top of page
Search

How to Escape Oxford (for the Day)

By Claire Weston

Edited by Taylor Morgan


The hustle and bustle of Miami University life can be overwhelming at times. Simultaneously, sometimes nothing in Oxford seems entertaining. Whenever you are feeling stuck in town, perhaps plan a small day trip for a change of scenery. 

WILLIAM CHRISTEN / Unsplash
WILLIAM CHRISTEN / Unsplash

Here are six day trips less than a three-hour drive from Oxford:


Cincinnati 


  • Restaurants

    • Al-Madina Grill

      • A Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant.

    • Brown Bear Bakery

      • A bakery that rotates items seasonally. Bakery items vary from cookies to croissants to cinnamon buns.

    • Jorge’s Taco Truck

      • A Mexican restaurant, with classic tacos, burritos and more. 

    • Kiki’s

      • An izakaya and sushi bar, with an assortment of sushi, buns, ramen and meat skewers.

    • Sago

      • A Malaysian restaurant that draws inspiration from European and Asian flavors. 


Columbus


  • Restaurants:

    • BrewDog

      • A craft brewery and pub that serves an elevated pub food, including burgers, tacos and snacks.

    • Brassica 

      • A fast and casual Mediterranean restaurant that offers build-your-own sandwiches, bowls, and salads

    • Pierogi Mountain

      • A Polish-inspired menu in a relaxed neighborhood restaurant.

    • Speck 

      • An Italian eatery that serves modern interpretations of authentic Italian dishes. 


Indianapolis

  • Drive Time: two hours 

  • Activities:

    • Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

      • An automotive museum on the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    • Newfields Art Museum

      • Features art galleries, lush gardens, two historic homes, a nature preserve and a sculpture park. 

    • Central Canal

      • The Canal Walk is part of the Indiana Central Canal, which was dug in the early 1800s.

    • The Kurt Vonnegut Museum

      • The literary, artistic, and cultural contributions of the late writer, artist and Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut.


  • Restaurants:

    • Egg Roll #1

      • A Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant, with various Thai foods, Vietnamese Pho, and other Asian dishes. 

    • The Workingman's Friend

      • An old-school diner with burgers and other classic American dishes. 

    • Strangebird

      • A ramen shop with a rum and oyster bar. 

    • Bluebeard

      • A contemporary American restaurant with an emphasis on farm-to-table practices. 


Fort Wayne, Indiana 



  • Restaurants: 

    • Chance Bar 

      • A “midwestern neighborhood restaurant” serving burgers, steak, salmon and more. 

    • Bravas 

      • Specializes in burgers, hot dogs and more. 

    • Banh Mi Pho Shop

      • Pho and Vietnamese sandwiches.

    • Ma Hnin

      • Traditional food from Burma and Thailand.


Louisville, Kentucky 

  • Drive Time: two hours and 25 minutes 

  • Activities:


  • Restaurants: 

    • Toasty’s Tavern

      • A charming tavern offering hot dogs, sandwiches and fries.

    • Good Belly

      • A storefront deli featuring housemade sandwiches and soups.

    • Sichuan House 

      • A cozy eatery serving many Szechuan staples, from mapo tofu to fried rice. 

    • Ollie’s Trolley 

      • A trolley serving American comfort food, with casual outside seating.



Lexington, Kentucky

  • Drive Time: two hours 

  • Activities:

    • Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

      • A 734-acre nature sanctuary with over 10 miles of hiking trails.

    • Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate 

      • A National Historic Landmark and museum, with tours and community events. 

    • Mill Ridge Farm 

      • Located near the iconic Keeneland Racetrack, where you can experience a farm known for raising and selling first-class thoroughbred horses.

    • Keeneland 

      • The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house. They host racing twice annually. 

    • Mural Hunting

      • Track all the murals down spread throughout the city of Lexington. 


bottom of page