2017 Ohio Has It! Group Travel Guide by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

OHIO 2017 GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE presented by

www.ohiohasit.com

FEEDING GIRAFFES AT THE ZOO WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TOUR ‘TIL WE HIT THE DESSERT TRAY AT SCHMIDT’S

Great tours are Made in Cbus. Pair a visit to the zoo Jack Hanna calls home with a cream puff at iconic Schmidt’s in historic German Village. As a leader in experiential tours, Columbus is a perfect ﬁt for a group of any size (or taste)!

experiencecolumbus.com/tours

The Hocking Hills is the perfect place to check off a few experiences on your group’s Bucket List… Soar through the trees along more than 60 ziplines in the Canopy Tour Capital of the Midwest

Get up close and personal with wildlife on a guided kayak tour

Test your endurance along the 6 mile Grandma Gatewood Trail in the Hocking Hills State Park

Relax while floating down the Hocking River by canoe

Strap on a jet pack and defy gravity at Jet Pack Water Adventures

Rappel down a 130’ rock face in the Hocking State Forest

Take a trip back in time on horseback to a genuine genuine cowboy cookout

Explore remote scenic wonders on a naturalist led hike

And when it’s time to kick back and relax Hocking Hills offer luxury lodges for groups of twelve to forty with all the amenities of a resort nestled in a private scenic setting. Southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills. Ohio’s Natural Crown Jewels.

ExploreHockingHills.com/TourOperators | 1-800-Hocking

TABLE OF CONTENTS Toledo Cleveland

Sandusky

NORTHWEST Lima

Akron/Canton

Youngstown

NORTHEAST

Mansfield

Marion

New Philadelphia

CENTRAL

Cambridge

Dublin

Columbus

FINE WINE AND SPIRITS C U LT U R A L L E G AC I E S

Marietta Hocking Hills

O U T D O O R A DV E N T U R E S

Chillicothe

Cincinnati

MADE IN OHIO

Zanesville

Dayton

SOUTHWEST

S I G NAT U R E AT T R AC T I O N S

SOUTHEAST

U N D E R G R O U N D R A I L R OA D S I T E S PUBLISHED FOR

OHIO HAS IT! LISTINGS

6 8 20 32 44 56 65

WWW.OHIOHASIT.COM SHARONNA BURNS ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME ALLYSON BUSSEY VISIT CANTON ROGER DUDLEY EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS DEE EVANS FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES CANTON TIFFANY FRISCH LAKE ERIE SHORES AND ISLANDS TIFFANY GERBER TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CVB LORI KAPPES ZANESVILLE/MUSKINGUM COUNTY CVB AMANDA MIKKELSON DUBLIN CVB LINDA SMITH WARREN COUNTY CVB

PUBLISHED BY

NICHE TRAVEL PUBLISHERS 301 EAST HIGH STREET LEXINGTON, KY 40507

WELCOME

irthplace of astronauts, inventors, writers and presidents, Ohio has a proud and rich heritage we invite you to discover on your next group tour. Whether you want a science-filled student trip or an experiential adventure for adults, Ohio can offer your group a warm welcome and a plethora of exciting attractions. We created Ohio Has It! to help serve your group’s needs with travel planning ideas that illustrate the wide scope of quality destinations across the five regions of Ohio. Hopefully, you can use this magazine as a tool when you plan trips to the Buckeye State. So what is the “it” that Ohio has? Ohio’s “it” factor reaches everything from sleek big city offerings to charming rural towns. It encompasses the state’s hands-on experiences, elegant historic homes, modern galleries and handmade crafts. Ohio is known for both rock and roll and football; Amish communities and roller coasters; award-winning zoos and scenic parks. Each one of Ohio’s five regions showcases different aspects of these unique perspectives. With this magazine, you can glimpse into the many faces of Ohio, which while they are different, stay unified in their welcoming citizens and memorable attractions. So give us a call and let us help plan your next Ohio adventure! S I N C E R E LY,

THE OHI O H AS I T! TE AM

888-253-0455

WWW.GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

SIGNATURE ATTRACTIONS

Courtesy TourismOhio

Courtesy Rock and Roll HOF

By Tom Engberg, courtesy NPS

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM | C L E V E L A N D Michael Jackson’s sparkly glove, Ray Orbison’s black-rimmed glasses and David Bowie’s embellished outfits lie on display inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Once thought a dangerous music genre, rock and roll music has far-reaching ties to Cleveland, including the fact that it is where the term “rock ‘n’ roll” was first coined, as a local disc jockey described a riotous music concert. The museum’s interactive exhibits use sound, video and memorabilia from music giants to explore rock and roll’s origins, influences and major players. The sprawling museum not only contains numerous exhibits, but also a Hall of Fame section, a 3-D theater and a stage for music performances and events.

COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM | C O L U M B U S With famed American zookeeper Jack Hanna at the helm, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has become far more than your typical zoo. Home to more than 7,000 animals, the world-renowned zoo contains all the animals you’d expect to see in a zoo, as well as more exotic creatures, such as pygmy chimpanzees, red pandas and Komodo dragons. The 140-acre complex separates species by continent, and its Heart of Africa section has camel rides, giraffe feeding and other interactive experiences. Youth groups will also love Jungle Jack’s Landing, home to 12 amusement park rides.

DAYTON AVIATION HERITAGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK | D A Y T O N Under the same skies the Wright brothers once wistfully looked up at sits the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Orville and Wilbur Wright grew up in Dayton and launched their aeronautic enterprises there. The park explores their impact on Dayton and the world at the WrightDunbar Interpretive Center with exhibits on the brothers’ bicycle business, which impacted their work in aviation; their family; and their childhood friend, Paul Laurence Dunbar, the poet and author. The park has multiple sites, among them the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center, Paul Laurence Dunbar House and the Wright Brothers Aviation Center. The world’s first practical airplane, the 1905 Wright Flyer III, is displayed at the aviation center alongside a replica of the brothers’ bicycle shop, wind tunnel and other flight-related artifacts.

Courtesy Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Courtesy Visit Canton

Above (left to right): Toledo Museum of Art; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP; Brown bear at Columbus Zoo; Pro Football Hall of Fame

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME | C A N T O N In a move that would dictate what many Americans would eventually watch on Monday nights, the National Football League was born September 17, 1920, during a meeting in downtown Canton. The Pro Football Hall of Fame explores the historic roots of American football, as well as the later emergence of the Monday Night Football broadcast, the Super Bowl and legendary players. With 115,000 square feet of exhibit space, groups can discover how football started from humble beginnings to become one of the country’s favorite sports.

CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM | C I N C I N N A T I An immense collection of 65,000 works that span 6,000 years makes the Cincinnati Art Museum one of the most comprehensive art collections in the Midwest. The Romanesque Revival building, which opened in 1886, is itself an impressive work of art. A series of additions and renovations have altered the building but retained its architectural integrity. The first art museum built west of the Alleghenies, the Cincinnati museum emphasizes ancient Middle Eastern art and European old master painters, and has an entire wing devoted to local art. Groups can wander on their own or choose among a variety of guided tours such as American Art, Ancient Worlds and Masterpieces.

TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART | T O L E D O Art doesn’t just sit on shelves but comes to life during the Toledo Museum of Art’s glass-blowing demonstrations. Known as Glass City, Toledo claims a long history with glass manufacturing and with glass art, which guests can learn about in the museum’s Glass Pavilion. Visitors often praise the museum for its comprehensive collection, with works that range from contemporary to antique and local to Asian and African. Traditional Old Master paintings also wow the crowds, such as Peter Paul Rubens’ “The Crowning of Saint Catherine.”

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

Board a NASA Space Shuttle – Free

Visit the National Museum of the US Air Force - Free

Board and Tour Four of Nine Presidential Planes - Free

Experience Top-Flight Fun in The Birthplace of Aviation. Located at the crossroads of America!

DAYTON

DAYTON OFFERS: • Diverse Customized Itineraries • Free Tour Operator and Attendee Gifts • Special Tour Operator Incentives • 60% Of The US Population Within One Day’s Drive Contact Sean Robison, Tour Specialist, today at 937.226.8259 or srobison@daytoncvb.net

Enjoy Craft Beers at Carillon Historical Park

DAYTONCVB.COM

Test Lady Luck at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

MADE IN OHIO Courtesy Carruth Studio

Courtesy Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mill

Courtesy Mosser Glass

uying locally crafted souvenirs and gifts allows travelers to take home a bit of their journey. Often, visitors can see the manufacturing process firsthand. From sweet and savory to patriotic and arty, Ohio companies, chefs and artisans offer enough choices to fill an extra suitcase. Some of those products might just surprise your group.

ANNIN FLAGMAKERS COSHOCTON

The nation’s largest and oldest maker of flags, Annin Flagmakers, has been manufacturing flags since 1847. The American flag was less than 50 years old when Alexander Annin began making U.S. flags for merchant ships in his sail-making shop on New York City’s water-

OHIO CRAFTSMANSHIP

ARTISANS AND ARTISTRY AWAIT YOUR SHOPPING ENTHUSIASTS

BY E LI Z ABE TH H EY

front in the 1820s. Since then, six generations of the Annin family and its employees have produced more than 3 million full-size American flags each year. Their flags have flown over the White House, draped the coffin of President Abraham Lincoln, been raised on foreign battlefields and traveled to the surface of the moon with Apollo 11. Annin also manufactures flags for all 50 states and U.S. territories, in eight different sizes; all the U.N. member nations, in five different sizes; all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces; golf, fishing and boating flags; and historical and religious flags. The company’s custom shop can create a company or organizational flag in quantities ranging from one to many. Groups can tour their 152,000-square-foot facility that sews U.S. flags, stick flags and patriotic decorations. Visitors can watch the plant’s advanced stand-up sewing production techniques. State, international and custom flags are digitally printed and screen dyed to exact color specifications. In-house research and testing laboratories, together with the art department, are constantly monitoring dye formulas. “Tours can be scheduled through our office and run from Memorial Day through the beginning of December,” said Mindy Brems with the

www.ohiohasit.com

Courtesy Annin Flagmakers

Above: Tour of nation’s oldest maker of ﬂags, Annin Flagmakers Opposite page (clockwise from top right): Garden Smiles shop; Mosser Glass hand-pressed bowls; Cooper’s Mill factory tour

MADE IN OHIO

Coshocton Visitors Bureau. “When visitors tour the factory and see so many people working in such a patriotic environment making ﬂags, it really brings out pride in being an American.” OHIO

COOPER’S MILL

R E C E P T I V E O P E R AT O R

OHIO TRAVEL TREASURES

hio Travel Treasures (OTT) is a fully licensed and bonded receptive operator for the state of Ohio and surrounding states. They specialize in creating unique and different tour packages for the group travel market. OTT brings to the professional tour planners a wealth of knowledge, contacts and tour ideas with over 90 years of experience and references. They welcome the opportunity to provide a wide variety of tours for group travelers. OTT customizes each and every tour so there is never a “cookie cutter” trip.

SPECIALIZES IN

Both themed and general customized tours mostly in Ohio and adjacent states

CONTACT INFORMATION

Diane Sphar 800-582-5997 www.ohiotraveltreasures.com

BUCYRUS

An hour north of Columbus, Cooper’s Mill makes a tasty stop. Throughout the store, visitors can sample and shop for numerous food products made in Ohio. Monday through Friday in the adjacent factory, visitors can watch the production of the jellies and jams sold in the store. Groups stand at the windows overlooking the production area as a guide explains the cooking and canning process. “My parents started the business in 1969 with a picnic table on the roadside and sold produce from their garden and apple butter made on their farm,” said retail manager and daughter of the original owners Sharon Sparks. “Groups can see how we still make apple butter using our large copper kettles over a wood fire.” Among the store’s all-natural products are 40 flavors of jams and jellies, five relishes and five apple butters, including no-sugar flavors. Numerous unusual combinations include the corn cob and dandelion jellies. There are also a variety of fruit syrups and applesauce flavors. Sharon’s brother Dan develops new recipes, such as their new line of barbecue sauces. In the deli area, apple cider doughnuts are fried daily and glazed several ways, all available for sampling. Inventive flavors of fudge, such as chocolate with a chewy praline layer, are made several times each week. Cinnamon glazed nuts, roasted on-site, are another staple. Visitors can buy fresh peanut butter made four ways, pies baked in Ohio, raw honey, and local cookie and pancake mixes. The store stocks farm-fresh produce, candles made at a factory just a mile down the road, hand towels, rag rugs and other kitchen items, so allow time for shopping.

THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES Shoreline Treasures Ride the Buckeye Rails Made in Ohio

Pennsylvania’s Kiski Junction Railroad Courtesy Ohio Travel Treasures

Apple butter canning at Cooper’s Mill Courtesy Cooper’s Mill

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

With over 50 historic sites and museums, there’s lots for your group to explore! AT OUR SITES YOUR GROUP WILL ENCOUNTER: • Stories rich with American Indian and African American culture

• The Underground Railroad’s path to freedom

• A taste of life in the 19th century

• A state rich in presidential heritage

• Prehistoric earthworks and abundant natural beauty

• Dramatic battles and literary treasures • Adventures in outer space and more!

From battleﬁelds and forts to monuments and mansions, plan your trip today at ohiohistory.org/visit. For more information contact Brian Cheek: bcheek@ohiohistory.org 800.686.6124 • 614.297.2319 • 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211-2474

MADE THE AMISH WAY G

roups can purchase Amish cheeses, furniture and other handmade treasures at any of these shopping experiences.

SH OPP I NG

NIEKAMP’S FARM AND FLEA MARKET | S T . H E N R Y Whether attracted by food, antiques, crafts or cement lawn furniture, shoppers at Niekamp’s Farm and Flea Market will find something of interest. The 55,000-square-foot building offers private-label merchandise, hand-dipped ice cream, bakery goodies and other specialty items. Amish cheese and baked goods are especially popular, but groups also enjoy browsing the antiques and flea market booths in the shopping complex’s other buildings.

HARTVILLE MARKETPLACE | H A R T V I L L E

Hartville Hardware Courtesy Hartville Marketplace

Originally a livestock auction, Hartville Marketplace has grown into a giant indoor market with more than 100 shops. When groups that have registered with the marketplace arrive, they are greeted with complimentary gifts and shopping vouchers before they browse the food, fashion, craft and antique booths. Outside, one of the largest open-air flea markets in Ohio satisfies even the most avid shoppers, with some 800 vendors daily during peak season. The shopping complex also includes Hartville Kitchen’s home-style cooking, Hartville Collectible’s keepsakes and Hartville Hardware’s USA products.

AMISH BACKROADS DRIVING TOUR | G E A U G A C O U N T Y Instead of a brief excursion to an Amish shop, groups can take their time and sample all the quality products the Ohio Amish have to offer on the Amish Backroads Driving Tour. The route runs through Geauga County, where more than 14,000 Amish live and work. The drive is part of the attraction, as the tour passes Amish working in the fields and hanging out their clothes to dry. Shoppers can taste fresh produce and baked goods or purchase handcrafted treasures from more than 20 Amish businesses on the route.

Hartville Kitchen Courtesy Hartville Marketplace

Amish Backroads Driving Tour

Amish in Geauga County Courtesy Destination Geauga

Courtesy Little Pond Graphics

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

MADE IN OH IO

P. GRAHAM DUNN DALTON

Nestled in the heart of Amish country, P. Graham Dunn manufactures and sells inspirational art, gifts and home decor. The company has its roots in mission work. Peter and LeAnna Dunn opened a home for runaway girls in New York City, where they started a small woodworking business to keep the girls occupied. Eventually, they bought woodworking equipment and installed it on their farm in Dalton. Today, more than 5,000 accounts carry their inspirational decor and gifts. Visitors follow the winding driveway, passing a pond and a large wooden cross before coming upon Anna’s Chapel. In the store’s grand lobby, ornate plaques adorn the walls, and Scripture is carved into the crown molding. Visitors climb the grand staircase to the retail store and overlook the manufacturing plant through windows that line the walls of the store. P. Graham Dunn’s ﬂagship store delivers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. The 20,000-square-foot gift shop sells wall art that features Scripture and encouraging messages, home decor and thousands of gifts. At the laser-engraving center, hundreds of products can be personalized in minutes. “Visitors can wander the paved walking path around the pond, and in Anna’s Chapel, people can write messages on the walls expressing prayer requests or telling what they’re thankful for,” said marketing manager Anthony Burdette. “We’re an inspirational company, and we want visitors to be inspired when they come and visit us.”

Decor retail at P. Graham Dunn

Courtesy P. Graham Dunn

MADE IN OHIO

MOSSER GLASS CAMBRIDGE

Begin your journey to Fantastic shopping Step-on tours Ample free parking Free catalogs and brochures A free f meall for f the th driver d i & escortt Great deals at the Outlet Store Enjoy lunch at the Cast Iron Café Free shipping on purchases over $100 Visit Lehmans.com/bus-tours for more information.

Outside the town of Cambridge near Interstate 77, Mosser Glass is one of the nation’s few family-owned businesses that manufactures hand-pressed glass. The business spans two generations of family members, and their creations blend contemporary designs with timeless classics. The new retail store stocks the company’s products at suggested retail prices — more than 1,000 different patterns in a rainbow of colors on a variety of service ware. Although 95 percent of the inventory is created on-site, certain selected items, such as jewelry and hummingbird feeders, are sourced from other glass studios. The company also manufactures custom pieces. Outside of the Cambridge store, Mosser Glass primarily sells at wholesale to local gift shops and larger stores found across the country, such as Sur la Table. “Cake plates and service ware — glasses, pitchers, bowls and platters — remain our biggest sellers,” said co-owner and family member Mindy Mosser Hartley. “And we can easily ship our products when someone picks it out and buys it at this location.” Guided tours last about 15 minutes in the factory. Groups can watch glass coming out of the furnace, which fires up to 2,000 degrees. Glass is then pressed into the molds and fire polished after molding. Sometimes, a piece requires hand shaping to finish before the three-and-a-half-hour cooling process begins. Production varies from 150 larger items to 300 smaller pieces each day. “We’re proud of our American-made products and family-owned company,” said Hartley. “Our father began the company, and three out of his four children now operate the business.”

