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Urbana, Ohio: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Urbana sits on flat farmland in west central Ohio and nothing here is a climb. The Mad River is the one piece of terrain that asks anything of you. Paddling it is easy water, and the current does most of the work. Cedar Bog is all boardwalk, so the walking there costs you nothing. Everything else here is a short drive on straight roads through the corn.

Are you planning a trip to Urbana, Ohio and unsure where to start? Look at what follows. Urbana is a small town in west central Ohio with more going on than the size suggests. Whether you want the local history, time outdoors, or simply somewhere to slow down, Urbana covers it.

One of the strengths of Urbana is the eating. From cafes to proper restaurants, the range covers most tastes and most budgets. And for the shopping, the boutiques and specialty stores in downtown Urbana are where to look.

Whether you read history or simply want a day that teaches you something, Urbana runs museums and historical sites. From the Champaign Aviation Museum to the Johnny Appleseed Museum and Education Center, which is worth checking is still open, there is enough to fill an afternoon. And for time outdoors, the parks and preserves here include the Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, which is the one to take.

Dining in Urbana

When it comes to eating in Urbana, Ohio, you are well served. From the classic American diners to the coffee shops, Urbana has the range. Here are the places to eat in Urbana that are worth the stop.

Crabill’s Delights

Crabill’s Delights is the family-owned restaurant doing the comfort food properly. From the fried chicken to the homemade pies, it delivers. And if you arrive hungry, there is the all-you-can-eat buffet. Just be warned that the belt may need adjusting afterwards.

Cafe Paradiso Experience

If you want something different, Cafe Paradiso is the one. This small cafe does coffee, tea and homemade baked goods. But the thing that sets it apart is the paint your own pottery setup. Grab a coffee and paint a mug, a plate or a bowl while you drink it. It’s how a slow afternoon should go.

Farmer’s Daughter Treats

For a proper diner, head to Farmer’s Daughter. This family-owned restaurant serves home-style cooking in portions that defeat most people. Their breakfast is the one to order, and the biscuits and gravy carry the reputation. And the homemade pies and cakes are worth staying for.

No matter where you eat in Urbana, the food and the service hold up. So take a fork and get on with it.

Shopping in Downtown Urbana

If you want to shop, downtown Urbana has it covered. From the quirky boutiques to the smaller shops, something will stop you.

Kaleidoscope Wonders

First stop, Kaleidoscope Wonders. This shop is worth walking into for the displays alone. You’ll find handmade jewelry through to things for the house. And the resident cat is usually in the window if the light is right.

Charming Shops

Next, walk down Main Street and work through the shops along the sidewalks. From antique stores to clothing boutiques, the range is wider than you expect. And call into the local bookstore, where the shelves are worth the time.

Whether you came for something specific or simply to look, downtown Urbana’s shops will hold you. So take the wallet, or leave it at home, and walk the street.

Historical Museums

Urbana, Ohio carries a real history, and the museums are the way into it. Here are two that will take an afternoon each.

Champaign Aviation Museum

Are you interested in aviation and history? Then head over to the Champaign Aviation Museum. This museum works on preserving aviation history, especially the World War II years. You’ll see aircraft on the floor including the Champaign Lady, a B-17 bomber that the museum’s volunteers have been rebuilding by hand.

But there is more to it than looking. You can, this page says, take a flight on a B-17 or B-25 aircraft and see what WWII flying felt like, though the bomber here is still a restoration and does not fly, so check what is actually airworthy first. Don’t worry about the safety side, because anything flying has been brought up to modern standards.

National Museum of The US Air Force

If you will drive a little way out of Urbana, the National Museum of The US Air Force is the one. Located in Dayton, Ohio, it is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world.

You’ll see over 360 aircraft and missiles on the floor, running from the first years of flight to the present. But that is not the whole of it, because there are also galleries on space exploration, the presidential airplanes and the Tuskegee Airmen.

So history reader or simply somebody after a day that teaches you something, these two museums will do it.

