Fodor's® Where to Weekend Around Ohio®

A publication of Fodor's Travel Publications® , 2004 edition

The following is an excerpt from Fodor's "Where to Weekend Around Ohio" Dayton and Yellow Springs Dayton (Ohio) is a city at the crossroads of America. Incorporated 1803, it was a thriving town by 1812, complete with a new brick courthouse, five new taverns, grist and sawmills, and frame houses springing up to replace log cabins. Though you could easily spend a day (or two) getting your aviation thrills and following the paths of Orville and Wilbur, the city has much more to offer. If staring at the Little Miami River makes you yearn for the sight of an old river town, consider a short drive to neighboring Yellow Springs. There are hundreds of places to hike, bike, canoe, and explore between the Glen Helen Preserve and (the nearby) Clifton Gorge/John Bryan State Park. Don't expect to find a macho hideaway, though, as Yellow Springs also offers plenty of diversions for couples looking for a romantic getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life as well as lots of outdoor activities for families. Yellow Springs (is) a great place to find that special something for mom or your favorite college-bound hipster. If primitive camping isn't your thing, you can try the cozy, family-fun Hearthstone Inn in nearby Cedarville, a nice place to cool your dogs after a long day of hiking and pedaling on the (town's) bike trails. Or, start your day with a breakfast of three-inch (or giant) pancakes at the rustic Clifton Mill, the largest water-powered grist mill in the United States, take a stroll at the (Clifton) Gorge, then tempt your taste buds with the creative cuisine at the Winds Café for dinner.

WHERE TO STAY Hearthstone Inn & Suites You get a little taste of B&B living in nearby Cedarville at this old-fashioned, family-owned inn, which prides itself on chain-type accommodations with a personal touch. 1885 barn-beams frame the spacious lobby, with its large stone fireplace. Ohio and Civil War memorabilia, antiques, Tiffany lighting, Thomas Kinkade paintings, and locally-made custom stained glass windows decorate the public spaces, and nice touches like coffeemakers and Bath & Body Works products personalize the rooms. There's an adjacent playground with a softball-baseball diamond, jogging track, and tennis courts. The "Supreme Continental Breakfast" goes beyond cold cereal and toast with fresh pecan rolls and oversize cinnamon rolls, as well as seasonal specials. The Hearthstone is near (adjacent to) the Ohio-to-Erie bike path, and children under 12 stay free.

Hearthstone Inn & Suites is the Dayton region's only independent country inn, featuring a fully non-smoking environment, outstanding amenities, free WiFi Wireless internet, and convenience to many Dayton and Greene County area tourist attractions as well as the Miami Valley fully-paved "rail trails" (Little Miami Bike Trail and Ohio-to-Erie Bike Trail).

Hearthstone Inn & Suites, 10 South Main Street, Cedarville, Ohio 1-877 OHIO-INN (644-6466) www.hearthstone-inn.com Rates: $94.00 to $159.00 (Rates valid through May 31, 2006) Featuring A Completely Non-Smoking Environment
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