Ohio in March

May through October is your sweet spot. Spring brings mild weather and fewer crowds, but some attractions have limited hours. Summer gets hot and humid, especially in July and August, but Lake Erie provides relief. Fall is peak Ohio. September and October deliver perfect weather for walking around cities or driving through Hocking Hills. The leaves change color, and every brewery has an Oktoberfest beer on tap. Plus, football season means energy in Columbus that's hard to beat. Winter is rough. Lake Erie creates lake-effect snow that can dump feet at a time in Cleveland. Columbus and Cincinnati get less snow but still deal with gray skies and temps in the 20s. Some attractions close or reduce hours. But here's a secret — winter hotel rates drop by 40-50%. If you can handle cold weather, you'll have museums and restaurants mostly to yourself. The Cleveland Orchestra performs all winter, and it's one of the world's best. Avoid major Ohio State football weekends in Columbus unless you're going to the game. Hotel prices triple and the city becomes impossible to navigate.