Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio

Whether you’re a foodie, love a good drink, or you just want to explore, these tasty and fun trails will take you on an adventure in Ohio. Take a day or weekend to complete a trail, or take all year! Some adventure trails offer a prize at the end, but if not, you’ll enjoy the treats and the discoveries made along the way. From beer and wine, to food and dessert, to fairies and bridges – there are so many options to explore at your own pace!

NOTE: Some of the businesses are still closed, but others are still open for to-go purchases and may still be able to verify your visit for the trail. Please check with the businesses you plan to visit and respect their decision on how they are handling things right now. If they are open, they could definitely use your business, and some of these adventure trails are perfect for this time.

Going on an adventure trail is the perfect plan for boring winter days, spring or summer break fun, or other staycations/weekend trips. Complete one at a time, or do several at the same time – many trails overlap in Central Ohio. You’ll won’t even need to leave Ohio to go on an adventure!

Make sure you check the hours for each location, as many of these businesses are family-owned and may have restricted hours.

Beverage Adventure Trails in Ohio

Beer, wine, cocktails, and coffee are some of life’s tastiest vices, and there are plenty of amazing local options to explore with these beverage adventure trails. Make sure you have a designated driver for the boozy options, and pace yourself in completing these – alcohol and caffeine call for moderation.

Columbus Coffee Trail

This will be an easy task for any coffee lover! There are 17 stops of this caffeine-filled trail. After four stops, you earn a free Columbus coffee experience t-shirt and after all 17 stops, you earn a free travel mug, presented by AT&T. These shops aren’t your average chain coffee shop – they are among the top shops in Columbus, including Boston Stoker, Crimson Cup, Stauf’s, Fox in the Snow, and more. They are worth buzz! You can even complete the trail digitally at coffee.taivara.com!

Note from Experience Columbus Visitors Center: “To stop the spread of COVID-19, coffee shops in Ohio are only open for carry-out orders. Some shops on our trails have closed temporarily. The Experience Columbus Visitor Centers are also closed. If you have a passport ready for redemption, please email the shops you have stamps from to aperrone@experiencecolumbus.com. We’ll get you your prize when we’re able to reopen.”

Columbus Ale Trail

The Central Ohio craft beer has exploded over the past few years, and the best way to find your favorite and support these great local breweries is to head down the Columbus Ale Trail! With 46 breweries to visit, its going to take awhile to complete, but you’ll earn prizes after 4 stops, 23 stops, and all 46 stops. Until breweries open, you can order to-go or carryout! See the details here.

COVID-19 UPDATE from Columbus Ale Trail: “Due to the mandated Ohio bar closure and in the interest of public safety, the completion date for #CbusAleTrail Volume 5 will be extended. We’ll announce a new end date as information about bars re-opening becomes available. In the meantime, breweries offering carry-out can continue to stamp Ale Trail books. We’ve compiled a list of carry-out hours for local breweries which you can find here.”

Gahanna’s Herbal Cocktail Trail

SUSPENDED UNTIL RESTAURANTS REOPEN

Are cocktails more your beverage of choice? Head to the Herb Capital of Ohio – Gahanna – and visit the 7 stops along the Herbal Cocktail Trail. The unique herb-infused cocktails at the restaurants and bars on the list celebrate different flavor combinations, and pair well with the host restaurants’ menu offerings. We can’t wait until they reopen and the new drinks are announced!

Celtic Cocktail Trail

Passport redemptions are temporarily suspended due to closures

More cocktails please! Dublin has their own specialty boozy beverage route with the Celtic Cocktail Trail. Dublin continues to grow their culinary cred, and 18 establishments are serving up Irish-themed beverages. Pick one of the lucky libations they’ve created for the trail, or your own preference to get your trail guide stamped. Complete 5 trail stops and redeem a commemorative koozie. Complete 11 stops and score an exclusive Celtic Celtic Cocktail t-shirt.

“Zero-Proof” cocktails are available as designated stops for those who are sober-curious. Redeem stamps from all “ZP” stops and turn in your passport for a t-shirt!

Licking County Beverage Trail

Take a short drive east of Columbus to explore the Licking County Beverage Trail. The trail includes breweries, wineries, coffee, and soda shops. Pick up or print your guidebook, and when you visit a location, collect your stamp. Get 10 stamps and win a prize. Complete an entire category and you will have a chance at winning a special prize. When you have collected enough stamps, bring your book to the Explore Licking County office to claim your prize!

As a bonus, you’ll pass through the charming towns of Granville, Buckeye Lake, Alexandria Johnstown, revitalized downtown of Newark, and picturesque country outside of Heath.

Route 33 Brew Trail

Head south of Columbus to check out the breweries along Route 33 from Columbus through Lancaster. Pick up a trail guide at one of the participating breweries, and make a purchase at a listed brewery to get a stamp and earn free swag when you complete the Brew Trail. Collect stamps from all 8 Brew Trail breweries to receive an Anchor Hocking Route 33 Brew Trail pint glass. The trail features well-established breweries such as RockMill Brewery, Combustion, BrewDog DogTap, and more. There are tons of great places to eat in Downtown Lancaster, so it’s a great place to grab lunch or dinner.

Food Adventure Trails in Ohio

Food. It’s both a necessity and a desire. You’ll find all the tempting options on these food adventure trails, with tacos, ice cream (so much ice cream), donuts, buckeyes, and indian food.

Columbus Taco Trail

No matter what kind of taco you prefer, you’ll probably find it on the Columbus Taco Trail. This tasty trail will take you to new and old taco stops, as well as the best taco trucks in the city. With 11 options on this trail, you’ll probably need a couple of days to hit all of the stops, or explore a new one each Tuesday for Taco Tuesday. Note, this list doesn’t seem to be updated recently, as Hass on Sawmill is now Los Guachos Taqueria – and you NEED to try the al pastor taco.

