Our state has a strong agricultural history, and plenty of residents still carry on the farming tradition. At the fourth-generation Neiderman Family Farm in Liberty Township, city slickers can see for themselves what life is like on 265 acres of rural land. Feed the chickens, goats and calves, help plant seeds, then enjoy the balmy country air during a hayride. 513/779-6184
Swedish furniture store IKEA’s faithful following was on full display in March: Ohioans happily camped in a parking lot just to be first through the doors of the new West Chester store. Pay a visit to the mecca of all things home, which features a restaurant for sustenance between all the shopping. 513/779-7100,
www.ikea.com/us/en June 12
People flock with binoculars in tow to birdwatch at the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in Oak Harbor –– not surprising, since the checklist here features more than 300 species. Spend an afternoon amid the cranes, egrets and waterfowl at one of the best birdwatching spots in North America. 419/836-7758,
www.dnr.state.oh.us June 13
It’s a party with a purpose. Columbus’ Juneteenth celebration in Franklin Park presents a wealth of culture to commemorate the date when the last slaves in America were freed, including a black inventors exhibit, African storytelling and the popular soul food pavilion. 614/258-4633,
www.juneteenthohio.net June 14
On a hot summer night, it doesn’t get any cooler than the concerts at Fur Peace Ranch in Pomeroy. Headed by Jorma Kaukonen (a founding member of rock group Jefferson Airplane), guitar legends teach here during the week, then perform to packed crowds on Saturday evenings. Tonight, bask in the brilliance of G.E. Smith. 740/992-2575,
www.furpeaceranch.comIf you’re just counting the days until the return of strawberry season, check out this month’s strawberry cooking classes at the Goodwin House Bed & Breakfast in Burton, where participants learn how to create delicious dishes centered on this summer staple. 800/796-7720,
www.goodwinhousebb.com June 17
A beautiful full moon should be enjoyed from the seat of a kayak, not the cushions of your couch. On a full-moon paddle excursion in Athens with Touch the Earth Adventures, you’ll watch as the lights from the night sky shimmer and dance on the water –– and swear that you’ll never spend another full moon in front of the TV. 740/591-9094,
www.hockinghills.com/earthtouch June 18
It’s Hawaii without the 11-hour flight –– or just the ultimate back-up plan for the inevitable rainy day. Maui Sands Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky offers 55,000 square feet of wet and wild fun, with plenty of rides and slides for making a splash. 888/782-9677,
www.mauisandsresort.com June 19
Discover the ultimate chili dog. (See above)
June 20
A proper nostalgia trip requires the perfect setting. If daydreaming of the 1950s brings back fond memories, cruise to the Sock Hop, Antique Cars and ’50s Dance in downtown Conneaut today, where you can peruse old-school automobiles and twist and shout to your heart’s content. 440/593-5949
June 21
It’s the ultimate summer canvas (the sidewalk) combined with the classic kids’ medium (chalk). The annual Oberlin Chalk Walk showcases the colorful work of professional sidewalk artists to a backdrop of live music, and lets pint-sized Picassos try their hand at creating a walkway masterpiece of their own. 440/775-2423,
www.oberlinchalkwalk.com June 22
Three days, three stages, 60 hours of live music –– if the numbers behind the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival in Gahanna don’t impress you, the cool blues and jazz acts surely will. Be sure to check out the interactive Musical Discovery Zone, where visitors can make their own instruments. 614/270-3277,
www.gahannaevents.com June 23
There’s no shortage of reasons for theater lovers to make a pilgrimage to the Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama in Chillicothe. Whether it’s the pageantry of galloping horses and canon fire, the stirring musical accompaniment, or the compelling script by a Pulitzer Prize nominee, the story of the legendary Shawnee leader promises pure spectacle. 866/775-0700,
www.tecumsehdrama.com June 24
Bear’s Mill, one of the last operating water-powered mills in Ohio, has called Greenville home for the past 159 years. Visitors can learn about the rich history of the four-story structure during a tour, then peruse the shop selling handmade stoneware, raku pottery and flour that the mill still grinds today. 937/548-5112,
www.bearsmill.com June 25
Gaze at the beauty of eight private and three public gardens in the quaint village of Zoar, founded by German separatists in 1817. The Beyond the Fences of Zoar Garden Tour also features seminars by gardening experts and a flower-arranging competition. 330/874-2646,
www.zca.org.
