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!

Discover The Best Ohio Bars To Catch Up With Friends!

The Federal in Youngstown - Photos by OHventures

Nothing brings people together more than the holiday season. Each year, we look forward to catching up with friends who have come from near and far back to their hometowns. Some of the best places to go to spread the warmth and cheer of the holidays is at your local watering holes.

While bars and pubs can be a dime a dozen in some areas, there are some that stand out above the rest with a certain charm and cool factor. Below are some of those bars that are worth a visit when you're meeting up with old friends and family.

Thirsty Dog

Akron
In Akron, the Thirsty Dog Brewing Company has been concocting tasty beers since 1997. But only recently have they opened their very own Tasting Room, located right on site in the room next to where the stuff is brewed! Found near the University of Akron, this nondescript building lures you in with the aroma of freshly brewed hops. Try the canine-themed beers, such as Whippet Wheat, Irish Setter Red, and of course the 12 Dogs of Christmas!

If beer is not your style, consider heading to Jilly's Music Room on the North Side, where you can get cocktails in a modern and sleek setting while enjoying local live music!


Athens
My pal Jake always shows me some great places when I visit Athens in Southeast Ohio, and one that I will never forget is Tony's Tavern. This is a dive bar where everybody knows your name, and where the house specialty is a shot called the hot nut - made with hot coffee and hazelnut liquor. They are delicious, cheap, and a lot of fun!

Another go-to spot for OU alum and other folks who come back into town is The Pub. Here, they are known for their aquariums of beer and for having the best cheeseburgers in town (according to Jake)!

Buzzbin Art & Music Shop

Canton
If downtown Canton is where you are heading for the holidays, then Buzzbin Art & Music Shop is the destination for you. The atmosphere is eclectic and one-of-a-kind, with a counter made entirely of bottle caps, and an adjacent arcade full of vintage pinball machines. The crowd is great for people watching, and you never know what genre of music will be blaring from the stage that night.

Rhinegeist Brewery

Cincinnati
Rhinegeist Brewery is a brewery situated in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Over The Rhine 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. Take a tour to learn about the history, or enjoy the awesome rooftop bar for a 360-degree view of Cincinnati.

Cleveland
We all know that Cleveland rocks, which you can experience for yourself by going to popular music bars such as Euclid Tavern, an old staple of University Circle, which was recently featured on an episode of "Drunk History."

For something new and different, try Punch Bowl Social, located in the Flats neighborhood. It's a bar that focuses on entertainment and games, including bowling, ping pong, karaoke, board games, foosball, video games, shuffleboard, and more! You can't go wrong competing with friends over drinks and games!

Bodega

Kingmaker's

Columbus
It was extremely difficult to choose just one, but my favorite bar in the Short North is Bodega, which is a "hipster" hangout perfect for a small group of close friends. Bodega has been recently renovated and is known for its endless array of draught beers, to-die-for grilled cheese, and a charming crowd of cool kids.

For something really different, you should head down the street from Bodega to Kingmaker's Board Game Parlour. offers over 500 unique board games paired alongside a nice selection of cocktails and beers on draft. Visitors are required to pay a $5 "library fee" that lasts the entire night, and allows them to play any and all of the board games of their choosing.

Blind Bob's

Dayton
The Oregon District is the place to be for nightlife in Dayton. My personal pick is Blind Bob's, a great  mom & pop spot for people in search of a few drinks, good ol' fashioned bar food, some rockin' karaoke, and even "Battle of the Bands" events. Not to mention, the fried pickles are the tastiest I have ever had!

Another fine choice, as told to me by my pal Dan, is The Century Bar, a bourbon and whiskey house. Even if you don't like bourbon, the folks at The Century claim that they can make anyone a bourbon drinker, even those with the most discriminating palate.


Toledo
One of the newest additions to the downtown Toledo scene is also one of the must-visit places. M'Osteria & Bar is situated right between both stadiums, and is a perfect mix of old and new. There's a wraparound bar and open kitchen format downstairs, and a classy lounge area with live entertainment upstairs.

You can never go wrong with heading to the famous Tony Packo's to chow down on chili, and to check out the hot dog bun collection.


