Visit Toledo in northwest Ohio, a vibrant city on the shores of Lake Erie which offers visitors plenty of Instagrammable locations to take the perfect picture!  

Toledo might not be the most famous city in the States but it sure has a lot to offer. The industrial city (the American version of Sheffield?) played a significant role in American history with its glass manufacturing contributions and is dubbed the “The Glass Capital of the World.” 

Today the city of Toledo is full of fascinating arts, culture, nature parks and garden scenes. From world-class museums to modern Metroparks, here are some of the awesome places to take the best Instagram picture in Toledo, Ohio. 

Toledo Botanical Gardens

Located on Elmer Drive, Toledo Botanical Garden is a 60-acre garden owned by the Metroparks of the Toledo Area. Moreover, it is the only botanical garden in the area, which is open daily to the public and free of charge. There are sculptures beautifully scattered throughout the garden and the most amazing dahlias creating the perfect scene for the most iconic Instagram picture. The gardens include the green garden, herb garden, perennial garden, pioneer garden, and many more.

The botanical garden hosts events like the Crosby Festival of Arts, Heralding the Holidays, and the Jazz in the Park Garden Concert Series. There is also a Seasons Gift Shop and Visitor Center. Walkthrough brilliantly coloured beds of blooming flowers, gorgeous trees, sculptures, and art in this beautiful setting. A must-see location is the beautiful city of Toledo.

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Oak Openings 

Oak Openings is nestled between Whitehouse and Swanton. Likewise, it is, the largest of the Toledo Metroparks and is known for its abundant woodland trails, dunes, and a patch of tall red pine trees called “The Spot”. The nature preserve contains an oak savanna, sand and vegetated dunes, wetlands, and several rare species of plants. Some of the interesting plants that grow here include cacti, orchids, and wild lupines. Furthermore, there are many birds such as whippoorwills, indigo buntings, and bluebirds. Some of the available activities include camping, fishing, horseback riding, and picnicking. The preserve is open every day. The Oak Openings is a globally distinct ecosystem, designated by The Nature Conservancy, a renowned conservation organization, as “One of the 200 Last Great Places on Earth.” Visitors love Oak Openings for the variety of natural backdrops that look amazing in every season. 

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Toledo Art Museum 

You can find the museum located on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo and was founded in 1901 by local glassmaker Edward Drummond Libbey, the museum moved to its current location in 1912. Remarkably, it hosts a collection of over 30,000 works including outstanding 19th and 20th-century glass art but also has American, Egyptian, African, Greek, Japanese, Renaissance, and Roman works of art. In addition to this, there is also a wonderful sculpture garden and Museum Café. The museum also offers free admissions. 

Visitors will find one of the finest and most diverse collections of artwork in the country. The Art Museum offers a multitude of classy indoor and outdoor backdrops. The Glass Pavilion is a unique art gallery that photographs beautifully.  You can also roam the exhibits looking for backdrops but, remember, refrain from using your camera flash as it is banned!  

You can also find our exclusive UI Toledo Darwin Bag stocked in the Museums Shop. 

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Art Tatum Celebration Column 

The Art Tatum Celebration Colum is a symbol of celebration of the Jazz legend Art Tatum. He was born in 1909, Toledo, Ohio, U.S and died in 1956, and was considered one of the greatest American pianists of the greatest technical virtuosos in jazz. Despite his impaired vision, Tatum taught himself piano, attended the Toledo School of Music, and developed a reputation for unparalleled veracity and improvisation. Tatum ultimately came to be respected by his peers in the jazz world.  

The Celebration Colum is located in downtown Toledo in the form of a 26-foot-tall column of piano keys just outside the Huntington Center. It was commissioned by the City of Toledo as part of its One Percent for the Arts program and was completed in 2009. Additionally, the column twists into the sky as a permanent tribute to Toledo’s powerful contribution to jazz. A legendary location to take the most unique Instagram shot!  

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Middlegrounds MetroPark 

Located in the bustling streets of downtown Toledo, Middlegrounds Metropark offers a unique view of the Toledo skyline and the Anthony Wayne bridge. The 28-acre green space offers a 1.5-mile walk/bike path and tranquil views of the Maumee River. It is important to note, the park was built with sustainability in mind as it features beautiful decking made of ipe wood and the river benefits from a natural system that captures and cleans water runoff from the conjoined bridge. 

