Welcoming Fall in Ohio with Open Arms!

Summer is nearing its end and it is time for pumpkin spice and everything nice. Fall is an exciting time of year in Ohio and the perfect time to make lasting memories. The weather cools; trees become spectacular shades of red, orange, and yellow; and the taste and aromas of autumn return. I’m back with another partnership with Ohio. Find It Here. This time we are bringing you all the Fall vibes. Fall in Ohio is beautiful and full of fun. I do not know about you, but Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It’s not to cold and it’s not to hot. It’s the perfect weather for making outdoor family memories or doing warm and cozy activities indoors. Fall fun abounds with our activities we plan to share. From events to seasonal flavors and cozy ambience, you’ll find it here!  

Fall Activities

Fall activities are so fun. I think what I enjoy most is being able to create memories with my children and husband all while enjoying the fall flavors like Pumpkin Spice, Caramel Apple, Praline, and many more. My family and I love Apple picking or Fall on the Farm. We also love getting those fall treats such as the Caramel Apple Float.

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 experiencing their environment first-hand is so special. Most are entrepreneurs and create their own life sustainably with a craft they learn at an early age. Did you know that Amish people only go to school through the 8^th grade? They make a way of living on an 8^th 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 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.

TIP: Most Amish businesses do not accept credit card so bring cash. 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. After you visit Amish Country, drive a short distance, and visit Breitenbach Winery. It’s a cute little winery nestled in the hills of Amish country. The wine is delicious. They are known for their Dandelion wine, make sure to try it.

Also, more information on Amish Country can be found at Amish Country Inviting Region. Click here.  

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 8^th 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 8^th 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)

Peifer Orchards – Want to try something different this fall? Go apple picking! As they say, it is a first for everything. My family and I went apple picking and it was a fun experience. I had never actually seen so many apples in their growing space in one location. It was a sight to see. My kids loved being able to go up and down the apple tree rows. My youngest favorite part was being able to eat the apples right off of the trees. I am not sure you are supposed to do this but kids will be kids. HAHA! 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.

Blooms & Berries’ Fall on the Farm – I don’t know about you, but my family and I love visiting a pumpkin patch in the Fall. It is so fun! There are so many activities for the kids as well as so many fall treats to indulge in. The past two years, we have been making our way to Blooms & Berries’ Fall on the Farm. Fall on the Farm is a family-fun event at Blooms & Berries Farm beginning September 17^th through October 31^st 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, soaking in all the crisp Fall air. This is one pumpkin patch you don’t want to miss!

Charming Towns

Have you ever thought, “I wish I could find a gem to visit that is not far from me”, but never thought to look in your own back yard? Ohio has so many charming towns. You must get out, look, and plan an adventure to a gem right next to you. Let’s talk about two charming towns I was able to experience.

Yellowsprings, OH –  Are you looking for an affordable, fun, and outdoor adventurous day in Ohio? If the answer was yes, you are in for something amazing. We recommend taking a mini day trip to Yellowsprings, OH. It is a quick and easy travel destination that is within 100 miles of Cincinnati. It’s perfect for all ages and interest, with biking and hiking trails, tons of shops on the strip, and cafes for a fabulous meal. This will still feel like a mini getaway right in your backyard. This will be a day spent exploring and enjoying the outdoors. Most activities are within walking distance from one another while others are a short drive away. There is surely something for everyone.

To learn more details about my experience in Yellowsprings, OH, click here.

TIP: Places to visit in Yellowsprings OH: Peifer Orchards, Young’s Jersey Dairy, Ye Olde Trail Tavern, The Corner Cone, Biking Trails, The Winds Wine Cellar, Devil Wind Brewing, Flat Rock Spirits/Stillwright’s, Winds Café, Bonadies Glass Studio, Clifton Mill, Caesar Creek Vineyards, and more.

Chillicothe, OH – Have you heard of the town named Chillicothe? If not, I am here to share another gem located right here in OH. Chillicothe is exciting and packed full of history. Chillicothe is a city full of charm. Located along the Scioto River 45 miles south of Columbus. This is the perfect location for a getaway trip within 100 miles of Cincinnati. It is the perfect town to welcome fall. It is that hidden gem that no one ever told you about. It is perfect for all ages, couples, and families. There is something for everyone. Some of the activities include hiking, biking, eating, wineries, Adena Mansion and Gardens, Triple Crown Family Fun Center, Hopewell Culture Park, and Scioto Park.

TIP: The Hopewell locations are nominated for a UNESCO World Heritage recognition which is a big deal! Make sure to check out any of the Hopewell Locations, and be a part of history!

To learn more about a fun filled day in Chillicothe, OH, click here.

Coffee Shops in the Fall

Fall is almost here! How many of you have been waiting for Fall weather, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, sweaters, chill cool nights, and just anything that screams Fall? One thing that screams Fall to me is coffee shops. While you can visit a coffee shop year-round, they are most vibrant in the fall when they come out with their fall and winter flavorings. Can you agree? Plus, meeting up at a coffee shop is a corner stone of modern American life.  Business meetings, book clubs, and first dates all pair well with a cup of coffee. 

You all may know Pursuit of Delights as a food and travel blog, which it is. However, this year for Fall I wanted to do something different. I always feature different food places to stop by, but have you ever thought about coffee shops? I thought it would be fun to explore different coffee shops throughout OH and share what they have to offer as well as some of their fall flavors.

R Coffee Corner – R Coffee is located in Port Clinton, OH. While the family and I took a weekend trip up to Sandusky, this is one of the coffee shops we stopped at. We were on the go exploring Sandusky and its surrounding cities. We did not have much time for a sit-down breakfast, so stopping by coffee shops to fuel our mornings was a thing. This location also has a cute outdoor patio that has a water area right in front. It is perfect for sunny, cool Fall days to sit outside and enjoy a cup of coffee. R Coffee has a ton of flavors and coffee drinks to choose from. I tried the Caramel Apple Latte (hot). This was pretty good and certainly gave me Fall vibes. Think a Candy Apple but in Latte form.

Victory Coffee Company – Victory Coffee Company is located in Lakeside Marblehead, OH. Lakeside Marblehead is a small town, located not far from Sandusky. While on our way to visit Marblehead Lighthouse, we passed by Victory Coffee. It was cute and right off the road we were traveling on, so I told my husband to turn around. Sometimes the cutest, smallest places are a charm. From this location, I tried their Banana Foster Frappe and a Chocolate Chip Cookie. I’m a latte or frappe kind of girl. This flavor was fun! I had never had a Banana flavored frappe before. It gave the warm Banana Foster vibes but was cold. It was unique and I enjoyed it. It was not to banana-y. The caramel also played a part in adding sweetness to the slight tanginess of banana flavor. 

Gathering Grounds – Gathering Grounds is located in Huron, OH. This location is small and has indoor seating. The drive through line that seemed to be what most everyone did. We also did the drive through line. This day it was raining a little and we did not want to get out of the car. Plus, drive throughs are always convenient. I am a latte kind of girl, but an iced latte that is. Occasionally, I will get a latte warm, but I prefer them iced. Yes, even in the winter, but the winter is when I will have one every now and then hot. I tried the Caramel Pecan Iced Latte with oat milk and extra syrup. It was very good. It tasted exactly like caramel pecan. It had sweet and nutty flavors. It is perfect for the fall.

Roaming Goat Coffee – Roaming Goat is located in Columbus, OH. This location is cute and gives rustic vibes. I walked in and was greeted by the barista who was serving someone else but welcomed me with a hello and smile. I glanced at their menu and saw a separate menu with the flavor of the month. I was sold and knew what I was getting. I tried the Horchata Milkshake Latte iced with oat milk. I absolutely love the actual Horchata drink. The actual drink is served cold so iced was perfect. This latte was fun and would be a fun flavor to try for the fall.

Parable, Parable – Parable, Parable is located in Columbus, OH. This was one of my favorite coffee shop stops! I loved the coffee, ambience, and décor of this shop. Everything was such a vibe! The moment I opened the doors and walked in; I was in awe. The staff was also very nice and patient as I decided what I wanted. The latte art was even fancy, clean, and popped! Talk about cute. I even liked that the flavors were fun. While I did not have a “Fall” flavor at this location, I could appreciate the uniqueness of the flavors. I had the Flower Power Latte and Guava Matcha Latte. I tried both hot. The Flower Power Latte consisted of housemade orange blossom and cardamom syrup blended with their house expresso and your choice of milk. The Guava Matcha Latte consisted of their housemade guava panela caramel in a matcha latte, think strawberry-lime creamsicle. Both flavors were delicious and fun!