Youngstown
For those of you who watch the TV show "Bar Rescue," you might be familiar with The Federal. This recently transformed bar in downtown Youngstown was jam-packed with patrons when I went back home for Thanksgiving - and for good reason! The bar is complete with a dance floor, pool tables, and great drink specials - try the Youngstown Mule, and the Burger Bomb (if you dare).

Right down the block from The Federal is V2 Wine Bar Trattoria, which is definitely worth a visit!

Rhinegeist Brewery

Photos by OHventures

Rhinegeist Brewery

1910 Elm Street

Cincinnati, OH 45202

(513) 381-1367

Rhinegeist is a brewery situated in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Over The Rhine in Cincinnati (which is located in Hamilton County). The name is in reference to The Rhine, which is a European River running in and along France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Early Cincinnati settlers believed that the Ohio River resembled The Rhine of Europe, and therefore named the neighborhood as such. 

The brewery's name "Rhinegeist" is German, and translates to mean "Ghost of the Rhine" in English. This was fitting, due to the fact that the large building in which the brewery is housed was once the Moerlin Bottling Plant, serving up beer from 1895 until prohibition in the 1920s. The new owners "resurrected" the building to make it once again a beer-making facility, in the skeleton of the former bottling plant. The first Rhinegeist beer was brewed in June 2013, and it has become one of the fastest growing breweries in the state.

The spooky name was also fitting due to the fact that we visited on Halloween day. The branding of the beer cans and bar taps has a ghostly/skeletal figure that makes it easily recognizable and memorable.

We learned about all of the history of Rhinegeist by taking a tour of the brewery. Free hour-long tours are offered at various times throughout the week. You can sign up online for priority placement, or sign up when you arrive at the tasting room. Typically, visitors have access to over 25,000 square feet of space, which composes only a fifth of the total square footage of Rhinegeist. The tour gave us an in-depth look into the other four-fifths of space in this gargantuan facility.

We were able to see some of the high-tech stainless steel tanks and other production aspects of the beer brewing process. There was also a great deal of office space (see the leather couch juxtaposed against the beer-making machinery above?), spacious events center, and some unfinished space that will soon be transformed to make Rhinegeist an even cooler spot to visit!

Stacks of barrel-aged beer lined the walls of the basement, right next to the new canning machine that will allow Rhinegeist to increase its production quantity. Down the hall from this was a gigantic freezer, which housed all of the canned beer, ready for distribution to local bars and stores. All Rhinegeist beer is self-distributed by their team so your beer will be fresher and tastier.

You can find these hop-filled cans at many locations in and around Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Kentucky (this list will soon grow). You can check out the Beer Finder to determine where you can get your hands (and lips) on some Rhinegeist for yourself!

We were able to bring glasses of Rhinegeist beer along with us on the tour, which was poured for us in the taproom. After the tour, we continued sipping and sampling the beers we had just learned about by ordering tasting flights. I opted to taste: Zen (a very balanced session pale ale), Homie (an American double imperial pale ale, on tap exclusively while we visited), Workhorse (my favorite of the day, a lager), and Panther (a chocolatey and robust porter).

Other featured beers include: Truth (IPA), Cougaer (blonde ale), Franz (Oktoberfest), Dad (a holiday beer that I have heard is amazing), Puma (pilsner), Pure Fury (hoppy pale ale), Hustle, and more. There are also "bombers" which are larger 22-ounce limited edition bottles. Two hard ciders are also available.

While you should definitely try finding the beers at a bar or store near you, nothing beats the atmosphere at Rhinegeist. 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. You are welcome to bring your own food in from other nearby restaurants, or (in warm months) head up to the brand new rooftop bar for amazing 360-degree views of Cincinnati in all of its glory.

Rhinegeist is waiting for you! 

Thirsty Dog 8K Recap

Photos by OHventures

It has officially been the wettest summer on record so far for Ohio. This factoid does not bode well if you are one who enjoys running, biking, swimming, hiking, or doing basically anything outdoors. But when you've paid top dollar to run in one of the most anticipated events in Akron, you show up no matter what the conditions!