Middlegrounds has a kayak cove with access to the river for those who bring their boats and a hub for the Veo Bike Share. Some fun amenities include; trails, recreational green space, picnic grounds, a dog park, interpretative exhibits. This modern riverside park in the city will take your breath away. One of the best places to take pictures in Toledo, Ohio.  

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Conclusion  

These are just a few of the most Instagrammable places in Toledo, Ohio. These tips will guarantee you will take the best Instagram pictures of your visit to vibrant Toledo. Once your trip is over, you could also buy some of our official Urban Illustration, Toledo-themed memorabilia to remind you of your amazing trip.  

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Most Instagrammable places in Toledo Ohio:

• Toledo Botanical Gardens
• Oak Openings 
• Toledo Art Museum
• Art Tatum Celebration Column
• Middlegrounds MetroPark

Introducing: Sheffield

Sheffield, a little gem in the north.

Home to Henderson’s Relish, a historic steel industry and the oldest football team in the world. It is the backdrop of hit films like The Full Monty, This is England ’86, and How to talk to girls at parties. It is also home to some of the nicest people in the country (and Urban Illustration).

There are plenty of reasons to come and visit! And if you do, here is a list of things you could get up to. So, hop on the tram and we’ll take you on a little tour of Sheffield.

1. Sheffield Train Station
   It’s likely that the train station will be your first stop in Sheffield. If you’re in need of refreshment the Sheffield Tap is a pub serving some of Sheffield’s finest beers and ales and is located on platform 1B or you can get to it from just outside the station. Once you leave the station you will be greeted by gorgeous water features and fountains which at night light up to give you a gorgeous welcome to the city.
2. Winter Gardens
   Straight off the train and up the first hill of your trip you will find yourself at the Sheffield Winter Gardens, one of the UK’s largest glasshouses and home to over 2000 plants from around the globe. It is an amazing sight to see all of these amazing plants in the heart of a city centre. These winter gardens are attached to the Sheffield Millennium Gallery, a celebration of Sheffield steel, art, and ever-changing guest exhibitions.
3. Theatres
   Leaving the Winter Gardens, you will be welcomed by Sheffield’s two largest theatres, The Crucible, and the Lyceum. Year round both theatres are home to wonderful shows, from local theatre companies, nationwide tours, pantomimes, ballets and more, so there is bound to be something to your liking during your trip to the city. The Crucible is also famously home to annual World Snooker Championship, so it’s worth the visit for all snooker fans, even if you can’t get tickets you can watch the action from huge screens showing the action in the square outside.
4. Peace Gardens
   Right in the heart of the city overlooked by the town hall is the Peace Garden, the collection of hidden fountains, water features and lawns it is perfect peaceful place to sit and take the city in. In Spring the cherry blossom takes over the peace gardens.
5. Bessemer
   By this point you may be feeling in need of a little refreshment and some sustenance. Just a short walk away from Peace Gardens you will arrive at the Bessemer pub. With a great atmosphere and amazing food that you can cover in Henderson’s Relish and some of Sheffield’s best beers, it’s a great pit stop on your Sheffield adventure.
6. Football Stadiums
   Calling all football fans! Sheffield is home to two battling football teams, Sheffield United in the premier league and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship. Their Sheffield derby rivalry is famous. The United stadium is on Bramall Lane in the city centre and Wednesday’s home is just up the road in Hillsborough. Both stadiums offer tours so you can get to see some behind the scenes action.
7. Kelham Island
   Kelham Island was one of the oldest industrial sites in Sheffield, and Kelham Island industrial museum pays true homage to its steel manufacturing roots. However, now Kelham Island has revived to be a great leisure destination. Boasting some of Sheffield’s most well-known pubs like the Fat Cat and Kelham Tavern as well as a wide range of excellent restaurants, and amazing cafes. People from all over Sheffield flock to Kelham Island every weekend and it’s easy to see why.
8. Botanical Gardens
   The Botanical Gardens is a large park in the Broomhall area of Sheffield, with paths throughout and large areas of lawn it is designed for exploring and relaxing. Not to mention the amazing gardens it displays, for example, the Asian Garden, Rose Garden, Mediterranean Garden and Evolution Garden to name a few. There’s also the pavilion, housing tropical plants. The Botanical Gardens is definitely somewhere to add to your list if you’re a budding botanist.
9. The Arts Tower
   The Arts Tower is a Sheffield University building that has become something of a tourist spot in Sheffield. It is the second tallest building in Sheffield and has received much praise for its design and construction. However, the main attraction is the Paternoster lift, which is an elevator that unlike most elevators continuously moves in a loop and passengers can step on and off freely. The Paternoster lift in the Arts Tower is the largest in the UK with 38 “cars”. It seems a little odd to recommend a stop off to ride in a lift, but it is really cool!

