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Fall in Ohio
Fall is Here! How many of you have been waiting for Fall weather, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, sweaters, chill cool nights, and a fall inspired weekend getaway? If you answered yes, we have some cool and fun activities for you! Also, if you have been following Pursuit of Delights in partnership with Ohio. Find It Here.; you know we have been on a journey exploring Ohio and all the goodness it has to offer. While it is time to say goodbye to summer, we welcome Fall with open arms! Ohio is beautiful in the Fall and is such a special time. The weather begins to chill, and you can feel the brisk breeze. Hues of orange, red and yellow take over the trees, and our favorite fall flavors return. It is the perfect time to take a fall-inspired getaway. There is so much to do, explore, and see. We had the opportunity to travel to different areas in Ohio to experience Amish country, taste delicious wine at Breitenbach Winery, go apple picking at Peifer Orchard, and experience fall foliage while exploring Blooms & Berries Fall on the Farm. Let us hop right into Fall in Ohio!
A Visit to Amish Country
Have you ever wondered about Amish country, its people, and their way of life? Maybe you wonder do they still really travel by horse and buggy. If this is something you have pondered, I am here to tell you yes, they still travel by horse and buggy and watching them in their environment is so unique. Remember, Amish people are people like you and I, but their day-to-day life is different as well as what they believe in. One thing I can attest to is that Amish People work very hard! You may think, ok so do I! Most are entrepreneurs and create their own life sustainability with a craft they learn at an early age. Did you know that Amish people only go to school through the 8th grade? They make a way of living on an 8th grade education and are successful. They have big families to help with labor whether it be on their farm or running their family business. They are close knit people. They also live and have their businesses at the same location. Most Amish with businesses live on acres of land to be able to house the family in a house, and the business right next to it. How cool is that? You and I may think wow, I would never live where I work. However, they live in an environment with low crime and having people come to where they live is a second thought. They generally stay within their sects (or area) and do not travel outside of that area often. Occasionally they will travel to fish, hunt or on vacation, but remember they do not drive. Now you are asking how they get around, well horse and buggy and bikes (both electric and pedal). No, they do not take the horse and buggy for a road trip. It would take 2 hours to go 20 miles. Bikes have become a new way of life for them. They can travel around town faster and more efficiently. What would take 2 hours on horse and buggy, takes 45 minutes on an electric bike. What is the moral of the story here? Do not take small things such as bikes for granted. What we may see as an everyday item, is a commodity to other groups of people and their cultures. Depending on how you get around has to be approved by the Bishop, head of the church. There is so much to learn and see about the Amish that a day trip is perfect, and you will find yourself in awe.
While you could explore Amish country on your own, Amish country is huge in Ohio, so where do you begin? I got to explore Amish country through an amazing tour called Troyer’s Amish Tours in Sugarcreek, OH. They have quite a few different tours to choose from. I choose to go on the Down the Road 3-hour tour. It was an amazing and informative experience and I learned so much. The amazing tour guide, Rich, took us through the backroads of Amish country. No two tours are alike! You learn about the history of Amish people and where they originated. You get to see how they live as well as make some stops to a few of the local thriving businesses. We met a few family members of those businesses while stopping by their shops. The entire tour is narrated. It is a unique experience and keeps you engaged the entire time. Trust me, I know. Myself and the small group I was in asked plenty of questions. The more Rich spoke, the more we became intrigued and wanted to know LOL! Amish country is certainly one for the books. Grab a buddy and hit the road to explore Amish Country and what it has to offer.
TIP: Most Amish businesses do not accept credit card so bring cash.
FUN FACTS:
-Chicken houses hold 25,000 chicken and chicken come in at 8 hrs old from the hatchery
-Amish do not drive, Mennonites do
-Amish can not have a cell phone with a data package or a car
-Amish do not have tvs
-Amish keep up with the news through newspaper
-3 Orders and 11 sects
-Amish do not take pictures of themselves. They do not have family portraits. It is against their religion
-Amish only go to school till 8th grade
-Amish do not vote for people that can dictate life and death on a person (i.e. president, judge, etc.)
