Coshocton has plenty to offer tourists even with social distancing in place
There is still plenty you can do in Coshocton County while continuing to practice social distancing.
“We are trying to push a lot of our outdoor offerings,” said Mindy Brems, executive director of the Coshocton Visitors Bureau. “We have so much wide-open space here in Coshocton County that already lends itself nicely to social distancing.”
One fun way to spend time outside is by completing the Coshocton Crow Geotrail.
“We rebooted it last fall by moving some caches and adding bonus caches and new clues,” Brems said. “Even if you’ve already done it you can download the new one and still get a new coin.”
When participants visit all 13 caches and complete their passport they receive a Coshocton Crow Geotrail coin. To find out how the activity works, go to visitcoshocton.com. Click on things to do and then outdoor recreation.
“You can spend the day doing it and maybe stop at a local business or restaurant for food along the way or you can bring your own picnic,” Brems said. “If you want the coin mail your passport to us and we will mail it back to you or hopefully we will be back open again soon and you can come get it.”
Coshocton also has a selfie trail called #SpotCoshocton.
“You go around to different spots in Coshocton and take a selfie,” Brems said. “It’s fun silly things to take a picture with like the big cow in front of Medbery Market or the sun at the ArtPARK.
You also can take your own tour of Coshocton’s historical markers like the Helmick Covered Bridge or the Old Stone Fort.
“We are working on developing a historical walking trail of Town Center Coshocton,” Brems said. “We are talking to the Our Town Coshocton folks to make sure we get the right information.”
She also encouraged people to enjoy Coshocton’s scenic water ways.
“When the weather warms up bring your kayak or canoe to one of our water access points and float down the river,” Brems said. “We also have some really great fishing in Coshocton County and there are new developments of Eagle and Osprey nests here.”
Another great place to enjoy the outdoors is the Woodbury Wildlife area.
“It’s the largest public hunting and fishing area in the state of Ohio,” Brems said. “It also offers birding and hiking opportunities that you don’t get in a lot of state parks because they are so developed. We also are hoping the shooting range there can open up soon.”
If you are thinking about stopping at a local restaurant after enjoying some time outdoors be sure to first go to visitcoshocton.com to view “restaurant offerings during COVID-19.”
“We tried to call all the people we have listed (on our website) to update their hours and add information as it changes,” Brems said. “We’ve had really good community support of our small businesses.”
Another way you can support small business owners is by shopping coshoctonsupplyco.com.
“We are limited on what we have listed on the website for sale, but if you don’t see what you need send us a note and we can arrange a pickup,” Brems said. “We have been doing a lot of those for honey.”
The Coshocton Supply Company, which is located in the visitor bureau’s office on Whitewoman Street, features products made by 16 local vendors.
“We appreciate the support for our vendors, but also because the sale of items helps with the operation of the visitors bureau,” Brems said. “That and lodging taxes help us market Coshocton.”
When the stay at home orders are lifted, Brems truly believes Coshocton will come out ok because of how easy of a drive it is from many larger areas.
“When people do feel safe to ravel they are going to want to get into their car and control their environment,” Brems said. “We have a lot of people who already meet relatives here because it’s in the middle for them and they can go out to lunch and take a walk. The drive (tourism) market will come out first. We have a lot of popular outdoor eating areas and that will be important with social distancing. People will feel more secure and safe outside than in a crowded dining room.”
According to Brems the visitors bureau greeted almost 13,000 visitors in 2019.
“We know people come here and love to come here,” she said. “It’s just a matter of when they feel safe.”
The message her office will be sharing this tourism season is that Coshocton is wide open.
“You can get out and enjoy a breath of fresh air at one of our outdoor opportunities or enjoy Roscoe and its shops, which are smaller and won’t have as many people in them at one time,” Brems said.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
