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 Cleveland: Part 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 Downtown: While 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 Railroad: ALL 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 Columbus: SegAway 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 Cincinnati: Even 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 Ohio: The 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 Ride: This 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 Plus: I 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 Vineyard: Being 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 & Studio: This 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 Boarding: In 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 Brewery: Nothing 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!

Cool & Cozy Ohio Cabins

Photo by OHventures

The idea of sleeping under the stars, awaking to birds chirping, and bonding with friends in the great outdoors is my idea of an amazing night. It's difficult to see the stars with bright city lights, and even harder to hear the chirping of birds while traffic whizzes by. A uniquely Ohio lodging getaway can help to remedy this!

If you pick the right cabin in the right place, you can wake up and head out on a hike, embark on a canoe ride, or enjoy a nearby festival. While there are literally hundreds of options out there, below are some of the greatest spots to rent a cabin or overnight in a unique lodging facility in Ohio. For a comprehensive listing of cabins found at all Ohio State Parks, visit this site.

1. Island View Cottages: Why bother planning a vacation to far off places like Florida or Mexico, when you can take a getaway to Ohio's own Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island? Book an overnight stay to maximize your island experience.

2. Mohican Tree House Cabins: If you have ever had a desire to live Swiss Family Robinson style for a day, or if you wanted to bring back childhood memories of the tree house you had in your backyard, now you can!

3. Geneva State Park Campground: Stay in the cedar cabins at this 698-acre state-run park in Geneva (Ashtabula County), which is situated along the Lake Erie coastline, and has thick forested and marshy inlands. 

4. The Hocking Hills Caboose: Have you ever slept overnight in the cabin of a train? This unique location allows you to do just that - but in the middle of the woods! 

5. Nomad Ridge at The Wilds: Located on 10,000 acres of land in Cumberland (Guernsey County) in Southeast Ohio, The Wilds is one of the world's largest and most impressive wildlife conservation facilities. Come to The Wilds and stay in one of the yurts on Nomad Ridge. A yurt is somewhat of a hybrid between a tent and a cabin, and the ones found at Nomad Ridge are all decked out!

READ MORE AT OHIO.ORG!

Polar Blast Snow Tubing

Photos by OHventures

In winter months, the Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort (or BMBW for short) located in the northern Summit County town of Peninsula is a fine getaway for those looking for some snowy adventures. BMBW conjures up great memories for me, as I began coming here every wintry Thursday evening as part of my high school's official Ski Club. We hopped on an old yellow bus and drove an hour and a half to what at the time seemed to be enormous eskers. It was then that I learned everything I really needed to know about skiing - from how to walk (more like waddle) in the skis, how and when to utilize the poles, and of course how to zip down the slopes with the greatest of ease. Even though I have been skiing there for nearly 20 years, this weekend was my first-ever trip to the resort's Polar Blast Snow Tubing attraction - and what a BLAST it was!

Snow tubing is the perfect winter activity, as it requires minimal (nearly zero) skill, and is something in which people of most any age can easily participate! All it requires is an inner tube filled with air and a large snow-covered hill - both of which Polar Blast provides for you at a very reasonable cost ($25 for 3 hours or $59 for an all-day pass). The Polar Blast hills are specifically used for snow tubing, so you won't have to worry about sharing the hillside with skiers and snowboarders!

READ MORE AT OHIO.ORG!

Ohio's Tallest & Fastest Toboggan Chutes

Photo by OHventures

These giant toboggan chutes can be found at Mill Stream Run Reservation, one of the Cleveland Metroparks located in Strongsville. The chutes are 700 feet long, with a 70-foot tall drop at a 33-degree angle. You can travel down the chutes as fast as 50 miles per hour! There are many factors that can contribute to how fast you go, including the number of people on your toboggan (you can have up to four riders per toboggan), the weight of your riders (plus the weight of the toboggan, which is 37 pounds), the current humidity, and the current temperature.

Two 20-inch-wide chutes are side-by-side on tracks that are refrigerated with a cooling unit and a pump. We learned from facts that were posted at the site that the pump carries cooled diethylene glycol through an underground piping system to the chutes. The diethylene glycol chills the concrete and allows the water on the surface to freeze. This is what allows riders to glide safely and quickly down the hill!

