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? 

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.

The Arnold Classic Sports Festival

Photos by OHventures

Arnold Classic Sports Festival

February 28-March 3, 2013

Columbus Convention Center

400 N. High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

Ahhh, the Ahh-nold Classic, how I love thee! Truly, I do. I am a fanatic of the Arnold Classic Sports Festival, as I have attended for the past 7 years straight! It's everything that I love jam-packed (literally) into one weekend each year (the first weekend in March) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in the Short North. 

To those who are unfamiliar, the Arnold Classic was created by actor/politician/bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger (one of my heroes) 25 years ago (1988). Columbus was chosen as the location of the event because Arnold had won his first ever bodybuilding competition in this city. The event brings millions of dollars of revenue to the city. It is a yearly event in which 18,000 athletes of all kinds compete over the course of 4 days. Forty-five sports are represented at the event, including everything from bodybuilding to martial arts, gymnastics to table tennis (not kidding). Over 175,000 fitness enthusiasts attend the event each year to watch the athletes compete and to visit the notorious Expo portion on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

If you are headed to the Expo, you had better not be claustrophobic! Be prepared for some massive crowds full of lots of Affliction and Ed Hardy brand t-shirts, and brushing shoulders - literally - with meatheads and fitness freaks. Of course, not everyone there fits into such a description, but gym rats and bodybuilders are indeed a majority of those in attendance. 

A collection of freebies I collected at the Arnold Classic Sports Festival Expo

Hundreds of booths are arranged in rows within the convention center and include various vendors from the fitness universe. People are selling everything from workout clothing to equipment, tooth whitener to plastic surgery services. Most prominently, the booths offer workout vitamins and supplements, including protein, creatine, glutamine, glucosamine, fish oil, and countless others. 

Walking up and down the aisles, you are able to sample all of these tasty (and not so tasty) nutrition cookies, drinks, bars, shakes, pills, and powders. Probably the most fun aspect of the Expo is tasting these samples, and filling up bags of more sample packets to take home! If you play your cards right, you can take home so many supplements and protein powder packets to last you for months and months to come! To get the really good stuff, such as cups, shakers, water bottles, t-shirts, and high quality protein and creatine, you will likely have to spend a great deal of time standing in long lines (but it is worth the while!).

Me with Greg Plitt at the Arnold Classic Sports Festival Expo

There are also booths where you can meet and talk with famous (or semi-famous) celebrities from the fitness realm. There are many notable bodybuilders, wrestlers, actors, models, and athletes that you can meet, get photos with, or even get an autograph! I was able to get an autograph of former Ohio State University football player James Laurinaitis; grab a photo with reality television star Greg Plitt (pictured above, of Bravo's "Workout"), and even shake the hand of the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger himself (yes, he DOES attend the event, and if you are as lucky as I was, you might get the chance to see or even meet him).

Arnold Schwarzenegger addressing a crowd at the Arnold Classic

Lou Ferigno, who portrayed the original "Inctedible Hulk" in the hey day (and was a recent contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice), is always situated at the same booth each year, selling "Hulk" memorabilia and signing autographs for fans (below). Aside from Arnold, he is probably the most famous of celebrities you can see at the Classic. 

Lou Ferigno signing autographs at the Arnold Fitness Classic Expo

There are also interactive booths and exhibitions at the Expo, such as an enormous rock climbing wall (pictured below), exercise bicycles, and a number of contests (such as on-the-spot push-up contests, weight lifting contests, and a pull-up contest at a United States Marines booth). On the Saturday and Sunday of the Arnold Classic, individuals may also sign up to participate in the Arnold 5K, The Survival Race (an obstacle course much like the Warrior Dash), or the Arnold Classic Pump & Run (in which individuals must bench press their own body weight then run in a 5K). I will be participating in the Pump & Run this year for the first time and will provide a recap to readers!

Even if you do not choose to give these challenges a shot, it's definitely a great deal of fun just watching others attempt these feats. In fact, people watching in general at the Arnold Classic is one of the main highlights of the event! There are some interesting individuals to say the least!

So get inspired to get fit by heading to the Arnold Classic Sports Festival and the Expo! 

