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8 Can’t-Miss Ohio Agritourism Experiences

Did you know that Ohio ranks sixth in the country for soybean production, produces an outstanding amount of corn , and is home to an impressive number of greenhouses and plant nurseries? Whether you’re passionate about agriculture or just want to explore more of the Buckeye state, we’ve got a list of the top agritourism experiences in Ohio that you won’t want to miss:

See more:  Top 10 Ohio Agriculture Products

1. Barn-N-Bunk Farm Market

You never know what you might find at Barn-N-Bunk Farm Market in Trenton. This unique marketplace offers a variety of foods and crafts, ranging from homegrown produce and baked goods to floral arrangements, baskets and furniture. You can even peruse the dozen or so flavors of premium ice cream in the on-site ice cream shop. Whether you want to find a particular item or just want to spend a leisurely day browsing a unique collection of goods, build some time into your itinerary to pop into this farm market while you’re in town. You won’t be disappointed.

2. Mitchell’s Berries

Any agritourism bucket list would be incomplete without at least one U-pick berry farm. Mitchell’s Berries is a family-owned and -operated farm that has been cultivating some of the finest produce in the state for more than 200 years. While they grow vegetables as well, their berries are really the stars of the show. You can find an impressive collection of berry varieties on their farm, from Chandler strawberries and Royalty raspberries to the jewel-toned Camarosa and Mac Black raspberry. Each one tastes different than the last, so be sure to try them all.

See more:  8 Flavorful Ohio Food Festivals You Should Visit

3. Lawrence Orchards

Lawrence Orchards is tucked away on an idyllic family farm just two miles south of Marion, and it’s a must-see if you happen to be in the area. The orchard specializes in apples, boasting a remarkable 26 varieties over the course of the year. Some may be familiar to you, like the McIntosh or Gala. Others are a little more unique, like the Ginger Gold, Idared or Jonagold. Don’t let the new-to-you apple varieties intimidate you, though. They have a convenient chart online that breaks down what each variety tastes like and whether it’s good for salads, sauces, pies or baking.

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4. Wheeler Farms

Wheeler Farms is home to a unique collection of curiosities for locals and visitors alike. One of their most renowned offerings is the Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm , where you can select the perfect Christmas tree while savoring a warm mug of hot chocolate during the winter season. But they also have an autumn corn maze, a summer butterfly house (which contains more than 1,000 different species from North America, South America and Asia), and a gorgeous stable wedding venue complete with farm animals and a poster card barn.

5. Young’s Jersey Dairy

There’s something special about visiting a dairy farm, especially when it’s home to some of the best ice cream in the state. You can find all kinds of delicious treats at Young’s Jersey Dairy , but their ice cream is made right on the farm and comes in so many flavors that you’ll have a hard time narrowing down your options. You can’t go wrong with the classics like butter pecan, peanut butter cup or mint chocolate chip. Or you could branch out and try the Key Lime Crunch, Choca Marsha Mallow or their signature Cow Patty, which is a double-dark chocolate ice cream full of chocolate chips, toffee and cookie crumbs.

See more:  Young’s Jersey Dairy Offers Agritourism Attractions for Every Age

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ferrante Winery & Ristorante (@ferrantewinery)

6. Ferrante Winery & Ristorante

You absolutely can’t skip a stop at Ferrante Winery & Ristorante . This family has produced internationally acclaimed wines since 1937, which is quite the legacy. The establishment is run by the third-generation winemaker today and includes an authentic Italian restaurant where you can settle in for some hearty Italian-inspired meals that pair beautifully with the wine produced on site. For an even more memorable experience, plan your visit around one of their seasonal events or live music nights.

See more:  Ohio’s Wine Industry Is Uncorked

7. Fibonacci Brewing Company

Have you ever heard of a nanobrewery? If you’re unfamiliar with the term but enjoy a cold glass of beer every once in a while, you’re going to love Fibonacci Brewing Company . This small-batch brewery and urban farm creates some of the best local brews in the area, in addition to offering overnight stays on their property. The icing on the agritourism cake is that most of their ingredients are sourced from local farms. You can even get up close and personal with the goats, chickens and honeybees that live on the farm.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Glass Rooster Cannery (@glassroostercannery)

8. Glass Rooster Cannery

If you’ve never visited an authentic cannery, you’ll want to add this stop to your Ohio agritourism bucket list. Glass Rooster Cannery aims to be a green and sustainable business that promotes local food. How do they manage it? Their events calendar is full to the brim with fascinating educational workshops. From pressure canning 101 and cooking with herbs to a homemade pasta date night and natural soapmaking for beginners, you can find learn something new every month at Glass Rooster. Check their calendar in advance to sign up for a class.

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Grownextgen introduces ohio students to modern agriculture, ohio’s airable lab finds new, greener uses for soybeans, natural gas and oil keep ohio farms running.

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1. The Farm at Walnut Creek

2. Hershberger's Farm & Bakery

3. Pine Tree Barn

4. Malabar Farm State Park

5. Young's Jersey Dairy Farm

6. Szalay's Sweet Corn Farm

7. Lake Metroparks Farmpark

8. Slate Run Living Historical Farm

9. Lynd's Fruit Farm

10. Patterson Fruit Farms

11. Brant's Apple Orchard

12. MacQueen Orchards & Farm Market

13. Ramseyer Farms

14. The Blueberry Patch

15. Fox's High Rock Farm

16. Fulton Farms

17. Rittman Orchards

18. Apple Hill Orchard

19. Shaw Farm

20. Freshwater Farms of Ohio

21. Johnston Farm & Indian Agency

22. The Alpacas Of Spring Acres

23. Learning Tree Farm

24. Niederman Family Farm

25. Johnston Fruit Farms

26. Picture Picture Ranch

27. Manfull Orchards Farm Market

28. Sunrise Farm

29. Quarry Hill Orchards

30. Bonnybrook Farms

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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Sustainable agriculture in Ohio featured in statewide farm tour

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Interested in learning how to use yellow perch to grow aquaponic produce sustainably?

Ohio State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Team will host 10 tours this spring, summer and fall on sustainable organic specialty crops, year-round gardening, cut flowers, raising livestock, aquaponic produce and yellow perch farming and urban agriculture, as part of the 2019 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series.

The series is an opportunity for growers and other interested people to both learn and experience what sustainable agriculture is all about from farmers and producers who are working in this field daily, said Mike Hogan, an Ohio State University Extension educator who is also the coordinator of Ohio State’s Sustainable Agriculture Team.

OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University  College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

The tour is designed to share and update information among growers and those trying to promote sustainability throughout Ohio, he said.

“Ohio is an absolute cornucopia of possibilities when it comes to alternative enterprises, alternative production systems, and alternative marketing strategies and these tours display some of these alternatives already working for some Ohio farm families,” Hogan said. “Our goal is to help farmers and aspiring farmers ‘kick the tires’ on some alternatives which might help them improve the profitability and sustainability of their farm operation.

Ohio State’s Sustainable Agriculture Team works to get people to consider economic sustainability, the environment and social consciousness when farming, he said.