June 26
Fishing is still king at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, which takes pride in preserving Lake Erie’s nautical heritage. Permanent collections, special exhibits and events help landlubbers learn more about the earliest days of Great Lakes navigation. 419/624-0274,
www.sanduskymaritime.org June 27
We aren’t saying that Stark County’s Italian-American Festival in Canton promises everything that’s authentic about Italy this side of the Old Country. But after three days of gnocchi, pizzelles and the Zoppe Italian Circus, you’re bound to shout, “Mama mia!” 330/494-0886,
www.cantonitalianfesta.org June 28
Before space shuttles, stealth fighters and jumbo jets, there were kites. Travel to Dayton’s Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center for “Let’s Go Fly A Kite! Famous Kite Flyers Through History,” and see what role these classic kids’ toys played in the development of flight. 937/225-7705,
www.nps.gov/daav/ June 29
There are few better combinations than that of nature’s beauty and an artist’s brushwork. No wonder Defiance’s annual Art in the Park, where local creative types display their wares at the confluence of the scenic Auglaize and Maumee rivers, is a popular event. 419/732-0739,
www.visitdefianceohio.com June 30
Designated a National Landmark by the National Park Service, the Lynx Prairie in Adams County offers a series of scenic trails that loop through natural openings full of native grasses and wildflowers. So, take a hike –– your senses will thank you. 800/733-2077
JULYJuly 1
Care to do some socially conscious shopping? Plan a trip to Bali Karma in Athens, where you can browse exotic Balinese and other Indonesian art, attire, gifts and jewelry. Your purchases from the out-of-the-ordinary boutique help Bali’s conservation efforts. 740/594-5276,
www.bali-karma.com.
July 2
While other establishments save their special events for the weekend, Debonné Vineyards in Madison offers live music four days a week in July. This Wednesday, order a sparkling glass of wine and listen to the soulful sounds of guitarist/singer John Ruman while lounging amid the grapes. 440/466-3485,
www.debonne.com July 3
You consider yourself a serious duffer, so spending time at a glow-in-the-dark miniature-golf course –– especially one bathed in neon paint and surrounded by underwater murals –– slightly offends your sensibility. But if you’ve got spirited kids in tow, Glow Worm Mini Golf in Port Clinton is the perfect, entertaining spot to practice your putting. 419/734-4575,
www.glowwormminigolfllc.com July 4
Take in a fireworks display. (See Above)
July 5
Some locales go the traditional route, limiting their Independence Day festivities to just 24 hours. Not Westerville. The town keeps the party going all week this year with its Celebrate Westerville: Independence Week Celebration, paying tribute to both the holiday and the town’s 150th birthday. The activities include a host of Ohio Chautauqua events with the theme “Inventions and Innovations.” 614/794-0401,
www.celebratewesterville.org July 6
Roseville and Crooksville may not occupy much space on a map, but the two towns’ pasts as ground zero of our state’s “clay belt” loom large in Ohio history. The National Ceramic Museum and Heritage Center recognizes those contributions with exhibits of old and new works from Alpine Pottery, Cookson Pottery and more. 740/697-7021,
www.ceramiccenter.org July 7
With the mercury climbing higher and higher, no one feels like baking. Fortunately, The Cooking School at Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield teaches some cool recipes at its “Fresh Approach to Home-Cooked Summer Dishes” class, where a chef teaches you how to prepare such entrees as ratatouille pasta with roasted summer vegetables and herbs. 513/674-6059,
www.junglejims.com July 8
Northwest Ohio’s islands seem tailor-made for summertime, and plenty of businesses know how to capitalize on the sun and surf. Put-in-Bay Watercraft Rentals offers vacationers wave runners, powerboats and kayaks –– the preferred mode of transportation in these parts. 419/285-7544,
www.pibjetski.com July 9