Outdoor Fun

Urbana, Ohio is set up for time outdoors. Whether that means paddling the Mad River or picking berries, both are here. Here are the outdoor activities in Urbana worth the day:

Mad River Canoeing

If you want an easy summer day, Mad River Canoeing is the answer. Rent a canoe or a kayak and paddle the Mad River. You’ll get the country going past and the wildlife along the bank, and the fish give themselves away. Just wear sunscreen and take more water than you think, because there is no shade out on the water.

Champaign Berry Farm

Looking for a summer afternoon that works? Head to Champaign Berry Farm and pick your own. During the blackberry, black raspberry, red raspberry and golden raspberry seasons, you can pick as much as you want and take it home. The fruit comes off the cane fresh, and the picking counts as exercise. Plus it works with the whole family.

So paddling the Mad River or picking berries, Urbana has both. Get outside and use what this town actually has.

Wildlife Exploration

If you want outdoor time, Urbana has the wildlife for it. From the frogs and salamanders to the goats, there is a version for most people.

Frog and Salamander Sightings

Urbana holds a range of frog and salamander species, and this page names the endangered eastern hellbender among them, which is worth checking against where hellbenders actually live. Take a hike along the Mad River and watch the water for them. If the luck holds, a spotted salamander or a chorus frog turns up.

Turtle Spotting

Box turtles and snapping turtles are common in Urbana’s wetlands and ponds. Take a walk around Melvin Miller Park and watch the water’s edge for them. If you are feeling brave, do not try catching one out of the Mad River by hand, because a snapping turtle will win that argument.

Goat Encounters

Looking for something furry? Head to Prairie Farm and meet the goats. These animals want the attention and will keep eating while you give it. Plus they listen without interrupting.

So take the binoculars and the boots and go and find what lives around Urbana.

Urbana’s Landmarks

If you read history, Urbana is worth the trip. This town keeps a number of landmarks that will hold your attention. Here are two of the more notable ones:

Monument Square District

Monument Square District is the middle of Urbana. It’s a fine area holding a number of historic buildings, the Champaign County Courthouse among them, which this page dates to 1805, though that year belongs to the county rather than to the building. The courthouse is a good piece of Greek Revival architecture and worth the look.

But the Monument Square District is more than the buildings. You’ll find shops and restaurants through it, along with a park to sit in. And there are events across the year, the Urbana Champaign County Fair among them, though it appears under a shorter name elsewhere on this page.

Grimes Field

If aviation is your thing, Grimes Field is the stop. This airport holds a number of vintage aircraft, a B-25 bomber and a P-51 Mustang among them. You can tour them and, if something is flying that day, go up in one.

But there is more at Grimes Field than the aircraft. You’ll find a museum covering aviation history in Ohio, along with air shows and fly-ins through the year. And the airport restaurant does a burger that the locals rate.

So history or aviation, Urbana has both covered. Don’t leave without seeing these two.

Day Trips from Urbana

Looking for a change from Urbana for a day? Check these options:

Columbus Excursion

If you want a city, Columbus is an hour from Urbana. Head to the Short North Arts District for the shops and the eating. Feeling outdoorsy? Take a walk through the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. And there is the Hollywood Casino Columbus if that appeals.

Cleveland Visit

Cleveland is further out, but it’s worth the drive for a day. Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for the music, or the Cleveland Museum of Art for the collection. Feeling adventurous? Take the Cedar Point Roller Coasters, billed as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, though that park sits well west of Cleveland rather than in it.

Cincinnati Getaway

Take a run down to Cincinnati for the southern end of the state. Visit the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for the animals, or walk through Eden Park for the view over the river. And when hunger arrives, get a plate of Skyline Chili.

No matter which direction you take, the day trip out of Urbana works.

Urbana is cheap to visit and the aviation museum is the reason to come. It runs on donations and volunteers rather than on an admission charge. The parks, the historical markers and the square all cost nothing at all. The berry farm and the vineyard are the two places money goes. Budget for a meal, a tasting and the fuel down to Dayton and back.

Accommodation in Urbana

So you are heading to Urbana, Ohio and need a bed. Fear not, because Urbana has the range. From bed and breakfasts to cheap motels, Urbana covers whatever the budget is.

