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12
Natural Wonders You Need to See Around Cincinnati
Powerful yet serene, waterfalls are the masterworks in Mother Nature's portfolio. Dramatic shots of waterfalls are often featured as highlights on travel and nature shows, giving them an exotic appeal. But you may be surprised to learn there are a number of breathtaking waterfalls on display within a two-hour drive from Cincinnati.
With summer on the way, it's the perfect time to plan some exciting day trips. Add these locations around Cincinnati to your list and prepare for some great waterfall viewing.
Sharon Woods
11450 Lebanon Rd., Sharonville, OH 45241
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The natural delights of Sharon Woods are so spectacular that you'll find it hard to believe you're only 20 minutes outside of Cincinnati. As the oldest of the Great Parks of Hamilton County, Sharon Woods features not one but three waterfalls, including Buckeye Falls and the Lower Falls. See all three along the Gorge trail, which is less than a mile long with low difficulty. Park admission is free, but there is a $3 parking fee for Hamilton County residents. Sharon Woods is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Ludlow Falls
110 Covington Ave., Ludlow Falls, OH 45339
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Many waterfalls are found in parks or nature reserves, but Ludlow Falls is part of a picturesque rural landscape in the small town with the same name. Just over an hour's drive from Cincinnati, the waterfall is under a bridge right by the post office, so it can go unnoticed by travelers. Follow the path from the nearby park for best access. With a 15-foot drop, Ludlow Falls is definitely a hidden gem in the area.
Hayden Falls
4326 Hayden Run Rd., Dublin, OH 43017
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Hayden Falls sits slightly north of Columbus, approximately two hours away from Cincinnati, and it's definitely worth a road trip. A boardwalk and overlook, with the backdrop of the 35-foot waterfall, allows for scenic photo opportunities. The gorge habitat, with its array of rare and endangered plants, completes the picture. Hayden Falls is open 24/7, with convenient onsite parking.
Indian Run Falls
700 Shawan Falls Dr., Dublin, OH 43017
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If you're heading out to Hayden Falls, double your fun with a stop-off at Indian Run Falls. Today the falls are mere minutes from downtown Dublin, but at one time the area was home to members of the Wyandot tribe, which is how the site got its name. Indian Run is actually two waterfalls, on the main and upper levels, which are traversed by a bridge. The City of Dublin has also added trails and observation decks to enhance visitors' experience. Hours are dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Greenville Falls State Scenic River Area
9140 Covington-Gettysburg Rd., Covington, OH 45318
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Less than 90 minutes from Cincinnati, just past Dayton, you'll find the 92-acre Greenville Falls State Scenic Area. A network of trails leads visitors past historic features along the river, with interpretive signs explaining the significance of each one. The visual centerpiece is the 20-foot waterfall, where you may catch sight of wildlife populating the grounds. Water also left its mark forming a natural limestone arch along the river. Greenville Falls State Scenic River Area is open year-round from 8 a.m. - sunset.
Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve
2381 State Route 343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
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Between Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve and adjacent John Bryan State Park, considered by many visitors to be the most beautiful state park in western Ohio, the village of Clifton is home to a number of natural delights. A series of waterfalls in the preserve, including Amphitheatre Falls, is formed by the Little Miami River passing through a 40-foot deep limestone gorge. After your visit, make a quick side trip to Clifton Mill, the largest of 47 remaining grist mills in the United States. A pair of man-made waterfalls tumble alongside the quaint building, presenting a charming picture of nostalgic Americana.
Fallsville Falls Wildlife Area
10211 Careytown Rd., New Vienna, OH 45159
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The alliterative and slightly redundant name of Fallsville Falls Wildlife Area is a throwback to a town from the past that no longer exists. Now this area, about an hour from Cincinnati, is known for the 15-foot waterfall that cascades stairstep-style in a small wooded gorge. As you enter the area via the gravel road leading from the parking lot, you'll hear the waterfall before you see it. Fallsville Falls is open 24//7 all year long.
Clifty Falls State Park
1501 Green Rd., Madison, IN 47250
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Head over to neighboring Indiana, roughly an hour and 20 minutes away, and take in the quartet of waterfalls at Clifty Falls State Park. Big Clifty, Little Clifty, Tunnel Falls, and Hoffman Falls fluctuate with the weather and seasons, presenting an ever-changing display inviting multiple visits. Pick up a map at the Nature Center and take pictures of seven waypoints to complete the Four Falls Challenge. Park entrance fee for out-of-state vehicles is $9. Summer hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily.
Go With the Flow
Which waterfalls around Cincinnati will you be chasing this year?
22
We Bet You Didn't Know These Things About Cincinnati
You probably know Cincinnati is Ohio's largest metropolitan area, the setting for classic sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and home to the second oldest zoo in the country. Originally settled in 1788, Cincinnati has a long and rich history yielding a number of fascinating stories.
Here are 11 fun facts to know and tell about Cincinnati. Which ones are new to you?
The Cincinnati Reds Were the First Professional Baseball Team
100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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Cincinnati has an honored place in major league baseball history as home of the first all-professional team, the Red Stockings, better known as the Reds. Their first game took place on May 4, 1869, a 45-9 blowout win against the Great Westerns, also based in Cincinnati. The Reds have made it to the World Series nine times and emerged victorious five times, most notably with back-to-back wins in 1975 and 1976 during the heyday of the "Big Red Machine."
Empress Chili Served the First Cincinnati Chili
7934 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, KY 41001
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Skyline and Gold Star may be more well-known names today, but Cincinnati's iconic version of chili originated at Empress Chili. Brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff, immigrants from Macedonia, started selling their uniquely seasoned meat sauce in 1922. Cincinnati chili can be enjoyed in a bowl, on a bed of spaghetti or atop a hot dog, with your choice of onions, beef or cheese. While there are now more than 150 chili spots around the city, Empress Chili remains "the first edition of a Cincinnati tradition."
Zinzinnati Is the Largest Oktoberfest Celebration in the United States
Third St. and Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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More than 25 percent of Cincinnati residents share a German heritage, which they proudly celebrate each September at Zinzinnati. More than half a million people attend this three-day event, making it the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the country. Approximately 80,000 bratwurst, 25,000 potato pancakes, and 23,000 soft pretzels are consumed while guests enjoy live musical entertainment, a wiener dog race, and the world's largest chicken dance. Every year, the mayor of Munich issues an official decree pronouncing Zinzinnati as the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany. Zinzinnati 2020 is scheduled for September 20-22.
Cincinnati Was Originally Named "Losantiville"
At its founding in 1788, the settlement was named Losantiville by John Filson, the original surveyor. "Losantiville" is a hybrid of terms from four different languages meaning, "the city opposite the mouth of the (Licking) river." Two years later Arthur St. Clair, governor of the Northwest Territory, decided he didn't care for the name. He changed it to Cincinnati as a tribute to the Society of the Cincinnati, a group of Revolutionary War veterans which included St. Clair. The Society took its name from legendary Roman statesman Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus.
Findlay Market Is the Oldest Continuously Operated Public Market in Ohio
1801 Race St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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More than 100 years ago, there were nine public markets located around Cincinnati. Findlay Market is the only one still standing today. The market is named after General James Findlay and his wife Jane, whose estate donated the land on which it's built. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, Findlay Market welcomes upwards of one million visitors annually. More than 40 vendors make up the year-round open market, and they're joined by dozens more in the outdoor farmers market running weekends from April through November. Hours are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Is the Only Two-Time Tony Winner Outside NYC
962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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Since 1959, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has been producing first-rate professional theater from its scenic hilltop location. Actors who have graced its stage include notable names such as Patty Duke, Anthony Perkins, Lynn Redgrave, Cicely Tyson, and Sam Waterston. In 2004, Playhouse was recognized with a Tony Award for Best Regional Theater. That accolade was followed up three years later with a second Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical for the production of Company.
Cincinnati Is the Hometown of America's Most Beloved Movie Director
Before he reached the age of 30, Steven Spielberg revolutionized the film industry and ushered in the summer blockbuster with Jaws. His Hollywood career has been full of commercial and critical success, but few people know that Spielberg's roots are in Cincinnati. The Spielberg family came to the city in the 1900s when Steven's paternal grandparents emigrated from Ukraine, and he was born in Cincinnati on December 18, 1946.
