Visit Ohio Amish Country to see a “living and working history museum.” Welcome to the Amish heartland – Ohio! It is a great day trip to see and learn about the Amish way of life in splendid quality and simplicity. Let’s start with links to Ohio locations with significant Amish life bustling within.

• Holmes County: Home to the largest Amish population on the planet. Visit their Web site at
  http://visitamishcountry.com/ You may also call 330-674-3975 or 866-OHIO-866.
• Amish Heartland Tours – click here
• Article with photos and video clips – Amish-made, The Miller’s Family Story – click here.

Tour the Appalachian Discovery & Birding Trail in Adams County, Ohio.

• Open daily year-round
• Location: (Map It) Adams County in Southwest Ohio
• Phone: 937-544-2880
• Web: click here

The Appalachian Discovery & Birding Trail:  Welcome to Southern Ohio’s driving trail featuring wildlife in flight and historical sites across the rural countryside at the Edge of Appalachia. The forested landscape stretches some 200 miles. The trail is intended to be a weekend excursion for visitors to see the region’s most productive birding hotspots, nestle up at quality lodges or cabins, and eat at a number of great dining facilities, and do some sightseeing at the unique historical attractions dotting the countryside. This year-round tour features the springtime migration, breeding season, autumn’s rich palette of colors and winter’s white ground coat making it a snap to see eagles, hawks and ducks. During summertime, Adams County has its specialties for birding such as blue grosbeak, chuck-will’s-widow, and prairie, yellow-throated and worm-eating warblers. The trip is perfect for those looking to spend a couple of days in the slow-lane of life and take in the natural splendor that is increasingly hard to find.

The Back Roads & Beaches Geo Trail is free.

• When: always open
• Location: (Map It) Throughout Lorain County, Ohio
• Phone: 440-984-5282
• Web: click here

Nestled between the majestic beaches of Lake Erie, and a vast amount of Ohio’s agricultural heartland, Lorain County offers amazing adventures including the latest global craze – geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt in which the participants use GPS-enabled devices and online clues to search for hidden containers, or geocaches. The caches come in a variety of sizes and are hidden in unique and interesting public places. The Back Roads and Beaches Geo Trail is a series of 15 caches along with a premier cycling and multi-sport route. Anyone can participate; individuals, families, cyclists, and groups. Participants completing the trail passport form with all 15 caches logged will receive a special trackable commemorative coin. Coins are limited to the first 250 (one per household).

Driving tour of rural Barn Quilts in Adams County.

• Open daily
• Location: (Map It) Adams County in Southwest Ohio
• Phone: 937-544-5639
• Web: click here

Barn Quilt Tour of Adams County, Ohio:  In Adams County, 20th Century ‘Mail Pouch’ ads adorning Ohio barns are being snuffed out by a 21st Century phenomenon – Barn Quilt Squares. The painted Barn Quilt Squares began when Donna Sue Groves wanted to create something to honor her mother’s passion, quilting and did so with a large painting on the side of their barn. This sparked a movement that has swept Adams County. Adding to the serenity and charm of a lazy rural drive amidst the foothills of Appalachia, the “clothesline” of quilts highlights the adventure with its colorful display of unique artistry dotting the countryside.

Driving tours of Miami County, Ohio Barn Quilts.

• When: Free driving tour anytime
• Location: (Map It) Begin at 405 SW Public Square, Suite 272 in Troy, Ohio
• Phone: 800-348-8993
• Web: click here

Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler

Miami County, Ohio Barn Quilts:  A trip to Miami County, Ohio will bring visitors an opportunity to journey back in time with a new trend for the heritage travelers – the Barn Quilt Tour, a program of the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau.

A colorful array of traditional quilt patterns, hand-painted on barns, decorate the scenic countryside. These true folk art renditions celebrate the historic, rural, and agricultural experience while connecting the lovely historic downtown communities with the beautiful landscapes of Miami County.  As visitors travel from town to farm, they won’t have to travel far to see over 67 barns adorned with unique patterns.  Leaving the fast lane behind, this unusual driving tour takes the traveler off the beaten path and away from the major highways where they can enjoy a peaceful, leisurely drive on country roads that criss-cross all parts of Miami County.