A weather advisory was issued for the day of the Thirsty Dog 8K & 1 Mile (Saturday, June 27) calling for severe thunderstorms. My drive up to InfoCision Stadium on the campus of the University of Akron was slow & cautious, with legitimate fear that the roads would flood. But at this point, I was committed!

This race was the first event in the first year of the Akron Marathon's Rubber City Race Series leading up to the main event in the fall. It was presented by the popular local craft brewery, Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, which is one of my favorite places to go in the A-K-Rowdy. Because of their sponsorship, a miniature beer festival was taking place at the finish line. Definitely motivation to make it through the rainy run! 

(SIDE NOTE: I am sensing a theme to my recent races: Ultimate Beer Run, AkRun & Crawl, and now this...is it time for an intervention?).

All of the precipitation ended up adding to the fun of the 8K race! I had a poncho on to avoid getting totally soaked. It was pretty effective, actually. But there was no avoiding the rain. Hands down, this was the wettest run I have done. And, I have to say: I highly recommend it! With all of the themed runs out there where you get slathered in something (like mud, paint, or foam), a "rain run" should be the next big thing! After all, when we were kids, what was more fun than playing in the rain?!

The route started on Union Street at InfoCision Stadium, going straight onto Brown Street, turning left onto Thornton, and a quick left onto Spicer. Then, a left onto Buchtel, right onto College, left onto Mill, left onto Main, left onto Bartges, and left onto Broadway. Then, you turn right onto Arc, wrapping around onto Wolf Ledges and Carroll. It ends with a final wraparound of the InfoCision Stadium, running onto Summa Field!

Now for the fun part. 25 varieties of Thirsty Dog beer were awaiting! We received finisher medals shaped like the puppy on the Thirsty Dog logo - which doubled as a bottle opener! We also received small beer sampler cups to fill up using our drink tickets. Of course, many people did not want to wait around in the rain for the beer, so me and my pal Karlo ended up with way more tickets than we started out with (people just started handing them out before leaving). This helped us get a nice variety of beers in our bellies!

Karlo, Me, and my Poncho

Thirsty Dog actually created TWO brand new beers specifically for the race. The beers were aptly called Blue Line Ale and Blue Line Lager (named after the iconic blue line of the Akron Marathon). Both beers were light with a great malt balance, perfect for after a race (no one wants a heavy brew after hitting the pavement for 5 miles). They also were serving their own homemade root beer for those 21 & under. Since I had so many tickets, I took a taste!

Other beers offered for tasting included Labrador Lager, Whippet Wheat, Raspberry Ale, and Irish Setter Red. Karlo and I sampled a fair portion of the beers offered on site before we called it quits. The best part is, we got to keep the mini tasting glass as well as a full-sized commemorative beer stein so we can continue on with the festivities at home! 

Devil's Kettle Brewing

Photos by OHventures

Devil's Kettle Brewing 

97 Columbus Road

Athens, OH 45701

(740) 589-7187

Having just opened its doors earlier this year, Devil's Kettle Brewing is the newest brewery in Athens, and also one of the newest in Ohio! Located in a modest setting right off of State Route 33, the craft beers found here and the high-tech machinery behind-thetscenes make this place anything but modest.

I was given a specialized private tour from the brewmaster and owner of Devil's Kettle, Cameron Fuller. First up was the tasting room, which is lined with ample high top seating alongside a sleek bar with a custom-made counter top built with old acoustic guitar pieces. Dozens of growlers line the wall beside the beer taps, all adorned with the flashy and stylish Devil's Kettle logo.

Sitting at the bar, it was time to taste the hellishly delicious booze that has been taking Southeast Ohio by storm. The 5 beers I sampled were all different in their own way, and all so good that it was tough to pick my favorite. Tastings are offered in small 4 oz. glasses, which are for sale to take home for just $4 a piece. Taste all 5 for just $8!

(Side Note: If you make a pit stop in the bathroom - which you should if you drink enough - you will find chalkboards lining the walls. If it's not erased by now, we were sure to leave a message saying "Ohio-fy Your Life With Devil's Kettle!")

The beers available on tap when I visited (in no particular order) were:

1. Eric The Red: If I was forced to pick my favorite, this would be it. This red ale has a funny back story for its name, so be sure to ask Cameron or your bartender to fill you in and fill you up!

