Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau Blog

31 Prizes in 31 Days!

David Ostendarp — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:46:06 -0700

Celebrate Ohio Tourism Month with Ohio's Largest Playground and enter to win one of 31 prizes in 31 days throughout the entire month of May!

Just like Warren County-Ohio's Largest Playground on Facebook and sign up for your chance to WIN today's prize package. Then be sure to check the page for a new prize everyday!

Prizes represent the vast diversity of travel and tourism experiences and businesses that are impacted by tourism spending in Warren County. Some of the prizes you can enter to win include:

2 Traditional Tour Passes at Ozone Zipline Adventures.
2 tickets to Kings Island.
2 Family Passes (4 adults 2 children) to the LM&M Railroad.
A 2 Canoe 6-mile excursion at Morgan's Outdoor Adventures.
Dinner for 2 at Valley Vineyards and MUCH MORE!

The winners will be notified by email and then announced on the Warren County-Ohio's Largest Playground Facebook page and can also be tracked by following @WarrenCountyOH on Twitter or by searching the hashtag #31Prizes.

Click Here to Enter

Fun Keeps Getting Bigger in Ohio's Largest Playground!

David Ostendarp — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:17:58 -0700

Many new rides, shows and events will make their debut in 2012. Here are the top not-to-miss reasons why you and your family should kick-off your summer with a trip to Warren County!

Bigger, Better and Wetter Fun!

Kings Island, the Midwest's largest amusement and waterpark, just got bigger with the addition of the new Soak City Waterpark (FREE with Park Admission). The waterpark is an expansion of the previous Boomerang Bay Waterpark and features the new Tidal Wave Bay and Splash River, as well as a new entrance, more lounging areas and more amenities including sand volleyball and five-star chair-side waiter service. Designed with you in mind the new Soak City Waterpark, set to open in May, is sure to delight parents, children and teens alike.

Families will also have fun on more than 80 rides and attractions at Kings Island, including thrill rides like Firehawk and Invertigo as well as Planet Snoopy, an award-winning kids zone, and Dinosaur's Alive! the world's largest animatronic dinosaur park.

Ozone Zipline Adventures adds new, record-breaking River Tour

Ozone Zipline Adventures at YMCA Camp Kern is the largest zip line canopy tour in the Midwest and it just got bigger. The new River Tour features two new zip lines which cross over the Little Miami River at heights of more than 200 feet, connecting YMCA Camp Kern to Fort Ancient. Ozone is the first zip line canopy tour in the U.S. to cross a federally designated "scenic" river and the first in Ohio to connect to a state memorial (Fort Ancient), according to Ozone officials.

W&S Open Adds New Fan-Friendly Amenities

The Western & Southern Open unveils a new food court and retail space in 2012 and day pass tickets as low as $10. The event is the oldest U.S. professional tennis tournament still played in its original city and is one of only five events in the world (aside from Grand Slams) where fans can simultaneously see a Masters 1000 event on the men's ATP World Tour and a Premier level event for the Women's WTA Tour. Visit www.cincytennis.com for more information.

In one trip to the Lindner Family Tennis Center you see stars from both the WTA and the ATP tours playing on courts right next to each other. Imagine seeing a day of highly energized, competitive matches featuring Andy Roddick, Rafeal Nadal and Venus Williams in the afternoon then watching Roger Federer and Serena Williams that night!

Southwest Ohio's Largest Indoor Waterpark adds Family-Style Bowling Alley

Great Wolf Lodge, Mason has added Ten Paws Alley to its variety of family-friendly entertainment. Designed with kids in mind, the alley features shorter lanes and lighter, five-pound bowling balls. The resort's signature attraction is the mammoth indoor waterpark with its six pools, 12 waterslides, lazy river and four-story wet-and-wild tree house as well as the Cub Club, new Ten MagiQuest or Scoops Spa.

Award Winning Winery Expands to Beer

Valley Vineyards, southwest Ohio's largest estate winery (and home to the best red wine in Ohio according to the Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Grape Industries) has launched Ohio's 0Dweller Brewery offers American pale ale, English India pale ale, a light lager and quarterly seasonal beers alongside the wineries award-winning wines and weekend grill outs.

Into the Great Outdoors

David Ostendarp — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:19:31 -0700

You don't have to travel far to find beautiful parks, serene campsites and natural wonders, and with the price of gas nearing $4.00 as well as skyrocketing airfare that's good news to travelers in the Midwest. With spots like Caesar's Creek State Park and Fort Ancient Archaeological Park, a National Historic Landmark, lovers of the outdoors will find the perfect family getaway, not far away in Ohio's Largest Playground.

Caesar Creek State Park
Caesar Creek is a Warren County park offering 7,900 acres for your family to enjoy several outdoor, recreational activities. Located just minutes from Waynesville, Ohio and with FREE admission to the park, families can easily access and explore the trails, lake, beaches and campgrounds of this natural gem.

Visitor's Center - The state of the art visitor center offers a wide variety of displays and presentations featuring exhibits on the area's cultural and natural history. The center also holds numerous special events throughout the year, click here to see what's upcoming.

Trails- Caesar Creek State Park boasts over 40 miles of trails including a 16 mile stretch of the Buckeye Trail passing through the park. Visitors can choose from a variety of hiking trails including 2 hiking only trails as well as 4 horse-back riding trails and 2 mountain biking trails that also allow hiking. These trails offer many overlooks of the scenic gorges and vistas that make Caesar Creek a naturally beautiful destination.

