Ohio Has It 2018 by The Group Travel Leader, Inc.

OHIO 2018 GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE presented by

www.ohiohasit.com

SEE WHERE GREAT TOURS BECOME GRAND TOURs Downtown takes center stage with events and entertainment at beautiful Bicentennial Park.

Grand tours are made in Cbus. Enjoy captivating performances and backstage experiences from BalletMet. Interpret world-renowned works of art at the Columbus Museum of Art. And anticipate the grand opening of the new National Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Memorial & Museum in July of 2018. Plan the perfect itinerary in Columbus, with something for everyone in your group.

experiencecolumbus.com/tours

THE LOCAL FLAVOR YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE BEEN CRAVING Minutes from downtown Columbus & The Ohio State University

Sample Grandviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eclectic mix of restaurants & breweries on a guided food or brew tour.

Create your own custom candle, learn about the art of aromatherapy & soapmaking, or try your hand at metal stamping in a working jewelry studio.

Plan your visit & book your stay at destinationgrandview.org destinationgrandview

ingrandview

Peruse Grandview Avenue and West 5th Avenue where you will find shops not found anywhere in the Midwest.

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A N I G H T AT T H E T H E AT E R PUBLISHED FOR

U N I Q U E LY O H I O OHIO HAS IT! LISTINGS

WWW.OHIOHASIT.COM ROGER DUDLEY, PRESIDENT EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS

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LINDA SMITH, VICE PRESIDENT WARREN COUNTY CVB TIFFANY GERBER, SECRETARY/ TREASURER OHIO STAR THEATER AT DUTCH VALLEY JUSTIN BAUER-CAREINS KNOX COUNTY CVB SHARRONA BURNS ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM DEE EVANS COMMONWEALTH HOTELS TIFFANY FRISCH LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS LORI KAPPES ZANESVILLE-MUSKINGUM COUNTY CVB CHRISSY BLACKWELL VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

PUBLISHED BY

NICHE TRAVEL PUBLISHERS 301 EAST HIGH STREET LEXINGTON, KY 40507

WELCOME

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

THE OHI O H AS I T! TE AM

888-253-0455 WWW.GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

BROADWAY. OUR WAY.

“#1 Midwest destination for group travelers” — Groups Today

Join in at This isCLEveland.com | #This isCLE

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

SPORTS ATTRACTIONS

Courtesy Phoenix Bat Tours

Courtesy TourismOhio

Courtesy Destination Toledo

nthusiasm for sports runs deep in the veins of Ohioans. From the origins of professional football to one of the country’s oldest baseball franchises, the state has long reveled in cheering on its favorite teams. Groups can watch one of the many beloved teams across the state as well as glimpse the intriguing history and behind-the-scenes intricacies of Ohio sports at these attractions.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME | C A N T O N

From its humble beginnings in 1920 as a professional league for 14 teams, the National Football League (NFL) now reigns redundant with the highest attendance of any professional sports league in the world. To honor the sport that has become an American obsession, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton tracks the sport from its birth to the current day mania. Guests can walk through 115,000 square feet of exhibit space for interactive exhibits on the downtown Canton meeting that started the NFL and legendary players. In 2015, the museum opened a new exhibit with a virtual athletic training room for attendees to experience behindthe-scenes activities at NFL games.

CINCINNATI REDS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM | C I N C I N N A T I

Though the Cincinnati Reds’ official inception date depends on who you ask, since a few Red Stockings teams have come and gone in Cincinnati, the Reds remains one of the oldest franchises in baseball history. The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum honors the ups and downs the team has faced over the years, including during its glory days in the 1970s when the team became known as the Big Red Machine. The Reds Hall of Fame gallery lets guests explore honored players and listen to an audio highlight reel of some of the team’s top moments. Both fans and casual visitors can enjoy the museum’s interactive exhibits, such as walking into a re-created wooden grandstand, delivering baseball commentary at a replicated broadcast booth and throwing their best curveballs.

Courtesy Cincinnati Reds HOF

Courtesy Destination Cleveland

Above (left to right): Phoenix Bat Tours; Pro Football Hall of Fame; Toledo Mud Hens; Cincinnati Reds exhibit; Cleveland Cavaliers stadium

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS | C L E V E L A N D

LeBron James once said, “In northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned.” Regarded as a hero by many in Cleveland, James helped guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA Championship victory in 2016. Dubbed “Believeland,” Cleveland is known for passionate sports fans. A game inside the Quicken Loans Arena lets attendees become part of that energy in a room that holds over 20,000 fans. Besides cheering during the game, groups can also enjoy the off-court entertainment of music, dancing and comfort food from local chefs.

PHOENIX BAT TOURS | P L A I N C I T Y

Groups can hold a replicated 100-year-old wooden baseball bat and compare it with the bats of today at the Phoenix Bat Company. Tours reveal how the company still produces bats preferred by many professional baseball players across the country. The transformation of a tube of wood into a baseball bat ready to hit a home run takes about two minutes, but the factory tour uncovers the hidden complexities. Guides explain the processes behind the bat’s design, addition of color and finishing touches.

TOLEDO MUD HENS | T O L E D O

Since 1896, the Toledo Mud Hens have attracted a steady crowd. Though the team was originally named the Swamp Angels, the park’s location in a marshland inhabited by birds known as mud hens inspired a nickname that stuck. The minor league team plays in the roomy Fifth Third Field in the historic Warehouse District of downtown Toledo. Game days do not solely revolve around the score, as the entire downtown comes alive with live music, restaurant specials and thousands of fans.

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

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

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

rockhall.com

LEGENDS LIVE HERE

Group packages available for admission to both Halls!

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

ProFootballHOF.com

EXPERIENTIAL By Brian Jewell

Courtesy Glenn Avenue Soap Company

Courtesy Bowling Green CVB

owadays, many travelers are searching for hands-on experiences where they can learn a new skill and create a souvenir to take home in the process. Through some of Ohioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique classes and programs, groups can throw a soap-making party, try their hand at watercolor painting, prepare herb-infused cocktails and even meet some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most technically trained animals face to face.

BUCKEYE ORIGINALS

OHIO TREATS GROUPS TO HANDS-ON HAPPENINGS B Y S AVANNAH O S BO URN

HERBAL CLASSES

GAHANNA

As the Herb Capital of Ohio, the city of Gahanna attracts herbalists, gardeners and culinary enthusiasts from across the country each year. Visitors can explore the self-guided Herbal Trail, which encompasses over 40 bakeries, breweries, cafes and other local shops with herb-based products. Gahanna also offers a wide variety of herbthemed experiential classes. Featured in fall, Preserving the Harvest at the Ohio Herb Education Center shows groups how to make herb-infused culinary creations from their own gardens. During the initial presentation, a guide shares a variety of helpful culinary tips, from mixing sage with butter to using lavender to flavor baked goods. Later, participants get to make their own herbal products, such as honey or vinegar, as well as take home several new recipes to try later. One of the most popular group activities is Wild Cocktails, where participants learn how to make simple syrups from herbs and turn them into lemonades, teas and cocktails. Visitors are taken to a local restaurant that offers a signature, herb-infused cocktail such as Herbal Trail Limeade or Blueberry Basil Delight. After guests sample the drink www.ohiohasit.com

Courtesy Visit Gahanna

Above: Participants discover various uses for herbs at a herbal class in Gahanna. Opposite page (clockwise from top right): Ohio Herb Education Center; Art-a-Site jewelry; Glenn Avenue Soap Company

Celebrate Life!

EXPERIENTIAL

at Gervasi Vineyard™

A soap-making class Courtesy Glenn Avenue Soap Company

DINE

STAY

PLAY

Experience the beauty of a unique Tuscaninspired, upscale winery featuring wine tours, samplings, boutique shopping, luxurious villa suites and exceptional cuisine at three distinct restaurants.

• G RO U P FRI EN DLY • Italian Lunches, Wine Tastings & Winery Tours 1700 55TH ST NE • CANTON, OH 44721 330.497.1000 W WW. G E RVAS I V I N E YA R D.CO M 10

G V Destinations

and learn its ingredients, they can create their own original cocktail recipes. In Herbal Trailblazers, groups will learn how Gahanna earned the title of Herb Capital of Ohio as they visit three local businesses that specialize in experimental herbal offerings, among them the award-winning Koko Tea Salon and Bakery. “Every time I sit through one of the classes, I learn something new and different,” said Mary Szymkowiak, communications and tourism manager at the Gahanna Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “There’s so much inspiration in seeing what you can do.” The Wild Cocktails class was created as an extension of the Herbal Cocktail Trail, which includes eight herbal cocktails from local restaurants. Travelers can pick up an Herbal Cocktail passport at any participating location and receive a stamp for each of the drinks listed.

GLENN AVENUE SOAP COMPANY GRANDVIEW

Based in Columbus’ popular Grandview neighborhood, the Glenn Avenue Soap Company takes pride in producing high-quality, all-natural soaps. The company came into being in 2009 when Sandra Metzler, a professor at Ohio State University with degrees in mechanical and biomedical engineering, became concerned about the

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

EXPERIENTIAL

toxic chemicals, fragrances and artificial preservatives used in many skin care products. “Sandra was looking for skin care products with natural ingredients and thought, ‘Hey, I’m an engineer. I can make soap,’” said Phil Metzler, Metzler’s husband and co-owner of the store. “And it turns out she can.” With a shared background in engineering, the Metzlers took a methodical approach to creating effective natural soaps in their kitchen at home, selling the products on Etsy.com and other online retail outlets. Seven years later, they opened a 1,600-square-foot retail store. “I still have customers come in today that used to show up at my front door,” said Metzler. The Glenn Avenue Soap Company offers an hourlong experiential tour that takes groups behind the scenes of soap-making. During the guided tour and class, participants break into smaller groups and visit four or five stations, where they engage their senses of smell, taste and touch as they learn about essential oils and other natural soap ingredients. One station might feature several different peppermint oils and a bar of peppermint soap, and the group must guess which oil was used based on smell.

Experience THE HERB CAPITAL OF OHIO

GROUP PLANTINGS

MAKIN’ WHOOPIE (PIES)

LET THEM EAT (WINE) CAKE

GET ROOTED IN CREEKSIDE BLUES & JAZZ

The art of soap-making at Glenn Avenue Soap Company

Courtesy Glenn Avenue Soap Company

www.ohiohasit.com

CALL TODAY! 614.418.9114 VISITGAHANNA.COM 11

EXPERIENTIAL

Jaws with Paws

Visitors get the chance to experiment with their own soap mixtures as they learn about the weighing, blending and pouring of the ingredients into molds. A staff member brings out trays of preset soap to demonstrate the peeling off of the silicone liner and the cutting of the soap into bars. At the end, each guest receives a muslin bag with one of the bars as a souvenir. “It’s as hands on as we can make it,” said Metzler. For a more intimate experience, smaller groups of three to 12 can schedule an exclusive soap-making party in the evening. Guests can enjoy wine and other refreshments as they prepare two different batches of soaps. After the soap sets overnight, groups can pick up their original soap creations the following day or have them mailed home.

JAWS WITH PAWS

FREMONT

Courtesy Sandusky County CVB Courtesy Gervasi Vineyard

Begin your Irish adventure at www.VisitDublinOhio.com 614.792.7666

Though police dogs play an active role in everyday life, many people have never seen them outside of movies and crime shows on television. Thanks to Sandusky County’s Jaws With Paws program, groups get the chance to meet these four-legged agents of the law up close and learn about their sophisticated training. Jaws With Paws is hosted by Brian Woods, a retired police officer and certified dog trainer who has trained over 350 police dogs throughout his career. Woods runs a police dog facility called Lynnwood Kennels adjacent to his home in Fremont. When the local police department acquires a new dog, Woods often boards the animal in his kennel and assists in its training. Occasionally, the police officer paired with the dog stays on the property as well. Normally, Lynnwood Kennels is not open to the public, but groups can schedule visits through the Sandusky County CVB when Woods has a dog in training on-site. “It’s unique to us. You can’t find programs like this anywhere else,” said Brenda Havens, sales and promotion specialist at the Sandusky County CVB. “What’s interesting is how many repeat visitors he gets. It’s one of the most requested experiences from visitors.” With an engaging sense of humor, Woods shares the story of how he got into the dog training business and what the training entails, from finding dogs with the right temperament to personally matching them with an officer. He demonstrates how to perform a search for drugs or bombs, sometimes bringing in students to

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

Where History & Adventure Await

Call Dixie Lacy to book your group experience today!