Cincinnati Has the Nation's Largest Unused Subway System
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Underneath the streets of Cincinnati sits a network of incomplete tunnels just over two miles long. Construction on the framework of the Cincinnati Subway began in the early 1900s. Intended to upgrade the city's streetcar system, the subway project fell victim to spiraling costs and political in-fighting. Activity was indefinitely canceled in 1928, and the project has remained abandoned.
Metro Cincinnati's Vent Haven Is the World's Only Ventriloquism Museum
33 W. Maple Ave., Fort Mitchell, KY 41011
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High on the list of offbeat attractions is Vent Haven Museum, dedicated to showcasing the art of ventriloquism. The museum was founded by a man with the equally quirky name of William Shakespeare Berger, affectionately known as W.S. Berger was a self-made success in business, literally working his way from the mailroom to president of the Cambridge Tile Company, but he was fascinated by ventriloquism. After serving as president of the International Brotherhood of Ventriloquists for more than 20 years, Vent Haven Museum was created to preserve and share Berger's incredible collection of ventriloquist dummies. Tours are conducted seven days a week from May through September by appointment only.
The Town Crier Tradition Is Alive and Well in Cincinnati
Before the days of electronic and print media, town criers held the responsibility of sharing news throughout a community. While this tradition has all but disappeared, the Cincinnati village of Mariemont maintains one of approximately 14 town criers in the United States. The post is currently held by Dr. Bob Keyes, who "moonlights" as a geriatrician and co-director of the Christ Hospital Health & Aging Center. Keyes' duties include opening town meetings and leading the Memorial Day parade.
The Cincinnati Fire Department Was the First Professional Firefighting Unit in the Country
315 W. Court St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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In 1853, Cincinnati led the way for the country by establishing the first professional fire department. The Cincinnati Fire Museum documents the history of firefighting in Cincinnati with exhibits, events, and interactive displays. Their innovative fire safety education program simulates an actual fire event in a home while staff members identify risks and demonstrate ways to protect yourself. Museum hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for kids aged 7-17.
Livin' on the Air in Cincinnati
What's your favorite episode of WKRP in Cincinnati?
7
Promoting Your Home Online Amidst Social Distancing
With stay-at-home directives and social distancing in place, the real estate market needs to get creative with facilitating the buying and selling of homes. Cutler Real Estate is doing just that by offering virtual open houses that allow sellers to showcase their properties online and enable buyers to get an inside look at homes for sale—all while complying with efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Learn more about virtual showings and open houses, how your home is marketed online, and ways to get your home ready for the best results.
What Is a Virtual Showing?
25
Northeast Ohio: Now's the Perfect Time to Take Up Knitting
With many businesses in Northeast Ohio shut down, and "social distancing" in full effect, it's time to start getting creative about finding things to do. Productive hobbies are becoming more popular, and taking up knitting is a great choice.
If this appeals to you, then you'll be glad to know that there are plenty of ways you can learn to knit online. Once you're ready, you can support the local area knitting shops that so desperately need your business right now. Here are some tips for getting started and a few of our favorite stores in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Step 1: Learn to Knit
There are plenty of online resources where you can learn to knit. Start by checking out some YouTube channels, like AllFreeKnitting or Craftsy Knitting. If you prefer a more structured class style, you may want to take a look at the classes on websites like SkillShare or Instructables.
Step 2: Stock Up on Supplies
Once you've got the basics down, you'll want to visit the websites for some of the area's best knitting stores. Here are a few of our favorite Ohio stores where you can shop for all of your knitting needs.
River Colors Studio
1387 Sloane Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107
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River Colors Studio carries a huge selection of gorgeous yarn. They also have all the materials you'll need to start your knitting projects including needles, hooks, accessories.
Check out their selection of patterns, including some great free ones that are perfect for beginners. You may also want to order a few publications, like Pom Pom Quarterly and Mason-Dixon Field Guides. These are a great way to learn more about your new hobby.
The Artful Yarn
100 North Main St. Suite 230, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
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A fun, boutique-style shop, The Artful Yarn carries an internationally-curated selection of yarns. They currently offer curbside pick-up, limited-distance delivery, and 2-day USPS shipping. You can order over the phone and even video chat via FaceTime. They have some inventory online and will be expanding their online offerings very soon.