The Ohio State team’s tour dates and locations include:

• June 22,  Large Acreage Conservation Demonstration and Education Site Tour , a look at the Gwynne Conservation Area, which is located at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio, home of Farm Science Review. The Gwynne showcases land management practices that promote conservation of soil, water, woodlands, and wildlife. From 10 a.m. to noon,135 State Rte. 38 Northeast, London. Contact Nick Zachrich, 614-514-9577 or  [email protected] .
• June 26,  Diversified Crop and Production Field Day and tour, will feature a demonstration and discussion on state-of-the-art aquaponic systems, climate-smart agriculture, long-term tillage and cover crops, berries, pumpkins, pawpaws, and organic farming. The tour will be held at the Soil, Water, and Bioenergy Resources at OSU South Centers. Starts at 2 p.m.,1864 Shyville Rd., Piketon. Contact Rafiq Islam, 740-289-2071 Ext. 147 or  [email protected] .
• July 13,  Pioneering Urban Farm Tour , a look at the 1.5 acre Four Seasons City Farm, which is the oldest operating urban farm in Columbus.The farm produces berries, tree fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Produce is provided to several food pantries, given to volunteers, and marketed through a 20 share community supported agriculture program. From 10-11:30 a.m.,931 E. Mound St., Columbus. Contact Daniel Ingwersen, 614-619-0784 or  [email protected] .
• July 25,  Pasture-Raised Livestock and Pasture Consultant Farm Tour , a look at a working sheep and cattle farm, where participants can learn about pasture management, forages and fencing. From 5-7 p.m., Windy Hill Farm, 25995 State Route 159, Circleville. Contact Bob Hendershot, 740-447-1114 or  [email protected] .
• Aug 10,  Vacant Lots Become Productive Urban Farm Tour , a look at a community-based urban farm spanning a half acre on converted vacant lots in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus. In its third season, the farm focuses on companion planting and intercropping. Across four city Land Bank parcels, practices rooted in organic agriculture have been used to maximize a healthy crop yield and variety of food for the local community. From 10-11:30 a.m., 120 N. Yale Ave., Columbus. Contact Joe Wolfle at 614-453-4606 or  [email protected] .
• Aug. 11,  Sustainable Organic Specialty Crop Farm Tour , a look at the 10-acre That Guy’s Family Farm and learn how this farm transitioned from traditional crops to specialty crops, the business decisions that went into it, and the results. From 2-5 p.m. at That Guy’s Family Farm, 419 N. Beechgrove Rd., Clarksville.  Contact 937-289-3151or  [email protected] .
• Aug. 17,  Year-Round Youth Garden to Address Food Insecurity Farm Tour , a tour of an award-winning youth garden that focuses on food insecurity, gardening education, and nutrition education for youth in the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus. The nearly half-acre garden covers two formerly vacant city lots and includes a high tunnel to extend the growing season. The garden offers a diverse, hands-on learning environment for children, giving them the space and guidance to grow their own food. From 10-11:30 a.m. at 65 S. Highland Ave., Columbus. Contact Beth Urban at 614-323-7960 or  [email protected] .
• Aug. 18,  Cut Flower Farm Tour , a look at a farm that sells a multitude of varieties of fresh cut flowers through their community supported agriculture program. They sell at markets and to special occasions, such as weddings. Participants will hear the perspective of a younger generation of farmers establishing a small, new business and finding their place in the market and participants will also learn about a range of subjects, from public grants to soil testing to differentiating your operation in the market. From 2-5 p.m. at 804 Hales Branch Road, Midland. Contact Tracey and Matt Parriman at  [email protected] .
• Aug. 24,  Community Outreach and Education Farm Tour, a look at a farm-to-table storefront in a rural food desert in historic downtown London, Ohio. They also run a farmer’s market once a week and balance and manage a farm. From 9-11 a.m., Procter Center Farm, 11235 Route 38, London. Contact Danielle Vogel, at 740-490-6072 or  [email protected] .
• Oct. 19,  Aquaponic Produce and Yellow Perch Farm Tour , a look at a family farm that has been using yellow perch to grow produce sustainably with aquaponics in there three greenhouses. Visitors will learn how aquaponics works while conserving resources. The farm also has goats, alpaca and chickens. From 1-3 p.m., at Fresh Harvest Farm, 33869 Fields Rd., Richwood. Contact 614-264-9098 or  [email protected] .

The Ohio State tours are part of the 2019 Farm Tour and Workshop Series which features a total of 46 organic and ecological farms and businesses in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. The series is sponsored by Ohio State, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, the Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions, the Clintonville Farmers Market, and the Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance. 

Complete details and a list of all tours and workshops in the series can be downloaded at  franklin.osu.edu/news/2019-sustainable-farm-tour-and-workshop-series .

Mike Hogan 740-653-5419 [email protected]

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GET BACK TO THE LAND

This annual series of public tours features 30 organic and ecological farms and businesses in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, providing unique opportunities for farmers, educators, and conscientious eaters to learn about sustainable agriculture and local foods on the farm from growers and producers with years of practical experience.

In addition to farm tours, this year’s series also includes 16 other events, including workshops on farm planning, leadership, keylines, hoophouses, and fiber; farm-to-table dinners; open houses; networking events; summer camps; a conference, and a multi-part beginning farmer training course.

All events are free and open to the public and do not require pre-registration unless otherwise noted. Events will take place rain or shine. Guests should dress appropriately; hats, sunglasses, long pants, closed toe walking shoes, and sunscreen are recommended. Tours involve standing and moderate walking; visitors with physical limitations or other concerns should contact the tour host in advance. For everyone’s safety, guests should keep children with them at all times. Please do not bring pets to the tours.

To view the tour booklet complete with tour dates and locations, please click here.

Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

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Whether you’re just starting or are a seasoned farmer, are transitioning to organic or certified organic, or simply have questions about sustainable agriculture practices and strategies, OEFFA’s sustainable agriculture educators can help!

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• Amplifying Farmers’ Needs at the 2024 NOC Fly-In Last month, Milo and Nicole on our federal policy team were in DC for the National Organic Coalition (NOC) fly-in. NOC is an alliance of organizations across the country that advocate for organic farmer and consumer […]
• Our Farm Safety Net is Not “One Size Fits All” Did you know that Ohio is home to 76,009 farms and 731 organic farms? Even though we are all consumers of food, its production is even more prominent here in Ohio. One might think that the […]
• Protecting Ohio’s Most Valuable Natural Resource It is impossible to overstate the importance of what is under our feet. Healthy soil is at the root of healthy water, food, economies, and communities. When taken care of, soil has the potential to store […]
• NSAC 2024 Winter Meeting Recap Our federal policy team is feeling extremely motivated and connected after joining fellow NSAC members in DC at the end of January. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) puts on a summer and winter meeting each […]

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OEFFA has operated an organic certification program since 1981. While the standards and the process have evolved since then, what hasn’t changed is OEFFA’s commitment to uphold the integrity of organics and provide farmers and handler/processors a pathway for profitability.

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Begin Farming

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With 10 percent of small farmers exiting farming each year, and a current median farming age of 59, helping new farmers successfully enter and thrive in their businesses is vitally important for the future of U.S. agriculture.

But, beginning farmers face significant hurdles, including attaining knowledge, skills, and experience in production practices; acquiring the fundamental business planning and financial management knowledge and skills; and accessing farmland and capital as part of the substantial investment farming requires.

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OEFFA Outreach is intended to increase awareness of and access to programs and services that support you as sustainable farmers, food system workers, and consumers . Our goal is to provide a platform for growth and networking through the sharing of information and the connection of people.