Camping- Three camping areas with over 200 camp sites are available with electricity and bathroom amenities in designated areas. With many pet-friendly sites available including 30 equestrian camp sites you and your entire family can enjoy the great outdoors with all the comforts of home Also, more Ohio camping sites are available along the Little Miami River at certain canoeing destinations. To make reservations for camp rentals and shelters, please click here or call 866-644-6727.

Fishing- Cast out and kick back with some of the best small-mouth and large-mouth bass fishing in the area. Anglers of all skill levels are welcome. Valid fishing licenses are required.

Picnicking- Four designated picnic areas equipped with tables, grills and drinking water are located throughout the park. Picnic areas can be reserved by contacting 866-644-6727.

Swimming- Mom and dad can catch some rays while the kids take a dip along the 1,300 foot public beach. Open during daylight hours with public changing rooms available, the beach at Caesar Creek makes for a great weekend escape.

Boating- The 2,830-acre lake is perfect for motor boats, fishing boats and kayaks. Visitors must register their own boats before operating on the lake. Rentals are also available upon request.

Pioneer Village - Enjoy a step back in time as you tour the historical Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village. Comprised of a collection of 15 original and replica pioneer cabins and other structures including a schoolhouse, carpenter shop and toll house the village is open year-round, however cabins can be toured only on special event weekends. During these special events reenactors demonstrate the tasks of daily life and offer a fun and interactive opportunity for children to learn about history and what life was like during pioneer times. Click here to find upcoming events.

Click Here to Plan Your Weekend in Caesar's Creek State Park

Fort Ancient

Fort Ancient is a collection of Native American earthworks located along the eastern shore of the Little Miami River. The site is the largest prehistoric hilltop enclosure in the U.S. with 3 and a half miles of walls. The walls were originally thought to have been used as a defense against enemies, however 60 gaps in the walls proved this hypothesis wrong. The "Fort" is now known to have acted as a center for social and ceremonial events related to significant astronomical events.

Today, nearly 2 miles of trails wind through the National Historic Landmark's 764 acres and offer spectacular overlooks of the river below. The Fort Ancient Museum provides interactive exhibits chronicling 15,000 years of American Indian history and also features a gift shop with fine American Indian products available for purchase.

Be sure to check out Fort Ancient on June 9-10 for a "Gathering of Four Directions". This event features educational programming about American Indian culture with dancing, drums, storytelling and much more!

Fort Ancient State Memorial, 6123 St Rt 350, Oregonia, Ohio 45054
For more information please visit www.fortancient.org.

Click Here to Plan Your Trip to Fort Ancient

Gettin' Back into the Garden

David Ostendarp — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:17:07 -0700

With the official arrival of spring, you can't help but want to be outdoors. The sun is shining, flowers and plants are peeking through the ground, trees are budding, and the gloom of winter appears to be behind us. Whether you prefer to skydive, zip line, play golf or go biking, hiking or walking you will find no shortage of outdoor activities in Ohio's Largest Playground. One Warren County attraction in Warren County is even helping visitors get back into their gardens this spring.

Spring planting season is in full-gear, and people are pouring into local nurseries in pursuit of trees, bushes and flowers to plant and Lebanon's Marvin's Organic Gardens is no exception. This unique nursery specializes in organic growing methods, earning its official USDA organic certification in 2003. It is the Tri-State's only USDA certified organic nursery and garden center, and having this designation guarantees the nursery follows strict organic growing methods, never using synthetics or chemicals. Marvin's takes this designation very seriously, too, just last year Marvin's Organic Gardens teamed up with the Cincinnati Zoo in order to compost all of it's organic waste (animal poop). It's mixed with food waste at Marvin's 75-acre nurseury and farm and then this compost is sold to consumers to use in their own home gardens.

Beyond working with the zoo, Marvin's Organic Gardens will also begin working with local growers this month. In April 2012 Marvin's will begin to carry locally grown organic produce such as tomatoes, squash and leafy greens. Marvin's grows a lot of the produce in-house, but what is not grown there will be purchased from local growers. Marvin's retail center features organic gardening products and offers services such as organic lawn fertilization and restoration as well as eco-friendly landscape and landscape design.

Whether you're just getting into gardening or if you're a seasoned spring-time veteran Marvin's is a great place for you to find the resources you need, including many great training sessions as well as all of the supplies to keep your thumb green. The next opportunity you have to "Go Green" at a special event at Marvin's is on Sunday, April 22 in the Parade of Plants in celebration of Earth Day. Free and open to the public, this event will feature new plants and unique varieties available.

Looking ahead to May, Marvin's is holding a Mother's Day Sale and Congo Fundraiser on Sunday, May 6 from noon - 6:00 pm. Learn about creating attractive "Edible Landscapes," while supporting Marvin's sustainable gardening and medical efforts in Central Africa. Five percent of all sales support the nursery's Congo Mission

Additionally, Marvin's hosts a Giving Garden, where volunteers plant extra produce for a local food pantry. If you are interested in volunteering in the Giving Garden or would like information about any of the numerous other volunteer opportunities available, please contact Marvin's.

For more information about Marvin's Organic Garden check out their website here. And for some of their gardening tips and tricks click here.