Sprinkled throughout the county, most of the patterns are 8 X 8 foot squares and can be viewed up close by driving into the farm lanes or driveways, where some of the owners may even personally welcome their visitors.  As an added bonus, many of the farms have a wide assortment of horses, cows, goats, sheep, llamas, donkeys, roosters, and more – all waiting to greet you in their own special way.

The concept of the barn quilts had its origin in 2001 in Adams County, Ohio.  It was the inspiration of one woman who wanted to honor her mother’s enthusiasm for the craft of quilting and to highlight the shared cultural heritage of the Appalachian region.  It quickly spread to other counties in Ohio and other states as well, creating a rich network of quilt barns, while also creating a boost for rural tourism.

The Miami County Visitors and Convention Bureau offers a map brochure for this tour which is self-guided, available year-round, and free to the public.  There is no set trail and visitors can create their own trail, striking out in any direction to see all 67 barn quilts, or just select a few.  No two are alike.  Besides the beauty of the barn quilts, the tour provides a connection to the region’s rural heritage and the still very important role of the barns today, helping to preserve a piece of American heritage.  It also recognizes the traditional art of quilting, which in recent years has made a huge comeback.  The patterns themselves pay tribute to crafts, nature, occupations, politics, events, various states, and almost anything that inspires a connection with community and family.  The barns and quilt patterns seem to be a natural partnership, linked in the rural fabric of American history.

Plan your travels to allow time to visit other sites.  Along the way, scenic parks and preserves such as Brukner Nature Center, Charleston Falls Preserve, Historic Eldean Bridge, Piqua Historical Area/Canal Boat Ride, and the Stillwater Prairie Reserve will beckon you to stop and explore or share a picnic lunch in a lovely natural setting where wildlife, wildflowers, covered bridges, glistening streams, and waterfalls will welcome everyone.  It’s a perfect way to experience the outdoors and see things you don’t normally find in the city.  Visitors are encouraged to make it a 2-day, overnight tour.  Visits to historic communities could include Piqua, Tipp City, Troy, Covington and others, each featuring their own quaint downtowns that are blessed with unique shopping, exhibits, local artisans, dining experiences, country stores, farmer’s markets, friendly folks everywhere, as well as historical and heritage attractions, and quality accommodations.

Day trips are also a perfect way to visit local county attractions, like the barn quilt trail, without the investment of a lot of time and money, and not too far from your own backyard.  Remember the “Sunday Drive” – that grand tradition where families and friends piled in the car and took off on excursions to no place in particular?  The Barn Quilt Tour is tailor-made for this type of activity.  We suggest you “take the road less traveled, and journey back in time” in Miami County, Ohio.  And, don’t forget to bring a camera!

Group tours are welcome, and the best viewing would be spring through fall.  For more information on the Miami County Barn Quilt Tour and other attractions in Miami County, call 800-348-8993.

Tours of Bear’s Mill, an authentic and historic stone grinding flour mill in Greenville.

Admission is free and guided tours available for a fee during business hours.  Tour arrangements can be made for a fee during non-business hours, too.

• When: Thursday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm, Sunday from 1-5pm, and Tue/Wed 10am – 4pm.
• Location: (Map It) 6450 Arcanum-Bear’s Mill Road in Greenville, Ohio
• Phone:937-548-5112
• Web: https://www.bearsmill.org/

Bear’s Mill Tours in Greenville:  The historic mill was built in 1849, Bear’s Mill is an authentic example of a stone-grinding flour mill of its time. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, it is still in use today to grind cornmeal, whole wheat flour, rye flour, and pancake mixes. The mill and the buhrstones are powered by water. Visitors are welcome to take a free self-guided tour of the 4 story structure and to take a walk in the scenic woods surrounding the mill. On the first floor is the Mill Store where the mill flours, as well as other gourmet sundries and giftware, are available for purchase. The mill offers a line of gift boxes and custom baskets. A special feature of the store is handmade stoneware and raku pottery by the Bear’s Mill potters.