READ MORE AT OHIO.ORG!

Northeast Ohio WaterFALL Hikes

Chagrin Falls - Photos by OHventures

The roar of rushing water echoing throughout the wilderness is a welcoming sound when hiking through Ohio’s parks and trails. Whether manmade or created by Mother Nature herself, waterfalls provide an element of excitement and wonder to any outdoor adventure. Add to that the changing colors of autumn’s leaves, and you are bound to take your scenic adventures to an entirely different level.

Growing up in Northeast Ohio, my friends and I loved to explore the woods throughout the year, but nothing would compare to the times when we’d hike in autumn. In our expeditions, we sought out many notable waterfalls, which have become some of my favorite landmarks. Here are some of my top picks for Northeast Ohio waterfall hikes:

Chagrin Waterfalls – Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County
The waterfalls in the quaint city of Chagrin Falls can be easily found, and they don’t require any hiking boots or gear! These impressive 20-foot high falls are located right in the heart of town square, and can be accessed via a series of staircases. I always take a pit stop to see the Chagrin Falls after having dinner or shopping at the many establishments lining Main Street. The leaves turn golden yellow and fire red during autumn, which provides a beautiful frame for the cascading waters. Just hurry and catch them before they freeze for the winter!

Gorge Metro Park – Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County
The Gorge Trails at the Gorge Metro Park in Cuyahoga Falls are full of remarkable rock formations along some slightly rugged terrain. A boardwalk and wooden staircase were recently installed to make the hike less advanced. The unmistakable sound of crashing water can be heard while on the majority of the 1.8-mile path. The falls you see are primarily due to a manmade dam, but you can also spot some natural cascades, known as the Big Falls (pictured above). You can take a detour out of the woods and spot the Little Falls, located in downtown Cuyahoga Falls. These waterfalls is how the city received its name.

Cascade Falls – Nelson Township, Portage County
As a teenager, my friends and I often visited Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, located along U.S. Route 422 in Portage County. The rocky cliffs proved to be a challenging endeavor, and the nearby quarry gave us a place to cool off in the summer. When the leaves changed, color, we would still head to the park, but stick to hiking. We’d explore the exciting rock formations, like Devil’s Icebox and Indian Pass, and we’d always uncover the gorgeous Cascade Falls. Surrounded by mossy rocks and russet leaves, the 50-foot tall Cascade Falls is a slender, less robust waterfall than the others on the list, but is striking nonetheless.

Brandywine Falls – Northfield, Summit County
By and large, the most picturesque and the most breathtaking of all of the waterfalls I have visited in Northeast Ohio is Brandywine Falls (pictured above). Located in northern Summit County (in between Akron and Cleveland), Brandywine Falls are approximately 65-feet tall, with rushing waters encapsulated by bright orange leaves in the autumn. When frost and ice form, the flow of the water changes as well, making for an interesting sight to see. These falls are a very popular spot for photo shoots, be it for a wedding, engagement, or just because (which is exactly what I did with my dog this fall). There is a small 1.5 mile hiking trail that leads to the falls, as well as a wooden observation deck, which is always bustling with visitors.

Lanterman’s Falls – Youngstown, Mahoning County
As a student, we took countless field trips to Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, where we could go see Lanterman’s Mill and its accompanying waterfalls! Our teachers would take us here so we could learn how the water from the creek is used to power the gristmill to grind grain. We would always tour the mill and take home some grain products that were made on site! The waterfall next to Lanterman’s Mill is only about 15 feet tall, but it works in conjunction with the mill and a nearby covered bridge to create a beautiful backdrop.

There are countless other waterfalls in Northeast Ohio (and the state as a whole) to check out in the fall (or any time of the year). Some other good ones to check out are Buttermilk Falls in Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, and Paine Falls in Painesville, in Lake County.

