Toledo, Ohio

TOLEDO – A CITY FOR LOVERS OF THE FINE ARTS

According to ask4beauty, Toledo in the US state of Ohio is neither a particularly large nor a particularly famous city. However, that does not mean that it is not worth a visit. But on the contrary.

It only means that in Toledo, quieter tones are struck and one can expect a wide range of art and culture in this extremely educated, sophisticated city. The fact that it also has great natural beauty to offer with its location on Lake Erie will certainly not be detrimental to a travel wish.

A short hop to Michigan

Incidentally, the fact that Toledo belongs to Ohio cannot be taken for granted. The city owes its foundation to a railway project. A section of rail was to cover the young states of Ohio and Michigan and connect with each other. The modest collection of houses, which was somewhere on the edge of the route, grew quickly and developed into a flourishing city that only a few months later had over 3,000 residents. However, both states made claims to the new settlement. In 1835 the so-called Toledo War broke out. His outcome resulted in the city ultimately being irrevocably awarded to Ohio. Even today, parts of the urban area represent the direct border to the neighboring state. In Toledo, the distance between Michigan and Ohio can actually only be the proverbial stone’s throw.

Wine tasting in the museum

But Michigan is a different matter. This is one of the urban treasures of Ohio. There are actually more than enough treasures hidden in Toledo; but it is not difficult to find them. The world-famous “Museum of Art” (2445 Monroe Street, www.toledomuseum.org), which you shouldn’t miss even as an avowed art fanatic. Since the material glass and its development in Toledo had and still has enormous economic importance, the art museum is also dedicated to this material. In addition to its own glass pavilion with an important glass collection, a wine tasting is also one of the regularly recurring events. “Wine by the glass” is the title of the evening, which is not only about grape varieties and wine regions, but also about the influence of the shape of the glass on perfect wine enjoyment. It is definitely worth taking a look at the museum’s calendar of events, the wine tasting is just one example of the diversity on offer.

But back to the actual museum content. Art lovers will be able to enjoy works by the greatest artists of all time in over 30 galleries. Everything is offered by (in neutral alphabetical order) pictures and sculptures by Bearden, Cézanne, Calder, Close, Cole, Degas, van Gogh, El Greco, Holbein, Kiefer, Matisse, Miró, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Rubens and Turner. There are also masterpieces from antiquity and Asia, there is a beautifully landscaped sculpture garden and an exhibition on exclusive utility design. In total, there are around 30,000 objects that art enthusiasts can enjoy here.

In a way, a counterpart to this is the Museum of the Great Lakes, the “Museum of the Great Lakes” (1701 Front Street, www.inlandseas.org), which is right on the water, on the Maumee River. The exhibitions here are not about art, but about nature. It is about the Great Lakes and their importance for the social, economic and political importance of the North American continent. All of this is presented in such an interesting and entertaining way in this modern museum that you can visit it with children with a clear conscience. Most of all, you will want to go to the museum ship, which can also be visited.

Speaking of children. Another highlight for little Toledo visitors is definitely the zoo (2700 Broadway Street, www.toledozoo.org). It has an excellent reputation and is said to be among the best of its kind in the United States.

Boat trip on Lake Erie

If you are already at one of the Great Lakes, then of course you should also go out on the water. Toledo is located on Lake Erie, the shallowest and therefore warmest lake in the region. There is even a designated wine-growing area here, but this is on the territory of the state of New York. From Toledo’s docks, visitors can embark on a variety of boat excursions. From small taster trips that last just two hours to day trips, everything is possible on the almost 400 kilometer long lake. Incidentally, the border with Canada runs right through the lake. If you want to take a detour to this country, you should be informed about the current entry regulations. In both the US and Canada, violations are not treated as petty offenses.

Balance between calm and action

Probably the most beautiful connection between nature and art in Toledo is the Botanical Garden. The “Botanical Garden” (5403 Elmer Drive, metroparkstoledo.com) is not only an oasis of calm in the middle of the city and a treat for the eyes, but also an interesting event location in the fresh air. There is always something going on here that you can participate in. The spectrum ranges from planting campaigns in spring to thanksgiving markets in autumn.

Toledo in a nutshell

• Cultured city on the Michigan border
• Direct access to Lake Erie with many leisure activities
• Good starting point for visits to Canada
• World famous art museum