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• OEFFA Announces 2024 Award Recipients: Brandt Family Farm, Tom Redfern, Kim Bayer The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) has named the 2024 recipients of its Stewardship, Service, and Beginning Farmer awards.   Brandt Family Farm of Fairfield County received the Stewardship Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to […]
• Member Spotlight: Ed Snavely of Curly Tail Organic Farm Originally published in the Winter 2024 edition of the OEFFA newsletter. Ed Snavely’s warm greeting was matched by a warmer-than-usual December day. There were few clouds in the sky as we made our way down the […]
• OEFFA Policy Announces 2024 Film Screening Series The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) Policy Program and its generous partners invite you to the 2024 OEFFA Policy Film Screening Series. The series features a curated selection of films that explore the many […]
• 45th Annual Ohio Food and Farm Conference Opens Registration Registration is now open for Ohio’s largest sustainable agriculture conference, a three-day event bringing together hundreds of farm and food advocates. The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) 45th annual conference, Cultivating Care, will take […]

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OEFFA: (614) 421-2022 (614) 421-2022 OEFFA Certification: (614) 262-2022 (614) 262-2022

Farm School Tours Photo Kirt Beiling

Step back in time on the farm.

Travel to the 1880s to discover the sounds, sights and smells of farm life as costumed staff and volunteers demonstrate farm and household chores and care for animals and crops. Compare your life with that of a central Ohio farm family 120 years ago.

Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Dates fill quickly so have alternate dates in mind. There is no admission fee. For general information and reservations call 614-508-8111 .

Guided Visit Discovery Visit Hands On History

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After completing your school visit, please help us to improve our educational offerings by completing our short survey

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Guided Visit

Recommended Age Range: Kindergarden to 12th Grade Number of Students: 15 to 100 students Length of Presentation: Two hours Times Offered: 10am to noon and 12:30 to 2:30pm*

Some 1-hour visits are available on select afternoons for smaller groups. Includes a visit to farmhouse, summer kitchen and barn. Discuss work and recreation, food production and preservation, and uses of crops and animals. Costumed guides adapt presentation to fit student age.

Guided visits are only offered during the school year.

Schedule a Guided Visit

*Due to time spent outdoors and weather conditions, kindergarten and first grade trips are not scheduled after November 10 or before April 7.

Photo: Kirt Beiling

Discovery Visit

Recommended Age Range: Preschool to 12th Grade Number of Students: 15 to 125 students Length of Visit: One hour

Group chaperones lead students at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Costumed staff are available to answer questions and demonstrate aspects of farm life. Map and question sheets provide chaperones with information to discover how farm families lived.

Discovery visits can be scheduled April through December.

Schedule a Discovery Visit

Hands on History

For fourth grade.

Recommended Age Range: 4th Grade Number of Students: 12 to 60 students Length of Presentation: Two hours Times Offered: 10am to noon and 12:30 to 2:30pm

Participate in hands-on activities that may include baking on wood burning cook stove, learning about draft horses, playing parlor games and using 19th-century toys, and discovering the uses of farm equipment.

Hands on History trips are only offered during the school year.

Schedule Hands on History

Custom Programs & Additonal Information

For specific information, or to arrange special topics emphasizing history, agriculture, technology or science, please call the Farm at 614-833-1880 . Picnic facilities, playgrounds and nature trails are at nearby Slate Run Metro Park.

News & Updates from the Farm

Springtime brings new life to Slate Run Farm

DAVE TROTTER, Interpretive Aide Spring brings many changes to the farm. As the weather warms, the activity around the farm increases dramatically. The wheat planted last October is greening up …Read More

Making apple butter and apple cider the 1880s way

Nothing says fall more than apple butter and apple cider! Check out how the folks at Slate Run Living Historical Farm make theirs, the 1880s way. Check out our 1880s …Read More

Party like it’s 1880 at Slate Run Farm

STEPHANIE REINER, Slate Run Farm Interpretive Aide There are lots of things to see and do when you visit Slate Run Living Historical Farm. Here are some things to try: …Read More

Tim Talks: Dig into Farm Life

Dig into 1880s farm life – Feel the softness of sheep’s wool in your hands, smell bacon sizzling on a cast iron stove and marvel at the strength of our …Read More

Get Outside, It’s Your Nature!

MAPS & DIRECTIONS

LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH.

Discover all that Ohio Amish Country has to offer.

• document.querySelector('.site-header').offsetHeight ? false : open"> Adventures Adventures Recreation & Nature Cultural Attractions Theaters & Entertainment Tours & Amish Experiences Travel Ideas & Trails Our Neighbors Wandermap Outdoors Adventuring
• document.querySelector('.site-header').offsetHeight ? false : open"> Shopping Shopping Antiques & Thrift Arts & Crafting Clothing & Fashion DIY Decor & Home Goods Furniture Furniture & Decor Tour DIY Day Trip
• document.querySelector('.site-header').offsetHeight ? false : open"> Foods & Brews Foods & Brews Amish Home Cooked Meals Bulk Foods & Bakeries Family & Amish Restaurants Foodie Fare Produce & Specialty Foods Cheese & Bites Wineries & Breweries Fresh Food from the Homestead
• document.querySelector('.site-header').offsetHeight ? false : open"> Places to Stay Places to Stay Bed & Breakfasts, Inns Cabins & Cottages Hotels RV Parks & Campgrounds 3-Day Romantic Wine Tour
• document.querySelector('.site-header').offsetHeight ? false : open"> Culture Culture Communities & Maps History, Traditions & Local Lore 24 Hours in Amish Country Culture Tour
• Adventures Adventures Recreation & Nature Cultural Attractions Theaters & Entertainment Tours & Amish Experiences Travel Ideas & Trails Our Neighbors Wandermap Outdoors Adventuring
• Shopping Shopping Antiques & Thrift Arts & Crafting Clothing & Fashion DIY Decor & Home Goods Furniture Furniture & Decor Tour DIY Day Trip
• Foods & Brews Foods & Brews Amish Home Cooked Meals Bulk Foods & Bakeries Family & Amish Restaurants Foodie Fare Produce & Specialty Foods Cheese & Bites Wineries & Breweries Fresh Food from the Homestead
• Places to Stay Places to Stay Bed & Breakfasts, Inns Cabins & Cottages Hotels RV Parks & Campgrounds 3-Day Romantic Wine Tour
• Culture Culture Communities & Maps History, Traditions & Local Lore 24 Hours in Amish Country Culture Tour

Stay up to date about upcoming events, new attractions, food news and the latest about Amish Country in our in-depth monthly email.

Tours & Amish Experiences

Find a new way of being., don’t watch and learn. live and learn. .

We approach life a little differently, and the best way to learn about that is to join in! Tour an Amish home if you wonder how a typical Old Order Amish bedroom looks. Book a backroads tour if you want to locate those home-run businesses along our country lanes. Tours provide you the chance to reserve dinner in an Amish home or grab a bite where the locals go--and that’s any area restaurant. No one’s on display here.

Be our guest!

When you visit Ohio Amish Country, you will be guests in our community. And we don’t invite our friends over without showing hospitality. Want to see women quilting? We will show you. Wondering about Amish weddings? We can tell you. Curious about canning? We’ve got some experience in that. From tours to workshops, we’d love to show you around.  

