Pedal & Party With BrewBoat Cleveland

Photos by OHventures

Part bike, part boat, and part bar, the BrewBoat 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.When trying to find a perfect birthday gift for some family members who "have it all," I decided to get creative and book a reservation aboard the BrewBoat!

This is Ohio's first and only pedal-powered paddle-wheel party boat, which launched Memorial Day weekend of this year. The boat is 31-feet long with 10 seats for pedalers and four additional seats for passengers who opt to not pedal (we took turns, so no one felt left out). Yes, the boat is human-powered, which means you get a bit of a workout mixed in while you drink. It's like the Pedal Wagons of Columbus and Cincinnati, but on water instead of on the streets!

I reserved 10 seats for our 2-hour cruise this August (the other 4 were already booked, so we would be on board with a few new friends). Each ticket was $35 plus tax, and the trip required you to BYOB. When you arrive at the launch site, located on Whiskey Island in the heart of Cleveland, you are able to purchase cold brews at the convenience store found at the dock.

Most of us brought our own favorite beers from home (each person is permitted to bring no more than 36 oz. or beer, or 18 oz. of wine for themselves). There are convenience coolers of ice located right in the middle of the bar, so you can keep your drinks chilled and readily available during your excursion (no need to bring your own coolers).

Our group consisted of myself, my brother and his wife, my parents, my aunt, and my friends Zac, Kyla, Ben, and Emily. As mentioned, we were joined by 4 other folks who booked at the same time as us. Also on board was the Captain (Katie), and a driver, both of whom were extremely fun and personable. 

We disembarked from the marina at 5 PM and pedaled down the Cuyagoga River. As we pedaled, we were able to gawk at the gorgeous Cleveland skyline against the bright blue skies, and take in the sights of the revitalized riverfronts of the Cleveland Flats. We floated by notable hot spots, such as the Nautica Pavilion, the Music Box Supper Club, Alley Cat Oyster Bar, and more. We shared the waterway with kayakers, jet skiiers, paddle boarders,, and other seafaring folks out enjoying the fantastic weather and exciting scenery. There was so much to see and to soak in on our cruise!

At one point, the driver challenged us to try and work together to pedal as fast as we could in order to beat the record speed. After pedaling and pedaling, we ultimately did not come close to setting a new record, but we had a blast trying! It was also a blast plugging our iPods in and choosing the music we listened to along the way. It was a nice added feature. One downside, however, is that there is no bathroom on board the boat (which doesn't take long to figure out). So, it is a good thing that the ride is not much longer than 2 hours, and that we had a cap on how many drinks we could bring with us. 

Food is also allowed on board (anything from snacks to pizzas to cold cuts!), however, we were planning to eat dinner at one of the restaurants in the Flats after the ride, so we did not have any food on board with us.

All in all, our experience on the BrewBoat CLE was extremely positive. We are glad to have had the chance to book a ride, since slots fill up fast! The season ends on October 1, but they are already taking reservations for 2017. Captain Katie told me that while they currently have just one boat, it is their hope to soon have more boats in order to meet the demands of the public. Until then, make sure to make a reservation far in advance to ensure you get the time you want. The BrewBoat is perfect for bachelor or bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations (like ours), or just an excuse to get together and enjoy the beauty of the Cuyahoga River and downtown Cleveland in a fresh, new way!

Geauga County Amish Tours

Photos by OHventures

While staying at the Red Maple Inn in Burton this summer, I took advantage of the fantastic Amish Tours that they offer! These two hour excursions take you and up to 14 others in a conversion van through the rural roadways of Geauga and Trumbull Counties, telling stories and making stops along the way. Guests of the hotel, or any member of the public, can book a tour by calling ahead (any day except Thursday or Sunday). The cost is just $25-$29, and it is definitely worth it.

While on my tour, I learned a great deal about the history of the Amish culture, and the area itself. We stopped at the home of an Amish family to have a snack on homemade zucchini muffins and have conversations about their way of life. Here, we saw chickens, horses, and kittens, as well as freshly picked vegetables, hand-powered washing machines, and handmade soaps!

We also visited a schoolhouse (school is currently out of session) and a bakery (where I bought some delicious fry pies). The tour guide was able and willing to answer all questions we had about the Amish culture. She was a wealth of knowledge of the area, and of the Amish as a whole. One factoid we learned was that Geauga County is home to the 4th largest Amish population in the world!

The tour also took us to Mesopotamia, a town just across the county line in Trumbull County. Here, we stopped at the "End of the Commons," which is Ohio's oldest general store (and probably the one with the most character)! There was SO much to see at this store, that it most certainly calls for a separate visit. Last, we stopped at the Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op for some yummy cheese samples!