Introducing: London

We’ve written a list of 10 things you can go and do in and around England’s capital that’s not the usual sightseeing hotspots. Perfect if you are planning a trip to London, or just curious about what there is to do around England's Capital City.

1. St Paul's Cathedral
   St Paul’s Cathedral sits atop the Ludgate Hill at the highest point in London, so for the views alone it is worth the trip. The second largest church in the UK is an impressive building, both for it’s astounding English Baroque architecture and boasting one of the highest domes in the world. Having hosted many significant events such as Monarchy Jubilees, peace services following both world wars and Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding, it holds a wealth of history.
2. Borough Market
   Feeling a little peckish? Then head to Borough Market. Home to freshly cooked street food and artisanal food producers offering everything from fresh breads, cheeses, preserves and drinks. It is a haven for amazing food, with street food chefs bringing tastes from all over the world and adding their own unique twists you can head down at any time of day for some of the most delicious and easy food in London.
3. Barbican centre
   The Barbican is a world class arts centre, showcasing the best of dance, film, music, theatre and visual arts. With a fully stocked calendar of exhibitions, film viewings, talks, workshops and performances, there is sure to be something that will interest you during your trip to London. Tickets and the event calendar are available on their website.
4. Tate Britain
   The Tate Britain is the oldest gallery within the Tate Network of galleries in England (including Modern, Liverpool and St Ives) and is one of the largest galleries in the country. The permanent collection is composed of British art dating from 1500 to present day and is the most thorough collection of British art in the world. It is an amazing way to truly celebrate the variety and changes of British art through the ages.
5. Baker Street/ Sherlock Holmes Museum
   Baker street itself is the home of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, so if you’re a fan of the novels of the more recent TV adaptation it’s a great way to engross yourself in the story. And you will find the Sherlock Holmes Museum if you want to delve further into the world of Sherlock. It is also just around the corner from the very real wax museum Madame Tussauds. And at the end of Baker Street you will find the gorgeous Regents Park for a walk or a trip to the ZSL London Zoo.
6. Camden Lock
   What can’t you do in Camden Lock? Home to a plethora of unique independent shops where you will be able to find a range of hidden gems. With food and drink offering plates and tastes from all over the world there will be something for everyone if you become a little peckish, and you’ll be sure to find a cocktail that will quench your thirst. Camden Lock is also home to a range of activities from mini golf, or boat ride, to the less PG Vagina Museum. Camden Lock is definitely a varied experience that will differ from your usual London day trip.
7. Harrods & Liberty London
   If your trip to London needs a little retail therapy, then maybe consider a quick (or long) trip to Harrods or Liberty London. The department store to conquer all department stores, Harrods is the largest department store in Europe, occupying 5 acres (20,234.3m²). And Liberty is famous worldwide for their distinct fabric designs. In both places, you will feel like your entering a movie scene surrounded by immaculate displays and luxurious products. Even if you aren’t buying anything, Liberty London and Harrods are definitely something to experience. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in London at Christmas, both Harrods and Liberty’s window displays are known for their magical ambience.
8. China Town
   Next door neighbour to Soho, Chinatown is right in the heart of where it’s all going on in the West End. It contains Chinese restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and other Chinese businesses. This ethnically rich area of London is the perfect way to experience something completely different to the rest of London and enjoy some traditional Chinese culture.
9. National Gallery
   The National Gallery speaks for itself. Standing in Trafalgar square it is one of London’s iconic buildings and is home to over 2,300 pieces of art dating back to the 13^th century. It is an art lovers dream and with free entry why wouldn’t you head on down for a bit of artistic indulgence
10. Natural History Museum
    Home to everything natural. Plants, dinosaurs, animals, minerals and more. You name it, it’s there! Even if science isn’t your thing, the Natural History Museum is bound to have something that will really take your breath away. This could be the enormous animal skeleton they have in the central hall, or one of the fabulous exhibits (a personal favourite is the giant sloth). It is something not to be missed.