Indigo could never complain about being underappreciated. After all, how many colors are honored with their own exhibit? “Mood Indigo” at the Kent State University Museum has the hue covered: from tracing its usage back to Egyptian mummy bandages, to showing the denim creations of contemporary designers. 330/672-3450,
http://dept.kent.edu/museum/July 10
At the Madison County Fair in London, livestock — rabbits, horses, donkeys, cattle and sheep — get their due as they compete for coveted trophies. Meanwhile, a “dress up your pig” contest and donkey freestyle riding in the horse arena guarantee a wild time for fairgoers. 740/852-1290,
www.madisoncountyfairoh.com July 11
Learning about other cultures is always an educational experience. The Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow in Loudonville makes it an entertaining one, too. Witness hoop dancing, storytelling, tribal drumming and other Native American traditions at this revered event, now in its 24th year. 800/766-2267,
www.mohicanpowwow.comJuly 12
Immerse yourself in a bygone era during the annual Civil War Encampment Days in McConnelsville. Shop for period items in the marketplace during this weekend of authentic displays, then enjoy an evening cannon firing over the Muskingum River. 740/962-3431,
www.morgancounty.org July 13
It’s bulls and brawn, it’s dust and mud –– and it’s a rollicking good time. The Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds turns into the wild west during the Buckeye Stampede Pro Rodeo in Dover, where cowboys and cowgirls prove their worth in tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and much more. 330/364-4076,
www.buckeyestampede.com July 14
Few restaurants are worth a road trip. An exception is the whimsical Etta’s Lunchbox Café in New Plymouth, where visitors get to nosh on tasty homemade pizzas and subs in the company of more than 600 lunch boxes. It’s the perfect atmosphere for reminiscences about childhood, and an awe-inspiring space for any diehard collector. 740/380-0736
July 15
If only you could turn that idea for a novel into words on a page, you’d be on the bestseller list in no time. At the Antioch Writers’ Workshop in Yellow Springs, seek solace in a community of writers and find inspiration from experts such as Myla Goldberg, author of Bee Season. 937/475-7357,
www.antiochwritersworkshop.com July 16
Whether you long to feed the deer or dream of casting a reel in waters loaded with fish, the Lagoon Deer Park in Sandusky specializes in offering leisurely summer afternoons. This spot is a favorite with children, thanks to the abundance of animals from nearly every continent, and adults find plenty of worry-free fun at the tranquil, shaded lagoon. 419/684-5701,
www.lagoondeerpark.com July 17
Nickelodeons, calliopes and carousel organs –– oh my! The restored canal town of Roscoe Village in Coshocton hosts the Music Box Society International Band Organ Rally. See all forms of mechanical music including music boxes, musical clocks, singing bird boxes, calliopes, carousel organs and much more. 800/877-1830,
www.roscoevillage.com July 18
Maybe you’ve thought about feeling the thrill of freefall –– or perhaps you’d feel safer just experiencing the adrenaline rush vicariously. Either way, watching Lebanon’s Fastrax Skydiving Team during the Ohio Challenge could give you the push you need to sign up for the company’s skydiving classes. 513/934-DIVE,
www.startskydiving.com July 19
Unless you’re fortunate enough to have a chef as your significant other, fine dining is probably something left for special occasions. Make reservations this Saturday night for a gourmet dinner at Robert Rothschild Farm Market & Cafe in Urbana. Fill up on the sumptuous food and the scenic view from Rothschild’s 1,200-square-foot, screened-in deck. 937/653-7397,
www.robertrothschild.com July 20
Miamisburg has already spent nearly a year steeped in praise: Ohio Magazine named it one of our “Best Hometowns.” Now, it’s getting attention by outdoors enthusiasts, thanks to being the site of this year’s Ohio State Cycling Championships. Nonracers can get in on the action, too, with the Saturday Tour Ride. 937/776-2111,
www.tourdburg.com July 21