The two hours aboard the van flew right by, and soon it was time to be dropped off back at the Red Maple Inn. It was incredibly educational, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Soon, it was time for me to check out of the hotel, with a promise to return in the near future with my friends and family! I know for certain they'd appreciate the comfort and charm of the Red Maple Inn!

Red Maple Inn

Photos by OHventures

Every once and awhile, I find it necessary to escape from the fast-paced world of the big city by visiting Ohio's serene countryside. Nestled not far from Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and Cleveland is Geauga County, home of the world's 4th largest Amish community, and a perfect place to make that restful retreat.

This summer, I was invited to stay at the Red Maple Inn, a beautiful boutique hotel located in the small town of Burton in the heart of Geauga County's Amish Country. With unbeatable views of lush green fields, a selection of spacious rooms, and hearty Amish-style breakfast buffets, the offer to stay was impossible to pass up.

Arriving at the Red Maple Inn, I was "greeted" by Rut Maple, a horse and carriage crafted out of recycled steel parts by local artist Chris McConnell. This striking artwork sits right outside the entrance of the hotel, and sets the tone for the whimsical stay guests are about to experience.

There are 17 rooms and one suite available, each with handmade furniture crafted by the Amish from various types of wood. This makes each room a bit different from the others. However, all rooms come with a flat screen TV, fireplace, coffee maker, balcony with outdoor furniture, and my personal favorite: a jacuzzi tub! Talk about relaxing!

All guests have access to an on-site fitness facility, a library and gaming nook, You can also enjoy complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres at certain times during the week. After enjoying a glass of red wine and checking into my room, I went out to explore the surrounding area.

Railroad car at Century Village Museum

The Red Maple Inn is located in walking distance to a number of worthwhile tourist stops. For starters, a small footbridge leads you from the hotel property to the Century Village Museum, a series of buildings and artifacts that serve as an authentic representation of life in the Western Reserve during the 1800s.

Burton Log Cabin & Sugar Camp

Walking a little further takes you to Burton Square,the center of town, modeled after the village greens of New England. Here, you can visit the Burton Chamber of Commerce Log Cabin & Sugar Camp, where pure maple syrup and other related products are made and sold. I took home a bottle of syrup, as well as some maple candies for my aunt (she loves them!).

Nearby is Warren's Spirited Kitchen, a rather new establishment in Burton, with a more modern feel to it. I sat and enjoyed a cocktail (a Cleveland Old Fashioned) while listening to a local guitarist, before retiring to my room at the Red Maple Inn.

On my way home, I stopped at Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen for a home-cooked meatloaf dinner. If there's one thing that's consistent in the Geauga County Amish Country, it's how flavorful and filling its food is! I went home with a full belly and a happy heart!

READ MORE AT OHIO.ORG

Condado Tacos

Photos by OHventures

Condado Tacos Short North

1227 N. High Street

Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 928-3909

-and-

Condado Tacos Downtown

132 S. High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 456-7444

Tacos bring the people together. Plain and simple. If you don't like tacos, I can't trust you and you can't be my friend. And if you don't like Condado Tacos in Short North and Downtown Columbus, then that is taco blasphemy! 

These tacos are works of art. You build them from the shell-up, with loads of delicious and fresh ingredients you won't find at any other Mexican joint. You start with the tortilla, which can be corn or flour, soft or crunchy. BUT you can also get a double tortilla, with cheese, beans, or guacamole slathered in between the shells (my favorite is the "Ju-Ju" shell if you were wondering). Then, you choose from a great selection of proteins: chorizo, shrimp ceviche, brisket, ghost pepper marinated steak, roasted portabellos, and BBQ pulled jackfruit, to name a few. Then, you continue the process choosing toppings, cheese, salsa, and sauces! The possibilities are seemingly endless.

And, if for nothing else, be sure to go to Condado Tacos to get your table an order of the queso dip (pictured above). Believe me when I say, this is the best queso around! Muy bien!

And what's a good Mexican restaurant without some tasty margs? On my recent visit, I was going to just get the traditional house margarita like always, but the waiter insisted I try something different. So, he suggested the blackberry marg (pictured above), which did not disappoint.

Another thing I like about Condado Tacos is the decor. They have a "Day of the Dead" (or Dia de los Muertos) theme going on, with Catrina-style skulls, skeletons, sombreros, designs, and artwork on the walls and tables. I am particularly fond of the "Holy Guacamole" painting, as shown above.

I have gone to Condado Tacos on each of the past 3 visits I made to Columbus. It's just that good. You can reserve the "party table" for groups of 12 or more - which is what we did when having a "friends reunion" back in June. And, yes, we had many, many bowls of queso to go around!