FALLGETAWAYS
By Steve Stephens
North Carolina barbecue, Kentucky bourbon, Ohio rollercoasters and Lake Erie resorts beckon as the leaves turn.
BULLITT COUNTY
So you want to take a tasting trip to Kentucky bourbon country this fall, but your traveling companions aren’t big whiskey fans?
The Bullitt County Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail might be the perfect solution.
About 30 minutes south of Louisville, Bullitt County is easily accessible from I-75.
As might be guessed from its name, the trail includes four wineries for oenophiles and a brewery for beer lovers. Also on the trail are two iconic bourbon destinations: The James B. Beam American Outpost, and the Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling facility, so Bullitt County is no mere compromise for bourbon fans.
Trail visitors will find that each of the wineries has its own delightful personality and atmosphere.
Although Brooks Hill Winery was sold this year, the new owners have vowed to keep the friendly atmosphere, award-winning wines and live music on the patio (most Saturdays through mid-October) that have made the destination a local favorite.
MillaNova Winery is a child- and pet-friendly stop with a wide variety of wines, several honoring the owners’ Italian heritage, and a large pavilion with panoramic views of the winery’s 22 acres.
Wight Meyer Vineyard and Winery is the county’s oldest winery featuring its most mature vines, and wines that include the unusual and popular Kentucky Diamond white.
Forest Edge Winery is another childand pet-friendly stop, with operations overseen by Ava the wine cat. The award-winning winery is located adjacent to Bermheim Forest and
Arboretum, itself a must-stop destination with a variety of botanical and artist attractions spread over its 16,000 acres.
The trail’s beer-making repre sentative, Gallant Fox Brewing Co., features food, house-brewed and guest beers and a bar featuring, of course, a large selection of bourbons.
A trail “passport” is available on-line or at any trail stop or the Bullitt County Visitors Center. Visitors who get their passport stamped at all seven stops receive a souvenir trail glass.
Trail visitors who don’t have a designated driver or who want to enjoy a guided tour can also choose from many different local transportation/ tour companies at TravelBullitt.org.
NORTH CAROLINA
Simply perusing a state map will show a would-be visitor many great features that make North Carolina such a popular travel destination, with the beautiful Atlantic coastline on the east; the rugged and magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains on the west; and the big city attractions of Charlotte and Raleigh and small-town delights of places like Asheville, Wilmington and New Bern.
But you can’t taste or smell a map. (Or at least you probably shouldn’t.)
One of the best features of North
North Carolina barbecue is, arguably—and you will get an argument—the best barbecue bar none.
Sure, Texas, Memphis and Kansas City barbecue have their devotees, maybe because those devotees haven’t visited North Carolina.
The debate about the best ‘cue even rages within North Carolina, which features two distinct styles of its own, each with its own fans.
All classic North Carolina barbeque features pig—and pig only—slow roasted over wood or charcoal. Eastern style uses the whole hog served with a vinegar-based sauce. Only shoulders, served with a brown sugar and ketchup-based sauce, are used in Lexington-style barbecue.
EXPLORE yours to
Eastern barbecue is, as the name suggests, found primarily in the eastern part of the state. Lexington barbecue, born in the city which gives it its name, reigns supreme in the west.
Which is best? Only an in-person taste-test will reveal the truth.
Finding the best barbeque in town is easy—just ask the first local you see. (Although the next person may give you a different answer.)
Visitors can also find many suggestions of classic barbecue joints to try at visitNC.com.
SHORES AND ISLANDS
There is no bad time to visit Sandusky, one of America’s best and most welcoming small-town coastal destinations.
But something about the fall, as lake breezes turn a bit chilly and the sun-seeking crowds of summer melt away, lends Sandusky’s verdant and historic downtown streets even more charm.
A great place to start a Sandusky visit is at the Shores and Islands Welcome Center downtown. Visitors will find
Discover Ohio Wine Country this fall
Fall is fleeting, but it’s amazing how lakeside moments feel bigger and brighter. Less than three hours from Columbus, our hotel and cottages give you the perfect accommodations to experience the bold foliage in neighboring Geneva State Park.
Cedar Point
maps, lodging and dining suggestions and information about things to do in Sandusky and the surrounding area, which is chalk-full of delightful attractions.
Of course, autumn visitors still have time for a stop at Cedar Point, one of the world’s great amusement parks and the undisputed roller-coaster capital. Plus, a variety of indoor water parks including Castaway Bay, Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts offer a good, fun soaking anytime of the year.
But the high point for many visitors is time spent exploring downtown Sandusky.
Watching autumn clouds soar over the churning lake from Jackson Street Pier; marveling at architectural treasures such as the Erie County Courthouse and the Sandusky State Theater, recently rebuilt to its original splendor after storm damage in 2020; or dropping in to history-filled sites such as the Maritime Museum of Sandusky or the can’t-miss Merry Go Round Museum.
Downtown Sandusky also features many interesting shops, galleries and entertainment venues, and a wide
The Jackson Street Pier
variety of places to quench a hunger or thirst, among them Vita Sandusky, whose magnificent setting in a lofted art deco former bank lobby must be seen to be believed.
LODGE AT GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE
Some travelers, contemplating the ideal fall getaway, might picture romantic lodgings with a magnificent waterfront view.
Others might yearn for a wine-tasting as the harvest comes in, or a visit to a lovely historic covered bridge as the waters of autumn gurgle beneath, or an exhilarating zip through mature trees flashing hues of crimson and gold.
Well, as luck would have it, the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake (thelodgeatgeneva.com) offers all that and much more.
The lovely resort on the Lake Erie shore, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has something delightful to offer almost every traveler, beginning with those cozy, comfy rooms in a variety of layouts, plus stand-alone lakefront cabins for guests who prefer a more homey stay.
And to explore the region in style, guests can avail themselves of several day-trip tour options leaving from the lodge.
The lodge’s beloved wine shuttle offers several daily scheduled departures, taking visitors to a changing set three of the area’s more than a dozen wineries. Each stop lasts about an hour, giving guests plenty of time for tastings and exploring each of the lovely vineyards. The shuttle’s stops vary, so guests who want to visit a variety of
wineries can ride on multiple days or visits.
This fall, the Lodge at Geneva will also be offering a daily, four-hour Covered Bridge Tour, led by a guide who shares entertaining stories about the rich history of Ashtabula County’s 19 covered bridges. The number of stops on each tour varies, depending on the amount of time the guests and guide spend exploring each bridge.
Visitors looking for a bit of high-flying fun can find plenty of it at Lake Erie Canopy Tours located on the resort grounds. Guests can soar through the treetops along a zip-line network that offers unmatched views of the lake and Geneva State Park, or test their skills on a self-guided adventure course, including a separate kid-sized course for thrill-seekers ages 4 to 10.
PHOTOS:
The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake
