Family Attractions in Urbana, Ohio {Day Trip}

One weekday this summer, Lil (age nearly 6), Anna (20 year old Japanese exchange student) and I took a day trip to Urbana, Ohio, approximately fifty miles from central Ohio. A simple drive west on 70 and north on 29 led us first to Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve, park reviewed here.

After a lovely hike in Ohio's largest public fen, we ate lunch in town. The pizza joint we picked was a poor choice - overly salted crust, loud Christian music, and cheap toppings. Next time we visit, I will check out Mumford's Potato Chip & Deli because the bagged chips we picked up were delightfully crispy and fresh.

Next we headed up to Freshwater Farms of Ohio. My farm profile has more details about the farm's petting zoo, store, and Shrimp Fest.

We spontaneously ended our day at the Johnny Appleseed Museum. Read my full museum review for more about the tiny museum packed with fascinating information.

In a short day away from Columbus, Urbana treated us to new perspectives on nature, homegrown tastes, and exciting history. We will surely return to explore more of what this nearby gem of a town has to offer.

Our trip was not paid or otherwise sponsored. We just really enjoyed our visit and wanted to share!

Freshwater Farms of Ohio {Profile}

Freshwater Farms of Ohio was one of the stops in our Urbana, Ohio field trip. Click the link to read about the rest of our trip. Since our first trip to Freshwater Farms of Ohio for the 2009 Shrimp Fest, I can't help but return every so often.

Where else can you pet a sturgeon? And pick up toads? And view native fish and stream species? And purchase fine smoked trout for use in your mousseline?

Freshwater Farms of Ohio is an educational destination and purveyor of farm raised trout to local home cooks and restaurant chefs.

I believe that the energy used to farm fish indoors is not sustainable in the long view. However, Freshwater is very clean, the animals are treated humanely, and waste is processed cleanly. In my opinion, low fat, high protein trout raised in such a manner is the next best thing to catching your own.

The large fish barn, a short walk from the parking lot near the store, is open to the public Monday - Saturday. Groups can self-tour, reading about species on well designed signs on each tank. Children are welcome to pick up toads, pet the sturgeon, and feed trout in outdoor tanks.

Frozen, fresh, and smoked fish is available for purchase at the farm store visible from Rt. 29, a few miles north of Urbana. Our family loved the trout smoked on site, a completely natural fish+woodsmoke only product. The shop includes a small selection of local food items including crunchy, delicious Mumford's Potato Chips. Pond and aquaculture equipment and stocking fish are also for sale.

If you go:

• Bring the kids! Freshwater Farm folks are friendly and open to questions.
• Carry a few quarters to the barn to purchase trout pellets if you wish to feed.
• Keep a cooler in the car for transport back home. Even the smoked fish is recommended to stay refrigerated.
• There is a public restroom with a sink for hand washing in the store building.
• Schedule a tour with snacks for your group for $3/person.
• Self guided tours are free.
• Consider visiting on Shrimp Fest Weekend. Entertainment, food vendors, tastes of Ohio farm raised shrimp, and guided tours are available the third weekend of every September. We'll be there!

Freshwater Farms of Ohio 2624 North US Hwy. 68, Urbana, OH 43078 1-800-634-7434 Open Monday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm

Read about additional Urbana, Ohio destinations: Johnny Appleseed Museum Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Johnny Appleseed Museum Urbana, Ohio {Profile}

As we were driving out of Urbana after our walk at Cedar Bog and trip to Freshwater Farm, the city pulled us in again. My apple-loving self spied a sign for the Johnny Appleseed Museum and had to follow it. The one room museum is nestled in Bailey Hall at Urbana University. Bailey Hall is the first building on the right on top of the hill as you enter Urbana University, a fact I wish I'd known as we circled around the tiny campus several time before locating it.

Stepping into the small museum, I expected we might stay 15 minutes, maybe 20. Thanks to recent renovations that include interactive displays and games, tired Lil, Anna and I stayed about an hour.

We chatted with other guests, watched the classic Disney short on Appleseed, played apple games on their awesome apple tables (I want!) and read well illustrated signs about Chapman's work as an apple grower and Swedenborg missionary. (There is a Swedenborg bent, as the University is affiliated with the Swedenborg movement and the church helped fund the museum renovation.) We also enjoyed the displays of Johnny Appleseed memorabilia.

I learned that Appleseed was an herbalist who advised early settlers about plants that can heal. I read about where Chapman visited Ohio and enjoyed the pictures of Appleseed trees, including several on the Urbana University campus. I did not take time to page through the wall of additional texts and resource binders available to researchers and teachers.

What I appreciated most about the Urbana Johnny Appleseed Museum was the way in which the legend and truth were presented side by side to let visitors discover what was embellishment and fact.

If you go:

• Visit Tues-Fri, from 10 to 2pm; Sat, noon to 4pm or by appointment.
• Study up about Appleseed before your visit.
• Be ready to browse their small but well curated gift and book shop.
• Consider bringing a cash donation to support the museum.

Johnny Appleseed Museum on Urbana University Campus Bailey Hall 579 College Way, Urbana, OH Urbana, Ohio 43078

Phone: 937-484-1303

 Read about our whole day in Urbana, Ohio.