Here at Ohio Magazine, we're editors, writers, advertising executives and graphic designers. But we're also part-time Ohio travel agents for our friends, families, hair stylists, mechanics and anyone else who knows what we do for a living. Not that we mind. Thanks to the Internet,

you don't need us to tell you about the new ride at Cedar Point anymore. But suggesting a stop at that place along the way - the one that sells drippingly juicy peaches and equally delicious Ohio wines (Quarry Hill Orchards & Winery in Berlin Heights)? That's our specialty. And it's good to feel needed.

This month marks the annual Discover Ohio Week, designed to inspire you to get out there and explore the state. We've sorted some of our favorite lesser-known destinations into four categories to help you plan the trip that interests you the most. In addition to the places listed below, we hope you'll stop and smell the tulips at Eyestone Flower Farm in Crawford County, enjoy the view from Hocking Hill's Airplane Rock and have yourself a darn good hot dog at Remo's in Gallipolis (just not on Sunday or Thursday - they're closed). Have fun, be safe and don't forget - send us a postcard.

For more information, visit www.DiscoverOhio.com.

Kids are natural-born explorers, but did you know that Ohio is stocked with visitable versions of the exotic adventures you read about in bedtime stories? Go on safari, wander through towering castles, explore ancient burial mounds and have a run in with bandits; we guarantee there'll be a compelling "what I did this summer" essay in the fall.

For your first stop, test out a different type of transport on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) or the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway (HVSR). Built in the 1940s and 1950s, CVSR coaches chug through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (another place worth seeing if you haven't already) and other scenic routes. In May, a special Mother's Day outing and a trip with Thomas the Tank Engine are among the special excursions. Down south, outlaws are plotting a good old-fashioned (and friendly) train robbery this month. Catch the HVSR headed for Logan at the Nelsonville depot (they'll give you some play money when you board), and expect that your pockets will be a little lighter on the way back, since the train crosses paths with a notorious pack of bandits looking for loot.

In Licking County, you'll find two of the state's most significant celebrations of Native American history. The Ridge Interactive Museum is a hands-on experience that educates visitors about the lifestyle of indigenous cultures. Make your own shell jewelry or send a dart whizzing through the air with an atlatl, an ancient weapon used for hunting, fishing and protection. About 10 miles down the road, explore 2,000-year-old mounds at the Newark Earthworks site. The Ohio Historical Society calls the mounds, which are listed in the book The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World, the best-preserved examples of the monumental geometric earthworks of the Hopewell culture.

Zoos are always a fun destination for kids, and the Toledo Zoo just added three fuzzy residents that are worth a road trip. A trio of polar bear cubs was born here last November, making Toledo one of just two zoos in North America where you can see the little creatures. Babies always get all the attention, so be sure to visit the African elephants, hippos, cheetahs and apes, too.

Animals are easy to spot at the zoo, but in the wild, it takes a bit more effort. That's part of the safari-like adventure at the Wilds in Cumberland. The 10,000-acre facility is dedicated to conservation, and rhinos, giraffes, American bison and a host of other Asian, African and North American species roam about the property. Hiking, birding, fishing and mountain biking are all available here, but we think having a rhino wander alongside your windowless safari tram offers the biggest adrenaline boost.

All castles have a magical feel that pulls you inside to explore. Surprisingly, Ohio is filled with these majestic structures. While many are privately owned and don't allow visitors, The Piatt Castles - Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee - in West Liberty are open for tours. The Castle Inn in Circleville, built in the late 1800s, is a romantic retreat where you can spend a night in the tower, and also enjoy comfortable, modern-day amenities. Each castle has  that combination of high towers and stone facades that inspire little imaginations to create their own kingdoms.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad 1630 W. Mill St., Peninsula, 800/468-4070. http://www.cvsr.com/ Hocking Valley Scenic Railway 33 Canal St., Nelsonville, 800/967-7834. http://www.hvsry.org/ The Ridge Interactive Museum 14430 Flint Ridge Rd., Glenford, 740/787-2869. Newark Earthworks 99 Cooper Ave., Newark, 800/600-7178. http://www.ohiohistory.org/ Toledo Zoo 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, 419/385-5721. http://www.toledozoo.org/ The Wilds 14000 International Rd., Cumberland, 740/638-5030. http://www.thewilds.org/ The Castle Inn 610 S. Court St., Circleville, 740/477-3986. http://www.castleinn.net/ Piatt Castles 10051 Twp. Rd. 47, West Liberty, 937/465-2821. www.piattcastles.org

Ohio's Cities, Culture and Cuisine
 
Let's take a second to recognize how fabulous it is to live in the Midwest. The opening of the Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art last year attracted some of the most respected players in the art world (and yes, it is that spectacular - The New York Times doesn't travel for just anyone). Still, people in Toledo would never subscribe to the idea that their city has the only worthy arts community around. Here, it's about the product, not the location, and we Ohioans are culturally better off because of it.