2. Spider Silk Blonde: I was warned about this one. Some locals told me it was tasty, but had a very high alcohol volume. With 7% ABV, I have definitely had stronger, but this is the strongest of the bunch here, and has a great balance.

3. Justin IPA: Justin IPA is "just an IPA" but one taste of this will have you wanting more.

4. Freak The Mild: This low-alcohol (session beer) brown ale packs a heap of malt flavor into such a small beer, and an homage to one of England's pub classics.
5. Gallatea Dunkel: This dark lager has a coffee-like and chocolatey flavor to it that is smooth and sweet!

Beware the Spider!

Now that I had the chance to taste the goodness produced at Devil's Kettle, it was time to get an up close and personal look at how it is made! Cameron opened a small door next to the bar, which led me to an enormous space filled with stainless steel contraptions - where all the magic happens! It reminded me of something you'd see on Willy Wonka - only better, since beer is involved.

I'll be honest - even though Cameron told me how it is done, and even though I took what I thought were pretty thorough notes, I really can't explain it very well. All I know is that this is some technical business! Beer making is definitely an art form, and the set-up at Devil's Kettle is state-of-the-art and a cut above most others in the area. Since I really am not good at letting you know the science and the trade secrets that went into the making of this fine brew, make sure to ask Cameron for the inside scoop when you make a visit on your next road trip!

Devil's Kettle's taproom is open at various times on Thursday-Sunday, some days featuring food trucks in the parking lot! Stop in and let them know OHventures sent ya!

Ultimate Beer Run Recap

Photos by OHventures

Peanut butter & jelly. Milk & cookies. Running & beer?!

It may not be a traditional pairing or a match made in heaven, but combining running with beer is definitely a recipe for a good (albeit interesting) time. These are two of my favorite things, so if you throw them together like in the Ultimate Beer Run on May 9 in Columbus, I certainly find it hard to resist.

Team OHventures (Me, Matt, Megan, Matt #2, Jess, Megan #2, & Jim) united in our green & gray OHventures t-shirts, party beads, and oversized neon sunglasses to tackle the challenge of the Ultimate Beer Run head on! The Ultimate Beer Run isn't about who is the fastest or the fittest. It's about good people, good fun, and tons of good costumes! 

Our "costumes" were extremely tame compared to the legions of participants clad in elaborate Avengers get-ups an other hilarious outfits like Wayne & Garth from "Wayne's World" (above) - or my absolute favorite, Indiana Jones being chased by the "boulder" (below)!

The concept was quite a doozy: run a total of 2 miles while stopping to drink a total of 40 ounces of craft beer from local Ohio breweries. Needless to say, this race was not a competitive timed event, but we did have the traditional running bibs to make it seem official. The Ultimate Beer Run Columbus took place at its home base of the Land Grant Brewing Company located in the up-and-coming revival neighborhood of Franklinton in West Columbus. 

Tents were situated outside for each of the breweries: Jackie O's Brewery from Athens, MadTree Brewing Company from Cincinnati, Fat Head's Brewery in North Olmstead, and of course our host, the Land Grant Brewing Company from Columbus! Each runner was given 3 beer tickets and a beer token.

All runners lined up on the street, and at the sound of the horn, we ran around a small loop course (approximately 2/3 mile by my estimations) that brought us right back to where we started. When we got back to Land Grant, we turned in our drink ticket to any one of the 4 brewery tents so we could receive a 10 ounce beer of our choice!

There was no need to chug the beer, so we took our times, enjoyed the brew, then went back around the loop to repeat the whole process. We did this - drinking a beer and running a lap - repeatedly until we were out of tickets! It was a gorgeous 85-degree May day in Columbus, and the race started at 12 noon (when it was the hottest temperature of the day). So, the heat combined with the beer and the running made it very important to also hydrate with water in between runs!

It was definitely a challenge bouncing up and down the roads of C-Bus with frothy brew sloshing around my stomach. But my mind was taken off of any discomfort thanks to all of the great scenery and hilarious costumes that kept me and my teammates cracking up and enjoying ourselves!

