Explore Ohio Blog

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ohio is in a prime downtown location. It is a perfect place for business meetings, family gatherings and wedding receptions. Across the street from the hotel is Columbus Convention Centre and Battelle Hall. If you want to go shopping or dining, experience the Ohio nightlife or any other entertainment, everything is within a walking distance. Two blocks from the hotel is Nationwide Arena, the home for the professional hockey and football teams and a venue for live concerts.

Now some facts you must know before moving in. You must be at least twenty one years or older to check in yourself. The check in time is 3 pm and check out time is midnight. You have the option of late check out. The reception desk is open in the evening. People who work there speak three different languages; English, Russian and Spanish.

The rooms are nicely decorated and very comfortable. You will have free morning newspaper, TV, satellite, video games etc. Coffee maker, tea maker and refrigerator are in the kitchen.

Some onsite facilities you will get are treadmills, indoor pool, Stairmaster and stretching area. There is daily house keeping, same day dry cleaning and self help laundry facilities as well. High speed internet, wireless data connection, photocopy, fax, printing services are also available.

Contact Information
33 E Nationwide Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone-(614)461-4100
Fax-(614)461-5828

For more information visit here

Harbor North began its journey in 1972. It is located at Battery Park Marina in Sandusky Ohio. They started the business as a broker of used boats. Gradually it turned into a store, sailing school, charter program and new boat sales and service place. It is a all in one place for anything related to sailing.

Harbor North attracts people from all over the country. People come here to meet friends, enjoy a vacation or a weekend, enjoy boating on Lake Erie and leave all the stress behind them. Groups of people sail away to Pelee Island in Canada or to Cleveland. People who are seeking real adventure sail off to Caribbean Islands.

At Harbor North you will find different types of new and used boats. Most common types are Hunter, Hanse and Sunfish sailing boats.

Harbor North is Ohio’s biggest and probably the oldest sailing school. If you are a beginner, want to learn the basics, no one can teach you better than the experts here. Or if you just want a refresher, you can take any of the advanced courses.

They have a huge storage facility. There are over hundred floating ships, all with water and electricity. Lots of parking. Restrooms and shower facility available. Up to thirty thousand pound haul out capability. They have winter storage facility as well.

Contact Information
400 Huron Street
PO Box 504
Huron, OH 44839
Phone-(419)433-6010
(800)451-SAIL
Fax-(419)433-4602

For more information visit- http://www.harbornorth.com/default.aspx

Hocking Hills attract many visitors each year by its spectacular beauty. The appearance changes with season but the beauty never fades. Whether you like hiking, biking, backpacking, bird watching or just want to capture some beautiful sights in the frame, this is the place to visit.

Hiking at the Hocking Hills State Park is now better than ever. There are six unique trails. Some of the trails are stroller accessible. They are all unique and beautiful. You can go for hiking in the winter as well. All the trails, walkways and bridges have improved a lot in the recent years. Hocking Hills State Park has the tallest tree of Ohio. The biggest cave of the state is also here.

You have twenty three miles of backpacking opportunity in the Zaleski State Forest. This place is open to visitors as early as six in the morning and closes at eleven at night. You can take a horseback ride, that is only allowed through the forest roads.

If you are into photography or trying to sharpen your skills, you are in for a big treat. You can capture the beautiful waterfalls with rocky edges or the wildlife of the forest. You will find deer, wild turkey and sometimes black bear to take some rare shots.

Contact Information
Hocking Hills State Park
19852 State Rt 664 S
Logan, OH 43138-9537
Phone- (740)385-6841

Want to go back to the 1600s for a few days? No, you don’t need the time machine. You just need to visit Harveysburg in Ohio as they are having this Renaissance Festival. They turned their little town into a real Medieval English Village.

The whole event is taking place over a thirty acre land. Lots of things happening there. They have built twelve stages and more than hundred shows are taking place on these stages. There are also hundred and thirty skilled crafters ready to show you their skills. They bring items that are only suitable for that era. They are all handmade items and the materials they have used to build the items are all the same materials used in the Medieval times.