FOREIGN FARE T

hese international dining experiences let groups travel the world from the Buckeye State.

EXPER IENT I A L

Hofbrauhaus Columbus

GERMAN VILLAGE | C O L U M B U S

Slate roofs, brick cottages and Victorian homes help create the illusion that visitors stepped back in time to the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Groups can further immerse themselves in the destination through several German restaurants, such as the lively Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus, the upscale Lindey’s Restaurant and Bar, and the fine-dining G. Michael’s Bistro and Bar. Located 10 minutes from the German Village, Hofbrauhaus Columbus transports guests to Munich, since the restaurant and pub is modeled after the German city’s famed 400-year-old alehouse. Ohio honors its German heritage with three Hofbrauhaus locations across the state.

DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANTS | H O L M E S C O U N T Y

Courtesy Hofbrauhaus Columbus

Though the Amish may not embrace modern life, they celebrate the fellowship and pleasures surrounding mealtimes. Der Dutchman Restaurants in Walnut Creek, Sugar Creek and Berlin all lie within Holmes County and all base their recipes on authentic Amish recipes. Groups can choose from meat-and-potatoes meals, made-from-scratch pastries and pies to take home. Outside of Holmes County, guests can also dine at Der Dutchman Restaurants in Plain City and Bellville.

SUNNY STREET CAFÉ | D U B L I N

If an Irish-themed meal isn’t enough of an Emerald Isle experience, groups can add a fiddler, a bagpiper or Irish dancers for entertainment at the Sunny Street Café in Dublin. The diner serves American as well as Irish-themed meals, such as corned beef and hash, Craggaunowen chicken and Irish apple cake. Groups can add the themed menu to an itinerary based entirely around Irish experiences around town.

Der Dutchman Restaurant Courtesy Dutchman Hospitality Group

Creamsticks from Der Dutchman

Sunny Street Café Cafe Courtesy Dutchman Hospitality Group

Courtesy Dublin CVB

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

EXPERIENTIAL

lead the presentation with their dog. By the end of the program, groups will gain a new appreciation for these hardworking animals who put their lives on the line every day performing dangerous search and rescue missions. “They’re an officer of the law,” said Havens. “They’re considered a member of the family at the force.”

HANDS-ON ART BOWLING GREEN

In the quaint downtown district of Bowling Green, Ohio, groups can take advantage of several make-andtake classes at four side-by-side businesses. “It could be a group of 50 people where everyone chooses where they want to go and splits up for an hour,” said Wendy Chambers, executive director of Visit Bowling Green. At the Art-a-Site Gallery and Studio, each guest is provided a canvas, paint and brushes, and then guided through the creation of a stunning watercolor painting. Even those with no experience will discover their inner artist as each painting reveals a distinct creative flair. The painting can be themed according to the time of year or other preferences, such as a sunflower in fall or a beach scene in summer. MAKE YOUR

NEXT EVENT

A WILD ADVENTURE! BOOK YOUR NEXT GROUP EVENT AT THE COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM AND ZOOMBEZI BAY! • Outdoor and indoor settings • Perfect for groups of 25+ • Over 14 picnic shelters to choose from • Package prices to accommodate all budgets • Ideal for your next group outing For more details call us at 614-724-3785 or email group.sales@columbuszoo.org An Art-a-Site Class

Also, remember to ask about employee discounts for Zoo admission and memberships.

Courtesy Bowling Green CVB

www.ohiohasit.com

25203_GrpTrvl Zoo ad_V2.indd 1

11/4/15 11:24 AM

EXPERIENTIAL

OHIO

RECEPTIVE OPERATOR

TREASURE GROVE TRAVEL

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

SPECIALIZES IN

Crafted historic, experiential and sightseeing group tours in Central Ohio

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

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

Those interested in boutique furniture and home decor can head over to Painted Clovers to create their own hand-painted picture frame, taking inspiration from the colorful wall signs, jewelry and other vintage trinkets lining the store. In Coyote Beads and Jewelry, groups can select beads and ornaments of all shapes and colors as they design an original bracelet to take home. The Busy Thimble craft and fabric store offers an introductory crocheting class where groups can crochet a hat or a pair of socks. The store also features a quilt block class, though that program may run over an hour. “It’s the ultimate make-and-take experience,” said Chambers. “How many places can you find four distinct art classes located right next to each other?”

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBRIDGE GLASS CAMBRIDGE

During the early 1900s, the city of Cambridge developed an international reputation for producing high-quality glassworks, particularly from the Cambridge Class Company. Today, the National Museum of Cambridge Glass invites visitors to experience this distinctive past through interactive tours and other programs. The main 90-minute tour begins with an eight-minute film about glass-making. Next, knowledgeable staff lead guests throughout the museum past more than 9,000 exquisite glassworks. At one point, guests can dress up as glassworkers with tools in hand to pose for a photo. In the Museum Education Center, participants learn about the intricate process of etching designs into glass and then create a pencil rubbing of the original etching plates to take home as a souvenir.

“IT’S THE ULTIMATE MAKE-ANDPlum Run Winery

TAKE EXPERIENCE. HOW MANY PLACES CAN YOU FIND FOUR DISTINCT ART CLASSES LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER?” Courtesy Treasure Grove Travel

— WENDY CH AMBERS, VISIT BOWLING GREEN

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

In the Cambridge Goes Hollywood experience, groups learn about how Cambridge Glass products became popular in Hollywood, even playing a small role in the classic 1954 film â&#x20AC;&#x153;White Christmas.â&#x20AC;? During the program, the Haynes sisters from the movie arrive in blue ballgowns to entertain the guests. The museum also offers a class called Cambridge Etiquette. At an elegant dining table, visitors learn traditional dining etiquette, including the four rules of polite conversation and the proper way to set formal and informal table settings. Afterward, each participant receives an etiquette handout and a delicious recipe for English tea cucumber sandwiches.

National Museum of Cambridge Glass etching class

Cambridge Goes Hollywood tour Photos courtesy National Museum of Cambridge Glass

www.ohiohasit.com

BEYOND THE EXHIBIT T

MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE | B E A C H W O O D

hese group tours delve deeper than a casual museum tour for hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes experiences.

Ohio History Center and Village

Guided group tours lend a more in-depth look at the exhibits and topics touched on at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. The tours Common Threads of Judaism and Christianity, What Is Judaism? and U.S. History Through the Jewish Experience all complement the Stan Hywet Hall museum’s exhibits. and Gardens Constructed with golden Jerusalem limestone imported from Israel, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage celebrates Jewish culture with artifacts and interactive exhibits.

Maltz Museum of Jewish History

OHIO VILLAGE | C O L U M B U S Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Courtesy Maltz Museum of Jewish History

Courtesy Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

EXPER IENT I A L

Discover Carroll County’s Secrets

Atwood Queen

Museums Located in East Central Ohio

For Find it BG! 1-800-866-0046 or VisitBGOhio.com Calendar, Map & App at GoBGOhio.com

A short drive from Canton, Cleveland & Pittsburgh

Festivals

Agrotourism

At the Ohio Village, groups don’t just learn about history; they participate in it. Visitors can step into character at various points to give a town hall speech, star in an 1890s photo shoot or take a spin on an adult-size tricycle. Guests wander through the buildings to meet the historical demonstrators and learn as they go. The village is attached to the Ohio History Center, for more traditional exhibits on the Buckeye State’s past.

STAN HYWET HALL AND GARDENS | A K R O N

Why should groups choose the basic house tour when they can explore more of the sprawling 65-room Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens? Specialized group tours of the 1915 country manor include a behind-the-scenes tour, a gardens tour and a guided manor tour for a look at the extensive grounds of the site. The Tudor Revival home receives much acclaim for its intricate paneling, innovative built-in vacuum system and 37-station intercom system.

www.carrollcountyohio.com * 877-727-0103 2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

YOUTH Courtesy Toledo Zoo

Courtesy Roscoe Village

Courtesy COSI

ith top-notch science museums, zoos, theme parks and other attractions, Ohio is a prime destination for student groups. Visitors will find education and entertainment rolled into one unforgettable experience at the following destinations.

FIELD TRIPS SPOKEN HERE

STUDENTS PUT OHIO AT THE TOP OF THE CLASS

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

COSI

COLUMBUS

Consistently rated one of the top science centers in the country, COSI Columbus offers engaging activities and educational programs for all ages. In the “Space” exhibit, groups can drive a space rover over Martian terrain or attempt to land a space shuttle at various simulator stations. The “Life” exhibit includes an authentic science lab used by scientists from The Ohio State University who often step out and ask guests to participate in their research. “It’s great for the researchers because it gives them access to study groups, and it’s great for us because our visitors get to see real science in action,” said Jaclyn Reynolds, director of communications at the museum. The towering Tyrannosaurus rex and other life-sized dinosaur models debuted at COSI November 2017 in the new Dinosaur Gallery. Developed in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History, the gallery displays installations of the New York City museum’s renowned dinosaur

www.ohiohasit.com

Courtesy COSI

Above: A youth group examines a snake up close at COSI. Opposite page (clockwise from right): Interactive exhibit at COSI; Roscoe Village demonstration; Toledo Zoo

Oh Wow! Children’s Center

YOUTH

OHIO

RECEPTIVE OPERATOR

OHIO TRAVEL TREASURES

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

SPECIALIZES IN

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

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

Goodtime Lake Erie Island Cruises Courtesy Ohio Travel Treasures

Courtesy Oh Wow!

exhibits, including interactive experiences and loaned specimens. At another new exhibit, “Energy Explorers,” guests learn about the importance of energy choices made in the home as well as what can potentially act as an “energy vampire” and drain the power supply. For a challenging hands-on activity, groups can stop by the Gadget Café and pick out a project from the “menu,” such as making flubber or taking apart old computers. Once the activity is chosen, a facilitator brings out the supplies and instructions. One of the museum’s main attractions is the High Wire Unicycle, which travels across an 84-foot cable nearly two stories above the ground. The unicycle’s 250-pound counterweight and safety straps ensure the rider stays upright. “People love getting the chance to ride on it,” said Reynolds.

OH WOW! CHILDREN’S CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY YOUNGSTOWN

In the heart of downtown Youngstown, Oh Wow! Children’s Center for Science and Technology explores the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics throughout 11 exhibit galleries and over 60 hands-on activities. Last spring, the museum opened two new exhibits called “Drive to Excel” and “Amazing Airwaves.” “Drive to Excel” sheds light on the way people with different physical capabilities can achieve their goals through adaptive equipment and technologies. Guests can partake in a wheelchair race or try shooting a basketball through a hoop using prosthetic hands. In “Amazing Airwaves,” kids can shoot balls or scarves through clear tubing that winds throughout the room and then learn how to make their own air tunnels at home using polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipes. One of the most popular exhibits is the “River of Knowledge,” which includes an interactive erosion table that challenges visitors to divert or block the water flow. Afterward, groups can stop by the “Earth and Weather” exhibit to dry off in the Hurricane Chamber or play anchorman at the weather station in front of a green screen and teleprompter. The “Kids in the Kitchen” exhibit draws attention to healthy diet choices and farm-to-table cooking. On Saturdays throughout the year, the museum offers free educational programs that are often themed according to the month. During the “tinker month” of January, the museum’s weekly programs focus on the mechanics of robotic hands and other modern technologies. Throughout the “biology month” of February, groups can learn about DNA and make their own mini

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

YOUTH

microscopes. In the “engineering month” of June, the museum hosts the Summer Manufacturing Institute, an annual camp where kids explore manufacturing fields like boat building, music technology and construction.