After our final lap, it was time to turn in our UBR chip to get our giant mugs of beer! By now, it was only 1PM, so the party was just getting started, with a costume contest, dance-off, and of course a ton of brew. If you want to take part in the Ultimate Beer Run, check out its website to see when it will be stumbling into your town! There are UBRs in Cleveland and Cincinnati, as well as many other cities outside of Ohio (Nashville, Indianapolis, and St. Louis to name a few!).

Make It To Marietta

Photo by D. Rose for OHventures

Whenever I think of Southeast Ohio, Marietta is the first city that pops into my head. It is the county seat of Washington County and is located right at the confluence of the Ohio River and Muskingum River. Its neighbor to the east and south is West Virginia, with a population of just over 14,000 Ohioans.

Marietta is in the heart of Appalachian Ohio, with rolling hills full of lush green forest and twisting roads (such as Interstate 77, which runs right through it). It has a rich history, as it served as a station on the Underground Railroad, and was a site of Hopewell Native American mounds.

The city continues to make history with truly one-of-a-kind spots perfect for a casual and low-key Ohio day trip that is still unique and memorable! Below is a list of 8 Things To Do on a Day Trip to Marietta!

1. Marietta Brewing Company (167 Front Street): When traveling to Marietta for work, I asked locals where the best place would be to grab some lunch. I was given a hearty response of "The Marietta Brewing Company." I made my way through the old quaint roadways of this river town to the brewpub, which was easy to spot with the copper plated brew kettles lining the storefront. I had an amazing loaded mac and grilled cheese sandwich, and drooled over the beer selections (some with fun southern-Ohio themed names like Mount Builder's Brown Ale, Front Street Pale Ale, and Marietta Barleywine). 

2. Ohio Riverfront Park: Located right alongside the shores of the Ohio River, where the 3rd Street bridge crosses into West Virginia, the Ohio Riverfront Park is perfect for picnics and outdoor recreation. Great for birding!

3. East Muskingum Park (302 Front Street): A city owned park featuring a gazebo, performance pavilion, and the "Start Westward" monument, a statue dedicated to pioneers who journeyed to Marietta in 1788 and established it as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. See, I told you there was a lot of history in Marietta! There is also a portion of The River Trail (see below)

4. Marietta River Trail: The Marietta River Trail runs along the Muskingum River for 3.4 miles through the city and is located just across the Ohio River from West Virginia. So, you can imagine how great the scenery is here! The trail is asphalt and is perfect for running, biking or strolling. There is a trail entrance at East Muskingum Park, and also at Indian Acres Park. A cool feature is that part of the trail is an old railroad trestle that was converted for pedestrian use!

5. Valley Gem Sternwheeler: Marietta is the site of the annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival the weekend after Labor Day (2015 will be the 40th anniversary of the event). Seasonally, you can hitch a ride on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler (pictured on the river in the photo above), which is docked at the Washington Street landing. A ride on this awesome paddle-wheel boat will give you a glimpse of what river life is like. You can take a narrated sightseeing tour for just $14 on most days from 12-1:30 PM, or take part in a number of dinner cruises (including a murder mystery dinner). There are also special day-long or multi-day-long trips planned to Pittsburgh (PA), Zanesville (OH), Wheeling (WV), and Blennerhasset Island.

Photo by D. Rose for OHventures

6. Marietta Adventure Company (219-B Second Street): A full-service bike and kayak shop with specialized bikes plus Perception, Dagger, and Wilderness Systems kayaks. They also offer bicycle service and kayak rentals & shuttle service, meaning they can get you out there for anything from multi-day river and trail adventures to a fun afternoon with the family. They will haul you up stream and pick you up at the finish! Rock climbing gear also available!

7. Marietta Soda Fountain Museum (109 Maple Street): Even though most people in Ohio refer to it as "pop" rather than "soda," the Marietta Soda Museum is dedicated 100% to the fizzy bubbly drink. Most prominently featured is Coca Cola - everything from old advertisements to old vending machines, vintage posters, and other collectibles. Definitely a sight to see.

8. Levee House (127 Ohio Street): If you haven't caught on, it's all about the river in Marietta. So what better place to get dinner than at the fine dining establishment Levee House that overlooks the Ohio River? 