 Let's take a second to recognize how fabulous it is to live in the Midwest. The opening of the Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art last year attracted some of the most respected players in the art world (and yes, it is that spectacular - The New York Times doesn't travel for just anyone). Still, people in Toledo would never subscribe to the idea that their city has the only worthy arts community around. Here, it's about the product, not the location, and we Ohioans are culturally better off because of it.

It's the same in our dining and wine scene. Some of the top places for wine and food in the state involve navigating dirt roads. In fact, it's the byways, not the highways, that lead to many of Ohio's nearly 100 wineries - all the more reason to go. Ohio wines get better with every vintage, and so do trips to our wine country, thanks in part to five wine trails created a few years back. Wineries along each trail are constantly generating fun new reasons for you to visit. During Discover Ohio Week, 14 wineries along northeast Ohio's Wines & Vines Wine Trail are hosting a "Wine N Bloom" weekend, where participants travel from winery to winery collecting spring seed packets and enjoying appetizers and samples of the latest bottlings.

May is one of the most beautiful months because of its blooms, and few places have a more stunning showing than Ohio's two most exquisite estate museums. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron and Kingwood Center in Mansfield are magnificent country mansions surrounded by acres of gardens, meticulously maintained, largely, by local garden clubs and volunteers. In early May, wildflowers and tulips are in bloom at both, but Stan Hywet's walled English Garden starts to blossom about mid-month, and a few weeks later, 500 roses will begin to scent the air at Kingwood.

The color of cut flowers is the perfect way to bring spring into our homes, and public markets are one of the best sources for locally grown blooms. Findlay Market in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine district has been operating since it was constructed by German immigrants in 1852. Keeping with this tradition, the open-air space sells lots of meats and sausages, but also fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, honey, wine, cheeses and crafts. We love it because public markets are one of the last places in modern society where a true sense of community fills the air (and if that opinion seems dated to you, we should mention that Findlay has free WiFi). Other Ohio markets worth a visit are the Athens Farmers Market, which has received national attention as one of the best year-round farmer's markets in the country; Columbus' North Market, where you can get a $4 jar of Ohio-made salsa or a $40 bottle of Champagne; Cleveland's West Side Market, one of the few places you'll still see babushkas and two-wheeled shopping carts; and Dayton's 2nd Street Public Market and Webster Street Market.

The Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art 2445 Monroe St., Toledo, 800/644-6862. www.toledomuseum.org/GlassCenter_main.htm Ohio Wine Producers Association 800/227-6972. www.ohiowines.org Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 888/836-5533. www.stanhywet.org Kingwood Center 900 Park Ave. W., Mansfield, 419/522-0211. www.kingwoodcenter.org Findlay Market 1801 Race St., Cincinnati, 513/665-4839. www.findlaymarket.org Athens Farmers Market University Mall Parking Lot, E. State St., Athens, 740/592-1912. www.athensfarmersmarket.org North Market 59 Spruce St., Columbus,614/463-9664. www.northmarket.com West Side Market Corner of W. 25th Street and Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, 216/664-3386. www.westsidemarket.com 2nd Street Public Market 600 E. 2nd St., Dayton, 937/228-2088. www.2ndstreetpublicmarket.com Webster Market 32 Webster St., Dayton, 937/424-5375. www.websterstreetmarket.com

Tracing Ohio's historical path really involves following a series of concrete and dirt paths around the state. These mapped-out routes guide you through important segments of Ohio's geological, industrial and cultural heritage, and offer a renewed sense of the need to protect our past.

Stretching from Cleveland to Dover, the Ohio & Erie Canalway was created in the early 1800s to streamline transportation between the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. We like it because it gives you options - the 110-mile route includes byways, railways and trailways, inviting you to explore it by bicycle, on foot, in your car or as a passenger on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

We hope you do, since bits of history along these paths can disappear more easily than we think. Not that you won't find dozens of interesting stops and old buildings along this 200-mile, border-to-border route, including the Brick Tavern House in the east and the Pennsylvania House in the west. 

The Buckeye Trail traverses at least 46 of Ohio's 88 counties, and sections of this scenic path can make you forget all about the discord between nature and modern society. While some parts run along roads, the trail is easiest to see on foot, and crosses through natural venues like the Hocking State Forest, Shawnee State Forest near Portsmouth and Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville. The route also winds you through historic places including Fort Ancient in Oregonia and two of Brown County's five covered bridges that are listed in the Ohio Historic Bridge Guide.

If it's covered bridges you're after, Ashtabula County and Fairfield County both can boast 16 covered bridges accessible to the public. (Fairfield County has two others on private property.) The Harpersfield Covered Bridge in Ashtabula County is 228 feet long and claims to be the longest covered bridge in Ohio. Be sure to visit it during the annual Covered Bridge Festival, October 13 and 14 this year.