CARRUTH STUDIO

WATERVILLE

Fifteen minutes southwest of downtown Toledo, Garden Smiles art studio specializes in quirky original sculptures and whimsical home decor. Behind each creation is American sculptor George Carruth. His wife, Deb, helped turn his passion for concrete garden art into a family-run company. Each hand-cast sculpture can be displayed indoors or outside. The sculptures can withstand seasonal temperature swings and winter weather. Garden Smiles is the ﬂagship store for Carruth’s creations that are sold online and in approximately 1,500 shops nationwide. It’s the only place to ﬁnd his complete collection and have the opportunity to see the newest designs not yet

Mosser Glass retail

CContact info@lehmans.com for more information Please allow at least two hours for your visit

LEHMANS.COM 800.438.5346

On the Square in Kidron, Ohio IN THE HEART OF AMISH COUNTRY OPEN EVERY DAY EXCEPT SUNDAY

Courtesy Mosser Glass

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

Where History & Adventure Await

v i s i t g u e r n s e y c o u n t y . c o m 800.933.5480

MADE IN OHIO

Eat

Stay

Play

The Bistro Off Broadway

available elsewhere. The gallery also test markets Carruth’s new colors, mediums and ideas, and collectors have an opportunity to take home a design or color that may never ﬁnd its way into the catalog. Bargain shoppers will gravitate to Carruth sculptures with minor ﬂaws that are sold at greatly reduced prices. The shop also carries other gift items. Carruth items can be shipped, but other items are cash-andcarry only. Prices range from approximately $7 to $250. Carruth is constantly innovating and creating new products. Group tours are available of the production facility, located a mile down the road. Visitors can watch the process where 200 to 500 pieces are manufactured daily. “Before Christmas and Mother’s Day, the studio hosts signings,” said store manager and buyer Shannon Pieper. “George is very personable and loves to chat with people and hear the stories about how his pieces are displayed.”

KITCHENAID EXPERIENCE GREENVILLE

Inn at Versailles

With more than 80 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, Greenville is a charming town and home to the KitchenAid Experience. Since 1941, every KitchenAid Stand Mixer has been assembled in this factory. KitchenAid’s two-level retail store oﬀers a large collec-

KitchenAid Experience ®

Garden Smiles

800.504.2995 | VisitDarkeCounty.org 16

Courtesy Carruth Studio

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

tion of first-quality countertop and culinary products in a variety of colors and styles; it also runs specials and promotions. On the lower lever, the museum displays vintage KitchenAid memorabilia, advertisements and products from the early 1900s through the present day. The store also sells refurbished countertop appliances such as mixers, blenders, food processors, coffeemakers and teakettles. Group tours start at the factory, located three miles from the store. The tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at how KitchenAid’s stand mixers are manufactured from start to finish. Visitors will see the areas of machining, painting, repairs and more. Tours are subject to manufacturing schedules. “After the factory tour, groups head downtown to the store and make hot apple dumplings in our commercial kitchen,” said group coordinator Marlenea Hood. “While the apple dumplings are baking, they go out to lunch and then come back in about an hour to eat dessert.” The retail store’s kitchen hosts free cooking demonstrations several times each week. Demos give athome cooks an opportunity to see KitchenAid appliances in action and learn helpful tips and tricks about how to use them. Saturday mornings, a local guest chef hosts a demonstration class.

KitchenAid factory tour

Courtesy KitchenAid Experience

www.ohiohasit.com

COOL SHOPPING STOPS T

hese outside-the-box shopping experiences offer not only unusual retail options, but also group-friendly tours.

Apple treats at West Side Market

BASS PRO SHOPS | R O S S F O R D At first glance, Bass Pro Shops seems like a store that would only interest those who hunt and fish. A tour of the mega store proves there is something to entertain almost all: outdoor ponds that attract wildlife, an indoor waterfall and mountain, a memorabilia exhibit and fudge tastings. Bass Pro Shops staff will introduce the group to the Jungle Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store and explain how hunting and fishing traditions have changed since the 1900s. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll talk about items in the memorabilia exhibit. Groups can then watch the complicated process involved in feeding the bass, catfish, bluegill and other fish in a 19,000-gallon aquarium.

JUNGLE JIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL MARKET | FAIRFIELD Bass Pro Shops Courtesy West Side Market

Courtesy Rossford CVB

Courtesy Butler Co. Visitors Bureau

S HO P PING

It can be difficult to describe the zaniness of Jungle Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Market to someone who has never been there. Singing robotic characters, a cooking school, a soda shop and 6.5 acres of food options ensure visitors will not soon forget a stop to this unusual grocery store. Groups can explore more than 150,000 items from 70 countries on their own or on a guided tour that includes samples of exotic foods. For a more structured experience, Jungle Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cooking School gives hands-on, themed classes, such as bread making.

WEST SIDE MARKET | CLEVELAND

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Immigrants who flocked to Cleveland for a new life craved familiar foods from their homeland. In early 1912, the West Side Market opened to serve that growing immigrant population. Today, the market continues to serve a variety of ethnic specialties, as well as fresh meats, cheese, vegetables and baked goods. Groups can use their noses to help decide which of the many food vendors to sample as they wander through the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest, continuously operating, municipally owned market.

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2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

We Can Rock You. Or Bach you.

Contact:

Jane Tougouma | Destination Cleveland | Group Tour Sales Manager Tel: 216.875.6607 or 800.321.1001 | Fax: 216.621.5967 Email: jtougouma@destinationcle.org

WINERIES Courtesy Gervasi Vineyard

Courtesy Lake County Visitors Bureau

Courtesy Gervasi Vineyard

art of the pleasure when traveling is experiencing the local culture through cuisine. One of the best ways to do that is by visiting an Ohio winery, since grapes reﬂect the climate, soil and geology of their particular regions. Ohio ranks as one of the nation’s top 10 wine producers, with many of the sites open to groups for tastings, tours and dining. These wineries across the state are eager to showcase the fruits of their labor.

INDIAN BEAR LODGE AND WINERY WALHONDING

Poised on a hill overlooking 200 acres, Indian Bear Lodge and Winery is a destination winery with dining, entertainment and accommodations.

GO LOCAL BY VISITING THE STATE’S SUPERB WINERIES

VINTAGE OHIO

The log-hewn, rustic tasting room features indoor and outdoor seating, a stone ﬁreplace and views of the vineyard, lake and property. Wine styles include estate-bottled Ohio varietals, sweet and semisweet fruit wines, and full-bodied classic red and white selections. Each label is produced on-site. The wine bar serves lunch and dinner. Private and semiprivate space is available for special events. Groups can sample from 17 varieties of wine produced on site. A loveable beagle that often visited the winery inspired the name of one of the site’s most popular varieties: Roscoe’s Red. The red wine even won some awards for the site. The site oﬀers two lodges with laid-back atmospheres with rockers, log furniture and screened porches. “Many groups stay for the weekend and enjoy the winery and hiking trails,” said co-owner Sherri Lechner. “If they stay a week, they’ll usually canoe, check out Amish Country and Three Rivers Wine Trail, of which we’re a part.”

www.ohiohasit.com

BY E LI Z ABE TH H EY

Courtesy Indian Bear Winery

Above: Indian Bear Winery entrance Opposite page (clockwise from top right): Gervasi Vineyard; Dining area at Gervasi Vineyard; Laurentia Winery

WINERIES

In addition to the area’s many attractions, guided horseback rides through the Mohican Valley are available. Massages, pedicures and manicures can be arranged in advance.

PLUM RUN WINERY GROVE CITY

Plum Run’s vineyard Courtesy Plum Run Winery

Tasting room at Plum Run

Southwest of downtown Columbus, Plum Run Winery opened in 2012 and continues to add to its offerings. Original owners Dave and Diane Crosby grow primarily traminette, vidal, chambourcin and cabernet franc grapes, plus several other varietals, at their nearby farm. Plum Run produces 16 different labels including reds and whites, and rose, fruit and port wines. If the winery needs additional grapes, they source approximately 95 percent from Ohio growers. The winery recently expanded its back patio to seat 72 guests, and the connected the front patio to accommodate approximately 50 people. The winery’s tasting room seats nearly 40, and the menu, serving cheese plates, flatbreads and paninis recently expanded in 2016. “We offer group tastings two ways,” said owner Dave Crosby. “We can organize a tasting where everyone samples the same wines, or if groups want more flexibility, we issue tickets. That way, people can come up to the bar and choose whatever they want.” The new brewery produced its first beer in August 2016. Crosby said the brewery’s tasting room offers 18 taps, with the goal of half of those beers being produced on-site and the rest sourced from within Ohio. Tours of the winery and brewery can be scheduled. “Wines and Canvas,” which are sip and paint classes, take place the second Tuesday of each month for up to 28 people.

FIRELANDS WINERY SANDUSKY

Courtesy Plum Run Winery

Firelands Winery gift shop Courtesy Lake Erie Shores and Islands

Award-winning Firelands Winery is the state’s largest producing and distributing winery. Its name originates from the Firelands region of north-central Ohio, which was allotted to Connecticut citizens whose homes were burned by the British during the Revolutionary War. As they resettled, they brought with them their winemaking heritage. Today, the winery produces 15 Firelands estate wines; 12 Mantey sweet wines, named after the original owners; ﬁve sparkling wines; and two nonalcoholic wines. Grapes are grown on-site and also are obtained from the I-90 corridor of New York and Pennsylvania, since demand far exceeds the winery’s acreage. Firelands’ winemaker for 30 years, Claudio Salvador, hails from Italy. His 2014 Firelands gewurztraminer won best white wine in the state at the Director’s Choice awards. The best-selling Fifty-Fifty label is a sweet wine created with 50 percent Concord and 50 percent Niagara grapes. Ice wines are quite popular and can sell out. The winery also stocks home winemaking supplies. Hourlong, group tastings take place in an upstairs room that accommodates up to 60 people. Flights feature four one-ounce samples plus a bonus round, usually an Italian import. Salvador imports Italian wines — one label is from his wife’s family, who are winemakers in Italy. Flights range from sweet to semisweet and dry. Each person takes home a glass with the winery’s name stamped on it.

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

Celebrate Life!

GERVASI VINEYARD OHIO

R E C E P T I V E O P E R AT O R

TREASURE GROVE TRAVEL

reasure Grove Travel is the only full service, receptive tour operator located in Central Ohio. They work closely with local partners to create custom experiences for groups. They provide step-on guides in Columbus and surrounding suburbs and are happy to guide groups for the duration of their visit to Central Ohio. They offer a customized menu of tour services for conventions and events in the central Ohio area and around the state.

SPECIALIZES IN

Crafted historic, experiential and sightseeing group tours in Central Ohio

CONTACT INFORMATION

TASTE

Tricia Barbee 614-271-2530 www.treasuregrovetravel.com

DINE

STAY

Experience the beauty of a unique Tuscanthemed, upscale winery featuring wine tours, samplings, boutique shopping, luxurious villa suites and exceptional cuisine at our upscale Bistro, or casual Crush House bar and eatery.

THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES • Central Ohio Sampler • Whistle While You Work • Bison and Broadway

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Plum Run Winery

Escape and enjoy the pleasures of Gervasi Vineyard. ϯϯϬ ϰဓϳ ϭϬϬϬ EdKE K, t t t ' Z s ^ / s / E z Z K D Courtesy Treasure Grove Travel

www.ohiohasit.com

G V Destinations 23

WINERIES

“We try to create a tasting that appeals to everyone and tailor the ﬂight to the group,” said retail manager Candy Barczyk. “Tastings include a tour from platforms that overlook the wine production area. Visitors can view the stainless tanks, our riddling racks for champagne and the bottling process.”

THE VINEYARDS AT PINE LAKE COLUMBIANA

Located 30 minutes south of Youngstown, The Vineyards at Pine Lake harvested their second crop in the fall of 2016. On the 90-acre property, 2,200 vines have been planted. The restaurant will open in spring 2017, and the buzz continues to build. The event center, with a modern-rustic ambiance, opened in August 2016 and seats up to 350 people. It affords lake views and an expansive outdoor patio. On-site catering by the executive chef features all-American food. In the tasting room, options will include wine flights and wine machines, where visitors put certain dollar amounts on cards that can be inserted for two-ounce pours of different labels. It is planned that craft beers will be offered after the winery is established. Groups can also tour the production facility.

The Vineyards at Pine Lake Courtesy The Vineyards at Pine Lake

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

CANTON STARK CO. CVB

WINERIES

Gahanna Ohio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Experience THE HERB CAPITAL OF OHIO

and

DIG INTO GAHANNA’S HERBAL TRAIL

“We’re starting off with 10 labels: four whites, four reds, one blush and one dessert wine. As we grow and harvest, we’ll continue to build our brand,” said Erin Glista, event planner and family member. “This is a family business, and we’re out in the vineyards tying grapes, working on landscaping, and in the production facility, bottling and corking.” The future restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows will overlook the lake. A two-level deck will take advantage of the setting with outdoor seating. The menu will offer a variety of options, from hamburgers to steak.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY WINE COUNTRY

Ohio’s largest wine region lies in Lake County, where rolling hills and award-winning vineyards line the roadways. Groups can visit one or more wineries on the Lake County Visitor Bureau’s Vines and Wines Trail. Guests should not miss a chance to sip the region’s famous ice wine, which is made by many area wineries. For a winery that is accustomed to groups, planners should consider Debonne Vineyards and Cellar Rat Brewery. Ohio’s largest estate winery, Debonne oﬀers a variety of wines, tours, gourmet appetizers and group packages.

GROUP PLANTINGS

MAKIN’ WHOOPIE (PIE)

Debonne Vineyards By Carl Stimac, courtesy Lake County Visitors Bureau

LET THEM EAT (WINE) CAKE

GET ROOTED IN CREEKSIDE BLUES & JAZZ

Ferrante Winery and Ristorante

Learn more about our perennial Herbal Trail Experiences and germinate some unique fun with your group. Call TODAY! Courtesy Lake County Visitors Bureau

614.418.9114 VISITGAHANNA.COM

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

BELLE

DAYTON DISTILLERY

BY E LI ZA BE TH H EY

SP IRI TS

n recent years, Ohio distilleries have taken off in popularity with new sites popping up frequently across the state. The Belle of Dayton Distillery illustrates this trend. Since opening in 2014, it has already garnered silver medals in 2014 and 2015 for its Dayton Small Batch Vodka in the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition. Its most notable award is a platinum medal for its Dayton Vodka at the 2015 Spirits International Prestige Awards. Co-owners and brothers Murphy, Mike and Tim LaSelle create the distillery’s small-batch, artisan spirits. The Belle of Dayton label pays homage to the era before Prohibition when grist mills and distilleries dotted the Miami Valley. Fiery Hell’s Vodka uses seven of the hottest peppers in the world, including the Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Scorpion. In a 350-gallon copper still, the vodka is handcrafted with 100 percent corn spirits and mineral-rich water from Dayton’s Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer. The 1775 Colonial Reserve Rum is made from a recipe dating to the mid-1700s that uses primarily molasses rather than sugar cane. “This hot, distilled rum is quite flavorful and made from 100 percent molasses, which emulates the blackstrap molasses that the British brought over from England,” said Mike LaSelle. “It’s much like the rum that George Washington might have enjoyed at Mount Vernon in the mid 18th century.” On Saturday evenings, tours educate visitors about craft distillation and artisanal spirits. Groups can view the production area, including the copper still, the fermentation tanks and the bottling line. Tours conclude in the tasting room with a sample flight.

Distillery’s co-owners and brothers Courtesy Belle of Dayton Distillery

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800-527-3387

www.ohiohasit.com TUSCARAWAS COUNTY IS LESS THAN TWO HOURS FROM CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS AND PITTSBURGH.

WINERIES

Saint Joseph Vineyard

Gervasi wine tasting

The Grand River Cellars Winery and Restaurant also accommodates groups with indoor seating next to a beautiful fireplace and a large outdoor patio in the woods. Visitors can enjoy music with their wine year round. For groups visiting in August, Vintage Ohio features the area’s wine offerings on the grounds of Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland, Ohio. The summer wine and food festival the first weekend in August offers regional wines for sampling, as well as local cuisine and entertainment.

GERVASI VINEYARD Courtesy Lake County Visitors Bureau

Courtesy Gervasi Vineyard

Lodge at Gervasi Vineyard

Courtesy Gervasi Vineyard

CANTON

A Tuscan-inspired, upscale experience awaits groups that visit family-owned and -operated Gervasi Vineyard. The owners reinvented the last remaining working farm within Canton’s city limits, which dates to the early 19th century. Dining, tours, tastings and cooking classes draw from the family’s Italian heritage. The vineyard’s luxury AAA Four-Diamond villas feature 24 suites with fireplaces. Each four-suite villa faces the lake and has its own lobby and patio. Rooms in the original 1830 Farmhouse combine modern conveniences and rustic charm. One of the three restaurants on the property is The Bistro, housed in a late-1820s barn. The Bistro seats 160 diners and serves an upscale, rustic menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Each restaurant offers samplings and private dining for groups. Next door, The Marketplace sells gifts, such as imported Italian pottery, and was originally a three-room summer home with no running water. The Villa Grande Event Facility hosts conferences and events with seating for up to 144 guests for dinner. Groups can opt for an in-depth, pairing tour led by a member of the winemaking team. Wine and culinary classes, at the Culinary and Wine Education Center, offer personalized instruction and the chance to create a meal and dine at the conclusion of class. “Group tours at the Crush House can be bookended by lunch or a tasting,” said general manager and coowner Scott Swaldo. “The winery produces 100,000 bottles each year, and the wine is only sold on property.”

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

You’llourLove tours Photo: Scott Lanz

Interested?

THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE!