-Amish land is expensive (for 5 acres $50,000 an acre)
-Teachers only have an 8th grade education (salary ranges from $1200-$1500 a month)
-Generally Men do not teach due to income level
-Usually single women teach. Once they court, date or get married the women will quit work and focus on their marriage
-20 miles would take you 2 hours on a buggy, and 45 minutes on an e-bike
-$8,000 for a buggy and 125 man hours
-Wheels will last 7 years
-Schrock’s Buggy is the oldest buggy shop on Holmes County
-If you’re getting married, you grow a beard
-One Amish man raises camels for a petting zoo
-They milk camels
-Camels milk is very nutritious
-Largest wood working facility in the state
-Amish are great wood workers
-Wood working is the largest industry in this community
-Most Amish do not wear shoes. They go barefoot because they say shoes are heavy.
-Old race horses are brought to Amish country to be street safe/trained
-Mom and Pop wood working shops are huge
-All Amish kids are not Rumshpringa (roam around and leave the culture for awhile)
Breitenbach Winery
Did someone say WINEry? LOL! I love a good glass of wine and a cute winery! Located a short distance from Troyer’s Amish Tours, nestled among the rolling hills of Ohio’s Amish countryside, Der Marktplaz, is home of Breitenbach Wine Cellars. “Breitenbach” is German, meaning “bright or broad stream”, and is the name of the stream that runs through the winery grounds. Breitenbach produces an array of extensive award-winning grape, fresh fruit, and berry wines, and what they are most known for, Dandelion wine. They produce 40 varieties of grape and fruit wines resulting in about 150,000 gallons. WOOOOW! That’s a lot of wine, but hey someone must make it for us wine lovers.
When I drove down the road to get to Breitenbach and was greeted by the purple and red accent colors popping off the building and wine barrels lined along the base, I knew I was in for a real treat. I got out of the car and immediately started taking pictures. What I love is that they grow their own grapes and make their wine on site. What really caught my attention was the purple “Winemakers Barn”. It was so cute! While I did not go inside, the outside was enough to make me say how cool. I am not sure about you but I love a good snack like cheese or a charcuterie board while drinking wine. When you walk in, there is a cheese section along with all the wine to purchase. After this is the sampling area! I stopped to talk to the lady behind the sampling bar, and then walks up Anita. Anita, is one of the daughters of the founder. We chat for a few minutes then she invited me over to sample some wine. They have plenty of flavors to choose from and man did I indulge. They also have a great tasting offer. You can sample 4 wines for $1.00. Yes, you read that correct! I ended up sampling 12 wines. I am a sweet wine drinker so I did not try any of the dry wines. I also like fruit wines and they have 15 flavors to choose from. I grabbed a cheese and cracker plate and enjoyed my wine tasting. I enjoyed the hospitality Breitenbach shared and enjoyed the wine they offer. They are doing some amazing wine making! Also, make sure to try the Dandelion wine. It is unique! By the time wine tasting ended, I left with 5 bottles of wine and 2 candles. What can I say, I am a girl who loves her wine and candles! I highly encourage experiencing Amish country and then relaxing at Breitenbach Winery! The is the perfect day trip.
TIP: Aside from the wine tasting, Café, and gift shop, you’ll also find many events occurring throughout the year at Breitenbach. Festivals, outdoor concerts, special tasting and cooking events, live music and barbecue, and other events happen year-round.
The most popular event is the Dandelion Festival, which typically happens the first weekend in May every year.