Choose Your Own Adventure

So Much to Do

Discover new ways to experience Ohio Amish Country and explore our communities like a local!.     We have curated a number of multi-stop, self-guided activities and experiences that highlight various things to do in Ohio Amish Country. These recommendations are a resource to assist you in planing your visit to the region.

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Ohio Tours & Trails

Whether it’s a tour or trail, there are wonderful stories being told on Ohio’s backroads or backstage. In a factory, learn how it’s made. In a shop, watch an artisan at their craft. In a town, walk through the old haunts to learn something new.

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• Appalachian Ohio
• Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB
• Discover Mohican
• Explore Hocking Hills
• Explore Scioto
• Greater Grand Lake Region
• Historic Roscoe Village
• Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
• Lehman’s
• Marietta/Washington County CVB
• Miami County VCB
• Millers Furniture & Bakery
• Niederman Family Farm
• Ohio Amish Country
• Ohio Festivals & Events Assoc.
• Sandusky County Visitors Bureau
• Travel Tuscarawas County
• Visit Belmont County
• Visit Chillicothe
• Visit Coshocton
• Visit Greater Lima
• Visit Grove City
• Visit Marion Ohio
• Visit Medina County
• Visit Sidney Ohio
• Visit Steubenville
• Yoder’s Bakery & Furniture

Admission to House From A Christmas Story in Cleveland is approx. $15-20/person.

• When: Open Thursday through Monday from 10am – 5pm.
• Where: ( Map It ) 3159 W. 11th Street in Cleveland.
• Phone: 216-298-4919
• Web: click here

House From A Christmas Story in Cleveland, Ohio, is the house used in the popular holiday classic “A Christmas Story,” which has been restored to its original 1983 movie appearance. Purchased and renovated by Brian Jones, a true fan of the movie who sells leg lamps for a living, the house takes visitors on a nostalgic journey to the sights and scenes where Ralphie Parker dreams of nothing but receiving a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle for Christmas. In addition to A Christmas Story House, visitors can explore the museum where items from the movie are on display, more than 100 behind-the-scenes photos are featured, and movie-related memorabilia can be purchased.

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

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

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.

• Phone: 937-544-5639

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

Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler

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, are free. Guided tours may be provided at a fee.

• When: Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm, and Sunday from 1-5pm.
• Location: ( Map It ) 6450 Arcanum-Bear’s Mill Road in Greenville, Ohio
• Phone:937-548-5112

Historic Bear’s Mill in Greenville 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 used 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 walk in the scenic woods surrounding the mill. On the first floor is the Mill Store, where the mill flours and 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

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.

Cooper’s Cider Mill is open Monday – Saturday from 9am – 6pm (Closes at 5pm on Saturday).

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

Call for the Cooper’s Cider Mill factory schedule to 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 for sampling throughout the country store next to the production plant. Inside, a new generation of Cooper’s is introducing another treat – fudge.

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

Admission to the Great Stone Viaduct in Bellaire, Ohio, is free.

• Open: Year-round
• Location: ( Map It ) The trailhead is at W. 26 St. in Bellaire, Ohio
• Phone: 740-963-3500 Ext 1
• Play Video: click here

The Great Stone Viaduct in Bellaire has greeted visitors for over 150 years. They are a lasting reminder of the area’s importance in transportation, industry, and innovation.  On June 21, 1871, the first train traveled over the 43-stone arch bridge connecting Bellaire, Ohio, and Benwood, West Virginia. It was part of the country’s longest railroad system. Parts of it are still in use today.

Reminiscent of a Roman aqueduct, each arch consists of 37 ring stones, representing the 37 states of the union at the time of the viaduct’s construction in 1870. Around 1900, the steel portion made famous in the Denzel Washington movie Unstoppable was added to carry southbound traffic. These bridges intersect at 31st Street in Bellaire.

In 1996, owner CSX Railroad abandoned a 20-arch portion of the stone viaduct structure but retained the balance, which is still used today.  Twenty-two of the arches and the surrounding six acres in Bellaire are owned by The Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society , which acquired the site from CSX Transportation. Clean-up of the property and restoration of the stone began in 2016.

That portion opened to the public as a new plaza, walking trail, and overlook.  In cooperation with the Belmont County Port Authority, the Society was awarded $2 million in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding to construct the walking trail/bicycle path from 26th Street to an observation platform and turnaround on the Viaduct at Guernsey Street.

The trail provides access over the old Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line along a quarter-mile approach to the Viaduct at Hamilton Street, where the trail continues atop the historic stone arch bridge. The stonework was done by a local company, Angelina Stone and Marble. Additional plans include the development of a four-acre park on the northern end of the society’s property from the viaduct to 26th Street.

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 Monday thru Friday from 9am – 2pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 3pm.

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

Historic Clifton Mill was originally built over two hundred years ago in 1802. It is still one of the largest water-powered gristmills 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 by appointment.

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

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  

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

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

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 Tuesday – 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

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

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.

• 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

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

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. 

• 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:  [email protected]

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.

Admission for tours of the Easter and Christmas Caves at White Gravel Mines in Portsmouth is normally free (donations accepted).

• When: Easter and Christmas Seasons
• Where: ( Map It ) 4007 White Gravel-McDaniel Rd in Minford, Ohio
• Phone: 740-820-6161
• Web:  click here

White Gravel Mines in Minford, Ohio, host the traditional story of Easter and Christmas. A trip through the old mines, known in the spring as the Easter Cave, provides a visual journey. The holiday season does as well.

Before telling the story of Christ, the White Gravel Mines began first as a white quartz gravel mine (part of the geologic layer referred to as the Sharon Conglomerate) at the beginning of the 20th century. It was here that men mined the gravel from under the hills of south-central Ohio, using the power of dynamite and muscle to burrow out a living supply of gravel and sand to meet the growing industrial needs of the region. The mines had been worked through the 1970s, after which they were abandoned and faded to memory except to the local kids and others drawn to their dark mystery.

The property later passed into the stewardship of White Gravel Mines Productions. It was dedicated to promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ through unique and dramatic events offered for free. Other opportunities to tour the mines are also available throughout the year. Visit the website above for details.

Tours at American Whistle Corporation cost approx. $10/person.

• Open by appointment
• Location: ( Map It ) 6540 Huntley Rd. in Columbus, Ohio
• Phone: 800-876-2918 to schedule a tour

American Whistle Corporation tours in Columbus:  Have you ever wondered how the ball gets inside a whistle?  Take a personally guided tour of the only whistle factory in the United States where metal whistles are made.  For approximately one hour, you will see a thriving, small, American manufacturing plant and be entertained with interesting information about whistles and fascinating machinery – some state-of-the-art, some dating back to the company’s beginning.  Best of all – everyone leaves with a shiny new “American Classic” whistle!

The Amish Heartland Tours vary in cost per package.

• When: Open year-round with advanced reservations
• Location:  ( Map It ) 5568 Township Road 381, Millersburg, Ohio – Tours depart from Yoders Amish home, the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center, and Holmes County Flea Market.
• Phone: 330-893-3248

Amish Heartland Tours in Millersburg:  Have you wondered why the Amish still live a life apart from society as we know it?  Let expert tour guides explain the culture as it is in Holmes County. The tours could include stops at a candle maker, basket maker, leather works, Amish home chocolate business, or a broom maker. Tours are taken in a comfortable 11 passenger high-top Sprinter sightseeing vehicle. Past tours have included dinner tours; history and heritage tours; artisan cookie tours and bakeries, buggies, brunch, and back roads tours.