CONTACT US about our FREE step-on guide service. Ideal Northeast Ohio location midway between New York & Chicago, Cleveland & Pittsburgh

800.447.8201 youngstownlive.com

MUST-DO CRAFT BREWS O

hio ranks as America’s fourth largest producer of craft beer. Across the state, beer enthusiasts can enjoy a cold brew and a tour at each of these craft breweries and beer tours. T O L ED O

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CL EVE L AN D

AKRON

CO LU M BU S

DAYT ON C IN CIN N AT I

Z A N ES V IL L E

Courtesy Weasel Boy Brewing Co.

WEASEL BOY BREWING CO. | Z A N E S V I L L E What began as homebrew made only for friends has evolved into a full-scale brewing company on the banks of the Muskingum River. Weasel Boy Brewing Co., opened since 2007, is located in an old warehouse and offers tours and several of its brews on tap, including seasonal beers.

3 WARPED WING BREWING CO. | D A Y T O N Collaborations with local businesses make Warped Wing Brewery a stop for more than just beer, as guests can also enjoy sweets made by a local candy maker and snacks from a local potato chip company. The brewery’s name refers to both the brewery’s innovative style and Dayton’s most famous inventors, the Wright Brothers

Courtesy Warped Wing Brewing Co., by Tara Michel/Artistry Photography Studio

BARONS BREW BUS | C I N C I N N A T I Why visit one Cincinnati brewery when you can sample from many of the city’s finest brews on one tour? Barons Brew Bus with American Legacy Tours includes transportation, tours and tastings of four Cincinnati breweries. By visiting different breweries, groups can taste the differences in 14 different beers and hear entertaining stories of Cincinnati’s legendary brewing heritage. Tours come with a complimentary water bottle and gourmet soft pretzel.

3 Courtesy Barons Brew Bus

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

S PIRIT S

CLEVELAND BREW BUS | CLEVELAND Better come thirsty when you book a tour with the Cleveland Brew Bus, as you’ll be offered samples of 12 beers in a variety of styles. Cleveland’s breweries often appear on lists of America’s best breweries, so groups will enjoy sipping some of the city’s award-winning concoctions. The company offers a variety of tours such as Brews and Brunch, East Shore Brew Tours and Hidden Gems Brew Tour. Each delves into a piece of Cleveland’s brewing history and gives insight into the brewing process.

4 Courtesy Cleveland Brew Bus

MAUMEE BAY BREWING CO. | T O L E D O Maumee Bay Brewing Co. not only produces ales, lagers, porters and stouts, but also showcases Toledo’s brewing history at the Brewing Hall of Fame and Museum. Located alongside the brewery inside the historic Oliver House, the museum’s exhibits chart the progression of beer making in Toledo from pioneer days until today. Visitors can also visit the Maumee Bay Brew Pub, Rockwell’s Steakhouse and other food establishments in the same complex.

Maumee Bay Brewing Co., courtesy Destination Toledo

COLUMBUS BREW ADVENTURES | C O L U M B U S Discover how pizza pairs with beer and about Columbus’ long brewing history during a tour with Columbus Brew Adventures. Groups enjoy samples from numerous craft breweries downtown and in the Grandview area. Guides take groups behind the scenes and give them tastes of various beers, ciders, meads and other spirits.

7 Courtesy Columbus Brew Adventures

THIRSTY DOG BREWING CO. | A K R O N Groups can walk through the brewery and see the process of brewing, fermentation and bottling at Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. The brewery is known for full-flavored beers that use American and European hops for a diverse range of beers. Courtesy Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.

www.ohiohasit.com

OHIO’S HERITAGE Courtesy Dublin CVB

Courtesy Yoder’s Amish Home

Courtesy German Village Society

or decades, the United States has welcomed millions of immigrants. Many came in hopes of a better life and religious freedom. Each culture brought its heritage and customs, and many populations settled in Ohio. Others, such as the American Indians, faced diﬀerent challenges. All contributed to the rich tapestry of our nation and have a story to tell.

TRUMPET IN THE LAND NEW PHILADELPHIA

Ohio’s oﬃcial drama, “Trumpet in the Land,” written by Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Paul Green, brings to life the Ohio frontier during the Revolutionary War. The play, performed in the same hills

OHIO CELEBRATES ITS MANY HERITAGES

A CULTURAL TAPESTRY

in which the story originates, is based on the tragic events around the founding of Ohio’s first settlement, Schoenbrunn. It’s the story of Moravian missionaries and their efforts to convert Native Americans during the Revolutionary War, which resulted in a massacre of 96 of those Native Americans and their burial at the historic settlement of Gnadenhutten. “Performed June through August, the play is performed in a natural amphitheater surrounded by woods, so the acoustics are exceptional,” said the executive director of the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dee Grossman. “The stage is down front, and stadium seating is up on the actual hill.” The performance is filled with historical characters. Live horses and other animals are included as part of the cast. And audiences will remember the fire dances, the authentic costuming, the battle pyrotechnics and the church burning during the production. Behind-the-stage tours offer a chance to see how the weaponry is fired, how the church is burned each night and how the understage tunnel allows actors accessibility to all parts of the stage. Audiences can stay after the show for a meet-and-greet with the cast in full costume. Refreshments are sold at the pavilion before, during and after

www.ohiohasit.com

BY E LI Z ABE TH H EY

Courtesy Andy Donaldson Photography

Above: “Trumpet in the Land” stage production Opposite page (clockwise from right): Columbus’ German Village; Scene from Yoder’s Amish Home; Traditional Irish dance in Dublin

HERITAGE

each show. Special group dinners with the cast can also be arranged, and several caterers are available.

VIP IRISH EXPERIENCES DUBLIN

Shopping in Dublin

Slainte Band

Bridging the gap between Dublin, Ireland, and Dublin, Ohio, this community on the northwest side of Columbus touts a spunky Irish attitude. Dublin’s three-day Irish Festival, held in early August, draws upward of 100,000 people and features cultural events and Irish song and dance on seven stages. Other happenings include a summer Sunday concert series culminating with an Irish band, professional storytellers who recount an Irish wake experience and several talks that detail the saints or Irish Christmas traditions. The Fairy Door Trail oﬀers seven stops that feature doors created by Dublin’s Irish Fairy Door Company; participants receive a T-shirt. If a group opts for private dining, Irish musicians can play background music, or an Irish dance performance can be scheduled after dinner. “By far, one of our best group experiences is Irish Dance 101 at the Richens Timm Academy of Irish Dance. Owner John Timm won the Senior Men’s World Championship in Irish dancing in 1993,” said group sales manager Amanda Mikkelson at the Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The hourlong class hosts a demonstration, brief history of Irish dance and the opportunity to attempt step dancing, which is fun for those who try and those who simply opt to watch.” For groups staying overnight, Mikkelson oﬀers a complimentary, one-hour step-on tour and a two-hour Four-Leaf Clover Scavenger Hunt. Divided into four smaller groups, the hunters rotate through four Dublin establishments: Ha’penny Bridge Imports of Ireland, Our Cupcakery, TehKu Tea and The Sisters Sweet Shoppe. At Ha’penny Bridge Imports, the owner enjoys tailoring talks around Irish celebrations such as Irish weddings, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween and Christmas. “The perfect amount of time for a group itinerary in Dublin is three days and two nights,” said Mikkelson. “We also partner with Experience Columbus when planning itineraries.”

“THE HOURLONG CLASS HOSTS A DEMONSTRATION, BRIEF HISTORY OF IRISH DANCE AND THE OPPORTUNITY Dublin Irish Festival dancers

TO ATTEMPT STEP DANCING.”

Courtesy Dublin CVB

— AM ANDA MIKKEL SON, DUBLIN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

HERITAGE

QUAKER HERITAGE CENTER WILMINGTON

On the Wilmington College campus inside the Boyd Cultural Arts Center, the Quaker Heritage Center showcases the lifestyle of this religious group. Objects from the permanent collection tell the story of one of the area’s earliest families: the Walthalls. In 1828, they left their home in Virginia to start over in Ohio. William Walthall recalled the trip he made as a child in his memoir, and visitors can experience the journey through his words and view the family treasures. “Our permanent exhibit, ‘A Quaker Journey,’ recounts the Quaker migration to southwest Ohio,” said curator Ruth Brindle. “This tricounty area was heavily settled by Quakers who were moving from the Carolinas in the 1820s and 1830s as a result of the slave culture of the South.” The center displays an 1840s-style Quaker meetinghouse. The blueprint used to build the replica is from an actual meetinghouse that sits five miles down the road from the college and that is in use today. According to Brindle, guided tours start in the meetinghouse and offer “Quaker History 101” for those who aren’t familiar with their beliefs. Rotating exhibits change two to three times annually. Some are inhouse exhibits that are researched designed and created using the center’s own collection. The next exhibit, “Knick-Knacks and Knowledge,” will be shown November 1, 2016, through April 2017. It offers an interactive game that highlights items from the center’s extensive toy collection that was put together by one of the college’s history classes.

www.ohiohasit.com

Quaker-owened Seth Thomas Clock

Quaker Heritage Center exhibit Courtesy Quaker Heritage Center

HERITAGE

MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE

DISTRICTS TO DISCOVER

BEACHWOOD

Located 25 minutes east of downtown Cleveland in the center of the city’s Jewish life, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage shares Jewish heritage through the lens of the American experience. Constructed with Golden Jerusalem Limestone imported from Israel, the museum’s size and scope are larger than they appear from the exterior. “Our mission is to celebrate culture and connect diverse people groups, as well as to promote an appreciation for Jewish heritage,” said director of marketing and communications Samantha Fryberger. “We desire to bring people together and make history come alive.” Northeast Ohio’s history and its immigrant groups are explored in seven main exhibits. Their stories are showcased through state-of-the-art displays, ﬁlms, oral histories, photographs and artifacts. The museum’s Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery is ﬁlled with treasures from around the globe: Torah scrolls, ritual objects, rare prints and original art. Visitors learn about Jewish customs and the roots of Christianity. Fryberger remarked that it’s a very respected collection and internationally recognized around the world. Pop culture and Jewish contributions to the entertainment industry are also explored. In one gallery, a giant Superman leaps out of the wall celebrating the fact that two Jewish boys from Cleveland created the superhero.

DOW NTOWNS

Medina’s historic downtown

Courtesy Medina Co. CVB

roups can feel transported to another era while walking through Medina and Carrollton’s downtowns.

MEDINA After Medina’s second devastating fire in 1870, townspeople decided to build structures that would last. They abandoned wooden construction and built nine blocks of brick buildings that would become known as Medina’s Historic District. Groups strolling downtown streets lined with Victorian-era buildings feel like they are walking into turn-of-the-century Ohio. Eclectic shops, fine restaurants and other attractions give guests plenty to do. Not far from the city center in Uptown Park, Castle Noel is a group favorite. The 40,000-square-foot Christmas entertainment attraction offers more than holiday shopping, including Santa Klaus Mountain, which was modeled after the Santa slide in the movie “A Christmas Story.”

CARROLLTON Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

A family so devoted to the Union that it became a symbol of patriotism now plays a prominent role in Carrollton’s historic downtown. The McCook House Civil War Museum in the town’s New England-style public square is an 1830s home that tells the story of the 15 members of the McCook family who famously enlisted together during the Civil War. Downtown Carrollton offers this historic gem, as well as other restored buildings such as the county courthouse, also on the National Register of Historic Places. Groups exploring downtown can shop at local businesses, among them Ashton’s 5 and 10 Cent Store, a general merchandise shop that opened during the Great Depression.

Maltz Museum touring exhibit

Courtesy Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

ROCK & ROLL PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME HALL OF FAME GO ROCK YOURSELF

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44114 216-515-1228

rockhall.com

LEGENDS LIVE HERE

Group packages available for admission to both Halls!

2121 George Halas Drive Canton, Ohio 44708 330-456-8207

ProFootballHOF.com

HERITAGE

Special shows range from minorities in baseball to Nazi propaganda. The upcoming exhibition, “This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement,” runs September 29, 2016, through February 26, 2017. The delightful museum gift shop sells artisan-made items from local and Israeli artists, Judaica items, jewelry, toys and accessories.

Historic homes in German Village

GERMAN VILLAGE COLUMBUS

Just south of downtown Columbus, visitors can immerse themselves in Old World heritage at German Village. This charming historic district boasts sturdy brick cottages with limestone foundations, window boxes and slate roofs, plus Italianate and Victorian homes. Boutique shops and businesses also line the primarily brick streets. Schiller Park, the neighborhood’s centerpiece, looks much as it did in 1898. Visitors can start at the historic Meeting Haus and watch an eightminute video that details the neighborhood’s history before hitting the streets on a guided or self-guided walking tour or a motorcoach tour with a step-on guide. Most likely, guided tours will be led by John Clarke, whose fascinating stories are published in his new book, “German Village Stories Behind the Bricks.” Courtesy German Village Society

Begin your Irish adventure at www.IrishisanAttitude.com 614.792.7666

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

BO O K NOW FO R 2 017

OPENING SPRING 2017 Make plans to be one of the ﬁrst to experience the brand-new, state-of-the-art Ohio Star Theater this spring! Experience the 500-seat state-of-the-art Ohio Star Theater on the Dutch Valley Campus in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Our 2017 schedule is ﬁlling up with wholesome entertainment including top singers, entertainers, hit musicals and more — we are excited to offer this amazing venue to our guests. Visit OhioStarTheater.com for complete schedule and up-to-date theater news.

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Ohio Star Theater 1387 Old Route 39, Sugarcreek, Ohio | Box Ofﬁce 855-344-7547 | OhioStarTheater.com

“Families came here in the 1830s, and some still live here today,” said Clarke. “This area looks much as it did 100 years ago and has several of the most celebrated restaurants in Columbus.” Dining establishments that welcome groups include boisterous Schmidt’s with its German buffet and housemade sausages; upscale Lindey’s; and G. Michaels Bistro, housed in a former blacksmith shop, for fine dining. Groups won’t want to miss The Book Loft, the nation’s largest independent bookstore, which sells thousands upon thousands of tomes in 32 themed rooms. Since 1960, the Haus and Garten Tour in June offers the opportunity to tour private homes that aren’t normally open to the public. In summer, Shakespeare in the Park at Schiller Park performs four to five different productions. In early December, Village Lights kicks off the season with 10,000 luminaries, live music and holiday treats.

YODER’S AMISH HOME MILLERSBURG

Holmes County boasts the largest Amish population in the world and a terriﬁc region to explore the Amish lifestyle. The authentic 116-acre Amish farm Yoder’s Amish Home oﬀers 30- to 40-minute guided tours of two houses and a 119-yearold barn. The larger home is an example of a modern Amish

ColumbusÕ Schiller Park

Courtesy German Village Society

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

HERITAGE

home, and people can watch baking and canning that takes place there. The smaller house has been preserved in the 1866 era. “We live on the property, but no one actually lives in the homes because we have a large number of visitors who tour them,” said owner Trent Yoder, whose farm has been in his family since 1972. “We enjoy explaining the history and customs of the Amish and keep the farm very uncommercial, so people really get a feel for our lifestyle and culture.” The 119-year-old barn, which is the center of an Old Order Amish homestead, has baby animals in certain seasons. In the one-room schoolhouse, groups can meet an Amish teacher and learn about the Amish parochial school system. Short Amish buggy rides are given by members of the church. The bakery, a visitor favorite, sells a large selection of jams and jellies, as well as homemade breads, cinnamon rolls and many diﬀerent kinds of cookies. The gift shop, originally a hog house, sells numerous items, among them locally made dolls without a face, an Amish tradition; hand-quilted wall hangings; and quilts.

Farm goats at Yoder’s

Courtesy Yoder’s Amish Home

Full Circle Traditions are worth repeating. Share our heritage. Share our beauty.

Call 877-643-7874 for a Group Travel Packet.

www.visitamishcountry.com

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SMALL-TOWN STROLLS A

shland and Gahanna both offer Midwest charm in their thriving downtowns.

Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise and Car Show

ASHLAND A welcome sign greets visitors to Ashland with the proclamation that the city is “The World Headquarters of Nice People.” Groups can meet Ashland’s friendly citizens by strolling through the northern Ohio city’s well-kept downtown, where they’ll find local shops, cafes and restaurants. From fresh-baked pies sold from roadside Amish wagons to the Candy and Nut Shoppe, visitors with a sweet tooth will have ample opportunities to indulge. Other stores that sell antiques, clothing, wine and gifts make for a pleasant afternoon for groups that desire a shopping break.

GAHANNA

DOWN TOWNS

The air smells sweeter in Gahanna thanks to the fresh herbs and wildflowers that grow downtown. Gahanna celebrates its distinction as Herb Capital of Ohio with 45 culinary and shopping venues, herb gardens and eco-learning opportunities. Many herbal attractions are within Courtesy Ashland Area CVB walking distance of downtown along the Herbal Garden Walking Path. The trail starts at the Ohio Herb Education Center, where guests can schedule workshops on cooking with herbs and other herb-related topics. Discover Carroll County’s Secrets From there, groups can engage their senses in Creekside Park’s herbal garden before browsing numerous local cafes, shops and other attractions along Atwood Queen the route.

Museums Located in East Central Ohio A short drive from Canton, Cleveland & Pittsburgh

Festivals

Agrotourism eekksid idee Pa Cr Cree ksid Park rkk Creekside Courtesy Gahanna CVB

www.carrollcountyohio.com * 877-727-0103

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS Courtesy Seneca Caverns

Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Courtesy Destination Hilliard

hio’s diverse geography oﬀers many opportunities for outdoor recreation. From the shores of Lake Erie — which look more like seashores than lake shores — to sandstone caves and ancient earthworks, the state will surprise groups. Hiking, kayaking, zip lining and more will keep nature buﬀs occupied for days on end, and the list of special places begins here.

HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK LOGAN

In the heart of the state and approximately an hour south of Columbus, seven parks make up scenic Hocking Hills State Park. This spot is like no other in Ohio, with its dramatic rock formations, caves and lush forest. The most celebrated of the seven is Old Man’s Cave State Park, where Old Man’s Cave Trail leads hikers to its upper, middle and lower

BUCKEYE BOUNTY falls amid sandstone cliffs and steep hills. The trail is reached by stairways and paths built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Ash Cave Trail offers an easier hike with handicapped accessibility. Ziplining, kayaking and fishing round out the park’s outdoor activities. “In spring, the waterfalls are especially picturesque, and the autumn leaves are absolutely spectacular,” said Mimi Morrison, who leads group hikes and kayaking through her company, Touch the Earth Adventures. “This is one of the prettiest sections of the Buckeye Trail, which traverses much of Ohio.” Hocking Hills Lodge, which welcomes groups, serves its renowned brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and ribs. Chef Matt Rapposelli, a New England Culinary Institute graduate and veteran chef, uses a wood-fired smoker, the aroma from which lures diners from the parking lot. He cooks meats overnight for fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Except for the ketchup and barbecue sauce, everything on the extensive menu is made from scratch, down to the salad dressings, the potato rolls and the pizza crust. “We’re open year-round and have quite a local following,” said chef Rapposelli. “Our popular Sunday brunch showcases much of what’s on our menu at a very reasonable price.”

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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES INVIGORATE A TRIP TO OHIO BY E LI Z ABE TH H EY

Courtesy Hocking Hills Tourism Association

Above: Hocking Hills State Park Opposite page (clockwise from top right): Tour of Seneca Caverns; Historic Village at Weaver Park; Newark Earthworks

OUTDOORS

OHIO

R E C E P T I V E O P E R AT O R

GREAT DAY!

TOURS & CHARTER BUS SERVICE

reat Day! Tours & Charter Bus Service began 53 years ago in Athens, Ohio. Its original service was for Ohio University students, taking them to various locations in northeastern Ohio. That service grew over the years to encompass charter bus services, group and public tour packages and receptive, guide and convention services for companies coming into Ohio. In the past decade its cruiseand-fly-package department has grown significantly, much of that growth credited to the confidence that the customers already had with Great Day!

SPECIALIZES IN

Bus services, group tours, retail tours, convention services, and cruise-and-fly packages

CONTACT INFORMATION

A.J. Kinney 800-362-4905 www.greatdaytours.com

THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES

• Lake Erie Island Hopping Cruise • Branson Tours: Real American Entertainment • New York State of Mind

Lake Erie

LAKE ERIE SHORES AND ISLANDS

Even in the Midwest, island hopping and sandy beaches are within reach on a Goodtime Lake Erie Island Cruise. The narrated, all-day cruise takes off from Sandusky and stays on Kelleys Island for one and a half hours before it heads to Put-in-Bay and ports for approximately three hours. The cruise passes Cedar Point and Marblehead Lighthouse, one of the oldest still-operating lighthouses in the Great Lakes. Laid-back Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island, nicknamed the Key West of the Midwest, both deliver beachfront delights. Rented golf carts and bicycles make getting around easy. Kelleys Island boasts glacial grooves that rank as one of the world’s largest excavated glacial displays; a looping trail overlooks the 396-foot-long and 30-foot-wide grooves. Nearby, the North Shore Loop Trail skirts a rocky shoreline, and the state park beach offers a half moon of sand and waves, plus kayak rentals. Foodies will gravitate to the brewery, the winery and the second-generation-owned Village Pump for traditional fried-perch sandwiches. In contrast, Put-in-Bay pier and village bustles with restaurants, bars and shops. Near town, Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center offers cave tours, a rock-climbing wall, putt-putt, a butterfly house and mining for gems. The island’s family-oriented daytime scene morphs into a nighttime party atmosphere. The island offers a great deal of history. A must-see, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie that took place in the surrounding waters where Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led his fleet to victory over the British. The visitor center details this significant battle that took place during the War of 1812. And the observation deck of Perry’s Monument, which rises 352 feet above Lake Erie, affords panoramic views. “Customized Put-in-Bay tram tours offer an island overview, or they can stop at several attractions while groups get off and explore,” said the group sales manager for the Lake Erie Shores and Islands Convention and Visitors Bureau, Amanda Smith Rasnick. “They’re a one-stop shop and especially group friendly.”

Goodtime Lake Erie Islands Cruises

Courtesy Great Day! Tours and Charter Bus Service

GOODTIME LAKE ERIE ISLAND CRUISE

Courtesy Lake Erie Shores and Islands

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

OUTDOORS

HISTORIC VILLAGE AT WEAVER PARK

Dining on Kelleys Island

HILLIARD

Courtesy Lake Erie Shores and Islands

Log sawing demonstration in Hilliard

Courtesy Destination Hilliard

Established in 1853, Hilliard commemorates its beginnings at the Historic Village at Weaver Park. The village buzzes with activity as costumed docents lead tours and give demonstrations that oﬀer a glimpse into 1800s life. Except for the museum, each original building on the three acres was moved on-site; they include a 19th-century truss bridge, a log cabin, a one-room schoolhouse, an election wagon and a caboose. “We like to start our two-hour tour in the 1855 Colwell Church, which seats up to 110 people, before dividing into smaller groups for a more personalized experience,” said executive director of Destination Hilliard Christy Clark, “Each smaller group rotates through the nine buildings, and the church bell rings when it’s time to move to the next building.” The museum displays vignettes of 1800s life, among them a barber shop and a general store. Rotating exhibits explore themes, such as the current display on military life. Costumed docents might be demonstrating weaving or talking about raising chickens. The covered museum porch makes the perfect spot for a preset meal or food service from the walk-up window. From the gazebo on the center green, musicians can play ragtime or bluegrass as background music. “We’re always ﬁnding something new to bring in, such as nickel haircuts for visitors in the authentic barber shop given by our town barber,” said Clark. “We’ve also developed an app for the village.” Events throughout the year include a classic car show and mid-October’s Heritage Days. One of the village’s most popular happenings is Santa and the Caboose, held the second Sunday in December.

SENECA CAVERNS BELLEVUE

Preserved close to its original natural state, family-owned Seneca Caverns ranks as one of the area’s largest underground caverns. Discovered in 1872 in the state’s northeastern region by two boys who were

“WE’RE ALWAYS FINDING SOMETHING NEW TO BRING IN, SUCH AS NICKEL HAIRCUTS FOR VISITORS IN THE AUTHENTIC BARBER SHOP.”

Historic Village at Weaver Park Courtesy Destination Hilliard

— CHRI S T Y CL ARK, DESTINATION HILLIARD

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

OUT DO ORS

hunting rabbits with their dog, the limestone cavern has natural stone steps and pathways that lead visitors down 11 stories. Guided one-hour walking tours weave through seven rooms, or levels, depending on the water table at tour time. At the cave’s lowest point, visitors can see a crystal-clear stream, called Ole Mist’ry River, part of the vast groundwater system that underlies the region. Tours also point out fossils and take visitors into the Inscription Hall where, over the years, people have written their names. Guides highlight the cave’s history, small bat population and rich geology. “The cave temperature registers 54 degrees year-round, which makes it comfortable in the heat of summer and a nice change during the cold of winter,” said owner Denise Bell, whose husband’s parents opened the cave to the public in 1933. Afterward, panning for gemstones, newly made arrowheads, crystals or fossils takes place near the visitors center. It’s a guaranteed find because each visitor purchases a small bag filled with sand and fossils. The bag is emptied into an operating sluice with flowing water, and the treasure is discovered as a take-home souvenir. A postcard helps identify the fossils or gemstones. Groups can also relax or eat at the shaded picnic area.

Seneca Caverns tour

Courtesy Seneca Caverns

One of America’s favorite zoos, it’s a must do!

THE MUST DO ZOO www.ohiohasit.com

AQUARIUM

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WE’RE KID FRIENDLY! Y

outh groups will enjoy the active adventures and interactive learning experiences available at each of these sought-after attractions.

YOU TH

Deer Creek State Park Lodge

COSI: CENTER OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY | C O L U M B U S Instead of listening to someone talk about space, children can roam around inside a replica of John Glenn’s Friendship 7 spacecraft, test remote-operated vehicles and experiment with simulated rover landings. This immersive learning lies at the heart of COSI’s main exhibit areas that each focus on a single topic with hands-on experiences.

PIRATE CRUISE ON THE NAUTICA QUEEN | C L E V E L A N D Captain Willie entertains children aboard the Nautica Queen with what he calls “accidental learning” by blending education and musical entertainment. This tour presents an engaging way to learn about the Great Lakes.

TOLEDO ZOO AND AQUARIUM | T O L E D O Toledo Zoo and Aquarium Courtesy Toledo Zoo and Aquarium

Courtesy Ohio State Park Lodges and Conference Centers

Guests can look down on giraffes, Watusi cattle and wildebeests at the Toledo Zoo’s newest attraction, the Aerial Adventure Course. The course has views of the zoo’s Africa exhibit from a sky bridge, a challenge course or, for an extra thrill, a zipline. Youth love this new attraction, as well as the zoo’s 9,000 animals and more than 800 species.

OHIO STATE PARK LODGES Tire out your youth group with canoeing, cycling, swimming, hiking and other active options at these five Ohio state park lodges and conference centers. Deer Creek, Maumee Bay, Mohican, Punderson Manor and Salt Fork parks have a lodge in a distinctive natural setting and a list of on-site activities.

OH WOW! | Y O U N G S T O W N Groups can report a weather forecast, launch their own paper airplanes, create musical compositions and generally let their imaginations run wild at Oh Wow! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology. At the interactive museum, visitors can let loose and play in a setting that fosters learning. Salt alt FFork State tat ate te Sa orkk St or Pa Park ark rk LLodge oddge

Courtesy Ohio State Park Lodges and Conference Centers

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

TILTON FARM LIMA

MAKE YOUR

NEXT EVENT

A WILD ADVENTURE!

As groups drive through the gate and travel the winding path to Tilton Farm, they step back in time at this peaceful place. Located nine miles southeast of Lima, the property encircles a seven-acre quarry. The farm looks like a classic working farmstead from yesteryear with old-fashioned implements dotting the acreage. Groups can tour five buildings, including the log cabin. The 1850s barn is filled with antiques such as farm implements and household goods. A large antique-car collection showcases an antique fire truck. An original 1800s log cabin looks like someone is ready to move into it. The farm’s other collections include authentic Civil War artifacts. One large room holds a miniature circus that looks like a traditional Ringling Brothers circus. The room’s ceiling is designed like a big-top tent with painted murals on the walls. A path weaves through the display. A farm tour lasts about 90 minutes. In addition, the owners provide several dessert options and drinks. A lunch or dinner can be catered in the main barn, which has several spaces for events and receptions. “It’s a different type of experience with a truly eclectic collection but one that groups give us great feedback on,” said Cara Stombaugh, director for the Lima Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tilton Farm barn

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Tilton Farm cabin Courtesy Lima/Allen County CVB

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

OUT DO ORS

NEWARK EARTHWORKS HEATH

Built by the ancient Hopewell culture between 100 B.C. and A.D. 500, the Newark Earthworks remains an architectural wonder and a mystery in central Ohio. One theory is that the Hopewell Indians built the earthworks for astronomical accuracy. The earthworks are aligned to the moon’s cycle, the solstices and other lunar events. Groups can receive an introduction to this phenomenon by visiting the nearby Great Circle Museum, where a video explains the signiﬁcance of the site. The museum houses a timeline of Ohio’s ancient cultures and tells why Native Americans regard the Newark Earthworks as a sacred site. The exhibit also details how the earthworks align with the rising and setting of the moon. “Throughout the year, special events take place around the lunar calendar, with guided tours focusing on diﬀerent aspects of the complex,” said spokesperson for the Ohio History Connection Emmy Beach. “At other times, self-guided tours explore these geometric earthen enclosures, which are the some of the most spectacular in the world.” Originally, the earthworks encompassed more than four square miles. Today, visitors can see the Great Circle Earthworks, which encloses 50 acres with eight walls.

Newark Earthworks

Great Circle Museum Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Experience The Power of Dreams Through Honda’s History of Innovation. Visit HondaHeritageCenter.com for Reservations and Information | Marysville, Ohio | 937.644.6888

www.ohiohasit.com

Wayne County, Ohio Downtown Dazzle to Country Calm

AMUSEMENT PARK THRILLS Cedar Point roller coaster

MagiQuest

YO UT H

Spend the day in Amish Country and the evening at the opera. Taste Wayne County’s home grown wine and see lasers cut inspirational messages. Drive through a beautiful arboretum, complete with a three acre rose garden, and peruse over 350 varieties of jams and jellies. Lehman’s, Kidron 888.438.5346

www.Lehmans.com

The J.M. Smucker Company Store and Cafe, Orrville 330.684.1500

www.smuckers.com

P. Graham Dunn, Dalton

Secrest Arboretum & Gardens, Wooster

www.pgrahamdunn.com

www.secrest.osu.edu

866.922.0306

Main Street Wooster 330.262.6222

www.mainstreetwooster.org

Ohio Light Opera Resident Professional Company of The College of Wooster 330.263.2345 www.ohiolightopera.org

330.464.2148

Hampton Inn, Wooster 330.345.4424

www.wooster.hamptoninn.com

Hilton Garden Inn, Wooster 330.202.7701

www.wooster.stayhgi.com

Shisler’s Cheese House, Orrville 330.682.2105

www.cheesehouse.com

Wooster Hotel & Conference Center

243 E Liberty Street Wooster, Ohio 44691 330.264.7750 Fax 330.262.5840 bestwesternwooster@gmail.com

For more information, please contact www.wccvb.com · 1.800.362.6474 #getawayne 54

Courtesy Cedar Point

Courtesy Great Wolf Lodges

our youth group will scream with delight at any of these record-breaking amusement parks.

CEDAR POINT | S A N D U S K Y Screams of excitement have been ringing out since 1870 at Cedar Point, the second-oldest operating amusement park in the country. The 365-acre park features 71 rides, with 17 of them roller coasters. The most-visited seasonal amusement park in the United States, Cedar Point attracted an estimated 3.5 million visitors in 2015.

KINGS ISLAND | M A S O N Most anything can be a teachable moment, a philosophy that Kings Island supports through its Education Days for youth groups. The program turns Kings Island into an outdoor classroom that gives students an opportunity to understand the basics of science, technology and engineering in a riproaring environment. Because of what they learn, students then understand and appreciate the science behind the rides they later enjoy at the park.

GREAT WOLF LODGES | MASON AND SANDUSKY Imagine stumbling out of bed and heading down the hall to a water park. The concept works, as dozens of youth groups head each year to Great Wolf Lodges in Mason and Sandusky. Putting a water park and a hotel under one roof makes for an attractive and easy outing for groups that want to kick back and have fun together.

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

SANDUSKY

•

P U T - I N - B AY

•

KELLEYS ISLAND

•

PORT CLINTON

WHAT’S NEW 2017! Cedar Point Shores Waterpark opens May of 2017. Cedar Point Express Hotel and Hotel Breakers receive expansions and makeovers. Goodtime I adding ‘Wine Wednesday Cruise’. Ghostly Manor Thrill Center opens escape room. Kalahari Resort outdoor waterpark expansion opens summer of 2017. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial offers new and exciting programs due to observation deck being closed for 2017. Jet Express expands service to Cedar Point.

800.441.1271

groups.SHORESandISLANDS.com

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Courtesy National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Courtesy John Rankin House

Courtesy Zanesville-Muskingum Co. CVB

n the mid-1800s, slavery became a hot issue in the free state of Ohio. Communities were split between pro-slavery and anti-slavery, which caused abolitionists to form secretive networks that helped escaping slaves. That hidden movement became known as the Underground Railroad, and Ohio had the most active routes of any state due to its geographic location near Canada.

NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER CINCINNATI

Located in downtown Cincinnati on the banks of the Ohio River, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center consists of three connected buildings that symbolize the cornerstones of freedom: courage, cooperation and perseverance.

FREEDOM’S ORIGINS OHIO HONORS ITS ROLE IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Opened in 2004, the center’s Ohio River Valley location was an active site along the passage to freedom. The fourth floor houses the John Parker Library where African-Americans and other visitors can work with volunteers to trace their genealogy. The center also educates about issues that affect populations where contemporary slavery is still an issue. The center highlights specific examples of forced labor and sex trafficking that continue to be issues here in the United States and around the globe. “We’re the only museum in the nation with a permanent exhibit talking about modern slavery, titled, “Invisible Slavery Today,” said group sales specialist James Harrington. “We focus on the past and present, and want to see people become change agents in our world and help others gain their freedom.” Groups can opt for a self-guided or a guided tour. The Women of Courage tour focuses on the role of women during the Underground Railroad. Faith to Freedom explores the role of faith during the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement. Tour lengths average 90 minutes to two hours. “We focus on specific areas such as the Underground Railroad coupled with contemporary issues and modern slavery. We want people to look at this history and examine their faith today,” said Harrington.

www.ohiohasit.com

BY E LI Z ABE TH H EY

Courtesy National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Above: Presentation at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Opposite page (clockwise from top right): Slavery exhibit; Stone Academy; John Rankin House

UNDERGROUN D

JOHN RANKIN HOUSE

Marker in Lorain County

RIPLEY

Designated a National Historic Landmark and formerly an Underground Railroad Station, the John Rankin House became a stopping point as slaves escaped to freedom. Located in the town of Ripley and overlooking the Ohio River Valley, John Rankin’s home was completed in 1829. A new visitors center is slated to be open in 2017. Most of the 2,000 fugitive slaves who traveled through Ripley stayed with this Presbyterian minister on the Rankin farm. An ardent abolitionist, Rankin is believed to have been one of Ohio’s ﬁrst and most active “conductors” on the Underground Railroad. Rankin penned the book “Letters on American Slavery,” originally written to his brother in Virginia who had recently purchased a slave. The letters were published in 1826 and were among the ﬁrst clearly articulated antislavery views printed west of the Appalachians. In her novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” Harriet Beecher Stowe included Rankin’s account of an escaping slave who carried her child across the thawing ice of the Ohio River and was saved from the bounty hunters when the ice broke up. “We believe our Underground Railroad stories are very accurate because Rankin’s autobiography details accounts of his activity,” said site manager Betty Campbell. “We have a one-hour guided tour of the house, which recently underwent a research and restoration process totaling $1.1 million. During that time, we discovered beautiful stenciling in two rooms, and we restored that artwork.”

