Monday, July 10, 2017

OHventures' Greatest Hits!


With over 500 posts over 6 years, OHventures has definitely showcased a plethora of ideas to spark adventure in your life. We've whittled it down to the BEST of the BEST in this special edition post of "Greatest Hits" from OHventures! 


1. BrewBoat ClevelandPart bike, part boat, and part bar, the BrewBoat on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland is a one-of-a-kind experience that will guarantee to be a hit for you and your adventure-and-beer-loving friends.

2. Escape Room DowntownWhile I am usually posting about adventures that exercise the body, escape rooms exercise the mind. They bring people together to use their brains to accomplish the goal under the given time limit, which is a huge adrenaline rush! Join us as we head to the Escape Room Downtown in Canton to tackle "The Missing Detective's Office"!

3. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RailroadALL ABOARD! The CVSR can be found in Northeast Ohio, running through the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (the one and only national park in the state of Ohio). The main portion of the railway runs northbound from Akron in Summit County, all the way to Independence in Cuyahoga County.


4. SegAway Tours of ColumbusSegAway Tours of Columbus offers a series of tours for anyone interested in uncovering hidden secrets about the city while leisurely gliding through the parkways, riversides, and sidewalks of downtown, Arena District, Short North, and Victorian Village. It was a challenging experience, but one I will never forget. I am hooked on Segways!

5. Findlay Market CincinnatiEven on a Sunday afternoon, the Findlay Market located in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is booming with activity. As Ohio's oldest public market, the Market shows no signs of slowing down. 

6. Spartan Race OhioThe Spartan Race was one of the greatest challenges I have ever embarked on, and one that was unforgettable and incredibly fulfilling for the adventurous spirit within me. On May 8, OHventures traveled to Cumberland to tackle all of the mud, obstacles, and burpees that make up the grueling course.


7. VeloSano 100-Mile Bike RideThis epic fundraising event was held in Cleveland, with over 2,000 cyclists signed up to raise money in the months leading up to their bike rides. I raised over $1,500 for cancer research, rode 100 miles, over 4,000 feet of elevation, in the 90 degree heat, which took about 9 hours!

8. Kalahari Indoor Waterpark & Resort: With the nation's largest indoor waterpark, a candy shop with seemingly endless amounts of treats and desserts, one of the best arcade and gaming areas around, world-class spa treatments, a fitness facility, and a fine selection of adult beverages (including a swim-up bar),Kalahari Resort in Sandusky is anyone's dream come true.

9. Escape To Kelley's Island: Located in Erie County in the western basin of Lake Erie about 4 miles north of the Marblehead peninsula and 10 miles from Sandusky Measuring more than 4 square miles, Kelley's Island is the largest American island located in Lake Erie. 

10. CryoTherapy PlusI survived -293 degrees Fahrenheit with Cryotherapy! Cryotherapy is an anti-inflammatory treatment involving skin exposure to ultra-low temperatures for a brief, controlled time, in order to help enhance athletic performance and recovery. Join us as we check out this Akron area full-service cryotherapy spa!

11. Cooking Class at Gervasi VineyardBeing a frequent flyer at all three of Gervasi Vineyard's amazing restaurants,  and being a budding chef in my own home kitchen, I had been wanting to attend a culinary class at The Cucina for quite some time. 

12. Go Ape Treetop Adventure The Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course in the Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation.challenges participants with an outdoor obstacle course over 3,000 feet in length and is suspended up to 40 feet above ground, traversing bridges, zooming on zip lines, and hanging on ropes.

13. Bodhi Tree Guest House & StudioThis Buddhist-inspired getaway can be found off the beaten path, hidden among the trees and on four acres of the Appalachian hillsides of Southeast Ohio - complete with a Thai massage and a 60-minute float in a state-of-the-art float tank!


14. Stand-Up Guys Paddle BoardingIn the Akron area, at the Portage Lakes, there is a great company aptly named The Stand Up Guys, who offer paddle boarding rentals along the PLX for very reasonable prices! 

15. Rhinegeist BreweryNothing beats the atmosphere at Rhinegeist in Cincinnati. The wide open interior is available to reserve for private events, or you can come anytime to play cornhole, ping pong, foosball, or watch a ball game - all while relaxing with some locally brewed booze. 

16. The Lodge At Geneva-On-The-Lake: The romanticism of Ohio's Lake Erie shoreline is encapsulated to perfection at the upscale yet affordable Lodge at GOTL. I stayed here for a weekend in June and saw for myself all the fantastic pleasures that can be unearthed while staying at this hot vacation spot.

17. Mohican Tree House Cabins: Halfway between Cleveland and Columbus is an adventurer's paradise, an outdoorsman's dream, and one of the most unique attractions found in all of Ohio: I stayed overnight like Swiss Family Robinson in these AWESOME accommodations!

