Jan./Feb. 2025

Travel

30 Reasons to Love Ohio Right Now

As winter arrives, we celebrate fresh flavors, interesting places and new experiences. Let your heart soar with these finds and happenings that have us swooning over life in the Buckeye State.

9 Winter Events to Enjoy in Ohio’s Parks

The snow is falling and Ohio’s natural spaces are inviting places for visitors to learn and explore. Check out these park happenings hosted throughout our state. 

Book a Stay at This Elegantly Crafted Yurt in Amish Country

This beautiful getaway spot in Holmes County provides a new way to experience Homestead Furniture’s legendary craftsmanship.

Book at a Stay at This European-Inspired Winery Cottage

Those looking for a beautiful escape among rolling hills of rural southeast Ohio will find it in Creola at Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery.

Chill Out at These 7 Outdoor Winter Festivals in Ohio

Who says you have to stay inside? Make a trip to one these seven festivals that bring the frozen fun.

Columbus’ Butcher & Rose Reimagines the American Steakhouse

Restaurateur Cameron Mitchell’s gorgeous new steakhouse features a dining room filled with works by female artists and beautiful floral touches.

Explore a Legendary Life at the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

The National Park Service site in Wilberforce, which shares the story of an inspiring and groundbreaking man, is now open after a two-year restoration.

Lebanon’s Harmon Museum Showcases Ohio History

The destination features a variety of interesting exhibits, from a gallery dedicated to Neil Armstrong to a trove of authentic Shaker items and inventions.

Make a Road Trip to the Millbury Classic Cars and Trucks Museum

See replicas of iconic vehicles from popular culture and a vast collection of classic cars from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s at this Wood County destination.  

OneLove Bike Shop & Cafe Blends Coffee Culture and Cycling

Located just off the T.J. Evans Trail, this Granville spot offers Turkish teas and coffees, bike rentals and repair help.

See Elephants at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Largest-Ever Attraction

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden unveiled its new, more comfortable home for the eight elephants that reside there in 2024. 

See Highland Cows in the Hocking Hills

Make a side quest to Pfarr Farms Scottish Highlands in Laurelville to visit with its lovable herd of long-haired Scottish Highland cattle.

Take a Tour of Wilson Sporting Goods’ Football Factory

For more than 70 years, a tiny Ohio town has made every NFL football. Now you can experience Wilson Sporting Goods’ new football factory tour.

Food + Drink

10 Ohio Culinary Pros Are 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists

Here are the 10 Ohio chefs, restaurants and establishments that are in the running for the prestigious and highly coveted food-and-drink honor.  

Cincinnati’s Ghost Baby Embraces the Spirit of a Bygone Era

This cocktail bar hidden deep below Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood offers a creatively crafted menu, live music and two different spaces to experience. 

Dig Into Nights & Weekends’ Wood-Fired Pizzas

This spot on Ashtabula’s Bridge Street serves up Neapolitan-style pizzas and other favorites inspired by family recipes.

Discover Bagel Bliss at The Lox in Columbus

Get your fix of fresh bagels and sandwiches featuring them at this inviting spot in the city’s Short North Arts District.

Graeter’s and Skyline Chili Unite for Limited-Edition Ice Cream Flavor

Ice cream and … chili? While this collaboration may not make the most sense on paper, it’s a flavor bombshell for those who live in Cincinnati.

Ohio Farmer Lee Jones Appears in a New TV Series

“The Chef's Garden” from Rachel Ray and International Content’s Free Food Studios is set to premiere on the A&E network Jan. 27.

Scoop Up Jeni’s New Green Smoothie Ice Cream

You read that right, and no, you don’t need to be Popeye to love this spinach-tinged creation that also features tropical mango, orange, banana and pineapple flavors.

Arts

6 Touring Musicals Coming to Ohio This Winter

Trips to Neverland, Chicago and Hadestown are on the bill for theatergoers across the state this season. 

See “Strategic Interplay: African Art and Imagery in Black and White” in Toledo

This masterful exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art uses the game of chess as a frame for exploring art of the African continent.

See “The Nearest Faraway Place” at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio

This exhibition, which opens Jan. 25, explores how a variety of Ohio artists were influenced by their travels and the mentors they learned from during them. 

See Unique Works by Ohio Ceramics Artists at This Annual Show

See a variety of ceramics art, from delicate creations to large-scale works, during the 20th anniversary of this free show at northeast Ohio’s River Gallery.

Home + Garden

Get Cozy With Little Birdie Design Studio’s Knitwear

After she was unable to find the unique knit products she desired, Tori Tedesco began crafting her own. 

Ohio Life

Annie Zaleski Discusses Her Book About Taylor Swift

The Cleveland-based music journalist and author shares why she wrote Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs.

Film Shares the History of the African American Community of Braceville, Ohio

See “History Forgotten and Now For All to See” Feb. 16 at the Robins Theatre in Warren.

How Union Terminal Became an Iconic Cincinnati Landmark

It opened in 1933 as one of the nation’s most magnificent train stations, but Union Terminal’s closure in 1972 cast doubt over the beautiful art deco building’s future. Then, Superman and, years later, Hamilton County voters saved the day.

Love Pickeball? How About a Courtside Wedding?

Grab your paddles and wedding bands and enter for the chance to exchange vows at this Butler County pickleball complex and win a bunch of prizes for your big day. 

NASA Selects Judith Resnik as Astronaut Candidate

In January 1978, the Akron native and Firestone High School graduate became one of six women chosen by NASA for its astronaut program.

Ohio Finds: Jacob Werrey Paint-Decorated Blanket Chest

This 19th-century object is an exquisite example of early Mennonite craftsmanship.

Ohio Love Staff Picks: January 2025

From a cozy cider spot in Licking County to a reimagined museum in Cleveland, here’s what our staff loves most about Ohio this month. 

The City of Toledo Unveils New Flag

Officials raised the symbolism-filled design on the city’s 188th birthday, Jan. 7.