Tours at Anthony Thomas Chocolates cost approx. $5/person.

• Open for tours every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am – 2pm
• Location: ( Map It ) 1777 Arling Gate Lane in Columbus, Ohio
• Phone: 877-226-3921

Anthony Thomas Chocolates tours in Columbus:  Have you ever fantasized about visiting Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Well, in about an hour, you can almost taste it. Visitors can walk along a glass-enclosed suspended catwalk to see candy made at this 152,000-square-foot state-of-the-art candy factory. In one shift, 25,000 pounds of chocolate are produced. Even Augustus Loof would be left satisfied (sorry, no chocolate river here).

Phoenix Bat Company baseball bat-making tours availability and cost varies.

• When: Call to confirm
• Location: ( Map It ) 7801 Corporate Blvd., Ste. E in Plain City, Ohio
• Phone: 614-873-7776

Phoenix Bat Company baseball bat-making tours: See a wood bat being made on the biggest, baddest, bat-making machine anywhere! Spend an hour and experience a level of bat making like no other: Learn how to make a great bat – from wood to design. Go on the shop floor and see bats made right in front of you. Hear about today’s pros … and get your hands on their bats. Step back 100+ years to bats from baseball’s start. Ohio’s own pro-approved wood bat manufacturer.  Just 20 minutes from downtown Columbus and only 5 minutes from the I-270, Rt. 33 West interchange on the NW side of the city.

Tours at BIBLEWALK range from $4-7+/person, depending on the tour.

• Open: Varies per month and day. See the link below.
• Location: ( Map It ) 500 Tingley Ave. in Mansfield, Ohio  44905
• Phone: 1-800-222-0139
• Web: livingbiblemuseum.org/

BIBLEWALK tours in Mansfield: Ohio’s only life-size wax museum features four tours that become treasured memories of the heart, highlighting 70 scenes and over 300 wax figures. Experience the Holy Bible come to life with the Miracles of the Old Testament and the Life of Christ. These two sixty-minute tours feature life-sized dioramas of beloved Biblical stories.  Two additional thirty-minute tours, Museum of Christian Martyrs and Heart of the Reformation, provide an insight into the hearts of men and women as they willingly gave their lives for the Word of God.  Each scene is underscored by original music and narration. BIBLEWALK also features a collection of rare and Braille Bibles, American votive folk-art, Religious wood carvings, a snack bar, and a gift shop. There is also a Christian Dinner Theater.

Tours of the canal boat located at the historic Isaac Ludwig Mill cost approx. $10/person.

• Open: Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Location: ( Map It ) Isaac Ludwig Mill in Providence Metropark at 13827 S. River Rd. in Grand Rapids, Ohio
• Phone: 419-407-9741

Get the 1800s canal experience at Providence Metropark. Travel back in time to the days when the smoothest way to go long distances was aboard boats towed by mules along man-made waterways. Board an authentic but docked mule-drawn canal boat named The Volunteer and learn what life was like during the canal era. Historical re-enactors spin tales of life in mid-1800s Ohio. Then tour an authentic 1800s saw and gristmill, Isaac Ludwig Mill, where interpreters demonstrate how water power was used to saw wood and grind flour.

Admission to Cave Adventures is approx. $90/person for three hours that won’t be forgotten.

• Open: The tours are available daily all year long by appointment. Guests must be 15 years old or older. An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18.
• Location: ( Map It ) 3781 Slate Stone Road in Cable, Ohio
• Phone: 937-772-1260

Cave Adventures in Central Ohio is home to an extraordinarily breathtaking cave developed millions of years ago by glaciers.  Many have heard whisperings of urban legends about this cave for years. Now, this extraordinary natural phenomenon is open to those willing to get dirty to see it. Come and explore your wild side on this thrill-seeking adventure!

Each guest is fitted with their own helmet, gloves, and a headlamp to light the way to a rare experience—33 feet underground, where it is always a comfortable 54 degrees!  It is primitive exploration at its best. And it requires crawling, climbing, and walking. There will be water and mud encountered. It’s part of this immersive experience so wear water-resistant clothing. Also, wear hiking boots or mud boots with non-slip soles. Shorts and short sleeves are a no-no. It is recommended to bring clean clothes to change into after the adventure and a bag to transport the dirty clothes back home. A changing area is provided. Each tour group will have 2-6 people plus an experienced guide.

Along the journey underground, otherworldly sites feature stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, columns, flowstones, curtains, and more! The ancient cavern boasts a “red room” that promises to astound visitors.

Admission to the Cincinnati Brewing Heritage Trail tours is approx. $40-60/person.

• Open year-round
• Location: ( Map It ) 1939 Race Street in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Phone: 513-604-9812

Cincinnati Brewing Heritage Trail explores Cincinnati’s brewery history with an underground brewery tour. Cincinnati’s Brewery District is home to one of the largest collections of pre-Prohibition brewery architecture in the middle of one of the largest historic districts in the country. Beer helped build this city, and the stories of those days still resonate today. Tour the breweries, cellars, and tunnels that were the heart of Cincinnati’s brewing heritage.

Regular admission to the Cincinnati Observatory is $5/person for daytime history tours and approx. $10/adult and $5/child younger than 18 for astronomy evenings.

• Open for daytime tours Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at noon, 1pm, and 2pm. Nighttime programs are held on select dates monthly (see the link below for the current offering).
• Location: ( Map It ) 3489 Observatory Place in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Phone: 513-321-5186
• Web: www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/

Cincinnati Observatory in Cincinnati:  Come see the stars. And I don’t mean Hollywood’s. Hey, you may even make a discovery of a new planet, see a meteor, or just star-gaze at the constellations. In any case, Cincinnati Observatory was the first professional observatory in the country.  Situated atop the rolling hillsides of Mt.Lookout, the Observatory is home to the world’s oldest telescope still in use nightly by the general public. Two picturesque National Historic Landmark buildings feature one designed in 1873 by Samuel Hannaford, which complements the institution’s park-like setting.

Admission to tour the Columbus Washboard Company is approx. $8/adult, $6/senior, and $5/child

• Open: Call ahead to schedule tours at 11am, 1pm, or 3pm (must have four or more in your group)
• Location: ( Map It ) 14 Gallagher Avenue in Logan, Ohio
• Phone: 740-380-3828

Tour the Columbus Washboard Company. It’s the last washboard manufacturer in the country. Housed in a centuries-old brick factory, this time capsule still produces washboards using vintage equipment from the 1800s. Your guide will demonstrate the tools and machines used in the process. The tour is about 35 minutes. In addition, there’s also a museum and gift shop showcasing the processes and products. The washboards are shipped worldwide today.

Sandusky County Historic Jail & Dungeon Tours in Fremont, Ohio.

• When: Usually on a Monday night once per month (most months). See the link below for current offerings.
• Location: ( Map It ) Sandusky County Historic Jail at 622 Croghan Street, Fremont, Ohio
• Phone: 419-332-4470

Sandusky County Historic Jail & Dungeon Tours in Fremont, Ohio: The tour features an 1840s Dungeon, an 1890s Jail, and Gallows. The tour lasts about 1 ½ hours and is highlighted by great storytelling explaining the significance the this unusually preserved historic structure. Prisoners saw little daylight. And yes, there have been paranormal encounters in this subterranean exploration. Tours are open to reserved groups of 20 or more. Tours are also offered on special dates throughout the year. See the link above. They sell out fast!