18. Tree Frog Canopy Tours: The tallest, fastest, and longest zip line in all of Ohio! Pictures say 1,000 words.

19. Columbus Pedal Wagon: My family & friends hopped aboard this contraption that required us to use our man-power to wheel the wagon from bar to bar to bar in the streets of the Short North one football Saturday in October. 

20. Kayak The Bay at PIB: Between drinking wine and barhopping on 4th of July weekend in Put-In-Bay, a group of college friends decided to get a workout in and kayak the beautiful waters of Lake Erie surrounding South Bass Island

21. Open Air Safari at The Wilds: Seeing camels, giraffes, ostriches, and antelope within hands-reach was an experience I will never forget, thanks to my visit to The Wilds in Cumberland. Think of it as a zoo but 1,000 times cooler.
22. Columbus Brew Adventures: Being driven around in a van and taken to various breweries throughout Columbus for grub, fun facts, and of course booze? Can't get much better than that!
23. Horseback Riding at Faith Ranch: If I could go horseback riding every weekend, I would. The city boy in me became a little bit country when I ventured to the town of Jewett to embark on an hour-long horseback trail ride at Faith Ranch.

24. Monumental Workouts in Canton: The McKinley Monument in Canton is not only a massively historic landmark, serving as the resting place for President William McKinley, but it is also becoming a hotspot for fitness enthusiasts who run the stairs and attend boot camp classes here!

88 Counties In Ohio = 88 Things To Do! (Alphabetical)


The 88 counties in Ohio carve out special parts of the state that are each unique in their own way. The state is incredibly diverse, with the lakeside counties spanning from Lucas to Ashtabula; the "great plains" of Northwest Ohio, including counties like Williams, Henry, and Wood; the hilly Appalachian region with Washington, Athens, and Belmont Counties (to name a few), and of course the heartland including the counties of Franklin, Delaware, Pickaway, and more. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

If it's your goal to visit all 88 counties in Ohio, then this list is for you! Many of these links take you straight to our very own OHventures experiences. But, truth be told, even we haven't made it to each county - yet! So, start your engines and check out this list of one cool thing to do in each of Ohio's 88 counties!

Adams – Sightsee at the Great Serpent Mound – the longest serpent effigy in the US
Allen – Pig out at Kewpee Burger – the oldest hamburger fast food chain in the world (Lima)
Ashland – Get cheesy at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn – the name says it all! (Ashland)
Ashtabula – Stay the night at The Lodge at Geneva-On-The-Lake – gorgeous views
Athens – Taste some local beers at Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery – a locavore’s delight (Athens)
Auglaize - Honor Ohio native Neil Armstrong at Wapakoneta's Summer Moon Festival
Belmont - Rock out at the "Superbowl of country music festivals - Jamboree In The Hills
Brown - Soak in the Ohio River at Eagle Creek Landings Marina (Georgetown)
Butler – Plan a trip to Jungle Jim's International Market - more than a grocery store (Fairfield)
Carroll – Saddle up for some Horseback Riding at Faith Ranch (Jewett)
Champaign – Explore the deep caves of Ohio Caverns (West Liberty)
Clark - Hike your way through Buck Creek State Park in Springfield
Clermont – Bike the trail corridor of Little Miami Scenic Trail along the Little Miami River
Clinton – Immerse yourself in Pioneer Village at Caesar Creek State Park
Columbiana – Spend the night at the haunted Spread Eagle Tavern (Hanoverton)
Coshocton – Depart on the Three Rivers Wine Trail, including Yellow Butterfly Winery
Crawford - Gorge on brats & take the "wurst" bike ride at the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival in August
Cuyahoga – See all of Cleveland from atop Terminal Tower (and take a Day Trip to Cleveland)
Darke - Watch the stock cars race by at the world famous Eldora Speedway (New Weston)

Defiance - See the reconstructed historic town of Auglaize Village, with a military museum 