Family Spring Break Getaways to Ohio's Largest Playground

David Ostendarp — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:25:08 -0700

Not sure land-locked Warren County can be wet-n-wild for spring break? Think again. As the home to southwest Ohio's largest indoor waterpark resort, Great Wolf Lodge - Mason; the Midwest's largest zip line canopy tour, Ozone Zipline Adventures; Ohio's largest dinner theater, La Comedia Dinner Theatre; Cincinnati Premium Outlets and the LM&M Railroad and just minutes from other world-class attractions such as the Cincinnati Zoo, Newport Aquarium and EnterTrainment Junction, Warren County offers families the ability to create a memorable spring break close to home.

New vacation packages also offer an excellent value for families with a diverse range of indoor and outdoor options.

Here are some specific Spring Break Packages the WCCVB is promoting:

Ozone Zipline Adventures Family Vacation Package

This package includes your choice of the Traditional Tour (seven zip lines and seven sky bridges) or the NEW River Tour (nine zip lines and nine sky bridges) on Ozone Zipline Adventures, the Midwest's largest canopy zip-line tour and hotel accommodation in select area hotels. Subject to availability. http://is.gd/SDbqtd

Underwater Adventure, Newport Aquarium Vacation Package

This package includes two tickets to the Newport Aquarium and deluxe accommodations at the Cincinnati Marriott Northeast. Valid through Nov. 30, 2012 www.cincinnatimarriottnortheast.com

Spring Break Blast, Great Wolf Lodge Vacation Package

This package includes accommodations at the Great Wolf Lodge, Mason and free waterpark access for four people for your entire stay. Valid Mar. 16 - Apr. 14, 2012. See the Offers!

Howl at the Zoo From Great Wolf Lodge

This package includes accommodations at the Great Wolf Lodge - Mason and free waterpark access for four people from 1 p.m. on the day of arrival through park closing on the day of departure. The package also includes four tickets to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Valid through Dec. 31. See the Offers!

EnterTRAINment Junction, Reyton Inn Package

This package includes one night lodging at the Reyton Inn, Middletown and two adult tickets to EnterTrainment Junction. Additional tickets may be purchased at the hotel. Call 513-424-1201 to book.

Family Entertainment, LaComedia Dinner Theatre Package

This package includes four tickets to LaComedia Dinner Theatre, one nights lodging in a double room at the historic Kirkwood Inn. Complimentary hot breakfast buffet served in the Historic Kirkwood House (includes biscuits, gravy, sausage, ham, or bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, muffins, homemade poppy seed bread with peach butter and more). www.kirkwoodinn.com/packages

Additional Activities for Spring Break fun in Ohio's Largest Playground:

Lazer Kraze, one of the largest laser tag arenas in the country and offers three distinct playing levels, arcade and Ultimate Lazer Maze. www.lazerkraze.com

The LM&M Railroad, a vintage 1950s passenger train, offers themed rides throughout the year such as the Easter Bunny Express, Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine and North Pole Express. www.lebanonrr.com

J.D. Legends and Strike Zone Lanes feature a state-of-the-art family fun center and concert venue with glow-in-the-dark bowling, redemption arcade, full-service restaurant, three outdoor sand volleyball courts and tiki bar. Check website for concert schedule. www.jdlegends.com

The Cincinnati Premium Outlets is an upscale shopping center with an impressive collection of more than 100 designer and name brand outlet stores. www.premiumoutlets.com/cincinnati

The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized educational and research resource and one of the top cultural attractions in the Midwest. It houses three permanent museums (including the nationally ranked top ten children's museum), a state of the art Omnimax Theater and 2012 exhibit "A Day in Pompeii." www.cincymuseum.org

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is a place where play and learning come together so that visitors of all ages may explore the wonders of the world. www.boonshoftmuseum.org

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is one of the nation's premier education attractions portraying the history and traditions of the United States Air Force through specialized displays and exhibition of historical items. Free admission daily. www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

So before you pack up the kids and head to the beach check out all that Warren County has to offer and plan your getaway for a place that's not far away.

Record-Breaking, Breath-Taking, High-Flying Adventure!

David Ostendarp — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:34:45 -0700

The largest zip line canopy tour in the Midwest just got bigger! Ozone Zipline Adventures at YMCA Camp Kern has added two new zip lines that take thrill-seekers on a high-flying adventure across the Little Miami River at heights of 200 feet in the air. The lines are breaking records, as they are the first of their kind to cross over a federally designated "scenic" river and the first in Ohio to connect to a state memorial (Fort Ancient).

The new "River Tour," which utilizes the new lines, is set to open on March 31st, 2012. Riders will climb to the top of Ozone Tower, a multilevel platform from which all tours extend, that stands 45 feet above the ground. They will then take about a 50 second zip ride to a platform that stands 1,300 feet away on the Fort Ancient side of the river.

Along the ride you will be immersed in 360° of panoramic views that include the beautiful landscape of Fort Ancient, the scenic river below and the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge, Ohio's tallest bridge, in the distance to the east.

In addition to the River Tour that includes nine ziplines, nine skybridges and lasts close to four hours, Ozone Zipline Adventures offers three other hands-free, guided tours.

1) The Traditional Tour

Tour Includes:
-Up to 3 hours
-7 zip lines and 7 skybridges
-Price: $75/person

2) The Ultimate Tour (everything they got!)

