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Happy Trails to You
Plan a weekend around these thematic adventures … hiking (not necessarily) required. BY AMY BROWN
PHOTO: BENJAMIN HAYS
The weather’s turning cooler, which for many means it’s time to hit the trail. Not outdoorsy? Doesn’t matter! A variety of options cover the gamut, with sips and bites for those who don’t live in their hiking boots, and all are perfectly positioned for a weekend getaway. Read on to find the trail that’s right for you.
McAfee Knob SEPTEMBER 2017 COLUMBUS MONTHLY
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Tinker Cliffs and McAfee Knob, Virginia
Distance from Columbus: 330 miles Overview: McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs are two well-traveled vistas in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Virginia section of the Appalachian Trail. In fact, McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed spots along the entire 2,200 miles of trail. Together with another nearby hike, these sections make up what is often referred to as Virginia’s Triple Crown. Both hikes are long and strenuous, with significant elevation gain, and are not recommended for beginners. Tips for Traveling: For first-time visitors to the AT, be warned that mild weather and weekends tend to draw crowds. If you’d like to have the place to yourself, try scheduling your
getaway during the week or getting an earlymorning start to your climb. Camping directly on rock formations is prohibited, though there are designated camp sites and shelters along the way. Bring plenty of food and water, and remember to pack out all trash. If you’re looking for a more difficult hike, check out the nearby Mau-Har Loop in Roseland. There are also some gentler trails in the nearby city of Roanoke, Virginia, for those who might not yet be ready to tackle Tinker or McAfee. Nearby Attractions: This section of the Appalachian Trail is located 15 miles from Roanoke, where you can find plenty of lodging and dining. It’s a growing destination for craft beer and wine, in case you’ve worked up a thirst during your hike. If you’d rather take in the Blue Ridge Mountains from a car than on foot, the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular scenic drive that runs right through the area.
PHOTO: DAVID MILLER
Length: From the main parking area on State Route 311, it is 3.7 miles to McAfee Knob and 9.3 miles to Tinker Cliffs. From a smaller parking area on State Route 779, you can reach Tinker Cliffs in 3.6 miles.
Tinker Cliffs
More Info: visitroanokeva.com, appalachiantrail.org
Live a iL ttle!
Check out these great fall events in Erie Pa... only 3.5 hours away! Wine Fest September 22-24 Zoo Boo October 13-30 Fall Fest at Peek ‘N Peak October 14-17, 21-22 Ales & Aces/Lake Erie Ale Trail November 18
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FOR THE CRAFT CONNOISSEUR
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Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour
Length: Though the trail technically has no fixed start or end point and the distilleries can be visited in any order, visiting all 13 will rack up at least 275 miles on the odometer. Distance from Columbus: 110 to 385 miles Overview: The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour—like its sister attraction, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—is a multi-day experience for true bourbon-lovers. This group of 13 independently owned distilleries span the state, from rural towns to Louisville and Lexington. Many of the tours come with a major dose of history—like Boone County Distilling Co., which traces its roots back to before the Civil War. Finishing a Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour passport with 13 stamps entitles the bearer to an engraved silver julep cup.
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Tips for Traveling: With so many stops to hit, booze to sample and ground to cover in between, it’s recommended that travelers take at least four days to complete the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. Where to stay? Well, that all depends on personal preference. There’s something for everyone along the way, from quaint bed and breakfasts to modern, urban hotels. Be sure to make your distillery
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION The Willett Distillery in Bardstown, KY
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PHOTOS: TOP, STEVE STEPHENS; BOTTOM, COURTESY KENTUCKY DISTILLERS’ ASSOCIATION
September 15-17 Ohio Village tour reservations in advance, since each one is independently owned, with its own hours and tour scheduling policies. If nobody wants to be the designated driver on the multi-day jaunt, tour operators in the area can get travelers from point A to point B safely. Nearby Attractions: The distilleries on this tour are so spread out that just about anything in the state of Kentucky is a nearby attraction. For example, Mammoth Cave National Park is located half an hour northeast of the stop at Corsair Distillery in Bowling Green (the National Corvette Museum is also nearby). If you’ve never taken the time to explore our neighbor to the south, this may be a great excuse to jump in the car and get moving. More Info: kybourbontrail.com/craft-tour
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION FOR THE WINE AFICIONADO
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail
Distance from Columbus: 300 miles Overview: The southwestern shores of Lake Michigan are home to 21 wineries and 10 tasting rooms that make up the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Though the area may not immediately spring to mind as a wine destination, these wineries have made a name for themselves since banding together to create the trail in 2002. All wines are made from grapes grown within the Lake Michigan shore area, making this a truly unique experience. Tips for Traveling: Again, because alcohol is involved, make sure to consume responsibly. Kathy Sturm of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail suggests visiting no more than three or four winer-
ies in a day and always arranging for a designated driver. Tour companies in the area will transport you safely if nobody in your group wants to miss out on the fun. There’s no incentive for visiting all 21 wineries yet (other than that tasty, tasty wine), so it’s OK to not hit all of them in one visit. “The wineries dot the beach towns and quaint towns along the trail,” says Sturm. “This allows you to visit time after time and have a different experience with each visit.” PHOTO: COURTESY LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE WINE TRAIL
Length: Like the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Trail Tour, this “trail” has no fixed start or end point. Wineries along the trail span 85 miles east to west and 40 miles north to south.