PUTNAM HISTORIC DISTRICT ZANESVILLE

Established in the early 1800s and one of Ohio’s oldest settlements, the Putnam Historic District played an important role in the Underground Railroad. Prominent buildings include the Putnam Presbyterian Church, built in 1835, and the city’s oldest church, which still contains an original Tiffany window. William Beecher, brother of Stowe, served as the congregation’s first pastor. The church was actively involved in the abolitionist movement and held a monthly antislavery prayer service in its basement for many years. Numerous anti-slavery speakers took the podium there, including Frederick Douglass in 1852. The district’s Greek Revival home of George Guthrie was built in 1841 and served as an underground railroad station. The Dr. Increase Mathews house dates to 1808 as Zanesville’s oldest building, and its museum and gardens are open for tours. The Stone Academy, an Underground Railroad stop and site of the Ohio Abolition Society conventions in 1835 and 1839, houses another museum. Visitors can still see the cubbyhole under the stairs where runaway slaves hid. “We offer a step-on tour for the district, which is an excellent way to get a feel for Zanesville’s history,” said marketing and group sales manager Lori Kappes for the Zanesville-Muskingum County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Because the historic district is condensed into a four-block area, we also offer a guided walking tour.”

John Rankin House Courtesy John Rankin House

First Church

Courtesy Visit Lorain County

TRAIL TO FREEDOM DRIVING TOUR LORAIN COUNTY

Groups can recapture the spirit of the Underground Railroad on the Trail to Freedom Driving Tour, located between Cleveland and Sandusky. Lorain County’s rich African-American heritage and the fight for liberty spans more than a century. Touted as the “Promised Land” for escaping slaves, the area provided a direct route to Lake Erie and Canada. It was possibly the most important station along the entire Underground Railroad, second only to Canada as an asylum for the hunted fugitive. In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech at the Oberlin College commencement titled “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution.” “There are many landmarks that honor our history, such as the Lorain Underground Railroad Station 100 Monument, which is quite poignant, since Lorain was the last stop before freedom, and the Burrell Homestead in Sheffield Village that was a documented station,” said the executive director of the Oberlin Heritage Center, Elizabeth Schultz. “But for a guided tour or in-depth information, Oberlin is the best place to visit.” The Oberlin Heritage Center offers several walking tours, including the 90-minute Freedom’s Friends: Underground Railroad and Abolitionist History Walk. The tour starts at First Church, where escaped slaves attended, and ends at Dr. Martin Luther King Park. The Oberlin Heritage Center includes the Little Red Schoolhouse, which was integrated, despite the laws of the time, and the 1884 Jewett House, which highlights Victorian life.

KELTON HOUSE COLUMBUS

Sophia Stone Kelton seems to grow increasingly nervous as she leads groups through her mansion in Columbus, Ohio. She has noticed bounty hunters outside and ﬁnally reveals to her guests that she and her family are in a harrowing situation: They are harboring a fugitive slave ﬂeeing to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Kelton and her husband, Fernando Cortez Kelton, were

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

OHIO

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merican Legacy Tours has been providing first-class tours of the greater Cincinnati Area since 2009. They can handle groups from five-5,000. They can provide for any needs a group tour leader may have.

SPECIALIZES IN

Cincinnati-area tours

CONTACT INFORMATION

Brad Hill 8859-951-8560 www.americanlegacytours.com

THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES • The 1919 Tour • Newport Gangster Tour • Barons Brew Bus

1919 Tour of Cincinnati Courtesty American Legacy Tours

www.ohiohasit.com

AT HOME WITH HISTORY H ISTO RY

hese historic homes showcase the lives of three influential Ohioans: Warren G. Harding, John Johnston and William Tecumseh Sherman.

Harding Home Courtesy Marion County CVB

Johnston Farm

Tour of Harding Home

WARREN G. HARDING HOME AND MEMORIAL | M A R I O N Sit on the porch where President Warren G. Harding began his 1920 Front Porch Campaign. Harding and his wife, Florence, lived in the home, now restored, for 30 years. Groups learn about Harding’s home life and see many of its original furnishings on a one-hour guided tour. As Harding died in office in 1923, visitors may not know some of the achievements of his short presidency. Harding authorized the first formal budgeting process and established the Veterans Bureau. Groups can reflect on what they have learned about the former president at the stately Harding Memorial, located nearby.

JOHNSTON FARM AND INDIAN AGENCY | P I Q U A

Courtesy Miami Co. VCB

Courtesy Marion County CVB

Even the most well-traveled among us probably haven’t been aboard a mule-drawn canal boat. This unusual voyage at the 250-acre Johnston Farm and Indian Agency allows visitors to experience a piece of the state’s 19th-century history that many have never heard about. The farm restored a section of the historic Miami and Erie Canal for the canal boat ride. John Johnston’s 1829 farm and its outbuildings have also been restored and during tours, groups hear about Johnston, a well-respected federal American Indian agent who settled the land with his family. The site also explores 2,000 years of history at Native American mounds and in a museum devoted to the Eastern Woodland Indians in Ohio.

SHERMAN HOUSE MUSEUM | L A N C A S T E R The birthplace of William Tecumseh Sherman offers contrasts. It was a lively family home where 11 rambunctious children grew up. But it was also a home deeply affected by the brutalities of war, as Sherman became a famed general in the Union Army. The Sherman House Museum remembers the family and its life, with rooms restored to their appearance when Sherman and his siblings lived there. Upstairs, some rooms display family memorabilia, while others explore aspects of the war with a re-created military tent, a video presentation about the general and other exhibits.

Sherman House Museum

Courtesy Fairﬁeld Co. VCB

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

Dine on a

Covered

Bridge

Minutes from Columbus. Miles from the ordinary. Union County Convention & Visitors Bureau 227 E. 5th St. Marysville, Ohio 43040 937.642.6279 U UnionCounty.org U tknotts@unioncounty.org

UNDERGROUD

staunch abolitionists, and their 1852 home is a documented Underground Railroad site. At the Kelton House Museum and Garden, the Sophia’s Secret tour re-creates the homeowner and her refugee nearly being caught. Tour and Tea With Sophia is another experiential tour for groups that highlights genteel society of the era and takes visitors to the Carriage House for tea and triﬂes, said museum director Georgeanne Reuter. Groups of 15 or more can take the basic historical tour led by a costumed docent who talks about the Kelton family in the context of life between 1850 and 1900, which includes the Victorian era, the Civil War and the postwar Reconstruction years. The house stayed in the Kelton family until Grace Kelton, Fernando and Sophia’s granddaughter, died in 1975 and willed the estate to the Columbus Foundation with the direction to use it for educational purposes. Inside, guests will see a huge array of family antiques and artifacts, including a piece of Victorian hair jewelry, as they explore the four rooms on the main level, the bedrooms upstairs and the Underground Railroad Learning Station on the lower level. Because historians “don’t know exactly where they hid [ﬂeeing slaves], we created an area in the basement root cellar to give visitors an idea,” Reuter said. The back parlor at Kelton House Museum & Garden Courtesy Kelton House Museum and Garden

find your

add

side

to your life

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

UNDERGROU ND

TAKING A STAND FOR FREEDOM DRIVING TOUR CHAMPAIGN, LOGAN AND UNION COUNTIES

Groups can experience something diﬀerent on the Stand for Freedom Driving Tour that spans three counties. The route begins in Mechanicsburg and travels up state Route 559 to Marysville, Bellefontaine, Northwood and West Liberty, ending in Urbana. In Champaign County, fugitives were hidden in homes located in several towns. Some of those homes are private residences today. The Woodstock and Quaker Friends cemeteries contain graves of families and Underground Railroad operators who aided the ﬂight to freedom. Union County became the intersection of three routes, and stations began operating in the 1830s. In Marysville, the Cyprian Lee Home is the town’s oldest brick house and was used in the Underground Railroad. The Weller Log Home, a restored log cabin and house museum, showcases the county’s history, including Uncle Joe Mayo, who, as a free person of color, assisted approximately 250 people seeking freedom. In Bellefontaine, the Logan County Museum and Orr Mansion devotes an exhibit to the Underground Railroad. The museum contains a bedroom set on which freedom seekers slept during their journey north.

www.ohiohasit.com

Furniture used by ﬂeeing slaves Courtesy Logan County Museum

SAMPLE OHIO HISTORY O

hio proudly displays its past at a number of sites across the state, including a state history museum, elegant 19th-century home and expansive historic village.

H IS TO RY

OHIO HISTORY CENTER AND OHIO VILLAGE | C O L U M B U S A photo shoot at Ohio Village is a step back to the 1890s, as visitors have their picture snapped dressed in period costumes, surrounded by props from that era. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of many ways the historic site engages its guests in 19th-century Ohio life. Visitors can also deliver speeches from a stage in the replica of town hall, sit atop a high-wheel bicycle, chat with costumed town residents and play with old-fashioned toys like stilts. The affiliated Ohio History Center offers more traditional exhibits that examine the Buckeye Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past, covering topics such as the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ancient Native American heritage, natural history and 1950s pop culture.

STAN HYWET HALL AND GARDENS | A K R O N

Ohio Village Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Lose yourself in one of the largest homes in America at the 65-room Stan Hywet Hall. Built in 1915 by Hywet, founder of the Goodyear Rubber Co., the Tutor Revival home resembles an English country manor, complete with elegant Old World gardens. Organized tours highlight the 70-acre siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enormous house, manicured gardens and greenhouse. Guides point out the houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intricate paneling, innovative built-in vacuum system and 37-station intercom system.

HISTORIC SAUDER VILLAGE | ARCHBOLD

The Warther Museum VOT E D

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t )P )PNF NF PG PPGG '''" "" 4FJ 44FJCFSMJOH FJCF CFSMSMJO JOHH (PPE (P PEZF Z BS $P ZF $P GP GPVO VOEF EFSS t U UII -B -BSH SHFT FTUU )J )JTU TUPS PSJD JD )PNF )P NF JO JO UI UIFF /B /BUJUJPO PO t "DS "DSFT FT PG PG )J )JTU TUPS UPSJJD JD (BS (BSEEFOT EFOTT t 0O 0OTJ TJUF UF 4IP 4IPQQ BO BOEE $B $BGĂ? GĂ? Pamela Courrier 714 N. Portage Path Akron, Ohio 44303 330.315.3284 pcourrier@stanhywet.org

Open 9am-5pm, 7 days a week Group Tours Any Time Meal Options Available 331 Karl Ave. Dover, OH 44622 (330) 343-7513 thewarthermuseum.com kristen@thewarthermuseum.com

Historic Sauder Village, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest living history site, connects guests with Ohioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardworking past. The village, set atop an area once called the Black Swamp, educates groups about rural life in the 19th-century through guided tours, demonstrations and working craftsman. More than 40 historic homes, community shops, farms and gardens showcase traditional crafts made by Ohioans. The village also offers shopping and homestyle meals at the Barn Restaurant and Doughbox Bakery.

Historic Sauder Village gift shop

stanhywet.org

Courtesy Historic Sauder Village

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

ALLIED PARTNERS & RECEPTIVE OPERATORS

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DUTCHMAN HOSPITALITY GROUP 330-893-2926 dhgroup.com Contact: Vicki VanNatta vickiv@dhgroup.com

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EMERALD HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATES 440-239-9848 emeraldhospitality.com Contact: Lori Berhent lberhent@emeraldhospitality.com

Experience the wonders of the Ohio State Park Lodges! Each lakeside destination provides the beauty of Ohio’s natural bounty with a surprising array of group-friendly amenities, accommodations, and recreation. And with five locations throughout the state, we’re near many of Ohio’s most popular group attractions.

GARLAND HOSPITALITY 330-308-5009 Contact: Linda Riffle lindar@garlandhospitality.com NIVEA HOSPITALITY 330-473-8261 niveahospitality.com Contact: Karen Troyer karent@niveahospitality.com Nivea Hospitality’s properties cater to the “Experience” in our guests travels. Regardless of the size of your group, you will receive detailed attention and personalized service. Visit our website and browse our portfolio to see how our properties can meet you and your guests’ needs. Free Bus Parking.

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TRAVELHOST OF CLEVELAND, AKRON/CANTON, AND AMISH COUNTRY 330-575-5971 travelhost.com Contact: Cathy Durant travelhost@neo.rr.com

AMERICAN LEGACY TOURS 859-951-8560 americanlegacytours.com Contact: Brad Hill brad@americanlegacytours.com

OHIO TRAVEL TREASURES LLC 513-923-9112 ohiotraveltreasures.com Contact: Diane Sphar dms@ohiotraveltreasures.com

American Legacy Tours has been providing first class tours of the greater Cincinnati Area since 2009. We can handle groups from 5-5,000. We can provide for any needs a group tour leader may have. If you have any questions please contact us at questions@americanlegacytours.com.

UNIQUE, DIFFERENT, ENTICING....all Customized tours that make your groups Unite, Excite and Delight. We focus on each group as though it was one of a kind!!

GREAT DAY! TOURS & CHARTER BUS SERVICE - TRAILWAYS - AMERICAN SIGHTSEEING CLEVELAND 800-362-4905 greatdaytours.com Contact: A.J. Kinney ajk@greatdaytours.com Great Day! Tours has, for the past 53 years, been providing Ohio groups with charter coaches, mini-buses, economical school buses and both group and retail tour packages and is one of the few with an A+ rating consistently with the Better Business Bureau. Group Leader comps available. Company also provides additional $5,000,000 of insurance coverage, over and above bus coverage. Being local, you know whom you are talking with. Tour packages are also available for groups in most every state. Please call for a no-obligation price quote.

TREASURE GROVE TRAVEL 614-271-2530 treasuregrovetravel.com Contact: Tricia Barbee trish@treasuregrovetravel.com Treasure Grove Travel is a full service receptive tour operator based in Central Ohio. Our mission is to enrich lives through travel experiences. We offer professionally designed tours, with unique experiences, for groups of 20+. We offer custom crafted itineraries and provide step on guides.

NORTHWEST MEMBERS DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS AUGLAIZE AND MERCER COUNTIES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 800-860-4726 greatergrandlakeregion.com Contact: Donna Grube donna@greatergrandlakeregion.com Come to Auglaize and Mercer Counties to visit Neil Armstrong’s hometown and museum, experience the beauty and peace of the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, explore Fort Recovery and ride down memory lane at the Bicycle Museum of America. We strive to make your group’s visit special.

BOWLING GREEN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 800-866-0046 visitbgohio.org Contact: Wendy Chambers wendychambers@visitbgohio.org Bowling Green, Ohio ...love this town with us! Customized itineraries, step-on guides, specialized mystery tours, make and take options, brown bag options, individual FAM tours available. Let the CVB be your one stop shop to plan your next visit to BG and Northwest Ohio!

DESTINATION SENECA COUNTY 567-220-6387 destinationsenecacounty.org Contact: John Detwiler info@destinationsenecacounty.org Take a peek at Seneca County and explore this unmatched destination. Discover our rich glass history and the origins of a multitude of railways. Enjoy our year round activities, abundant historical museums and landmarks, exciting festivals and unique shopping opportunities. Destination Seneca County – You’re gonna love it here!

DESTINATION TOLEDO 419-321-5042 visittoledo.org Contact: Cathy Miller cmiller@visittoledo.org Toledo…your perfect getaway on the edge of Lake Erie! Discover the NEW Toledo Zoo Aquarium and National Museum of the Great Lakes. Enjoy Hollywood Casino, Toledo Museum of Art, Libbey Glass, Mud Hens and famous Tony Packo’s! Hensville Entertainment District, Waterfront dining, birding, history, gardens, art scene, Broadway productions and more!

LAKE ERIE SHORES AND ISLANDS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 419-734-4386 shoresandislands.com Contact: Tiffany Frisch tiffany@shoresandislands.com This year-round destination located on the shores of Lake Erie just off the Ohio Turnpike delivers adrenaline-pumping adventures, soothing relaxation and everything in between. Opportunities include Cedar Point, cruises to the islands, water park resorts, historical and educational tours, wineries and dinner theater!

LIMA/ALLEN COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 419-222-6075 lima-allencvb.com Contact: Cara Stombaugh cara@lima-allencvb.com Would you enjoy an exciting journey with hometown appeal? Come explore Allen County on one of our customized tours that will take you to our favorite spots! Sample our food, play on our farms, create a masterpiece or just enjoy the view. We Live It. You’ll Love It.

ROSSFORD CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 855-765-5451 visitrossfordohio.com Contact: Beth Genson bethgenson@visitrossfordohio.com Traveling I-75 or on the Ohio Turnpike through NW Ohio? Rossford will soon become your favorite overnight or multiple-day stay. Located minutes away from cultural, sporting and food adventures including the nationally-renowned Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, Toledo Museum of Art, Mudhens Stadium, Huntington Center, Toledo Botanical Gardens and more.

SANDUSKY COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 419-332-4470 sanduskycounty.org Contact: Brenda Havens sales@sanduskycounty.org Sandusky County in NW Ohio invites you to unlock an abundance of hidden treasures. From history to hauntings, find the perfect activity to delight, surprise, entertain and inspire groups of all ages. Home of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Museums & Library at Spiegel Grove. Experience all Sandusky County has to offer. Located close to Ohio’s “Hot Spots” including Port Clinton, Marblehead, Put-in-Bay and Kelley’s Island, and Cedar Point! Save BIG on your hotel lodging.

ATTRACTIONS ARMSTRONG AIR & SPACE MUSEUM 800-860-0142 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org See a moon rock, two full-sized aircraft flown by Neil Armstrong, the Gemini VIII space capsule, artifacts from the Apollo 11 mission and more.

COOKE-DORN HOUSE 877-734-1386 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

FORT AMANDA MEMORIAL PARK 844-306-3360 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the monument at the site of Fort Amanda, a major supply depot for the American army during the War of 1812, and enjoy a walk along the river.

