Nancy's Home Cooking
Columbus

Locals flock to Nancy's, a "'li'l dive" for "amazing comfort food." The owner (not Nancy) "does all the cooking in front of you" and can make whatever can be prepared on a short-order grill. She fosters a friendly atmosphere, and encourages people to "grab their own drinks, eat, and get on out" (to make room for the line of locals waiting outside). The space is long and narrow and "only seats about 20." Every Thursday the special is chicken and noodles, and if they sell out then they close early, so it's best to get there before everyone else. For breakfast, "garbage omelets," home fries with sausage, hash browns, and bacon are guaranteed to please.

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Brecksville

The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail extends from Cleveland to Akron, Ohio. This "20-mile bike and walking trail passes through nine miles of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, runs alongside the winding Cuyahoga River, and through forests and hills." History buffs will enjoy the canal locks and the "interpretive signs along the way." The best time to visit is in the fall when the leaves are changing--stunning! Read more.

Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop
Chagrin Falls

Situated right next to Chagrin Falls, the Popcorn Shop has been around since 1875. Visitors can walk down to the viewing area directly adjacent to the shop for a closer look. The "village is really quaint," and the shop has "a lot of charm." Natives love it here, and it's a "great place to find out about local events." Plus, they sell more than just popcorn: you'll find nuts, pretzels, caramels, fudge, t-shirts, gift baskets, and more. Read more.

Shaker Woods Festival
Columbiana

The Shaker Woods Festival is a "popular destination for locals to get back to the roots of the region." Every late summer or early fall, "natives from Pittsburgh and Cleveland make the journey" to this "dense canopy of trees in the middle of a cornfield in eastern Ohio." More than 200 "artisans, cooks, and entertainers converge on this heavily-shaded rural copse to sell their goods and display their skills." Kids will "love a ride on the train" and adults will "dive face first into the outstanding country cooking." Read more.

The Book Loft of German Village
Columbus

The Book Loft takes up a full city block with its nearly overwhelming abundance of books. "It's a converted Victorian-era house connected to another one and has 30-plus rooms filled with books and related items." There's even a map at the entrance for easier browsing. To enhance the ambience, this "unique shop has themed rooms and music playing throughout." The optimal visit ends with a stop in one of many nearby cafes or restaurants, where you can crack open your book without delay. Read more.

Return of the Buzzards
Hinckley

Starting in 1957, the community in Hinckley has commemorated the annual migration of buzzards to this small town. This unique event attracts thousands of spectators to Cleveland Metropark's Hinckley Reservation, and there is even an official buzzard spotter. The buzzards' mid-March arrival signifies the start of spring, and "the whole town celebrates with a pancake breakfast and festival," complete with costumed performances, songs, and floats, on Buzzard Sunday.

Arnold's Bar & Grill
Cincinnati

Arnold's is the oldest bar in Cincinnati, dating back to the 1860s, with "a unique atmosphere that cannot be matched." The decor is "nothing fancy" but you can "catch a glimpse of the bathtub where they made gin during Prohibition." When you walk into the restaurant, "you almost feel like you're stepping back in time." During the summer, the outdoor patio is a treasured spot in the early evenings. It is "a great place to relax and hang out with friends for a beer after work." Read more.

The Lebanon Theater Company
Lebanon

The Lebanon Theater Company is a non-profit community theater on the top floor of the Shoe Factory Antique Mall. It is "a wonderful mix of old and new in loft-style spaces." From musicals and plays to dance performances, "the productions are high caliber and professionally done." The Shoe Factory Antique Mall is now wholly "dedicated to art and antiques." The four floors house antiques, a dance studio, areas for silk screening, embroidering, and pottery, a banquet hall/reception center, and, of course, the theatre. Read more.

Middlefield Cheese House
Middlefield

Sample award-winning Swiss cheese at the Middlefield Cheese House, located in the "beautiful rolling hills of Geauga County." The "art of cheese making is a tradition in the Rothenbuhler family that has spanned generations." Watch them in action as they craft their cheese, and visit the factory museum and browse the gift shop. In an area famous for its maple syrup and "amidst one of the largest Amish settlements in the United States," you'll agree that a visit here is "an experience you don't want to miss." Read more.

Mountain Mule Expeditions
South Bloomingville

Hocking Hills has trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and even mule riding. Mountain Mule Expeditions are "one-of-a-kind, guided mule treks that go deep into the remote hollows, caves, and trails of Ohio's breathtaking Hocking Hills." Take a "standard trail across from the stable," or take a longer ride and bring a picnic. There are "geological formations that are unique to this gorgeous area" making it a "terrific destination for walking and hiking." Read more.