Nearby Attractions: The picturesque shores of Lake Michigan are home to a multitude of beaches, parks and nature preserves. Boat and canoe rentals are available through local companies for those who truly want to take advantage of the waterfront setting. Further inland, you can check out the unique vibe of cities like Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo (yes, a real place). More Info: miwinetrail.com
Escape to the Petoskey Area for a few days. Tour the Tunnel of Trees, fi nd some cool wineries and breweries, and explore awesome shops. Incredible color makes it all even better.
800.845.2828 Free Vacation Guide Petoskey Harbor Springs Bay Harbor Boyne City
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VACATIONS AND GETAWAYS
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad
Friends of the Museums
Explore West Virginia’s high mountain scenery from on board a mountain rail adventure today! Experience some of the state’s most remote sections of mountain terrain while on board our historic trains. With departures from Elkins, Cass and Durbin, pick the most ideal trip for you and your family. Special events, dinner trains, overnight vacation packages and more! All trains operated by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and during the 18th and 19th centuries, nothing could be more true. The Innovation through Necessity exhibition at Campus Martius Museum in Marietta illustrates, among many other things, the tools and skills of the John Vincent gunsmithing family, the elegance of ladies’ handwoven textiles, the increasing value of iron as communities became towns, woodcraft and the danger of mining salt for the “devil’s grease.”
315 Railroad Ave. Elkins, WV 26241 888-741-6177 mtn-rail.com
601 Second St. Marietta, OH 45750 740-373-3750 campusmartiusmuseum.org
Gervasi Vineyard
Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
Experience a beautiful, upscale, Tuscan-inspired winery located in the heart of Canton, Ohio, featuring wine tours and samplings in our state-of-the-art winery. Enjoy exceptional cuisine in our rustic Italian Bistro housed in an historic barn, casual dining at The Piazza, or dine at The Crush House Wine Bar and Eatery. Gervasi Village offers boutique shopping and a fabulous boutique inn with luxurious villa suites for an overnight escape.
Looking for something different? How about a getaway that’s not too far, super affordable and fun for everyone? Look no further than Michigan’s capital city Lansing. Discover fabulous farm-to-fork restaurants, a stellar artisan wine, beer and spirit trail, and the unique boutiques and galleries of historic Old Town. With more than 150 things to see and do, including a great festival line-up, the clock is ticking. Book now.
1700 55th St. NE Canton, OH 44721 330-497-1000 gervasivineyard.com
1-888-2-LANSING lansing.org
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Butler County Donut Trail Length: 60 to 80 miles long Distance from Columbus: 90 miles
Saturday, October 14, 2017 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Many Vendors • Great Food Family Fun • Entertainment No Gate Fees.
lakesideohio.com
www.themarbleheadpeninsula.com
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More Info: gettothebc.com/donut-trail
Tips for Traveling: Most doughnut aficionados choose to start their travels at either Stan the Donut Man in West Chester or Central Pastry Shop in Middletown, then follow the map in a clockwise loop, says Tracy Kocher of the Butler County Visitors Bureau. Operating hours vary by shop, though the best days to travel typically are Wednesday through Saturday. Additionally, many of the stops along the trail will close earlier than the hours posted if they sell out of doughnuts; some have been known to close as early as 10 a.m. As for must-try flavors? Suggestions from the experts at the Butler County Visitors Bureau include the maple doughnut at Jupiter Coffee & Donuts in Fairfield, the pineapple fritter at Stan the Donut Man and the raspberry cheesecake doughnut at The Donut Spot in Fairfield. Hungry yet?
PHOTOS: COURTESY BUTLER COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU
Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival
Overview: Located almost halfway between Cincinnati and Dayton, Butler County is home to 10 unique doughnut shops that make up the Butler County Donut Trail. A free passport is available at each of the participating shops and online; those who receive stamps at nine out of the 10 locations and return the passport to the Butler County Visitors Bureau will receive a free T-shirt.
Nearby Attractions: Butler County is within 20 minutes of some of Ohio’s best-known family favorites: Kings Island and the Cincinnati Zoo & Newport Aquarium. What could be better to round out your weekend than hitting up some thrill rides and watching some cute penguins go for a dive? Pro-tip: wait half an hour after eating doughnuts before getting on a rollercoaster.