FORT MEIGS 800-283-8916 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Explore the reconstructed War of 1812 log fort that’s one of the largest in America and learn more about Ohio’s critical role in the war in the adjacent education center.

FORT RECOVERY MUSEUM AND MONUMENT 800-283-8920 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Explore the site of two battles between the U.S. Army and American Indians in the 1790s through reconstructed blockhouses, a stockade and museum. Visit the nearby monument.

HAYES PRESIDENTIAL CENTER 800-998-7737 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

Get a look at comfortable small-town life of the 1950s in the home of local industrialist Randolph Dorn and his wife, Estelle, built in 1844 for Civil War financier Jay Cooke’s father.

Walk in the footsteps of Rutherford B. Hayes, a Civil War General, Ohio Governor and 19th President of the United States! Tour his restored mansion, walk the grounds of his estate, Spiegel Grove and explore the nation’s FIRST presidential library and museum.

FALLEN TIMBERS BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL PARK 800-860-0149 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

INDIAN MILL 800-600-7147 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

See monuments honoring Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne and the soldiers and American Indians who died in 1794 during the final battle of the Northwest Indian War.

Visit the nation’s first museum of milling, in an 1861 mill built on the site of a mill erected for the Wyandotte Indians. Learn the story of milling from ancient times to the present.

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

NORTHEAST MEMBERS

NORTHWEST

SAUDER VILLAGE 800-590-9755 saudervillage.org Contact: Jeanette Smith info@saudervillage.org Step out of today’s fast paced world and into historic Sauder Village, Ohio’s largest living history destination. Visit with costumed guides in historic homes and shops and working craftsmen blending skill and creativity with glass, metal, fiber, wood and clay. Your group will love staying at the 98 room Heritage Inn, a beautiful respite in the country. Enjoy plenty of unique shopping and scrumptious homestyle meals at the Barn Restaurant.

TOLEDO ZOO AND AQUARIUM 419-385-5721 ext. 3093 toledozoo.org Contact: Amanda Caig amanda.caig@toledozoo.org We offer group discount on admission and meals, motor coach parking, complimentary driver and tour operator admission, handicap accessibility, wheelchair, stroller and wagon rentals, full-service catering, picnic areas, Lights Before Christmas holiday lights display, and souvenirs and gift shops.

LODGING GREAT WOLF LODGE - SANDUSKY 419-609-6000 greatwolf.com/sandusky Contact: Jan Kinkopf, CMP jkinkopf@greatwolf.com Great Wolf Lodge is a popular destination for school, church and scout trips. Organizers of youth group excursions love the ease of planning a visit with our professional team, and the attendees have the time of their lives in a fun and safe environment; featuring our 33K square foot waterpark!

MAUMEE BAY LODGE AND CONFERENCE CENTER 877-496-9224 ext. 108 maumeebaystateparklodge.com Contact: Kim Cira kcira@xanterra.com Just east of Toledo and directly on Lake Erie, Maumee Bay features comfortable guest rooms and cottages with patios or balconies, full-service dining room and banquet spaces, indoor and outdoor pools, birdwatching boardwalk, paved hiking and biking trails, fishing, boating on our inland lake, free motorcoach parking and more.

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DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS AKRON/SUMMIT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 330-374-8935 visitakron-summit.org Contact: Karen Harris kharris@visitakron-summit.org Greater Akron & Summit County…Come visit us! Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Hale Farm & Village, Akron Art Museum, Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Zoo, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR, Harry London Chocolate Factory, MAPS Air Museum, live theatre, vibrant arts scene, shopping, dining and 5,500+ guest rooms.

ASHLAND AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 419-281-4584 visitashlandohio.com Contact: Amy Daubenspeck cvb@ashlandoh.com If you’re looking for exciting events, a relaxing family outing, or a day of shopping and dining, Ashland County is a great place to make your next trip memorable. Ashland County offers a little something for everyone. Our fun, inviting events and attractions, wrapped up in a warm and beautiful package that is Ashland County, are sure to satisfy any member of the family.

BEACHWOOD CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 216-378-9333 visitbeachwoodohio.com Contact: Jessica Derecskey Jessica@VisitBeachwoodOhio.com Beachwood is a perfect hub location for exploring all of Northeast Ohio and is just 11 miles from downtown Cleveland. Come onboard to discover three of our most popular tours: Passport to Beachwood, All Rise! U.S. Presidents from Northeast Ohio, and Birding. Complimentary step-on-guides available.

CARROLL COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 877-727-0103 carrollcountyohio.com Contact: Kimberly Lewis kiml@carrollcountyohio.com Visitors are invited to “Retreat, Relax and Rejuvenate” in Carroll County. With its rolling hills and small-town charm, visitors can let their stress melt away as they explore museums, restaurants, shops, alpaca farms or festivals. No visit is complete without a cruise aboard the Atwood Queen.

DESTINATION CLEVELAND 216-875-6607 thisiscleveland.com Contact: Jane Tougouma jtougouma@destinationcle.org Come see the “New Cleveland”— manageable enough to easily navigate, but large enough to generate big city excitement. The region wows with gems such as Lake Erie, the world’s only Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, more than 53,000 acres of park land, and boasts the 2nd largest theater district in the U.S.

DESTINATION GEAUGA 800-775-8687 destinationgeauga.com Contact: Lynda Nemeth lynda@destinationgeauga.com Geauga County is offering exciting new opportunities to be your Group’s Destination! Located less than an hour East of Cleveland and PERFECT for a City/Country combo Trip. We offer Amish Tours, Specialty Food Tours, Girlfriend Get-A-Way Shopping & Spa Adventures, and invite you to ‘Explore OUR Outdoors’, we customize this to OUR season & YOUR ability!

HOLMES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TOURISM BUREAU 330-674-3975 visitamishcountry.com Contact: Laurie Judson lauriej@holmescountychamber.com

LAKE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU 800-368-5253 lakevisit.com Contact: Robert Ulas ulas@lakevisit.com Lake County, along with Ashtabula, features Ohio’s largest concentration of wineries. The Holden Arboretum, the USA’s largest with 3,600 acres, offers tram ride tours (by reservation). The restored President James A. Garfield National Historic Site offers the most original artifacts. The Gourmet Soap Shop offers hundreds of custom made soaps and free samples.

MANSFIELD/RICHLAND COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 800-642-8282 mansfieldtourism.com Contact: Jodie Snavely jsnavely@mansfieldtourism.com Walk the halls of the Ohio State Reformatory, explore 14 authentic filming sites from The Shawshank Redemption, visit Malabar Farm where Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married, tour BibleWalk’s wax museums and Dinner Theatre and savor local foods in downtown Mansfield’s Carrousel District. Themed itineraries available to begin your adventure to Mansfield!

MEDINA COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU 330-722-5502 visitmedinacounty.com Contact: Dan Hostetler info@visitmedinacounty.com Small town atmosphere, big city flavor. Medina County offers farms, orchards, outlets and Buckin’ Ohio Pro Bull Riding from May to September. Visit Castle Noel, America’s largest indoor entertainment complex with Santa’s Squeeze, The Grinch, Tim Allen’s Santa Clause and so much more. Explore the Possibilities in Medina County.

Take a step back in time as you witness scenes out of bygone times--shocking and threshing of wheat in the fields, furniture that is carefully and patiently crafted by hand, fruit pies made from scratch with freshly picked home-grown produce, Amish children making merry at recess in an Amish schoolyard. Visit Amish Country Ohio for a relaxing and nostalgic getaway with spectacular views of the beautiful pristine landscape!

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 800-527-3387 traveltusc.com Contact: Tiffany Gerber tgerber@traveltusc.com We are part of Ohio’s Amish region and home to many historic villages, unique and quirky museums (think funerals, sweepers, lanterns and trains). We have railroad heritage, Victorian home experiences and recreation such as canoeing, hiking and zip lining. We have theater experiences including a comedy barn, outdoor historic drama, state-of-the-art performing arts center and the brand new Ohio Star Theater. Don’t forget the wine, cheese and chocolate trail! Less than two hours from Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh. We are home to small towns and BIG stories!

VISIT CANTON 800-552-6051 visitcanton.com Contact: Mary Vlahos maryv@visitcanton.com Home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Village, National First Ladies Library and McKinley Presidential Library and Museum. Discover an eclectic and walkable cultural district, endless shopping highlighted by charming Hartville - a one-stop shop and dine location, unique museums, factory tours, and bountiful dining and culinary experiences.

WAYNE COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 800-362-6474 wccvb.com Contact: Martha Starkey mstarkey@wccvb.com Wayne County is part of the world’s largest Amish community. We are home to Lehman’s, the J.M. Smucker Company Store, P. Graham Dunn Retail Gallery and the Ohio Light Opera. Shop downtown Wooster, with the Everything Rubbermaid Store, unique shops and delectable restaurants. Contact us for new experiential tours.

YOUNGSTOWN LIVE - MAHONING COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 800-447-8201 youngstownlive.com Contact: Tara Mady tara@youngstownlive.com Located midway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh and New York and Chicago, Youngstown is an ideal destination for your next group tour. Stroll through lovely Fellows Riverside Gardens, explore historic Lanterman’s Mill, and roam The Butler Institute of American Art. Discover great wineries, group-friendly dining options, and plenty of shopping.

ATTRACTIONS ALIEN VACATION MINI GOLF 330-721-1224 alienvacationminigolf.com Contact: Dana Klaus klaus@castlenoel.com AURORA FARMS PREMIUM OUTLETS 330-562-2000 premiumoutlets.com Contact: Kyle Hersh khersh@simon.com Aurora Farms Premium Outlets is home to 70 designer and brand name outlet stores, including Coach, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap Outlet, Tommy Hilfiger, The North Face and more. Shopping that’s always worth the trip.

BERLIN FARMSTEAD RESTAURANT 330-893-4600 derdutchman.com Contact: Nancy Weaver nweaver@derdutchman.com Located in the heart of Ohio Amish Country, our group-friendly Family-Style and Buffet service for banquets supports the tradition of fellowship at the table. Groups of all sizes are served hot, freshly prepared foods quickly and efficiently, so they can make the most of their time together at the table. Come gather around our tables!

CARLISLE GIFTS, WALNUT CREEK 330-893-2535 carlislegifts.com Contact: Jennifer Berg jberg@carlislegifts.com Located right across the street from Der Dutchman Walnut Creek is Carlisle Gifts. Here you’ll find fashionable clothing, beautiful jewelry, home decor, designer-original florals and more. Explore every nook and cranny at your own pace. Handicap accessible. Open Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check website for seasonal hours.

DUTCH VALLEY GIFTS AND THE COOP 330-852-4926 dutchvalleygifts.com Contact: Andrea Erb aerb@dutchvalleygifts.com

GERVASI VINEYARD 330-497-7000 gervasivineyard.com Contact: Nichole Cardinale ncardinale@gervasivineyard.com

Dutch Valley Gifts and The Coop earns its keep by offering an elegant selection of fine gifts, fashionable boutique items and jewelry, gracious accessories for home and garden, kitchen gadgets, lighting and more. Located on the Dutch Valley campus. Handicap accessible. Open Monday– Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check website for seasonal hours.

Experience Gervasi Vineyard, a beautiful, upscale Tuscan-themed, winery located in the heart of Canton, Ohio featuring awardwinning wines, private winery and vineyard tours, tastings and wine pairings, boutique shopping, upscale luxurious villa suites and exceptional cuisine at our upscale Italian Bistro, or casual Crush House bar and eatery. Group-friendly.

DUTCH VALLEY MARKET 330-852-2631 dutchvalleymarket.com Contact: Dan Kane dkane@dhgroup.com

GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM 216-862-8803 greaterclevelandaquarium.com Contact: Joe Prada jprada@greaterclevelandaquarium.com

Fresh meats, turkeys, hams, cheeses, our own smoked sausage, Der Dutchman jams and jellies, spices and pantry items, gift boxes and more. Take home a taste of the country! Located on the Dutch Valley campus. Handicap accessible. Open Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check website for seasonal hours.

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium features a 230,000 gallon shark tank and two interactive touch pools. The Aquarium is a fun and engaging experience for all groups. The overall visit takes approximately 1.5 hours, so it is a perfect destination for pairing with other attractions or restaurants in a day visit.

DUTCH VALLEY RESTAURANT AND BAKERY 330-852-4627 derdutchman.com Contact: Carol Miller cjmiller@dhgroup.com Dutch Valley Campus is located minutes from I-77 in Sugarcreek, “The Gateway to Ohio Amish Country”. At Dutch Valley Restaurant groups appreciate our familyor banquet-style meals that feature hearty portions of Amish Kitchen Cooking and genuine hospitality. It’s tradition you can taste. Come gather around our tables!

FLANNERY’S PUB 216-781-7782 flannerys.com Contact: Sean O’Donnell sodflannery1@sbcglobal.net

CASTLE NOEL 330-721-6635 castlenoel.com Contact: Dana Klaus klaus@castlenoel.com

Flannery’s Irish Pub has been a Cleveland landmark since 1997. Renowned for our perfect pint, great comfort food, and the friendliest staff in Cleveland, Flannery’s is called home by all who visit. We have private party rooms and can host parties of any size.

DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT, WALNUT CREEK 330-893-2981 derdutchman.com Contact: Linda Miller lmiller@derdutchman.com

FORT LAURENS 800-283-8914 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

The slower pace, simpler life, and pastoral setting of Walnut Creek are an almost irresistible draw for groups seeking a peaceful place to relax, reconnect, or be productive. Experience genuine hospitality, high quality, and value-added service extended by Der Dutchman Restaurant and the Carlisle Inn.

Explore the site of Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort, built in 1778 as a wilderness outpost, and visit a museum that tells the story of soldiers on the frontier.

HARTVILLE COLLECTIBLES 330-877-2172 hartvillecollectibles.com Contact: Marjorie Hershberger mhershberger@hartvillecollectibles.com Don’t let the name fool you. In addition to a wide variety of collectibles and one-of-akind keepsakes, we also feature a beautiful array of women’s fashion accessories, like the latest designer jewelry and handbags, as well as clothing and other unique items to brighten your wardrobe.

HARTVILLE HARDWARE 330-877-3631 hartvillehardware.com Contact: Christa Domer cdomer@hartvillehardware.com Unique features include an 1850 square foot Made in the USA Idea House, which was almost entirely constructed of products made in the USA and products that are in stock daily at the store. Along the back of the Kitchen & Bath area is a four-house facade that houses a showroom for inspiration for the builder and re-modeler alike.

HARTVILLE KITCHEN 330-877-9353 hartvillekitchen.com Contact: Mara Rudolph mrudolph@hartvillekitchen.com Our cozy, comfortable dining room was designed to enhance your dining experience. Although we can seat 440 guests, we provide ample space between tables. Whether your group is large or small, there’s a place for you at our table.

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

HARTVILLE MARKETPLACE AND FLEA MARKET 330-877-9860 hartvillemarketplace.com Contact: Trista Todd info@hartvillemarketplace.com The Hartville MarketPlace has grown into a 3-acre indoor, year-round shopping experience that you have to see to believe. Over 100 independently-owned, indoor shops. It is air conditioned and heated for year-round comfort. It also is handicap accessible, with a convenient elevator to the 2nd floor.

HOWER HOUSE MUSEUM 330-972-6909 howerhouse.org Contact: Linda Bussey howerhouse@uakron.edu Hower House is an 1871 Victorian Mansion with treasures collected around the world. Open February-December with changing exhibits. Tour includes all three floors followed by shopping in the Cellar Door Store, a gift shop in the former servants’ quarters. In warm months, the Carriage House is open with restored horse-drawn vehicles and a permanent exhibit.

LEHMAN’S 800-438-5346 lehmans.com Contact: Glenda Ervin glenda.ervin@lehmans.com What started in 1955 as a hardware store for the local Amish community has now grown into an experience unlike any other that takes you back in time. From old fashioned treats and sodas to practical, nonelectric goods, Lehman’s has all you need to lead a simpler life!

MAPS AIR MUSEUM 330-896-6332 mapsairmuseum.org Contact: Kim Kovesci kovesci.kim@mapsairmuseum.org Military Aviation Preservation Society, MAPS Air Museum’s mission is to educate the public on the history of aviation and its impact on man. We display 47 aircraft and over 60 world class displays in our Gallery of Heroes. Tour guides tell stories associated with these local heroes who sacrificed so much for our freedom.

MCCOOK HOUSE 800-600-7172 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Tour the pre-civil war home of Daniel McCook, now a museum honoring this Ohio family remembered as the “Fighting McCooks” for the large number of members who served in the Civil War.

www.ohiohasit.com

MCKINLEY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM 330-455-7043 mckinleymuseum.org Contact: Joyce Yut joyceyut@aol.com The McKinley Presidential Library & Museum is a family friendly history and science museum. The Museum includes the McKinley Gallery with presidential memorabilia, a life size Street, an interactive science center with dinosaurs and the Hoover-Price Planetarium. Changing exhibits are offered in the Keller Gallery and more history is available in their permanent exhibit, The Stark County Story. The McKinley National Memorial is on the grounds.

MUSEUM OF CERAMICS 800-600-7180 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Get fired up in the nation’s Pottery Capital at a museum devoted to wares made by the hundreds of potteries that once operated in the area. See the largest public display of the rare American porcelain, Lotus Ware.

NAUTICA QUEEN 216-696-8888 nauticaqueen.com Contact: Colleen Grey c.grey@nauticaqueen.com The Nautica Queen, Cleveland’s luxury cruise dining ship, features Lunch, Sunday Brunch and Dinner cruises from Easter through New Year’s Eve. All cruises include an unlimited buffet meal and musical entertainment. Oldies and Luau Lunches are perfect for senior groups. Friday & Saturday Dinner cruises include a DJ and are great for student groups.

