Naturally Crafted in Union County

Head out on the open road and you’re bound to get the sense that Union County may well be a rarity in a world where throwaway, mass-produced and copycat archetypes are more the norm. 

Here, the wide-open spaces of the rural countryside act as canvases for a bounty of creative ideas, locally grown and crafted products, uncommon experiences, and opportunities that reflect the unique history, traditions, and vision of this special place, connecting the past and present with generations to come.

Day One

There’s truth in the Hans Christian Anderson quote, “Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower,” - the only exception is that there is nothing little about the family-owned Leo Berbee Bulb Company and Dutch Mill Greenhouse. For more than 50 years, the Berbee family has been shipping millions of flower bulbs – more than 900 varieties - all over the U.S. from their Marysville, Ohio location. Among their esteemed customer list is the Columbus Zoo, U.S. Botanic Garden, The Pentagon, and the National Parks Service!  This Dutch family is proud to offer true Holland bulbs to their customers. Tour the facility, learn more about this family business, rich with history, see the hand-painted bulb that’s part of the Gildemeesters Bollenstreek Giant Tulip Bulb Project, and take home a pack of colorful inspiration for your own garden. 

Fueled by the Power of Dreams, Honda continues to rank as the world’s most innovative mobility company. The Honda Heritage Center™ highlights the company’s successes in North America over the last half century with an array of historical, current, and future products – each with its own story. Honda Manufacturing of North America, Inc., made its home in Union County in 1979 and continues to inspire today through this state-of-the-art facility.

Once upon a time, Benny’s Pizza was a Frostop Root Beer stand — the kind of place where food and drink were delivered via roller skates to cars parked outside with the windows rolled down. Folks still eat outside at Benny’s — and their crafted root beer is still on the menu — but a few amenities have been added. Just a few. 😉 The now veritable entertainment complex — equal parts family eatery, popular bar, live-music venue, and sports-memorabilia museum — covers almost 12,000 square feet. Enjoy a delicious lunch of their famous pizza and root beer, other popular menu selections.

“POP” on over to Ohio Till Farmstead where owner Tim will share how they grow and harvest delicious popcorn, sunflower seeds, and bird seed on this small heirloom family farm. Take home your own bag of popcorn kernels to enjoy on your next movie night.

After years of dabbling in winemaking and receiving positive feedback from friends and family, Dale and Tonya decided to make it official. Playing on their love of wine and each other; they named the winery after the combination of their names, the celebration of their nuptials and their location in Ohio. With that, the Dalton Union Winery & Brewery was born! Visitors enjoy a warm spirit of hospitality, delicious wines, and craft brews at this lovely Union County winery.  

From meat-and-potatoes meals to made-from-scratch pastries and pies, Der Dutchman Restaurant & Bakery is the place to savor the delicious bounty of genuine Amish kitchen cooking. 

Day Two

Spark and inspire your creative side, thanks to the guidance of the staff at the Marysville Art League. Activate your inner artist and treat your sweet tooth, as you paint and delight in this popular “Cupcake and Canvas” experience. 

Imagine a time when the areas in front of homes were not “yards,” but rather patches of mud or dust. There was no such thing as lawn wars and not a lot of incentive to place flowering plants on the front stoop. These dreary patches of mud were soon transformed into welcoming green grass and places to recreate when O.M. Scott began selling lawn seed in 1868. Step back in time, as you visit the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Store, his original hardware store located in Uptown Marysville. This inspiring tour includes a history of the company, an opportunity to “ask an expert”, and leave motivated to try your hand at “anything green” with a lovely take home gift.

Explore Uptown Marysville, with a host of shopping and dining options to enjoy. Most notably:

• Betsy’s Boutique
• Coffee Hall and Creamery
• Fiesta Grande Mexican Restaurant
• Gathered Goods
• Homestead Taproom & Kitchen
• Iron Threads
• Kitschen Bakery
• Leon’s Garage
• McKinley’s Grill
• Old Bag of Nails 
• Plumm Home
• Rollies 
• The Half Pint
• The Ribbon Box
• Union Station 1820
• Wander & Wild
• Whit’s Frozen Custard
• Yeasty Boys Bakery & Delicatessen

Savor the sights of the rolling hills and vineyard landscape while you sip a naturally crafted lavender-infused lemonade at the Taphouse at Retreat 21. The fragrant and delicious culinary lavender grown and harvested on the Retreat 21 farm is used for lemonade and other specialty cocktails. During your visit, you will create your own dried lavender sachet while you learn more about the farm, cidery and winery.

When visitors see the nostalgic 1954 Chevy truck at the entrance of Mitchell’s Berries & Blooms, they are reminded of a simpler time when friends and neighbors shared the bounty of the growing season. It speaks to the spirit of hospitality and the endearing homey style of the Mitchell family that has been passed down for 200+ years. With more than 25,000 berry plants and countless floral seeds and bulbs, the harvests and memories are plentiful. Groups enjoy a variety of experiences from berry samplings and overviews to petals and pollinators, an agricultural education on the importance of bees set amongst the backdrop of a colorful meadow of flowers. 

Sit back, relax, and let a seasoned guide navigate the pastoral countryside on a tour of the seven covered bridges of Union County. Four of the bridges are historic (constructed in the 1800s) and were built by local resident Reuben Partridge, a prolific builder who built well over 100 bridges in Ohio. This scenic driving tour also includes expansive views of the Big Darby Plains Scenic Byway.

Participate in a truly unique opportunity to Dine on a Covered Bridge, complete with delicious cuisine, folk music, storytelling, lively conversation, and a setting sure to celebrate a slower era. Picturesque Pottersburg Bridge, built in 1873, has become the venue for our signature covered bridge lunches and dinners, which are always a delight for the senses.

Day Three

Your instructor, Pam with The Whimsy Bus, guides your group through an unusual way to plant. Known as Kokedama in Japan, the art of moss ball planting inspires rookie and master gardeners alike to think outside the garden pot. Visitors are encouraged to use their imagination working with natural materials while practicing mindfulness. Enjoy creating something truly unique and take home a special creation of your own!