Experience Ohio's Best Antiques And Ice Cream Only On One Tank Of Gas
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Megan Shute
Author
If you’ve followed OnlyInYourState for a while, you know we have a bit of an obsession with road trips, but there’s something even more special about the underrated day trip. Requiring a single day off, little to no planning, and as is the case here, a single tank of gas, day trips promise all of the thrills of a long road trip, but with much less work.
In honor of the humble day trip, we recently introduced readers to our new Only On A Tankful series, which features a slew of themed day trip destination pairings across Ohio. First up, we featured wine and waterfall combinations across the state, and today we’re at it again with an equally entertaining pairing: antiques and ice cream. Whether you live in Columbus, near the state border, or anywhere in between, you’ll discover an epic day trip that combines two of our favorite activities: shopping for antiques and indulging in tasty ice cream. So, what are you waiting for? Choose your adventure, fill up the tank, and enjoy a lovely Ohio afternoon only on a tankful.
Northwest Ohio
1. Maumee Antique Mall & Mr. G’s Barn
With more than 200 booths across 2.75 acres, Maumee Antique Mall is chock-full of unique treasures, whether you're a collector hoping to add new goodies to your shelves or looking to spruce up your home decor with some pre-loved items. Fair warning: you'll likely walk out with more than you intended to leave with. Once you've had your fill of antiques, it's time to fill up your stomach at Mr. G's Barn. Ice cream, smoothies, slushes, floats, or shakes - whatever form you want your frozen dessert to come in, Mr. G's has got it and there's no better way to end a day full of shopping.
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Measuring in at 38,000-square-feet, Jeffrey's Antique Gallery is home to more than 300 vendors - don't worry, though, this destination is well-organized in addition to being wheelchair-accessible and pet-friendly. You'll almost definitely walk out with more than you intended to purchase, but it's tough not to with all these wares on display! After all that treasure hunting, we're sure you have quite the appetite! Handmade each day, Dietsch's ice cream comes in more than 60 different flavors, many of which are seasonal - like blueberry waffle cone and watermelon sherbet. A massive variety of chocolates and other treats makes Dietsch's truly second to none.
Northeast Ohio
3. The Bomb Shelter & Strickland's Frozen Custard
Nestled in the Middlebury neighborhood of Akron, The Bomb Shelter is a treasure hunter’s dream come true, boasting more than 12,000 square feet of vintage and antique items. Discover everything from vintage women's clothing to old signs, hubcaps, and oil cans before heading just three miles away for a sweet treat. An Akron favorite since 1936, Strickland’s Frozen Custard now features several locations in Ohio and a menu that’s sure to get your mouth watering at first glance. From classic cones and milkshakes to sundaes, banana splits, slushies, and ice cream pies, sweets are best at Strickland's.
Ready for some fun? Measuring in at 53,000 square feet and brimming with what’s billed as "Don’t make ‘em like they used to" items, you never know what sort of treasures you'll find at Heritage Square Antique Mall. With more than 450 vendors, After you’ve finished treasure hunting, hop in the car for the short but sweet drive to Velvet Ice Cream at Ye Old Mill in Utica. The popular ice cream shop is open seasonally from May through October, and while they have a delicious food menu, it's the ice cream that truly stands above the rest. In business for more than a century, this small-batch ice cream is sure to delight - whether you order a scoop of vanilla, birthday cake, or rainbow sherbet!
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A fixture of the Medina area for almost a quarter of a century, Medina Antique Mall is a sprawling 58,000-acre facility filled to the brim with knick-knacks, furniture, and odds and ends going back decades or even centuries. Everything in the antique mall is from pre-1985, so if you're looking for vintage furniture, trinkets, and artwork, you've come to the right place! After spending some time shopping, you'll need a refreshment, so off to Chill Artisan Ice Cream we go! Owned by three Ohio brothers who pride themselves on their homemade ice cream crafted from ingredients sourced from Ohio farms, Chill is known for its unique flavors - have you ever tried Dill pickle sorbet, red raspberry truffle, lavender honey, or lemon elderflower ice cream? Now is your chance!
Situated in the middle of Amish Country, Berlin Valley Antique Mall features two floors of unique finds - from glassware and books to large furniture and niche collectibles. Next up, ice cream! Known for its decadent sundaes, parfaits, and toppling cones, Miller's Creamery serves a delicious variety of sweet treats and classic burgers and sandwiches, too. No matter who you are, you'll find something to bite down on at Miller's Creamery. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after spending a day exploring these two spots that are only 12 minutes away from each other.
Southeast Ohio
7. Logan Antique Mall & Tom's Ice Cream Bowl
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From Coco-Cola memorabilia, military items, and books to Depression glass, jewelry, and dolls, you'll find a little bit of everything at Logan Antique Mall. You could spend hours in here looking through all of the antique items for sale, but if you get hungry, it's time to visit Tom's Ice Cream Bowl! As the name suggests, Tom's serves up delicious bowls of ice creams - though they have cones, too! With a variety of flavors, eating at Tom's Ice Cream Bowl will definitely make you feel like a kid again! No matter what antique you find to put on your shelf or what flavor of ice cream you choose, your day at Logan Antique Mall and Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl will be unforgettable.
Southwest Ohio
8. Heart Of Ohio Antique Center & Young's Jersey Dairy
Wear your most comfortable pair of shoes for your visit to Heart of Ohio Antique Center, which bills itself as "America’s biggest and best antique destination." You’ll want to judge for yourself, but most say it lives up to its reputation with 122,000 square feet indoors and an additional 30,000 square feet outdoors. After all that treasure hunting, you'll need a treat, so it's off to Young's Jersey Dairy we go! Perhaps best known for its homemade ice cream that’s made right on the farm with a secret ingredient, you'll have a hard time choosing between flavors of ice cream, gelato, and sorbet at Young's. Don't worry - no matter what you order, your sweet tooth will thank you.
Bring your sense of adventure and slip on your comfiest pair of shoes when you visit Ohio Valley Antique Mall, a massive 85,000 square foot destination that features unique finds from more than 550 antique dealers. As the largest antique mall in Cincinnati, you’ll always uncover something new no matter how often you visit - from vintage furniture to antique jewelry. Once you’ve filled your trunk with treasures, make your way to The Cone in West Chester, known for its famous soft-serve ice cream. Made fresh every day, the soft serve is sure to satisfy and you'll even find a selection of sugar-free, peanut-free, and dairy-free treats - score!
So, tell us, which of these epic antiques and ice cream day trips will you be embarking on first?
Click here to Discover The Best Waterfalls And Wineries In Ohio On One Tank Of Gas and don’t forget to check back in the coming weeks to discover our other epic day trip destinations – only in Ohio, and only on a tankful. If you liked this, please follow Only In Ohio on Facebook and sign up for Ohio’s daily newsletter so you can discover even more fun and unique things to do throughout the state.
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