Peifer Orchards
Have you ever been apple picking? As a girl from the south, I am familiar with canning veggies and shucking corn, but I have never been to an orchard until now. As they say, it is a first for everything. This Fall I wanted to experience something with my family that was different but that we could all enjoy. Apple Picking it is! When I was looking for Fall activities for us to do, I came across Peifer Orchards and knew this was being added to the to-do list. I grabbed my husband and our girls, dressed them in cute gingham dresses and on our way, we went to the orchard. Peifer Orchards is located in Yellow Springs, OH. There is plenty to do in Yellow Springs. Yellow Springs could be the perfect getaway that includes Peifer Orchards, shopping, biking, hiking, and restaurants. Also, I loved that there is an orchard located not far from where we live.
What I loved about the orchard is when we arrived, it immediately gave us all the Fall and southern vibes. Pumpkins, a cute country store, gravel road, and an experience I will never forget. There is a long walk to the orchard but it was great family time walking and talking. It was hilarious to listen to our little ones talk about apples and what they thought the orchard would look like. We finally got to the end of two-lane gravel path, and there stands acres of apple trees. WOW! The girls and I were in awe. None of us had ever seen an orchard in real life and boy were we amazed. It was a field of green trees with the cutest apples hanging off of them. Some of them even looked like Christmas trees. This was such a picturesque backdrop! They have a few different apple varieties as well as apple colors. My kids enjoyed apple picking to the core! They immediately ran down the rows and started picking apples off the trees. We had our buckets and were ready to fill them with delicious, crisp apples. We all picked a few apples and tossed them in the buckets. The kids did more than their fair share of picking, but they enjoyed themselves and that’s all that matters! I’m not sure that we were supposed to be eating the apples while picking, but my youngest, sweet Robyn, did not waste any time indulging. Let’s just say she snagged the best apples for her afternoon snack. LOL! Once our buckets were full, which did not take long we headed back down the gravel road to head back. We could not leave without heading inside of the country store. They have food, plants, and all things Fall. We even tried their Apple Cider Slush which was amazing and bought some Amish baked goods! Needless to say, our time at Peifer Orchards was nothing short of amazing. Grab your family or friends and set out to enjoy some apple picking! If you want to make it a getaway or a day trip, explore all of Yellow Springs. It is an amazing city.
Blooms & Berries’ Fall on the Farm
It is Fall, and that means pumpkin patch, pumpkin spice and everything nice and Fall on the Farm! I do not know about you, but I grew up going to pumpkin patches and now made it a tradition with my husband and girls. Every year at Fall, we visit a pumpkin patch and fully indulge in this special time of the year. The past two years, we have been making our way to Booms & Berries’ Fall on the Farm. Fall on the Farm is a family-fun event at Blooms & Berries Farm beginning September 18th through October 31st daily. There are so many fun things to do at the farm such as: hayrides, pumpkin patch, pony rides (only on certain weekends), corn maze, beer garden, sunflower patch (very picturesque), farm animals, play areas, a huge pumpkin balloon bounce, caramel apple float, and so much more. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as we went from area to area and all around. They really enjoyed the big slide that they have as well as just roaming around and soaking in all the crisp Fall air. We really enjoy Fall on the Farm as a family and there is so much for the kids to do. I love that there is something at every corner. My kids never got bored. It is a time we experience as a family full of excitement and joy! As you can tell, my family and I really enjoy Fall. If you are looking for an amazing pumpkin patch with tons of things for the family to do, Fall on the Farm is for you!
While summer has ended, that does not mean the fun has to stop! Grab family or friends and explore Ohio’s beauty in the Fall. Experience the best fall foliage in many of Ohio’s different cities. Enjoy the cool crisp air while watching the leaves on the trees change. Enjoy all the Pumpkin Spice you can bare and create the best memories in such a wonderful season!
Our Summer Bucket List with Ohio. Find It Here !
Hellooooo Everyone!!!! We have exciting news for you all! We are back with a new partnership with
Ohio. Find It Here. If you were following our blog last year, you likely saw our partnership with them
which took us on foodie tours, charming towns, and so much more. Together, with Ohio. Find
It Here, we have a great line up in store for you for the remainder of 2021. First up is…..
OUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST!
You know, Ohio has so much to offer- especially in the summer. There are tons of options to choose
from with something fitting for everyone! Here are some of the top things we are looking forward to:
Parks
Who doesn’t love a good park especially in great cities? If you didn’t know, Cincinnati was
recently rated in the top 10 in the nation for its park system. Pretty cool right?! There are quite a few to
choose from, but our favorites are:
Washington Park- This is one of the best parks in the city for events and festivals. If you want to
just relax in the grass, it’s great. If you want to listen to live music, it’s great. If you want to have a drink
and good food, there’s a different festival on a regular basis. It also has a playground and water area for
kids (or adults. Hey, we’re not judging. Be playful!)
Ziegler Park- Ziegler park is awesome because they have a huge playground, nearby basketball
courts, and the best part- a pool! The pool comes at a low price and is great for all of the kids in the
area who are looking for something to do. Swimming lessons are available and there’s even adult swim
time as well.
Smale Park– Smale Park is just beautiful!!! I love to go at the start of Spring to see their flowers
bloom (tulips are my favvvv and they have plenty of them), which last throughout the summer and most
of fall. This is a nice activity park. You can bike ride by the river, run, play on the playground, hop on a
boat, or walk down to Sawyer Point for volleyball. The bridges and Ohio River are right in view which
makes for such a beautiful site.
Cincinnati and Columbus Zoos!
Did you know Cincinnati and Columbus zoos are both highly rated for top zoos in the nation as well?
Yep! They have the best animals that can roam freely with lots of space, which is important. I love to see
when one of the babies are welcomed to the family. I mean, who doesn’t love Fiona?! (although she’s
not much of a baby anymore). There are several activities you can choose from such as encounters, train
rides, carousels, climbing activities, and more. What I love about the Columbus zoo is the size of their
aquarium! It is awesome! The botanical gardens are also so beautiful and soothing to walk through as
well. Anddd Cincinnati’s annual fundraiser is coming back at the end of summer: Zoofari . This is a gala
that is so well done and so fun! What a great way to close out summer!
Red’s Games– One thing about Ohioans… we love our sports! I mean…..who doesn’t love a good Red’s
game?! Whether you like baseball or not, you certainly can’t deny the fun atmosphere when you’re in
the stands or in a box. My family and I have been going to the games for years and never get tired of it.
It really is a great way to fellowship with each other while cheering your city on. I’m just waiting for the
time when we catch a foul ball! And what about the food? Baseball food (i.e. hot dogs, popcorn, etc.) is
the best, but I absolutely love getting Cincinnati staples such as Skyline and Larosa’s there too.
Somehow, they just taste better in the stadium!
Music Festivals
Music festivals are such a great way to discover new artists that you will end up loving but may never
have heard of if you hadn’t of gone. And guess what? They’re coming back!!! Some of my favorites have
been right here in Ohio. All the open land really allows us to have the perfect venues with awesome
performers. Fun fact: Cincinnati and Cleveland attract tens of thousands of people from surrounding
areas for the Cincinnati Music Festival and Wonderstruck in Cleveland. That’s how good and reputable
they are. Although the Cincinnati Music Festival is not coming back until 2022, Wonderstruck, as well as
many others throughout Ohio will continue this summer- and mostly at full capacity.
King’s Island/Cedar Point
For all the thrill seekers out there- King’s Island in Cincinnati and Cedar Point in Sandusky are right up
your alley! I grew up on both parks and have yet to get tired of them. I absolutely love how they both
add new and exciting rides just about every year. It truly keeps things exciting. If you don’t ride
rollercoasters, don’t worry. There’s plenty for you too! The food alone could certainly keep you coming
back (can I get an amen for the funnel cakes?!). I also love the different performances right in front of
the Eiffel Tower. They make my friends and I want to have a dance party right on the spot. The other
two things that I truly enjoy are the water parks section and the games. Considering how hot the
summers can get, the water is a great way to cool down before drying off at the regular park again. Thrill
seeker or not- these two places are for YOU.