Reza – Reza is located in Downtown Dayton, OH. Reza looks small from the outside but when you enter its like WOWWWW! It is cute and the décor is fun! I love how they have an area in the back stacked up with coffee beans in their bags. It was picturesque so I took a few photos :p I had the Pumpkin Spice Latte iced with oat milk. I also tried their Spinach and Feta Croissant and Yogurt Parfait. Of course, you can never go wrong with PSL. It’s the King of all Fall flavors. LOL! The food items were good. Parfaits are one of my go-to breakfast items when on the go.

Pettibone Coffee – Pettibone is located in Riverside, OH. Pettibone is a coffee shop that sits right off the main road. It is pretty big from the outside compared to most coffee shops. This was another one of favorite coffee shops while on my coffee stop journey. I loved the inside of this coffee shop. I loved how spacious but cozy it was. I loved the light it let in. I also really enjoyed my drink, The Botanist. They offer your normal coffee drinks, but they also offer unique ones as well. Being the foodie I am, I went for one of the more unique drinks. It was so pretty! It even came with a smoke bubble on top. I grabbed a coffee cake to go with it and it was the perfect start to my morning. The Botanist was made up of Ground Control Espresso, Jasmine Tea – Concentrate, Oat Milk, Vanilla, Mint Leaves Jasmine Mist, Citrus Smoke Bubble and served cold. I enjoyed this drink way more than I thought I would. I drank it fast. LOL! Again, they have unique flavors, so I couldn’t leave without trying the Whiskey Caramel Latte iced. I got this to-go. It was fun and certainly perfect for the fall. It had light notes of whiskey and caramel flavor. A little nutty.

Red Tree Gallery & Coffee Shop – Red Tree is located in Cincinnati, OH. Located in the neighborhood of Oakley, Red Tree is in walking distance of many of shops and restaurants. I stopped by with my daughter one morning and we had a mom-daughter coffee date. Yes, my 6-year-old loves iced lattes just as much as I do. Haha! A latte for her and a latte for me. This was fun! I tried their Matcha Pistachio Latte hot. This latte was very good! I loved the flavor combination it had. It was slightly nutty, had a hint of spice, but still gave a well balanced matcha flavor. They aced this flavor! I had it with a Parmesan Mushroom Quiche. The hot latte and quiche went perfectly together!

Mom n’ ‘Em Coffee – Mom n’ ‘Em is located in Cincinnati, OH. Mom n’ ‘Em just opened their second location, and I had the pleasure to stop by. It’s a cute building with inside and outdoor patio seating. The outdoor patio is vibrant and welcoming. It’s the perfect place to have a morning cup of coffee over a meeting or just for a meet up. I sat at this cute window seat bar right off of the kitchen. I had the Honey Latte hot with a French Onion Danish. I was feeling warm and savory this morning! LOL! The latte was very simple. I loved the French Onion Danish as it was a sweet onion jam baked into a Danish topped with Parmesan Cheese. Talk about a win for breakfast!

Daylily – Daylily is located in Cincinnati, OH. Daylily is one of Cincy’s newest coffee shops, deli, and bodega. Brought to us by Chef Jose Salazar and Deeper Roots Coffee. This is a fun, cutesy coffee shop that serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I just had to stop by because Chef Jose is a beast in the culinary world, and Deeper Roots has coffee on lock! ;P I assumed this was a match made in foodie heaven, and I was totally right about that! This was another one of my favorite coffee shops. I had the Honey Bear Latte, Ham, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Bagel, and a Cardamom Pastry. Everything was AMAZIING! Ill be honest, this was probably the best hot latte I have had. The flavor was so simple and consisted of local honey and cinnamon but was soooo good and well executed! I loved it! What I appreciated about the breakfast bagel was it was a true, homemade breakfast bagel. Talk about cheesy in addition to scrambled eggs made fresh on a freshly baked bagel with ham. MMM MMM, GOOD! I thoroughly enjoyed this breakfast sandwich! The latte and sandwich were both delicious! I will be coming back here for sure!

I truly hope you enjoyed this coffee journey as much as I did! I truly love Fall and all it has to offer!

While summer is coming to an end, that does not mean the fun or indulging must stop. Welcome Fall with open arms and embrace another season and what all of Fall has to offer. Experience Fall in many of Ohio’s different cities. There are a ton of memories waiting to be created and a lot of Fall treats waiting to be eaten. Enjoy this season and get out and explore!