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!
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!
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 40 breweries to visit, its going to take awhile to complete, but you’ll earn prizes after 4 stops, 21 stops, and all 40 stops. Please use a designated driver or Uber – craft beer is strong! See the details here.
Gahanna’s Herbal Cocktail Trail
Are cocktails more your beverage of choice? Head to the Herb Capital of Ohio – Gahanna – and visit the 9 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. I don’t know whether to start with the Blackberry Mint Margarita or the Herb Trail Trilogy.
Celtic Cocktail Trail
More cocktails please! Dublin has their own specialty boozy beverage route with the Celtic Cocktail Trail. Dublin continues to grow their culinary cred, and 11 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 all 11 stops and score an exclusive Celtic Celtic Cocktail t-shirt. It’s a great reason to visit the new (and amazing) VASO rooftop lounge AND the Dublin Village Tavern for a traditional tavern feel.
Licking County Wine Trail
Take a short drive east of Columbus to the Licking County Wine Trail. Visit the 6 wineries and collect a stamp from each winery, bring your book to the Explore Licking County office to claim wine trail t-shirt (while supplies last). As a bonus, you’ll pass through the charming towns of Granville, 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 the Fairfield County Visitor’s Bureau or 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 6 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.
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.
Hilliard Ice Cream Trail
Stay close to the city and explore the best ice creams in Hilliard, Ohio. While the stops make it possible to complete this trail in one day, you’re going to have to have quite the sweet tooth to savor all of the cold sugary goodness!
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!
Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail
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
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!
Taco Trail
Fun Adventure Trails in Ohio
These adventure trails are all about fun and perfect for the whole family!
Irish Fairy Door Trail
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
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 T-Shirt! 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.
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.
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 29th to be entered to win one of three grand prize drawings.
Know of any other adventure trails in Columbus? Comment below or email us at info@columbusonthecheap.com
Looking for more family fun?
Check out these options for families and kids!
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