Tours of Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works, LTD. in Bucyrus, Ohio.

• Open daily (call Bucyrus Tourism & Visitors Bureau to schedule a tour)
• Location: (Map It) 119 S. Walnut St. in Bucyrus, Ohio
• Phone: 419-562-6891
• Web: click here

Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works tours: This is the last of the old copper shops in America that still makes its original products by hand. The tour of the craftsmen at work is fascinating, but the building is a visual treat from nook to cranny as it is more than 130 years old and has a character unique unto itself.  The walls, furniture, floors, furnaces, and workbenches all show more than a century of service. The place can easily double as a copper kettle museum of historic proportions. Venture into this old-world of American manufacturing and hear the harmony of tapping, pounding, and other clamoring noises ringing from room to room. The tour begins the same place as the copper – by the double doors. The copper is worked into kettles, ladles, skillets, and other custom forms as it progresses through the shop’s five rooms. Each craftsman takes his time to hammer out perfection, often striking up a conversation as they work. Bucyrus Copper Kettle, LTD to no surprise, gets orders from around the world.

Tours of Cooper’s Cider Mill factory are Monday – Friday from 9am – 11:30am and 1pm – 2:30pm. The store is open daily.

• Location: (Map It) 1414 N. Sandusky Ave. in Bucyrus, Ohio
• Phone: 419-562-4215
• Web: www.coopers-mill.com/

Cooper’s Cider Mill factory tours:  Hop over to Cooper’s Cider Mill and see apples and berries go from the vine to spread. Cooper’s apple butter and jellies are sold far and wide. But David Cooper isn’t lying when he says, “It’s just like grandma used to make,” because it is. David learned to make apple butter at his grandma’s farm. Later, he bought a stirring pot and began making his own. Demand grew and a business was formed to handle the requests. For years the mixing was done by hand – David’s father-in-law’s hands – out in the yard. Today, the Cooper’s offer a complete behind-the-scenes tour of the entire production process and visitors get to witness the freshness, quality and care that go into every jar. Afterward, David’s wife Miriam has plenty of tasting stations set up for sampling throughout the country store next to the production plant. Inside, a new generation of Cooper’s is introducing another treat – fudge. Cooper’s son started experimenting with making fudge for the fair and now has his own fudge station inside the family store.

This covered bridge is in Adams County, Ohio
on the way to the Wheat Ridge Amish Country stores

Ah, covered bridges in Ohio. Now that’s a road trip worth taking. There is just something about a covered bridge that attracts us. It may be the untold history hinted at by its weathered look or the distinct architectural craftsmanship that sets one apart. My goodness, there’s even been a feature film about covered bridges. Okay, maybe Bridges of Madison County wasn’t exactly about the covered bridges. In any case, Ohio has many covered bridges – most of these old and historical, but new ones, too. There are various resources to learn the history of these bridges and where to find them. It makes for a great driving tour.

For more Ohio covered bridges’ information, trails, events, locations, and photos, visit…

Ohio’s Covered Bridge Community

The Covered Bridges of Ashtabula County

Fairfield County Covered Bridge Trail

Preble County has Eight Covered Bridges

Covered Bridge Festival

The Complete List of Ohio’s Covered Bridges

Discover the Hartville Antique and Thrift Trail with a new map and online shopping guide.

The Hartville Antique and Thrift Trail will take shoppers on a self-guided tour to 16 businesses that offer antiques and vintage, resale clothing and home decor, upcycled handmade items, and a wide range of collectibles and flea market finds.

Hartville is a unique destination for those who enjoy antiquing and thrifting.

“Each year at the Hartville Marketplace and Flea Market, we see close to a million guests looking for a large variety of items. Some are looking for fresh produce, some are looking for antiques and collectibles, and others are just looking for that unique find,” said general manager Seth Coblentz. “Antiquers have always called us a treasure hunter’s paradise because you really never know what you will find out here and the stories behind the treasures that are found.”

Trail locations are situated along the two-mile stretch of the West Maple Street corridor from Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market to Historic Downtown Hartville. The close proximity of the shops and walkability of many locations in the historic downtown makes a visit to Hartville an ideal spot while gas prices are high. Planning an excursion and using the map to plot a route helps minimize mileage and save a little money while still enjoying a shopping adventure.

