Glamping and Eating our Way through Ohio for Our Anniversary

This year marks the 15^th Wedding Anniversary to The Hubby. Our normal way of celebrating is usually a kiss in the morning and a “Happy Anniversary”. More often than not, I hate to admit, is that we forget our anniversary. Not joking. And we have two: one in June for our City Hall wedding, which was then followed a year later for the church wedding the following May. So, we actually have two wedding anniversaries, which gives us two chances to remember every year. But life just gets in the way.

This year will be different. We were given the opportunity to visit the state of Ohio this summer. I was simply stunned at the choices (amusement parks, great food, beaches – YES! Beaches!). The one thing that caught my eye was GLAMPING. Yup. Glamping = Glamorous Camping. Which, if you know me, is the only kind of camping I could ever do.

Glamping at Nomad Ridge at The Wilds

Glamorous camping does not involve pitching a tent, cooking beans and hot dogs over an open-fire and sleeping in sleeping bags. What it does involve is sleeping in a yurt and a full-on safari — In the middle of Ohio — Cumberland, Ohio to be exact. I can hear your mouth opening in astonishment as you are reading this.

Glamping in Ohio in a Yurt at Nomad Ridge at The Wilds | Photo Credit: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

The kind people at Nomad Ridge at The Wilds will be hosting us for an overnight stay to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Like I said, there will be no tents involved, but a Premium Yurt, which includes a king-sized bed, seating area, bathroom with shower, mini fridge and Keurig brewer with complimentary teas and coffees. The yurt is climate controlled and has a wooded view of the animal pastures from our deck. Our overnight package includes dinner and breakfast for two, an open-air safari, and access to a 24-hour concierge for drinks or any other requests we may have. Now, this is the kind of camping I’m talkin’ about.

Let’s take a step back. The Wilds is the largest wildlife conservation center that provides a natural, open-range home for endangered species in North America. It is a private, non-profit safari park, that integrates science, educational programs, hands-on experiences and one-of-a-kind adventures to create memories that you will never forget. They have more than 350 mammals representing 31 different species from around the world – including cheetahs, takin (an animal related to sheep), giraffes, zebras and antelope.

Glamping in Ohio at The Wilds with an Open Air Safari | Photo Credit: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

The next morning, breakfast is served at the Overlook Café and we head on out to our 2-hour Open-Air Safari — that’s right, a safari in the middle of Ohio. From what it looks like, we’ll be in an open-air jeep watching beautiful rhinos and antelope in their natural habitat. No need to travel 17+ hours to Africa; you can experience a safari in the United States of America!

Eating and Sightseeing in Zanesville, Ohio

After our stay at The Wilds, our anniversary celebration continues an hour west to Zanesville, Ohio, which at one time was known as “Clay City” and “Pottery Capital of the World” where we’ll be stopping for lunch, dinner and sightseeing.

My husband and I love to eat great food and we’ve heard that the Muddy Misers Cool River Café, known for its Cajun-inspired menu (hubby fave), has a Walleye Reuben, an Ohio Specialty. I have no idea what it is, but we’ll be ordering it! Not knowing what we’ll be in the mood for, there’s Tiaquepaque, for authentic Mexican cuisine; Weasel Boy Brewing Company for a large selection of craft beer (another hubby fave), pizza and salad. For something more traditional there’s Old Market House Inn for steak and seafood, and we’ve heard that dessert from Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl which has been churning out creamy treats for over 50 years.

Zanesville, Ohio | Photo Credit: TourisimOhio

Sometime between all of that eating, we’d like to get some culture and sightseeing in so visiting The Allan Cottrill Sculpture Studio may be on our list of stops. We will be able to browse some art, and hopefully talk to some of the artists who are usually on-site sculpting. Zane’s Landing Park is nearby for a ride on the Lorena Sternwheeler, an old-fashioned riverboat that cruises the Muskingum River; or Gale Garden, a one-acre public garden in Zaneville’s McIntire Historic District. After a day of eating and sightseeing, we’ll be hosted at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Zanesville for our last evening in Ohio.

Make sure to follow along on our Anniversary adventures on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the #TTMvisitsOhio!

For more information, visit the The Wilds, Discover Ohio, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Zanesville.