Findlay, OH Road Trips

Findlay started as an American military outpost during the War of 1812. After the war Findlay began growing into a town, and was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Findlay became a booming city on its ties to the natural gas boom in the late 1880s. During this time Findlay became a manufacturing hub for glass and other energy intensive manufacturing. Late in the boom, Tell Tailor wrote the song Down By the Old Mill Stream while in Findlay, which became a barbershop quartet hit. While heavy industry and the gas itself went up in smoke, the legacy of the boom is felt in the institutions and architecture it left behind. Findlay Ohio has a large number of Victorian era buildings, and most of its public buildings and prominent institutions hail from that era as well. Now Findlay is a city with a few industries that survived, bolstered by its cultural amenities and educational assets to provide services to nearby rural communities. Because of its location in Ohio, Findlay has strong agricultural and equestrian traditions, especially among those living on the outskirts of the city. Even today the Sheriff has a horse mounted posse, and the University of Findlay operates an equestrian program that has separate farms for western riding and English riding styles. While it's uncommon to see horse drawn carriages on the road as in Amish country, it's fairly common as a leisure activity, and competitions can be a big deal at the county fair. In the summer locals frequent country produce stands and the farmers market for fresh goods. Downtown is more cosmopolitan.

1 Mazza Museum, 100 N Main St (Enter the University of Findlay's Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion.), ☏ +1-419-434-5521. W-F noon - 5PM, Su 1-4PM. The Mazza Museum is an art museum that focuses on children's book illustrations. The museum has a collection of over 12,000 pieces, of which a small fraction are rotated for public viewing. The Museum often hosts authors for talks and book signings. (updated Jan 2019) 2 Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center, 817 Harmon St, ☏ +1 419 423-4954. A specialized library and teaching museum dedicated to multicultural history. Has an exhibit on African American Aviators, and an exhibit on Japanese culture. Hosts an annual Kwanzaa celebration. (updated Jul 2019) 3 Hancock Historical Museum, 422 W Sandusky St, ☏ +1-419-423-4433. W-F 10AM-4PM, Su 1-4PM. This museum offers a look into Hancock County history, including farming implements, business products and memorabilia, and even a bathtub brought back by local veterans from the infamous USS Maine battleship, which was sunk off the coast of Cuba. Aside from local history, the museum houses a few international curiosities, such as a set of samurai armor. The main museum is based in the historic Hull House, itself a prime example of a Victorian era mansion. Other buildings on the museum campus include an 1840s log cabin, an 1860s farmhouse, A Transportation building featuring rare vehicles, and a civic history center. The museum has a small gift shop, and can be rented out for events. $5.

1 Annual Flag City Hot Air Balloon Fest, Emory Adams Park. Middle of August. A display of Hot Air ballons. Many food trucks and exhibits similar to the county fair are present. Hot Air Balloon rides are available, but may require preregistration. Free. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Hancock County Fair, 1017 E Sandusky St, ☏ +1 419-429-7344. Late August. A large county fair, featuring amusement rides, food trucks, A demolition derby, a rodeo, cattle shows, pony rides, tractor pulls, crops and crafts competitions, and local merchants. Also features a gospel pavilion and emergency service booths. A tradition since 1852. $7 single day adult ticket), $21 season ticket. (updated Nov 2022) 3 Riverside Wine Festival, Riverside Park. Early summer. A gathering of wineries from across Ohio at the historic Riverside Park. Guests who pay for a tasting ticket can enjoy free samples. Bottles are available for purchase at the event. $25 for tasting, $10 nontasting. (updated Nov 2022) 4 ArtWalk, Downtown Findlay. Afternoon of the first Friday of May and November, 5-9PM. A showcase of the arts and crafts made by the local community in Downtown Findlay. Free. (updated Nov 2022) 5 Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA), 200 W Main Cross St, ☏ +1 419 423-2787. Hosts bands, choirs, plays, musicals, magicians, visiting speakers, and other traveling performances. Has a permanent art gallery, with rotating exhibits. Also hosts a hall of fame for Hancock County residents with significant contributions to the arts.

1 Dietsch Brothers (Dietsch's), 400 W Main Cross St; 1217 Tiffin Ave, ☏ +1 419-422-4474. A local ice cream and confectioneries shop. The shop has a history dating back to the 1930s. Dietsch's ice cream and chocolate are prepared on premises, and have a unique flavor. Unlike many American chocolates, there is no waxy texture. (updated Sep 2022) 2 Coffee Amici, 328 S Main St, ☏ +1 419-423-7957. 7AM-9PM. Serves coffee, tea, smoothies, and various sweet biscuits. Friday nights are open mic night. Saturday nights have live music from local musicians. Local art is showcased on the walls. (updated Nov 2022) 3 Fort Findlay Coffee & Doughnut Shoppe, 1016 Tiffin Ave, ☏ +1 419 425-5550. Sells coffee, doughnuts, and bagels, as well as coffee beans to go. (updated Nov 2022) 4 Wolfes Roasted Nut Company, 1718 N Romick Pkwy, ☏ +1 419 423-1355. Sells a variety of spiced and flavored nuts. (updated Nov 2022) 5 Cakes for Heaven's Sake. Cupcakery near the University of Findlay campus. (updated Nov 2022) 6 Wilson's Sandwich Shop (Wilson's), 600 S Main St (Across the Street from the Marathon Building), ☏ +1 419 422-5051. A classic hamburger diner from 1936. Wilson's sells staple fast food including burgers and malts. Has a naming jargon (i.e., a Frosty = a Thick). (updated Nov 2022) 7 Jac N Do's, 1201 W Trenton Ave, ☏ +1 419-422-5778. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-1AM. A popular local pizzeria that sells thin, crispy, pizza with a tangy tomato sauce, and filling pizza subs. (updated Nov 2022) 8 Oler's Bar & Grill, 708 Lima Ave, ☏ +1 419 423-2846.

