COSHOCTON IS THE PLACE!

Coshocton is the place where rivers converge and foothills rise, creating an area rich in beauty and adventure. Woodbury Wildlife Area, Clary Gardens, and Lake Park feature ample opportunities for outdoor activities like geocaching, swimming, camping, hunting, fishing and cycling.

The all-new Eagle Ridge Disc Golf Course opens this spring. Beverage enthusiasts will be delighted with the seven unique wineries and craft brewery on the Three Rivers Wine Trail. A free passport program and overnight packages make the perfect girlfriend’s getaway or romantic trip for two.

Connect with the past in historic neighborhoods and hear well-loved stories of the canal era while strolling the brick-lined streets of Historic Roscoe Village, where shopping, dining and tours are available seven days a week. Float down a 1-mile restored section of the original Ohio & Erie Canal on The Monticello III Horse-Drawn Canal Boat on summer weekends.

Watch balloons take to the skies at the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival June 8-10 or explore fields of sunflowers at the Coshocton Sunflower Festival August 11-13.

Coshocton is an easy drive from Columbus, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Ohio’s Amish Country. Order a free information packet today! visitcoshocton.com 800-338-4724

Living History

Spanning more than 1,000 acres, Conner Prairie transports visitors to the 19th century, when fur trader William Conner settled along the White River. Today, Conner’s brick home still stands and is open for tours as part of this living-history museum that spans 14 indoor and outdoor exhibit areas that focus on learning and share the story of this part of Indiana.

Start your visit in the Welcome Center, where the Spark! Lab provides rotating activities with an emphasis on teaching innovation to children through hands-on learning. The Welcome Center also includes the Discovery Station, which features materials to make art, build forts, put on a puppet show and more.

Outside, the 1836 Prairietown invites travelers to step back in time with an interactive glimpse of what daily life was once like here. Costumed interpreters in period-appropriate garb make the experience all the richer. Kids and adults alike can complete tasks and activities given by the “pioneers” they encounter along the way. Visitors can also learn about the first residents of the land, the Lenape Indians, in an area that re-creates 1816. Play games, learn about the culture and gather goods from a trading post.

The 1859 Balloon Voyage celebrates a historic event that occurred in Lafayette, Indiana, that year, when balloon designer and pilot John Wise made the first successful airmail delivery in the U.S. For an additional charge, visitors can take a trip 377 feet into the air via the tethered balloon and enjoy incredible views.

On land, hit the trail for a glimpse of flora and fauna native to the prairie on Nature Walk, a jaunt that spans just over a mile and is home to deer, birds and squirrels. Stop by the Treetop Outpost to pick up resources for the expedition.

Along with the 200-year celebration of the Conner Home, summer 2023 brings “Promised Land as Proving Ground,” experiences woven throughout Conner Prairie that explore African American history. 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, Indiana 46038, 317/776-6000, connerprairie.org — LAUREN PATTERSON