Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival
Jefferson

For "a reminder of days gone by" and a time "when life in our country was slower and simpler," the annual covered bridge festival in Ashtabula County celebrates 16 bridges that are considered to be "engineering wonders of their time." Organized van tours leave regularly from the fairgrounds to four of the main bridges, or you can set out on your own with a self-guided tour map from their Website. Either way, be sure to stay at the festival long enough to enjoy everything from historic vehicles, quilt shows, and contests to parades, farmer's markets, and live entertainment. Souvenirs are available if you'd like to keep a memento of "life in the slow lane." Read more.

Findlay Market
Cincinnati

Back in the 19th century, a bell would have run to begin the market day "just blocks from downtown." Today, Ohio's "oldest continuously operated public market" still bustles all year round from Wednesday through Sunday with "about two dozen indoor merchants selling meat, fish, poultry, produce, cheese, and ethnic foods." In the center tower, the tiled floor called The Market Carpet, is a work of art that depicts how the market served as a crossroads of culture and commerce in Cincinnati for its first 150 years. During summer, there are also "dozens of outdoor vendors and numerous street performers" at the weekend farmers market. Read more.

German Village Valuables Yard Sale
Columbus

For one neighborhood in Columbus, the wait for the weekend yard sale takes a whole year, but then "everyone participates." In the historic, 233-acre German Village, yard sales are held off until this special community event when multiple houses and even entire blocks participate. Eager shoppers "never know what or who you'll find there." But it's always worth visiting just to stroll through the "enchanting and delightfully quaint cobblestone streets" of the neighborhood, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Read more.

Teller's of Hyde Park
Cincinnati

Set in the historic neighborhood of Hyde Park, Teller's is "a restaurant set inside a bank" that brings a bit of Chicago feel to the Ohio scene. The bar and tables "look like old-fashioned teller windows," and the safe has been converted to "a cozy but not claustrophobic" dining area. For something a little more "airy", there is also upstairs seating as well as an "outdoor patio with its own bar and fireplace for chilly nights." The menu features a wide range of choices, including seafood and pastas, and "the food is great." Read more.

Jackass Flats
Dayton

You don't have to own a Harley or even a leather jacket to enjoy this "country bar" set within a "huge, renovated barn," that was erected in 1853, although you will "see motorcycles of all types" in the parking lot. This "unique nightspot" welcomes "people from all different backgrounds" to come and enjoy each other's company amid "acres of land." Be sure to come for "bike night" Wednesdays when "grill master TJ will gladly make you a pork chop dinner" on the cheap. It's an experience that's "hard to beat, with the feeling of a big barbecue cookout." Read more.