Unique Things to do in Toledo, Ohio

Fun and Unique Date Ideas for Any Occasion

Are you trying to find something to do in Toledo beyond the same old boring things like going out to dinner or your usual spot for drinks? Believe it or not, there are plenty of unique things to do in Toledo, Ohio. Take a drive and listen to themed audio tours, try your hand at axe throwing, or solve a murder. Use this list so you can find the perfect activity for a memorable date, impress out-of-town visitors, or to have fun with your friends.

List of Unique Things to Do in Toledo

This list of unique activities covers a wide variety of interests and activity levels. You will find everything from paid workshops to free activities around the city. Just look at your calendar, decide how much time and money you have to spend, and take your pick!

More Than Just Dinner and Drinks

Most social meetings involve food. These next ideas put a different spin on grabbing a drink or bite to eat.

• Murder Mystery Dinner. The Spaghetti Warehouse hosts murder mystery dinners every month. No more boring meals just sitting around the table. Solve a murder while you eat! Have diet restrictions? You can also buy ready-to-go murder mystery dinner kits online and host your own at home!

• Pop-Up Events. There is no shortage of places to eat or drink in Toledo. So instead of going for a quick meal, consider participating in one of the many pop-ups put on by local restaurants. Simply just keep an eye out for local Facebook events or Toledo.com/events.

• Food and Drink Tours. You can also choose from several drink tours in the area like the 419 Ale Trail or the seasonal Coffee Quest 419. This is a great way to force yourself out and discover new local businesses. If you only have an evening free, book a reservation with Handlebar Toledo where you and your group tour the bar scene downtown.

• Cultural/Food Festivals. One of my favorite things to do is attend cultural and food festivals. Check the Toledo.com/events calendar to see which ones are coming up so you don’t miss this fun opportunity to learn and experience something new.

Movies with a Twist

Going to see a movie in a regular theatre can be fun, but there are a few ways to add a bit of flair to the experience.

• Drive-in Movie. Toledo has one seasonal drive-in movie theatre in the area, called Parkside (formerly known as Sundance).
• Movies in the Park. During the summer months, several local parks will show outdoor movies. Bring a blanket, some chairs, and snacks, and enjoy! This is a great budget-friendly option because most if not all these movies are free. 

Check out our post about Free Things to do in Toledo for more budget-friendly options.

Relaxing Activities in Toledo in Toledo

• Sandpiper Cruise. Relax for a few hours while cruising along the river. This is a perfect outing if you are looking for a calm or evening romantic outing this summer. Bring along a bottle of wine and enjoy the views on the Maumee.
• Concerts in the Park. Another great (and romantic) activity in the summer. I love watching and naming shapes in the clouds while listening to music. Lots of the concerts are free but there are a few (like the concert series at Toledo’s Botanical Garden) that you do have to pay for.

Competitive Fun in Toledo

Healthy competition is great for any relationship. Work together for a win or compete against each other in this group of fun game-centered activities.

• Escape Room. What better way to spend your time locked in with your partner and friends in a small room until you can figure out how to escape? Even better, there are plenty of escape rooms around town to choose from or you can learn to make one at home.
• Play a Board Game. You can play board games at home, but you can also make a proper date of it. Go to Old School Gaming on Thursdays for board game night or bring a game and get a coffee while you play at Dragon’s Roost.
• Gaming Bars. Toledo has several gaming bars to choose from depending on the vibe and games you want to play. The Geekeasy is a chill place with pinball machines and an all-in-one arcade set-up. Reset and Dave & Buster’s, tend to be a bit more boisterous with a wider variety of games on site.

Improve Your Survival Skills

• Archery. Learn a new survival skill or get some practice with a partner. Toledo has several archery ranges in the area. During the summer, Westwinds Metropark has a static and 3D target range open to the public. The park system also hosts archery pop-ups at different parks if you want to try it out. You can also use the ranges at  AJ Archery and Clelands.
• Gun Range. There are several gun ranges around Toledo where you can blow off some steam and energy. Teach your partner how to shoot or have a friendly competition to decide who is the better shot.
• Axe Throwing. Stop at Axe 419 or The Blend and try your hand at Axe throwing. This is quickly becoming a popular activity across the country.
• Rock Climbing. Get a good full-body workout while practicing teamwork and communication. This challenging sport requires you and your partners to support each other in every way, which is what makes it so much fun! Here’s a post about all of the places you can rock climb in the area depending on the type of climbing you are looking for.

Toledo Metroparks Programs

• Toledo’s Metroparks has a TON of fun and unique programs to choose from throughout the year. You can select from family-friendly or adult-only events depending on who you are going with. They offer a variety of programs and events like night hikes, Atlatl (an ancient type of spear) throwing, escape rooms, murder mysteries, night hikes, and more. Just check their calendar and sign up quickly because many of these programs sell out fast!

Take a Class Together 

Toledo is full of amazing small businesses that offer all types of classes so you can learn a new skill and maybe discover a new shared passion.

• Glass blowing. Choose a glassblowing class from several different locations around Glass City. Take your pick from one-time programs at places like Firenation or a full course from places like the Glass Pavilion.
• Woodworking. Woodcraft of Toledo teaches numerous classes about a range of topics like working with certain tools, woodcarving, or making your own charcuterie board.
• Cooking. The best way to a person’s heart is through their stomach! Learn how to cook a new dish together or how to perfect a favorite. Just pick the style of dish to help you choose where to take your cooking class.
• Circus/Aerial Arts. Did you ever dream about running away and joining the circus? Toledo’s Bird’s Eye View Circus teaches fun classes like silks, trapeze, juggling, and more. There is even a partner acro class where you learn to perform with a friend!
• Paint Night. Spend a couple of hours creating art with a friend that you can hang up and show off when you get home. Several local businesses offer paint nights so you will have plenty of options to choose from.
• General Crafts. Pick a crafting class from a selection of courses from places like the Toledo Museum of Art or Sunshine Studios.  You can also work on a craft of your own at Handmade Toledo on Thursday evening for a fun ‘craft night out’.

Spending Time Around Town

There are a ton of unusual ways to enjoy yourself around town but here are two of my favorites.

• Toledo GPS Audio Tours. Did you know that there is a collection of themed audio tours available about Toledo?   We did the Unholy Toledo Tour: Gangsters and Gambling in the Glass City from VoiceMap. It was fun driving around and learning about the criminal history of the city while seeing a few new places.
• Spend a day with a Shelter Dog. I saved the best for last. Lucas County Canine Control has a program where you can take one of the shelter dogs on a field trip. This gives them a much-needed break from the shelter and lets them meet potential new families. You can make a difference while spending time with a friend AND a special pup!

Choose Your Unique Toledo Adventure!

As you can see there are so many cool and unusual things to do in Toledo. And they all make great creative dates or outings with friends. I hope this helps you realize that even if you can’t travel out of town on an exotic vacation, there are still plenty of remarkable experiences wherever you live. We love finding new types of activities while exploring around town and I hope you will too!

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