Travel The Ohio Buckeye Trail

Chocolate is the eternal way to the heart — especially on Valentine's Day. And in Ohio, our favorite chocolate-dipped, peanut butter fudge fondant ball confection, the buckeye, is the key to unlocking Valentine's Day love.

True buckeye addicts, though, have a state-wide adventure in store this Valentine's Day: The Ohio Buckeye Trail. You won't need to strap on your hiking shoes, but you should get your taste buds ready for a wide variety of approaches to this yummy and savory delicacy from the Buckeye State's favorite bakeries. 

Created by the Miami County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, this 31-stop adventure stretches from Cincinnati's Haute Chocolate to Columbus' Eagle Family Candy to Lakewood's Malley's Chocolates and Campbell's Sweets Factory on W. 25th. Each stop exhibits unique spins on the classic treat, such as the cookie dough buckeye at Findlay's Jack-B's. At Wittich Candy Shop, one of the nation's oldest candy shops at 178 years old, those who order the Buckeye Blast Sundae find ice cream topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauce, whipped cream and buckeye.

Along the Central Ohio road to Wittich Candy Shop, buckeye pioneers will find numerous historic, family-owned shops such as Walnut Creek's Coblentz Chocolates and Delaware County's Sweet Tooth Cottage. Started in 2008, Sweet Tooth grew out of a small family kitchen where butter cookies were the signature sweet. Now, it's become one of the most delicious buckeye stops on the trail.

"Sweet Tooth Cottage is a family-owned bakery which hand-rolls, individually dips and makes everything from scratch," says Deb Shatzer, Executive Director of Destination Delaware County Ohio. "Walking inside, you can't help but smile." 

In fact, the Central Ohio portion of the trail features seven locations within a 20-mile radius. Paired with stops at Ohio's quaint local breweries, wineries and boutiques, stops along the Buckeye Trail make the perfect road trip for a romantic Valentine's Day weekend.

Or, of course, you can swing by Malley's or Campbell's this Thursday and enjoy some delicious buckeyes from home. 

More Information: homegrowngreat.com/tour/ohio-buckeye-candy-trail