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point

Photos by OHventures

Amusement park enthusiasts from around the world flock every year to Cedar Point, located in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio. We are lucky to have one of the best amusement parks on the planet right on the Lake Erie coastline. With more rides than any other park on earth (71), and the second most roller coasters (16), Cedar Point has been breaking records and drawing in millions for decades.

 

For the past 20 years, Cedar Point has been hosting HalloWeekends, on the weekends that fall between Labor Day and Halloween. The entire 365-acre park transforms into a spookier, scarier, and more thrilling experience for guests, with pumpkins and cobwebs decorating the queue lines, and ghosts, goblins, and ghouls roaming the midway.

This past weekend, I experienced HalloWeekends for the very first time. I had been to Cedar Point many times since my youth, but never during HalloWeekends. During this time, the park is only open Friday through Saturday, and with limited hours. After spending a Sunday in the park in late September, I have to say it was one of the best visits I have ever had to Cedar Point!

This is mainly because the crowds are significantly smaller than during the summer months. I do, however, hear that Saturdays during HalloWeekends can bring in very large numbers of park goers (especially in late October). So, if you plan to go, make it on a Sunday! We arrived just before noon (the park opened at 11AM) and left around 7 PM (the park closed at 8 PM).

Dead Ride Cemetery

The park was truly transformed, with special Halloween touches everywhere you looked. I loved the attention to detail: skulls, bats, and skeletons strategically placed throughout the park. I particularly enjoyed the specially created displays, such as the "Dead Ride Cemetery," featuring "tombstones" of former coasters and attractions that are now defunct and have since been torn down. Pictured above, you can see part of the cemetery (which is found in the Midway near the Raptor roller coaster), including the grave site of the Mean Streak, the giant wooden coaster that is being torn down this year.

Further down the Midway is a giant jack-lantern to walk through (perfect for a photo op), a giant mechanical ogre, and the "Cemetery of Dead Rockers." This area is found near the Corkscrew roller coaster (pictured below), and features headstones of rock-and-roll legends who are no longer with us: Rick James, John Lennon, Elvis, and even Amy Winehouse.

Even further down the Midway is the Great Pumpkin Spectacular, where you can find 10,000 hand-carved jack-o-lanterns lining the walkways. They are true works of art, and look even cooler at nighttime, all lit up. This is a new addition to HalloWeekends this year, and can be found near the Top Thrill Dragster and the Power Tower. 

This entire stretch of the Midway is where you can witness the Great Pumpkin Parade at 4 PM each day. And if you have kids, there are a ton of places nearby that can offer age-appropriate Halloween fun (like trick-or-treat zones and Peanuts characters dressed in a not-so-spooky manner). 

We, of course were not there with children in tow. This meant that not only could we hit up all of the haunted houses we wanted, but we could also indulge in some adult beverages. Do yourself a favor and try the craft beers especially made for Cedar Point. This includes the RougaBrew and the Valravn Red Stout, both named after newer rides at the park, and both available for a very limited time. You can try them at the Trail Tavern near Millennium Force roller coaster (yes, the one that is over 300 feet tall). 

Enjoying a RougaBrew at Trail Tavern

Another great spot for some cold ones is Chickie's & Pete's, found near the entrance and right next to the Blue Streak roller coaster. A word of caution, however: plan to ride the more intense rides before you eat heavy foods and guzzle on some beer. We did things a bit backwards, eating some famous crab fries (seasoned to perfection) at Chickie's & Pete's, then riding the aforementioned Blue Streak - the oldest (1964) and most rickety roller coaster in the park (hey - it had no line, so we had to try it).

Now it was time for the scary stuff. There are so many haunted houses in the park, but we could only make it to a couple (no thanks to the long line we waited in to ride the Maverick roller coaster). The two we were able to experience were: the Eden Musee (a wax museum themed haunted house full of surprises), and Hexed (a witch themed haunted house with a ton of great scares).

 

While we really did want to try some of the other featured haunted houses (like the Zombie High School and the haunted hospital aptly called Eternity Infirmary), the real scary thing would be if we didn't get to ride some of the newest roller coasters at the park. This includes Rougarou (a floorless coaster, formerly known as Mantis when it was a stand-up roller coaster...it's complicated). Being that this is named after a werewolf creature from French folklore, we felt it was appropriate to ride on HalloWeekends.

