Patricia Schultz’s bestselling book, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, has inspired travelers around the world. But some of the places she lists—like Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Great Wall of China—might tax the family budget a bit.

Still, it’s possible, for anyone living in the Cincinnati area, to enjoy a startling array of sights and experiences that are within a half-day’s driving distance, and all (with the possible exception of the sporting events) are thoroughly affordable. And who knows? After tackling these, you might have saved enough time and money to run off to several of Schultz’s sites.

1. Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Just a half-day’s drive from Cincinnati is one of the most beautiful places on God’s green earth. Fauna, flora, forest and falls make this national park a sight not to be missed. 

2. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland, on the shores of Lake Erie is a sensory and memory delight for music fans of all ages. 

3. The Kentucky Derby. Held the first weekend of May each year, the run for the roses and first leg of horse racing’s triple crown, is a singular experience, whether you’re otherwise interested in horses or not. 

4. Tecumseh Outdoor Drama. Staged at Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre near Chillicothe, Ohio, this story of the legendary Shawnee leader, with galloping horses, live cannon, and first-rate production values, is a unique live theater presentation. 

5. Ride a real riverboat. Though the historic Delta Queen is now a Chattanooga hotel, the Belle of Louisville still cruises the Ohio River from beautiful Waterfront Park in Louisville.

6. Put-in-Bay. Located on two-by-four-mile South Bass Island in Lake Erie, north of Sandusky, Put-in-Bay affords scenery, fishing, shopping, dining, and more.  Nearby Kelley’s Island is quieter and more natural. 

7. Amish Country. A visit to Holmes County, Ohio, or the northern Indiana communities of Goshen, Nappanee, and Shipshewana, can turn back the clock to a simpler time. Amish farms, crafts, cooking, museums, and more will charm all ages. 

8. Mammoth Cave. The awe-inspiring underground scenery of the world’s largest cave system is just a couple hours’ drive south of Cincinnati, at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. 

9. The Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, more than a hundred years old, hosts the granddaddy of all auto racing events every year, on the last weekend in May. 

10. The Cleveland Arcade. Once known as Cleveland’s Crystal Palace, the Arcade was one of the first indoor shopping malls in the nation. Now, more than 120 years later, it is still breathtaking. 

These are not the only places in our area that are worth seeing before you die. But they are some of the best. And they are a good start.