TOLEDO ZOO AND AQUARIUM TOLEDO

The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium introduces visitors to some of the most colorful creatures in the world. One of the zoo’s most prized areas is the five-acre “Africa” exhibit, which houses giraffes, gazelles, warthogs, wildebeests, kudus and more. At the “Tower Ridge Giraffe Experience,” guests can hand feed the Masai giraffe herd, whose newest member, Kipenzi, was born just last year. In 2015, the zoo expanded its aquarium to include over 3,000 aquatic critters like sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and tropical fish. The zoo also recently opened an Aerial Adventure Course with two rope-challenge towers, a 30-foot drop and a 763-foot zip line above the “Africa” exhibit. For a close encounter with many of the exotic animals, students can take advantage of behind-the-scenes tours like Cheetah Encounter, the

Toledo Zoo’s Adventure Course

A Toledo Zoo mongoose Photos courtesy Toledo Zoo

THE MUST DO ZOO www.ohiohasit.com

AQUARIUM

With over 10,000 animals representing more than 720 species, the Toledo Zoo is the must- do destination for family fun! Be transported from the Arctic tundra to the wilds of Africa and the tropical rainforest to the Sonoran Desert -- and all points between-- in one amazing day! For more information and a complete schedule of your-round fun, please visit toledozoo.org

YOUTH

A cooking demonstration at Roscoe Village

Polar Bear Tour and the Elephant Training Session and Tour. During Rhino Encounter, guests come face to face with a white rhino, one of the largest rhino species on the planet. Penguin Encounter gives groups the chance to meet playful African penguins and watch staff feed the tropical, blue-necked cassowary birds. “We like to have our keepers and curators really engaged with the public,” said Shayla Moriarty, director of communications at the zoo. As student groups explore the exhibits, they will discover some of the most important components of zoology, such as animal nutrition, veterinary services and conservation efforts. Animal enrichment is part of the Toledo Zoo’s initiative to create natural, stimulating environments for each of its residents, often through features like climbing equipment, private sections within the enclosures and viewing platforms where animals can survey other parts of the zoo.

ROSCOE VILLAGE

COSHOCTON

Roscoe Village is a restored 1830s canal town and living history museum in Coshocton. During the early 1800s, Roscoe Village developed the fourth-largest port on the Ohio and Erie Canal, causing everyday life in the region to change dramatically as ships began to Roscoe Village bring in goods from all over the counhistoric re-enactment Photos courtesy Roscoe Village try. Student groups can learn about this rich history at the Visitors Center, which features a small museum and a 15-minute introductory film about the cultural significance of the canal. VOTED Roscoe Village contains many of the town’s original structures, including the doctor’s office and house, the weaver’s house and the toll collector’s IN AMISH COUNTRY house. Interpreters in period clothing are stationed throughout these historic homes and buildings, playing the roles of blacksmith, printer, weaver, brew-maker and other significant town figures. “It’s really neat because you can see the way of life in the 1800s and comBring your guests to visit our retail store with thousands of pare it to how everything has evolved products and a rich history. Here’s what we offer: today,” said Stacie Stein, education manager at Roscoe Village. Fantastic shopping • Step-on tours Guests can watch as interpretAmple free parking • Free catalogs and brochures ers demonstrate how to make tradiA free meal for the driver & escort • Great deals at the Outlet Store tional 19th-century household items like nails, placemats, rugs and table Enjoy lunch at the Cast Iron Café • Free shipping on purchases over $100 runners. Many groups enjoy learning about the courting candle: When Visit Lehmans.com/bus-tours for more information. a gentleman came to court a young Please allow at least two hours for your visit. woman in her family home, he could Prior to visiting call 1-800-438-5346 or email info@lehmans.com stay until the candle burned down to

BEST

DESTINATION

Begin the journey TO simplicity

On the Square in Kidron, OH • In the heart of Amish Country • Open every day except Sunday

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

The group tour sweet spot!

YOUTH

the metal rim of the holder. If the young lady’s father disapproved of the young man, he could adjust the height of the candle and force it to burn out more quickly. The attraction also offers a one-room schoolhouse exhibit and a full-scale cargo ship visitors can board. In October, Roscoe Village hosts the annual Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival, when hundreds of people gather to sample fresh apple butter cooked over open fires and enjoy live music, local craft vendors and food trucks. The $5 festival ticket includes admission into all the historic buildings and exhibits.

A student tour at Cedar Point

CEDAR POINT SANDUSKY

Cedar Point’s Physics, Science and Math Week

Photos courtesy Cedar Point

Known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, Cedar Point features 364 acres of world-class rides and entertainment along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Erie. Student groups will discover numerous educational opportunities at the park. On Engineering Day each spring, students get the chance to learn about the mechanics and electrical systems of roller coasters from some of the park’s own engineering professionals. One year, an engineer from Switzerland spoke with the students about one of the roller coasters he helped build at Cedar Point. “It’s a great opportunity for students to learn about the life of a roller coaster, from design to construction,” said Jason Blake, ticket sales administrator at the park. Amusement Park 101 takes students behind the scenes of what it takes to run an amusement park from a business standpoint. During a 45-minute presentation, park managers discuss the ins and outs of overseeing departments like payroll and dining, and take questions from the audience. During Physics, Math and Science Week in May, students explore the science of roller coasters through special presentations and hands-on activities. Teachers can download a workbook from the Cedar Point website for kids to fill out as they tour the park. There are many performance opportunities at Cedar Point for marching bands, dance groups, choirs and concert bands. Student groups can also take advantage of overnight packages that include a pizza party on the evening of arrival followed by exclusive early entry into the park the next morning.

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS YOUTH

roups can look into the eyes of incredible creatures, including massive polar bears, mysterious moray eels and friendly giraffes at these animal-themed attractions.

COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM | C O L U M B U S

Watch as a polar bear swims over your head, stand face to face with a gorilla, and ponder odd animals like the pygmy chimpanzees at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Made world renowned by television personality Jack Hanna, the zoo lets visitors explore the incredible creatures of the world with eight regionally themed exhibits. Groups can admire over 7,000 animals and run off some energy at the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park. The zoo offers several group programs, including a science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshop; a scavenger hunt; behind-the-scenes tours; and overnight experiences.

Columbus Zoo student group Courtesy Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM | C L E V E L A N D

The next best thing to snorkeling is looking up at a 230,000-gallon tank full of sharks, stingrays, moray eels and other saltwater fish swimming just above and alongside visitors. The 175-foot-long SeaTube tunnel allows guests to stand inches from these mysterious creatures. Aquarium guides set up throughout the aquarium interact with guests to point out interesting fish and provide hands-on demonstrations. Groups can choose from a few memorable extras, such as behind-thescenes tours and feeding opportunities.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium Courtesy Greater Cleveland Aquarium

AFRICAN SAFARI WILDLIFE PARK | PORT CLINTON

Groups can feel the long, wet tongue of a giraffe licking their hands during a feeding experience with African Safari Wildlife Park. The park lets visitors see these wild animals up close, as well as in enclosures mimicking conditions in the wild. The park consists of a walk-through safari and a drive-through safari that can lead to curious zebras, buffalo and bongos sticking their noses right next to visitors. African Safari Wildlife Park

Courtesy Lake Erie Shores and Islands

www.ohiohasit.com

ACTIVE ADVENTURES T

hese adrenaline-pumping stops will tire out any rowdy youth group with screams of fun.

YO UTH

KINGS ISLAND | M A S O N

Youth groups can scream while riding down the Beast roller coaster one minute, then calm back down during an Education Days program. The Education Days program turns Kings Island into an outdoor classroom with lessons on how science, technology and engineering relate to the running of an amusement park. Kings Island in Warren County features more than 80 rides, shows and attractions and a 33-acre water park for a busy day of pure fun.

HOCKING HILLS CANOPY TOURS | H O C K I N G H I L L S

Space Buggies ride

Instead of a calm walk through the woods, groups can inject some adrenaline into their nature experience at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. Hocking Hills offers more than 60 zip lines in the region that traverse the treetops over caves, waterfalls and forested valleys. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours built the first zip-line canopy tour in the region and remains the only operator with a dual Super Zip at 1,400 feet high. The three-hour canopy tour doesn’t just zip guests along a network of cables; it also uses skybridges that overlook the natural rock features of Hocking Hills.

Courtesy Warren County CVB

GREAT WOLF LODGE | M A S O N A N D S A N D U S K Y

A swinging bridge in the Hocking Hills

With one northern location in the Lake Erie region and one southern location in Warren County, Great Wolf Lodge has become a trusted way to wear out youth visiting the state. Youth group leaders can let the kids run wild at the indoor water park’s lazy river, thrilling slides and other water features. After tiring of the water park, guests can enjoy an arcade, a children’s activity area and bowling lanes. Adults will like the built-in youth entertainment, as well as the attached specialty restaurants.

Courtesy Hocking Hills Canopy Tours

Hocking Hills canopy tour Courtesy Hocking Hills Canopy Tours

Great Wolf Lodge Courtesy Great Wolf Lodge

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

SANDUSKY

•

P U T - I N - B AY

•

KELLEYS ISLAND

•

PORT CLINTON

Rethink

your next group adventure by discovering Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands! Make planning a breeze with one phone call for customized services and itineraries. Come Explore!

800.441.1271

groups.SHORESandISLANDS.com

MILITARY MUSEUMS Courtesy MAPS Air Museum

By Janice Petko, courtesy McCook House Civil War Museum

Courtesy National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

s the birthplace of aviation and a pivotal location during the Civil War, Ohio carries a rich military history. Groups can delve into this remarkable past as they visit state-of-the-art museums and historic homes throughout the region.

A HERITAGE OF OHIO’S MILITARY MUSEUMS HEROES HONOR FLIGHT AND SACRIFICE

B Y S AVANNAH O S BO URN

CHAMPAIGN AVIATION MUSEUM URBANA

Housed in a hangar at the Grimes Field Airport, the Champaign Aviation Museum aims to educate the public about the history of aviation as well as commemorate the personal stories of air force pilots. Unlike traditional museums with static exhibits, the museum offers a more dynamic environment. Since many of the planes fly in air shows on weekends, guests can often see the warbirds in action if they visit at the right time. “We’re an active operation,” said Dave Shiffer, director of the museum. “It’s not like a normal museum with ropes. Everybody gets to see the aircrafts being pulled, maybe even started and flown.” Volunteers are now restoring a B-17 Flying Fortress to flying status. Out of the 12,000 B-17s originally commissioned during the war effort, only 10 operational models remain. The four-engine bomber was made famous by the 1944 documentary “Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress” and, later, the “Memphis Belle” feature film released in 1990.

www.ohiohasit.com

Courtesy Champaign Aviation Museum

Above: Educational programs at the Champaign Aviation Museum reveal the complex process of constructing aircrafts. Opposite page (clockwise from top right): McCook House Civil War Museum; National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s WWII B-25 bomber; MAPS Air Museum’s fighter aircraft

MILITARY

“We get people from all over the U.S. to see that restoration,” said Shiffer. Another prized aircraft on display is the B-25 Mitchell, a twinengine bomber used extensively by Allied Forces during World War II. Other models on-site include the A-26 Invader, the C-45 Expeditor and the Stinson 10-A. The Fairchild F-24 was originally owned by 1930s-era movie stars. Several times a month, the museum hosts educational programs on subjects like aviation, weather and military history. Groups can check the museum website for more information on flight schedules and presentation series.

