Ohio's oldest hotel is still going strong

First opened in 1803 as a “house of Public Entertainment,” The Golden Lamb in Lebonon is Ohio’s oldest hotel. Not long after its debut,  the hotel was moved to its current location in 1815. The red brick building was added onto over the years to expand it from its original two stories to four stories, and it eventually became a favorite stop between Cincinnati and the National Road (US 40).

Over the years, this historic inn that also houses a restaurant that has become a destination to drive for, and part of Ohio’s upscale, comfort food landscape, has been host to literary and political giants. And, it’s rumored to be haunted.

The Golden Lamb Restaurant for upscale Americana comfort

The name plates on the hotel’s 18 guest rooms indicate who has either stayed and/or eaten here. The scope is impressive. Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Ulysses S. Grant, John Quincy Adams, William Howard Taft are a few from years gone by. The George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan rooms, however, are from more modern times.

Each of the rooms, located on the building’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors, are appointed with antique furnishings and come equipped with air-conditioning and a TV. Each also has a private bathroom.

Please  note, however, that the hotel does not have an elevator so if climbing stairs is a problem, ask for a room on the 2nd floor.

For the ghost action, listen for items falling off of the walls or furniture in Sarah’s Room. Located on the 4th floor, the room is part of the hotel’s museum and is a recreated version of what Sarah Stubbs room might have looked like when she was a girl. Sarah, the niece of Issac Stubbs, the hotel’s manager in the early 1800s, lived at The Golden Lamb with her mother after her father died. Although Sarah lived to be elderly, some say it’s her ghost who haunts the room.

Others say it’s Eliza Clay, daughter of orator and Kentucky statesman Henry Clay. Eliza was a girl when she died from a high fever at the inn in 1825.

Whether it’s Sarah or Eliza, she has company. The ghost of Charles R. Sherman, an Ohio Supreme  Justice who died at the inn in 1829 is thought to appear in the hallways as a “grey, gaunt man” and create the smell of cigar smoke.

Even if the ghosts are quiet, the hotel is worth a stop. When I visited, my aim was a meal at the Black Horse Tavern, The Golden Lamb’s casual dining option. Connected to the hotel, the tavern’s fare includes food that is served at the inn’s more upscale restaurant but also chef crafted hamburgers, specialty sandwiches and hearty soups.

While waiting for food to arrive, we took browsed the hotel’s display cases and the museum rooms that are a unique look into Ohio’s past.

James Whitcomb Riley room - One option of elegance and antiques

For a seasonal choice, stay in the James Whitcomb Riley room.  James Whitcomb Riley wrote the poem, Little Orphant Annie in 1885 and is my favorite poem to recite for Halloween. Riley made an appearance in Lebonon on October 16, 1883. The room has a queen and a double bed.

Rates from $109 to $119 and can be combined into dinner package. During the weekdays, a complimentary continental breakfast is included in the room rate.

If You Go:

The Golden Lamb Inn and Restaurant
27 S. Broadway
Lebanon, Ohio 45036
513.932.5065

Photos courtesy of The Golden Lamb Inn. This is a guest post by Jamie Rhein.

Crush at sunset, Temecula Valley’s Wine & Culinary Showcase at Callaway Vineyard & Winery, Temecula, California

Are you visiting Temecula Valley wine country for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in Temecula Valley.  Considered Southern California’s wine country, Temecula Valley is 90 minutes from LA and Palm Springs, and 60 minutes from Orange County and San Diego.  Boasting 35 wineries and more than a dozen wine country restaurants, Temecula Valley is an affordable and accessible wine country destination for SoCal visitors and beyond.

When I have a visitor from out of town the first place they want to see is Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards or Callaway Vineyards & Winery, but I also take them to Palumbo Family Vineyards – for a more local, authentic experience.

