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July
6

TLC once sang "don't go chasing waterfalls," but they must not have lived in Cleveland. In this gem of a city, we are lucky to be surrounded by abundant natural beauty, including a number of sparkling waterfalls within easy reach. If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a few moments, chasing waterfalls might be just what the doctor ordered. We rounded up 10 incredible waterfall hikes (or leisurely walks) in the area, so grab your camera, your loved ones, your favorite picnic lunch, and explore one of these local treasures!    

Brandywine Falls

Brandywine Falls is among the most popular attractions in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and there's no mystery as to why. The spectacular falls cascade 65 feet into a lush gorge surrounded by natural moss and colorful foliage. The boardwalk allows you to view the waterfall from an elevated platform — and you can also take stairs down to the gorge to explore the sandstone below. There are two ways to get there. You can either start at the Brandywine Gorge Trailhead and hike the easy 1.5 miles to the platform, or extend the hike by parking at Stanford House and walk 3.8 miles to your destination. The longer hike takes you past gorgeous vistas, colorful wildflowers and serene forests, so you will hardly notice the additional distance. The falls are a wonderful place to spend a hot summer afternoon, but for your safety, the National Park Service asks that visitors refrain from climbing the rocks or jumping the fences.  

Mill Creek Falls

Standing 48 feet in the air, Mill Creek Falls is the tallest waterfall in Cuyahoga County. The falls are tucked away in the Garfield Park Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, and the picturesque surroundings make for a gorgeous hike during any season. Hike just over a mile and a half from the trailhead in Garfield Park to reach Mill Creek Falls. Once you're there, you can take in the majesty from one of two different observation decks!  

Great Falls of Tinker's Creek

There are so many metroparks in the Cleveland area, it can be tough to decide which one to visit first. But here's one reason that Viaduct Park deserves your attention — the Great Falls at Tinker's Creek are nothing short of picturesque, surrounded by charming woodlands and gorgeous cliffs. It's the perfect destination for a romantic picnic, or for simply enjoying some peace and quiet.  

Blue Hen Falls

Blue Hen Falls

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service

Visit one of the prettiest destinations in Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Spring Creek drops fifteen feet over smooth Berea sandstone to a layer of Bedford shale below — and when the sun is sparkling through the trees just right, it's a photographer's dream! The hike to get there is not strenuous. Walk a half mile on the Blue Hen Falls Trail from the trailhead at 2001 Boston Mills Road, crossing Spring Creek via an old wooden bridge, until you reach your destination.  

Buttermilk Falls

If you'd like to see two waterfalls in one day, we recommend linking Blue Hen Falls and Buttermilk Falls. These two idyllic destinations are located within easy reach of each other — in fact, you can hike between them! Take the hike up to Blue Hen Falls using the instructions listed above, and then trek an additional 1.2 miles down to Buttermilk Falls. The hike is a bit steep (and sometimes slippery) so make sure to wear hardy footwear! But the reward at the end is definitely worth it. Splash around in the falls to cool off before returning to the Blue Hen trailhead.  

Paine Falls Park

Photo courtesy of Lake Metroparks

If you're looking for minimum hiking with maximum views, Paine Falls Park is your spot. Conveniently located along I-90, the small metropark features restrooms, grills, a picnic area, picturesque bridges and a stunning, two-tiered waterfall. It's the perfect rest stop on a trip, but also a wonderful destination for a peaceful afternoon.  

Bridal Veil Falls

Named for the veil-like effect the water makes when flowing over small pieces of sandstone, Bridal Veil Falls measures 30 feet tall in the heart of Walton Hills, Ohio. You can reach the falls easily from the Buckeye Trailhead! Walk just a quarter mile down to the perfect viewing platform. The area is spectacular with or without water, but we recommend visiting after a heavy rain to ensure that the falls are flowing.  

Chagrin Falls

Chagrin Falls

Photo courtesy of Chagrin Falls

Chagrin Falls (the namesake of the small town they reside in) are unique in that they are located smack dab in the center of an urban area. The falls are perfect for an afternoon picnic, fishing or even a quick dip! In fact, they made our list of the best swimming holes near Cleveland. Walk down the stairs from the street to access all of it!  