NEW VETERANS MUSEUM TO OPEN IN COLUMBUS National Veterans Memorial and Museum rendering

Courtesy Allied Works Architecture

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum will tell the stories of veterans across all ranks, from privates to generals. Opening in the summer of 2018, the museum is thought to be the first dedicated to all 22 million living veterans throughout the United States. The 50,000-square-foot museum will honor the sacrifices of all veterans, past and present, with exhibits on how military service altered their lives. The museum will examine the larger picture as well as focus on first-person testimony to educate and spark dialogue. The museum’s concrete arch design will showcase a glass curtain wall system with a spiral processional rising to the ceiling. The exhibition galleries will follow the curve of the concrete rings and conclude with an interactive media experience at the heart of the building. On the second floor, the Memorial Room will pay tribute to the many fallen military heroes.

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM OF OHIO

TIFFIN

Groups can learn about the unique role Ohio played in the War between the States at the American Civil War Museum of Ohio, which features 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, period artifacts and educational video footage. Before touring the exhibits, guests can watch a 20-minute documentary about life in Ohio during the war effort. The “Road to War” exhibit explores the political and social turmoil leading to the conflict that eventually became the bloodiest war in American history. The “Life of a Soldier” exhibit sheds light on how poor living conditions and dangerous medical practices often took more lives than the fighting. Since health experts knew little about germs at the time, doctors often used unsterilized equipment to perform surgeries, causing many patients to die from infections. In “Leaders,” visitors can read about the major political leaders during the Civil War and how their decisions altered the course of history. Later, the “First Modern War” exhibit discusses the emergence of game-changing technologies like the rifled musket, the railroad and the telegraph. Guests can also visit the research library to browse hundreds of Civil War-themed books. Throughout the year, the American Civil War Museum of Ohio organizes community events, such as a Civil War film series, lantern night tours at the museum and historical presentations.

“IF YOU’VE BEEN TO THE MUSEUM, YOU’VE GOT TO COME BACK BECAUSE THERE’S SO MANY NEW INCREDIBLE THINGS TO SEE.” — BE V ERLY ROSE, DAYTON CVB

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

MILITARY

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE

DAYTON

Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base just outside Dayton, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force contains more than 360 aerospace vehicles, including airplanes, space shuttles and hot-air balloons. Last year, the museum opened a new hangar, adding 224,000 square feet of exhibit space. This area features interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics stations; flight simulators; virtual reality experiences; and NASA’s first Crew Compartment Trainer, where the country’s earliest astronauts carried out engineering evaluations and orbit training before liftoff. Groups can step inside the full-scale NASA space shuttle payload bay and see the cockpit, as well as other areas. “If you’ve been to the museum, you’ve got to come back because there’s so many new incredible things to see,” said Beverly Rose, director of public relations and communications at the Dayton CVB. The new hangar also holds 10 presidential aircrafts, four of which guests can board and tour. One of these planes carried President John F. Kennedy’s body home from Dallas following his assassination in 1963. Other hangars display aircraft from World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War. In the Missile Gallery, groups can walk inside a 140-foot missile silo. In 2018, the museum plans to open a Memphis Belle exhibit with

www.ohiohasit.com

A photo op with Civil War generals Courtesy American Civil War Museum of Ohio

A vintage plane flyover event Courtesy National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

MILITARY

OHIO

RECEPTIVE OPERATOR

AMERICAN LEGACY TOURS

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

SPECIALIZES IN

Cincinnati-area tours

CONTACT INFORMATION

Brad Hill 859-951-8560 www.americanlegacytours.com

THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES

• The 1919 Tour • Under the Market Tour • Bourbon and Spirits Distillery Tour

Under the Market Tour

a newly restored B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. During the grand opening, visitors can watch the Memphis Belle film that made the aircraft famous in the museum theater. Every other year in September, the museum alternates between hosting a two-day World War II aircraft event and a radiocontrolled model airplane show. Groups can also stop by the National Aviation Hall of Fame next door. During the fall, the hall of fame inducts several pioneers of aviation into its esteemed memorial; past inductees have included Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Stewart and Amelia Earhart.

MAPS AIR MUSEUM

NORTH CANTON

Operated by volunteer military veterans and aviation enthusiasts, the MAPS Air Museum explores the history of aviation through more than 40 restored aircraft and nearly 130 artifacts. The museum’s dedicated staff are responsible for the restoration and maintenance of aircraft housed in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton as well as the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Groups will find dozens of rare and historic aircraft throughout the museum, such as the 1908 Martin Glider. Once displayed in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., the Martin Glider was one of the first monoplanes designed in aviation, flying 20 feet above the ground at roughly 20 miles per hour. Representing the last model of its kind, the 1940s Goodyear Drake is a small, amphibious aircraft designed to carry light cargo and touch down on water as well as land. Another notable plane on display is the Martin B-26 Marauder, which crash-landed in British Columbia, Canada, just five and a half weeks after the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The “Gallery of Heroes” showcases photographs and other mementos of air force veterans, many of which were donated by families. This exhibit also contains a relic of the USS Arizona, one of the ships that sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The museum provides numerous educational opportunities throughout the year, such as scouting programs and a 10-week Air Academy for young aviation enthusiasts. Groups can also take advantage of community events like pancake breakfasts in the hangar, summer car shows and Veterans Day celebrations.

MCCOOK HOUSE CIVIL WAR MUSEUM CARROLLTON

Courtesty American Legacy Tours

Home of Ohio’s famous Fighting McCooks, the McCook House Civil War Museum highlights the vivid history of Daniel and Martha Latimer McCook and their 12 children. The McCooks built the beautiful brick home in 1837 on a corner of the public square in downtown Carrollton. When the Civil War began to unfold, Maj. Daniel McCook and all eight of his sons took up arms to fight for the Union. “They’re a very colorful family,” said Shirley Anderson, manager

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

TRANSPORTATION HISTORY O

hio has long led the way in transportation advancements, which guests can learn about at these inventive attractions.

H IS T O RY

WACO AIRCRAFT MUSEUM | T R O Y

The WACO Aircraft Corporation sent more people to the skies in the 1920s and 1930s than any other civil aircraft company in the country. The WACO Aircraft Museum in Miami County honors the employees who built these remarkable machines with historic planes, a mock-up factory and a WACO simulator to practice visitors’ aviation skills.

MONTICELLO III CANAL BOAT RIDES | C O S H O C T O N

As giant as Rock, Bill, Willie and Sallie stand, it still seems unlikely the draft horses can pull a canal boat full of people. At each ride, the horses split into pairs and easily pull the replicated 1800s canal boat through an original section of the Ohio and Erie Canal. The 45-minute boat ride aboard Monticello III in the Lake Park Complex lets guests experience a transportation mode long forgotten. Monticello III Canal Boat Ride Courtesy Coshocton Visitors Bureau

2260 International Parkway North Canton, Ohio 44720 (2 miles off I-77 in N.E. Ohio) 330.896.6332 www.mapsairmuseum.org

LOGAN COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM | BELLEFONTAINE Guests can visually appreciate the strides of modern technology while watching transportation methods evolve from covered wagons to trains to modern automobiles. Opened in 2014, the 15,000-square-foot museum features a design in the spirit of the New York Central Roundhouse railroad that stood in the town from the late 1890s to the 1960s.

HISTORICAL DISPLAYS

Visit our Gallery of Heroes to view history from the memorabilia and perspective of those that lived it. Over 130 displays covering the Civil War through the Gulf War that spotlight local heroes who made aviation history. From the Red Baron to Rosie the Riveter, from the Tuskegee Airmen to the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), we will introduce you to the men and women who made history.

GIFT SHOP

A fully stocked gift shop is available to provide you with the opportunity to take your memories with you!

HONDA HERITAGE CENTER | MARYSVILLE

TOUR GUIDES 48 Aircraft in house. From a 1908 glider, to AH-1 Cobra helicopter, to an F-16 Fighting Falcon!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Group discount admission fees of $9.00/adult and $5.00/child 6-12 available with your pre-scheduled visit. Listed fees are subject to change. Confirm with reservation. Email: kimball.reed@mapsairmuseum.org. • Tour Guides available for a recommended 2 hour guided tour or visit on your own. Tour times can fit your schedule.

• Fully handicapped accessible restrooms • Wheelchairs available for those with limited mobility.

Visitors will marvel at a car that jumps in to assist drivers around tight turns and other potential driving stumbling blocks at the Honda Heritage Center. The center features both Honda’s latest technology like the autonomous NSX Supercar and the revolutionary HondaJets from the company’s long history of innovation. Groups will explore a timeline of car mechanics and other products powered by Honda engines, including bots, motorcycles and even a robotic lawn mower.

• Access to a wide variety of restaurants in the area-most within a 10 minute drive! If you wish to eat in the hangar near the aircraft, you can contact (or we can recommend) local caterers that can bring meals to MAPS for you.

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

MILITARY

of the museum. “There are a lot of stories about each one of them.” Anderson described how the second-youngest son decided to fight in the war just after graduating from high school, believing the conflict would resolve before his college classes started in the fall. “He was killed in the First Battle of Bull Run,” said Anderson. “His father was actually there and tried to carry him home in a wagon, but it was too late.” Later, Major McCook and two of his older sons were killed in subsequent skirmishes; the family was able to recover the Henry rifle he purchased upon joining the army. Visitors can follow a guide through the first floor of the house to learn more about its extraordinary history and then explore the second floor on their own. The home is furnished with authentic period furniture and many of the McCook family’s original possessions. Groups can see several priceless necklaces and earrings owned by Martha Latimer McCook, china dishware with the McCook initials printed in gold and one son’s military commission signed by Abraham Lincoln. “Most people are really surprised that we have so many things here,” said Anderson. “They will mention how they’ve visited other Civil War museums with one or two really important items, but we have so many.”

A painting of the Fighting McCooks

By Janice Petko, courtesy McCook House Civil War Museum

B-26 Marauder Courtesy MAPS Air Museum

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

428 W. Liberty St. • Wooster, OH 44691 www.wccvb.com • 1.800.362.6474

www.ohiohasit.com

FASCINATING FIGURES G

roups can discover the riveting lives of some intriguing Ohioans at a stop at these three attractions.

H ISTO R Y

Paul Laurence Dunbar House

Warther Museum

WARTHER MUSEUM | D O V E R

A wooden plier carving lesson from a hobo in 1890 triggered an obsession with Ernest Warther. Warther taught himself to carve and eventually carved an estimated 750,000 pairs of pliers during his lifetime. But as the Warther Museum in Tuscarawas County shows, pliers were just the beginning. Harriet Beecher The museum reveals Warther’s incrediStowe House ble creations, such as an intricately detailed walnut and ivory model of the steel mill where he worked. Groups can examine his dazzling models while learning about the mathematical and mechanical genius behind each piece.

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE | C I N C I N N A T I

Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Courtesy Tuscarawas Co. CVB

Courtesy Ohio History Connection

Harriet Beecher Stowe not only wrote the best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”; she also assisted fleeing slaves on their way north on the Underground Railroad. Her Cincinnati home reveals how her family shaped her views on slavery and women’s rights. She based “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” on her experiences in Cincinnati, and the book quickly turned her into a household name. Groups can explore the 5,000-squarefoot house for a close look at Stowe, her parents and her 10 brothers and sisters who also grew up in the house.

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR STATE MEMORIAL | D A Y T O N

You’re gonna love it here.

DestinationSenecaCounty.org 38

A poet and a voice for AfricanAmerican equality is honored at the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial. The restored, early-20th-century home shines a light on one of America’s most celebrated poets, who spent almost his entire life in Ohio. The house’s exhibits showcase Dunbar’s literary works, personal items and family furnishings. One exhibit displays Dunbar’s bicycle given to him by the Wright brothers; another shows the desk where he composed much of his work.