It would also be a sin if we skipped GateKeeper, a wing roller coaster with the largest inversion on earth (built in 2013) and frightening keyhole elements. And, most of all we HAD to ride Valravn, the longest, fastest, and tallest dive roller coaster in the world, which was just installed at the beginning of the 2016 season. Aside from Maverick, this was the longest line we stood in (and even so, it was only a half an hour), but it was definitely worth the wait.

Overall, the trip to Cedar Point for HalloWeekends was nothing short of perfect. The crisp fall weather was gorgeous - not too hot, and not too cold. And, the lines for most rides were 15 minutes or less (even the GateKeeper was only about 10 minutes). You still have time to check out HalloWeekends in 2016!

Pedal & Party With BrewBoat Cleveland

Photos by OHventures

Part bike, part boat, and part bar, the BrewBoat 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.When trying to find a perfect birthday gift for some family members who "have it all," I decided to get creative and book a reservation aboard the BrewBoat!

This is Ohio's first and only pedal-powered paddle-wheel party boat, which launched Memorial Day weekend of this year. The boat is 31-feet long with 10 seats for pedalers and four additional seats for passengers who opt to not pedal (we took turns, so no one felt left out). Yes, the boat is human-powered, which means you get a bit of a workout mixed in while you drink. It's like the Pedal Wagons of Columbus and Cincinnati, but on water instead of on the streets!

I reserved 10 seats for our 2-hour cruise this August (the other 4 were already booked, so we would be on board with a few new friends). Each ticket was $35 plus tax, and the trip required you to BYOB. When you arrive at the launch site, located on Whiskey Island in the heart of Cleveland, you are able to purchase cold brews at the convenience store found at the dock.

Most of us brought our own favorite beers from home (each person is permitted to bring no more than 36 oz. or beer, or 18 oz. of wine for themselves). There are convenience coolers of ice located right in the middle of the bar, so you can keep your drinks chilled and readily available during your excursion (no need to bring your own coolers).

Our group consisted of myself, my brother and his wife, my parents, my aunt, and my friends Zac, Kyla, Ben, and Emily. As mentioned, we were joined by 4 other folks who booked at the same time as us. Also on board was the Captain (Katie), and a driver, both of whom were extremely fun and personable. 

We disembarked from the marina at 5 PM and pedaled down the Cuyagoga River. As we pedaled, we were able to gawk at the gorgeous Cleveland skyline against the bright blue skies, and take in the sights of the revitalized riverfronts of the Cleveland Flats. We floated by notable hot spots, such as the Nautica Pavilion, the Music Box Supper Club, Alley Cat Oyster Bar, and more. We shared the waterway with kayakers, jet skiiers, paddle boarders,, and other seafaring folks out enjoying the fantastic weather and exciting scenery. There was so much to see and to soak in on our cruise!

At one point, the driver challenged us to try and work together to pedal as fast as we could in order to beat the record speed. After pedaling and pedaling, we ultimately did not come close to setting a new record, but we had a blast trying! It was also a blast plugging our iPods in and choosing the music we listened to along the way. It was a nice added feature. One downside, however, is that there is no bathroom on board the boat (which doesn't take long to figure out). So, it is a good thing that the ride is not much longer than 2 hours, and that we had a cap on how many drinks we could bring with us. 

Food is also allowed on board (anything from snacks to pizzas to cold cuts!), however, we were planning to eat dinner at one of the restaurants in the Flats after the ride, so we did not have any food on board with us.

All in all, our experience on the BrewBoat CLE was extremely positive. We are glad to have had the chance to book a ride, since slots fill up fast! The season ends on October 1, but they are already taking reservations for 2017. Captain Katie told me that while they currently have just one boat, it is their hope to soon have more boats in order to meet the demands of the public. Until then, make sure to make a reservation far in advance to ensure you get the time you want. The BrewBoat is perfect for bachelor or bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations (like ours), or just an excuse to get together and enjoy the beauty of the Cuyahoga River and downtown Cleveland in a fresh, new way!