To-Do In Toledo

Photos by OHventures

It's not often that I make it to the Northwest portion of our great state of Ohio. This is due to the fact that I have a fulltime job that divides my time between Northeast and Central Ohio. But, any true OHventurer will find time out of his or her busy work schedule to take road trips from time to time! This past weekend, I was invited to attend the wedding of my dear friends Richard and Christina, whom I met while living in Columbus. Christina is from Northwest Ohio, so that ended up being the setting for their beautiful nuptials. 

In perfect OHventures fashion, I took full advantage of the time I spent during my rare visit to the area. 

The ceremony itself took place at the Historic Church of Saint Patrick in Toledo, which was absolutely stunning! I am not Catholic, but I can appreciate a good Catholic church! This one has been around since the city's beginnings, the first version of the church having been built in 1862! The second (and current) version of the church was completed in 1901. The Gothic architechture is romantic and beautiful - ideal for my pals to tie the knot!

From there, we traveled to Perrysburg where the ceremony was to take place. What was nice was that this part of the festivities was taking place at our hotel's ballroom, which was the Hilton Garden Inn. The Hilton was part of the Town Center at Levis Commons, a collection of shops and restaurants that is a must-see if you are ever in the area! 

What made my plan to have an adventurous weekend that much easier was that my friends had specially-made sugar cookies as party favors (pictured above) that were decorated to look like a piece of looseleaf paper with "Toledo To Do List" written on it!

The cookie's "To-Do" List consisted of 5 items:

1. Toledo Zoo: Ohio is rich with zoos, and a great one can be found in Toledo! The address of the zoo - 2 Hippo Way - is already an indication of it being a cool place to go. If you can't make it to the zoo itself, you are in luck, because they offer live web cams for their hippos, seals, polar bears, and elephants (my favorite)!
2. Mud Hens Game: During the baseball season, a great way to spend time in Toledo is to attend a Mud Hens baseball game. The Mud Hens are a minor league triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are a beloved Toledo team, and people of lal ages can enjoy spending an evening at a game. The stadium has become a part of the downtown scene since being built in 2002.
3. Toledo Art Museum: Considered one of the best art museums in the nation, the Toledo Museum of Art is where to go if you want to know the history of how "The Glass City" moniker came to be. The Glass Pavilion at the museum is breathtaking, as is the rest of the museum. 
4. Marco's Pizza: While there are hundreds of Marco's Pizza locations across the country, the family of the bride has a special connection to the company, which is headquartered in Toledo. It is only fitting that they served delicious Marco's Pizza to the wedding guests at the end of the night (pictured below).
5. The Wedding: This goes without saying! My friends' special day was one of the best things I've ever done in Toledo, hands down! It's just too bad not everyone can experience the magic of all of us friends dancing and celebrating!

The day after the wedding, I met up with an old friend at Blue Pacific Grill, a really unique stir fry restaurant located at the Levis Commons. I would highly suggest this place for anyone looking for a cool place to eat in Perrysburg. You should also check out Fort Meigs, a battlefield fortification along the Maunee River during the war of 1812.

With the groom, my longtime friend!

Day Trip To Cincinnati

Photo by OHventures

Cincinnati is located in Hamilton County, in the far Southwestern portion of the state, with Indiana and Kentucky just minutes away. The Ohio River serves as the southern border of both the city and the state of Ohio. It is the 3rd largest city in population (just behind Columbus and Cleveland) with approximately 297,000 citizens, yet boasts the largest population in Ohio when including the metropolitan area. Being that it was the first major inland city established in the country, it is considered the first "purely American" city. Known as everything from "The Queen City" (because of its amazing beauty and architecture), to "The Nasty 'Nati" (as some of my college friends would affectionately refer to it), Cincy is booming with tons to do!

Growing up in Northeast Ohio, Cincinnati always felt worlds away, and I unfortunately did not get the chance to visit often. However, I was fortunate to do work in the area from 2009-2011, and had some pretty wild times visiting friends at University of Cincinnati. Recently, my good friend Sam took me on a tour of the town to spur my memory of why this town is so cool, and all of the great things there are to see. 

