HotelChatter

Where to Stay

If you're looking for a low cost place to stay, and if you're considering Toledo you probably are, look no further than the Toledo Ramada Inn and Suites. It's located in the middle of downtown and is a three star hotel During the off season, a suite with a Jacuzzi costs only $47 a night. This includes a wet bar, free internet, and a mini fridge. Call the Ramada directly at (419) 242-8885 for the best deals.

You might be able to find a cheaper deal at the Baymont Motel in Perryburg or the Knights Inn in Rossford, but the Ramada Inn puts you in the center of Toledo, plus it offers a view of the area that no suburban hotel can offer.

Attractions

Toledo has some world class attractions... Remember what I said about the laughing.

For example, The Toledo Museum of Art hosts international exhibitions and contains over 30,000 works of art. Admission is free, but parking cost $3. However, if you park on the street, you can save your three bucks and stick it to the man.

The Toledo Zoo is best discribed as the National Zoo, but without all the walking. The Toledo Zoo is one of four Zoos in the United States to have hosted a pair of Pandas. Koalas, primates, polar bears, elephants, hippos, and an African Savanna complex can be found at the Toledo Zoo, among other attractions. If you're visiting Toledo during winter, the Zoo holds an event dubbed "The Lights Before Christmas," where the zoo is decked out with over one million lights. Admission to the Lights Before Christmas is $7.50 for adults and $5.50 for children and seniors.

Other Zoo events during winter include Frozentoesen, held in January and February, where admission drops to $4.50 but most attractions are still open. The Zoo also hosts Vineyard Adventures, which are wine tasting events that each highlight a different region's wines. Admission to a Vineyard Adventure is $35 per person or $30 if you are a member of an affiliated zoo.

If you're into history, head to Perrysburg, my hometown, and visit Ft. Meigs, a recreation of the fort that overlooked the Maumee River during the War of 1812. The fort is the largest wooden fortification in the United States and was the site of a major battle during the War of 1812. And yes, we won.

Now you're probably thinking, "Well, what is there to do within walking distance of the hotel?"

There is a lot to do in downtown Toledo, even during winter. In the summer, the City of Toledo puts on a series of conserts called The Rally By The River. The musicians range from country to rock, but usually involve acts that were popular at least five years ago.

Probably the largest attraction in downtown Toledo is the Toledo Mudhens, a AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The newly built Fifth Third Field is a block from the Ramada Inn and has created an environment that is restaurant and bar friendly. If you aren't able to make it to Toledo during baseball season, a stop at the Dirty Bird or the Swamp Shop, both a block or two from the Ramada, will allow you to get your Mud Hens fix during the offseason.

Also near the stadium is Frickers, a hotwing bar that has some of the hottest sauce east of the Mississippi River. If you're looking for Italian food, Spagetti Warehouse offers good food for a low cost. And unlike most restaurants, you will want to fill up on their bread. They serve a sourdough-style bread with garlic butter that I could eat as a main course. As an added bonus, their Manicotti is to die for.

Well, what else is there to do in downtown Toledo? Try International Park, a short water taxi away from the Ramada Inn. International Park is home to a number of restaurants, ranging from seafood to Mexican-style food. During the summer, International Park offers beach volleyball courts and this year it hosted a display of Tall Ships.

Sporting Events

I've already mentioned the Mud Hens, but baseball isn't the only sport in Toledo worth watching.

If you or your significant other are a football fan, Toledo has something to offer for you. The University of Toledo, my soon to be Alma Mader, offers visitors high quality college football games for only $19 per person. Just this year Toledo beat Pittsburg, ranked 9th in the country at the time, and the students stormed the field after the game. Just stay out of their way because during the last celebration a girl was put into a coma and a guy was paralized.

Maybe you want to get tickets as far away from the student section if you want to go to a UT game.

If you plan on visiting Toledo during January, Feburary, or March, you might want to get tickets to a Toledo Storm hockey game. While the building might be dilapidated, the games are exciting and the concessions are reasonably priced. Tickets can be purchased for as low as $5.75 and a 32 oz. beer costs only $5. As an added bonus, the Sports Arena, the home of the Storm, is a short walk or an even shorter cab ride from the Ramada Inn.

There you have it, Toledo in a nutshell. While it doesn't offer the entertainment oppertunities of Chicago, but you run a much lower risk of mugging or murder than Detroit. When you're looking for place to spend the weekend, but don't want to spend a lot of money, think Toledo.