Ohio Love Staff Picks: February 2025

You love Ohio. We love Ohio. 

Each month, the Ohio Magazine editorial team shares what we adore about the Buckeye State right now. From a capital city art space that spurs inspiration to a playful arcade with countless pinball machines to food finds and festivals, we hope you find something to love in our February 2025 picks. 

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Art Appreciation

A trip to the art museum is something I look forward to when visiting a city for the first, second or umpteenth time. The Columbus Museum of Art is no exception, and on my most recent visit I stood in wonder at not only the masterpieces on the walls but the building itself.

The original structure, built in 1931 in the Italian Renaissance Revival Style, reflects the works of early Europe and impressionism exhibited inside. The addition of the Walter Wing in 2015 is an impressive representation of modernity, a long rectangular structure, wrapped in a greenish-blue patinated copper.

Even before you step inside, the museum holds your attention with sculptures scattered about the grounds, like the grouping of 20-foot hand-painted aluminum structures created by Paul Feeley. In the warmer months, you can spend time in the outdoor sculpture garden, affectionately named Patty’s Garden. During my visit a few summers ago, I sat with a coffee, watching young children chase each other across the lawn.

What I like about this museum is that there is something for every type of art lover. While I appreciate classic paintings, modern art holds a special place in my heart. My favorite piece to visit is the towering glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly in Edwards Court. The atrium’s pitched-glass ceiling reflects light off the intricate curves, twists and orbs of colored glass. With alien-like tentacles reaching and rising, the piece creates a stark contrast to the limestone walls and classic arches of the court. I love when art makes you stop and wonder, and this museum has surprises around every corner.

For more information about Columbus Museum of Art, visit columbusmuseum.org.

Pinball Power

When I first visited Past Time Arcades in Girard, I walked in as newly hired editor working for Ohio Magazine on our January-February 2024 issue, but I walked out a pinball wizard — or so I like to imagine.

Our editorial team caught wind of this arcade with a collection of over 600 vintage pinball machines and retro arcade cabinets, and we knew we had to include it in our Ohio Love feature package.

I decided to bring my parents along for the journey. They grew up during the era when arcades reigned supreme, and I knew they’d love it. The second we walked in, we were immediately taken by the flashing lights, music and sounds of classic games. My dad was all about the life-size version of Space Invaders (a favorite of his), while my mom was thrilled to see an Addams Family-themed pinball machine.

Although I didn’t grow up in the era of arcade gaming, I totally understood the feeling. As a kid, I would mess around on an old Atari Plug and Play — complete with my personal favorites, Asteroids and Centipede — that belonged to my dad, so I had my own fond memories of retro gaming. But pinball was a whole new world to me.

We arrived just as the arcade opened, but the vast warehouse space was already abuzz with people, eyes glued to their games, hands locked in on the buttons. After just one game, I understood, and I too was hooked.

We stayed for hours, during which I found myself drawn to two pinball machines in particular: FunHouse and Road Show. They had vastly different designs, but both featured disembodied heads with rolling eyes and opening and closing mouths, daring me to shoot the ball in.

Luckily, I had as many attempts as I needed to accomplish my goal, since we only paid a $20 admission fee each to get in with the ability to stay as long as we wanted. Sadly, though, I didn’t manage to beat the machines that day (still not sure if you really can “beat” a pinball machine), but I still had fun and plan to return soon to try my luck again.

For more information about Past Times Pinball & Video Arcade, visit pasttimesarcade.com.

Dog Days

I don’t recall the exact moment I learned about Tony Packo’s, but since I was a kid I knew who Corp. Klinger was on the TV show “M*A*S*H.” I also knew that the signpost that stood at the 4077th’s on-screen camp and pointed in various directions to cities around the globe also had one arrow pointing toward a place in Ohio: Toledo.

Probably during my time at Bowling Green State University, I learned that actor Jamie Farr, who portrayed Klinger, was from Toledo and had worked mentions of one of his hometown restaurants — Tony Packo’s — into the storylines of several episodes. Yet over the course of my four years living less than 25 miles away, I never once visited to figure out what the heck a Hungarian hot dog even was. 

That all changed when I became editor of Ohio Magazine. Ever since my first meal at Tony Packo’s, I don’t think I have visited Toledo without swinging by 1902 Front St. to grab a bite to eat. There is a rhythm to the Tony Packo’s experience, some gentle pressure to get your decision made, step up to the counter and proclaim your order. The seasoned staffers are pros at keeping things moving as the lunch rush hits and the line stretches toward the door.

I usually go with the Packo’s Original Hot Dog with mustard, onions, hot dog sauce and some shredded cheese on top. German potato salad is a must as well. If I’m really feeling it, I’ll throw a half order of fried pickles on there too.

The original Tony Packo’s location, which opened in 1932, is wonderfully frozen in time and decorated with hundreds of foam hot dog buns that have been autographed by celebrities and politicians. (Actor Burt Reynolds started the tradition by signing a real hot dog bun during the 1970s, but Tony Packo’s quickly realized a more permanent solution was required.)

During my first visit, I bought a foam hot dog bun stress-relief toy with Tony Packo’s signature printed across the top at the restaurant’s gift shop. It sits on my desk and has survived several years of work deadlines. Much like Tony Packo’s, it’s made to last.  

For more information about Tony Packo’s visit, tonypackos.com.

Frozen Festival

While the Medina Ice Festival is certainly magical, it’s not the only thing that brought me to this Hallmark-movie town for the first time. In 2020, the weekend-long festival kicked off on a Friday night, which also happened to be Valentine’s Day. I was in college and had been dating my now-husband for about two weeks at the time. All week, he left notes at my door with clues about the Valentine’s Day surprise he had planned. I was unable to guess, but February 14th came, and he revealed we were going to Medina, not just for the ice festival but also so I could meet his parents.

That night was not just the first meeting with my lovely in-laws, but it was also the start of a beloved annual tradition of visiting the ice festival. This year’s event kicks off on Valentine’s Day once again, and I can confirm it's a great date night if you don’t have other plans (see the circa-2020 photo below that still has the two of us swooning to this day).

At the festival, you will find beautiful lights glittering throughout downtown around a picturesque gazebo, as well as icy artistry, the likes of which I had never seen before. Lining the sidewalk of historic Public Square all weekend, you’ll be in awe of dozens of ice sculptures in shapes ranging from fire trucks to snowflakes to beloved animated characters. The festival also brims with community spirit, as local businesses sponsor some of the different creations.

Friday night of the festival is my personal favorite and has been since 2020 when my future husband grabbed my hand and pulled me to the front of the crowd, whose attention was raptly focused on the speed-carving competition. Here, two men faced off to sculpt impressive creations, carving up ice under the crunch of the timer. There is also the fire-and-ice tower, which is such a spectacle. I had no idea something encased in ice could burn. It was mind-blowing to me, and it’s something that we try to watch each year, gathered up with the locals in a place I consider a second home.  

For more information about the Medina Ice Festival, visit medinaoh.org.

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