On March 30th, they're starting a "Magical Mystery Knit" that you can join right from the comfort of your home. Sign up for their email list or follow them on social media so you can keep up on all the latest news and updates.
Harps & Thistles Yarn Emporium
129 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
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Harps & Thistles Yarn Emporium carries an eclectic selection of yarns and prides itself in offering reasonable prices. You'll love browsing through their gorgeous yarns, and you can also find all of the needles, hooks, bags, and accessories you need.
If you're a beginner, check out the "Yharma's Basement Clearance" section. This is a great way to stock up on supplies without breaking the bank.
Fine Points
12620 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44120
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You'll find everything you need to get creative with your knitting projects at Fine Points. They specialize in unique yarns and offer kits that have all the materials you need to make a specific project. They also carry needles and accessories, patterns, books, jewelry, and more.
Destination Yarn
15708 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111
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Destination Yarn is an independent shop that hand-dyes their yarn onsite. It's easy to lose yourself in their website, where you can shop by yarn type, dye technique, or collection. They also sell lots of great kits for sweaters, shawls, and pullovers and fun gifts for other knitting-lovers in your life.
Fiber Addiction
13572 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, OH 44072
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Fiber Addiction carries a wide variety of brand-name yarns including Euro, Berroco, and Cascade. They also offer products from indie dyer Cornbread & Honey. In response to recent events, they're offering individual appointments for those who want to come shop in person, or you can shop online. In addition to yarn, they also carry a fun selection of bags, books, notions, needles, and hooks.
You can get some great deals right now, including free shipping through April 15th. They also offer pick-up orders for those who live nearby.
Other shops around Ohio worth checking out online:
Alpaca Meadows Yarn
1200 Rock Road, Mansfield, OH 44903
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Do you want to make a truly luxurious knitting project? If so, then you'll want to pay a visit to Alpaca Meadows' website. These Ohio residents have a happy herd of alpacas that provide a limited amount of fiber each year. It's either processed on-site or by a local mill. Alpaca yarn is incredibly soft. It's also warm, comfortable, durable, hypoallergenic.
If you see something you like, make sure to stock up, because once it's gone, it's gone. Not sure what to do with alpaca yarn? Take a look at some of their beautiful patterns as well!
The Makery
1 N. Main St., Mt Vernon, OH 43050
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The Makery also carries a wide selection of hand-dyed, hand-spun yarns and fair trade fiber. You can choose from a variety of materials, including alpaca, cotton, bamboo, linen, silk, wool, and more. They also carry needles, hooks, and notions.
Need some inspiration? Check out some of their super-cool books with many interesting ideas. They also carry fun craft kits designed especially for kids, so if you're home-schooling right you, you'll definitely want to check this out as well.
Knitting Temptations
35 S. High Street in Dublin, Ohio 43017
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For a wide selection of yarn at a variety of price points, as well as needles, buttons, and books, you'll definitely want to take a look at Knitting Temptations' website. They carry many popular brands and you can keep yourself on-budget by shopping by price range.
Don't have a ton of money to spend right now? Create an account and build a wish list! This way, when you're ready to move on to future projects, you'll already have your shopping list ready!
Lambikin's Hideaway
217 South B St., Hamilton, OH 45013
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Lambikin's Hideaway is a local yarn store that prides itself on offering amazing customer service, fair prices, and a huge selection of yarn. Here you'll find a variety of options including lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, bulky, and super bulky yarn. While you're on the website, don't forget to subscribe to their newsletter to stay in the loop about their latest classes, promotions, and specials.
Knit One, Purl Two
What kind of knitting project are you looking forward to trying first?
20
Explore These Bike Trails Around Columbus
When you need a breath of fresh air far from the city crowds, you'll find ample space to roam in Columbus. With many miles of bike paths and trails, our city has a lot to offer for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
Columbus is also a major hub for state-wide trails and greenways, some of which stretch for hundreds of miles across the Buckeye State. These bike paths in the Columbus area offer ample opportunities to get outside, get in shape, and simply enjoy the greener side of Central Ohio.