Delaware – Take advantage of the state’s largest inland beach at Alum Creek State Park
Erie – Ride the world’s largest roller coasters at Cedar Point (Sandusky)
Fairfield – Zipline over 100 feet off the ground at Valley Zipline Tours (Lancaster)
Fayette - Shop the day away at the Tanger Outlets right off of I-71 (Jeffersonville)
Franklin – Visit the Ohio Statehouse (and see 100 more things to do in Columbus)
Fulton - Check out the arboretum & ATV, hiking, & horseback riding trails of Maumee State Forest
Gallia - Head "down on the farm" to the Bob Evans Farm Homestead Museum (Bidwell)
Geauga – Give yourself a sugar rush at the Geauga County Maple Festival
Greene - Trek along the Old Woods Trail located at Caesar Creek State Park
Guernsey – Embark on an Open Air Safari at The Wilds (Cumberland)
Hamilton –  Meet an elephant at Cincinnati Zoo (and take a Day Trip to Cincinnati)
Hancock - Go up, up, and away on a Findlay Hot Air Balloon Ride
Hardin - Build Your Own Tour of historic, architectural, and natural attractions in Hardin
Harrison - Paddle through Southeast Ohio thanks to Green Acres Canoe & Kayak Rental
Henry - Grab a photo op with the giant can of Campbell's Tomato Soup (Napoleon)
Highland - Mountain bike in Paint Creek Lake State Park (Hillsboro)
Hocking – Hike your heart out at Hocking Hills State Park, including Old Man’s Cave
Holmes – Embrace yourself in Amish culture with Der Dutchmann Restaurants
Huron - Gawk at the Christmas lights at the annual Light Up Norwalk Festival 
Jackson - Go apple picking and celebrate at the Jackson Apple Festival each year
Jefferson - Step back 200 years to the Ohio frontier at Fort Steuben (Steubenville)
Knox – Stay the night in the Mohican Tree House Cabins (Loudonville)
Lake - Have a night of luxury at Quail Hollow Resort (Painesville)
Lawrence - Spend a day at Lake Vesuvius
Licking – Say hello to the Longaberger Basket Building – the world’s largest basket
Logan – Ski the day away at Mad River Mountain (Zanesfield)
Lorain – Take your pups on a jaunt with the Dirty 5K, Walk & Wash (Avon Lake)
Lucas – Gorge on hot dogs at the famous Tony Packo’s (and take a Day Trip to Toledo)

Madison – Fish, hike, picnic, and more at Prairie Oaks Metro Park (West Jefferson)

Mahoning – Trek the trails of Mill Creek Park to Lanterman’s Mill (and take a Day Trip to Youngstown)
Marion – Visit the epic tomb found at the President Warren G. Harding Memorial

Medina - Celebrate Christmas all year 'round at Castle Noel (Medina)

Meigs - "Milk" your time in Meigs County by visiting the famous Snowville Creamery
Mercer - Tackle the Mad Run - a muddy obstacle run in Fort Recovery
Miami – Take a Day Trip to the quaint town of Piqua
Monroe - Drive along the Covered Bridge Byway on a self-guided scenic tour 
Montgomery – Eat at Olive, An Urban Dive (and take a Day Trip to Dayton)
Morgan – Camp at the Wayne National Forest (the only National Forest in Ohio)
Morrow – Shoot ‘em up at SplatterPark Paintball (Mount Gilead)
Muskingum – Pig out on pasta at Adornetto’s Selected Italian Foods (Zanesville)
Noble - Dine at the Dockside Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Seneca Lake Marina
Ottawa – Kayak the waters of Put-In-Bay (and explore the whole island while you’re at it)!
Paulding - Visit the Paulding County Carnegie Library, on the US National Registrar of Historic Places
Perry - Eat breakfast at Dodson's On Broadway (New Lexington)
Pickaway - Attend the Circleville Pumpkin Show and see the pumpkin water tower!
Pike - Travel Pike's Patches Quilt Barn Trail to see all of the quilt barns in the area!
Portage - Imbibe at Viking Vineyards & Winery (and take a Day Trip to Kent)
Preble - Go ghost hunting and on other spirited adventures
Putnam - Scuba dive at Gilboa Quarry - the Midwest's Premier Dive Site (Ottawa)
Richland - Tour the Mansfield Reformatory (where they filmed Shawshank Redemption)
Ross - Take a day trip to the Ross County seat, Chillicothe (Ohio's first capital)
Sandusky - Learn about one of our presidents at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

Scioto - Embark on a journey to Scioto County's Shawnee State Park

Seneca - See Ohio's Greatest Underground Adventure, Seneca Caverns
Shelby -  Do a nighttime zipline at VanDemark Farm (Sidney)
Stark  - Run the stairs of the McKinley Monument (and take a Day Trip to Canton)

Summit  - Zoom down the hill of the All American Soap Box Derby (and take a Day Trip to Akron)

Trumbull – Plunge into the waters of Mosquito Lake (and take a Day Trip to Hubbard)
Tuscawaras – Travel back in time by seeing the historic village of Zoar
Union - Scale the steep hiking trails of Clear Creek Metro Park
Van Wert - Hop aboard a plane for a flying tour at the Van Wert Airport
Vinton – Immerse yourself in Zaleski State Forest (second-largest state forest in the U.S)

Warren – Zipline at Ozone Zipline Adventures (Lebanon)!

Washington – Hop aboard the Sternwheeler and drink some Marietta beer!
Wayne - Engage in discussion while eating & drinking at First Amendment Public House (Wooster)
Williams - Check out the Bryan Theatre, local parks, and other fun things in the City of Bryan
Wood - Visit Bowling Green State University and the surrounding area!
Wyandot - Birdwatch at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, where you can see bald eagles!