OHIO STAR THEATER AT DUTCH VALLEY 855-344-7547 ohiostartheater.com Contact: Kriss Ott kott@dhgroup.com Located on the Dutch Valley Campus, minutes away from I-77, experience all the stateof-the-art Ohio Star Theater has to offer (opening March 2017)! Spend a fun-filled, family-friendly evening enjoying a memorable performance. From unforgettable characters to old-fashioned simplicity to non-stop laughter, Ohio Star Theater is the place to let your heart sing and your spirit soar.

OHIO STATION OUTLETS 330-948-9929 ohiostationoutlets.com Contact: Danielle Newport danielle@ohiostationoutlets.com

STAN HYWET HALL AND GARDENS 330-315-3284 stanhywet.org Contact: Pamela Courrier pcourrier@stanhywet.org

Ohio Station Outlets features a lineup of nationally-known retail brands and established Ohio-based retailers to bring the perfect mix of national and local to the exurban market. Only at Ohio Station Outlets will you discover locally grown and curated goods alongside your favorite national brands such as Under Armour Clearance House, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Gymboree Outlet, Gap Outlet, and more. Hop aboard our vintage trains running seven days a week, weather permitting, and attend family fun events throughout the year.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is the former American Country Estate of F.A.Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The estate features a historic 65-room Tudor Revival Manor, Gothic Conservatory, Gate Lodge (birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous), and 70 acres of artistically landscaped grounds and formal gardens.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 330-588-3611 profootballhof.com Contact: Susan Campbell susan.campbell@profootballhof.com The Hall of Fame is a MUST for any fan’s bucket list. Join the millions who have lived the dream. Voted Ohio’s #1 Tourist Attraction, the Pro Football Hall of Fame offers the ultimate family bonding experience. Guests of all ages will immerse themselves in football’s cathedral of Bronze Busts.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 888-764-7625 rockhall.com Contact: Sharrona Burns sburns@rockhall.org We engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll. The experience includes 4 theaters, multiple interactive stations and 7 levels of exhibits that tell the story of the world’s most powerful art form. We make connections, tell stories and do it with the energy and power of rock.

SCHOENBRUNN VILLAGE 800-752-2711 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Tour this reconstructed Delaware Indian mission community of the 1770s and see log buildings, gardens and the original mission cemetery.

SHAKER HISTORICAL MUSEUM 800- 860-6078 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Discover Shaker Heights through the story of the North Union Shakers who once lived on the site of today’s Shaker Heights, plus exhibits telling the story of the planned suburban community developed there in the early 20th century.

TALLMADGE CHURCH 844-288-7710 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Step inside an 1825 Federal-style church that’s an architectural landmark and reminder of northeast Ohio’s New England heritage.

THE CORNER ALLEY - DOWNTOWN 216-298-4104 thecorneralley.com Contact: Mary Lessick mlessick@thecorneralley.com BOWL THEM OVER WITH YOUR NEXT PARTY! The Corner Alley is the ultimate entertainment destination for groups up to 600. With state-of-the-art bowling and gaming, delicious meals, an expansive drink selection and an atmosphere loaded with fun and energy. Located in two of Cleveland’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

THE CORNER ALLEY - UPTOWN 216-539-0741 thecorneralley.com Contact: Mary Lessick mlessick@thecorneralley.com BOWL THEM OVER WITH YOUR NEXT PARTY! The Corner Alley is the ultimate entertainment destination for groups up to 600. With state-of-the-art bowling and gaming, delicious meals, an expansive drink selection and an atmosphere loaded with fun and energy. Located in two of Cleveland’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

THE TWISTED OLIVE 330-899-0550 thetwistedolive.com Contact: Nichole Cardinale ncardinale@gervasivineyard.com The Twisted Olive provides a unique, modern, and vibrant dining experience. Nestled in a beautiful park setting with private rooms for groups, this modern restaurant estate overlooks a beautiful landscape. Customizable group menus feature classic Italian American fare and wine samples of Gervasi Vineyard’s award-winning wines. GV Destinations Property.

THE WARTHER MUSEUM 330-343-7513 thewarthermuseum.com Contact: Kristen Moreland kristen@thewarthermuseum.com Located in Northeast Ohio, The Warther Museum is home to the World’s Master Carver, Ernest “Mooney” Warther, who hand carved the evolution of the steam engine out of ebony, ivory, and walnut. Mooney Warther’s story is told throughout the guided tour of his collection, delighting groups of any age. Also located here are his wife’s beautiful gardens and her 73,000 piece button collection.

WALNUT CREEK AMISH FLEA MARKET 330-852-0181 walnutcreekamishfleamarket.com Contact: Ashley Spears or Januery Tango ashley@wcfleamarket.com Over 55,000 sq ft of indoor shopping! One level, handicap friendly, air conditioned, pet friendly. Large screen TV’s airing sports all day, new and used items, Amish cooking, bakery, ice cream, fudge, antiques, corn hole, quilts and much more. Beautiful view and gorgeous deck over looking the valley. Located in the Heart of Amish Country.

YOUNGSTOWN HISTORICAL CENTER OF INDUSTRY AND LABOR 800-262-6137 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Learn about the steel industry that dominated Youngstown in the 20th century and check out the “last heats,” the final batches of steel produced at each of the mills before they closed.

ZOAR VILLAGE 800-262-6195 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Explore a one-of-a-kind village, home from 1817 to 1898 of a communal society of German religious dissenters. Visit restored Zoarite buildings and enjoy a walk in Zoar’s big public garden, preserved and maintained as it was in the 1800s

ZOCALO MEXICAN GRILL & TEQUILERIA 216-781-0420 zocalocleveland.com Contact: Joe Fontana jfontana@zocalocleveland.com Zócalo Mexican Grill & Tequilería has recreated the unmistakable characteristics of Mexico and brought them into the heart of Cleveland. Combining cuisine from the different regions of Mexico with the largest selection of tequilas and Mexican beers, we served it with southof-the-border ambiance and hospitality.

LODGING CARLISLE COUNTRY INN 855-400-2275 carlisleinns.com Contact: DeAnn Harper dharper@carlisleinns.com Carlisle Country Inn, located in the Heart of Ohio Amish Country, is a cozy bed-andbreakfast-style inn that features wide porches, valley views and the comforts of home. Accommodates 16 guests for lodging and up to 32 guests for banquet-style meals catered by our Dutch Valley Catering staff.

CARLISLE INN, SUGARCREEK 855-411-2275 carlisleinns.com Contact: Kriss Ott kott@carlisleinns.com Carlisle Inn Sugarcreek features a rural atmosphere with balcony views of the Ragersville Valley and surrounding dairy farms. Guests are made welcome with a combination of modern and traditional comforts including quilts, handcrafted furniture, continental breakfast, complimentary evening snacks, fitness room, all-season pool, and free wifi. Guests may also help themselves to games/ puzzles in our spacious common areas.

CARLISLE INN, WALNUT CREEK 855-400-2275 carlisleinns.com Contact: DeAnn Harper dharper@carlisleinns.com Carlisle Inn Walnut Creek affords guests an exceptional view of Amish farmsteads in the Genza Bottom Valley. Guests enjoy a combination of traditional and modern comforts like quilts, handcrafted furniture, continental breakfast, complimentary evening snacks, fitness room, and free wifi. Guests may also help themselves games/ puzzles in our spacious common areas.

FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES, CANTON SOUTH 330-484-0300 marriott.com/cakfc Contact: Dee Evans dee.evans@marriott.com Welcome to the Fairfield Inn and Suites Canton South! Conveniently located just off of Interstate 77, we are just a quick jaunt from downtown Canton, Ohio. We are delighted to offer spacious and comfortable guestrooms and suites with everything you need. Burn some energy and calories in our indoor pool and fitness center, or unwind on our beautiful outdoor patio. Come find out why we are the #1 hotel in Canton, OH on TripAdvisor.

HAMPTON INN AND SUITES, CANTON 330-491-4335 cantonohsuites.hamptoninn.com Contact: Olivia Lescallett cakbm.hampton.suites@hilton.com

HILTON GARDEN INN, WOOSTER 330-202-7701 wooster.hgi.com Contact: Aimee Welsh aimee.welsh@hilton.com

Located conveniently off Interstate 77 in Canton, Ohio. The hotel is close to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, William McKinley’s Museum, Harry London’s Candies, colleges and universities and a short trip to Amish Country and Akron. The hotel is surrounded by shopping and restaurants!

Beautiful short drive from south side of Wooster to heart of Amish Country! Enjoy our well appointed full service accommodations and hotel featuring a restaurant, lounge, indoor pool, whirlpool & fitness center. Take advantage of our great Wooster hotel deals and enjoy the range of amenities and services offered at the Hilton Garden Inn Wooster.

HAMPTON INN, NEW PHILADELPHIA 330-339-7000 newphiladelphia.hamptoninn.com Contact: Kris Cardani kris.cardani@hilton.com Ideally located at I-77 exit 81, close to retail stores, restuarants and service stations. We are a beautiful, short drive at the gateway of Amish County with shopping, wineries, cheese houses, museums, historical villages and a variety of festivals. We offer a free hot buffet breakfast, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and all the amenities of a Hampton Inn by Hilton.

HAMPTON INN, NEWCOMERSTOWN 740-498-9800 newcomerstown.hamptoninn.com Contact: Bryan Warther bryan.warther@hilton.com Enjoy AWARD WINNING accommodations & service at an affordable rate. The beautiful short drive from Amish Country will be well worth your time. We are surrounded by wineries, cheese houses, museums, historic villages and a variety of festivals. Free hot buffet breakfast, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and all the amenities of a Hampton Inn by Hilton.

HAMPTON INN, WOOSTER 330-345-4424 wooster.hamptoninn.com Contact: Amanda Enkemann amanda.enkemann@hilton.com Just a short drive from Amish Country, we offer beautiful guestrooms, free hot breakfast buffet, free hot beverages 24/7, indoor pool, fitness room and Hampton’s 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

HAMPTON INN, YOUNGSTOWN WEST 330-544-0660 youngstownwest.hamptoninn.com Contact: Robyn Palumbo robyn.palumbo@hilton.com Conveniently located off I-80 way between Chicago & New York with easy access to a variety of attractions and dining options. We are the perfect stop over for a stroll through Mill Creek Metro parks, and just mile from the NEW Hollywood Racetrack and Gaming Casino.

HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON, CANTON 330-491-9714 canton.home2suites.com Contact: Carol Grosse caknc_home2@hilton.com Home2 Suites by Hilton Canton, Ohio is a spirited, innovative hotel for savvy, costconscious travelers staying for a few nights or a few months. From studio and one-bedroom suites to complimentary bonuses like continental breakfast, internet access, fitness facility, indoor heated saline swimming pool, and inviting outdoor spaces with a fire pit. Home2 Suites Canton, OH is just your style where you are free to be you!

HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON, YOUNGSTOWN/ AUSTINTOWN 330-505-9935 home2suites.com Contact: Beth Perry yngau_home2@hilton.com Home2 Suites by Hilton Youngstown/ Austintown OH. Opening 1st Quarter of 2017. A spirited, innovative hotel for the Savvy, costconscious traveler staying a few nights or a few months. From studio and one bedroom suites to complimentary bonuses like continental breakfast, internet access, fitness facility, saline swimming pool and inviting outdoor spaces with grills and fire pit with sitting areas. Home2 Suites in Austintown/ Youngstown is just for your style, as you are free to be you and feel right at home.

MOHICAN LODGE AND CONFERENCE CENTER 877-496-9224 ext. 109 mohicanstateparklodge.com Contact: Kim Cira kcira@xanterra.com Nestled in the heart of the state park, Mohican features 96 lodge rooms with patios or balconies, indoor and outdoor pools, paved hiking trails, full service lakeview dining, tennis courts and shuffleboard, and group fire pits. Conveniently located 20 miles southeast of Mansfield near Malabar Farm and Amish Country.

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

CENTRAL MEMBERS

NORTHE AST

PUNDERSON MANOR LODGE AND CONFERENCE CENTER 877-496-9224 ext. 109 pundersonmanorstateparklodge.com Contact: Kim Cira kcira@xanterra.com East of Cleveland and just minutes from Amish Country, Geauga County’s Punderson Manor features cozy rooms in an English Tudor-style Estate House setting. Enjoy full service dining, hiking, newly-renovated indoor and outdoor pools, golf, fishing and boating, lakeside boardwalk, unique indoor and outdoor banquet spaces and free motorcoach parking.

RAMADA LIMITED 330-878-1400 strasburgramadalimited.com Contact: Denise McConnell ramadaltd@tusco.net Ramada Limited Strasburg is located at I-77 exit 87 on SR 250, just minutes from Amish Country. Nearby attractions include Warther Museum, J.E. Reeves Home, Zoar Village, Trumpet in the Land, and Pro Football Hall of Fame. Enjoy our Broken Niblick Pub, hot continental breakfast, indoor pool, free WiFi, and meeting room.

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT CLEVELAND/ AVON AT THE EMERALD EVENT CENTER 440-937-0909 marriott.com/CLEAB Contact: Erin Browne erin.e.browne@marriott.com The Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland/ Avon at the Emerald Event Center is a spacious all-suites hotel. With easy access off I-90, our location is the perfect hub for a trip between downtown Cleveland and the Sandusky/Lake Erie Island Region! Complimentary breakfast, lobby bar, and 11,000SF event center to enhance your group experience!

SCHOENBRUNN INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER 330-339-4334 theschoenbrunninn.com Contact: Stephanie Kuemerle stephaniek@theschoenbrunn.com The Schoenbrunn Inn, a quaint hotel with urban style. Centrally located in scenic Tuscarawas County, the gateway to Amish Country. We are committed to offering our guests a warm welcome with a memorable experience, bringing them back time and time again. Our hotel offers modern amenities and exceptional service at a competitive rate.

www.ohiohasit.com

THE WALLHOUSE HOTEL, WALNUT CREEK 800-824-2013 wallhousehotels.com Contact: Logan Huffman loganh@wallhousehotels.com When your group is coming to town to experience all that our area has to offer— from dining experiences to antiquing to plenty of Amish Country experiences and shopping—make The Wallhouse Hotel your home. We have 62 rooms with state-ofthe-art amenities and our whisper design means you can sleep without waking to the noises outside.

TUDOR ARMS HOTEL - A DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL 216-455-1260 doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ohio/ the-tudor-arms-hotel-cleveland-a-doubletree-byhilton-CLEUCDT/index.html Contact: Michelle Wirgha mwirgha@mrnltd.com Our historic Tudor Arms building offers stylish and sophisticated accommodations in the heart of Cleveland’s East Side Cultural District and is only four miles from the downtown Cleveland business district. Restaurant and bar with breakfast buffet. Complimentary high-speed internet access. Flexible meeting space and business center.

DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS DESTINATION HILLIARD 614-664-3290 www.destinationhilliard.com Contact: Christy J. Clark cclark@destinationhilliard.com Hilliard offers small town charm and hospitality just minutes from downtown Columbus, Ohio and major attractions. Visit our 1800s historic village or Early Television museum, dine at one of our 26 local restaurants and experience fun events. Looking for something more adventuresome? Try Adrenaline Trampoline Park or the Heritage Rail Trail.

DUBLIN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 614-792-7666 irishisanattitude.com Contact: Amanda Mikkelson amikkelson@irishisanattitude.com Come experience Ireland without a passport in Dublin, Ohio! Infuse a little Irish attitude into your next group adventure with 20 unique hands-on Irish Experiences for VIPs (Very Irish People) including our popular Four-Leaf Clover Scavenger Hunt, a Sunny Irish Dinner Event (with Irish entertainers), Irish Dance 101 and more!

FAIRFIELD COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU 800-626-1296 visitfairfieldcounty.org Contact: Fran Tiburzio fran@visitfairfieldcounty.org Visit Fairfield County – where History, Art and Nature meet. Central location offers easy access to big city amenities and small town charm. Featuring covered bridges, unique cultural attractions and museums, vibrant arts scene with exhibitions, galleries and studios, 8000+ acres of parks and nature preserves, shopping, antiques, dining, and hotels.

KNOX COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 740-392-6102 visitknoxohio.org Contact: Pat Crow scrow@visitknoxohio.org Quaint brick lined streets, beautiful historical homes, distinctive outdoor oasis, exquisite dining options, exceptional lodging facilities, thrilling recreational adventures, unique educational programs, rich cultural experiences--we have it all! Whether you visit us for work, relaxation, or play, you will find no better company than right here in Knox County.

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS 614-222-6136 experiencecolumbus.com Contact: Roger Dudley rdudley@experiencecolumbus.com

LOGAN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITOR’S BUREAU 937-599-5121 logancountyohio.com Contact: Ali Parthemore tourism@logancountyohio.com

Go behind-the-scenes and enjoy VIP treatment with our experiential tours. Discover what it takes to bring a ballet production to life, become a winemaker, adventure on an open-air safari, taste Columbus’ award-winning culinary scene and more! Visit experiencecolumbus.com/tours for details.

Centrally located one hour from Columbus. From exploring caverns, to zip lining through the woods, to touring a historic castle, Logan County has a variety of attractions for the entire family. Stop in at Six Hundred Downtown for award winning pizza, or Brewfontaine for a locally brewed beer. You’ll leave Logan County wanting more!

EXPLORE LICKING COUNTY 740-345-8224 www.explorelc.org Contact: Carol Thress carol@explorelc.org

MARION AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 740-389-9770 visitmarionohio.com Contact: Mark Holbrook mholbrook@visitmarionohio.com

People have been finding their way here for thousands of years in search of a way of life. From the ancient to the contemporary, our history transcends age and culture, offering shared moments of understanding simply between people - no tickets required.

From food trails, to agri-tours, to historic attractions, call us to build an itinerary that will create memories for your travelers. Customize your visit by choosing any of Marion’s premier attractions or select from a host of pre-arranged tours.

OHIO’S RAMBLIN’ ROAD TRIP 937-642-6279 ohiosramblinroadtrip.com UNION COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 937-642-6279 unioncounty.org Contact: Tina Knotts tknotts@unioncounty.org Minutes From Columbus, miles from the ordinary. Dine on a covered bridge, witness cutting edge design at Honda manufacturing, sip at a spirited winery, pick your own produce at a family farm, take a painting class, all while being teated with good old fashioned hospitality.