Rooftop Bars-
Most people know I loveeee a good rooftop bar. I could spend every weekend at a different rooftop and
would consider my summer complete. That’s how much I truly enjoy them. Here are a few of my favs in Cincy:
Rhinegeist- When you step up, your jaw might drop because the panorama view of Cincinnati is
awesome! It is nice for a fun night out but can also end up being cute and romantic because of the
sunset and comfy outdoor couches. Grab yourself a beer and enjoy this great space.
Lytle Park- Lytle Park is one of the newer rooftops in Cincy and is all the rave. Their view is
primarily of the Ohio River, bridges and stadiums. Lovely! They offer fun cocktails and bar food while
you sit in the space. One great thing about them- they offer a covered glass area in the event it rains.
If you’re in Columbus visit:
Lincoln Social – They are awesome. The entry includes a floral wall (with BLM in the design-
thank you!) that then opens up to a beautiful space. This is another rooftop that offers super fun
cocktails and delicious food. I would highly suggest making reservations though. They book fast!
If you’re in Columbus or Cincy:
Pins- Pins has expanded to different parts of Columbus and also now in Cincy. It’s such a fun
place that has so many different games to choose from. Not all of them have a rooftop, but regardless,
you will love it because they do have an outdoor space. The Cincinnati location has a rooftop that is so
cute! The firepits (which are also at the non-rooftop locations) make for a cozy yet playful feel. The thing
I love most about them though- their summer slushy drinks! Drink up!!
That’s all for now folks! We hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse into what we are looking forward to.
Look out for our next partnership with Ohio. Find It Here coming soon! Cheers to SUMMMERRRRR!
A Day in Cincinnati’s own, Westwood Neighborhood
It is springtime, the flowers have bloomed, and the warm weather has started to show its face! COVID is starting to slow, and that means it’s time to get out and explore one of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods on the west side. The neighborhood on the west side called Westwood may seem small but it makes for a relaxed fun day! It is filled with people walking around, fresh air blowing, burgers, an Urban Winery, a brewery, and nice restaurants. My husband and I spent an afternoon in Westwood and had a ball! The kids went out of town (thank goodness for grandparents and breaks, LOL), and we spent an afternoon out laughing, eating, and sharing a few brews. If you know me, you know I love to get out and explore. Often times, exploring means leaving the city aka traveling. However, you would be amazed at what you can find when you look in your own back yard. Westwood was a fun experience! I would highly encourage stopping through to spend some time, so get your Cincy on, on the west side!
Westwood is located about 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Cincinnati. If you want a chill day this is the place for you. Life is short and the time to have fun is NOW! Plus, the entertainment/restaurant industry took a major hit due to COVID, what better way than to get out and support local businesses! Let me guide you through Cincinnati’s back yard!
Wine & Cheese Me, Please!
My husband and I are a couple who loves our wine, and you know I am one half of the foodies that make up Tiff Squared! LOL! You know we love to eat. Our first stop in Westwood after taking pictures in front of the cool Westwood mural, was Henke Winery. Wineries are amazing and provide a way to try different types of wines and the makers styles on classic versions of wine. Henke is an Urban Winery with many accolades around the world. If you are not familiar with an Urban Winery, it is a winery that does not grow their own grapes. However, they do every other part of the wine making process at their facility. They have their grapes shipped in from different parts of the world, depending on their preference of grape growers and the wine they want to make. We were greeted at the door by the owner, Joe. He started wine making back in 1996 after being inspired during a visit to his sister’s Pennsylvania home. That small spark ignited into the flame that has turned into Henke Winery. Henke is serving some delicious wines and yummy food pairings.