East Falls and West Falls at Cascade Park

Visit two falls in one trip by heading to the aptly named Cascade Park in Elyria, Ohio. Flanking the Black River, the 135-acre park is filled with lush greenery, wildlife and several pedestrian trails for exploring. The West Falls (the taller of the two), stand at 35 feet and shadow a 50-foot cave that allows you to view the cascade from the other side — a fun adventure on warm weather days. The East Falls are slightly smaller but definitely worth the visit! The water tumbles over impressive rock formations and sandstone to crash into the basin below. While you're here, look out for the remains of an old mill on the banks of the Black River!  

Lanterman's Falls

Lanterman's Mill dates back to 1845, and is recognized as one of Mahoning County's most historic landmarks — and one of its most picturesque! The mill overlooks Lanterman's Falls, which makes for a great photo from the outside. But don't leave without venturing in — the mill still offers stone-ground flours and gifts to the public, and is staffed by knowledgeable people who can inform you about the history of the area!  

Enjoy your waterfall adventure!

June
13

Conquering roller coasters is one of our favorite summertime activities in Ohio — especially since our state is home to several incredibly well-known amusement parks! Up north in Sandusky, we have Cedar Point (famously known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World), and then in Cincinnati, we have Kings Island (the largest amusement and waterpark in the Midwest). We also love Stricker's Grove, the slightly less well-known, historic, family-owned park in central Ohio that opens to the public only a few times a year! Of course, the parks can get crowded during the summer months, which means that it's important to have a plan for your visit. We rounded up the top 10 roller coasters in the state so that you know which ones are worth waiting in line for. All of them boast different attributes, ranging from breath-stealing drops to dizzying corkscrews, and they are all worth trying out at least once. Have fun this summer!  

The Banshee | Kings Island

At $24 million, the Banshee is Kings Island's largest investment to date. And if you're confused at all by the name, you won't be after riding it. Banshees are mythical creatures known for their screams, and whoops of joy (or more likely, of terror) can be heard on this roller coaster even before the first drop. If you're brave enough, hop on the coaster and scream your way through 4,124 feet of steel track and seven stomach-churning inversions at up to 68 miles per hour — but don't say we didn't warn you.  

The Beast | Kings Island

The Beast Kings Island

Photo courtesy of Kings Island

The Beast is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest wooden roller coaster in the world at a staggering 7,359 feet! The ride traverses more than 35 acres of spectacular forested terrain at speeds of more than 64 miles per hour. This famed coaster lasts for more than four minutes and features not just one, but two chain lift hills. Try the ride at night for a truly unique experience — the tunnels just seem more dramatic after dark.    

The Maverick | Cedar Point

The Maverick is one of Cedar Point's newest roller coasters and also one of its claims to fame! With a $21 million price tag, this ride is 4,450 feet in length, has a heartline roll element, and a first drop of 95 degrees — which is about as steep as it gets in the coaster world. The ride's tagline is "The Old West was never this wild" and though we never lived that era, we certainly hope it wasn't!  

Millenium Force | Cedar Point

At 93 miles per hour, the Millenium Force takes you on one of the fastest, most thrilling journeys in the entire country. Upon its completion in 2000, the ride immediately shattered six world records and was dubbed the world's first "giga coaster," a term coined to represent coasters exceeding 300 feet and completing a full circuit. The ride has been voted as the #1 steel coaster 10 different times in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards. Check it out for yourself and see what all the hype is about!  

Mystic Timbers | Kings Island

Mystic Timbers

Photo courtesy of Kings Island

Mystic Timbers was voted the "Best New Ride in the World" by Amusement Today for 2017. With 16 airtime moments, cool wooden tunnels, fantastic terrain, 3,265 feet of track and speeds over 50 miles per hour, we can see why! Mystic Timbers is definitely one of the best wooden coasters out there.  