Arnold Classic Photo Blog

Who: You and 175,000 fitness enthusiasts

What: The Arnold Classic Sports Festival

Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center

When: The first weekend in March of every year

Photos by OHventures

Top 10 "Top 5" OHventures Lists

Need an idea of what to do to to spice things up in Ohio? Need to scratch some items off of your Buckeye Bucket List? How about 50 ideas? Here are the Top 10 "Top 5" Lists by OHventures to give you a couple of fun activities to choose from, whether it be sipping on some Ohio wine, riding on world class roller coasters, or dodging paintballs with friends.

1. 5 Great Ohio Bike Trails: The Backroads & Beaches Bike Route in Lorain County, Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, Olentangy Greenway Trail in Columbus, Little Miami Scenie Trail in Clark County and Warren County, and the Ohio to Erie Trail.

2. 5 Unique Ohio Workouts: Boxing, Pure Barre, Boot Camps, Rock Climbing, and Trampolining

3. Top 5 Wineries in Ohio: Heineman's Winery & Crystal Cave in Put-In-Bay, Camelot Cellars in Columbus, Thorncreek Winery in Aurora, Gervasi Vineyard & Italian Bistro in Canton, Lakehouse Inn & Winery in Geneva.

4. 5 Ohio Museums That Won't Bore You: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Center of Science & Industry in Columbus, National Air Force Museum in Dayton, Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame & Musuem in Pickerington.

5. 5 Reasons to "Go South" in Ohio: Chillicothe, Lebanon, the Great Serpent Mound in Adams County, Marietta Brewing Company, and Shawnee State Park in Scioto County.

6. 5 Extreme Ohio Thrills: Cedar Point in Sandusky, King's Island in Mason, Splatter Paintball Park in Mount Gilead, Skydiving in Xenia, and Ozone Zipline Adventures in Lebanon

7. 5 Great Ohio Breweries: Rustbelt Brewing in Youngstown, Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, Columbus Brewing Company, Fat Head's Saloon in North Olmstead, and Elevator Brewery in Columbus.

8. 5 Doggy OHventures: Grater's Ice Cream, Wineries, Dog Parks, Hiking Trails, and Doggy 5Ks.

9. 5 Great Running Events in Ohio: Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Canton Marathon, Capital City Half Marathon, Warrior Dash Ohio, and Cleveland Urbanobstacle.

10. 5 Ways to Cool Off in Ohio: Boating, Parasailing, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Paddleboating.

5 Unique Ohio Workouts

It's summer! It's time to bust out the beach body! If you find it daunting to keep up with the upkeep of perfectly chiseled body, you may need to introduce a few unique workouts into your routine. The key to sticking with a fitness regimen is to make it fun! So here are 5 fun ways to stay fit in Ohio.

1. Boxing: If you want to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, like Muhammed Ali, you will find that boxing is not just for the bulky, scrappy badass guys you see in the movies. Check out a listing of all of the boxing gyms located in Ohio by visiting BoxingGyms.com. I found some boxing facilities located nearby in Columbus. With the encouragement of one of my coworkers, Julie, I decided to take a boxing class after work at the Thompson Recreation Center near downtown C-Bus. I learned to jab, uppercut, and hook in under an hour!

2. Trampoline Parks: Indoor trampoline parks typically consist of a massive arena with a giant trampoline court, oftentimes with trampolines even on the walls! Exercising on a trampoline is extremely effective. In fact, one can burn 1,000 calories in one hour! Your legs are the primary muscle group being utilized, however your core also benefits from trampoline workouts, and you improve your balance and get a heck of a cardiovascular workout! The great thing is, you are having so much fun laughing while you are doing it that you don't even feel like you're working out.

3. Pure Barre: Pure Barre is a massively popular gym taking over the nation with new locations popping up every week! Each class incorporates ballet bars, weights, bands, and small medicine balls in a series of isometric movements, which, thanks to my trusty dictionary, are muscular actions in which tension is developed without contraction of the muscle. The motions are set to fun, upbeat music,  and instructors help guide you by giving demonstrations and thorough instructions on how to perform the moves correctly.