My husband’s go-to is Pinot Noir and I always order a sweet wine. I had the Cellar Blush. This is considered a Sweet Blush Wine. It was delicious! We paired our wines with a small plates to share. We had the Stuffed Mushrooms with Sausage, Cheese & Charcuterie Plate, and their famous Air-Fried Cheese. This was the perfect afternoon lunch/snack. We laughed, toasted, and enjoyed our delicious bites. Their Air-Fried Cheese tasted like the perfect homemade cheese stick. It is a sharp Vermont White Cheddar in a crunchy herb jacket. These dishes were delicious! The crust was seasoned and fried perfectly! It also came with some berry compote to sweeten things up a bite. Grab a friend or two and don’t be cheesy and miss out on this Urban Winery!
Rob (owner of Henke Winery) & I 
Cheese & Charcuterie Plate 
Air-Fried Cheese 
Stuffed Mushrooms with Sausage 
Soft Serve & Sprinkles!
Yes, as two grown adults without our kids for a weekend, we still enjoy ice cream cones or shakes! Just a short 3-minute drive away is Putz’s Creamy Whip. Who doesn’t love an ice cream shack with a line and soft serve ice cream? Putz’s was started in 1938 and has been passed down the family for generations. Putz’s truly believes in family, the time that family spends together and the memories that are made with family. Their entire operation was started with family and their passion is not so much about ice cream but families enjoying their favorite treats at the picnic tables on those hot summer days! I can say I honestly believe this as when we arrived there was a line. It felt like the old neighborhood store that had been around for years. The one that your grandparents go to and now you go there with your kids. I love a good ole neighborhood staple. We knew we were in for a treat! This was my first time visiting so I had to try the neighborhood staple, classic soft serve. Plus, I am no basic betty and I like a pop of color. I added some sprinkles. HAHA! I can honestly say, I was not disappointed. My husband is a classic milkshake guy, so he ordered a Strawberry Milkshake. I must admit it was pretty dang good! It was thick and full of strawberries, just the way we like it! Both are perfect on a spring or hot summer day!
Vanilla Soft Serve with Sprinkles 
Let’s Take A Long Walk, Around The Park!
I am not sure about you but a nice spring or summer walk, in the open crisp cool air is the best! The weather is nice, the sun is just right, and after being locked up by COVID, it is so nice to see people out again. The restaurants, brewery, winery, and mini park are all within walking distance of one another. It was also neat to see parks filled with kids playing again. I remember walking past a park, and it looked like a desert. Haha! It is just so nice to see everyone getting out exploring again. Have reservations or waiting to be seated, get out and take a walk around the park!
Westside Brewery!
I mean c’mon, how fitting is that name? ;p Westside Brewery is located in the heart of Westwood. My husband and I decided to stop here just to sit and talk over beer and cider. This brewery has some good beer. While I am not a beer girl, I enjoy a good cider. Beer and cider not your thing, that’s ok because they also have wine and cocktail selections. They offer something for everyone. The taproom is huge and offers enough space for everyone. They do not offer food, but they always have different food trucks parked outside. My husband grabbed some delicious wings from Buffalo’s Best. Westside Brewery is a good hang out place. Want some beer and a good time? Stop by Westside Brewery.
Time To Eat!
Now after a beer or two, you probably have worked up an appetite. While west side is smaller than other parts of Cincinnati, you can still find some good eats. While there are different places to eat we enjoy two eateries in Westwood, Ivory House and Nation. One is a little more upscale and the other is down right roll your sleeves up and get messy!
Ivory House – Looking for flavorful, small plate, American food? This is the place for you! When I walked in, I was immediately wowed by the décor. The gold and navy-blue décor was amazing! They even had gold utensils. I loved that! I would recommend coming on an empty stomach! Ok, lets jump right in to their Kale Caesar Salad and their House Salad. Both are amazing and fresh! The flavors are bomb and you won’t be disappointed! Also, try their Salmon on Cheese Grits. I really enjoy seafood, especially with grits. I grew up on fried fish and grits. My mom would make it once a week. Now as an adult I love any seafood and grit combination. You also can’t leave without dessert! We had their Seasonal Crème Brulee. They have something for everyone!