VISIT GAHANNA - GAHANNA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 866-424-2662 visitgahanna.com Contact: Mary Szymkowiak mszymko@visitgahanna.com Discover Gahanna ... Ohio’s Herb Capital, with group experiences that celebrate the senses! Learn to make herbal vinegars and oils. Discover recipes for “Wild” Cocktails. Sample Wine Cakes. Tour a private paradise (and meet the Willy Wonka of Farmers). Enjoy a field-to-vase workshop. Discover the healing powers of herbs through our “Herbal Trailblazers” tour.

VISIT GROVE CITY 614-539-8747 visitgrovecityoh.com Contact: Sarah Lilly sarah@visitgrovecityoh.com Located just seven miles from downtown Columbus, Grove City is the perfect destination for doers. Whether for a day trip or an overnight tour, your group members can become urban backpackers, wine and craft beer connoisseurs, a home DIYer, or even a blacksmith—and they’re sure to leave with plenty of amazing memories!

ATTRACTIONS COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM 614-645-3400 columbuszoo.org Contact: Amanda Januzzi amanda.januzzi@columbuszoo.org Home to more than 10,000 animals representing nearly 577 species. A recreational and education destination including the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay Water Park and Safari Golf Club. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was named the No. 1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide.

DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT AND CARLISLE GIFTS, BELLVILLE 419-886-7070 derdutchman.com Contact: Michelle Fry mfry@derdutchman.com Just off I-71, Der Dutchman Bellville is a convenient stop on a trip to Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Groups appreciate meals that feature flavors from Ohio’s Amish Country and made-from-scratch pies and breads baked fresh each day. Located right upstairs is Carlisle Gifts, where your guests will find unique and stylish gifts to take home.

DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT AND CARLISLE GIFTS, PLAIN CITY 614-873-3414 derdutchman.com Contact: Krista Cross kcross@derdutchman.com Who would have thought you can find the comfort of Amish Kitchen Cooking so close to Columbus? Groups appreciate gathering in a delightfully furnished and spacious facility with rural charm and gracious service. Just a few steps away is Carlisle Gifts, where your guests will find unique and stylish gifts to take home.

FLINT RIDGE ANCIENT QUARRIES AND NATURE PRESERVE 800-283-8707 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Hike trails through the 533-acre preserve and see ancient pits left by American Indians who came from far and wide to quarry flint here. In an on-site museum, learn about the official state gemstone.

HANBY HOUSE 800-600-6843 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the family home of Benjamin Hanby— abolitionist, teacher, minister and composer of songs including the Christmas favorite, Up on the Housetop. The home was also a busy station on the Underground Railroad.

HONDA HERITAGE CENTER 937-644-6888 hondaheritagecenter.com Contact: Lynn Johnson visit_hhc@ham.honda.com Fueled by the Power of Dreams, the Honda Heritage Center™ highlights the company’s successes in North America with an array of products showcasing the challenging spirit that has driven our company to overcome challenges and make a positive impact. A free, self-guided tour of the center is available. We also offer the opportunity to tour the center and embark on a guided auto plant tour to learn about Honda’s heritage and see Honda manufacturing in action. Reservations are required.

LODGING DEER CREEK LODGE AND CONFERENCE CENTER 877-496-9224 ext. 110 deercreekstateparklodge.com Contact: Kim Cira kcira@xanterra.com Featuring a wide variety of accommodations, Deer Creek is just 30 minutes south of Columbus but miles away from the ordinary! With full service dining, shuffleboard, golf, tennis, boating, fishing, hiking, bonfires, indoor and outdoor pools, your stay can be as action packed (or laid back) as you desire.

LOGAN ELM 888-770-7425 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the site said to be the place where, in 1774, Chief Logan of the Cayuga tribe delivered an eloquent speech on relations between American Indians and early Ohio settlers.

NEWARK EARTHWORKS GREAT CIRCLE EARTHWORKS, OCTAGON EARTHWORKS, WRIGHT EARTHWORKS 800-589-8224 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the Great Circle Earthworks, Octagon Earthworks and Wright Earthworks, remnants of a 2,000 year-old complex that is the largest set of geometric earthworks ever known.

OHIO HISTORY CENTER AND OHIO VILLAGE 800-686-6124 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Enjoy exhibits on Ohio history, archaeology, natural history and more; explore a recreated 19th-century Ohio community; or use our vast library to explore Ohio history on your own at our centrally located flagship site.

WARREN G. HARDING HOME AND MEMORIAL 800-600-6894 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Tour the restored home of the 29th president of the United States and visit one of the most beautiful presidential memorials, located about one and a half miles from the Harding Home.

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

SOUTHEAST MEMBERS DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS CAMBRIDGE/GUERNSEY COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU 800-933-5480 visitguernseycounty.com Contact: Dixie Wyler groups@visitguernseycounty.com Located in Southeast Ohio, Cambridge/ Guernsey County offers exciting and affordable experiences for your groups. Take a safari adventure at the Wilds or a hands- on tour through a glass museum or factory. Marvel at the pageantry of the Living Word Outdoor Drama, meet Coal Miner Dave at the history museum or stroll through Dickens Victorian Village.

COSHOCTON VISITORS BUREAU 740-622-4877 visitcoshocton.com Contact: Mindy Brems director@visitcoshocton.com Coshocton is home to Historic Roscoe Village and the Monticello III Horse Drawn Canal Boat Ride, allowing visitors to experience life in a restored 1800’s canal-era town. Enjoy quaint shops, restaurants and Living History activities. While in Coshocton, visit the Three Rivers Wine Trail, Pearl Valley Cheese and Unusual Junction.

HOCKING HILLS TOURISM ASSOCIATION 740-385-2750 explorehockinghills.com Contact: Karen Raymore kraymore@explorehockinghills.com The Hocking Hills are Ohio’s Natural Crown Jewels and the ideal destination for active groups seeking outdoor activities, authentic artists and craftsmen, fun and FREE festivals and unique accommodations. The region has several lodges suited to groups up to 40 and providing a private resort experience.

ZANESVILLE-MUSKINGUM COUNTY CVB 740-455-8282 visitzanesville.com Contact: Lori Kappes lkappes@zmchamber.com Adventure awaits you in Zanesville-Muskingum County! Take a Safari Tour at the Wilds, or a relaxing cruise along the Muskingum River aboard the Lorena Sternwheeler. Take in the history of the area at one of the many historic sites and museums. Zanesville is home to a growing Artist Colony with studios open to the public. Enjoy a tasting at our local wineries and tour a brewery. There are too many shopping options to count! www.ohiohasit.com

ATTRACTIONS ADENA MANSION AND GARDENS 800-319-7248 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the imposing hilltop home of early Ohio statesman Thomas Worthington, designed by America’s first architect, Benjamin Latrobe. Explore the gardens, grounds and outbuildings and tour the Education and Visitor Center where you can learn more about Worthington and Adena.

BIG BOTTOM MEMORIAL PARK 800-860-0143 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the site of a 1791 attack on settlers by American Indians that marked the start of four years of warfare in Ohio. See a monument marking the site, which earned its name from the large floodplain on which it is located.

BUCKEYE FURNACE 800-860-0144 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit Buckeye Furnace and learn how ironmaking complexes much like this one scattered across rural southern Ohio in the 19th century helped win the Civil War. See the original blast furnace, reconstructed furnace buildings, museum and nature trails.

CAMPUS MARTIUS MUSEUM 800-860-0145 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Explore the museum and learn about Campus Martius, a civilian stockade built in 1788 as the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory. See the 1788 Ohio Company Land Office and the Rufus Putnam House, once part of the Campus Martius stockade.

CUSTER MONUMENT 866-473-0417 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the site of George Armstrong Custer’s birthplace and see the monument to the young soldier whose “Last Stand” made him a household name.

LEO PETROGLYPHS AND NATURE PRESERVE 800-860-0144 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org See ancient American Indian carvings in sandstone on the edge of a beautiful ravine—outstanding examples of American Indian rock art thought to date between A.D. 1000 and 1550.

NATIONAL ROAD AND ZANE GREY MUSEUM 800-752-2602 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Learn about U.S. 40, the old National Road that came to be called “the Main Street of America,” explore the adventure novels and Westerns of Zanesville author Zane Grey, and see examples of the art pottery for which this region of Ohio was famous in the 20th century.

OHIO RIVER MUSEUM 800-860-0145 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

WAHKEENA NATURE PRESERVE 800-297-1883 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Find a nature center, hiking trails, stone outcroppings, an abundance of plants, native orchids and more than 100 species of birds at this 150-acre preserve that lives up to its name, meaning “most beautiful.”

LODGING GARLAND HOTEL 855-462-9255 Contact: Melissa Henderson melissah@garlandhotelnc.com SALT FORK LODGE AND CONFERENCE CENTER 877-496-9224 ext. 107 saltforkstateparklodge.com Contact: Kim Cira kcira@xanterra.com Just minutes from Cambridge and the I-70/77 intersection lies Salt Fork, the crown jewel of Ohio’s largest state park. Choose from a wide variety of guest rooms (all with patios or balconies) before enjoying indoor and outdoor pools, boating and fishing, hiking, full-service dining, tennis and shuffleboard, and more.

Explore the story of the Ohio River and step aboard the W.P. Snyder Jr., the nation’s last intact steam-powered, stern-wheeled towboat.

OUR HOUSE TAVERN 800-752-2618 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Tour a restored Federal-style tavern built in 1819 that hosted the Marquis de Lafayette when he visited French-founded Gallipolis during his tour of the United States in 1825.

QUAKER YEARLY MEETING HOUSE 800-752-2631 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Tour the first Quaker yearly meeting house west of the Alleghenies. Built in 1814, it was the center of a community important in the antislavery movement. It was used regularly until 1909.

U.S. GRANT BIRTHPLACE 800-283-8932 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit President Ulysses S. Grant’s birthplace in Point Pleasant and learn how the Civil War hero has been honored.

SOUTHWEST MEMBERS DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS BUTLER COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU 888-462-2282 gettothebc.com Contact: Sandy Walther swalther@gettothebc.com Wow your group with a stop in Butler County, Ohio, conveniently located between Cincinnati and Dayton. Stop at Jungle Jim’s, explore the world’s largest indoor train display, tee off at the brand new Topgolf or enjoy Butler County’s sweetest experience, the Donut Trail!

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY CHAMBER AND VISITORS BUREAU 937-653-5764 champaignohio.com Contact: Sandi Arnold sandia@champaignohio.com Champaign County is perfect for a day trip of 30-60 person groups! Aviation, Agriculture, On the Move and Innovative Ohio Itineraries appeal to the Boomers and Traditional Senior travelers; custom tours are also available. Most experiences are hand-on and include a gift and tasty delights along the way. Book today!

CINCINNATI USA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 513-632-5384 cincyusa.com/group-tours Contact: Randie Adam radam@cincyusa.com Cincinnati USA has rich experiences, new events and touching moments to offer group visitors. Itineraries feature unique Cincinnati experiences, including American Sign Museum, underground tunnel and gangster tours, the Cincinnati Pops, riverboats and world-class art institutions. Your official source for itineraries and group tour service for Cincinnati USA.

CINCINNATI SYMPHONY AND POPS ORCHESTRA 513-744-3590 cincinnatisymphony.org Contact: Ellen Graham egraham@cincinnatisymphony.org

CLINTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

WARREN COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

877-428-4748 clintoncountyohio.com Contact: Debbie Stamper dstamper@clintoncountyohio.com Wilmington is home to the Quaker Heritage Center, the only one of its kind in the nation, as well as a hundred year old theatre that provides an excellent show venue for live entertainment. Experience a potter who creates a work of art with his head covered with a paper bag. And the list goes on and on.

513-204-7040 ohioslargestplayground.com Contact: Linda Smith lsmith@wccvb.org Ideally located between Cincinnati and Dayton Ohio with easy access from I-71 & I-75. Visit our charming towns with antique shopping,world class museums and entertaining dinner options. Enjoy amusement parks, water parks,and outdoor adventures. Warren County has a variety of group friendly attractions a perfect destination for your Mystery Tour.

DARKE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU 800-504-2995 visitdarkecounty.org Contact: Matt Staugler info@visitdarkecounty.org Experience small town charm, distinct shopping districts and our land’s rich heritage and urban-country spirit...uniquely Darke County, Ohio. Discover a land where the legends are as rich as the soil. Whether planning a day trip, extended stay or a relaxing getaway, Darke County has what you need.

DAYTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 937-226-8259 daytoncvb.com Contact: Sean Robison srobison@daytoncvb.net Visit DAYTON, the Birthplace of Aviation! Home to the Wrights, the FREE National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, a National Park, and can’t miss aviation sites. Located at the “Crossroads of America’, (intersection of I-75N/S & I-70E/W) Dayton is highly accessible, and in route to many destinations. Incentives too! Contact Sean today at srobison@daytoncvb.net!

MIAMI COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU 800-348-8993 homegrowngreat.com Contact: Leiann Stewart lstewart@homegrowngreat.com Whether you’re an adventurer, historian, animal lover, foodie or enjoy unique shopping, discover all of this and more when you visit Miami County. Your experiences will be one-of-a-kind because they are grown right here. And, the hospitality you will receive here is only found in a place where people consider you part of the family. Right off I-75, 10 minutes north of Dayton. Not just good...Home.Grown.Great.

ATTRACTIONS CEDAR BOG NATURE PRESERVE 800-860-0147 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Walk a mile-long boardwalk through this 450-acre preserve, a haven for many rare plants and animals including some that are Ice Age remnants.

CHRISTIAN WALDSCHMIDT HOMESTEAD & CIVIL WAR MUSEUM, OWNED/OPERATED BY THE OHIO SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 513-236-6561 ohiodar.org Contact: Darlene West darwest@fuse.net The Christian Waldschmidt Homestead & Civil War Museum takes you back to the early settlement of the Little Miami River Valley. Visitors will experience the comfortable stone home furnished in pre-1830 style. The Civil War Museum contains artifacts relating to Camp Dennison, a Union Army training and induction camp, 1861-1865.

CINCINNATI PREMIUM OUTLETS 513-539-0711 premiumoutlets.com/cincinnati Contact: Alaina Norbeck alaina.norbeck@simon.com Cincinnati Premium Outlets offers 100 designer and name brand stores at savings of 25-65% everyday. The center is easily accessible and located off I-75 in Monroe, Ohio. Tour groups of 15 or more receive free VIP Savings Passports ($5 value) with hundreds of dollars of savings.

Make your trip memorable with world-class entertainment by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra or the Cincinnati Pops. The ArtDeco charm of the Taft Theatre in downtown Cincinnati is the perfect setting for the CSO and Pops as they present blockbuster seasons that include the best artists from around the globe!

FORT ANCIENT EARTHWORKS AND NATURE PRESERVE 800-283-8904 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Explore North America’s largest ancient hilltop enclosure, built 2,000 years ago. Explore an on-site museum, recreated American Indian garden, and miles of hiking trails with scenic overlooks.

FORT JEFFERSON MEMORIAL PARK 844-288-7708 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Find a stone memorial recalling that this small park was the site of Fort Jefferson from 1791 to 1796. A confederacy of American Indians defeated Gen. Arthur St. Clair’s army in a 1791 battle that became known as “St. Clair’s Defeat,” and the army retreated to Fort Jefferson.

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE 800-847-6507 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit the Cincinnati home where Harriet Beecher Stowe lived from 1833 to 1836, formative years that later led her to write the best-selling novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Learn about the author, the Underground Railroad and women’s rights movements of the 1830s–1860s.

JOHN RANKIN HOUSE 800-752-2705 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Visit this restored home on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River and hear how the Rev. John Rankin family, with neighbors in Ripley and other nearby communities, helped over 2,000 fugitives escape from slavery to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

2017 ohio has it! group travel guide

JOHNSTON FARM & INDIAN AGENCY 800-752-2619 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TOMB 844-288-7709 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org

Find 2,000 years of history, from American Indian mounds through Ohio’s canal era, at this peaceful 250-acre site. Tour the 1829 Johnston home, the American Indian museum, explore the farm and ride a mule-drawn boat on the historic Miami and Erie Canal.

See the monument and tomb of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States, and learn about his life and accomplishments.

MIAMISBURG MOUND 866-580-6508 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org See the largest cone-shaped burial mound in Ohio, constructed by people of the ancient Adena culture (800 B.C.–A.D. 100).

NATIONAL AFRO-AMERICAN MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER 800-752-2603 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Enjoy regularly changing exhibits and special programs sharing African American history, art, and culture at this museum in Wilberforce, home of two historically black universities, Wilberforce and Central State.

LODGING GREAT WOLF LODGE-CINCINNATI/MASON 513-229-5817 groups.greatwolf.com/mason Contact: Jennifer Hesse jhesse@greatwolf.com Great Wolf Lodge –Cincinnati/Mason is the perfect choice for a group retreat or a professional meeting! An all-suite property featuring a 79,000 square foot indoor waterpark, full-service spa, restaurants, arcade and so much more, we have something for all of your needs! We are the region’s most unique group experience- everything under one roof! We offer a spacious, flexible conference facility with state of the art audio visual, uncompromised culinary quality and unbeatable on-site group activities.

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR HOUSE 800-860-0148 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Tour the restored home of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906), who gained international acclaim as a writer and voice for equality for African Americans.

SERPENT MOUND 800-752-2757 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org See the largest and finest serpent effigy earthwork in the world, likely built by people of the Fort Ancient culture circa A.D. 1100. Follow a footpath around the serpent and hike wooded trails nearby.

U.S. GRANT BOYHOOD HOME & SCHOOLHOUSE 877-372-8177 ohiohistory.org Contact: Mallory Skrobot mskrobot@ohiohistory.org Explore young Ulysses Grant’s life by visiting his school and his boyhood home, restored to its appearance in 1839, the year Grant left for West Point.