4. Bexa Body Fitness: Everyone has that local gym that they absolutely love. For me, it's Bexa Body Fitness in Westerville. It's not your typical cookie cutter, shoebox gym like Urban Active or Planet Fitness, which are found on seemingly every corner you look. Unlike those dime-a-dozen gyms, Bexa Body Fitness exudes energy, excitement, and entrepreneurship on a level that makes you feel like you're right at home working out and exercising with longtime friends. They offer unique workouts such as piloxing (pilates combined with boxing), power yoga, and boot camps!

5. Rock Climbing: Rock climbing is my FAVORITE of all fitness activities! If you think you're up for the challenge that is indoor rock climbing, there are a number of places in Ohio you can go to do it. Most of the time, indoor rock climbing facilities will provide the proper shoes as well as the harness (and sometimes a helmet...but that is usually not needed or utilized). All you need to bring in most cases is yourself, your wallet, and your energy! Instructors will be on hand to help belay you on the rock walls and teach you all you need to know to scale the wall like Spiderman!

So You Think Ohio's Boring?

Want to amp up your weekend with new adventures?

 Looking for exciting thrills and & active lifestyle?

 Interested in exploring the state's hidden gems?

Look no further than OHventures!

We have you covered.

Canoeing / Hiking / Biking / Rock Climbing / Skydiving / Camping

Winter Hiking / Parasailing / Ziplining / Boating / Wine Tasting / Running

Hocking Hills / Mansfield Reformatory / Ohio Statehouse / Ohio Caverns

Cleveland / Columbus / Youngstown / Akron / Dayton

Chillicothe / Cincinnati / Toledo / Canton

Day Trip to Dayton

Photo Credit

Dayton doesn't get the attention deserves, as it is so close to two titan Ohio cities of Columbus and Cincinnati. In fact, Dayton is approximately right between Cincinnati (I-75 N to I-675 N) and Columbus (I-70 W to I-675 S). But it certainly has a lot to offer and is worth setting aside a day to explore! It is a titan city in its own right, being the 6th largest in Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. The Miami River runs through Dayton and it is home to a major airport and two large universities, University of Dayton and Wright State University. It also is famously home to the Wright Brothers, who were the first to successfully fly an aircraft and appear on the Ohio state quarter for making Ohio the "Birthplace of Aviation."

I have been to Dayton only once before, and have driven through en route to Chicago. When there, I had not done the proper research to see what there was to do and see. Since being there, however, I have learned a great deal about places such as The Wright Patterson Airforce Base (listed below) that Dayton is home to, and I am looking forward to going back! So I put my good Twitter (and Words With Friends) buddy Leah Moon up to the task of helping to plan my upcoming trip, which will hopefully inspire other OHventurers to take a Day Trip to Dayton!

Mine & Leah's Quick-List of The Top 9 Places To Check Out When Visiting Dayton is listed below!

1. Carillon Park (1000 Carillon Boulevard): This is a gorgeous park complete with its own restaurant and a giant field, good for a picnic or throwing the football around. They’re also undergoing a lot of construction to provide even more amenities for visitors. It is also recognized as a National Historic Landmark since the original 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world's first practical airplane, is situated in the park. There is also a scenic passenger rail available to the public at certain times.

Solid As A Rock

You’ve got to have grit, strength and determination to make it in rock climbing. It’s not an activity to pursue if you are looking for a cake walk. Ladies with freshly manicured fingernails can say goodbye to those lacquered beauts and guys who have been playing in fantasy sports brackets more than they have been playing actual sports will have a tough time making it far. Indoor rock climbing may look pretty, with the rainbow of every-colored nubs sprinkled across the walls, but let it be known that it’s not to be taken lightly.

Have I scared you away yet? Not so fast!

While it is true that rock climbing is a very physical and challenging activity, there are a number of ways that indoor rock climbing facilities make it appealing to even the most skeptical of beginners. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. Most of the time, the colored “rocks” I referred to earlier that are scattered on the climbing walls are that way because every different color represents a different “path” getting up the wall (this is not tried and true, but is very common). Like skiing, rock climbing has different levels of difficulty. Just like a skier wouldn’t dare hit up black diamond mogul hills on his or her first time on the slopes, a rock climber would never attempt to scale the most difficult path on the climbing wall on their first visit.