When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is boutique  “off-the-beaten-path” wineries like:

• Doffo Vineyard & Winery
• Cougar Vineyard & Winery
• Danza del Sol Winery
• Longshadow Ranch Vineyard & Winery

If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Leoness Cellars for kissing with a view

If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Leoness Cellars or Briar Rose Winery for kissing with a view.

The best place to walk the dog is at Oak Mountain Winery – they’re the most pet-friendly winery and have animal fundraising events all year round.

Temecula valley wine country cuisine

If you are looking for typical wine country cuisine, Temecula wine country has more restaurants than most central and northern California wine regions:

• The Restaurant at Ponte
• The Vineyard Rose at South Coast
• Carol’s Restaurant at Baily
• Meritage at Callaway
• The Pinnacle at Falkner
• The Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek
• Cafe Champagne at Thornton
• MDO Wine Bar & Bistro at Monte de Oro (open Fri/Sat/Sun, light fare during the week)
• Shorty’s at Mount Palomar (open Fri/Sat/Sun)
• The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars (open Fri/Sat/Sun) (order the garlic fries – addicting!)

The Vineyard Rose at South Coast Winery is a great place for wine country cuisine

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Ponte Vineyard Inn for their pastry basket, while South Coast Winery Resort & Spa has the best banana pancakes (complimentary for guests.)

Looking for cheap food in wine country? Go to Shorty’s at Mount Palomar for some good gyros to-go.

The Cellar Lounge at Ponte Vineyard Inn is the spot for late night dining.  They offer Gastropub fare, are open late and are the only full bar in wine country.

For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to The Restaurant at Ponte, Meritage at Callaway or The Vineyard Rose at South Coast Winery.  These restaurants focus on market-driven wine country cuisine; locally sourced and made from scratch.

Seeing a lot of vineyards? Temecula Valley grows its own grapes and produces its own wine locally.  Most wine is only available for purchase in the tasting rooms.

When you come to wine country, get your picture taken anywhere!  There are beautiful vineyards everywhere you look.  The grape vines will be in full bloom from about May-Sept.  Harvest takes place in September and October and the vines will be bare from winter to spring.

Monte de Oro is a new winery with a modern-design – good for taking pics – glass floor and expansive patio.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Mount Palomar, Oak Mountain, Callaway, Leoness, Falkner, Monte de Oro, Bel Vino.  Beautiful valley views!

Callaway Vineyards & Winery is the best place to watch or experience CRUSH, Temecula Valley’s Wine & Culinary Showcase – every September to celebrate California Wine Month.

In wine country, outdoor adventurers will want to take a horseback ride.  There are riding trails  throughout the vineyards.

Temecula wine grapes

Temecula  wine country isn’t the best place for walking, due to the limited sidewalks and we all know that wine tasting and driving don’t mix.  Instead, we recommend the Grapeline shuttle – no drinking & driving!

Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing and listen to live music at Thornton, South Coast, Miramonte.

The Press-Enterprise and Southwest Riverside News Network will keep you posted on what’s happening in wine country.

In the spring you should attend World of Wine Weekend, the first weekend in March.  Visitors can buy a Passport to sample flights and bites at all 35 wineries over the course of the weekend.

In the summer Temecula valley offers outdoor rock, jazz, and blues concerts, winemaker dinners, cooking classes, and wine-making seminars at:

• Wiens
• Longshadow Ranch
• Wilson Creek
• South Coast
• Monte de Oro
• Miramonte
• Callaway
• Europa Village
• Mount Palomar

In the fall, wine lovers will want to attend the Harvest Celebration Barrel Tasting Weekend  – first weekend of November.  For one Passport price, visitors can do barrel tasting, sample wine country cuisine and vote for their favorite winery scarecrow at all 35 wineries over the course of the weekend.

Did you know you can go ice skating in Temecula Valley? Check out South Coast Winery for ice skating.

Take a horse & carriage ride with Temecula Carriage Company through the vineyards

Insider Tip: Take a horse & carriage ride between Ponte, Wiens, and South Coast wineries.