But first, you may want to take a look at these knights and what they are up to. Wearing their shiny armours and armed with their lances they get engaged in jousting. This will get your adrenaline going and hurt pumping faster. Pure excitement. You can also watch the pirates battling and the fire eaters showing their skills.

As for the crafts and arts, you will see how blacksmiths used to do their job. Glass blowing, leather crafting ,woodworking and jewellery making will be demonstrated along with many others. This is one of those unique experiences that everyone in the family can enjoy together.

Contact Information
Renaissance Park
Harveysburg, OH
Phone-(513)987-7000

Date - August 30- October 19

For more information visit here

If you want to meet the three million year old human ancestor, called Lucy or hundred and fifty million years old four legged dinosaur type animal species, you have to visit Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Back in 1830 this museum started in a small wooden building. The museum has come a long way and it is considered to be one of the finest natural history museum in US.

With a nice blend of astrology and geology, they have created an environment where you can get a feeling of how the solar system works, the earthquake and the feel of volcanic rocks. These are all done in an interactive environment.

Another gallery have a collection of numerous precious stones and gems. See those bright and shiny diamonds and rubies. Learn about the raw minerals and how these precious stones are made out of them.

You will know about the earth hundreds of millions years ago. See who used to live on this planet, walk through the forests that created coal and other important resources that we cannot live without.

There is lot more to see and learn. This is truly and exciting experience.

Address-
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval Drive
Cleveland, OH 44106
Phone- (216)231-4600
Fax-(216)231-5919

Hours of operation-
Monday - Saturday- 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday- 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Sunday- 12:00 PM-5:00 PM

Admission-
Adults-$9 (19 years and older; $5 after 5pm Wednesday)
Youths- $7 (age 7-18)
College students with id- $7
Seniors- $7 (60+)
Accessibility (wheelchair) - $6
Children- $6 (age 3-6)

For more information visit here

This is an upscale upbeat restaurant. This is not your typical bar. For a change this place is unique with its decorations, wine and beverage collections and some delicious food . This place is obviously for people over twenty one and over. Might not be a place a to spend an evening if you have young children.

You will find a wide and unique collections of wines. And they come from different countries. Whether you are looking for some French wine or Spanish, you will find them here. They have over one hundred and fifty different martinis. It starts from simple vodka martini, which is a combination of vodka, swirl of dry vermouth and olives. Or you can have a taste of the Milky Way, made with Carolin’s Irish cream, root beer schnapps, goldschlager and cinnamon schnapps.

For food you can try the Lobster Nachos. Chunks of lobster meat, corn and avocado tossed in the dressing. Or the lightly roasted Quail filled with different kinds of cheese.

They have different types of specials to make your decision easier. For people in the service industry, Monday nights they have Service Industry Night. They have live Jazz music on every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Contact Information-

Bodega on Coventry
1854 Coventry Road
Cleveland, OH 44118
Phone-(216)932-3060
Email- bodegatapas@yahoo.com

For more information visit here

If you are planning a visit to Ohio and looking for a place which is highly affordable and provide excellent service and quality rooms, Hampton Inn and Suits in Columbus Ohio will meet your needs. It is not luxurious and there is nothing fancy about this place. It is simple and affordable, give you great value for your money.

It is a brand new hotel with nice decorations. The rooms are big. The bathrooms have floor level shower facility that are big. There is flat screen TV in the corner of every room.

They offer a complementary breakfast which is good. You probably will not find anything fancy in the breakfast, but they are clean and filling. The room prices vary form low to mid hundred.

The crew is very helpful and well mannered. They will go the extra mile to satisfy your needs whenever possible. If you find a cheaper and better rate somewhere else for the same quality, they often offer to match the price.

People who stayed there, all praised the quality.

