Showing posts with label Northwest Ohio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northwest Ohio. Show all posts

Monday, July 10, 2017

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!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

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!

Monday, September 28, 2015

Kalahari Photo Blog

Who: Adults and kids alike! Groups of 2-36!
What: Kalahari Indoor Waterpark & Resort
When: All year 'round, rain or shine (or even snow - it's indoors!)
Where: Sandusky, Northwest Ohio
Why: To experience waterpark thrills any time of the year, to pamper yourself with its many spa options, and to drink & dine in style
How: Book an African-themed room and get your bathing suit ready!


All photos by OHventures

Time for the Lazy River

Ready to hit up the slides!

The Mud Hut 21 & Over Swim-Up Bar!

Outdoor hot tub area connected to the swim-up bar

Kalahari's very own bowling alley


Cheetah Race - dueling slides!

African-themed decor at Kalahari

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Kalahari Indoor Waterpark & Resort

Swahili Swirl

With the nation's largest indoor waterpark, a candy shop with seemingly endless amounts of treats and desserts, and one of the best arcade and gaming areas around, Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio is any kid's dream come true. However, if you're looking for a getaway without the kids, Kalahari has just as much excitement to offer couples or groups of adults. From world-class spa treatments, to a fitness facility, to a fine selection of adult beverages (including a swim-up bar), you'll be surprised how much fun can be had!

Kalahari Resort is primarily known for its impressive indoor water attractions, which makes it a year-round destination for travelers from near and far alike. To get the most out of your stay (especially if you came a significant distance), it's recommended you reserve a room to stay for a day or two (or three or more)!


There are 890 guestrooms and suites, which can accommodate anywhere from two to 36 guests. These room styles are unique and spacious, and are all beautifully decorated with an African theme. The largest room available is the Entertainment Suite, which is perfect for bachelor or bachelorette parties, a spring break destination, or celebrating milestones with friends.

All rooms include a flat screen TV, mini fridge and high speed internet access. Certain rooms also include a balcony patio, fireplace, whirlpool tub, wet bar, and other amenities. All rooms also include wristbands that grant you access to the waterpark.

I recently spent a night in the Nomad Room (which included an awesome patio overlooking the outdoor water recreation area) during a 2-day visit to Kalahari Resort. Of course, the first thing on my list to do was to visit the waterpark.


The indoor waterpark is the size of three football fields and jam-packed with colorful slides and contraptions! There are designated areas for children below a certain age, and other areas that are for all people above a certain height. There are several extreme rides, which were a priority for me and my friends. These included the Zip Coaster (basically a water roller coaster), FlowRider (stand-up surfing and body boarding on a simulated wave), and my absolute favorite, Swahili Swirl (a giant blue raft ride that can seat up to 4 thrill-seekers).

The Mud Hut Swim-Up Bar!

After the adrenaline pumping attractions were out of the way, it was time to relax on the Lazy River tube ride and wade in the Wave Pool, where every 15 minutes, waves pumped through the pool of water. It was also time to head to get a cocktail at the swim-up bar, the Mud Hut. Here, you can sit on an stool submerged just below the water and enjoy one of their special alcoholic concoctions, frozen or on the rocks. The water at the Mud Hut is warm, like a hot tub, so you can truly kick back and enjoy yourself.

Breakfast served all day at the Ivory Coast

All of the waterpark fun can work up an appetite, so thankfully there is a great restaurant selection at Kalahari. My favorites were The Reserve Restaurant & Bar, and the Ivory Coast Restaurant (with its adjacent Ivory Coast Lounge bar). The Ivory Coast serves breakfast all day and both locations have fantastic staff (Aimee and Trisha were superb)!


Every adult who visits Kalahari Resort should book an appointment at Spa Kalahari! There's a long list of massages (relaxation, hot stone, deep tissue, etc.), body treatments (herbal fusion detox, gentleman's sugar scrub, etc.), spa packages , and other ways to pamper yourself during your visit. Men and women both can enjoy facials, manicures, pedicures, or tanning sessions. If you do happen to have children with you, the Junior Spa can help make them feel like princes and princesses.

Next time you think about taking an excursion with friends or your significant other, consider Kalahari Resort so you can get the perfect combination of thrills and relaxation all in one place!