Tour Includes:
-Up to 5 hours
-11 zip lines and 9 skybridges
-Bag Lunch
-Price: $120/person

3) Now Introducing: Full Moon Night Zipping

Tour Includes:
-Up to one-and-a-half hours
-5 zip lines
-6 sky bridges
-Price $60/person
Dates for Full Moon Night Zipping are April 6 and 7, May 4 and 5, June 1 and 2, July 6 and 7, August 3, 4, and 31, Sept. 1, 28 and 29, October 26 and 27, November 30 and December 1.

Get more information about Ozone Zipline Adventures and the tours or book your slot on the lines here.

Owned and operated by the YMCA of Greater Dayton, Ozone Zipline Adventures is not just for thrill-seekers, the ride is low-impact, that and the hands-free breaking system that allows riders to gently glide into their destination platform makes the adventure perfect for teens and seniors alike. Also, as an educational canopy tour, guests will learn about the local flora and fauna, the 500 million year old fossils in the riverbed below and current issues of water conservation and habitat loss.

Education and fun come together at Ozone Zipline Adventures and we invite you to take flight as well! Learn More!

Please note that riders must be at least 10 years old, weigh at least 80 lbs and no more than 260 lbs. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Can You Trace Your Ancestry to Warren County?

David Ostendarp — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:59:33 -0700

Wondering if your family has ties to the Warren County, Ohio area? You might be surprised to discover that you could, in fact, have ancestors who settled in or traveled through this part of the country, even if you are not originally from here. Rich with historical significance, Warren County experienced an influx of pioneers from the east as they made their way west in search of manifest destiny. Along the way many pioneers found this region to be an ideal spot and opted to travel no further in favor of settling in the rich river valleys of the Ohio and Miami Rivers, yet many still ventured westward and developed settlements from Ohio to California.

Today, many organizations including the Warren County Historical Society (WCHS) work to preserve this cultural history of the area as well as educate people on the genealogical significance of the region. People come from throughout the country to visit the WCHS to scan the museum's many documents, manuscripts and other resources for clues and facts about their family's genealogy. Many also enjoy visiting the Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village to witness a few original cabins as they once stood and get a glimpse at the life and times of these pioneers. Be sure to check out the 2012 schedule of events and come visit while reenactors give an even more accurate portrayal of the times. The region will also be a focus of genealogical significance when Cincinnati hosts the National Genealogical Society's 2012 Family History Conference in May, attracting families visiting from all over the U.S.

According to Victoria Van Harlingen of the WCHS, historically there have been patterns on how settlers arrived to this area. In 1787, after the Revolutionary War, Warren County became part of the Northwest Territory, which was governed by an ordinance protecting civil liberties and outlawing slavery. These protections drew great interest from Quakers who were living in Pennsylvania and the Carolinas at the time and they then began to build large settlements in the area. This area is also known to be a key location for slaves seeking freedom along the Underground Railroad as the Quakers who were against slavery helped them to reach safety. Visitors interested in the Underground Railroad can find a wealth of information and history in Warren County and can even relive part of the Journey to Freedom with the Underground Railroad History Package offered by The Wright House Bed and Breakfast, a known safe-house in Springboro.

After the war, settlers arrived from all over, including Loyalists who wanted a fresh start. Entire churches or groups moved here, like the group from Maine that settled in an area of southern Warren County, now known as Maineville. Visitors looking for fun things to do during the summer, will find that the Hamilton Township's Berry Festival offers a great way to experience the history of the area. This year the festival will be held at Testerman Park on June 8-9, 5:00-11:00 pm.

A lot of the land was parceled out, primarily to Revolutionary War veterans in the Virginia Military Reserve, who were given land as payment for their military service. Many of these servicemen moved here to claim their land, often dividing it and selling for profit. If you hang around Warren County long enough, you're sure to hear some certain family names mentioned quite often, such as the Butterworths, Fosters, Corwins (founders of Lebanon), Schencks, Whitakers and Wrights (you might recognize the name Russel Wright, known as the Father of American Household Design, and one of the top industrial designers of the 20th century). Many of these names are now also associated with towns found in Warren County.

Even if you are not searching for one of Warren County's well-known families, you will find information on hundreds of families through the WCHS's vast Surname Listing. The center houses archives and historical files that document church records, marriages, burials, wills, obituaries, military records and family histories, which will assist information-collecting. The museum is also currently working on an archiving project in order to digitize these records.

Need help finding your family history? In order to start, you will need to have some basic information about your family. You can begin the process collecting newspaper clippings, letters, photographs and other information you or your relatives might already have. Visiting the WCHS's Genealogy Library is another great place to start. If you need additional assistance, The WCHS Local History and Genealogy Library offers research assistance for a fee. The museum is open year-round, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

LM&M Railroad Kicks Off Another Season Filled with Family Fun

David Ostendarp — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:38:01 -0700

More than likely, if you've driven between historic Lebanon and Mason in Warren County, Ohio you've crossed the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (LM&M Railroad) on at least one occasion. Rich in history, this railroad offers scenic train rides throughout Warren County on about 16 miles of track. Today, you can experience glimpses of the past while enjoying new family fun adventures on the LM&M Railroad!

You're sure to find many family fun opportunities on LM&M's 2012 schedule that are sure to please the whole family. The schedule kicks off with a popular attraction, the Easter Bunny Express. On this ride children will have the opportunity to visit with the Easter Bunny as well as take part in an Easter Egg Hunt and coloring contest at LM&M Junction. At just under two hours, this trip is the perfect ride for young children.