Ohio & Erie Canalway Association 520 S. Main St., Ste. 2452, Akron, 330/434-5657. www.ohioanderiecanalway.com Ohio National Road Association 937/324-7752. www.ohionationalroad.org The Buckeye Trail Association www.buckeyetrail.org Fairfield County Visitors & Convention Bureau 126 W. Main St., Lancaster, 800/626-1296. www.visitfairfieldcounty.org

We hope at this point you're inspired to hop in your car and see the Ohio you've been missing.

But wait - here's a better idea.

We're guessing you don't see many frogs, egrets or herons when you're driving. We'll also assume that, while you may have been inside Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, you've never been underneath it. All reasons why some of Ohio's destinations are best explored from the seat of a kayak.

The Hocking Hills are synonymous with some of the best hiking in the state, but why not float down the Hocking River with the Hocking Hills Canoe Livery or the Hocking Valley Canoe Livery? Both businesses offer scenic trips, guided tours and group rates. This time of year, the dogwoods are blooming in the Mohican State Forest, reason enough to paddle the Mohican River with Mohican Adventures, just one of several liveries near this magnificent forest. Southwest Ohio's Mad River is aptly named, since it's the fastest flowing waterway in the area.

Still, most sections are safe for beginners, and Aaron's Canoe & Kayak Center in Springfield will gladly teach you the basics before your trip.

By the way, we weren't kidding about the Rock Hall. Cleveland's 41° North Coastal Kayak Adventures lets you explore Lake Erie and its tributaries in ways your feet just can't, and they do a fabulous job of incorporating local history and nature into their paddles. Trips include excursions to the Lake Erie Islands, paddling along limestone cliffs in the Emerald Necklace (this one takes you past the home of fabled lawman Elliot Ness), and a tour of Cleveland's downtown shoreline that, in addition to up-close views of big ships and lighthouses, takes you under the Rock Hall's structure.

If you prefer to stay on dry land, spring migration is in full swing, and the dunes, marshes and woodlands along the western shores of Lake Erie are a favorite pit stop for birds heading north to their nesting areas in Canada and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The 11 scenic parks of the Metroparks of Toledo provide the habitat diversity needed to attract a variety of species. But even if you can't tell a cardinal from a seagull, the sheer number of birds passing through the Metroparks and places like nearby Magee Marsh is worth seeing (you don't even need binoculars). This month marks the height of the warbler migration at Magee, and seasoned birders describe the trees as "dripping" with the colorful travelers.

Of course, some people prefer to stick with the great American pastime for fun, and what better place than the Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds. Since its opening day in 2003, the $320 million ballpark has been a place of pride. And rightfully so - the waterfront stadium has seen memorable events like Sammy Sosa's 500th home run and the first sitting president (President Bush in 2006) to throw out an opening-day pitch in Cincinnati. Among the ballpark's amenities are two 64-foot-high smokestacks in right field that shoot celebratory fireworks when the Reds make a killer play or win the game. Here's hoping the stacks are busy this season.

Hocking Hills Canoe Livery 12789 St. Rte. 664 S., Logan, 800/634-6820. www.hockingriver.com Hocking Valley Canoe Livery 31251 Chieftain Dr., Logan, 800/686-0386. www.hockinghillscanoeing.com Mohican Adventures 2045 St. Rte. 3, Loudonville, 800/662-2663. www.mohicanadventures.com Aaron's Canoe & Kayak Center 5605 Lower Valley Pike, Springfield, 937/882-6925. www.aaronscanoe.com 41° North Coastal Kayak Adventures 866/529-2541. www.kayak41north.com Great American Ball Park 100 Main St., Cincinnati, 513/765-7000. www.reds.com Ohio Department of Natural Resources www.ohioodnr.com

Ohio's biggest destinations have lots going on this month, too. Here, a few of the standout events.

In honor of the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana's untimely death, the Western Reserve Historical Society presents "Diana, A Celebration." Nine galleries tell the story of the princess' life through childhood photographs and memorabilia; her dazzling tiara; the incredible gown with 25-foot-long train from her 1981 marriage to Prince Charles; and the musical score and handwritten lyrics of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin song "Candle in the Wind" dedicated to her upon her death. 

Summer isn't summer without a visit to one of Ohio's thrill parks. This month, Cedar Point introduces its 17th roller coaster, Maverick, complete with a 100-foot, 95-degree plummet to make your stomach drop.

Western Reserve Historical Society 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland,216/721-5722. www.wrhs.org Cedar Point One Cedar Point Dr. Sandusky, 419/627-2350. www.cedarpoint.com Kalahari 7000 Kalahari Dr., Sandusky, 419/433-7200. http://www.kalahariresort.com/