extreme northeastern corner, is the state's largest county. The largely rural region includes 17 historic covered bridges, more than a dozen wineries, several lakefront parks and the perennial favorite resort village of Geneva-on-the-Lake.
Hocking Hills, located in the southeastern region of the state, is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This hilly region is home to several state parks, Ohio University in Athens and dozens of natural caves.
Cincinnati, located along the Ohio River in southwestern Ohio, benefits from more temperate weather than Ohio's northern cities. The "Queen City" is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Procter and Gamble. Interesting neighborhoods include Mount Adams, Hyde Park and Pleasant Ridge.