The GoodTime III tours of Cleveland and Lake Erie cost approx. $30/person, but prices may vary.

• Open: Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day, with limited Public Schedule in May & September, Tuesday – Sunday at 12pm and 3pm (approx. two hours long).
• Location: ( Map It ) 825 East Ninth Street Pier, North Coast Harbor in Cleveland, Ohio
• Phone: 216-242-4213
• Web: https://goodtimeiii.com/

Cleveland Goodtime III: For courtesy, comfort, and just plain fun, you cannot match the experience of a cruise on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie aboard Cleveland’s largest sightseeing vessel. The GOODTIME III is the largest quadruple-deck 1,000-passenger luxury ship on the Great Lakes, which offers plenty of room, and you are not confined to your seats. This sightseeing trip is unequaled and perfect for individuals, families, and groups, large and small.  You’ll enjoy the fast-changing panorama of Cleveland’s skyline and the exciting Flats area as you listen to Larry Morrow point out the many sights and little-known historical facts about this All-American City. A great way to see Cleveland! This company is proud to be family-owned & operated since 1958.

• Open: Tours are on Fridays & Saturdays starting at 11am, 1:15pm, and 3:30pm, and on , and Sundays at 12:45pm and 3pm.   May through October. Tours last about 1 1/2 hours.
• Location: ( Map It ) 5623 New Milford Rd. in Ravenna, Ohio
• Phone: 330-296-5914
• Web: https://happytrailsfarm.org/

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary is a sanctuary where horses and farm animals arrive from severe abuse, neglect, or abandonment situations. It’s a facility where healing occurs, miracles happen, and people connect with animals. And where kindness and compassion are taught. Hear the animals’ stories and learn about their healing process. Learn about the Happy Trails Amish retirement program, nursing home visitation program, and community outreach. Meet the animals in person. Get a hands-on tour. Be prepared to give a pig a belly rub. Hug a mini horse. Pet a cockfighting rooster. Meet 1,000 lb. farm pigs. Play with goats. Visit the rescued horses.

Your tour fee directly supports the rescue programs at Happy Trails. It pays for things like grain, hay, straw, veterinary expenses, medications, hoof trimming, shelter repairs, and any other special needs of the animal.

The John & Annie Glenn Heritage Trail The Astronaut and The Advocate

The Trail: A Tale in Three Towns, Zanesville, New Concord, and Cambridge.

Before he was a 4-term U.S. Senator, orbital astronaut, military test pilot, John G. Glenn Jr. was a small-town plumber’s son who dreamed of flying someday.  Before her 73-year marriage to John, moving 24 times and overcoming a disability, Annie Glenn was a small-town dentist’s daughter with a life-impairing stutter and a very special boyfriend.

Follow the John & Annie Glenn Heritage Trail through Zanesville, New Concord, and Cambridge to celebrate the life of John Glenn, their namesake museum, and 33 other locations throughout Guernsey and Muskingum County.  Visit each stop along the trail to learn the stories of Ohio’s first world-famous astronaut and the woman he called “the wind beneath my wings.” Trail stops include the original Glenn family home (now the John and Annie Glenn Museum), the National Road “S” Bridge, Harper’s Cabin, Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl, Alan Cottrill’s Sculpture, and the Y-Bridge just to name a few.  Learn the history of each location and its importance to John and Annie Glenn.

To request a free copy of the John & Annie Glenn Heritage Trail, please call the Zanesville-Muskingum County Convention and Visitor Bureau at 740-455-8282 or email  [email protected] .

The Longhorns Head to Tail Tours group rates:  10 – 19 guests are approx. $12/person, 20 – 39 guests are approx. $10/person, 40 or more are approx. $8/person.

• Open: April through October by appointment
• Location: ( Map It ) 35000 Muskrat Rd. in Barnesville, Ohio
• Phone: 740-758-5050
• Web: www.longhorntours.com/

The Longhorns Head to Tail Tours:  This is a real family event. Dickinson Cattle Co. is the largest producer of Texas Longhorn cattle in the nation and the largest producer of all-natural lean beef in Belmont County, Ohio. Located in the beautiful Appalachian foothills, the 5,000-acre, family-owned ranch now opens up previously held private pastures for narrated tours.  Longhorns Head to Tail Tours bring you up close to view and hand-feed world-famous Texas Longhorns, African Watusi, and Dutch Belted Buelingo Cattle.  See modern conservation ecology at work as you ride the ranges. Learn about the nearby birthplace of Hopalong Cassidy, William Shanon, and Hanging Judge Isaac Parker.  Famous cowpokes such as Oliver North, Andre the Giant, and George Lucas caught the Longhorn Passion from DCCI, so why not you?

Admission to Ohio Caverns starts at approx. $25/person/tour but may vary depending on the tour and time of year.

• Open for tours daily, year-round.
• Location: ( Map It ) 2210 East State Route 245 in West Liberty, Ohio
• Phone: 937-465-4017
• Web: www.ohiocaverns.com

Click here for a feature story and plenty of photographs

Ohio Caverns was previously named one of the six best overall caves in America by Parade Magazine and is known as “America’s Most Colorful Caverns.”

Ohio Caverns tours:  Visitors are conducted on guided tours at frequent intervals through the Caverns. There is an admission fee for the one-hour, mile-long tour. Ohio Caverns was recently listed in Parade Magazine as one of the top six caves in America! Ohio Caverns is the largest and one of the most beautiful of all Ohio caves. Its exquisite crystal-white stalactite and stalagmite formations are nowhere to be found in greater profusion or artistic settings. The diversity of formations and unexcelled coloring is all the more interesting because the formations are still developing. Still photography is welcome to capture your memories. No matter how far you travel, you will find your visit to Ohio Caverns provides you with rich memories of its great beauty and educational value.

Admission to the Ohio State Reformatory is approx. $25/person for self-guided tours and $35/person for guided tours.

• Open: Tours are offered year-round.
• Location: ( Map It ) 100 Reformatory Road in Mansfield, Ohio
• Phone: 419-522-2644
• Web: https://www.mrps.org/

Click here to read an in-depth multimedia article about the Ohio State Reformatory (Shawshank Prison), including plenty of photos and videos.

Ohio State Reformatory (OSR) in Mansfield was showcased in the epic movie Shawshank Redemption.  The “Shawshank Prison” offers a variety of tours in the intermediate state prison known as the Ohio State Reformatory.  A Hollywood tour involves many of the most famous sites from the movie, including the tunnel Andy Dufresne dug to escape. The historic prison is also said to be haunted, and the museum offers ghost hunts with the help of professional ghost hunters.

Tickets to Perkins Observatory are approx. $10-12/person.

• Open: Usually on Friday and Saturday nights, but call in advance.
• Location: ( Map It ) 3199 Columbus Pike in Delaware, Ohio
• Phone: 740-363-1257

Perkins Observatory is owned and operated by the Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. It offers astronomy programs for the public most Friday and Saturday nights (with some exceptions) throughout the year.  The programs are held rain or shine and have limited ticket availability. The programs usually consist of an astronomy talk and a tour of the observatory. Observing through the 32-inch telescope occurs only if it is clear enough and dark enough to do so.