Name- Hampton Inn and Suits
Address- 8411 Pulsar Place, Columbus, OH 43240
Phone- (877)771-8555
Average Price- $123
Recommended for- Best place for older travellers, families with young children and teenagers

For more information visit here

If you are looking to have some fun experience with the entire family, look no more. Jack Hanna’s Fall Fest is bringing you just that. In this harvesting season join Jack Hannah and all his animal friends in the festival f harvesting season. It is an event for everyone in the family. There will be something to enjoy for everyone.

Have you ever seen how basket is made from different fibrous and pliable materials? They make it from anything that will bend and form a shape. The commonly used materials are pine straw, hide, grasses, animal hair, wood and thread. People do it as a profession or as a hobby. Who knows, after watching some basket weaving and pumpkin carving you might want o pick up these fascinating arts as a hobby.

There will be many events to entertain the kids. All your favourite seasonal treatments will be there as well. There will a special appearance by Jack Hanna on September 13 and 14. Also Dora the explorer will visit on September 20 and 21. If you want to be apart of a contest, September 20 and 21 there will be a Flapjack Flipping contest you can participate in. The Hastily Assembled Blue Grass and many others will provide entertainment for you and your family.

Event- Jack Hanna’s Fall Fest
Date- September 20 2008- September 21 2008
Time-9 AM-5 PM
Ticket- Regular zoo admission rates apply. Free for Columbus zoo and Aquarium members.

Contact Information-

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
9990 Riverside Dr.
Powell, Oh 43065
Phone- (614)645-3550
Toll Free- (800)-MONKEYS
Fax- (614)645-3465

A very fun and energetic event is coming up this fall. Kinetic Cycling club of Millersburg arranged this cycling event. It is called the Holmes 100 Cycle Fest. This is the third time they are arranging it. In this event the riders will ride through the beautiful Homes County.

Little bit about the Holmes county. It is in the Eastern part of Ohio. If you divide the state by an imaginary line through the middle, from east to west, it will be just north to that line. Holmes county mainly have steep hills and narrow valleys. It is located between Lake Erie and Ohio River. All the streams of this area grains into the Ohio River.

Northern section of this county is glaciated while he southern part is more scenic and full of irregular features. While you will be cycling through this small town Ohio, which has around forty thousand friendly people, you will be enjoying the long stretches and winding roads in the beautiful valleys and fields.

After this ride you will be enjoying food and beverages with you fellow riders. There will be live entertainment al well. Bring your family members with you even if they are not riding, they can enjoy the shops and sights.

Event- Holmes 100 Cycle Fest
When- 13 September 2008
Location- Downtown Millersburg; Ride is through Holmes county

Contact Information-
Jeff Alexander
Kinetic Cycling Club
1245 Glen Dr.
Millersburg, OH 44654
Phone- (330)674-0444

You can visit their website here- http://spine-sport.com/

Want to be a part of some local history and culture? Towne and Country Players have organized a “Glee Club Mania”. You can enjoy singing with these wonderful vocals or put on your dance shoes to sway with the music. Either way, you will have a fun time and a simple but memorable experience.

The Towne and Country Players are the organizers of this event. They have been entertaining Northeast Ohio since 1966. They have done it successfully for a while now and they are doing it again. There will hundred voice Men’s Glee club and the eighty voice women’s Glee club. You will be entertained with a variety of exciting music for a one of a kind musical event.

You will be celebrating the veterans day weekend with the veterans. A special Armed Forces Medley will be presented in honour of the veterans in the audience. This very special event will be directed by Dr. Robert Ward. They are already selling the tickets. You might want to get one early if you want to be a part of this very special event.

Event- Glee Club mania
Venue-Norwalk High school Performing art Centre
350 Shady Lane Drive, Norwalk, OH 44857
Time- Sunday, November 9 2008 at 3:00 PM
Tickets-$15

Contact information
Towne and Country Players
PO Box 551
Norwalk, OH 44857-0551

Phone-(419)668-1614

For more information you can visit- http://www.towneandcountryplayers.org/index.html