Alum Creek Trail
Three Creeks Metro Park, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH 43125
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A favorite multi-use trail that stretches roughly 25 miles across Franklin County, the Alum Creek Trail offers a well-maintained hard surface for hikers and cyclists. The trail follows the picturesque Columbus river corridor, from Westerville to Three Creeks Park, passing through several parks and neighborhoods along the way. Construction on the trail was completed in 2015, and the Alum Creek Trail has quickly become the go-to destination for Columbus residents looking to get outside.
Olentangy Trail
Whetstone Park, 3901 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43210
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The Olentangy Trail is a great place to go for a bike ride, but for many first-time visitors to Columbus, its central location makes it one of the most popular ways to explore the city on foot. The trail connects the community of Worthington to downtown Columbus, meandering through several neighborhoods along the banks of the Olentangy River. Along the way, the Olentangy Trail passes through the Ohio State University campus, with trailheads at Whetstone Park as well as several other major city parks.
Scioto Trail
Scioto Trail Park, 2951 S. High St. Columbus, OH 43207
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The first greenway ever built in Columbus, the Scioto Trail has been a treasured resource for hikers and cyclists in the city since 1976. It's still a favorite local bike path, with sections on either side of the Scioto River, including the downtown riverfront, where you can get a great view of the Columbus skyline. The most well-known section of the path is the Scioto Mile, which includes a string of prominent parks, promenades, and landmarks. Near the south edge of Downtown Columbus, the trail traverses the beautiful Scioto Audubon Park, including a trailhead at the Audubon Nature Center. The Scioto Trail also directly connects to the Olentangy Trail.
Heritage Trail
7262 Hayden Run Road, Hilliard, OH 43026
Following an old abandoned rail line from Old Hilliard to Cemetery Pike, the Heritage Trail one of the less-used bike paths in the Columbus area. That makes it a great place to beat the crowds, although the Heritage Dog Park at one end of the trail does make it a popular spot for dog walking. Paved, well maintained, and easy to follow, it's a great place for an afternoon bike ride, passing through about 7 miles of fields and farmlands just outside Columbus.
Blacklick Creek Greenway
Three Creeks Metropark, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH 43125
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Running parallel to its namesake creek for most of its 18-mile length, the Blacklick Creek Greenway stretches from Reynoldsburg to Groveport on the southeastern edge of Columbus. There are several parks and trails in the Columbus area where you can hop on the Blacklick Creek Greenway, but a favorite spot is Three Creeks Metro Park. This park marks the spot where the Alum, Big Walnut, and Blacklick creeks join; and it's also home to sections of both the Blacklick Creek Greenway and the Alum Creek Greenway.
Chestnut Ridge Mountain Bike Trail
Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, 8445 Winchester Road NW, Carroll, OH 43112
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While many of Columbus' bike paths are great for easy rambles along relatively flat, paved trailways, the mountain bike trail at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park offers something a little more extreme. Just a few miles southeast of Columbus, Chestnut Ridge is actually the first ridge of the Appalachian Mountains, and the Chestnut Ridge Mountain Bike Trail is a great place for an intense mountain biking experience. The trail runs a little over 9 miles through deep woods, with many steep climbs and descents, along with a few bridges and some steep, banked turns. The trail is divided into two loops, one for beginner to intermediate mountain bikers, and the other for experienced cyclists only.
Big Walnut Trail
Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH 43081
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The Big Walnut Trail stretches a little over 10 miles through several Columbus area parks, including Inniswood Metro Gardens, a lovely botanical garden and nature preserve that's open free of charge seven days a week to the general public. Popular for jogging and dog walking as well as biking, the Big Walnut Trail is a paved multi-use trail that also offers expansive views of Hoover Reservoir and the parks along the lakeshore.
Camp Chase Trail
Battelle Darby Creek Metropark, 1775 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH 43119
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Just over 16 miles long, the Camp Chase trail runs between the cities of London and Columbus, acting as a connector between Madison and Franklin counties. The trail is relatively level and easy for biking, consisting of paved double-track that follows the course of a railroad line. In addition to being a great biking spot for Columbus residents, the Camp Chase Trail is also a crucial link in the much longer Ohio to Erie Trail, which stretches 326 miles across the state of Ohio from southwest to northeast.
Hit the Trails
Did we forget to mention your favorite trail? Be sure to let us know in the comments section!
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