Great Ohio Road Trips | Trumbull County

Retro Fun

Play the day away at Past Times Arcade in Girard with Rob Berk’s collection of over 600 vintage pinball machines and arcade cabinets. The entire building pays homage to the bygone days of arcade entertainment, from showcasing early iterations of pinball to classic consoles such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Asteroids and many others. 

For more fun, make your way to Sweet Memories Vintage Tees and Candy, also in Girard, where Linda Barton set up shop after finding success printing T-shirts that pay tribute to old-school sweets, starting with Ohio’s own Good Humor ice cream. The store sells these tees — now featuring dozens of recognizable candy brands such as Smarties, Pez and Dum Dums — as well as retro sodas, domestic and international candies, toys and boardgames.

Embrace a classic dining experience at Rhonda’s Emerald Diner in Hubbard, where you can enjoy homestyle meals as well as all-day breakfast and homemade desserts from inside a refurbished train car. The diner was restored in 2017 after sustaining serious fire damage and began operating in its current form in 2019.

To travel farther back into the past, head to Julia’s Bed and Breakfast, at the Pine Lakes Golf Club in Hubbard, where you can experience cozy overnight stays in a charming, early 1800s-era home. There are six unique, upper-level suites featuring a variety of amenities that range from built-in fireplaces to in-room jacuzzi tubs. On the first floor, guests will find an inviting dining room and great room.

Amish Country

Travel through this corner of Ohio’s scenic Amish Country on a 2.5- or 3-hour-long tour with Wayne Hershberger’s Scenic Buggy Adventures. Stop for a homecooked meal, enjoy a walk-through of Ohio’s oldest general store, observe an Amish schoolhouse and immerse yourself in the beauty and simplicity along the way. Tours run May through October depending on the weather and different tour options are available.

For another look at Ohio’s Amish culture, explore rural Trumbull County on a 3-hour bus tour organized by Ridgeview Tours. Partake in a traditional, homemade Amish wedding feast, shop at unique Amish-owned businesses and learn more about the community. For groups of 10 or more, tour experiences are customizable, and tour operator Sharon Grover will work with you to help create an unforgettable experience.

No tour of Amish Country would be complete without a visit to the End of the Commons General Store, which has been part of the community since 1840. It is the oldest operating general store in the state and houses a wide range of housewares and bulk food products as well as over 100 varieties of old-fashioned soda and penny candy. Be sure to grab an authentic, handmade Amish fry pie, which come in a variety of delicious flavors.

Just down the road from the general store, you’ll find the Old Stone Bed and Breakfast. Built entirely from sandstone collected from a nearby quarry in 1825, the house has undergone dramatic renovations, making for a quaint and comfortable place to stay. It offers long- and short-term renting options ranging from individual room rentals to the entire home.

Dog Days

For those looking to get away with their furry friends, The Grand Resort in Warren promises a luxurious stay. Amenities include a full salon and spa, a state-of-the-art wine bar, a heated Roman bath and much more. Your pet has access to the courtyard and outdoor spaces, while small dogs are even permitted to hang out with their owner poolside. Dogs are allowed in any overnight room (food and water bowls are provided), and two first-floor rooms are designated pet rooms.
 
When it’s time to explore, visit Cooperation Station Dog Park, a 5-acre dog park at Mosquito Lake State Park. The park recently added an agility course and diving docks so dogs can cool off with a dip in the lake. The park is divided into two fenced-in sections separating small and large dogs.

Another outdoor destination dogs are sure to love is the Western Reserve Greenway, which spans 50 miles across the farmland, fields, woodlands and wetlands of Trumbull and Ashtabula counties. With three trailheads located in Trumbull County, the path is perfect for dog owners looking to take a walk away from busy streets.   

To cap off the day, visit the family-owned-and-operated Elm Road Triple Drive-In Theater in Warren. Established in 1950, it is one of just 300 drive-ins left in the United States. The concession stand has an extensive menu, which includes both dinner and snack options such as homemade pizzas, hand-dipped ice cream, root beer floats and more. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners for a screening on one of the drive-in’s three movie screens.

For more information about these destinations and others throughout Trumbull County, visit trulytrumbull.com.