Monday, September 21, 2015

Escape To Kelley's Island

Photos by OHventures

Kelley's Island is 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. Being that it is in the middle of the lake, you have to get either either by ferry (try the Miller Boat Line), private boat, or by airplane (via the Kelley's Island Land Field Airport).

I first visited Kelley's Island in the year 2000, when I was just a freshman in high school. I came to the island for a week-long stay at Camp Patmos, a summer Christian church camp. Back then, it felt like I was in an exotic location far away from home. We sailed, kayaked, swam, and rode bicycles built for two. 


15 years have passed since that visit, and Kelley's Island still has just as much charm and excitement as I remember! I recently took a flight to the island with my buddy Alex on Labor Day Weekend. We decided to spend just a couple of hours at Kelley's Island, having some lunch and doing a bit of exploration! 

Most of this tourist island is comprised of beaches, parks, and campgrounds, which are mostly toured by bike (available for rent at Kelley's Landing), golf cart (also available at Kelley's Landing - hourly, daily, or weekly), island taxi, or on foot.

After you have your mode of transportation down (which can be a fun activity in and of itself), it's time to explore the island! There is a lot to see - from restaurants, to bars, to natural wonders and landmarks!

The Casino Restaurant, Bar & Dockage

f the weather is nice and you're looking for some lakeside outdoor seating, your best bets are Dockers Waterfront Restaurant, and The Casino Restaurant, Bar & Dockage (pictured above). On our visit, Alex and I ate some great burgers and fries at The Casino, where we were able to soak up the sun and relax under some faux palm trees!

Other popular food and drink selections are The Village Pump (they are famous for their perch and their Brandy Alexander drinks) and the Kelley's Island Wine Company (established in 1872 - try their Inscription White, named after the island's Inscription Rock).


Being that I'm an OSU alum, the Buckeye Bar was a MUST on our short visit to Kelley's Island. You can get some good greasy bar food and choose from a vast selection of Ohio-made beers. In addition, the Buckeye Bar also has the Caddy Shack, where you can rent golf carts (on Labor Day weekend, it was so crowded on the island, that they were fresh out. A fun miniature golf course can also be found right next to Caddy Shack & The Buckeye Bar.

A large anchor found near Inscription Rock

On the Northern third portion of Kelley's Island is Kelley's Island State Park, a 676 acre park which includes hiking trail, campgrounds, a sand beach, and ruins of former a limestone quarry mining site (on the West Side). One of the most well known points of interest on Kelley's Island is the Glacial Grooves State Memorial, a rare set of glacial grooves which are the largest in the world (measuring 400 feet by 35 feet). These prehistoric glacial grooves are gashes embedded limestone bedrock, and are a remarkable sight to see, not far from the beaches of the state park.

There is an incredible amount to explore on this exciting Ohio island - so plan a trip soon!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

AirVentures

Photos by OHventures

I have been in an airplane many times in my life, but only on countless commercial flights (and of course that time I went skydiving).

This past Labor Day weekend was the first time I had the opportunity to ride in a non-commercial plane - all thanks to a great friend of mine, Alex (who joined us previously for the Bike Columbus Festival), who recently earned his pilot license! On a limb, I told Alex that I wanted to ride in his plane sometime soon, and without hesitation, he obliged!

Alex told me that I would be his first official passenger. This was both an honor and a true sign of bravery! Truth be told, there was nothing to be scared of, because Alex is a total pro and it was 100% safe.

Our flight plan consisted of Alex flying from OSU airport in Columbus to pick me up in Akron/Canton. From there, we would fly over my house and circle around over downtown Canton before heading west and north to our final destination of Kelley's Island!


The plane we were riding in was a Diamond DA20 Eclipse. I am not even sure what all that means, other than it was a very small 2-seat aircraft! I was surprised when I first saw the plane to see just how small it was. Sitting together inside, our knees touched and there was not much room to move about! This meant it would be a cozy flight!

After a short safety briefing, Alex and I departed from Akron/Canton for our cross-state trek! It was an extremely smooth take-off and flight altogether, putting me at ease and allowing me to soak in the sights. We were flying at heights of approximately 3000-5000 feet, which is not very high in comparison to most commercial flights, which are found at an altitude of 30,000 feet!

View of Downtown Canton

Being at this "low" altitude (seemed high to me as we were up there) made it easy to make out key landmarks (such as the McKinley Monument in Canton), and other points of interest (such as a cement plant in Huron - pictured below).