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

Explore Carillon Historical Park— 65 acres and 35 buildings!

See Numerous Broadway Shows at the Schuster Performing Arts Center

Board a NASA Space Shuttle at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force—FREE

Board and Tour Four of Nine Presidential Planes at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force—FREE

Experience Top-Flight Fun in

DAYTON

The Dayton Art Institute

DAYTON OFFERS TOUR GROUPS: • Diverse Customized Itineraries • Free Tour Operator and Attendee Gifts • Special Tour Operator Incentives • 60% Of The US Population Within One Day’s Drive

DAYTONCVB.COM

Test Lady Luck at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway

THEATER Courtesy Cincinnati Music Hall

Courtesy Cincinnati Music Hall

Courtesy La Comedia Dinner Theatre

hio is home to several stunning and historic theaters, from one of the oldest standing 19th-century theaters in the United States to one of the most famous dinner theaters in the country. These venues offer a diverse range of shows and events, guaranteeing every visitor an unforgettable evening of entertainment.

A STATE FOR STARS OHIO’S THEATERS ARE HALLOWED HALLS

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE SPRINGBORO

Since 1975, La Comedia Dinner Theatre has treated guests to fine dining and professional Broadway productions such as “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Mary Poppins” and “Phantom of the Opera.” Over the years, La Comedia has showcased the talents of many rising stars, including actor John Goodman, who worked for the theater after graduating from college. “It’s a great way to do two things in one place; you can eat a meal and see a show. We’re a good value for what we offer,” said Joe Adkins, owner and manager of the theater. La Comedia provides an intimate viewing experience with nine rows of tables that seat anywhere from two to eight guests each. Groups are asked to arrive around 30 minutes before dinner to locate their seats and enjoy a signature house salad with papaya chutney dressing. Once staff

www.ohiohasit.com

Courtesy La Comedia Dinner Theatre

Above: La Comedia Dinner Theatre regularly produces Broadway hits groups love, such as “The Phantom of the Opera.” Opposite page (clockwise from top right): Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; La Comedia Dinner Theatre performance; Cincinnati Music Hall

THEATER

“South Pacific”

Courtesy La Comedia Dinner Theatre

A 1916 photo of the Woodward Opera Housen

members open the buffet onstage, groups can fill their plates with savory items like fried Norwegian cod, Greek lemon garlic chicken, glazed carrots and the theater’s famous sweet potato souffle. The 2018 show lineup will kick off with “Smoke on the Mountain,” a concert of gospel and bluegrass hits performed by the Sanders Family, and is followed by “The Color Purple” from February through April. La Comedia will be the first regional theater to produce “The Color Purple” following the show’s successful two-year revival on Broadway. In March and October, the theater will introduce young kids to the world of musicals with its biannual “Lunch and Learn” children’s program, which includes a box lunch and a drink. The comical, cult classic “Little Shop of Horrors” takes the stage from May through June. Other 2018 performances will include “Annie,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Clue the Musical” and “White Christmas.” La Comedia is conveniently located off Interstate 75 between Cincinnati and Dayton.

WOODWARD OPERA HOUSE

MOUNT VERNON

Courtesy Woodward Opera House

Woodward Opera House historic photo

In Mount Vernon’s central business district, the Woodward Opera House is one of the oldest standing 19th-century theaters in America. Throughout its colorful history, the opera house has hosted stage plays, basketball games, town hall meetings and, later, the first motion picture showing in Knox County. President William McKinley gave a speech on the stage before his presidential nomination. The four-story building was constructed in 1851 by Ebenezer Woodward, whose original intent was to create a performing arts space that did not depend on ticket sales revenue to survive. To realize this vision, he leased the first two floors to local business owners, doctors, lawyers and real-estate agents; there was a small stage for community events on the fourth floor. A larger theater space was eventually built on the third floor. In 1975, after having fallen into serious disrepair, the Woodward

Courtesy Woodward Opera House

Renovating Woodward’s balcony

“IT’S A GREAT WAY TO DO TWO THINGS IN ONE PLACE; YOU CAN EAT A MEAL AND SEE A SHOW. WE’RE A GOOD VALUE FOR WHAT WE OFFER.”

Courtesy Woodward Opera House

— J OE ADKIN S, LA COMEDIA DINNER THEATRE

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

SHOPPING HAVENS F

ASHLAND

rom carefully crafted Amish gifts to freshly made treats, these destinations provide both an opportunity to shop and to learn about the local culture.

S H O PP I NG

Chocolate shops, elegant antiques and Amish wagons with fresh-baked pies keep Ashland on the map as a shopping haven. Groups delight in the varied shops, among them Molly’s Cheese House, which offers shoppers a mug of sarsaparilla while browsing for homemade cheese and other local items. Other specialty shops, cafes and restaurants line the pristine downtown, providing a pleasant afternoon’s ramble. Proclaiming itself “The World Headquarters of Nice People” on its welcome sign, Ashland prides itself on its friendly citizens.

J. M. Smucker Company Store

MEDINA

Quality shops are combined with a Victorian-era downtown in Medina. After a devastating fire in 1870, the townspeople used only brick to construct the nine blocks that later became Medina’s Historic District. Today, the buildings house eclectic shops, upscale restaurants and other attractions. One building whose historic interior matches the exterior is Miss Molly’s Tea Room and Gift Shop. Guests can admire the Victorian decor while sipping on tea, enjoying a bakery treat or shopping for an item inspired by the style of the 19th century.

Grandpa’s Cheesebarn Courtesy Ashland Area CVB

Courtesy Wayne Co. CVB

WAYNE COUNTY

Visit the Heart of Ohio! • Historic Downtown Mount Vernon • Scenic water, biking, hiking, and running trails • Seasonal music, arts, and culture festivals • Ohio scenic byways

Knox County, Ohio

Experience Guide

FREE! 2018

1-800-837-5282 Visit KnoxOhio.org

www.VisitKnoxOhi o.org Mount Vernon Centerburg - Danville - Frederick

town - Gambier

- Brinkhaven - Martinsb

urg

Rolling hills, scenic farmland and the occasional Amish carriage let guests live at a more relaxed pace in Wayne County. Known as the Gateway to Amish Country, the area offers a vast amount of handcrafted, high-quality items. Those looking for an Amish souvenir can stop at various Amish shops, including Lehman’s in Kidron. The area also offers non-Amish shops, such as the J.M. Smucker Company Store and Café, where visitors can not only buy a tasty treat but also tour the factory to learn the company’s history. Other popular shops are the Wooster Brush Company, the P. Graham Dunn Gallery and Everything Rubbermaid.

Arts + Market + Community Opening 2018 NEW! The Woodward Opera House

Shopping in Wayne County Courtesy Wayne Co. CVB

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

THEATER

Opera House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, prompting restoration efforts to begin. With the help of the Knox Partnership for Arts and Culture and the Woodward Development Corporation, the opera house and adjacent historic building have been completely refurbished and will reopen by March 2018 as the Woodward Annex. New features will include 500 theater seats in the main auditorium, two smaller performing-arts venues and an art museum focused on local art history. The dressing rooms and other portions of the theater will retain their beautiful 19th-century aesthetics.

Playhouse Square neighborhood

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE CLEVELAND

Theatergoers will find no shortage of evening entertainment at Playhouse Square, the largest performing-arts complex outside New York City. With 10 performance venues from which to choose, groups can watch Broadway productions, professional ballets, operas, concerts, comedy shows and more. The Ohio Theater, Connor Palace, the KeyBank State Theatre, the Allen Theatre and the Hanna Theatre were built during a 19-month span from 1921 to 1922. Though these historic theaters closed during the 1960s, with several scheduled for demolition, restoration efforts

Playhouse Square sign

Photos courtesy Playhouse Square

www.ohiohasit.com

THEATER

Dancing on Playhouse Square Courtesy Playhouse Square

Ohio Star Theater interior

prevailed as the downtown area experienced a golden era of revitalization. By the 1980s, each beautiful building had reopened, turning Playhouse Square into the one of the world’s largest theater restoration projects. Since then, five newer venues have opened, among them the Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre, Kennedy’s Theatre, the Outcalt Theatre, the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre and the U.S. Bank Plaza. Playhouse Square also contains over a dozen locally owned restaurants, with popular locales such as the Green Rooster Creamery, Sung’s House, Raving Med and the Cibreo Italian Kitchen. The Hofbrauhaus Cleveland is modeled after the 400-year-old Hofbrauhaus in Germany and features classic Bavarian brews and German cuisine such as marinated pot roast and breaded pork cutlet with cranberries. “Beautiful historic building, lots of dining — it’s the whole package for a group visit,” said Cindi Szymanski, senior manager of brand marketing and communications at Playhouse Square. After a dinner or show, visitors can stroll through the scenic U.S. Bank Plaza, where outdoor community events like concerts, yoga classes and farmers markets are held on a weekly basis. Before leaving, groups should make sure to snap a photo in front of the GE Chandelier, the world’s largest permanent chandelier, at the heart of the square. The 20-foot-high centerpiece contains 4,200 crystals and reflects the classic style of chandeliers hanging in theater lobbies.

OHIO STAR THEATER

SUGARCREEK

Courtesy Ohio Star Theater

Based in the heart of Amish country in Tuscarawas County, the Ohio Star Theater presents humorous musicals with Amish themes that are appropriate for families. The theater, formerly inside the Carlisle Inn, opened its own 512-seat facility in 2017. As groups walk into the new building, they may notice the theater’s namesake on the entrance sign over the door: the Ohio Star quilt pattern.

“The Home Game”

“PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND JUST LAUGH AND RELAX AS THEY WATCH A WHOLESOME SHOW.”

Courtesy Ohio Star Theater

— KRI SS O T T, OHIO STAR THEATER

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

THEATER

The Ohio Star Theater is one of three locations in the country that stages original and heartwarming productions from Blue Gate Musicals. Many of these shows are adapted from Amish fiction, such as the wildly popular musical “The Confession,” which is based on a trilogy by Beverly Lewis. Inspired by the blog and cookbook of the same title, “Mennonite Girls Can Cook” recounts the amusing tale of two Mennonite women whose small-town cooking show attracts the attention of a big Hollywood producer. The company’s newest show, “The Home Game,” follows the story of a young Amish man who dreams of playing professional baseball. “People can come in and just laugh and relax as they watch a wholesome show,” said Kriss Ott, general manager at the Ohio Star Theater. “The actors have incredible voices, and that’s what everyone comes to see.” “The Confession” was adapted for the stage by Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Martha Bolten, who also composed the original screenplay for “The Home Game.” “Martha takes the stories and puts her comical spin on them,” said Ott.

Ohio Star Theater exterior

Courtesy Ohio Star Theater

Courtesy Seneca Caverns

www.ohiohasit.com

THEATER

OHIO

RECEPTIVE OPERATOR

GREAT DAY! TOURS & CHARTER BUS SERVICE

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

During its 2018 concert series, the Ohio Star Theater will host groups like the Kingsmen Quartet, Steve and Annie Chapman, the Dixie Melody Boys and the award-winning contemporary Christian band Phillips, Craig and Dean. Nearby, visitors can take advantage of Amish-heritage restaurants, historic inns, local craftspeople and the scenic surrounding farmland.

CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CINCINNATI

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is the sixth-oldest orchestra in the United States and the oldest orchestra in Ohio. It was founded in 1895 by a group of passionate women under the direction of Helen Taft, the wife of President William Howard Taft.