The Steel Vengeance | Cedar Point

The Steel Vengeance is the newest addition to Ohio's impressive roller coaster collection. You might have heard some of the buzz surrounding it, because since it opened to the public this year, it has already crushed several world records and claimed the title of the world's tallest roller coaster. Wowza! The ride drops four times at more than 200 feet per drop and reaches a maximum speed of 74 miles per hour. Just looking at the ride is daunting, but experiencing it is a whole new level of thrill.  

The Valravn | Cedar Point

The Valravn is the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in the world — elevating its riders 223 feet into the air and then dangling them at the precipice of a 90-degree drop for more than four seconds. If that isn't thrilling enough for you, maybe the multiple inversions or 270-degree corkscrew will do the trick!  

The Vortex | Kings Island

The Vortex has maintained its title as one of Ohio's coolest coasters since it was built for $4 million in 1987. Back then, the coaster debuted as the tallest, full-circuit coaster with the highest drop in the United States — and with nearly 40 million rides given, it is one of the most popular rides at Kings Island! The blue and orange steel thriller inverts six different times (including two corkscrews and two vertical loops) for an experience that turns the amusement experience on its head, literally. Classic coaster lovers and thrill-seekers alike will adore the Vortex!  

The Top Thrill Dragster | Cedar Point

Upon beginning their adventure on the Top Thrill Dragster, riders are advised to "keep arms down, head back and hold on!" The warning should be heeded — the steel accelerator coaster reaches speeds of up to 120 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds. Shortly after reaching maximum velocity, the coaster begins a 90-degree ascent to the clouds to a 130-meter-high "top hat," and then twists back around to where it all began. Hold on to your lunch!  

The Tornado | Stricker's Grove

Stricker's Grove is a family-owned amusement park that is generally closed to the public, opening its gates just a few days out of the year (including on the 4th of July and Labor Day). Take one of these rare and coveted chances to experience the thrills at Stricker's Grove — and make sure to check out the Tornado while you're there. The Tornado is the larger of the two wooden roller coasters in the park and features great views of the surrounding countryside from the top — if you're brave enough to open your eyes, of course. It's not the tallest, the newest or the steepest coaster in Ohio, but its charm and exclusivity lands it a spot on the top 10 list. Do you have a special occasion coming up? You can also rent Stricker's Grove for weddings and family gatherings. Check out the website for more information.  

How many of these iconic coasters can you check off of your list?

May
18

Dublin is one of Columbus' hippest suburbs, boasting modern bars and eateries, a younger population, and plenty of parks and shops. The town also hosts the Memorial Tournament, a stop on the National PGA Tour, so it's a popular spot for golf enthusiasts to call home. The town was founded (in part) by Irishman John Shields. Therefore, Dublin is named for Ireland's capital and celebrates that tie every chance it gets. Locals play golf on the links-style Golf Club of Dublin and root for local high school teams like the Shamrocks, the Irish and the Celtics....

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April
7

There's no doubt about it — tacos are at the top of everyone's list when it comes to favorite meals. From seafood tacos to veggie alternatives and even flavorful asian fusion, there's something for everyone, and somehow, they never go out of style. We love tacos just as much as the next person, so we've compiled a list of our favorites in Columbus. Next time the lunch spot is up for debate, or next time Tuesday rolls around, check these out. Regardless of your craving, you'll definitely have something to taco 'bout.

Condado Tacos

1227 North High Street

Photo courtesy of 

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March
21

If there's one thing Cincinnati knows well, it's coffee. Our beloved city has some of the most renowned shops and roasters in the country — so many that it can be tough to decide where to go when you're craving a cuppa. Life is rough.

Whether you're dragging your feet on a Monday morning or looking for a Sunday afternoon hangout, it's important to try something new every once in a while. Get out on the town this week to sip one of these bevvies from our favorite Cincinnati coffee shops.

A Cappuccino and Toast at Urbana Cafe

Cincinnati's Best Coffee Shops | Urbana Cafe

Photos courtesy of Urbana Cafe

A queen of coffee in the Queen's City,

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