View of Huron, OH (the white smoke is from the cement plant)

Perhaps the coolest sight to see was the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky! It was really awesome to soar over this small peninsula and to make out all of the rides and attractions. The massive  (such as Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force) all looked minuscule from our vantage point flying over! As funny as it sounds, it was also remarkable to see just how massive the parking lot of Cedar Point is (pictured below).

Cedar Point in Sandusky

Our headsets gave us the ability to speak to one another and hear one another clearly. Alex affixed two GoPro cameras to the inside of the plane so that we could re-watch our aerial adventure at a later time (link coming soon!). 

Kelley's Island

The trip flew by (no pun intended) and took us just 45 minutes to reach Kelley's Island - much better than the 2.5 hours by car and the ferry ride on top of that! After a smooth landing, Alex and I explored the island and ate some lunch (a post on that coming soon).

Put-In-Bay

Before heading back, we were sure to circle over the neighboring Lake Erie island of South Bass, so we could catch a good glimpse of the vacation town of Put-In-Bay (where Alex and I partied with friends in summer of 2014). It was awesome to see Perry's Monument (pictured above), and the rest of the resort town from the sky.

Overall, my "AirVentures" trip was incredibly exciting and just what I needed to cap off my summer. Seeing the great state of Ohio from up above is something that everyone should try at some point in his or her life. Since you likely don't have a close friend who has a pilot license, try some of these options: Wright B Flyer in Dayton, Cincinnati Airplane Tours in Cincinnati, Flight 54 Travel & Tours in Cleveland, Capital City Jet Center in Columbus, and Pickaway County Airport in Circleville for starters.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

88 Counties In Ohio = 88 Things To Do (By Activity)


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!


Parks & Outdoor Adventure
Brown - Soak in the Ohio River at Eagle Creek Landings Marina (Georgetown)
Clark - Hike your way through Buck Creek State Park in Springfield
Clinton – Immerse yourself in Pioneer Village at Caesar Creek State Park
Delaware – Take advantage of the state’s largest inland beach at Alum Creek State Park
Fulton - Check out the arboretum & ATV, hiking, & horseback riding trails of Maumee State Forest
Greene - Trek along the Old Woods Trail located at Caesar Creek State Park
Champaign – Explore the deep caves of Ohio Caverns (West Liberty)
Hocking – Hike your heart out at Hocking Hills State Park, including Old Man’s Cave
Lawrence - Spend a day at Lake Vesuvius
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)
Morgan – Camp at the Wayne National Forest (the only National Forest in Ohio)
Scioto - Embark on a journey to Scioto County's Shawnee State Park
Seneca - See Ohio's Greatest Underground Adventure, Seneca Caverns
Trumbull – Plunge into the waters of Mosquito Lake (and take a Day Trip to Hubbard)
Union - Scale the steep hiking trails of Clear Creek Metro Park
Vinton – Immerse yourself in Zaleski State Forest (second-largest state forest in the U.S)
Wyandot - Birdwatch at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, where you can see bald eagles!

Active Lifestyle
Clermont – Bike the trail corridor of Little Miami Scenic Trail along the Little Miami River
Harrison - Paddle through Southeast Ohio thanks to Green Acres Canoe & Kayak Rental
Highland - Mountain bike in Paint Creek Lake State Park (Hillsboro)
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)
Mercer - Tackle the Mad Run - a muddy obstacle run in Fort Recovery
Ottawa – Kayak the waters of Put-In-Bay (and explore the whole island while you’re at it)!
Stark - Run the stairs of the McKinley Monument (and take a Day Trip to Canton)

Extreme Thrills
Darke - Watch the stock cars race by at the world famous Eldora Speedway (New Weston)
Fairfield – Zipline over 100 feet off the ground at Valley Zipline Tours (Lancaster)
Erie – Ride the world’s largest roller coasters at Cedar Point (Sandusky)
Hancock - Go up, up, and away on a Findlay Hot Air Balloon Ride
Guernsey – Embark on an Open Air Safari at The Wilds (Cumberland)
Morrow – Shoot ‘em up at SplatterPark Paintball (Mount Gilead)
Shelby - Do a nighttime zipline at VanDemark Farm (Sidney)
Preble - Go ghost hunting and on other spirited adventures
Putnam - Scuba dive at Gilboa Quarry - the Midwest's Premier Dive Site (Ottawa)
Summit - Zoom down the hill of the All American Soap Box Derby (and take a Day Trip to Akron)
Warren – Zipline at Ozone Zipline Adventures (Lebanon)!