SPECIALIZES IN

Cincinnati Music Hall

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

THREE FEATURED ITINERARIES

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

Lake Erie

Courtesy Great Day! Tours and Charter Bus Service

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performance Photos courtesy Cincinnati Music Hall

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

THEATER

Over the years, the orchestra’s music directors have played a leading role in the performing-arts scene, premiering hundreds of compositions in the United States and representing the nation to countries around the world. Director Fritz Reiner premiered Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in America with the composer as soloist. Director Eugene Goossens was later knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and director Jesús López-Cobos led the orchestra on an illustrious tour of more than 20 European cities. In addition to its regular concert series, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra offers numerous community and youth programs, such as the Young People’s Concerts, the Lollipops Family Concerts and the Community Concerts. It also serves as the official orchestra for the May Festival, the Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Ballet and the Cincinnati World Piano Competition. The orchestra’s main home is in the exquisite Cincinnati Music Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark and is considered the crown jewel of the Over-the-Rhine district. The 1878 building recently underwent a $135 million renovation that added new seating, elevators, rehearsal space and event areas. “It’s the cultural hub of our city,” said Scott Santangelo, director of operations at the Music Hall. “[The] Music Hall has always represented the best of the arts tradition, and it still represents that today.”

“[THE] MUSIC HALL

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conductor Courtesy Cincinnati Music Hall

ESCAPE TO SHAWSHANK

HAS ALWAYS REPRESENTED THE BEST OF THE ARTS TRADITION, AND IT STILL REPRESENTS THAT TODAY.”

— SCOTT SANTANGELO, MUSIC HALL

www.ohiohasit.com

Explore 15 authentic Shawshank Redemption filming sites!

ShawshankTrail.com 49

REGIONAL DRAMA F

or groups looking for an evening’s entertainment, these exceptional regional theaters will provide a memorable outing.

T H EAT E R

LIVING WORD OUTDOOR DRAMA | C A M B R I D G E

After following a call to ministry in 1959, Frank Roughton Harvey wrote a script for a Passion play. His play finally appeared onstage in 1968 under its original name, “Behold the Man.” Once wasn’t enough. Harvey decided to use his family farm as a natural amphitheater to present the drama, which first sold tickets in 1975. Since its inception, over 400,000 audience members have experienced the Living Word Outdoor Dramas.

VETERANS MEMORIAL CIVIC & CONVENTION CENTER | L I M A

Living Word Outdoor Drama Courtesy Cambridge/Guernsey Co. VCB

Ohio Has IT ad W Bleeds.pdf

From “Jersey Boys” to “Mary Poppins,” the big-name, high-quality productions of Broadway appear in northwestern Ohio regularly at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center. The downtown Lima performance venue offers excellent acoustics and up-close views of some of theater’s best shows. Many groups choose to add the Old Barn Out Back to their night of theater. The 25-year-old family-owned restaurant feeds diners with fried chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes and cinnamon rolls baked from scratch. After eating their fill, groups can shop for a local 1 11/10/2017 2:54:02 PM souvenir or a bag of the restaurant’s popular cinnamon rolls.

DARKE COUNTY CENTER FOR THE ARTS | G R E E N V I L L E

CMY

Featuring an on site pub Jacuzzi Suites Heated Pool, Hot Tub & Sauna Flexable meeting space for up to 400 guests

A boon to both visitors looking for a night’s entertainment and the local schools, the Darke County Center for the Arts pleases a plethora of people. The organization’s Arts in Education program brings the magic of theater to local schools. The center’s theatrical performances take place in St. Clair Memorial Hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 632-seat theater features wireless hearing technology, sign interpretation and handicapped accessibility. Visiting groups can enjoy a range of performances, including concerts and professional theater productions. Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall

For reservations or group bookings call

800.929.7799 or 330.339.4334 Courtesy Darke County VB

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

ONE -OF-A- KIND By Graham S. Jones

Courtesy Rock and Roll HOF

Courtesy Destination Mansfield

roups will discover many unusual attractions when they visit Ohio, from open-air safaris to celebrated film locations and grocery stores with full-scale firetrucks in the aisles. To take advantage of these extraordinary experiences, make sure to check out the following destinations.

ICONS ARE CELEBRATED HERE SHAWSHANK AND SPRINGSTEEN ARE JUST TWO TO ENJOY

B Y S A VANNAH O S BO U RN

SHAWSHANK TRAIL

MANSFIELD

Since its debut in 1994, “Shawshank Redemption” has garnered a loyal following from critics and fans around the globe. It is widely considered one of the greatest cinematic dramas of all time. The film follows the story of a banker named Andy Dufresne who is falsely convicted of murder and forced to face the harsh realities of life in prison for nearly 20 years. “The movie really resonates with people because it’s about hope and friendship,” said Amy Weirick, spokesperson for Destination Mansfield. “A lot of times we hear fans say, ‘I had something bad happen in my life, and Shawshank gave me hope and pulled me through.’” Out of the 15 filming sites used in “Shawshank Redemption,” 14 are in Ohio. For years, fans traveled from across the country to see beloved spots like the Shawshank Oak Tree, the Maine National Bank, the Brewer Hotel and the Shawshank Prison. Eventually, Destination Mansfield decided to connect the sites and create an experience that better serves groups. Though the trail is normally self-guided, motorcoach groups can book a step-on guide to lead the tour and share fun facts about the making of the film.

www.ohiohasit.com

Courtesy Destination Mansfield

Above: The Brewer Hotel is one of the many fascinating stops along the Shawshank Trail. Opposite page (clockwise from top right): Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit; Ohio State Reformatory; The Wilds

O NE-OF-A-KIND

The Shawshank Prison was staged in the former Ohio State Reformatory, which has played a role in various films and television shows over the years. Groups can see Warden Norton’s office and the tunnel Dufresne dug from his cell to escape. The Bissman Building in Mansfield served as the front entrance for both the Brewer Hotel and the Portland Daily Bugle in the movie. “The neat thing about it is that the owners of that building were extras in the movie, so you can talk to them about their experience,” said Weirick. At the National Bank in Ashland, groups can step into the vault where Dufresne withdrew Norton’s money and potentially meet Jim Kisicki, who played the bank manager in the film.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CLEVELAND

Ohio State Reformatory Courtesy Destination Mansfield

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Situated along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Erie, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pays homage to the music genre that spawned a new era of fashion, language and dance during the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The museum building, an architectural marvel, features two glass pyramids at the foot of a 162-foot-high tower. With 55,000 square feet of exhibits on seven floors, visitors could spend hours exploring the colorful and interactive displays. The “Roots of Rock and Roll” exhibit highlights the genres that inspired the rise of rock ’n’ roll, such as gospel, blues, country, folk, bluegrass and R & B. In “Cities and Sounds,” groups can learn about the early rock ’n’ roll music scenes that developed in cities like Memphis, Detroit, Los Angeles and London. Known as the King of Rock, Elvis Presley was one of the most influential rock ’n’ roll artists of the past century. In 1986, Presley was one of the first 10 musicians inducted into the Hall of Fame, and his permanent exhibit acquires new material from Graceland every year to keep his legacy alive. Two of the most prized artifacts on display are Presley’s custommade jukebox and his 1965 Gibson double-bass guitar. “British Invasion” features one of the most comprehensive Beatles exhibits in the world, with artifacts such as George Harrison’s famous striped suit from the group’s 1966 U.S. tour and Paul McCartney’s handwritten

Courtesy Rock and Roll HOF

“THE NEAT THING ABOUT IT IS THAT THE OWNERS OF THAT BUILDING WERE EXTRAS IN THE MOVIE, SO YOU CAN TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.” An Elvis exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Courtesy Rock and Roll HOF

— AM Y WEIRI CK, DESTINATION MANSFIELD

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

For more information contact Kwasi Agyemang: kagyemang@ohiohistory.org

O NE-OF-A-KIND

arrangement for “Birthday.” In “Right Here, Right Now,” visitors can see how rock ’n’ roll has affected the modern music world through groups like the Black Keys, Fall Out Boy and the Struts. This exhibit includes Taylor Swift’s custom-made 1989 microphone and the infamous meat dress Lady Gaga wore to the 2010 MTV Music Video Awards. The dress was preserved through taxidermy and painted to replicate its original appearance. Every week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hosts community events such as music trivia nights, live concerts, film screenings and presentations on music icons.

The Wilds

THE WILDS CUMBERLAND

On a reclaimed mine property in rural, southeastern Ohio, the Wilds is one of the largest and most advanced animal conservation centers in the world. Spanning nearly 10,000 acres of lush hills and wetlands, the preserve contains more than 25 rare and endangered species, including giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, ostriches, white rhinos, camels, wild horses and African painted dogs. By Graham S. Jones

ADVENTURE fulfill your CURIOSITY find your ARTSYside embrace local CULTURE discover HISTORY fill your SHOPPING CART addFLAVORto your life find

Call today to schedule a

Customized Tour

2018 ohio 1-800-743-2303 • www.visitzanesville.com

has it! group travel guide

In Toledo, there’s a new adventure on every block. Exciting activities are just around the corner. And hidden experiences are waiting to be discovered. This is Toledo. Conveniently located at the intersection of America’s two most travelled highways, Toledo is a prime destination for groups interested in culinary tours, hands-on glassblowing, live entertainment and countless more endeavors. This is a city where there’s always more to explore. G E T A TA S T E O F W H AT T O L E D O H A S T O O F F E R AT V I S I T TO L E D O.O RG /G RO U P - I T I N E R A R I E S

TECHNOLOGY MUSEUMS G

roups will never be able to look at their televisions, bicycles or pencil sharpeners the same after a tour of these engaging museums.

ON E-O F-A-K I ND

EARLY TELEVISION MUSEUM | H I L L I A R D

Imagine the amazed faces of those who first saw televisions playing motion pictures in their living rooms. Visitors to the Early Television Museum wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take their TV sets for granted again after visiting this museum that tracks the history of early television from the 1920s to the introduction of color television in the 1950s. Groups watch the transformation as they walk past over 150 TV sets, many of them working. One working 60-line flying spot scanner TV camera allows guests to see themselves on the screen as they would have appeared on mechanical television in 1931.

PAUL A. JOHNSON PENCIL SHARPENER MUSEUM | L O G A N

Early Television Museum

Bicycle Museum of America

Courtesy Destination Hilliard

Courtesy Auglaize and Mercer Counties CVB

Though most collect items like buttons or stamps, when he was in search of a retirement hobby more than 20 years ago, the Rev. Paul A. Johnson decided to collect pencil sharpeners. His collection proved so thorough with more than 3,400 items that a museum opened to showcase the collection. Johnson still proudly shows off his collection at the Hocking Hills museum. For groups with advance notice, he can offer free sharpeners to take home as souvenirs.

BICYCLE MUSEUM OF AMERICA | NEW BREMEN

Hand â&#x2014;&#x2020; Raised since

1809

Visitors can pose above the oddly shaped big-wheel bicycle before exploring the largest private bicycle collection in the world open to the public. In the Grand Lake region of Ohio, the Bicycle Museum of America houses over 300 bicycles, many of which the Schwinn family formerly displayed at the Navy Pier in Chicago. Antique bicycles from the 19th century, balloon tire classics from the 1940s and even a banana seat high-rise handle bar bike from the 1960s prove that bicycles come in all shapes and sizes.

A historic bicycle exhibit

VisitAmishCountry.com | 1-877-643-8824

Courtesy Auglaize and Mercer Counties CVB

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

ONE-OF-A-KIND

“You truly feel like you’re on an African safari,” said Kelly Ashby, vice president of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s an incredible experience.” During the daily tours, groups can hop aboard an open-air safari vehicle and ride through the beautiful, natural habitat these animals call home. The bus stops at Lake Trail and, later, at the Carnivore Center, where carnivorous animals like cheetahs and African painted dogs are housed in an enclosed area. “There’s always something new or unique to experience,” said Ashby. “There was one time we saw an animal being born right from the bus.” She recalled another experience when a giraffe ambled over to the bus and began licking the sides of the vehicle, much to the delight of the passengers. For a more intimate encounter with the animals, groups can sign up for the Wildside Tour and join animal management staff as they feed and treat various animals throughout the property. Guests may even have the chance to offer a giraffe a bite of lettuce. After taking a tour, groups can stop by the Overlook Cafe for a refreshing meal and a sweeping view of the surrounding landscape.