Consider it a nature lover’s paradise. Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park holds its own among Ohio’s most attractive hiking destinations thanks to a collection of waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, scenic rock formations such as Devil’s Bathtub, and a 149-foot hemlock tree. 740/385-6842,
www.1800hocking.com/old_mans_cave July 22
“Violet, you’re turning violet!” All right, so snacking on blueberries that you’ve picked yourself at Abell Berry Farm in Kent won’t have the dramatic consequences it did for one little girl in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” But the outing promises plenty of hands-on fun –– plus, more than enough fruit for a tasty blueberry pie. 330/ 678-0888
July 23
Attend a Thurber House Literary Picnic. (See above)
July 24
The folksy “front porch” campaign that eventually led Warren G. Harding to the U.S. presidency in 1920 began at his Victorian house in Marion. Today, history buffs can tour the Harding Home, which contains nearly all of its original furnishings, as well as a nearby press house used during that noteworthy campaign. 740/387-9630
July 25
For imaginative kids who love nothing more than to while away hours lost in a good book, the story of The Secret Garden is timeless. Athens’ Ohio Valley Summer Theater brings it to life and sets it to music, with actors recounting Mary and Colin’s discovery of the beautiful garden and the tale behind its neglect. 740/593-9696,
www.ovst.org July 26
As breakfast companions go, it doesn’t get much more unusual than an animal from Antarctica. But those who reserve space at the Akron Zoo’s “Pancakes with the Penguins” event have the unique chance to take a guided tour of the zoo, learn what different species eat each morning and feed the facility’s adorable Humboldt penguins. 330/375-2550,
www.akronzoo.org July 27
A short trip to Lexington puts you face-to-handlebars with the continent’s biggest celebration of oldie (but goodie) bikes during Vintage Motorcycle Days. Racing, new-bike demo rides and a massive bike swap meet complete the motorcycle mayhem. 800/AMA-JOIN,
www.amadirectlink.com/vmd/2008/July 28
It must be something in the water: Our state has been home to a host of great minds. The town of Milan pays tribute to one of Ohio’s most esteemed native sons with the Edison Birthplace Museum, a three-story structure that has been restored to its 1847 appearance. Stop by the museum shop for a working replica of Edison’s carbon filament lamp. 419/499-2135,
www.tomedison.org July 29
The F-22A Raptor may be known for evading radar detection while completing military missions, but plenty of flight fanatics know where to find one this summer. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton displays one of the impressive fighter planes, along with a mix of historic and high-tech aircraft. 937/255-3286,
www.nationalmuseum.af.mil July 30
That sweet smell wafting over Bucyrus is likely coming from Cooper’s Cider Mill, where old-fashioned preparation methods include cooking apple butter in 50-gallon copper kettles over a wood fire, and using ripe fruits and home canning jars to make jellies. During the tour, check out the 1912 cloth cider mill, one of the largest presses in the state. 419/562-4215,
www.coopersmill.net July 31
The World Trade Center attack. Soldiers raising a flag at Iwo Jima. The moment Lee Harvey Oswald was shot. Those memorable images and 147 more are displayed at the Columbus’ Ohio Historical Society exhibit, “Capture the Moment: Pulitzer-Prize Winning Photographs,” one of the most extensive displays ever mounted at the museum. 800/686-6124,
www.ohiohistory.org AugustAugust 1
Explore the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway. (See Above)
August 2
The ingredients for the quintessential county fair include heaping servings of tractor pulls, demolition derbies, calf scrambles and fried food. To that end, the Greene County Fair in Xenia is the perfect recipe. Consider the harness races the cherry on top. 937/372-8621,
www.greenecountyfairgrounds.com August 3
If only you had enough loot to afford your own private vacation spot. Until that day, why not visit o
Be the first to leave a comment.