The Easter Bunny Express will be held over two spring weekends: March 31-April 1 and April 6-7 and takes passengers on a fun-filled 4.4 mile ride. Departure times are 10:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. For ticket information, be sure to contact LM&M Railroad early, because space is limited.

Can't make it on this ride? Not to worry, the LM&M Railroad runs all year long and features regular 1-hour train rides, a popular ride that takes passengers from the Lebanon Station to the Southwest Golf Ranch and back with no layover as well as many special character rides like The Cat in the Hat and Curious George rides in June & July and a Train Ride with Clifford in August. Be sure to check out their website for up-to-date info or to purchase tickets.

Long before the LM&M played host to these whimsical rides for children, it served as a commuter train, transporting workers between Cincinnati and Dayton in the late 1800's. With the construction of Cincinnati Union Terminal in 1931 and later, interstate highways, the LM&M was used less and less for the daily commute. According to Angela Krisanda, Marketing Manager at LM&M Railroad, "Some of the train cars were actual cars used in New Jersey and New York for public transportation at one time." Today, you will see both freight and passenger trains along the LM&M tracks.

Alongside the LM&M tracks, you have the opportunity to take in not only the beautiful Warren County countryside and natural wonders but also many historical landmarks like the old Schoolhouse, built in the 1800's and operated as a school until the 1890's, The Crossing Watchman's Tower and the Lebanon Railroad Station, built as a replica of the original Lebanon Victorian-style passenger station. Warren County is rich with history, and you will experience a taste of that along the LM&M Railroad.

In more recent years, LM&M Railroad achieved notoriety as a backdrop for a famous car chase scene in Milk Money, a 1994 film starring Melanie Griffith and Ed Harris.

LM&M Railroad is the perfect vacation destination to mix historical education and good old-fashioned fun, and it's a Warren County spot you won't want to miss. If you're looking for more great family fun while you're in town check out some of the other world-class attractions you'll find in Ohio's Largest Playground here!

Best of Warren County Winners Announced

David Ostendarp — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:58:54 -0700

The people have spoken, and on Wednesday, February 8th the winners of the Best of Warren County poll were honored in an awards ceremony at the Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center. Throughout the month of January the public sent nominations for their favorite local attractions to The Pulse-Journal. Thousands of votes were then cast for the finalist of 10 different categories including Best Hidden Gem, Best Festival, Best Burger and more.

The awards were designed to highlight some of the brightest features of Warren County not only for residents of the area, but also for out-of-town visitors looking to get a taste of local flavor. So when you visit us let this list of local favorites act as your tour guide to the can't miss spots in Warren County.

Best Burger: Quatman Cafe, Mason
Quatman Cafe, originally founded in 1966 in the Norwood neighborhood of Cincinnati, has brought its huge, tasty burgers north to a new location in Mason. Matt Imm, owner of Quatman Cafe said "We get fresh deliveries of meat everyday and like all our food, the burger is hand-made." It's this care and detail put into every burger and a devoted fan base that has Quatman Cafe topping the charts of the "Best Burger" category.

Best Festival: The Ohio Renaissance Festival
One of the largest festivals of its kind in the United States the Ohio Renaissance Festival gives visitors the unique opportunity to enjoy over 400 years of fun in a single weekend. Over 150 costumed characters welcome visitors to the 30-acre re-created 16th Century English Village and partake in nearly 100 daily shows from jousting matches to dueling sword shows. Visitors of all ages will be amused by the food, games and human-powered rides at the Ohio Renaissance Festival.

Best Place for Unique Shopping: Treasure Aisles, Monroe
With over 500 shops and vendors stretched out over 64 acres of land you're sure to score some unique finds at Treasure Aisles. The market's extensive selection of bargains and treasure draws a multitude of eager shoppers to Ohio's largest outdoor weekend market. Not only will you find some great treasures, but great food, music and entertainment too! Shopping at Treasure Aisles is truly a unique experience.

Best Dessert at a Local Restaurant: Ice Cream at Mr. Frosty
This ice cream stand in downtown Franklin, Ohio has been enjoyed by members of the community for more than 30 years. Tasty treats such as the Wildcat Twist, named for the local high school football team, and the footlong coney with chili and cheese are a few of the hometown favorites. So if you're in town on a hot summer night and need a quick cool-down, stop in and try the best dessert in Warren County.

Favorite Dish at a Local Restaurant: Pulled Pork from Porky Capone's
Having only been open for a year, Porky Capone's has quickly become a local favorite, due in large part to the fact that owner, Mark Groce, practically lives at the restaurant ensuring that his Southern style BBQ is always slow-cooked to perfection. Although he hates to choose favorites amongst his own culinary masterpieces, Groce admits that the pulled pork is one of his most popular dishes, evidenced by the number of votes it received from the public.

Best Hidden Gem: Irons Fruit Farms
This 4th generation farm is dedicated to providing farm fresh fruit including apples, cherries, pumpkins and peaches as well as delicious fresh-baked goods to the public. Throughout the year you can pick your own fruits and in the fall the farm offers many great seasonal activities including a corn maze, hayrides and a pumpkin patch. You can also find the Irons Fruit Farm folks at the annual Lebanon Country Applefest held every September.

Best Historical Site: The Golden Lamb
The Golden Lamb is recognized as the oldest continuously operating business in the State of Ohio, so it's fitting that it would win in this category. The Golden Lamb has also hosted many notables throughout history like 12 U.S. Presidents, including President Lincoln who stopped in town on his way from Illinois to the White House. You can also stop in the restaurant and have a drink where Charles Dickens once sat.