Walking Tours of Downtown Cleveland

Tickets for Walking Tours of Downtown Cleveland are approx. $25/person.

• Tours are offered year-round. The current schedule is on the website below.
• Tours begin in Public Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio
• Phone: 216-318-3865
• Web: toursofcleveland.com

Tours of Cleveland, LLC offers year-round exciting and educational walking tours of beautiful and historic downtown Cleveland. The Downtown Highlights tour covers Public Square to Playhouse Square and everything in between. Other themed walking tours are available depending on the season. Most walking tours are about two hours. See the current schedule and book a tour at www.toursofcleveland.com to learn more. Reservations are required.

The first of its kind in Ohio!

It’s time for you to begin the most delicious trail of all time – the Tuscarawas County Pizza Trail! Discover the nooks and crannies of perfectly hand-tossed crust perfection as you visit the eight locally owned pizzerias on this trail. With pies created with you in mind, your taste buds will be delighted by the wide range of distinctive tastes, toppings, and experiences this trail offers to you.

As you follow the pizza trail, you will enjoy the sights along the way. Be certain to enjoy a walk on the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath, take in the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, stop for a tasting at one of 12 wineries and breweries, enjoy the exhibits in one of the many history museums, and walk where Ohio’s first residents made their homes.

Download the Pizza Trail passport at https://www.traveltusc.com/ and have it validated at each of the eight locations. When your passport is complete, return it to the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau Welcome Center at 124 East High Ave, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, and receive your free t-shirt. You will now have the right to brag that you are an official finisher of Ohio’s First Pizza Trail!

Pizzerias participating in the passport tour include Penso’s Pizza Strasburg; Penso’s Pizza, and Mary Zifer’s Pizza in Dover; Damon’s All American Pizza Pie, and Maggoo’s Pizza, Pasta, & More in New Philadelphia; Park Street Pizza in Sugarcreek; Sublime Smoke in Bolivar; Pangrazio’s Pizza & Spaghetti in Dennison.

Contact the Tuscarawas County and Convention Bureau at 800-527-3387 with any questions about the Pizza Trail. Enjoy every slice!

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Urban farm tours happening throughout columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – When you think of farms, you might envision wide open grass lands, a tractor and grazing cows, pigs or horses. But did you know there are farms right here in urban Columbus?

Columbus was home to only five urban farms just three years ago. Now, there are 16 urban farms throughout the city, said Mike Hogan, an Ohio State University Extension agriculture and natural resources educator.

The public can tour five of these farms this summer. Sponsored by Franklin County OSU Extension and Columbus Urban Farmers Network, each tour offers a look at a different type of urban farm.

OSU Extension is the outreach arm of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The Columbus Urban Farmers Network is comprised of urban farms and food producers who are striving to expand the local food system by producing food in urban areas of Columbus.

“The goal of the Columbus Urban Farm Tour Series is to educate consumers about different models of urban farming and allow them to see how urban farming can benefit neighborhoods and communities,” said Hogan.

The farm tours have been developed for Columbus residents to participate in and will be offered on Saturdays or Sundays this summer starting July 22. They include:

Converting Vacant Land Farm Tour, July 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Wheatland Farm, 116 N. Wheatland Ave. in Columbus.

Commercial Market Garden Tour, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Heirloom Produce, 7700 Richardson Rd. in Groveport.

Residential Permaculture and Food Garden Tour, Aug. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sunny Glen Wellness, 3507 Sunny Glen Place in Columbus.

Productive Residential Urban Farm Tour, Aug. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Over the Fence Urban Farm, 143 E. Dominion Blvd. in Columbus.

Suburban Farmstead and Micro Dairy Tour, Sept. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Jedidiah Farm and Studio, 5058 Smothers Rd. in Westerville.

All the tours are free and open to the public.

“These five tours have been chosen to highlight different models and objectives of urban farms,” said Hogan. “The farm tours are also designed to allow existing urban farmers to learn from their peers.”

Converting Vacant Land Farm Tour

This tour focuses on turning vacant urban areas into productive, sustainable urban gardens that provide food-insecure residents more access to fresh, local produce.

Wheatland Farm operates on 1 acre of land at a former hospital site. The location has been repurposed to grow food through a large-scale raised bed growing system. The farm sells its crops to local restaurants and others to individuals who order them through a veggie box program in which produce is delivered to their home or to a local collection point. The funds the farm receives from those sales support a pay-what-you-can farm stand that provides low-income families with fresh produce.

Registration is encouraged. Email [email protected] .

Commercial Market Garden Tour

Heirloom Produce uses an approach called regenerative agriculture to produce food in a more sustainable way. The tour will show how a vegetable market garden relies on fewer synthetic inputs like fertilizer to maintain and improve soil health, and instead recycles organic matter through composting, cover crops and green manures.

Heirloom Produce is a large market garden consisting of 16,000 square feet of production space on a 2-acre residential lot. Root crops and leafy greens are marketed to restaurants and at several local farmers’ markets. The garden has a hoophouse to start seeds, chickens to build nutrient levels in the soil and is adding beehives this summer.

Residential Permaculture and Food Garden Tour

Permaculture refers to systems designed to work in concert with nature, including the use of perennial plants and design principles that are observed in natural ecosystems, Hogan said.

This tour will demonstrate how a low-cost, low-input food garden in the backyard of a home can easily be adapted to provide food for food-insecure families.

Participants will get to see a native plant and pollinator garden, a vegetable and herb permaculture garden, and a small in-home seedling operation and homemade cold frame to transition plants to the outdoors.

Productive Residential Urban Farm Tour

This tour will allow residents to see how Over the Fence Urban Farm uses different growing techniques in various types of garden spaces, such as vertical gardening and permaculture design.

Over the Fence Urban Farm focuses on sharing sustainability techniques for growing food that is fresh and locally harvested. The farm is funded through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, and family, friends and neighbors help tend the land.

Suburban Farmstead and Micro Dairy Tour

This tour will focus on the use of dairy goats, honeybees, poultry and hogs for pasture rehabilitation, and will discuss the importance of using native plants to create self-supporting systems.

Jedidiah Farm and Studio is a 5-acre farm in Westerville, where the Taylor family utilizes a food production system that relies on natural systems as opposed to monocultures systems such as corn, soybeans, or other row crops. Visitors can expect to see a space that has transitioned from a typical suburban lawn to perennial food forests, guilds, woodlands and pasture.

Full descriptions of each farm and tour can be found here: go.osu.edu/UrbanFarmTour17.

For more information about the Columbus Urban Farm Tour Series, contact Hogan at 614-866-6900 or [email protected] .

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Tours and Outreach

Breadcrumb menu.

The Waterman Dairy Farm is open to groups both within and outside of The Ohio State University. Tours are provided to a wide range of audiences, from elementary students to professional groups. Tailored to fit the interest and knowledge base of visitors, each tour will last approximately 45 min-1 hour.

Generally, tours go throughout the facility, learning the function and purpose for the design at Waterman. Tours also learn about herd management and how calves are successfully raised to become a productive milk cow. How cows are milked and the importance of parlor management in a modern dairy will be covered as well.

The cattle at the facility are very well acquainted to tours and combining that with their curiosity and docile temperament allow visitors to interact with them.