Horseback Safari at The Wilds

By Graham S. Jones

Experience Honda’s innovations from its earliest products to the HondaJet and NSX.

Visit HondaHeritageCenter.com for hours and information. Admission is free. 24025 Honda Parkway Marysville, Ohio 43040 | 937.644.6888 HondaHeritageCenter

www.ohiohasit.com

@heritagecenter

ONE-OF-A-KIND

JUNGLE JIM’S INTERNATIONAL MARKET CINCINNATI

Jungle Jim’s Animal Pond

Courtesy Jungle Jim’s International Market

Jungle Jim’s International Market started during the 1970s when Ohio native Jim Bonaminio opened a roadside produce stand in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. After purchasing a small retail location in Fairfield, Bonaminio gradually expanded the market over the years, adding an animal pond, palm trees, monorail trains and other quirky elements. “Jim wanted to make shopping fun and give the shopper an experience,” said Jared Bowers, social media and content coordinator. “He’s always looking for ways to make the market bigger, weirder and more exciting.” Today, Jungle Jim’s International Market boasts of featuring over 80,000 products from more than 70 countries. Visitors can browse artisan cheeses, stop by the award-winning craft beer section and sample dozens of olive varieties in the Olive Pit. As groups wander through the aisles, they will find unusual decorations such as an airplane suspended from the ceiling, a giant Kellogg’s display with Tony the Tiger on a rocking horse and a full-scale firetruck in the hot sauce section, which contains over 1,000 brands of hot sauce. “We recommend that people give themselves a couple of hours to explore and take it all in because it can be overwhelming at first,” said Bowers. In 2012, Jungle Jim’s International Market opened a second location in Eastgate with many of the same eccentric features. Both markets host dozens of events and festivals throughout the year, such as Pint Nights on Fridays, fiery food expos and wine festivals.

WILLIAM MCKINLEY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

CANTON

Jungle Jim’s grocery store Courtesy Jungle Jim’s International Market

The William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum is one of Ohio’s hidden gems, commemorating the colorful background and political career of the nation’s 25th president.

“WE’VE HEARD GUESTS COMMENT MORE THAN ONCE THAT IT REALLY DOES RIVAL ANYTHING YOU WOULD SEE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.” — CHRI S TOPHER KENNE Y,

McKinley Gallery Courtesy McKinley Presidential Library and Museum

WILLIAM MCKINLEY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

You’llourLove tours

Photo: Scott Lanz

Holiday Tours!

Interested?

THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE!

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

800.447.8201 youngstownlive.com

STANDOUT SHOPPING STOPS I

nstead of your typical souvenirs, groups can opt for rare finds at these beloved Ohio shops.

S H O PP I NG

Garden Smiles

CARRUTH STUDIO | WAT E R V I L L E

Minutes from downtown Toledo, guests can browse an art studio that specializes in eclectic sculptures and whimsical home decor. Garden Smiles is the flagship store for Carruth Studios, which comes from the imagination and craftsmanship of American sculpture George Carruth. Carruth’s passion for concrete garden art evolved into a thriving familyrun company that today sells items online and in approximately 1,500 shops nationwide. Groups can tour the production facility a mile down the road where the company produces 200 to 500 pieces daily.

BASS PRO SHOPS | R O S S F O R D

Bass Pro Shops Courtesy Rossford CVB

Courtesy Carruth Studio

Groups don’t just browse sporting items in Rossford’s Bass Pro Shops; they also discover how hunting and fishing traditions have changed since the 1900s. The store offers tours of its enormous facility to showcase the shop’s more peculiar inclusions, among them an indoor waterfall and memorabilia exhibit. Tours also demonstrate the complicated process of feeding the bass, the catfish, the bluegill and the other fish in the store’s 19,000-gallon aquarium. After the tour, those with no interest in further browsing can sit back and enjoy fudge tastings at the shop.

DUTCH VALLEY GIFTS | SUGARCREEK For a mix of Amish mementos and name-brand treasures, Dutch Valley Gifts provides a variety of products on display in Holmes County. Once a rustic barn, the shop features everything from table settings to Vera Bradley purses. The shop sits within a complex that includes the Carlisle Inn, the Dutch Valley Restaurant and the Dutch Valley Market. The market features Amish traditional foods, such as Amish cheeses and Der Dutchman apple butter. • Home of F.A. Seiberling, Goodyear Co-founder • 6th Largest Historic Home in the Nation • 70 Acres of Historic Gardens • Onsite Shop and Café Sean McAllister 714 N. Portage Path Akron, Ohio 44303 330.315.3284 smcallister@stanhywet.org

Dutch Valley Gifts stanhywet.org

Courtesy Dutchman Hospitality Group

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

ONE-OF-A-KIND

The McKinley Gallery displays numerous artifacts from McKinley’s tenure in office, including White House furniture, memorabilia from his 1900s presidential campaign, an obelisk paperweight from the tsarina of Russia and Ida McKinley’s gold and diamond tiara, which was recovered from the History Channel show “Pawn Stars” in 2014. In honor of McKinley’s passion for science, “Discover World” presents an interactive science center with paleontological artifacts, an animatronic allosaurus, a tornado simulator and an authentic mastodon skeleton. Groups can step into the Hoover Price Planetarium to enjoy astronomy presentations and witness thousands of stars rotate across the celestial sphere. The “Street of Shops” exhibit brings the 1800s-era Canton of McKinley’s childhood back to life through full-scale replicas of the downtown Canton train station, the Gibbs Manufacturing Company, the Eagle Hotel and a fire station with a horse-drawn fire engine. In addition to the museum, groups can also visit the McKinley Memorial, where McKinley and his family are entombed. Over 100 steps lead up to the beautiful dome-shaped structure, which is one of the largest presidential mausoleums in the country. “Many people are surprised by how large the memorial is,” said Christopher Kenney, director of education at the museum. “We’ve heard guests comment more than once that it really does rival anything you would see in Washington, D.C.”

www.ohiohasit.com

The McKinley Monument Courtesy McKinley Presidential Library and Museum

OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS AKRON/SUMMIT CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Karen Harris 800-245-4254 akron.travel

CLERMONT COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Margaret Bedilion 513-732-3600 visitclermontohio.com

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS Roger Dudley 614-222-6136 experiencecolumbus.com/tours

COSHOCTON VISITORS BUREAU Mindy Brems 740-622-4877 visitcoshocton.com

GREATER GRAND LAKE VISITORS REGION, SAINT MARYS Donna Grube 419-394-1294 greatergrandlakeregion.com

DARKE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU, GREENVILLE Matthew Staugler 937-548-5158 visitdarkecounty.org

HOCKING HILLS TOURISM ASSOCIATION, LOGAN Karen Raymore 740-385-2750 explorehockinghills.com

BEACHWOOD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Jessica Smith 216-378-9333 visitbeachwoodohio.com

DAYTON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Teena Sheffler 937-226-8292 daytoncvb.com

BOWLING GREEN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Wendy Chambers 800-866-0046 visitbgohio.org

DESTINATION CLEVELAND Jane Tougouma 216-875-6607 thisiscleveland.com

HOLMES COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM BUREAU, MILLERSBURG Laurie Judson 330-674-3975 visitamishcountry.com

ASHLAND AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Amy Daubenspeck 419-281-4584 visitashlandohio.com

BUTLER COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU, WEST CHESTER Margaret O’Gorman 513-860-4194 getotothebc.com CAMBRIDGE/GUERNSEY COUNTY VISITORS & CONVENTION BUREAU Debbie Robinson 800-933-5480 visitguernseycounty.com CARROLL COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, CARROLLTON Kimberly Lewis 877-727-0103 carrollcountyohio.com CHAMPAIGN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITORS BUREAU, URBANA Lydia Hess 937-653-5764 champaignohio.com CINCINNATI USA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Randie Adam 513-632-5384 cincyusa.com/group-tours 64

DESTINATION GRANDVIEW Brian Cheek 614-453-4295 destinationgrandview.org DESTINATION HILLIARD Christy J. Clark 614-664-3290 destinationhilliard.com DESTINATION MANSFIELD - RICHLAND COUNTY Jodie Snavely 800-642-8282 DestinationMansfield.com DESTINATION SENECA COUNTY, TIFFIN Brittany Cook 567-220-6387 destinationsenecacounty.org DESTINATION TOLEDO Cathy Miller 419-321-5049 visittoledo.org DUBLIN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Joshua Bricker 614-792-7666 visitdublinohio.com

KNOX COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, MOUNT VERNON Pat Crow 740-397-1337 visitknoxohio.org

MIAMI COUNTY VISITORS & CONVENTION BUREAU, TROY Leiann Stewart 937-339-1044 homegrowngreat.com OHIO’S RAMBLIN ROAD TRIP, MARYSVILLE Tina Knotts 937-642-6279 ohiosramblinroadtrip.com SANDUSKY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, FREMONT Brenda Havens 419-332-4470 sanduskycounty.org TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, NEW PHILADELPHIA Julie Levengood Stephon 800-527-3387 traveltusc.com UNION COUNTY CVB, MARYSVILLE Tina Knotts 937-642-6279 visitunioncountyohio.org

LAKE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Scott Dockus 800-368-5253 lakevisit.com

VISIT CANTON Cindi Petty 800-552-6051 Ext. 108 visitcanton.com

LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS, SANDUSKY Tiffany Frisch 419-625-5009 shoresandislands.com/groups

VISIT GAHANNA Mary Szymkowiak 614-418-9114 visitgahanna.com

LIMA/ALLEN COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Cara Venturella 419-222-6075 visitlimaohio.com

WARREN COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, MASON Linda Smith 513-204-7040 ohioslargestplayground.com

LOGAN COUNTY CHAMBER & VISITORS BUREAU, BELLEFONTAINE Paul Benedetti 937-599-5121 logancountyohio.com

WAYNE COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, WOOSTER Martha Starkey 800-362-6474 wccvb.com

MEDINA COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU Dan Hostetler 800-860-2943 visitmedinacounty.com

YOUNGSTOWN LIVE - MAHONING COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Tara Mady 800-447-8201 youngstownlive.com

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

ZANESVILLE-MUSKINGUM COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Lori Kappes 740-455-8282 visitzanesville.com

CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, CINCINNATI Ellen Graham 513-744-4024 csogroupsales.org

FORT JEFFERSON MEMORIAL PARK, FORT JEFFERSON Kwasi Agyemang 844-288-7708 ohiohistory.org

ATTRACTIONS

COLUMBUS ZOO & AQUARIUM, POWELL Lindsey Orme 614-724-3573 columbuszoo.org

FORT LAURENS, BOLIVAR Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8914 ohiohistory.org

COOKE-DORN HOUSE, SANDUSKY Kwasi Agyemang 877-734-1386 ohiohistory.org

FORT MEIGS, PERRYSBURG Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8916 ohiohistory.org

CUSTER MONUMENT, NEW RUMLEY Kwasi Agyemang 866-473-0417 ohiohistory.org

FORT RECOVERY MUSEUM & MONUMENT, FORT RECOVERY Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8920 ohiohistory.org

ADENA MANSION & GARDENS, CHILLICOTHE Kwasi Agyemang 800-319-7248 ohiohistory.org ARMSTRONG AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, WAPAKONETA Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0142 ohiohistory.org AURORA FARMS PREMIUM OUTLETS, AURORA Kyle Hersh 330-562-2000 premiumoutlets.com/aurora

DUTCH VALLEY GIFTS, SUGARCREEK Andrea Erb 330-852-4926 dutchvalleygifts.com

BIG BOTTOM MEMORIAL PARK, STOCKPORT Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0143 ohiohistory.org