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company

Photos by OHventures

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company

529 Grant Street

Akron, OH 44311

(330) 252-BREW

I like dogs. I like beer. I like Ohio. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for me to like Ohio-made beer with a dog theme, right?

Enter Thirsty Dog Brewing Company. They've been concocting tasty beers since 1997. But only recently have they opened their very own Tasting Room, located right on site in the room next to where the stuff is brewed! It's in a nondescript building near downtown Akron and the University of Akron, with an entrance hidden away in an alley (come in groups, to be safe).

Inside, you'll immediately notice the alluring smell of freshly brewed hops as you make your way past the massive stainless steel vats and equipment. Be on the lookout for a beeping forklift driving throughout the warehouse, transporting hops to and fro. 

Turn to the right, and you've arrived at the tasting room - essentially a bar with high tops and every Thirsty Dog Brewing Company beer you can think of.

If you live in Ohio and pay attention to local craft beer even in the slightest, odds are you can name at least a couple of the Thirsty Dog varieties. Not only are the names super catchy and the labels really recognizable, the tastes are superb. In my opinion, they outshine other local favorites, including (dare I say?) Great Lakes (both are great, of course)

Most samples are just $1 a pop, so you can try out the flavors you might not be familiar with so you can find your favorites. Some specialty brews are $3 each (such as the sours, which are SUPER strong and, you guessed it, SUPER sour).

Here are some of my suggestions:

• Labrador Lager: A classic. A staple. A safe bet. A winner.
• Ol' Leghumper: Points for the crass name. More points for the chocolatey, toasty flavors.
• Citra Dog: Hoppy + Citrusy = a perfect combo. Light & summery!
• 12 Dogs Of Christmas: The best Christmas ale I've had (yes, I said it). And quite a strong one.
• Barktoberfest: A great seasonal brew that will make you bark at the moon (not really I hope).
• Raspberry Ale: No mistaking the raspberry-ness in this one! Try mixing w/ Leghumper for a chocolate covered raspberry delight!
• Whippet Wheat: One of my all-time favorites. Goes down smooth. I can have a few of these.
• Hoppus Maximus: You can deduce what this one will bring to the table based on the name.
• Irish Setter Red: Another one of my top picks. Slight caramel undertones. 
• Pumpkin Ale: I have not had this one personally, but no doubt it is delicious.
• Cerberus: Named after the dog from hell, probably because it's 10% alc./vol.!
• Ankle Biter: I love me a good IPA. And I own an "ankle biter" for a dog, so I enjoy this one.
• Rail Dog: Lagers aren't my favorite, but this one is complex, smokey, strong, and unique.
• Siberian Night: Bourbon barrel aged. Rich in flavor!

As you can see, there are plenty of tastes for every palate and every kind of beer drinker (if you have a friend who doesn't like beer, give them the raspberry ale or pumpkin ale, trust me). This list doesn;t even include all of your options.

A couple of pro-tips: prepare with a good base of food, since there are no menu options available at Thirsty Dog. Also, wear warm clothing in the winter, since it is a giant warehouse and it can get chilly inside. 

The bar is CASH ONLY (including the t-shirts and merchandise for sale) so, BRING CASH! Lastly, you can check out Aqueduct Brewing located within the same building on the other side (not affiliated with Thirsty Dog). Aqueduct is extremely new to the scene (opened in 2014) and still finding its way. But, I always encourage people to give local breweries a try!

Columbus & Cincinnati Pedal Wagon

Photos by OHventures

"WILL PEDAL FOR BOOZE!"

That's the slogan me and my rowdy crew of Ohio State Buckeyes fans lived by while riding in the Columbus Pedal Wagon one brisk morning before the football game!

The Columbus Pedal Wagon (and similarly, the Cincinnati Pedal Wagon), is a contraption that requires you and a group of able-bodied buddies to hop on board and use your man-power to wheel the wagon from bar to bar to bar! 

It's essentially a bar on wheels - except state laws don't allow you to drink while ON the pedal wagon - YET. So, that means, for now, the cupholders are merely spots to put your phones while you ride!