1 Logan's Irish Pub, 414 S Main St, ☏ +1 419 420-3602. 11AM-midnight. An Irish pub in Findlay's Irish Block. Sells beers, boxty, fish and chips, corned beef, as well as more American food such as burgers and salads. Hosts a Saint Patrick's Day celebration. (updated Nov 2022) 2 Alexandria's, 132 E Crawford St, ☏ +1 419 424-5750. A pub on the first floor. Has a bowling alley and bar on the second floor, as well as a rooftop patio and tiki bar. Offers live entertainment on the weekends, and occasionally opens its dance hall for events. Building is a former horse stable, that's seen many different alterations though its life. (updated Nov 2022) 3 Campus Pollyeyes, 339 S Blanchard St, ☏ +1 567 525-5539. A pizza parlor notable for its stuffed breadsticks. Also offers calzones and submarine sandwiches. A branch of the Bowling Green Campus Pollyeyes. $7-16. (updated Nov 2022) 4 Legends, 411 S Main St, ☏ +1-419-422-7000. Sports gastropub. Occasionally hosts events with local coaches and athletes. Specializes in burgers, wings, craft beer, and cocktails. Has a few banquet rooms. Current host of the Hancock Sports Hall of Fame, which details the history of notable Hancock county athletes such as William "Dummy" Hoy, and Ben Roethlisberger. $9-24. (updated Jul 2019) 5 Findlay Brewing Co., 213 E Crawford St, ☏ +1 419 419-2739. Tu-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-8PM. A microbrewery. Also has a section where their own brews can be tasted alongside burgers, flatbreads, and sweets. $7-12. (updated Nov 2022) 6 The Bourbon Affair, 121 B E Crawford St, ☏ +1 567-250-9162.

1 Econo Lodge, 316 Emma St, ☏ +1-419-422-0154. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes free WiFi, and free breakfast. $60. (updated Dec 2019) 2 Super 8, 1951 Broad Ave, ☏ +1 419 408-3046. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes free WiFi, free Breakfast, and HD TV. $50. (updated Dec 2019) 3 Holiday Inn Express, 1920 Express Way, ☏ +1 567 271-0330. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes free breakfast, WiFi, Indoor pool, fitness center, and business center. $85. (updated Dec 2019) 4 Country Inn, 903 Interstate Dr, ☏ +1-419-422-4200. Includes free breakfast, free wifi, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a business center. $99. (updated Nov 2022) 5 Fairfeild Inn, 2000 Tiffin Ave, ☏ +1 419 424-9940. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Includes free WiFi, free breakfast, a pool, and a fitness center. $119. (updated Dec 2019) 6 Extended Stay Deluxe, 2355 Tiffin Ave, ☏ +1 419 425-9696, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Includes WiFi, Free Breakfast, and a Fitness Room. $80. (updated Dec 2019) 7 Findlay Inn & Conference Center, 200 E Main Cross, ☏ +1-419-422-5684, toll-free: +1-800-825-1455, [email protected]. A Hotel and conference center in downtown Findlay. Includes breakfast, complementary newspaper, WiFi, and a fitness center. (updated Nov 2022) 8 Drury Inn & Suites, 820 Trenton Ave, ☏ +1 419 422-9700. Includes free breakfast and an afternoon snack. Includes free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, a business center, and a pool. $135. (updated Nov 2022) 9 Hancock Hotel, 631 S Main St, ☏ +1 419 423-0631.

I 75 N/S is the main highway cutting through west Findlay, with access from Toledo and Detroit to the north, or Dayton and Cincinnati to the south. There are two main exits to Findlay. SR 224 E/W is a state highway that eventually reaches Akron to the east. 1 Findlay Airport (FDY IATA), 1615 Gray St, ☏ +1 419 422-4182, [email protected]. A general aviation airport with two grooved asphalt runways. One runway is 6,500 feet, and the other is 4,500 feet. Can support propeller and small jet aircraft. Sells 100LL and Jet A. 813 ft / 247.8 m above sea level. Tune to 132.850 for weather information. (updated Nov 2022)

Findlay can easily be navigated by car, and parking outside the downtown core is rarely an issue. There is a parking garage downtown for when extended parking is needed. HATSoperates a public shuttle that runs for limited hours on weekdays, as well as shuttles with more flexible hours to anywhere in the county if pre-arranged. Biking in Findlay is possible, if a bit treacherous. Motorists in Findlay don't like to share the road, so ride defensively. Downtown Findlay and the University of Findlay campus are both very walkable, and have shady sidewalks with ample crossings. The outskirts can be hit or miss - You might be walking on a nice sidewalk, the shoulder of the road, or in a ditch. Going from one side of the city to another can take hours, but is doable.

Findlay is generally a safe city and most crimes that do occur are minor. If a phone is available and an emergency occurs, call 911 for assistance. 4 Blanchard Valley Hospital (BVH), 1900 S Main St, ☏ +1 419-423-4500. 24/7. (updated Nov 2022) Every so often, the Blanchard river floods Findlay with some floods being flash floods. If a flood occurs, don't panic but be sensible and avoid contact with floodwater directly, as it may contain untreated sewage. In a particularly bad flood there are portions of I-75 may become unusable. Major Floods can downscale or close Findlay's public services and business for months after they occur, especially if that service or business is located downtown.