Some locations are closed, so check links before you head out. If you need a more updated list of places that are open, check out our Cinco de Mayo in Columbus article.

Columbus Tikka Trail

Featuring the best Indian food in Columbus, the Columbus Tikka Trail will keep things spicy in your life. This list was compiled based on the locations chicken tikka masala, but there are so many delicious options – including vegetarian choices, and the writer lists lots of other must-try options for each location. If you aren’t very familiar with Indian food – start here! You’ll quickly become a fan. Note: I’d also add on a stop at Banana Leaf, with lots of vegan and well-marked gluten-free items as well.

Butler County Donut Trail

Butler County is home to 12 family-owned businesses with a combined 300+ years of donut-making experience. At just 90 minutes away between Dayton and Cincinnati, the trail is a great way to explore the region and enjoy some tasty pastry. Earn an official Donut Trail t-shirt while available with your completed passport! Head out early to hit them all in one day, take a weekend trip, or visit throughout the year, but you “do-nut” want to miss this sweet trail! Find out more about the Butler County Donut Trail here!

Need a bigger challenge? The Butler County Donut Trail GeoTour is a separate, but exciting adventure! Find 15 Geocaches, complete a GeoTour Passport and earn a collectible and trackable GeoTour Gecoin. If you want the sweet Donut Trail T-shirt AND the Donut Trail trackable Geocoin you must complete both adventures and each individual Passport program. Learn more about the Donut Trail GeoTour and get your GeoTour Passport today.

Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail

NOTE: Some of these locations are temporarily closed

Enjoy Ohio’s state candy – the buckeye! It’s peanut butter chocolate perfection. You’re going to have to drive a bit further to catch all 31 (!) stops on this trail that stretches throughout the entire state, but isn’t it worth it?! Who makes the best buckeye? Who cares?! Enjoy them all! There are enough stops near Columbus to do a mini tour, including Sweet Tooth Cottage in Powell, Eagle Family Candy, Tremont Goodie Shop, Anthony Thomas, Chocolate Cafe, Pure Imagination Chocolatier, Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, Wittich’s Candy Shop (Circleville), Buckeye Creations (Canal Winchester), Candy Cottage (Lancaster), and Goumas Candyland (Heath).

Goumas Candyland

Ohio Ice Cream Trail

NOTE: Some of the shops may be closed temporarily – please verify before you go.

Ohio knows ice cream – which makes sense because it’s full of dairy farms, and nothing makes better ice cream than local dairy. Ice cream and non-dairy frozen treats appeal to all ages, from the little tot, to great-great grandparents. No matter where you are in Ohio, you’ll find a little ice cream shop to enjoy – or you can visit one of the 20 on this list. You can probably guess that Jeni’s, Graeters, and Johnson’s are on the list, but there are so many other great options, including my hometown favorite, Handel’s, Whit’s Toft’s, Youngs Jersey Dairy, and Velvet Ice Cream Factory – and all of the other great stops! See the rest here, and may we suggest a bonus stop at Dulce Vida Ice Cream Factory (4201 W Broad St, Columbus), which features made-from-scratch ice cream, paletas (ice pops), and other sweet treats made with fresh ingredients.

Fun Adventure Trails in Ohio

These adventure trails are all about fun and perfect for the whole family!

Fairfield County Covered Bridge Trail

Fairfield County has the most original covered bridges in the state with 17 original covered bridges! The majority of covered bridges were built from 1871-1906, with original construction beginning in 1849. This trail will take you through the countryside and make you feel like your back in simpler days.

Irish Fairy Door Trail

NOTE: Shops may be closed temporarily. Please check to verify when the shops open and the program returns.

This adventure trail is just for the kids! Bring the kids to historic Dublin to find the tiny magical fairy doors in 8 downtown businesses. Find the name of each resident fairy, fill in your passport and return your completed passport to the Dublin Visitor & Information Center (9 S. High St.) for a FREE Fairy Doors of Dublin t-shirt. Finding the fairy doors is just half the fun – you’ll get to explore businesses such as Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, Our Cupcakery, Kilwins, and Dublin Toy Emporium.

Made in CBUS Trail

NOTE: Some of these shops are temporarily closed, but may offer online purchases.

It’s no secret that Columbus is FULL of amazing local businesses, restaurants, shopping, attractions, and makers, and the Made in CBUS Trail is a great way to experience some of the best! Pick up a passport at any of the locations, and purchase something at four or more of the locations to get your passport stamped. Redeem your passport at an Experience Columbus Visitor Center for a free Made in CBUS tote bag! It will not be difficult to find things you want to purchase from locations such as Candle Lab, Brothers Drake Meadery, Celebrate Local, Cub Shrub, Igloo Letterpress, Homage, Middle West Spirits, Wholly Craft, Alchemy Juice, and so. many. more. amazing locations.

Know of any other adventure trails in Columbus? Comment below or email us at info@columbusonthecheap.com

Seasonal options

12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt

December 2019. Pick up your 12 elves card at one of the downtown locations, and then search through the shops of Historic Dublin to find the 12 Elves. When your kiddo finds the elf at each stop, they will get a little prize. Collect them all and return your completed card before December 30th to be entered to win one of three grand prize drawings.

Elf on the Shelf with Prairie Township Community Center

November 25-December 19. Find Elf on the Shelf dolls at local business and receive a signature for finding them. Once completed, turn in sheets to the Community Center for a chance to win a new bicycle.