Tour Guidelines:

• Cost: $1.00/visitor.  Cash & checks are accepted methods of payment.
• For safety, children must be at least 4 years old.
•  Minimum group sizes are 10 people; maximum group sizes are 100.
•  Tours must be requested at least 1 week ahead in the summer.
•  Tours must be requested at least 3 weeks ahead during the school year 
•  Tours are offered weekdays between 8:00a.m. and 3:30p.m. (Select groups can be hosted on weekends).
•  All visitors must have not traveled outside of the United States within 10 days prior to visiting (This guideline prevents transfer of foreign diseases to our cattle).
•  Visitors must complete the Biosecurity Form (pdf) prior to visiting.
•  To prepare you for the visit, we encourage you to take advantage of the following informative websites:

http://www.drink-milk.com .- (Provides information about dairy farms and milk production and its nutritional benefits)

http://www.foryourinfarmation.com . - (Provides curriculum and resources for teachers)

For the safety of visitors and animals, follow all directions given by dairy personnel during the tour. Dairy personnel will lead informative and safe tours, but parents and/or teachers are responsible for the children during the tour. We cannot accept tour requests over the phone.  If you are interested in a tour, please fill out the form below and someone will contact you:

Tour Request Form ( click here to link to form )

Click here to download a pdf  for parking and location to starts tours.

10 Fantastic Factory Tours You Can Only Take In Ohio

April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.

More by this Author

Here in Ohio, we make more things than you likely realize.

If you’re looking for unique day trip ideas for the summer, consider touring one of Ohio’s fascinating factories. From ice cream production to automobile manufacturing, there are so many national products being made right here in Ohio. Here are 10 fantastic factory tours you can only take in Ohio:

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Have you taken any of these tours before? If so, please share your photos and experiences with us!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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What is a Farm Tour @ Horse-N-Round Fun?

Private farm tours.

• Your family, team, or small group gets much more than a guided tour!
• Get up close, go in with our animals, and hands on touch, pet, and interact with our friendly farm animals.
• Listen to the farm sounds and connect with our animals on the farm. Learn more about our animals and how many of our animals are rescued and enjoying "retirement".
• Meet Zuri the Water Buffalo and enjoy her beauty and meet Ziggy the Zebra and be greeted with his friendly smile.
• Meet Lazarus our largest, majestic horse on the farm!
• Enjoy our scenic views.
• Snap as many pictures as you want of your family, team, or small group on our farm and with our animals.
• Want professional pictures done on our farm? We offer photography passes so you can have your family, senior, wedding or group pics done by your favorite photographer.
• Pack a lunch and sit down at our picnic tables under our large canopy and enjoy time together.
• Discover how animals can make you feel better!
• Take a pony ride in our arena with a hand-led ride OR go on a full horseback riding experience!

Fun Private Farm Tour

Extra fun farm tour, super fun farm tour trail ride experience.

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My Ohio Fun

Come explore Ohio with us.

Enjoy Ohio’s fall beauty by taking a scenic driving tour.

Are you ready to start viewing Mother Nature’s fall foliage? The month of October begins many of the fall foliage scenic driving tours.  What a great way to see the back-roads and small towns of Ohio.

Fall Driving Tours

NATIONAL ROAD AND ZANE GREY MUSEUM FALL FESTIVAL DRIVING TOUR Guernsey and Muskingum County SE OH Date: October 7, 2023 Passport picku-up time between 9am-11am Location: John & Annie Glenn Museum on Main Street in New Concord visitguernseycounty.com

The National Road & Zane Grey Museum, 8850 East Pike, Norwich, will host their annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be games and activities for kids, campfire cooking and author visits. Kind Hands 4 Paws will bring adoptable dogs. Kathy’s Burgers and Stuff Food Truck and Mix it Up Lemonade will be there as well.

ASHTABULA COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL  Dates:  October 13-15, 2023 Times:  9am – 5pm Location:  Downtown Village of Jefferson, Ohio Admission: Free

Click here for more information about the festival and to view the covered bridge map.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the year round Ashtabula Covered Bridge Trail. Special My Ohio Fun post)

Another fun trail located in Ashtabula County, Ohio is the Barn Quilt Trail. The trail   is closing in on 100 barn quilts, making the trail one of the fastest growing in the United States.

For more information about the trail click here .

COSHOCTON FALL FARM & FOLIAGE TOUR Dates: October 21-22, 2023 Times: Saturday, 10am-5pm | Sunday, Noon-5pm Location: Coshocton County, Ohio Learn more.

Free and fun for the whole family! Enjoy the fall colors as you explore beautiful Coshocton County, Ohio.

This is a mystery tour–locations will be announced the day of the tour and will be available on the map, which may be picked up at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds.

LORAIN COUNTY FALL  FARM TOUR Date: September Time: Noon – 5pm Learn more.

This free drive-it-yourself fall farm tour will feature five farms in southern Lorain County. Attendees will be able to visit Brady Vineyards of Ohio, Riverhill Farm, Lone Tree Stables, Stumpwater Farm and Queen Right Colonies.

No RSVP is necessary.

MEDINA COUNTY FALL FOLIAGE TOUR Dates:  October 14-15, 2023 (Always the 2nd full weekend in October) Times:  Noon to 5pm Location:  Medina County, Ohio Learn more.

FALL FOLIAGE DRIVE-IT-YOURSELF TOUR Dates:  October 15-29, 2023

Experience the beauty of Mohican Country during a drive-it-yourself tour through the Mohican State Park.  Take a hike on the trails, enjoy many historical sites and visit the local shops in the Mohican area.  For more information call 419-994-2519 or visit www.discovermohican.com

WAYNE COUNTY FARM TOUR Dates:  October 7-8, 2023 Times:   Noon – 5pm  Location: Wayne County, Ohio Admission:  Free Additional information can be found here.

The 2023 Wayne County Farm Tour will take place in the NW quadrant of Wayne County. This is a free and open to the public event showcasing area farms and agricultural businesses. Tour information will be available online after Sept 1 and at the Wayne County Fair. Event information will be on-line September 1.

Looking for even more fall color to view?

Cuyahoga Valley National Park What can we say about a park that generally receives more than 2.2 million recreational visits each year, making it one of the most-visited national parks in the United States?  It has absolutely beautiful fall colors!  The Cuyahoga Valley National Park follows the Cuyahoga River through open farmlands, forests, urban areas, small towns and connects to the historic Ohio & Erie Canalway .  Areas to take in the breathtaking views of fall are Brandywine Falls and Gorge Trail, the Ledges in Virginia Kendall Park, as well as along the towpath.   The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers a wonderful way to see the park in its blanket of colors.  For more information about the park click here .

Check out these wonderful resources from The State of Ohio.

Download the Ohio Byways Brochure A new publication in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration that gives a snapshot of each Byway’s unique contribution to Ohio’s roadway system.

Ohio Fall Foliage Reports from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Article and photos, unless noted by: D. Rock, MyOhioFun.com

Diane Rock is the owner and editor of MyOhioFun.com. She is an avid baker, gardener, Little Free Library owner, who loves to read and travel.  She spends most of her days sharing her love of things to do in Ohio, as well as creating destinations and itineraries for group tours and individual travelers.

Follow us on Instagram #MyOhioFun.

Featured photo: Courtesy of  Diane Rock. 

Editor’s note:  Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws. 

***Disclosure:  My Ohio Fun receives compensation from advertising banners.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

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