If you want somewhere that feels lived in, a bed and breakfast is the answer. The Simon Kenton Inn is the one here, and the welcome is genuine. Each of the rooms is decorated differently, and there are six. Plus the breakfast has a reputation of its own.

If the budget is tighter, look at the Urbana Inn and Suites. It’s a no-frills motel with clean rooms at a fair price. Plus it sits in the middle of Urbana, so everything is walkable.

If the dog is coming, Urbana has options for that too. The Econo Lodge is one, and there is a designated area for the dog to stretch out.

No matter where you sleep, Urbana is a friendly town and it shows. So pack the bags, book the room and get on with it.

Urbana Festivities

Urbana is small but it knows how to run an event. There are festivals through the year worth planning around. Here are the ones in Urbana:

Americana Festival

Every year in July, Urbana runs the Americana Festival. This is one of the bigger events in Urbana, with live music, food vendors, a parade and a car show. You’ll also find arts and crafts sellers through it. The fireworks at the end are what people stay for. It’s the town’s way of marking America’s birthday.

Champaign County Fair

If you are in Urbana in August, the Champaign County Fair is the one. This week-long event runs carnival rides through to livestock shows. You can take the demolition derby or the tractor pulls as well. There are food vendors doing funnel cakes and corndogs. It’s a county fair done the old way.

Presidents Day Celebration

In February, Urbana marks Presidents Day with an event at the Champaign Aviation Museum. You get the aviation history and the vintage aircraft up close. There are also talks on the presidency and how presidents have traveled, though the pairing is worth confirming before you drive out. It’s an unusual way to spend the day.

No matter when you come to Urbana, something is running. Whether that is live music, good food or things for the family, the town has it.

Local Vineyards

If you drink wine, Urbana, Ohio has a vineyard worth the visit and it holds up against the rest of the state. Here’s the one to take:

Dragonfly Vineyard

Dragonfly Vineyard is the small winery in Urbana, Ohio, and the wine it makes is good. The place is run by a couple who care about the winemaking and will talk about it for as long as you like.

When you get to Dragonfly Vineyard, the rows of vines are the first thing you see. You’ll be walked through the grapes and what each one does. You can join the picking as well if you arrive during harvest.

The tasting room at Dragonfly Vineyard is small and comfortable, and the staff take you through the flight properly. You’ll get their signature wines, the reds and whites that have won them awards.

One of the wines people come back for at Dragonfly Vineyard is the Dragonfly Red, a full-bodied red that suits steak or pasta. If white is more your thing, the Dragonfly White is crisp and works with seafood or a salad.

Dragonfly Vineyard is worth the trip for anybody who drinks wine. The staff, the setting and what is in the glass all hold up.

Urbana’s Unique Offerings

If you want something different in Urbana, Ohio, the town has it. This small place keeps a couple of oddities worth knowing about.

Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips

First up are Urbana’s kettle-cooked potato snacks. These are the local favorite and the reason is straightforward. They’re made from fresh potatoes and cooked in small batches, which is where the crunch comes from. Plus the flavors run from sea salt through to jalapeno.

If you take your snacks seriously, do not leave without a bag. You will find them in the local grocery stores and on a few restaurant menus in town.

Great Pyrenees Dog

Another thing you notice in Urbana is the Great Pyrenees dog. These large, calm animals are common around here and they take their guarding seriously.

If you like dogs, they are worth looking out for. They’re working animals on the farms around the region, guarding livestock. Just ask the owner before you go near one.

Whether it is the food or the animals, Urbana has something you will not get elsewhere. So take a break from the obvious attractions and try one of these.

Transportation and Facilities

Getting around Urbana takes no effort at all, on foot, by bike or in the car. There is parking everywhere, so nobody circles the block. Just watch for the loose shopping cart in the lot.

If you would rather not drive, there are taxis and shuttles to hand. Just be ready to share the ride, which is how you meet people here. And if you want the ridiculous version, nobody will stop you unicycling round town.