A Not-to-miss with Teenagers on Vacation: Ozone Zipline Adventures
This exhilarating ride through the canopy of the Little Miami River Valley will leave you breathless. Now offering 3 unique zipline tours, including one tour that crosses the Little Miami River at 250 feet in the air PLUS a Full Moon Night Zipping tour, Ozone Ziplines is the ultimate adventure for your teen. Not only will your teen test their nerves, but with a full staff of knowledgeable guides to accompany them they might even learn something about the 500 million year old fossils they're soaring over, the 2000 year old Native American Earthworks across the river at Fort Ancient or current environmental issues like water conservation and habitat loss.

Best Place for School-age Children to Have Fun: Great Wolf Lodge, Mason
What better place to enjoy vacation with your children than a 78,000 square foot indoor waterpark that features 11 waterslides, 6 pools a one-of-a-kind water coaster and a four-story treehouse waterfort? Other amenities you'll find at the family-friendly resort include live-action games like MagiQuest and Compass Quest, a full service kids spa, the NEW Ten Paws Alley and an arcade with over 100 games. With all this and more Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect place you and your children.

Best Place to Create Winter Holiday Memories: The Christmas Ranch, Morrow
A whimsical place with 350,000 dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music, the Christmas Ranch is one of the best places in Warren County to make Holiday memories with your family. Get your picture with Santa, take a night time wagon ride through the village and mark that special someone off your list with a gift from the Christmas Shop.

Congratulations to all of our 2011 Best of Warren County Winners! The competition was stiff and although these winners were voted the best this year, there are plenty of other great places to dine, shop and create lasting memories with your family in Warren County. Surf through our site to find other priceless gems you won't want to miss.

Into the Great Outdoors

David Ostendarp — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:52:52 -0700

Click Here to Plan Your Weekend in Caesar's Creek State Park

Fort Ancient
Fort Ancient is a collection of Native American earthworks located along the eastern shore of the Little Miami River. The site is the largest prehistoric hilltop enclosure in the U.S. with 3 and a half miles of walls. The walls were originally thought to have been used as a defense against enemies, however 60 gaps in the walls proved this hypothesis wrong. The "Fort" is now known to have acted as a center for social and ceremonial events related to significant astronomical events

Today, nearly 2 miles of trails wind through the National Historic Landmark's 764 acres and offer spectacular overlooks of the river below. The Fort Ancient Museum provides interactive exhibits chronicling 15,000 years of American Indian history and also features a gift shop with fine American Indian products available for purchase.

Be sure to check out Fort Ancient on June 9-10 for a "Gathering of Four Directions". This event features educational programming about American Indian culture with dancing, drums, storytelling and much more!

Fort Ancient State Memorial, 6123 St Rt 350, Oregonia, Ohio 45054
For more information please visit www.fortancient.org.

Click Here to Book a Weekend Getaway to Fort Ancient

Honoring the Office of Commander-in-Chief in Warren County

David Ostendarp — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:18:36 -0700

When you stroll down the streets of Lebanon and drive through the hills of Warren County, you are in good company. Presidential company, that is! Lebanon, Ohio has been graced with a multitude of visits from Presidents dating back to as early as the 1800s. As we honor Presidents' Day this month, we thought it would be interesting to highlight many of Warren County's esteemed Presidential visitors through the years.

Perhaps one of the most beloved U.S. Presidents to visit Warren County was Abraham Lincoln. In 1862, President-elect Lincoln traveled through Warren County on his way from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration. Historian John Zimkus wrote, "Being on the Little Miami Railroad, what is now the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail, Lincoln traveled the full length of Warren County." Another Lincoln connection to Warren County: his great uncle, John, lived on 181-acre farm between Lebanon and the community of Red Lion. John and his wife, Mary, are buried in Lebanon's Pioneer Cemetery, located just six blocks from the historic Golden Lamb Restaurant & Inn. Click here for Pioneer Cemetery Tours coming in May.

Click Here to Book a Presidential Room

Known for main streets rich with antique shops, Lebanon has been host to numerous presidents on the campaign trail or passing through Ohio. Several presidents have also stayed at the Golden Lamb, Ohio's oldest hotel. While campaigning for the presidency in 1840, William Henry Harrison delivered a speech in Lebanon near what is now the Warren County fairgrounds. Two years later after Harrison's visit, Martin Van Buren, who lost his re-election bid to Harrison in 1840, traveled to Lebanon and visited the Golden Lamb on his way to Columbus.