The Columbus Pedal Wagon offers various routes which you can sign up for that will allow you to navigate the vehicle to various drinking establishments within different neighborhoods. The tours last approximately 2 hours, and you usually get to visit about 3-4 different bars in that timeframe, depending on how long you stay at each one, and how far apart they are.

Themes are prescheduled to correspond with particular launch times, but if you love a route and not its scheduled time, the Columbus Pedal Wagon will make it work for you. Just be sure to give them an advanced notice so they can plan around the changes. What's cool is that they are also always open to new themes and routes, and will work with you to choose which bars you go to along the route that you have chosen.

On October 18, me and selected family (my mom, dad, and aunt) and friends (Alex, James, Alyce, and Steve) boarded the Columbus Pedal Wagon for the High Street Shuffle theme route. This route cruises through the Short North neighborhood of Columbus, stopping at 4 eclectic bars. Each spot had drink specials specifically for us pedalers. We wore a special wristband to designate to our bartenders that we were with the Pedal Wagon to get our discounts on drinks!

We were told by our driver, Paul, to meet at BBR (a bar located on Vine Street near the North Market) at 12:00 for our 12:30-2:30 PM scheduled ride. Being the rowdy group that we are, we decided to meet up at 11:00 AM so we could take advantage of the $3 draughts that we received on special for being a part of the Pedal Wagon. We also decided as a group that we needed some shots of FIREBALL whiskey to warm us up. Even though we would be bundled up, wearing a liquor coat never hurts!

When Paul arrived, he and I discussed our route. As mentioned, the tour guides work with you to determine what bars you would like to go to. I wanted to have a mix of modern bars and dive bars, so we decided on the following stops:

• BBR (106 Vine Street, Columbus, OH 43215) - Our meeting place, this is a sports  bar that is typically loud with a young crowd and a rock & roll theme).

At the Short North Pint House

• Pint House (780 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43201) - My favorite bar in the Short North. It is modern with eclectic decor, a beer garden pation, a HUGE bar, loads of beers on tap, a photo booth, a mixed crowd, an open ceiling, and an overall slick feel. There is even a part of the bar that is made of ice so you can keep you drink cool.

Drinks at Bodega

• Bodega (1044 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43201) - A "hipster" hangout, Bodega has been recently renovated and is known for its endless array of draught beers, to-die-for grilled cheese, and a charming crowd of cool kids.

• Mike's Grill (724 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215) - The definition of a dive bar: smelly, dirty, sticky, and cheap! But that's all part of the experience. I love bringing people here just because it's such a hole in the wall. We came for $1 Jell-O shots and cans of PBR!

Hanging out at our last stop, Novak's!

• Novak's Tavern (475 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214) - Our final destination. Novak's has also been recently renovated and has pool tables, an awesome rooftop with a view of the Columbus skyline, and great specials on mixed drinks.

We were told to assign someone on board to be the "DJ" for the day. We picked Alyce (an easy choice because of her high energy personality). As DJ, she was able to plug her iPhone into the AV jack located on the wagon, and create our playlist for the entire ride! She was blaring party jams up and down High Street. It was really cool how they let us set the tone with the music, which really did make it even more fun!

A view of Short North on board the Pedal Wagon.

Over all, pedaling the wagon was not too difficult. Because we had so many people, it did not require us to exert too much energy (some of us had some sore legs the next day, though!). However, it did require that we work together and get in sync to get us to where we wanted to go in a quick fashion! All of the steering was done by our tour guide (Paul), who also advised us as to when to stop and start pedaling when we got to red lights, turns, etc. We didn't have to do any of the thinking - just the drinking!

Me & Steve on our new favorite ride!

There were many onlookers in cars and on foot who were amused at the sight of us pedaling by. It was certainly a unique and one-of-a-kind way to enjoy some drinks (and not to mention a TON of laughs) with friends & family on game day, or ANY day in Columbus or Cincinnati. We felt good that not only were we not drinking and driving, we were also getting a bit of exercise in between drinks!

And just because we are getting into the winter months does not mean that the pedal wagon goes into hibernation. You can book a ride on the Polar Bear Express NOW throughout winter!