1. Ohio Caverns, 2210 East State Route 245 in West Liberty
One-hour guided tours take visitors through a mile stretch of caves, where they will find a diverse scene of colorful formations and exquisite crystal-white stalactites and stalagmites.
Ohio Caverns was recently listed in Parade Magazine as one of the top six caves in America, and they are known as “America’s most colorful caverns.” Cost for the tours are $17 for adults or $9 for kids (children 4 and under are free).
Credit: Jim Witmer
Credit: Jim Witmer
2. Winan’s Chocolates & Coffees, 310 Spring St. in Piqua
Go behind the scenes with a Winans tour guide on Thursdays at 1 p.m. and see how the delicious candies are made, while learning a little history and sampling a few sweet treats along the way. The one-hour tour features one of the oldest operating Hobart Mixers in the world, along with stories from the Winans family archives.
Reservations are required, and cost is $5. Large group and deluxe tours are $10. Visitors can always see the factory in action through viewing windows for free Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
3. Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum Tours, 118 Woodland Ave, Dayton
This historic cemetery offers a wide array of tours, most of them requiring reservations, to hit all types of interests. Enjoy a stroll through one of the oldest rural cemeteries in the U.S. on the monthly historical tour, which takes visitors to the final resting places of famous Daytonians like the Wright brothers, or try the Woodland Bird Walk for two hours of birdwatching.
Sports fans can get to know father and son basketball stars, race car drivers, coaches and more on the Sports Legends Tours, and art lovers might enjoy the Mausoleum Tour, exploring Woodland’s stained glass windows, Mosaic tiles and European marble.
The adventurous and curious types will get a touch of new history and mystery, including inventors, bank robbers, counterfeiting and murder, on the History Mystery, Mayhem & Murder Tour.
» READ MORE: 5 unique memorials you need to see at historic Woodland Cemetery
4. KitchenAid Experierence, 423 South Broadway in Greenville
Learn new cooking skills by attending the many classes offered at the KitchenAid Experience, or watch free live cooking shows weekly – no reservations required. Then, head downstairs to the heritage exhibits, where authentic KitchenAid artifacts are used to tell the history of the company.
For those interested in seeing firsthand how the entire manufacturing process works, go on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 12:30 p.m. to the nearby mixing factory. A free tour enables visitors ages 12 and oldervto see a stand mixer move to the final stage of assembly by peeking over the shoulder of an assembly line worker.
» READ MORE: KitchenAid maker doubles size of Greenville distribution center
5. Pedal Wagon Tours, 41 Madison Street, Dayton
This is a group activity for those of drinking age who want to explore the area’s breweries and other establishments around Dayton in an adventurous manner – on a 15-passenger, pedal-powered rolling wagon.
More tour options are available in the spring, but there is still some fun to be had this winter on the “Polar Bear Express,” a two-hour tour allowing guests to enjoy season drink specials at partner establishments while taking in the city’s holiday splendor along the way.
The wagon starts and ends outside Dayton Beer Company and makes two or three stops at partner bars. Spring tours include “The Oregon Hop” or “Bike, Bevies and Brunch” through the Oregon District, or “Trivia Trolley,” which is a trivia-themed ride around downtown Dayton.
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