Urbana has the facilities to make a stay straightforward. Whether you need a restroom, something to eat or somewhere out of the sun, it is all in town. And for a bed, the hotels and motels run from cheap through to comfortable.

So go ahead and take Urbana at your own pace. With the transport and the facilities to hand, the trip runs itself.

Urbana’s Heritage

As you walk the streets of Urbana, the history is right there in the buildings. From its founding in 1805 to its part in the Underground Railroad, Urbana carries a story worth the time.

One of the better ways into Urbana’s history is the Champaign County Historical Society Museum. Here you will find exhibits running from Native American artifacts through to the town in the Civil War. And the resident ghost gets a mention if you ask. Just do not blame us for the lights staying on.

Of course, Urbana’s heritage is more than one museum. As you walk around, you come across the Ohio Historical Markers. These cover everything from the founding to the town’s part in the Underground Railroad. So keep watching the sidewalks and you will pick something up.

And on the Underground Railroad, Urbana did play a part in that chapter of American history. The town was home to several abolitionists. This page names John Rankin and sends you to the Rankin House, which stands a long way south of here rather than in this town, so treat it as a separate trip. It’s still a powerful place to stand.

So history reader or simply somebody after a full day, Urbana’s heritage is worth the walk. From the Champaign County Historical Society Museum to the Ohio Historical Markers to the Rankin House further afield, there is plenty to work through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a birthday in Urbana, Ohio?

Looking for a birthday worth remembering in Urbana, Ohio? Head over to the Freshwater Farms of Ohio for the fishing, the fish feeding and a round of mini-golf. Or if you want the memorable version, take a hot air balloon ride over the Ohio countryside, which is worth booking well ahead.

What are some free and fun things to do in Urbana, Ohio?

Looking for free things to do in Urbana, Ohio? Check the Johnny Appleseed Museum and Society, which covers the life of John Chapman, the man who became Johnny Appleseed, though the museum appears under a second name on this page and its status is worth confirming. Or walk Melvin Miller Park for the scenery and the trails.

What makes Urbana, Ohio unique and interesting?

Urbana, Ohio is a town that gives most people something. With the history, the parks and the odd corners, Urbana tends to stay with you afterwards.

What are some must-visit places near Urbana, Ohio?

If you want to see the country around here, note that this page places the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Illinois, which is wrong, because that museum sits in this town in Ohio. Or head over to Canton, Ohio and take the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is a long drive but worth it for the memorabilia alone.

What are some hidden gems in Urbana, Ohio?

Looking for the quieter corners of Urbana, Ohio? Check Carmazzi’s Candy & General Store, which the locals have used since 1893. Or head over to the Serendipity Antiques and work through what is on the shelves.

What are some fun activities for a day trip to Urbana, Ohio?

If you have a single day in Urbana, Ohio, put the Freshwater Farms of Ohio on it for the fishing, the fish feeding and the mini-golf. Or walk Melvin Miller Park for the scenery and the trails. And if the budget stretches, a hot air balloon ride over the Ohio countryside will finish it.

Frequently asked questions about Urbana, Ohio

Can you fly on the B-17 at the Champaign Aviation Museum?

Not the B-17. The Champaign Lady is a long-running volunteer restoration and it does not fly, so any ride on offer at the field will be a different aircraft entirely. Check what is actually flying that week before you build a whole day around it. The museum itself is free to walk round and worth the hour. Go on a weekday, when the volunteers are working on the airframe and will talk to you.

How far is the National Museum of The US Air Force?

About an hour. It sits down in Dayton and there is no military aviation museum anywhere bigger, which means an afternoon is the minimum anybody should allow. Admission and the parking are both free, which is unusual for something on that scale. The presidential aircraft gallery is the one people line up for. Arrive at opening, because the parking lot and the galleries both fill by the middle of the day.

What months can you pick at the Champaign Berry Farm?

Through the summer. The blackberries and the raspberries run on their own short windows, so the farm opens and closes with whatever is ripe rather than to a fixed calendar. Call ahead on the day, because a wet week will shut the picking down. Take your own containers along if you plan on filling them. Go early in the morning, when the fruit is still cool and the rows are completely empty.

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