Amish Country - Hershberger Farm

HERSHBERGER FARM in Amish Country.

With small children, we were looking for a one stop shop in Amish Country, where we could experience some of everything without paying an arm and a leg. :) I feel like we definitely found that here!

The farm has a good size free petting zoo, with the option to ride ponies ($3.00 per person) and take a ride in an Amish buggy ($5.00). Also at this location was a cute little store, with loads of handmade goods and toys, and another store with bakery items, fruits, and veggies. There were lots of things to sample (which were ALL delicious) and the prices were REALLY reasonable for food items. We brought back a HUGE cantaloupe that was DELICIOUS!

There is also a place to buy lunch--they sell sandwiches, burgers, fries, etc. Some of everything. We felt that food was kind of pricey, but it was also served in good size portions. Our 3 small kids split one burger and fries and were full. (I want to say it was like $5 for a burger and fries, no drink included).

Fresh kettle corn was being made the whole time we were there, and they had yummy samples of that--(definitely pick up a bag! IT WAS SOOO GOOD!)

All in all we thought it was a great place to go to see the sights. If you have more time or aren't with kiddos, there are lots of shops and great places to stop along the way (and in Berlin, a short distance away).

How do I get there?

Address:

5452 State Route 557

Millersburg, Ohio 44654

330-674-6096

Visit Them:

Summer Monday - Saturday 8-5 Winter (Jan - March) Tues - Sat 8 - 5

---See a list of all their food item pricing here

---View their ad here

West Creek Reservation

WEST CREEK RESERVATION:

From their website:

The 9-mile West Creek meanders through a valley that harbors rocky gorges, forest-draped hillsides, and floodplains that each spring burst forth a variety of wildflowers, and flows through the cities of Parma, Seven Hills, Brooklyn Heights, and Independence where it eventually connects to the Cuyahoga River.

The 278-acre West Creek Reservation is geologically unique and biologically diverse, as the West Creek tributary not only provides natural beauty, but also a home to a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, scarlet tanagers, nesting pair of red tailed hawks and five species of oak: white, red, pin, scarlet and swamp white oak. In the wetlands nesting wood ducks, painted turtles, green frogs, cardinal flower and pickerelweed are abundant.

How do I get there?

This is right across from the picnic grove between State and Broadview. Click the link above to see the map (since there is not an actual address)

Our Take?

We have gone here many times now--it is a great place for photography, for nature watching, for evening walks, etc.This really has something for everyone. We love to go off the beaten path and down to the little creek to skip rocks and rest in the shade. We haven't even began to venture into the entire 9 mile span, but are always excited to see what's in store for wherever we get to explore when we DO go.

Great place to walk dogs too!

Swings-n-things

If you're lookin' for loads of good, family fun, Swings-n-Things in Olmsted Township is a great place to start!

Visit Swing-N-Things on the web!

HOURS?
See here for current schedule of events

COST?
Check here for a detailed list of pricing

(NOTE: In the VAL-PAK savings coupons that come in the mail, they always have coupons there and it was cheaper than their online discount price was.)


How do I get there?


Our Take?

There was really a lot to do--paintball, lazer tag, batting cages, 2 different go-cart tracks, a whole mini-golf course, and a big arcade and kids play area inside, as well as a restaurant and creamery. But it ended up being a a little disappointing that my kids are too young for most things (they are all under 4)--except the playplace. . However, if I just wanted to go to a playplace, I would choose a local McDonalds or the mall! :)

If you have school-aged kids I think this would be PERFECT! In fact, my husband and I decided this would be SO much fun for US to go to on a date. Would be a GREAT time!

Huntington Beach

A short drive from Cleveland in the Bay Village area is a great little beach along lake Erie. I couldn't find the hours online--so I am not sure if there really are any. Parking is free--just be ready to take a little walk down to the shore.

How do I get there?

Is it safe to swim today?

(please be sure to check before you go! Because storms flush everything from animal waste to lawn fertilizer into the lake, they have set up a system where it is tested each day to let people know if there is threat of bacteria. Click on the link to see the most current report!)

OUR TAKE?

This was SUCH a fun place to go. The kids had a great time! We took a little picnic lunch to eat on the beach, and aside from the swarms of seagulls trying to steal it at times, we enjoyed our lunch! You can't bring extra floaties here though--Just keep that in mind. But there is plenty of room to run and play--bring your buckets and shovels and a lot of sunscreen!

The West Side Market

The West Side Market, located in the Ohio City neighbordhood of Cleveland, is TRULY a place you have to try!

HOURS:

mon : 7 - 4
wed : 7 - 4
fri : 7 - 6
sat : 7 - 6

How do I get there?

(note: there IS free parking--The main parking lot is located directly behind the Market and can be entered from Lorain Avenue. This lot is free, with a 2 hour enforced time limit. Additional parking is available by taking W. 25th to Bridge Avenue (near the tall apartment complex). This lot serves Market patrons and the other businesses along W.25th, and it is also free. Do not park at the shopping center on the south side of Lorain and W.25th. This rule is strictly enforced)


OUR TAKE?

I took my kids there on a rainy day since it is indoors and was a good way to get out of the house! A lot of the vendors have a sample of their fruits/veggies cut open so you can see before you buy, AND they let you taste things before purchasing--The kids had a great time tasting all sorts of yummies...mango, dried kiwi, cherries, raspberries, carrot chips...some of EVERYTHING.

We had a really fun time checking out all the food! A campling of what we have bought--
-bananas, cherries, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, fresh lettuce, watermelon, sweet tangerines, fresh corn on the cob, BIG IDAHO POTATOES (REAL Idaho potatoes...which I have missed dearly!), and some delicious dried strawberries, dried cantelope, bananas and dried kiwi--which are quickly going to take the place of any fruit snacks in our house. Sugar free and all natural--and they are SO yummy! Even Brandon agrees--and he is a fruit snack junkie!
BEST PART??? IT WAS SO CHEAP! Seroiusly WAY cheaper than our grocery store. I couldn't believe it!! All the vendors accept cash, obviously, but many also take the Ohio Direction card and other credit/debit cards.

The fruits, veggies, fresh flowers, and herbs were only the beginning. There was an entire other building that was full of fresh meats of every kind, bakery goods, eggs, cheese, spices, and all sorts of ethnic foods. WOW, WOW, WOW....I was in awe.

Since our first time, we have gone back about once a week to stock up! This is one of our favorite places to go!