Swensons Drive Ins

Photo by OHventures

Swensons Drive-In (original location)
40 S Hawkins Ave

Akron, OH 44313

(330) 864-8416

I know I am always writing in this blog telling you how to be active, stay in shape and workout, but let's face it: we all need some cheat eats every now and then, and there is no better place to pig out than Swensons Drive-In restaurant. Swensons has only seven locations (in the whole wide world) and they can all be found in beautiful Northeast Ohio. The very first of these yummy establishments was erected in 1934 near Market Street in West Akron. Now, you can also find Swensons in North Akron, Kent, Montrose, North Canton, Jackson Township, and Seven Hills.

So why am I clamoring so loudly about some dinky fast food chain? Aside from the fact that (as mentioned) they are only found in Ohio, these restaurants have been recognized numerous times as having some of the BEST burgers in the nation. And this isn't just your crazy Uncle Buck or your nosy neighbor Linda telling you this. These accolades have come from legitimate sources, including Forbes Magazine, who flat out gave Swensons the title of "America's Best Burger" in 1999.

Swensons was also featured on The Food Network's show "Food Feuds" in which it competed against another local burger joint and won the title of the "Best Juicy Double Cheeseburger in the Akron Area." These are just some of the many morsels of praise Swensons has received throughout the many decades of its existence.

The Galley Boy hamburger is what to get when you go here (which I know you will, since it's on the Buckeye Bucket List). It is famous for its two mysterious special sauces that are slathered all over a double cheeseburger and garnished with a single green olive. And, while I could go on and on about the delectable menu, some other highlights would be the fantastic fried mushrooms (pictured above), the zesty and cheesy potato teasers, and any one of the multitude of milkshake flavors they offer (including mint, peanut butter, key lime, and butterscotch). And my personal favorite beverage? The "refreshingly different" Californian, which is a grape and lemon soft drink combo that tastes like, well, California!

If you aren't hungry yet, you will be the moment you pull into this Ohio favorite. The best part is, you don't even have to get out of your car - it's one of the few remaining good old fashioned drive-ins! Even more of a reason to hit the gym after a satisfying visit to Swensons!

Boxing It Up

Photos by OHventures

I've always thought that the sport of boxing was for brutal brawny badass guys that could punch your lights out like Sugar Ray Leonard, cut your eye open like Rocky Balboa, or even bite your ear off like Mike Tyson (maybe he confused it with an ear of corn). While those guys are no doubt strong, scrappy fellas who I'd never want to cross in a back alley, they aren't fighting just to fight, they're fighting for the glory of the sport of boxing.

I wanted to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, like Muhammed Ali. So, I checked out a listing of all of the boxing gyms located in Ohio (thanks to BoxingGyms.com), and found some 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 came to find that, while this was not the fanciest of gyms, one major perk was that two-time International Boxing Council (IBC) champion and Columbus native Michael Clark would be teaching the class (pictured above). I had the privilege of speaking with Michael briefly before the class and he told me that he grew up at Thompson Rec Center, and trained there his entire life. He said that teaching the classes at the very place that molded him into the professional boxing champion he is today is his way of "giving back to the community." His classes are only $10-$12 a pop, which is extremely generous and a great deal, especially from someone of his calibur.

Where To Ski In Ohio

Photo by OHventures (taken at Mad River Mountain)

There are five ski resorts in Ohio (or four if you combine sister resorts Boston Mills and Brandywine). All of these hills are manmade and very similar to one another. The smallest of the resorts is Boston Mills. The largest and most fun is Mad River Mountain, due to the fact that it is near the highest point in all of Ohio (Bellfontaine). The newest resort is Clear Fork, which I have yet to ski at. I have been to all of the others, however, so I definitely approve of these Ohio hills! 

Boston Mills & Brandywine 
1146 West Highland Road
Northfield, OH

(330) 467-2242


Mad River Mountain

1000 Snow Valley Road
Zanesfield, OH 43360
(937) 599-1015


Clear Fork Resort
341 Resort Drive  
Butler, OH 44822
(419) 883-2000


Snowtrails
3100 County Highway 320  
Mansfield, OH 44903
(419) 774-9818


Be sure to read our post on skiing in Northeast Ohio and check out our pics from our other trips in the photo blog

Caesar Creek State Park

Photo by OHventures

Caesar Creek State Park
8570 E. State Route 73
Waynesville, OH 45068


Whenever I visit to a State (or Metro) Park, I try to find a unique feature that makes it stand out from all the rest. That was not a hard task for me when I headed to Caesar Creek State Park, located in the Southwest portion of our state at the crossroads of Warren, Greene and Clinton counties. There are many highlights within Caesar Creek, including the historic Pioneer Village, an educational Nature Center, and an intricate collection of paths for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

My favorite attraction here is Pioneer Village, which contains 15 authentic buildings from the late 1700s and early 1800s. Many of these buildings are original structures where the founding pioneers of Ohio's earliest years resided. Some have been transported from various parts of the state and reconstructed on site, while others are purely models of homes from the time period. One building, the Lukens House, is, remarkably, in the very same spot it has been since it was constructed over 200 years ago!

READ MORE AT DISCOVERING OHIO