The Golden Lamb has been a destination of many presidents since that time, and consequently has rooms named after several of these Presidential visitors. More recently, The Golden Lamb has been visited by Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. As governor of California, Reagan visited in 1968 while campaigning for Congressman Buz Lukens. While George H. Bush was campaigning in the area in 1988, his wife, Barbara Bush, held a fundraising event in Lebanon and stayed overnight at The Golden Lamb. Their son, George W. Bush, visited The Golden Lamb in 2004. Of the 12 presidents who have visited The Golden Lamb, he is the only one to come while in office. Other presidents to visit and have rooms named after them include:

• John Quincy Adams: As the 6th U.S. President, Adams was one of only two presidents to visit Lebanon after his term in office. He arrived in Lebanon in 1843 on his way to Cincinnati.
• Ulysses S. Grant: Originally from Ohio, Grant, visited The Golden Lamb in his younger years (most likely in the 1820-30's). He served as the 18th U.S. President.
• Rutherford B. Hayes: When campaigning to be governor of Ohio, Hayes came to Lebanon in 1867. He was elected to be the 19th U.S. President eleven years later.
• James Garfield: Garfield, the 20th U.S. President, visited Lebanon in 1871 to give a political address at Washington Hall, two blocks away from The Golden Lamb.
• William McKinley: The last time McKinley came to Lebanon was in 1893 when running for re-election as governor of Ohio. He was the 25th U.S. President.
• William Howard Taft: In 1898, Taft, the 27th U.S. President, traveled to Lebanon to attend a funeral. He had dinner at The Golden Lamb during his visit.
• Warren G. Harding: Harding, the 29th U.S. President, spoke at the Lebanon Opera House in 1910 and again in 1914, subsequently serving in the U.S. Senate and six years later as president.

While rich with history, The Golden Lamb has recently undergone renovations, now updated with free wifi and queen size beds with duvet bedding for all rooms. DeDe Bailey, who has worked at The Golden Lamb for 32 years, says the restaurant and inn typically offers specials in honor of Presidents' Day. Check out the new Golden Lamb web site for Presidents' Day specials, restaurant reservation booking, and new online room reservation booking.

Get into the Presidential spirit this month and experience the rich history Warren County offers. You can check out additional opportunities in the area and get museum and historical site details by visiting Journey into the past.

Presidents' Day Shopping Sale: Cincinnati Premium Outlets

Sweet Treats in Warren County for Valentine's Day

David Ostendarp — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:01:18 -0700

Charles Schulz might have said it best, "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, you might be thinking about something special you can do for or with your special Valentine. Whether it's sweet treats or a special outing, many local Warren County businesses offer tempting treats and deals that are certain to sweeten your Valentine's Day. For a complete list of upcoming events, see our events calendar, or keep reading to find a few ideas to make your Valentine's Day much sweeter including some romantic getaways in Ohio that will knock your socks off!

Click Here to Book a Romantic Package from Marriott

Main Street Sweets owner Vickie Larcomb says her Mason candy shop will cover just about anything in chocolate! Everything is made from scratch, including homemade flavored marshmallows dipped in chocolate, chocolate-covered strawberries and even Twinkie's dipped in chocolate! Family owned for five years, Main Street Sweets boasts all kinds of delectable creations, including a multitude of popcorn treats: caramel, chocolate, cherry flavored, etc. Main Street Sweets makes its own chocolate and is known for its heart-shaped Rice Crispy treats dipped in chocolate - perfect for Valentine's Day!

Family owned since 1970, Valley Vineyards in Morrow offers numerous ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. If fine wine and good food fit into your Valentine's Day plans, be sure to check out Valley Vineyards' offerings. On Wednesday, February 8, take part in Grand Tastings, a popular event that features great wine, wonderful food, good company and live music. This month's featured wines will be Valley Vineyards' Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. For just $25 per person and up to 22 wine samplings, this event is a tremendous time at a tremendous value. Reservations required (513-899-9022).

Join Valley Vineyards' Weekend Cookout on Saturday, February 11 for some relaxing, and romantic Valentine's Day fun with your special someone. Typically, weekend cookouts appeal to groups, but according to owner Joe Schuchter, on the Saturday before Valentine's Day, you will find mostly couples cooking their meals and sipping on wine. Reservations are requested. Price is $59 per couple with one bottle of wine (age 21 and over). Feel like staying in? Valley Vineyards re-released its popular pink-label Merlot just in time for Valentine's Day. This medium-bodied Merlot smells like cocoa and pairs wonderfully with chocolate. You can find it online or at Kroger and Remke-Biggs.

Click Here to Book a Romantic Valley Vineyards Package

Nestled in the heart of historic Lebanon, the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory is a traditional chocolatier filled with amazing chocolate creations. For Valentine's Day, you will find Valentine's boxes filled with assorted chocolates, and other treats gift wrapped in heart paper.

Known for its Texas Tortoise and Almond Toffee, Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory offers an extensive selection of assorted chocolates, creams and chocolate molds. The shop's famous Texas Tortoise is made from pecan halves covered in caramel and then dipped in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Joy Kossouji of Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory says that each batch of their Almond Toffee is made with 12 pounds of butter! The raw almonds are added to the chocolate mixture and cook in the batch as the toffee cools. "The entire shop smells delicious when we make that almond toffee," Kossouji says.

Other shop specialties include caramel bars (each one weighs 4-5 ounces), snack clusters (popcorn, pecans, raisins, coconut and chocolate), chocolate molds (all kinds of shapes including turtles, trains and planes for children), and white pretzel sundaes (white chocolate, pretzels and milk chocolate on top). Stop by Golden Turtle for one-of-a-kind, delectable treats for your Valentine.

These are all great ways to liven up your Valentine's Day in Warren County, but certainly the list is not exhaustive. For other great ideas for romantic dining check out our local favorites listings, or for more great packages see our vacation packages page.

Oldest Antique Show in Ohio Returns to Lebanon for 69th Year

David Ostendarp — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:41:03 -0700

Historic Downtown Lebanon is home to more than 50 of the best antique and specialty shops in Ohio and sets the perfect stage for the Lebanon Antiques Show. Well-known for its investment-quality antique furniture displayed in room settings, the show has evolved into one of the longest running and most respected antique shows in Ohio.