Dining Discoveries
Allen – Pig out at Kewpee Burger – the oldest hamburger fast food chain in the world (Lima)
Holmes – Embrace yourself in Amish culture with Der Dutchmann Restaurants
Lucas – Gorge on hot dogs at the famous Tony Packo’s (and take a Day Trip to Toledo)
Montgomery – Eat at Olive, An Urban Dive (and take a Day Trip to Dayton)
Muskingum – Pig out on pasta at Adornetto’s Selected Italian Foods (Zanesville)
Noble - Dine at the Dockside Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Seneca Lake Marina
Perry - Eat breakfast at Dodson's On Broadway (New Lexington)
Wayne - Engage in discussion while eating & drinking at First Amendment Public House (Wooster)

Beer & Wine
Athens – Taste some local beers at Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery – a locavore’s delight (Athens)
Coshocton – Depart on the Three Rivers Wine Trail, including Yellow Butterfly Winery
Portage - Imbibe at Viking Vineyards & Winery (and take a Day Trip to Kent)

Shops
Ashland – Get cheesy at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn – the name says it all! (Ashland)
Butler – Plan a trip to Jungle Jim's International Market - more than a grocery store (Fairfield)
Fayette - Shop the day away at the Tanger Outlets right off of I-71 (Jeffersonville)

Festivals & Events
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
Crawford - Gorge on brats & take the "wurst" bike ride at the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival in August
Geauga – Give yourself a sugar rush at the Geauga County Maple Festival
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
Pickaway - Attend the Circleville Pumpkin Show and see the pumpkin water tower!

Landmarks & History
Adams – Sightsee at the Great Serpent Mound – the longest serpent effigy in the US
Cuyahoga – See all of Cleveland from atop Terminal Tower (and take a Day Trip to Cleveland)
Defiance - See the reconstructed historic town of Auglaize Village, with a military museum
Franklin – Visit the Ohio Statehouse (and see 100 more things to do in Columbus)
Henry - Grab a photo op with the giant can of Campbell's Tomato Soup (Napoleon)
Licking – Say hello to the Longaberger Basket Building – the world’s largest basket
Marion – Visit the epic tomb found at the President Warren G. Harding Memorial
Jefferson - Step back 200 years to the Ohio frontier at Fort Steuben (Steubenville)
Paulding - Visit the Paulding County Carnegie Library, on the US National Registrar of Historic Places
Sandusky - Learn about one of our presidents at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
Richland - Tour the Mansfield Reformatory (where they filmed Shawshank Redemption)

Lodging & Getaways
Ashtabula – Stay the night at The Lodge at Geneva-On-The-Lake – gorgeous views
Carroll – Saddle up for some Horseback Riding at Faith Ranch (Jewett)
Columbiana – Spend the night at the haunted Spread Eagle Tavern (Hanoverton)
Knox – Stay the night in the Mohican Tree House Cabins (Loudonville)
Lake - Have a night of luxury at Quail Hollow Resort (Painesville)

Tours & Day Trips
Gallia - Head "down on the farm" to the Bob Evans Farm Homestead Museum (Bidwell)
Hamilton – Meet an elephant at Cincinnati Zoo (and take a Day Trip to Cincinnati)
Hardin - Build Your Own Tour of historic, architectural, and natural attractions in Hardin
Medina - Celebrate Christmas all year 'round at Castle Noel (Medina)
Meigs - "Milk" your time in Meigs County by visiting the famous Snowville Creamery
Miami – Take a Day Trip to the quaint town of Piqua
Monroe - Drive along the Covered Bridge Byway on a self-guided scenic tour
Pike - Travel Pike's Patches Quilt Barn Trail to see all of the quilt barns in the area!
Ross - Take a day trip to the Ross County seat, Chillicothe (Ohio's first capital)
Tuscawaras – Travel back in time by seeing the historic village of Zoar
Van Wert - Hop aboard a plane for a flying tour at the Van Wert Airport
Washington – Hop aboard the Sternwheeler and drink some Marietta beer!
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!