As a born and raised Ohioan, I know of many of the amazing towns, activities, entertainment the state has to offer, but it’s also fun to play tourist and explore new areas. With that being said, I traveled to Southwest Ohio to a County with a TON to offer including: rollercoasters, kayaking, malls, historic charm, and more. I can’t wait to tell you all about Ohio’s Largest Playground: Warren County!
Warren County is located just Northeast of Cincinnati and is approximately a 2 hour and 45 minute drive from my city of Akron. My husband, Justin, and I visited from Friday evening to Sunday morning, making this a perfect weekend getaway! We split our time between the county seat of Lebanon and the largest city of Mason.
When visiting Warren County, the must-visit place is the Golden Lamb; both for dining and for lodging. Historic charm meets modern amenities at the Golden Lamb, with 17 private suites that have hosted more than 12 Presidents, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and others. We stayed in the Ulysses S. Grant Suite on the 2nd Floor and had a pleasant stay. The view overlooked adorable downtown Lebanon and amenities were from a local soap maker. The only caution with staying at the Golden Lamb is that their suites are all located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors with no elevator—so those that are handicapped may have issue getting to the rooms. The Golden Lamb’s first floor is home to The Black Horse Tavern. When dining in, you will be welcomed with hot rolls and a delicious apple butter. My husband got the Sticky Burger and I had the famous Fried Chicken, and both are fantastic. The Sticky Burger is loaded with house-made peanut butter, bacon, crispy onion, garlic aioli, and cheddar cheese on their all-beef patty. The fried chicken (pictured below) is an over 200 year old recipe and is DELICIOUS. It comes with a half a chicken, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, and seasonal vegetables. Also, the Black Horse Tavern is known for their house salad! I would recommend starting with one to compliment those hot rolls and apple butter.
Things to do In Warren County, Ohio:
Scream and Shout!
Warren County is home to one of the best amusement parks in the nation: Kings Island! The park not only features rollercoasters and rides galore, but fun shows, festivals, and local fare. My favorites include Orion (Giga Coaster), Flight of Fear (Indoor Coaster), and The Beast (the world-famous wooden coaster!). I also loved the Eiffel Tower Replica with fountains galore as a welcome into the park. For those that are like me and are Cedar Point loyalists, I encourage you to check out Kings Island, I was pleasantly surprised with the more intimate park. The lines for rides are shorter, the park is more approachable, and it’s overall less stressful than it’s big sister across the state.
Ride the River!
Warren County offers some of the best kayaking opportunities in Southwest Ohio. Morgan’s Riverside Campground offers 3 and 6 mile canoeing and kayaking down the Little Miami River (below). The kayaks were safe and river was at the perfect height for a leisurely paddle. Plus, Morgan’s is a campground for those that enjoy staying in the great outdoors!
Explore Downtown Lebanon!
Downtown Lebanon boasts adorable shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. The town takes care of their streets as Justin and I were surrounded by flowers, statues, and fountains on our stroll. The Breakfast Club is an easy walk from The Golden Lamb to kick off your morning, and Lot #1 Coffee has delicious smoothies and lattes. For shopping, I enjoyed Rose & Remington which is a bohemian boutique as well as Blush Boutique.
In addition to the many great attractions in Warren County, there are some fantastic restaurants as well. One of my favorites is Two Cities Pizza in Mason. Two Cities combines the best of both world with both New York and Chicago-style pie. Additionally, the restaurant leans fully into the New York theme. The restroom is definitely a surprise, 100% worth the visit (crazy, right?).
My trip to Warren County was filled with great food, diverse activities, and an adorable charm in both Downtown Lebanon and Mason. This is an easy destination with both I-75 and I-71 running through the county. Warren County is less than an hour from Dayton and Cincinnati, less than two from Columbus, and less than 3 from Toledo, Akron, and parts of NE and SE Ohio. I can’t wait to come back and explore, especially as Fall swoops in with the beautiful foliage!
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