A Guide to 2019's Best of Warren County

Blog by Scott Hutchinson

Whether you're planning an overseas adventure or a simple weekend road trip, one of the surest ways to plot a perfect getaway is to talk to the people who know your destination best - the folks who call it home. Each year in Warren County, we gather that valuable inside scoop for ourselves, asking locals to vote for their favorite Warren County restaurants, shops, attractions and events in our annual Best of Warren County Awards. Here's what our locals loved most in 2019:

Best Festival or Event - The Ohio Renaissance Festival
Recently named one of the nation's top renaissance events by the Travel Channel, this annual autumn affair features incredible entertainment, delicious era-inspired food, hundreds of unique art and craft vendors and so much more. Visit just once and you'll understand why Warren County locals and out-of-towners alike come back year after year.

Best Music or Theater Event - La Comedia Dinner Theatre
Boasting both delicious buffet-style dining and professional Broadway-inspired entertainment, Springboro's La Comedia Dinner was a hit once again with both locals and visitors in 2019.

Best Sporting Event - The Western & Southern Open
The annual Western and Southern Open brings the tennis world's biggest and brightest stars to Warren County each August, and 2019's event - which reached near-record numbers in ticket sales - was yet another awesome installment.

Best Holiday Happening - The Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade
From wintertime wonders to Halloween frights, Warren County's annual event calendar is packed with awesome holiday highlights year-round. While there were no shortage of awesome options in this category, one of the county's most beloved Christmastime traditions, the Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade, took home the 2019 award for "Best Holiday Happening".

Best Fun on the Farm - Hidden Valley Orchards
Hay rides, corn mazes and pumpkin patches abound in Ohio's Largest Playground, but in 2019 it was Lebanon's Hidden Valley Orchards that earned our locals' nod for "Best Fun on the Farm".

Best New Addition - The Crate Room at Hidden Valley Orchards
Speaking of Hidden Valley Orchards, the popular Lebanon hideaway also took home our first ever "Best New Addition" award after adding The Crate Room - a one-of-a-kind bar and live music venue - to its already awesome establishment.

Best Area to Shop - Downtown Lebanon
Charming, unique and home to dozens of locally owned and operated small-town stores, the historic City of Lebanon is one of the neatest places to shop not only in Warren County, but in the entire Midwest! No wonder  locals named it "Best Area to Shop" last year.

Best Local Boutique - Rose & Remington
One of Lebanon's most popular clothing retailers, Rose & Remington's sleek shop and trendy offerings earned it "Best Local Boutique" honors in 2019.

Best Antique Store - A Country Peddler
Warren County is home to an incredible array of antiquing opportunities, but according to our locals, none were more amazing than A Country Peddler in 2019. Located in the city of Carlisle in the the county's Northwest corner, this small-town shop offers all kinds of treasures and is a must-stop spot for any antique hunter.

Best Caffeine Kick - Heather's Coffee & Cafe 
Every great day starts with a great cup of joe, and according to our local caffeine lovers, it's hard to beat the coffee at Heather's - a long-standing staple of Springboro.

Best Breakfast Spot - The Breakfast Club
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and according to our Warren County locals, there's no better place to enjoy it than at The Breakfast Club. Overstuffed omelettes, specialty waffle and pancake platters and more traditional breakfast staples make this beloved Lebanon hot spot one of the region's most popular early morning eateries.

Best Lunch Spot - Broadway Barrel House
Since bursting onto the Warren County dining scene just a few years back, Downtown Lebanon's Broadway Barrel House has quickly established itself as a must-stop spot for locals and visitors alike. Home to tasty smoked wings, piled-high sandwiches and more classic bar-food favorites, it was our locals' top pick for "Best Lunch Spot" in 2019.

Best Burger - Broadway Barrel House
On the topic of those bar-food favorites at Broadway Barrel House, the popular pub and eatery also took home first place honors in our 2019 "Best Burger" category. From its traditional Broadway Burger to more daring creations like its Spicy Jalapeno Burger, the Barrel House serves up a slew of tasty offerings sure to hit the spot with any burger lover.

Best Pizza Place - Two Cities Pizza
Serving up two of the nation's most iconic pizza styles - New York and Chicago - this beloved Mason, Ohio pizza parlor can please even the pickiest of pizza connoisseurs. No wonder some many Warren County locals gave it their vote for "Best Pizza Place" last year!

Best International Eats - Mae Ploy's Thai
Warren County's dining scene has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, becoming not only more delicious, but more diverse with each and every new restaurant opening. Mae Ploy's Thai in historic downtown Lebanon burst onto that scene in early 2019 and became the first ever winner of our "Best International Eats" category just months later!

Best Bar or Pub - Blackhorse Tavern at the Golden Lamb
After undergoing a beautiful renovation, the Black Horse Tavern - a gorgeous bar with a delicious drink menu located within Lebanon's iconic Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel - took home the "Best Bar or Pub" honors for 2019.

Best Fine Dining - The Golden Lamb
Speaking of the legendary Golden Lamb, our Warren County locals also voted it their favorite fine dining establishment of 2019. Having been open for more than 200 years and served 12 U.S. Presidents, it's safe to say they've mastered the art of great food service!

Best Signature Dish - The Golden Lamb's Fried Chicken 
Sensing a bit of a trend here? The Golden Lamb racked up three 2019 Best of Warren County Awards in all, including this one for its mouthwatering, golden-brown fried chicken. While the restaurant's menu offerings have been known to change from time to time, its fried chicken is always available - and for good reason.

Best Sweet Treat Stop - Whit's Frozen Custard
A summer (and spring...and early fall) staple for sweet-toothed locals, this downtown Lebanon hot spot swirls a seemingly endless array of pick-your-own toppings into its delicious, made-in-house custard. When the weather warms up - Warren County flocks to Whit's.

Best Date Night Spot - Valley Vineyards Winery & Brewery
Warren County may be known as Ohio's Largest Playground, but that's not to say it's just for kids. If you're looking for more of a grown-up getaway, look no further than Valley Vineyards Winery & Brewery - the second largest vineyard in Ohio and the first place winner of our 2019 "Best Date Night" category.

Best Brewery - Cellar Dweller at Valley Vineyards Winery & Brewery
Not a wine fan? Not to worry! Valley Vineyards is also home to Cellar Dweller - one of five local breweries to open in Warren County since the craft beer boom - and the winner of our 2019 "Best Brewery" award.

Best Outdoor Adventure - Caesar Creek State Park
Whether you're into hiking, biking, boating, fishing, fossil hunting or almost any other outdoorsy endeavor, Waynesville's beautiful Caesar Creek State Park has your fresh-air fun covered! 

Best Historical Attraction - Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve
Home to more than 2,000 years of Native American history, this awe-inspiring site in Oregonia treats guests not only to fascinating lessons on Native American lore, but also gorgeous hiking trails and overlooks. A hit with locals and visitors alike, it's must-stop spot for any history lover.

Best Family Fun - Kings Island
Record-breaking roller coasters, hair-raising thrill rides and an awesome accompanying water park make Kings Island in Mason one of the most incredible places for family fun not only in Warren County, but anywhere at all!

Ready to check out these local favorites for yourself? Plan all of your Warren County fun right here on OhiosLargestPlayground.com!