Airstream Factory
Get inspired for your next road trip by exploring the history of these iconic trailers and motor homes that helped herald America's boom in coast-to-coast travel. Inside the only factory in the world that manufactures the vehicles, take a free, one- to two-hour walking tour to see how actual Airstreams are built from chassis to finish. And feel free to ask questions on the tour, the two guides have 50 years of combined experience. "We have a series of historical units that have been refurbished so people can see how the Airstream evolved," says marketing operations director Karen Kist. 419 W. Pike St., Jackson Center, 877-596-6111, airstream.com
Off-road Segway Tour
Segways aren't just limited to bustling big city streets. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours goes off course with a 90-minute to two-hour ride in rugged trails. Hop on an all-terrain X2 Segway, don a helmet and zoom up, down and around its hills and rocky roads for a roller coaster-like experience. And with you controlling your own speed and pace, you'll soon become a pro at navigating those inclines that lead to views of the Hocking River and ancient recessed caves. "For many people, the novelty of being on a Segway adds to the enjoyment of the tour," says co-owner Julieann Burroughs. $64; 10714 Jackson St., Rockbridge, 740-385-9477, hockinghillscanopytours.com
Ohio Caverns
Climb inside Ohio's largest network of caverns during Ohio Cavern's Natural Wonder Tour. The 50-minute, mile-long adventure shows you some of the world's most impressive stalagmite and stalactite formations including the 200,000-year-old, 5-foot-long Crystal King — a pure-white wonder that weighs an estimated 400 pounds — and the awe-inducing Palace of the Gods — a rare dual formation of iron-oxide and calcite crystals. "These are some of the most colorful formations in the world, and we have the only caverns with double formations," says manager Eric Evans. $17 adults, $9 children (5-12); 2210 E. state Route 245, West Liberty, 937-465-4017, ohiocaverns.com
Spangler Candy Co.
If you're a sucker for a good story, you'll want to hop on this trolley tour at the Spangler Candy Co. — home of Dum Dums. While exploring areas such as warehouses where boxes upon boxes of Dum Dums, candy canes and other treats are stored, video screens inside the trolley tell the history of the 109-year-old company. Before you leave, visit the store and museum where you can purchase single-flavor boxes of Dum Dums or a T-shirt and even provide feedback on experimental sample flavors. "We make 1 million Dum Dums and 1.5 million candy canes each day," says tour manager Ann Spangler. $5 adult, $3 children (6-18); 400 N. Portland St., Bryan, 419-633-6439, spanglercandy.com
The Warther Museum
Carving out his own niche of Americana, the late Ernest Warther turned a hobby into worldwide fame. Known as the world's master carver, he appeared on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show and visited with presidents such as Richard Nixon. Learn all this and more during a one-hour tour through the museum that showcases his legacy: a collection of 64 train engines, a plier tree with 511 pairs of pliers carved out of a single piece of wood and a 4-by-8-foot replica of the steel mill he once worked in. "People are amazed and inspired that one person did all this," says museum director Carol Warther Moreland. $13 adults, $5 children (6-17); 331 Karl Ave., Dover, 330-343-7513, warthers.com