If you are planning a day trip to Cincinnati, here is a list of things 10 things you can do to maximize your visit while getting a variety of culture, food, outdoor adventure, and active lifestyle! Be on the lookout for more posts dedicated to Cincinnati and focused on how to plan the perfect trip to The Queen City!

Sam & Me on top of Carew Tower

1. Carew Tower (441 Vine Street): Carew Tower is 49 stories and 574 feet tall, making it the second tallest building in all of Cincinnati. For a small $2 fee, you can head up a series of elevators to the observation deck on the roof! Here, you will get the most spectacular view of the Queen City possible! On a clear day (like the beautiful November day I visited) you can see miles and miles in every direction. You can even see across the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River into Covington, Kentucky. You get spectacular glimpses at everything from the University of Cincinnati to Paul Brown Stadium (home of the Cincinnati Bengals) to every other skyscraper in the city. You can also see into Indiana!

2. Skyline Chili (643 Vine Street & Various Locations): I used to believe that Skyline Chili was not really chili. Where I come from, chili is a tomato-based soup with peppers, onions, beef and beans. But here in Cincinnati, they have their very own chili, aptly referred to as Cincinnati Style Chili. And while it might not look like the chili you are used to from back home, it definitely tastes AWESOME! Cincinnati Style Chili has sweet undertones of chocolate and cinnamon, and is a thick meat sauce served over spaghetti. The most quintessential Cincinnati chili can be found at Skyline Chili, where you can order it with onions, cheese, beans, and hot sauce (known as two-way, three-way, four-way). While you can get Skyline in cities other than Cincy, there is nothing better than having it right downtown! So, do it!

3. Mount Airy Forest (5083 Colerain Avenue): Mount Airy Forest is the spot with the highest elevation in the city and looks over the Ohio River. Burn off all of the calories consumed at your Cincinnati chili lunch with a hike on the many miles of trails at this Cincinnati Park. Consider even taking a packed lunch on your hike in the park and have a picnic overlooking the lake, in the gazebo, or in the public tree house!

4. Caldwell Preserve (430 West North Bend Road): I have yet to go to this southwest Ohio locale, but I have heard tons about it from readers of the blog. Cincinnati Parks web site says it: "features a Nature Center, an amphitheater, and 3.5 miles of nature trails, including a level-paved trail that makes it possible for wheelchair users to go into the woods, see the flowers, and hear the birds"

5. Fountain Square (Center of 5th Street): Restaurants, bars, shopping, concerts, entertainment, festivals (like Oktoberfest), movies, ice skating, tailgates, and dancing can be found at Fountain Square of downtown Cincinnati. The city square is centered around the Tyler Davidson Fountain, an elaborate bronze and granite statue which is an ode to the Ohio River and its contributions to Cincinnati.

Elephant and Giraffe Encounters at the Cincinnati Zoo

6. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (3400 Vine Street): Zoos can sound not-so-exciting for an adult, especially for one without kids. However...Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is not your typical zoo! This 85-acre establishment is home to over 500 animals, and is one of the most beautiful zoos in the country. It has also been named as the "greenest" zoo in America, which I learned about on a recent exclusive visit - this is due to the solar power, geothermal energy, and other alternative energy sources utilized on site. They also offer exclusive "animal encounters" that will give you up close and personal experiences with exotic animals. I had the chance to feed giraffes and elephants firsthand at the Cincinnati Zoo!! It is an experience I will never forget.

7. RockQuest Climbing Center (3475 East Kemper Rd): If you think you're up for the challenge that is indoor rock climbing, the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville has you covered. And if you haven't yet, read about what it takes to go rock climbing, check out the pics, then head to RockQuest to ROCK OUT! ;-)
8. The Righteous Room (641 Walnut Street): After a day of exploring the city, you deserve a drink. My buddy Sam took me to The Righteous Room, which is part of downtown Cincinnati's revitalized bar scene. It  has a killer selection of beer, great whiskey specials, and a modern, young professional scene.

9. Montgomery Inn Boat House (925 Riverside Drive): With its striking view of the Ohio River and its world famous menu specializing in barbecue ribs and steaks, The Montgomery Inn Boat House is a MUST. This spot is perfect for dates, business dinners, bachelor parties, and the list goes on.