The show, being held January 21st and 22nd at Bowman Elementary School in Lebanon, is the first of two 2012 shows. The show features local as well as national and international dealers peddling everything from furniture to jewelry to flatware and golf clubs. "Many of our dealers have been with us more than 30 years," said Victoria Van Harlingen of the Warren County Historical Society, which sponsors the event. Many dealers return year after year, but don't think that means you're going to see the same show as last time.

New for this January, the show plans to add a special exhibit of 19th century game boards from the collection of Tom Chambers. Chambers, from Missouri, who will be on hand to showcase his antique pieces and answer questions has been intrigued by game boards since early in his career and has even co-authored a book, "The Art of the Game," detailing the intricacies of a variety of game boards. You can learn more about his work, exhibit and book on his website at www.missouriplainfolk.com.

The history of this event is as unique as the pieces you'll find there. It was first begun in the 1940s to replace the home tours as the primary fundraising activity for the Warren County Historical Society. When reading back through the newsletters of that time, the staff was not so certain about this move and knew they were taking a huge gamble, but "the first show was so successful that they happily continued putting the event together the next year and then every year after that." said Van Harlingen. The Historical society now hosts 2 shows per year, one in January and one in October.

If you go:
   Date: Saturday & Sunday January 21 & 22nd

   Time: Saturday: 10a-5p/Sunday 11a-4p

   Where: Bowman Primary School
                825 Hart Road Lebanon, Ohio

   Admission: $8 (click here for a $2 discount coupon)

   Contact: Warren County Historical Society 513-932-1817

Ohio Renaissance Festival Knight to Host History Channel Series

David Ostendarp — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:15:27 -0700

Can't Wait for the hard hitting jousting action of the Ohio Renaissance Festival to return to Harveysburg in September? Well, the History Channel has heard your calls and plans to premiere "Full Metal Jousting," a new reality competition show that pits jousting knights against one another in February.

The show will be hosted by Shane Adams, otherwise known as Sir Shanton of Falcon's Hill to his brotherhood of knights in the Knights of Valour troupe. Shane, originally from Toronto, Ontario began his endeavor in the jousting business at Medieval Times, and eventually created his own travelling show. He now makes his home at the Ohio Renaissance Festival and can be seen year after year taking on other noble knights in front of throngs of shouting fans.

The show that he and his troupe put together feels like you're really in the 1600's watching knights battle for honor and the eye of the fair maidens. They use real chainmail, real barrel helmets and it only takes one viewing to realize the hits are real as well. It's this reality that viewers of the History Channel's series will see on a weekly basis beginning Feb. 12 at 10 p.m. As one competitor puts it, "This ain't no dinner show."

For a sneak peek of the show from the History Channel click here.
For more info regarding the Ohio Renaissance Festival be sure to visit: www.renfestival.com

The Beckers Have Great Family Fun at Great Wolf Lodge

David Ostendarp — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:28:51 -0700

In November Warren County CVB launched the "Capture Some Family Fun" photo contest on Facebook with a grand prize of a 1-night getaway to Great Wolf Lodge Cincinnati/Mason. We recently had a chance to catch up with our winner, Tricia Becker, to find out more about her winning photo and all the fun she and her 4 children had on their getaway.

Tricia and her family, including husband Brian and children Lily (8 years old), Audrey (just turned 6 years old) and 2-year-old twins Fitch and Brice, currently reside in Morrow, Ohio with their bunny, Lucy, a goldfish and two cats Punkin and Boshe. Their winning photo of the two twins, seen to the right and submitted with the caption "At least we'll always have each other bro," was taken in April 2011 while on their first family vacation with all 6 family members to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

It was the boys' first time seeing the ocean and the photo captures the moment beautifully. So beautifully in fact that 296 friends, family and strangers voted it their favorite during our contest's 1 week voting period. The photo, although iconic, only depicts one brief snapshot of the family's entire trip. While at the beach the girls enjoyed discovering sea animals like starfish, crabs and sand dollars and the whole family appreciated the other sites and sounds like dolphins breaching in the distance. Check out a clip of the girls finding a live sand dollar and many other family excursions on their YouTube Channel Here.

As if the Becker family needed any more reason to celebrate after their big win, daughter Audrey's 6th birthday was quickly approaching right after the contest ended, and she was able to celebrate with family and friends at Great Wolf Lodge.

Audrey's favorite part? Filling her own stuffed animal squirrel! Some other highlights from their trip included playing in the arcade until closing time, ordering pizza, eating dippin' dots and visiting the arts and crafts room. Lily especially enjoyed the blue hair extension she had put in while there and the twins loved every minute of splashing around in the water park. Great Wolf Lodge isn't all about the kids though, Mom's favorite part included all the Christmas lights and decorations in the lobby, "It is so beautiful in there this time of year, especially the life size gingerbread house and the huge Christmas tree" said Tricia. And she's not kidding, check out the photo below.

Congratulations again to Tricia and her family, it looks like they had a tremendous time. You too can have a tremendous time with your family at Great Wolf Lodge. All it takes is one click to book your room, AND if you book your room before December 22nd you could save 15% on a stay of 2 or more nights. Just click here and use promo code ‘MOREFUN'!

The boys enjoying the water park.

The girls hanging out in the lobby.