A Day in Historic Downtown Lebanon
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Blog by Stacha Yundt
Is there anything more exciting than planning the perfect road trip? The big destinations are always vacation favorites, but some of the most memorable places are the ones that we discover over a weekend on the open road. If you’re looking to soak in a little small town charm, look no further than Historic Downtown Lebanon. Located just 30 minutes from Cincinnati and an hour from Columbus, Lebanon is the perfect day-trip destination and offers visitors all of the charm of small-town americana.
Founded in 1802, Lebanon is home to the state’s oldest continually operated business. The Golden Lamb first opened in 1803 and has hosted a wide range of celebrities and political giants, including 12 U.S. Presidents, Ohio-born astronaut Neil Armstrong, Charles Dickens, Annie Oakley, and even pop sensation Ke$ha. Not just for history enthusiasts, The Golden Lamb still operates as a hotel and boasts two award winning restaurants.
Home to numerous specialty shops, it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon browsing through local boutiques and discovering hidden treasures along Downtown Lebanon’s bustling main strip. Fans of cozy bookstores will happily lose themselves inside Mulberry St. Books among the shelves of used books and the literary-themed novelties. Be sure to grab a cup of coffee from the counter and head upstairs to the Great Hall to enjoy.
While every shop in Downtown Lebanon is worth exploring, some other can’t-miss stops include
- Lebanon Candy and Sports Cards/Cin City Collectibles
- Sammie & Tink
- Blume Home
- Glad Rags Boutique
- Green Country Market
- Jam & Jelly Lady
Exploring historic Downtown Lebanon is sure to work up an appetite,and there’s no shortage of delectable eats to be found in this small town. During our visit we decided to swing by Greenhouse Cafe for lunch. This farm-to-table restaurant is committed to sourcing as much of its food locally as possible, and their entire menu can be made vegan and gluten-free. It’s no surprise that their chicken apple brie sandwich has been nominated for Warren County’s Best Dish more than once. Be sure to wash down your meal with one of their refreshing in-house smoothies.
A few other treats for your taste buds include:
- Doc’s Place
- Villagio’s Pizzeria & Vino
- Whit’s Frozen Custard
- Anna’s Gourmet Popcorn
- Mae Ploy’s Thai Restaurant
- The Village Parlor
- Lot No 1 Coffee
If we’re honest, there are more must-visit spots in Lebanon than you can squeeze into a single day — leaving you to decide whether to stick around town for another day of adventure or plan a return trip soon. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a visit to this fun-filled gem of a city.