10. Paul Brown Stadium & The Great American Ballpark: I would be remissed if I did not include the exciting sporting venues which serve as a prominent part of Cincinnati's cultural landscape. The town has long been known as a huge football and baseball town, and its teams are powerhouses in the national scene. Catch a Cincinnati Reds baseball game at The Great American Ballpark or a Cincinnati Bengals football game at Paul Brown Stadium.

A Trip To Ohio's Rubber City

Photos by OHventures

After recently moving to downtown Akron for a new job, I have settled in quite nicely, much in part due to the wide variety of things to do in the county seat of Summit County!

As the fifth largest city in the state, Akron has thoroughly impressed me with its exciting food offerings, wide variety of entertainment and nightlife, and its own unique and charming personality that make Akron a great place to visit on a day trip or weekend excursion!

What everyone needs most on any road trip is sustenance, and Akron definitely delivers! Probably the most iconic restaurant in town is Luigi's, an Italian joint known for its mouthwatering pizza and cheese-tastic salads! If you go here, be sure to bring cash, as Luigi's does not accept credit cards.

If you are looking for more variety, you can try the ultra-swanky yet ultra-affordable Crave restaurant! Your tastebuds will go on quite an adventure with dishes like the BLT (bacon/lettuce/fried green tomato) and smoked gouda macaroni & cheese with blackened chicken!

Other great dining options include: Bricco (an upscale small chain in the area), Cilantro (Asian food and sushi), and Urban Eats.

For great bar food and a wide selection of drinks for adult trips, be sure to go to Baxter's and the Lockview, both located on Main Street.

Once your belly is full, it's time to explore Akron's art and culture! The Akron Art Museum is a must-see. The building itself is quite a piece of art! Inside, you're bound to find exquisite regional, national and international exhibits! 

READ MORE AT DISCOVERING OHIO!

Cleveland Rocks!

Photo by OHventures

To outsiders (non Ohioans), Cleveland is probably the most recognizable city in the state, all thanks to its three professional sports teams (Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Indians), Betty White's hilarious sitcom "Hot In Cleveland" and the hit TV show from the 90s, The Drew Carey Show, whose theme had everyone in America chanting "Cleveland ROCKS!" While it may also be known for the now infamous internet meme, "Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video" (with over 4 million views) and the unfortunate river-burning incident, Cleveland is more than just the butt of every joke.

The city of Cleveland is located on the Lake Erie shoreline in Cuyahoga County on the Cuyahoga River in Northeast Ohio. It is the 2nd most populated city in the state (Columbus being the first). It has become unofficially known as the "Rock 'n Roll Capital of the World" and is heavily known for its astounding historical architecture and ethnic sectors of town, including a prominent Slavic Village and Little Italy.

Nowadays, Cleveland is taking some strides in the right direction. New state laws have made it possible for a casino to be built on the shoreline, as well as state tax credits for movie makers (which is responsible for bringing the upcoming film "The Avengers" to the city to film)! And, as always, there is great food and awesome music in Cleveland.

To find out just why Cleveland rocks, a day trip is most definitely in order. Below, read the Top 9 Things To Do When Visiting Cleveland.

Holy Toledo!

Photo by OHventures

Toledo is located in Lucas County, not far from Indiana, and is close to the border of that "Ugly State Up North" (that of which will not be named on this site). The Maumee River flows right through it and into the Maumee Bay, which is a part of Lake Erie. It is the fourth largest city in Ohio with a population of 651,409 (no I didn't count, Wikipedia told me!). Toledo is known as "The Glass City" which is due to the enormous amount of glass that was made here (duh) back in the hey-day. Because of this, the city has a rich history of both industry and art.

I have only traveled to Toledo on a few occasions in my lifetime so I have consulted my great college buddy Steve Shoffer, who will be the voice of reason for a great deal of this lovely post. Steve lives in the Village of Ottawa Hills, just minutes down the road from the University of Toledo. He said that while things may be spread out across the city, nothing is more than a 10-20 minute drive. This is what makes Toledo so great.

Steve and I have compiled a Quick-List of The Top 9 Places To Check Out When Visiting Toledo and we have it listed below. Be on the lookout for more posts dedicated to Toledo and focused on how to plan the perfect trip to The Glass City!