Thrifting and antiquing have long been associated with the Hartville area. A growing trend combines that pastime with traveling and collecting items while visiting different towns. The new trail guide emerged from an increase in the number of requests to the Chamber for a list of antique and resale shops in the area.

“Thrifting has continually grown. Some people make a business of thrifting, finding a great deal, and reselling,” said Hartville Thrift Shoppe General Manager Phil Stauffer. “There’s a trend among the younger generation to thrift shop for affordable, interesting, and vintage fashion, and practically speaking, parents use it as an affordable way to augment their need to clothe a growing family.”

The Chamber encourages people to visit multiple shops and locations on the Antique and Thrift Trail.

“There are shops on the list that are one to two years old, many that have been staples in the community for 10, 20, or 30 years, and the flea market has been in town since 1939,” said Discover Hartville tourism coordinator Megan Wise. “Hartville has become the perfect place to spend a day or two scouring the trail for those one-of-a-kind finds.”

The Hartville Antique and Thrift Trail map and guide were created by the tourism division of the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce. For more information, click here.

Tours of Harveysburg Free Black School are by appointment only.

• Location: (Map It) 23 North St. in Harveysburg, Ohio
• Phone: 513-897-6195

The Harveysburg Free Black School tours:  Welcome to the very first free school in Ohio for African-American children. The town was a once renowned stop along the Underground Railroad. The one-room schoolhouse was founded in the 1830s by the Quakers and was recently restored to reflect its former self as a nineteenth-century classroom.  In addition to providing education to young freed slaves, the school also taught Native-American children in the area.

The Historic Clifton Mill is open daily.

• Location: (Map It) 75 Water St., in Clifton, Ohio
• Phone: 937-767-5501
• Web: click here

Historic Clifton Mill was originally built over two hundred years ago in 1802. It is still one of the largest water-powered gristmills still around in the U.S.  Visitors can tour the mill, walk the covered bridge, dine in the wonderful restaurant, and shop at the store.  On the tour, learn how it operated and what took place on each floor. In addition, a scenic hike is accessible nearby and provides panoramic views of the Little Miami River, and overlooks the gorge.

The Irish Fairy Door Trail in Dublin, Ohio is free.

• When: Available year-round during participating businesses hours (generally, 10am – 6pm).
• Location: (Map It) Downtown Dublin, Ohio- Pick up a passport at the Dublin Visitor & Information Center at 9 South High Street.
• Phone: 614-792-7666
• Web: Click here

Dublin, Ohio is home to the nation’s first Irish Fairy Door Trail, a one-of-a-kind activity for fairy fanatics of all ages. Search the shops of Downtown Dublin for tiny green fairy doors sent from Dublin, Ireland. Find the name of each resident fairy and return your passport to redeem a free Irish Fairy Doors of Dublin t-shirt. Start the hunt today!

Tours of the Lafferty Funeral Collection & Museum are Saturday 9am – 2pm or by appointment.

• Location: (Map It) 205 S. Cherry St. in West Union, Ohio
• Phone: 937-544-2121
  
• Web: click here

Lafferty Funeral Collection & Museum tours: See antique hearses and other funeral service vehicles spanning the horse-drawn era from 1848 to motorization. The Lafferty family funeral business preserved their own carriages and vehicles through the years and acquired more to build onto this one-of-a-kind collection.

Tours at Mosser Glass are Monday – Friday 8:00am – 9:45am and 11:00am – 2:00pm (Tours are not available the first two full weeks of July or the last two weeks of December).

• Location: (Map It) 9279 Cadiz Road in Cambridge, Ohio 
• Phone: 740-439-1827  
• Web: click here

The Mosser Glass tours:  Visit “the little red house” and learn about the glass-making business while touring the facilities at Mosser Glass. The tour begins where glass-making does – with sand. And then goes on to include other steps in the process such as heating the ingredients at 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The finished products include just about anything from water pitchers to ashtrays.