DUTCH VALLEY MARKET, SUGARCREEK Pam Hamrick 330-852-2631 dutchvalleymarket.com

BUCKEYE FURNACE, WELLSTON Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0144 ohiohistory.org

FALLEN TIMBERS BATTLEFIELD MEMORIAL PARK, MAUMEE Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0149 ohiohistory.org

CAMPUS MARTIUS MUSEUM, MARIETTA Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0145 ohiohistory.org CARLISLE GIFTS, WALNUT CREEK Andrea Erb 330-893-2535 carlislegifts.com CEDAR BOG NATURE PRESERVE, URBANA Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0147 ohiohistory.org CINCINNATI PREMIUM OUTLETS, MONROE Alaina Norbeck 513-539-0710 premiumoutlets.com/outlet/cincinnati www.ohiohasit.com

FLINT RIDGE ANCIENT QUARRIES & NATURE PRESERVE, GLENFORD Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8707 ohiohistory.org FORT AMANDA MEMORIAL PARK, WAPAKONETA Kwasi Agyemang 844-306-3360 ohiohistory.org FORT ANCIENT EARTHWORKS & NATURE PRESERVE, OREGONIA Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8904 ohiohistory.org

GERVASI VINEYARD, CANTON Nichole Cardinale 330-497-1000 gervasivineyard.com GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM, CLEVELAND Samantha Fryberger 216-862-8803 greaterclevelandaquarium.com HANBY HOUSE, WESTERVILLE Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-6843 ohiohistory.org HARRIET BEECHER STOWE HOUSE, CINCINNATI Kwasi Agyemang 800-847-6507 ohiohistory.org HAYES PRESIDENTIAL CENTER, FREMONT Kwasi Agyemang 800-998-7737 ohiohistory.org HONDA HERITAGE CENTER, MARYSVILLE Lynn Johnson 937-644-6883 hondaheritagecenter.com INDIAN MILL, UPPER SANDUSKY Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-7147 ohiohistory.org

JOHN & ANNIE GLENN MUSEUM, NEW CONCORD Kwasi Agyemang 866-473-0417 ohiohistory.org JOHN RANKIN HOUSE, RIPLEY Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2705 ohiohistory.org JOHNSTON FARM & INDIAN AGENCY, PIQUA Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2619 ohiohistory.org LEHMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S, KIDRON Glenda Ervin 800-438-5346 lehmans.com LEO PETROGLYPHS & NATURE PRESERVE, RAY Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0144 ohiohistory.org LOGAN ELM, LOGAN ELM VILLAGE Kwasi Agyemang 888-770-7425 ohiohistory.org MAPS AIR MUSEUM, NORTH CANTON Doug Perry 330-896-6332 mapsairmuseum.org MCCOOK HOUSE, CARROLLTON Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-7172 ohiohistory.org MCKINLEY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM, CANTON Joyce Yut 330-455-7043 mckinleymuseum.org MIAMISBURG MOUND, MIAMISBURG Kwasi Agyemang 866-580-6508 ohiohistory.org MUSEUM OF CERAMICS, EAST LIVERPOOL Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-7180 ohiohistory.org 65

OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

NATIONAL AFRO-AMERICAN MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER, WILBERFORCE Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2603 ohiohistory.org NATIONAL ROAD & ZANE GREY MUSEUM, NORWICH Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2602 ohiohistory.org NAUTICA QUEEN, CLEVELAND Colleen Grey 216-696-8888 nauticaqueen.com NEWARK EARTHWORKS, NEWARK Kwasi Agyemang 800-589-8224 ohiohistory.org OHIO HISTORY CENTER & OHIO VILLAGE, COLUMBUS Kwasi Agyemang 800-686-6124 ohiohistory.org OHIO RIVER MUSEUM, MARIETTA Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0145 ohiohistory.org OHIO STAR THEATER AT DUTCH VALLEY, SUGARCREEK Tiffany Gerber 855-344-7547 ohiostartheater.com OHIO STATION OUTLETS, BURBANK Trinity Elmiger 330-948-9929 ohiostationoutlets.com OUR HOUSE TAVERN, GALLIPOLIS Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2618 ohiohistory.org PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR HOUSE, DAYTON Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-0148 ohiohistory.org

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, CANTON Susan Campbell 330-456-8207 profootballhof.com

THE EMERALD EVENT CENTER, AVON Kelly Arthur 440-937-0909 emeraldeventcenter.com

ZOAR VILLAGE, ZOAR Kwasi Agyemang 800-262-6195 ohiohistory.org

QUAKER YEARLY MEETING HOUSE, MOUNT PLEASANT Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2631 ohiohistory.org

THE MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE, BEACHWOOD Gabrielle Goodman 216-593-0575 maltzmuseum.org

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME, CLEVELAND Sharrona Burns 888-764-7625 rockhall.com

TOLEDO ZOO, TOLEDO Amanda Caig 419-724-0073 toledozoo.org

SAUDER VILLAGE, ARCHBOLD Jeanette Smith 800-590-9755 saudervillage.org

U.S. GRANT BIRTHPLACE, POINT PLEASANT Kwasi Agyemang 800-283-8932 ohiohistory.org

SCHOENBRUNN VILLAGE, NEW PHILADELPHIA Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2711 ohiohistory.org

U.S. GRANT BOYHOOD HOME & SCHOOLHOUSE, GEORGETOWN Kwasi Agyemang 877-372-8177 ohiohistory.org

SERPENT MOUND, PEEBLES Kwasi Agyemang 800-752-2757 ohiohistory.org SHAKER HISTORICAL MUSEUM, SHAKER HEIGHTS Kwasi Agyemang 800-860-6078 ohiohistory.org STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS, AKRON Group Sales 330-315-3284 stanhywet.org TALLMADGE CHURCH, TALLMADGE Kwasi Agyemang 844-288-7710 ohiohistory.org THE CORNER ALLEY DOWNTOWN, CLEVELAND Mary Lessick 216-298-4104 thecorneralley.com THE CORNER ALLEY UPTOWN, CLEVELAND Mary Lessick 216-539-0741 thecorneralley.com

WAHKEENA NATURE PRESERVE, SUGAR GROVE Kwasi Agyemang 800-297-1883 ohiohistory.org WARREN G. HARDING HOME & MEMORIAL, MARION Kwasi Agyemang 800-600-6894 ohiohistory.org WARTHER MUSEUM, DOVER Kristen Moreland 330-343-7513 thewarthermuseum.com WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TOMB, NORTH BEND Kwasi Agyemang 844-288-7709 ohiohistory.org YOUNGSTOWN HISTORICAL CENTER OF INDUSTRY AND LABOR, YOUNGSTOWN Kwasi Agyemang 800-262-6137 ohiohistory.org

DUTCHMAN HOSPITALITY GROUP, WALNUT CREEK Jason Anzalone 330-893-2926 dhgroup.com EMERALD HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATES, INC., WESTLAKE Lori Berhent 440-239-9848 emeraldhospitality.com GARLAND HOSPITALITY, NEW PHILADELPHIA Linda Riffle 330-339-4334 Ext 300 garlandhospitality.com NIVEA HOSPITALITY, MILLERSBURG Abby Bucklew 800-824-2013 niveahospitality.com

LODGING CARLISLE INN, SUGARCREEK LeAnn Hayes 855-411-2275 carlisleinns.com CARLISLE INN, WALNUT CREEK DeAnn Harper 855-400-2275 carlisleinns.com FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES-CANTON SOUTH Jennifer Pratt 330-484-0300 marriott.com/cakfc GARLAND HOTEL, NEW CONCORD Melissa Henderson 740-261-1222 garlandhotelnc.com

2018 ohio has it! group travel guide

OHIO HAS IT! MEMBERS

HAMPTON INN & SUITES BY HILTON CANTON Olivia Lescallett 330-491-4335 cantonohsuites.hamptoninn.com

RAMADA LIMITED, STRASBURG Denise McConnell 330-878-1400 strasburgramadalimited.com

HAMPTON INN BY HILTON NEW PHILADELPHIA Kris Cardani 330-339-7000 newphiladelphia.hamptoninn.com

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT CLEVELAND/ AVON AT THE EMERALD EVENT CENTER Rex Engle 440-937-0909 marriott.com/CLEAB

HAMPTON INN BY HILTON NEWCOMERSTOWN Bryan Warther 740-498-9800 newcomerstown.hamptoninn.com HAMPTON INN BY HILTON WOOSTER Jennifer Skelton 330-345-4424 wooster.hamptoninn.com HAMPTON INN YOUNGSTOWN-WEST I-80 Janet Perry 330-544-0660 youngstownwest.hamptoninn.com HILTON GARDEN INN WOOSTER Aimee Welsh 330-202-7701 wooster.hgi.com HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND 216-443-1000 ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/ cleveland/cleoh/hoteldetail HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON CANTON Janet Perry 330-491-9714 canton.home2suites.com HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON YOUNGSTOWN/ AUSTINTOWN OH Mindi Schweiss 330-505-9935 home2suites.com MOUNT VERNON GRAND HOTEL Lynda Ciminello 844-700-1717 mountvernongrand.com QUALITY INN, CAMBRIDGE Linda Riffle 740-439-3581 choicehotels.com/ohio/cambridge/ quality-inn-hotels/oh561 www.ohiohasit.com

SCHOENBRUNN INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER, NEW PHILADELPHIA Michael Brindley 330-339-4334 theschoenbrunn.com THE WALLHOUSE HOTEL, WALNUT CREEK Logan Huffman 800-824-2013 wallhousehotels.com

RECEPTIVE OPERATOR/ TOUR COMPANY AMERICAN LEGACY TOURS Brad Hill 859-951-8560 americanlegacytours.com

DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT & BAKERY, PLAIN CITY Krista Cross 614-873-3414 derdutchman.com DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT & BAKERY, WALNUT CREEK Linda Miller 330-893-2981 derdutchman.com DER DUTCHMAN RESTAURANT & CARLISLE GIFTS, BELLVILLE Michelle Fry 419-886-7070 derdutchman.com DUTCH VALLEY RESTAURANT & BAKERY, SUGARCREEK Carol Miller 330-852-4627 dutch-valley.com

FLANNERY’S PUB, CLEVELAND Mary Lessick 216-781-7782 flannerys.com HOFBRAUHAUS COLUMBUS, COLUMBUS Susan VonBargen 614-294-2437 hofbrauhauscolumbus.com THE TWISTED OLIVE, NORTH CANTON Nichole Cardinale 330-899-0550 thetwistedolive.com ZOCALO MEXICAN GRILL & TEQUILERIA, CLEVELAND Mary Lessick 216-781-0420 zocalocleveland.com

OHIO ACCOLADES

GREAT DAY! TOURS & CHARTER BUS SERVICE A.J. Kinney 800-362-4905 greatdaytours.com

CRITICS AGREE — OHIO ATTRACTIONS RANK SUPREME

OHIO TRAVEL TREASURES LLC Diane Sphar 513-923-9112 ohiotraveltreasures.com

• Cleveland’s Playhouse Square included in U.S. News Travel’s “5 Places to Catch Broadway Shows This Season” in December 2016.

TREASURE GROVE TRAVEL Trish Barbee 614-271-2530 treasuregrovetravel.com

• Brewfontaine in Logan County was voted number one beer bar in Ohio by CraftBeer.com.

DINING BERLIN FARMSTEAD RESTAURANT & BAKERY, BERLIN Nancy Weaver 330-893-4600 berlinfarmstead.com

• Terra Cotta Vineyards in Muskingum County was awarded the Gold Medal for Vidal Blanc and Silver Medal for Seyval Blanc in the 2017 Ohio Wine Competition.

• In 2006, National Geographic named Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt (based in Youngstown) as the number one ice cream in its “10 Best of Everything” book. • Expedia named Columbus as one of “America’s Most TouristFriendly Cities that People Must Visit” in 2017. • USA Today named the Toledo Museum of Art as the “Best Ohio Attraction” in September 2017.