Nov./Dec. 2023

Travel

From illuminated evenings to imaginative attractions, our state is full of ways to make the most of the season together.

From beloved attractions and food finds to shopping destinations and outdoor fun, here are ideas for making new memories with your family and friends in our capital city this season.

Food + Drink

A spirits-focused getaway to Louisville offers plenty of choices. Here are more than a dozen good ones you can make when exploring bourbon in the city. 

As makers of the star ingredient of Waynesville’s annual fall festival and New Year’s Day meals across Ohio, Frank’s Kraut of Fremont has plenty of fun recipes to share. 

From simple gingerbread cookies that leave lots of room for creativity to a beautiful Buche de Noel that is sure to grab attention, these creations offer fun baking projects. 

Creative cocktails and Christmas go together like Clark Griswold and over-the-top holiday decorating. These spirited experiences are a gift to festive Ohioans.

Impress your friends with these concoctions that will take you from Halloween to New Year’s Eve.

One is a single-room cocktail bar alongside a Dayton distillery. Another is a fun downtown spot in Bellefontaine. Both are well worth a visit.

As the starting point for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Louisville’s Whiskey Row is ground zero for visitors to bourbon country. Here are two spots our writer loved.

This route hits seven distilleries and a multitude of bars and restaurants that give a taste of what makes bourbon country great.

Writer Michael Pramik embraces the allure of Louisville and stops along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including the bed-and-breakfast Chateau Bourbon. 

During the holidays it’s especially heartwarming to infuse a little extra spirit into your seasonal sweets. This treat is perfect for parties or a nighttime snack.

Jacob Trevino’s Gorilla Cinema gets creative in Cincinnati with cocktail bars that reflect the feel of some of our favorite films.

The Cleveland shop uses cold-brew concentrate it calls “estratto” rather than drip espresso to craft its lineup of drinks. 

Housed in a former neighborhood bar, this small restaurant’s Japanese-inspired menu draws diners from near and far.

As the year comes to a close, we recommend toasting with a spirit steeped in a culture of camaraderie. Ouzo, an anise-flavored aperitif, is the perfect pour.

The Columbus brewery is known for its beer, but there is more than just hops and malt to be excited about at this downtown favorite.

Arts

This Taft Museum of Art exhibition examines how women’s active attire evolved over the decades. 

California-based artist Susan Else’s vibrant and fun creations are the focus of this exhibition, which runs from Nov. 21 through March 3. 

Home + Garden

Want to find interesting items while supporting local artisans and makers? Our Made in Ohio Gift Guide will provide you with dozens of ideas. 

Cincinnati-based relief printmaker Emily Cooper draws inspiration from nature, people and books to craft pieces she hopes evoke a sense of serenity in those who view them.

From 7Thirty8 Apparel’s Crossed Arrow hoodies to Erie and Anchor’s Lake Erie-themed Apparel, these fresh finds will make everyone look great.

From adorable and cuddly handcrafted stuffed animals to crocheted dog and cat cozies, check out inventive creations that’ll bring a smile to your face.

From The Oak Barrel Co.’s repurposed bourbon and wine barrel pieces to Wood Grain + Metal’s slab tables, these items will warm up your living space. 

Whether you’re looking for quirky conversation pieces or nature-inspired pottery, you’ll find it being made by these talented Ohio artisans.

From Ellebrux’s brilliantly colored wooden jewelry to Gracefully Wrapped’s delicate necklaces, there’s a lot to love about our state’s jewelry-makers. 

From Don Drumm Studios & Gallery’s elegant serving pieces to Susan Alteau Pottery’s adorable dog mugs, these pieces promise to dress up mealtime.

If you’re looking for an expertly crafted leather bag, Ohio artisans such as Fount, River City Leather and more offer a range of options and styles.

Accent your life with cool handprinted posters by Just A Jar Design Press, irreverent holiday cards, fun journals and more.

From Brothers Drake Meadery’s honey wines to Gervasi Vineyard’s distilled spirits, these choices are sure to spice up any celebration.

Ohio Life

These 19th-century mills across our state now live on as attractions with purposes that go far beyond the properties’ original ones.

What started as a class project has grown into this Toledo history teacher’s multivolume look at the war through the lens of a major American city. 

Located along Grand Lake St. Marys, this agricultural area of Ohio embraces its shore-town appeal with waterfront development and downtown businesses that cater to residents and travelers alike.

This riverfront city offers easy access to both Cleveland and Akron, a revitalized downtown district and a range of outdoor recreation options that span hiking, climbing and kayaking.

This Columbus suburb embraces new development that connects past and present and creates a small-town atmosphere with the amenities of city living.

A rich history, downtown revival and location with easy access to both Columbus and the Hocking Hills make this Fairfield County community a great place to live and visit.

A strong business base supports this suburban city just outside Cincinnati that is updating its historic core to further build a sense of place and community.

Follow these five strategies to help combat dry skin this winter, and learn the lifestyle modifications that can help those at risk for developing diabetes. 

This map outlining the city’s layout bears the seal of the Ohio Company and signatures of those who founded the Northwest Territory’s first permanent settlement.

This year, we honor Celina, Cuyahoga Falls, Grove City, Lancaster and Sharonville. These five communities embody the characteristics that make us proud to call Ohio home.

Department stores once ruled the retail landscape with their wealth of offerings and festive approaches to the holidays. These four are long closed, but the memories of them still burn brightly. 

Between 1923 and 1942, Dayton’s Rike-Kumler Co. department store hosted a colorful parade through the city to kick off the holiday shopping season.

The origins of The Ohio State University’s famous mascot began in 1965 as the brainchild of two students who were looking to make history.