Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Just outside Cleveland and Akron, this national park provides an unexpected and welcoming respite from city life. Yeah, you can hear interstate traffic from much of the park—but flip that on its head to realize that (wow!) you have a national park at your back door. There's a wide diversity of hiking trails that offer rolling hills, hikes through farmland, or deep forests.

And then there's the train. Hop aboard in the fall to marvel at the leaves turning. At other times of the year, there are wine-tasting rides and other special events on board. Or bring your bike to ride through the park in one direction, and take the train home.

Hikes to Bridal Veil Falls and Brandywine Falls let you experience the park's beauty at its best. You can pick up trail maps at the Visitor Center. It's small, but a new one is scheduled to open in 1919). If history is your thing, walk the Towpath Trail along the Erie Canal.

You can book cabins or find a spot to pitch your tent with just a little help from Hipcamp. Check out the backcountry sites in Cuyahoga Valley itself, or stay a night at one of the nearby farms.