For tours at Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, call for hours.

• Location: (Map It) 1680 Madison Avenue in Wooster, Ohio
• Phone: 330-263-3700
• Web: click here

Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster:  What a beautiful place to relax and take in the surroundings – at the 85-acre Secrest Arboretum. Continue onto the greenhouse conservatory and complete a very fulfilling guided tour with a visit to the historical museum on site. The purpose of the OARDC is to research food, agriculture, family, and environment and help produce safe and healthy food and agricultural products.

Ohio Stretch is in its New Glory Days
By Frank Rocco Satullo, your tour guide to fun!

Point that hood ornament toward America’s first road trip. Take a joyride on the original coast to coast byway – the Lincoln Highway!

This “Main Street Across America” as it was known ushered in the freedom of the road era that helped spawn other legendary treks across the United States. But this seminal road was the very first transcontinental automobile route. It connected Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco along with 3,389 miles of drive-over country. Wanderlust carried Ford’s Model T, the Maxwell, Franklin, Hupmobile and Studebaker to distances never before dared.

Until recently, this historic road was forgotten in a flurry of invention that ignited progress, everyone looking forward. Nobody bothered to look in the rearview mirror. And when they did, much of the original road had been buried or rerouted. But across Wayne County, Ohio, it pretty much is as it was. So as the fascinating story of the Lincoln Highway resurfaced in recent years, this sweet spot has steadily gained momentum and leisure traffic once again. The experiential traveler can see, hear, touch, smell and taste the lure of this nostalgic stretch of pavement that leads to the crossroads of Pastime and modern times. …Read More…

Click here to read the rest of the story

Old Stone Church in downtown Cleveland’s Public Square offers self-guided tours of the historic site.

• Open: The Public Square doors are open Monday through Friday, 9am – 4am.  Enter the church through the 1380 Ontario Street doors.
• Location: (Map It) 91 Public Square in Cleveland, Ohio
• Phone: 216-241-6145
• Web: click here

Old Stone Church in downtown Cleveland’s Public Square is over 200 years old. If walls could talk, the sandstone of this Romanesque-style church would have centuries to share. If you like beautiful architecture, take a self-guided tour of this house of worship. It is peculiarly set in a corner of Cleveland’s public square neighboring skyscrapers all around.

Visit Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve.

• Visitor Center Open Wednesday – Friday from 9am – 4pm and weekends 1pm – 5pm. Closed Monday & Tuesday. Trails open dawn to dusk every day.
• Location: (Map It) 2514 Cleveland Road, East in Huron, Ohio – Erie County east of Huron, Ohio on US Rt 6
• Phone: 419-433-4601
• Web: click here

Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve is a thoroughly educational opportunity to learn about precious ecosystems.  It’s the smallest reserve in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and is the only Great Lakes freshwater estuary in the national system. It provides multimedia presentations, hands-on field education, guided tours, and a visitor center featuring exhibits on estuary ecology, wetland research, and watershed stewardship.  The Reserve also offers trail access to view a variety of habitats including freshwater marsh, swamp forest, barrier beach, upland forest, estuarine waters, stream, and nearshore Lake Erie.

Tour dates at the Cleveland Playhouse Square District are listed here.

• When: Meet RedCoat volunteer tour guides in the State Theatre lobby on select Saturdays (see website below). Tours start every 15 minutes from 10am – 11:30am and last approximately 90 minutes.
• Location: (Map It) Tours start at the State Theater at 1501 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio
• Phone: 216-771-4444
• Web: click here

Tours of the Cleveland Playhouse Square District:  Did you ever think you could actually go to the theater and get backstage passes for free? Or perhaps even be on stage?

Several restored historic theaters make Playhouse Square the largest theater restoration project in the world. Discover how these gems were saved from the wrecking ball and became the largest performing arts center outside of New York City and hosts nearly 1,000,000 guests and 1,000 curtains each year.

No registration is necessary for groups with fewer than ten people.  To make a reservation for a group of ten or more, call the phone number above.

If you have trouble finding it, look for the world’s largest chandelier hanging over the street out front.

Tours of Ross County Barn Quilts are available all year.