I’ll bet you didn’t know… about the picnic area overlooking Robert Renzoni’s winery.  Also – did you know that many wineries sell olive oil, vinegar, tomato sauce and other local foods?

Just 15 minutes outside of wine country, you can visit Old Town Temecula and have lunch at Public House.  There’s wine tasting rooms by Lorimar and Villa di Calabro, the Temecula Olive Oil Company offers local soaps, vinegar, olive oil, and other handmade items.  There are antique stores on every block and the farmers market takes place on Saturday.  Main Street is right off the freeway for an easy ride home.

What are your favorite things to do in Temecula, California?

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Temecula Wine Growers on Twitter  and like them on  Facebook.

If You Go:

Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association

Thanks to Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association for assistance with this post. Photos and YouTube video courtesy of Nancy D. Brown.

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Things to See and Do in Palm Springs, CA

When you come to Palm Springs, get your picture taken in front of the 26-foot Forever Marilyn Monroe sculpture

Insider Tips to Palm Springs, CA

Are you visiting Palm Springs for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in this desert oasis.

When I have a visitor from out-of-town the first place they want to see is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, but I also take them to Backstreet Art District – for a more local, authentic experience.

When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is going to the Moorten Botanical Garden.

If this is a romantic trip, I recommend the observation deck at 8,500+ feet at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for kissing with a view.

The best place to walk the dog is through the Tennis District, a historic neighborhood lined with old Hollywood celebrity homes and mid-century modern boutique hotels.

Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit Palm Springs Air Museum.

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Aspen Mills, a local bread/bakery company – great coffee and amazing cinnamon rolls

Palm Springs Food:

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Aspen Mills, a local bread/bakery company – great coffee and amazing cinnamon rolls.

Looking for cheap food in Palm Springs? Go to John’s Restaurant –  many menu options and large food portions.

The restaurant, LuLus Palm Springs is the spot for late night dining. Plus, they have a 12-hour happy hour.

For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to Copley’s Restaurant (it is the former estate of Cary Grant)

Seeing a lot of sunshine? Palm Springs is best known for its year-round sunshine, palm trees and swimming pools.

When you come to Palm Springs, get your picture taken in front of the 26-foot Forever Marilyn Monroe sculpture on display in downtown until June 2013.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Palm Canyon in the Indian Canyons. It is considered to be the largest natural palm oasis in the world.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers great views and Palm Canyon Drive is the best place to watch or experience the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade.

Deborah Butterfield’s Bronze Horse Palm Springs Art Museum

In Palm Springs, outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike ancient canyons or go horseback riding through pristine wilderness.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Andreas Canyon trail in the Indian Canyons, it is a 1 mile loop along streams, canyons and beautiful views.

If you are a museum lover, Palm Springs has a stunning Art Museum.

Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at Village Pub or Las Casuelas for live music.

The Desert Sun will keep you posted on what’s happening in Palm Springs.

You can tell a lot about Palm Springs from visiting and watching the Palm Springs International Film Festival event.

In the spring you should attend, the Coachella Music Festival.

In the summer you should attend the weekly free film series at the Palm Springs art museum.

Did you know that Palm Springs is known for its mid-century modern architecture. Plan a visit to Modernism Week in the winter.

Come to Palm Springs for classic car auctions and motorcycle show in the fall.

Dale Chihuly’s “End of the Day” at Palm Springs Art Museum

Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in Palm Springs.

I’ll bet you didn’t know…..that Palm Springs is ½ Tribal Land and ½ City land.

Just outside of Palm Springs you can visit Joshua Tree National Park, and have lunch at Pappy and Harriets in Pioneertown.

What are your favorite things to do in Palm Springs?

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Palm Spring  on Twitter  and like them on  Facebook.

Thanks to Hillary at the Palms Springs Visitors Bureau for assistance with this post. Photos and YouTube video courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.

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Adult-Only Getaway at Del Marcos Hotel