What to do in Ohio - Positive Posts only Please (Columbus: home, live in)

[Pathwalker]

Well, these aren't all necessarily from one area around where I live....some of them are, but others I just thought I'd mention anyway.

In Butler County:

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is a great place to see monumental works of art blended into a scenic and peaceful park setting. Just outside Hamilton Ohio.

Barn 'n Bunk Farm Market - not wildly exciting, but an interesting place to find some great old antiques, gifts, candy, ice cream - and, of course, home-grown produce.

Jungle Jims - no, it's not about playground equipment for kids, although kids will probably like this place! You can pretty much get any kind of food in the world at this great market in Fairfield.

I'm sure there is more in Butler County, but I'll move on.


In Warren County:

Ohio Renaissance Festival - this place is magical. You truly feel like you've stepped back in time. Great food, great crafts, great costumes, great atmosphere. Just great! I love this place.


Other places in Ohio:

Clifton Gorge - one of my favoritest (is that a word? ) in the whole wide world of Ohio. This isn't the official website for it, but it shows some great pictures of the place. It's a really cool gorge right in the middle of flat Ohio farmland. Being down inside this place makes you feel as though you're in the mountains. The hike is really scenic.

Clifton Mill - adjacent to John Bryan State Park, where Clifton Gorge is located. This is a really neat place, and they totally deck it out at Christmas. The mill, as well as Clifton Gorge (and JB State Park) are 2 of the best kept secrets in Ohio, and both are located outside Yellow Springs - just south of Springfield.

Richard's Maple Products (broken link). My grandparents used to live in Chardon, and I remember this place from when I was a kid years ago. They have great maple candy!

[rrtechno]

We went down to Clifton Mill last December...just beautiful. We stayed at the Cedarville Inn while we were there. Nice little locally owned/operated hotel that kind of had the feel of a Bed and Breakfast. Stopped at Young's Dairy Farm north of Yellow Springs while we were there also.

Now - Defiance County - Auglaize Village AuGlaize Village takes you back to Northwest Ohio in an earlier time.

If you are into history, there are several markers commemorating Fort Defiance at the junction of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers.

Independence Dam State Park is just a few miles east of Defiance and remnants of one of the locks on the canal are visible there. Hiking and biking trails as well as picnic areas, boat launch and fishing.

[smurf_goddess]

Funny, to answer as I don't live in Dayton yet, but. . .

I have been checking out the Dayton Metro Parks and getting really excited. There are many classes on gardening, basic photography, etc. at Wegerzyn Gardens, farm education, hayrides, and free fishing at Possum Creek Park near Morraine, and I am sure many more activities at the other parks with hiking trails, etc.

I'm looking forward to checking it out!

[penelopelp]

The Dayton Metroparks system is terrific. I haven't attended any of the workshops, but I regularly enjoy the parks. They are top-notch. I regularly go to Wegerzyn, Possum Creek, Aullwood (near Englewood Metropark), and Riverscape. I also enjoy Cox Arboretum and Carriage Hill. Sugarcreek and Germantown are also beautiful, but a longer drive for me.

[seekinghome]

Grand Rapids Ohio -Apple Butter Fest in the fall if you like festivals-it's HUGE

Toledo Musuem of Art -awesome, usually has a major traveling exhibition of something wonderful.

Toledo Zoo -world class, Has a x-mas lights display that is particularly fun in Dec.

Holmes County -Primarily Amish farm area, one of the prettiest places in the country, especially in summer and fall. The whole county is beautiful but please respect the Amish ways and culture when visiting. The step back in time is facinating to many. The food is wonderful too.

Chillicothe in Ross county - first capital, historic sites, Mound building indians national park, outdoor drama "Tecumseh" in the summer in a beautiful amphitheater.

Vermillion -lovely lakeside town, reminds me of New England. There is a maritime museum there.

Cincinnati's riverfront area. Most of the fun is in KY right across the river. Cinci Museum of Art is great too.

Toledo Botanical Garden and the Crosby Gardens Art Fest in the summer.

This was a great idea, I am just starting to think of all the beautiful parts of my state that I don't always keep in mind. I haven't included links to websites but google them and I'm sure you will find lots of info.

[Pathwalker]

I SOOOO want to get to Holmes county at some point. I would absolutely LOVE to see it, and all the Amish farms, shops and see their crafts. I've heard the food is incredible.

And that Apple Butter festival sounds great, too. I love apple butter.

[bill h]

ohio, has some great things, the original tony pakos in toledo. kellys island, south bass island, put in bay, all of the state lodges, rent a boat for the day at indian lake, check out kewpee in lima, the space museum in wapak. etc etc i never really thought ohio was that great til i was transferred to mich, ohio was great! i miss it.

[Ohiogirl81]

What about all the small town (and big town) festivals? Just about any time of the year, there's some sort of festival going on, and no self-respecting town in Ohio doesn't have its own festival, art show, etc. This is one of the things I miss most about Ohio.

The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival is coming up the second weekend in October in Waynesville. If you think that sauerkraut is gross, just try the sauerkraut fudge, donuts or yes ... even pizza. They're indescribably delicious!

Dayton's Oktoberfest is this weekend at the art institute. Cincinnati's Donauschwaben Society will have its Oktoberfest this weekend as well, which IMO is the best Oktoberfest around. Circleville's Pumpkin Show should be coming up later this month.

Others I can think of offhand are Troy's Strawberry Festival, Ashtabula's Covered Bridge Festival, Fairport Harbor's Perch Festival, Ripley's Ohio Tobacco Festival (you ain't seen nothin' until you've seen the tobacco spitting contest!!). Check this out: Ohio Festivals & Events Association

WCRob, absolutely plan a trip to Holmes County. It's beautiful country, and the people are so wonderful. Lehman's hardware store in Kidron (which I think might be in Wayne County) is worth the trip alone.

[Giesela]

How about the quirky individual small places?
Newbie to Ohio

P.S. Don't forget Amish country

[glenbrow]

In Southwestern Ohio, Yellow Springs is a great town to spend the day. It is known as a "liberal" town, home of Antioch College, and has many little great shops selling everything from sterling silver jewelry to hand thrown pottery to rare books to imported, free trade goods. There are also many great little restaurants and cafes, several places to sit outside and eat, and lots of good coffee. Glen Helen (next to John Bryan State Park) is right in town off the bike path and offers great hiking and trails, and Clifton Gorge is just down the road. There are many events and festivals throughout the year, including the twice yearly Street Fair (second Saturday of June and October), and the AACW Blues Fest in September (Erykah Badu and Dave Chappelle performed last year!). Young's Jersey Dairy, a fully operating dairy farm with food, homemade ice cream, a petting zoo, and mini golf is right up the road, and Clifton Mill is also nearby. It's a charming village with a lot to do and see. A really fun place!