• Location: (Map It) Ross County Barn Quilt Tour guides can be found at the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau at 45 E. Main Street in downtown Chillicothe.
• Phone: 740-702-7677
• Web: visitchillicotheohio.com

The Ross County, Ohio Barn Quilt Tours:  Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to offer residents and visitors the opportunity to explore Ross County’s beautiful countryside while locating Barn Quilts. This self-guided tour features 65 quilts located throughout many of the communities in Ross County. Some of the sites will be found in Chillicothe, Kingston, Richmond Dale, South Salem, Bainbridge, and Frankfort.

Barn Quilts became popular tours started in Adams County, Ohio. This humble and artistic expression of quilting sparked an interest in neighboring counties and states and has caught on like wildfire across America. Today, 24 states and over 1,800 barn quilts line the countryside. Linked together, they create a “clothesline of quilts” across America that celebrates the art and history of quilting and showcases the uniqueness of each barn or building that they adorn.

The Rothenbühler Cheese Chalet is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00am – 5:30pm

• Location: (Map It) 15815 Nauvoo Road in Middlefield, Ohio
• Phone: 1-800-327-9477 for the retail store or 440-632-6000
• Web: click here

Rothenbühler Cheese Chalet is located in the fourth largest Amish community in the country. It has been serving award-winning Swiss cheese for several generations. Visitors will learn what’s involved in the cheese-making process and see cheese carvings, antique cheese production equipment, and more. Don’t forget to sample the cheese before you leave.

Welcome to the Sandusky County Barn Mural Trail!

• Open: year-round
• Locations: (Map It) throughout Sandusky County, Ohio
  Barn #1: (Map It)
  Barn #2: (Map It)
  Barn #3: (Map It)
  Barn #4: (Map It)
  Barn #5: (Map It)
  Barn #6: (Map It)
  Barn #7: (Map It) 
• Phone: (419) 332-4470 
• Website: click here

The Sandusky Country Barn Mural Trail is made up of 7 uniquely designed barns. Each sports an impressive design and is completely free to enjoy while continuing along the trail. The barns themselves house imagery of astronaut Colonel Tom Henricks, Former-President Rutherford B. Hayes, the influential 757 Steam Engine, and more. The first of these barns were painted before 2003 to celebrate Ohio’s bicentennial, and the rest were completed by 2019. From start to finish, the trail takes visitors close to 40 miles and about an hour to complete. Throughout the trail, visitors may find themselves exploring the charming small towns and beautiful landscapes as well. 

Tour Severance Hall, home to the Cleveland Orchestra by calling or visiting the web below for tour times.

• Location: (Map It) 11001 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, OH 44106-1796
• Phone: Reservations are requested and can be made by calling the Severance Hall Ticket Office at (216) 231-1111 or (800) 686-1141. Private tours can be arranged for a fee by calling (216) 231-7421. Individual tickets for Cleveland Orchestra concerts are currently available through the Severance Hall Ticket Office at (216) 231-1111 or (800) 686-1141. In addition to the free public tours, Severance Restaurant is also open for pre-concert dining from 12:00-3:00 p.m. on these dates. For restaurant reservations, call (216) 231-7373. The Cleveland Orchestra Store will open at 1:00 p.m. on these dates and will remain open through concert intermission.
• Email: info@clevelandorchestra.com
• Web: click here

Severance Hall tours at the home of the Cleveland Orchestra:  The Cleveland Orchestra has announced the schedule for free public tours of Severance Hall, the Orchestra’s home in University Circle. Each one-hour tour is led by a volunteer tour guide who shares Severance Hall’s history and legends as patrons visit the Concert Hall, Bogomolny-Kozerefski Grand Foyer, Smith Lobby, Organ Loft, Green Room, Ong & Lerner Galleries, and Reinberger Chamber Hall. Patrons will have the opportunity to see the Christoph von Dohnányi stage and the 6,025-pipe Norton Memorial Organ, sit in Box Number One, and, in the Grand Foyer, see the Elsa Vick Shaw murals and the famous brass screw that is embedded in the terrazzo floor.