Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Only In Ohio, you've likely noticed our obsession with finding the best road trips in Ohio. But what about the simple and wildly underrated day trip? With minimal planning, just one free day, and a single tank of gas, day trips can be as fun as longer road trips with a fraction of the effort.
To celebrate day trips and kick off summer, we launched our Only On A Tankful series, featuring four unique Ohio day trip destination pairings. First, there were wine and waterfalls, then antiques and ice cream, and now, we're highlighting tacos and tubing.
Whether you live near Cincinnati, Cleveland, or anywhere in between, you'll find an adventurous day trip combining two fun activities: eating tacos and enjoying the outdoors in an inner tube. What are you waiting for? Choose your adventure, fill up the tank, and enjoy a picture-perfect day spent exploring the Buckeye State.
Northwest Ohio
Start your day at Birch Bark Canoe Livery in Urbana, where you will enjoy tubing along the Mad River before heading to Condado Tacos in Columbus for an incredible meal. Float along for four hours relaxing and soaking in the scenery. The waters of the Mad River are so clear you can see to the bottom. You may encounter small shallow sets of rapids along the way, but it's otherwise a smooth ride. A bus shuttles you back to the start point when you're done, and it's off to Condado Tacos. From the funky decor to the build-your-own tacos and creative margaritas, this restaurant is the perfect spot to end your day.
2. Adventures on the Great Miami & Guerra’s Krazy Taco
This day trip is packed with everything you need for the perfect day — flavorful foods, incredible scenery, sunshine, and plenty of adventure. A two-hour adventure that leads 3.5 miles down a picturesque river, your excursion with Adventures on the Great Miami will be unforgettable. You get to decide how you want to spend your time on the water: rent a canoe, kayak, double kayak, raft, stand-up paddleboard, or tube. We're obviously partial to the tube, but no matter what, you're sure to end your excursion hungry. With a colorful interior and a menu full of specialty tacos, plus other Mexican favorites, Guerra’s Krazy Taco will satisfy your taste buds and make for the perfect end to a quintessential summer day in Ohio.
Northeast Ohio
Mohican Adventures has a variety of attractions, including go-karts and mini golf, but they're best known for their Mohican River trips. Visitors can choose between canoes, kayaks, tubes, or rafts, and there are a variety of packages to pick from. Whether you're out with friends or on a solo adventure, there's nothing like a trip down a river to help you enjoy a warm day - especially when you follow the adventure with tacos! The authentic menu at La Cascada Restaurant & Bar has many dishes you won't find in other Mexican restaurants. You'll feel like you just stepped into the streets of Oaxaca as you enjoy the Torta Azteca and beef tongue tacos.
4. Crooked River Adventures & Barrio
Tubing and tacos – can you think of a better pairing? Start your day with a relaxing meander down the Upper Cuyahoga River in a kayak or a canoe rental from Crooked River Adventures in Burton, a perfect adventure for a group of friends or the whole family. After your five-mile float, it's time for tacos. While it boasts the motto of "have a taco or two," once you get a bite of Barrio’s famous tacos, you’ll probably want quite a few more. The popular taco stand offers a selection of tacos, or you can custom-build your own.
5. NTR Canoe Livery & Ranchero’s Taqueria
When the temperatures climb higher and higher, stay cool with a day of tubing down the Tuscarawas River with NTR Canoe Livery, a popular family-owned and run adventure company that dates back to 1974. Enjoy a 2.5-mile or six-mile float down the scenic river and then it is off to Ranchero’s Taqueria. This unassuming Mexican restaurant earns rave reviews for its authentic dishes and generous menu. Get ready for a delicious dilemma; however, because you have quite a few meals from which to choose – from classic tacos and burritos to enchiladas and quesadillas. No matter what you order, your taste buds will thank you.
Southeast Ohio
Ohio is full of outdoor adventures, but we're particularly fond of the "lazy floating down the river" method of enjoying the scenery - and luckily, Hocking Hills Adventures offers all kinds of fun for the whole family. You're sure to work up an appetite after all that time enjoying nature, and about an hour away is the delicious Tacos El Fogoncito. Serving a variety of authentic dishes, from tacos and tortas to burritos and quesadillas, you'll want to wash down your meal with Mexico's favorite soda, Jarritos, straight from a glass bottle. This perfect pairing makes for one epic day trip, that's for sure.
Southwest Ohio
Discover something new on this road trip to two perfectly paired locations: Little Miami Canoe Rentals and Mazunte Taqueria. Although Little Miami Canoe Rental has two locations along the river, Oregonia is the place where tubing is offered. If you are in the mood to relax and let your cares float away as you effortlessly float downstream, you'll love enjoying peaceful scenic views along this two-mile stretch of river. After a few hours of effortless relaxation along the Little Miami River, it's taco time. Order authentic street tacos made with the freshest ingredients. The menu isn't huge, but there are enough options to try, from pork to chicken, steak, and fish. Each bite is an adventure for your taste buds.
So, tell us, which of these epic tacos and tubing road trips in Ohio will you be embarking on first? Think they're some of the top destinations for river tubing in Ohio? How about the best taco places in Ohio? Let us know! We'd love to hear all about your favorite Ohio road trips!
Don’t forget to check out our fourth and final epic day trip destination pairing – hikes and burgers. You don't want to miss it! 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. Grab your tubing gear and handy road trip packing list, and let's hit the road!
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/ohio/burger-and-trail-only-on-a-tankful-oh/
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