I have always liked close, fun road trips. This season, I am introducing AlphaTrips! I plan on visiting a city or town around Dayton from letters A to Z! Each locale will have some great stuff to see, eat and do. Just to take care of one of harder letters in the alphabet, I thought, I’m checking off the ‘U’ and hitting URBANA! Where, you ask? URBANA, that elusive town right up Route 68 North.
U is for Urbana, a fun place to discover!
The Man on the Monument Greets visitors!
The drive is a quick and easy, about 45 minutes, east on 70 and North on 68. As you make your way into town, you will immediately be taken by their fabulous center square, surrounded by tiny shoppes, markets and restaurants. You will see ‘The Man on the Monment’ which is a full-length figure of a dismounted Union cavalry officer with his head bowed in grief for his fallen comrades.
Grab a quick coffee at Depot Coffee. Coffee is great and the space is art-filled and funky.
Head to the Champaign Aviation Museum. I know many Daytonians love all things flight, and here, in this modest museum which houses some great WW2 examples. Some of the planes are in process of being restored and there are knowledgeable folks there who can tell you all you need to know.
Great examples from WW2 at the Aviation Museum.
From there, grab a quick mid-morning pastry at Teabaggers! They’re open Mon – Thurs 8am – 3pm and Sat 9:05am – 2pm .
Now, weather permitting, head to the bizarre ‘Cedar Bog!’
Mysterious, beautiful and whimsical..the Bog is one of a kind!
**Note, they are doing some work on walkways, check website to see what parts are up and running. Ohio’s first Nature Preserve, Cedar Bog packs a fun punch with it’s mile long boardwalk that winds through rare flowers and animal habitats. It is believed that Mastodons fed here….no really! And persistent rumors of a Big-Foot like creature make Bog Stories fun for kids.
Paridiso doesn’t disappoint!
Lunchtime! And back downtown you go to Cafe Paradiso. View the monument on the square as you enjoy some Tuscan inspired foods. Outdoor dining is an option in this ‘best kept secret’ featuring homemade sauces and artisan desserts. Impressive and exciting, it’s fun to find good Italian food in West Central Ohio.
Last minute shopping is good idea in Urbana. Kaleidoscope, Fruit Salad and Boston have the antiques, Yutzy’s has all the cheeses you can imagine and
Downtown Divas has the women’s clothes.
Lastly, after a day of doing Urbana, check out a little fun food from Fusion 40.83.
The name comes from the map coordinates of the restaurant. Known for their trout, Fusion 40.83 has a good bunch of beers as well.
Start the car. It’s the first of the alpha-trips…and U are on your way! U should get to Urbana. U will enjoy it!
