Great Ohio Road Trips

Time spent with loved ones is priceless, and Medina County, Ohio, offers a wealth of places to gather during the season of togetherness. Make memories in this charming community, whether enjoying a meal, playing games or making a getaway together.    

Stay Together

Comfortably sleeping up to 14 guests, the Broadway House is the perfect spot for families to stay when visiting Medina this season. The Americana-style home stands along Broadway Street, just two blocks from the square, and its spacious interior has six bedrooms as well as a full kitchen, and plenty of gathering spaces from the dining area to the cozy living room. Every bedroom carries its own unique theme, transporting guests to a new experience with each step over the threshold. On the ground floor, the Western Buffalo and African Safari rooms have king-size beds and dedicated workspaces. In the upstairs of this 1905 historic home, guests will find the queen bed Coastal Villa, Pearl of the Orient, Beaux Victorian and Mountain Lodge rooms, the latter of which has a pull-out futon to sleep extra guests. Each room has been carefully themed and most feature repurposed and renovated furniture pieces in their design. Back on the ground floor, the kitchen is well stocked with all the appliances and cookware needed to fix a homemade meal, and the living room full of books, card games and board games offer a fun night in for visiting families. For more information, visit broadwayhousemedina.com

Game Time

Foundry Social offers 50,000 square feet of fun for the whole family. Yard games like cornhole and bocce ball set up on artificial grass mean that the fun of these outdoor pursuits can continue even after summer has ended. The building, once a foundry used by the Henry Furnace Co., also offers eight duckpin bowling lanes, four Skee-Ball machines and table games like shuffleboard and pool. Grab a cup of tokens from the front desk or from one of the servers and play vintage arcade games like Galaga, Pac-Man and Frogger or play for free on the PlayStation and Nintendo Entertainment System consoles. Next door, High Voltage Karting operates both adult and junior karts on a fully indoor track once the weather turns cold. Tables set up throughout Foundry Social offer families a home base to come together for a meal between games. The menu features a variety of casual fare from smash burgers and sandwiches to quesadillas, nachos and shareable plates to snack on. For the adults, Foundry Social also has a full bar, which includes beers from the on-site MAD Brewing Co. 333 Foundry St., Medina 44256, 330/333-9000, thefoundrysocial.com

Family Dinner

The arrival of chillier weather doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a meal outside. Blue Heron Brewery and Event Center sets up eight heated igloos on its patio during the winter months where families can enjoy a meal together. These igloos are the perfect place to cozy up, as they feature lounge-style seating that can accommodate up to eight people. With comfy couches surrounding the table, it is the perfect place to have a unique dining experience while catching up with family and friends. The igloos are kept so warm that guests can ditch the heavy parka and feel comfortable in just a sweatshirt. Those dining in an igloo can opt for the full restaurant and bar offerings, and the same casual, family-friendly atmosphere the brewpub prides itself on. The menu changes seasonally under the direction of owner and chef Ben Erjavec. Comforting, heartier fare is on the table this winter, along with a selection of burgers, sandwiches and appetizers, as well as kid-friendly selections. Enjoy a meal with one of the 16 beers on tap, some of which come from the on-site brewery. Try the Matrimony Cream Ale, which was voted Best of Show in the 2023 Ohio Craft Brewers Cup. 3227 Blue Heron Trace, Medina 44256, 330/870-2583, blueheronmedina.com

Shopping Trip

Part of Medina’s charm is its focus on local retail, and The Common Ground has been a hub for local makers since it opened in 2022. Housed in the old Smucker’s Pickle Plant in Medina’s industrial park on State Road, The Common Ground has only grown in its two-year lifespan. The warehouse started off housing a handful of anchor boutiques, a selection of stores in the center of the warehouse that are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They include shops ranging from The Littles Collection, which sells baby clothes and Gift Mill Run, a succulent bar where shoppers can select, pot and personalize their own plants. There are now 50 anchor tenants, including ones that are open during the week such as The Grind Coffee Bar and Pickleback’s cocktail lounge as well as axe-throwing lanes, an Airsoft arena and a rock-climbing gym. Once a month, The Common Ground welcomes around 50 vendors to set up booths during pop-up markets. This fall and winter, in addition to the monthly pop-ups, visitors can enjoy events such as movie nights, bonfires on the loading dock, a Holiday Mini Maker’s Market where kids bring crafts to sell and more. 220 N. State Rd., Medina 44256, thecommongroundwhs.com

For more information about these and other Medina County destinations, go to visitmedinacounty.com.