The next day, pack a picnic basket and hop in the car for the 20-minute drive along Route 73 to Caesar Creek State Park, which has 43 miles of hiking trails, nine picnic areas, and biking and fishing. First, though, stop off at Corwin Peddler in Waynesville (about 15 miles outside Lebanon) to rent a bike; ask for a three-speed cruiser if you're planning to stick to the trails (69 Maple St.; 513-897-3536; rentals, $18 a day).

Back in Lebanon, visit the Warren County Historical Society Museum, renowned for its Shaker collection—the second largest in the United States. The museum's life-size centerpiece, the Village Green, is a faithful re-creation of a nineteenth-century Main Street: There's a clock and watch store, a gun shop, a millinery, a toy store, a photographer's, a shoe store, an apothecary, a doctor's office, a general store, and more. If you're traveling with a group, the guided tours are well worthwhile (105 S. Broadway; 513-932-1817).

Where to Eat: For morning fare, you'll do no better than at the Breakfast Club Café, which serves up such big-plate dishes as a portabella and asiago overstuffed omelet and Michigan blueberry pancakes. The rich homemade coffees include the Irish cream–flavored Highlander Grog, which alone justifies the trip (102 N. Broadway; 513-932-0210; entrées, $6–$9). For an afternoon energy boost, the Village Ice Cream Parlor's sweet and delightfully juvenile nectar ice-cream soda will do the trick (22 S. Broadway; 513-932-6918), and for aperitifs, the Golden Lamb's Blackhorse Tavern serves a refreshing lemon martini. When it opened in 1815, few people could read and townspeople recognized the tavern by its horse decor—it persists today, from wallpaper to bar stool fabric. After drinks, proceed directly to the Golden Lamb Restaurant, known for its sumptuous dinners. Try the melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon with mushrooms and syrah sauce, and finish off with the favorite Sister Lizzy's Shaker Sugar Pie—very sweet, but a local experience nonetheless. A short drive from downtown Lebanon, the Houston Inn is known for its deep-fried frog's legs. Less adventurous types will enjoy Alaskan king crab legs, which prove surprisingly fresh for a landlocked state (4026 Hwy. 42; 513-398-7377; entrées, $12–$22).

And Don't Miss: The Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad offers rides on an authentic 1930s train. From Easter until Christmas, the LM&M also runs a Civil War train, the Muggles Express (for Harry Potter fans, of course), and other themed rides. Standard one-hour excursions, not as packed with little ones, stop at the Southwest Golf Ranch for picnicking before returning to downtown Lebanon. Reserve tickets in advance by phone or online, and arrive at least a half-hour before departure. The nearly century-old trains have no air-conditioning or heat, so make sure to dress for the weather (127 S. Mechanic St. ; 513-933-8022; lebanonrr.com; adults, $17; children, $12).
–Lily Newhouse