The Southwest Ohio Day Trip takes You To One Of The Best Waterfalls And Wineries In The State
By Beth Price-Williams|Published March 30, 2021
×
Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Day trips promise all of the excitement and memorable moments of a long road trip, packed into a single day and, if planned just right, only requiring a single tank of gas. A day trip from Valley Vineyards in Morrow to Fallsville Falls in New Vienna offers a little bit of everything – good food, tastings, a leisurely stroll, and a breathtaking waterfall. That’s just a snapshot of the fun that awaits, too.
The drive from Valley Vineyards to Fallsville Falls, tucked in Fallsville Wildlife Area, tallies between 34 and 40 miles, depending on which route you choose. If you opt for the shorter 34-mile route, you should arrive at Fallsville Wildlife Area in just over half an hour; the longer route takes just a few minutes more. (Don’t forget to take traffic into consideration, too.) Google Maps makes it easy to see each route and to decide which you prefer.
Wine and waterfalls pair perfectly for a day trip, no matter where you live in Ohio. Even if you’re not within driving distance of Valley Vineyards and Fallsville Falls, check out these 10 unforgettable day trips in Ohio to find the perfect one for you.
Fill up your tank before the leisurely drive to Valley Vineyards in Morrow, a picture-perfect destination any time of the year. The vineyards feature both a winery and a brewery, so you have an abundance of options when it comes to beverage options.
Valley Vineyards pours a generous selection of wines – from dry and sweet to mead. To sample several wines, order one of the flights, or create your own flight with three different wines. The menu also features mixed drinks, wine slushies, and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks.
If you prefer a cold brew to wine, check out what’s on tap at the brewery. While the selection may vary, you may have such choices as Cellar Blues (pilsner) or Adam’s Apple (hard cider).
Complement your glass of wine or beer with a delicious meal or a shared plate, such as a cheese board, a Bavarian pretzel platter, or potato skins. A variety of fresh-baked pizzas, salads, and sandwiches are also on the menu.
If you’re a fan of old-fashioned cookouts, plan your day trip for a Friday or a Saturday evening. Choose your preferred meat – New York strip steak, salmon, or crab cakes – and grill it just how you like it on one of the grills. Vegetarian options are also available.
The vineyard provides scrumptious sides, two wine tickets, and a decadent homemade dessert to create the perfect meal. Cookouts are held all year long, and reservations are strongly recommended.
The vineyard hosts events regularly. To learn more, visit the website of Valley Vineyards.
After relaxing with good food and drink, begin the leisurely drive to Fallsville Wildlife Area, a 1,785-acre park that’s brimming with natural beauty, including ponds, meadows, and Fallsville Falls.
Slip on a pair of sturdy hiking boots or shoes, which may get muddy as you trek along the .7-mile path that leads to Fallsville Falls. The trail’s rated easy, although you’ll have to go down a fairly steep hill to reach the waterfall.
Fallsville Falls is at its prettiest after recent rainfall, although you may still see a small cascade after a fairly short dry period. The trail can get slippery, especially the closer you get to the waterfall, so watch your step as you hike.
The waterfall cascades down 15 feet and provides a picture-backdrop for photographs and selfies. Just adjacent to the waterfall sits the ruins of an old mill, the only reminder that a town once occupied the space.
Here’s a map of Fallsville Wildlife Area from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. For more information on the trail to the cascade, stop by All Trails.
Can you think of a better way to spend a day than at Valley Vineyards and Fallsville Wildlife Area? It’s one of those day trips you can take any time of the year, and you may even want to visit in each season for the changing outdoor scenery. Add your starting address to the Google Maps directions to make your planning even easier. Don’t forget to follow Only In Ohio on Facebook and to sign up for Ohio’s daily newsletter, so you can discover even more fun and unique things to do throughout the state.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
