The third-largest port city on the Great Lakes, Toledo was once the subject of a cantankerous border dispute between Ohio and Michigan. Today, Toledo claims the title of Glass Capital of the World, and you can discover the history of glass at the Toledo Art Museum and the adjacent University Arts Center (designed by architect Frank Gehry). The museum, which is known particularly for its collection of glass objects, from ancient to modern, also houses fine art from around the world. The city has a number of factory-outlet glass stores, and several glass factories offer tours.
Other city attractions include the Toledo Zoo (don't miss the hippos swimming in the Hippoquarium) and the Botanical Garden (plenty of green and shade for relaxing). The Willis B. Boyer, a museum ship berthed at International Park on the city shore, provides an interesting look at life aboard a lake freighter in the early 1900s. (The tour entails lots of walking and quite a few stairs.) Afterward, take a stroll along the riverfront, which is lined with parks and promenades.
MASH fans will remember that Jamie Farr's character, Corporal Klinger, was from Toledo and often spoke lovingly of his favorite restaurant, Tony Packo's Cafe. Well, Farr was from Toledo in real life, and the restaurant is real and still serving the same spicy Hungarian hot dogs made famous in the show. Take note of all the autographs on display: You'll see the names of entertainers, sports figures and even former U.S. President Jimmy Carter—all signed on hot-dog buns.
Southwest of Toledo, in nearby Maumee, you can visit the Wolcott Museum Complex—a set of restored structures from the 1800s, ranging from the Federal-style Wolcott House to a simple log cabin. A great place to spend a night is Maumee Bay Resort on the shore of Lake Erie. There's another restored village west of Toledo near Archbold—the Sauder Farm and Craft Village—which takes a living-history approach with costumed staff demonstrating the arts of rural life. Maumee State Park features a lodge and lots of wildlife. Toledo is 90 mi/145 km west of Cleveland.