Death Valley Farm Old Fashioned & Get Lucky 
Green Goddess Salad 
Smash Sliders 
Caesar Salad 
Crème Brulee 
Chicken Cavatelli Carbonara 
Salmon
Nation – Simply a good ole’ burger joint! If you like a good burger and fries, Nation is calling your name! This is my mine and my husband’s favorite place to come and get burger and tots. I am an ABSOLUTE tater tot lover! What I love about Nation is they offer tater tots as they are or dressed up. I love this! I always get my tater tots LOADED style. Imagine a baked potato but remove the baked potato and add tots and all the baked potato fixings! Wahla! SOOOOO GOOD! While they offer different burgers, my favorite is the Temperance burger. It’s a traditional burger. What can I say, somethings I like plain jane! HAHA! This is the perfect place for a more relaxed meal. Certainly, a cheat meal or a Friday Night burger and fry night with friends! No matter what you order, you won’t be disappointed. Come hungry, leave happy!
Temperance 
Nation 
While the world is slowly opening back up, fun can still be had in a safe manner! It can also be had right here in Cincinnati. Now that you have an entertainment guide of Westwood, get out and go have fun!
Cincinnati Foodie Favs with Ohio.findithere!
Happy October friends!!! We hope you’ve had a great month so far filled with fun and food! Speaking of
food, we have another partnership with Ohio. Find It Here. for you where it’s all about Cincinnati food!
For the locals and the road trippers, we have the Cincinnati staples right here for you! Starting off with…
Findlay Market
Did you know Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market?? Yep! Sure is! The
market is open year-round Tuesday-Sunday and attracts over a MILLION visitors a year! And it just so
happens to be one of my favorite places to visit in Cincinnati. There is such a community feel every time
I visit. You get the hustle and bustle inside of the market, but you also get a very cool, chill vibe in the
outer parts. There is typically live music being played, people drinking and eating, and lots of shopping!
From fresh produce, to restaurants, to customizable cuts of meat, to spices, to plants, to
jewelry…Findlay is ready to meet your needs. When I have friends in town, this is a 100% go to.
Everyone always falls in love with it and raves about wishing they had one in their hometown. Whether
you live in the city of Cincinnati, the suburbs, or in a completely different area, it is well worth the trip.
The Arepa Place
Colombian and Venezuelan food in one!! Yes please! If you have been a Cincinnatian for a while and
have visited Findlay Market, you likely saw The Arepa Place when it was a mobile stand. The owners
spent years building their clientele and reputation before opening a storefront location last year.
Woohoo! The arepas that we know, and love are here to stay!
An arepa , whose term comes from the indigenous populations in Colombia and Venezuela, is a form of
cornbread and most comparable to a pita. These arepas are typically stuffed with either cheese, beef,
plantains, chicken or all the above! They have a bit of a crunchiness to the shell as well, which makes for
the perfect bite. Typically, they are stuffed arepas are often stuffed with many ingredients such as
chicken, beef, cheese and plantains. Although they are called the Arepa place, they have more on the
menu, such as empanadas, chips and guac, and more! They also use the front of their space as a store
where they sell plenty of traditional Colombian and Venezuelan goods that you can have at home. Now,
it might not be as good as theirs, but you can still try!
Cream and Sugar Coffeehouse
Cream & Sugar Coffeehouse has only been open for about a half a year, but with how good they are, you
would think it was much longer. They’re a Black-owned coffee shop that gives off all of the cool vibes.
The owners are some of the first Black entrepreneurs to have more than one Black-owned business in
the area. Before you enter, you’ll see amazinggggg Black art on the outer walls. I could just stand out
there looking at it for the longest! I personally don’t drink much coffee, but I’ve heard theirs is really
good. I also love that they have milk alternatives. That is a must these days! Although I haven’t had the
coffee, I have had their teas and their food. I highly recommend their herbal teas, their salads, their
toasts, and their yogurt. All are super tasty! Just try it all! And if you need to get a little work done,
this is a great spot that’s not too loud for you.
Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey
Boomtown Biscuits and Whiskey is comfort food taken up a notch. You get the well-known items you’ve
learned to love (like biscuits, gravy, and fried chicken) but with a twist. The twist is bold, yet subtle
enough to keep the restaurant’s neighborhood feel. I went to college in the south and this brings me
right back to some of that home cooking!
Tragedy struck the business in late 2019, when the owner of the restaurant unexpectedly passed.
Though it could have left the business in limbo the executive chef, who has a long culinary history and
has been on Food Network numerous times, stepped in and took over ownership (it is now officially a
Black-owned business!) In fact, he is working on opening his 2 nd location which will be in Union, KY. He is also working on a Boomtown Biscuit wagon which will be a mobile offering.
I love how they adapt to the times and don’t let anything stop them. Kudos to them!
Rhinegheist Brewing
Cincinnati is heavily a beer city. Blame it on our German heritage! New, microbreweries pop up all the
time in the area and in Northern Kentucky. But, no matter how many open, none of them are as large as
Rhinegheist. Rhinegheist is definitely one of the originals to the area and is not going anywhere anytime
soon. Not only do they have a huge location, they also distribute to many restaurants and bars
throughout the area. They have a very large selection of beers and ciders that will likely fit your palette.
They’re both tasty and refreshing!
Let’s talk about their rooftop though! I honestly vote them for best rooftop in Cincinnati. The view alone
is enough to give them the top rating. You can see so far into the city and it is especially gorgeous at
night. It’s also very spacious and has super cozy seats/couches on different parts of the roof. The first
time I came up here, I was blown away. I am obsessed with rooftops and don’t know why it took me so
long to go to theirs. You will have to walk up quite a bit of stairs, but it’s so worth it!
Lastly, if you get hungry, you’re in luck. OTR chili is serving up the Cincinnati chili staples from the
kitchen next door and will bring your food right to your seat. Now that makes for a perfect night!
Holtman’s Donuts
If you have been to Cincinnati and don’t know about Holtman’s Donuts, you may or may not have been
living in a cave somewhere. �� Just kidding. Maybe. Although many mistakenly think Holtman’s is a
restaurant founded in Cincinnati, it actually dates to May 1960, and is based out of Newton, Ohio.
Who knew?!
My first experience with them was years ago when I was walking down Vine street in OTR. They have a
wide range of fun toppings such as our favorite cereals as a child, bacon, coconut, red velvet, etc., but
they also offered traditional options such as plain glaze, jelly filled, fritters and many more! Holtman’s
now has 5 locations total and I’m sure they’re not done. If you are near one, I encourage you to try
them. There may be a line, but your belly will thank you later for waiting in it.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Now there’s noooo way I could close out the Cincinnati foodie favs without mentioning the O.G of ice
cream…..
Graeter’s!
Graeter’s was originated in Cincinnati and has been going strong for over 147 years!!! No matter what
area you reside in or visit, you are not far from a Graeter’s, as they quickly expanding throughout
Cincinnati and surrounding cities. Choose from their multiple hand-crafted and small-batch flavors or try
their delicious cakes, cookies and pies! My favorites are the chocolate chip cookie dough, buckeye, and
peanut butter chip. To. Die. For! I grew up going to Graeter’s and still enjoy plenty of other ice cream
locations, but I will never get enough of them!
That’s all for now road trippers!
For more foodie road trip ideas, check out the Ohio.findithere link below. We’ll be featuring more out
of Columbus on our Instagram in November. Stay tuned! And don’t forget to let us know about your
Cincinnati foodie favs!
https://roadtrips.ohio.org/wps/portal/gov/roadtrips/home
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