Herbal Trail Discovery

Gahanna was declared the Herb Capital of Ohio by the state legislature in 1972. Jane "Bunnie" Geroux spearheaded the effort and later founded the Ohio Herb Education Center.  Gahanna’s  Herbal Trail, a collaborative effort and sensory experience, was created by the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2012 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of “Herb Capital of Ohio.”  Gahanna celebrates this distinction by showcasing culinary and shopping venues, herb gardens and trails, eco-learning options and health/wellness points of interest.


Make the MOST of your Herbal Trail adventure, by staying and playing in Gahanna! Book your VIP Herbal Trail Hotel Getaway package and enjoy locally made bath products, complimentary breakfast and shuttle service to many of our Herbal Trail stops. Even better, bring your friends! Call the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau at 614/418-9114 to learn more!


Day One

• Visit the Ohio Herb Education Center. Take part in a class or workshop, learn to blend herbal teas, ask for gardening tips or shop for the gift shop and library.
• Follow the scents to Koko Tea Salon & Bakery. Sample a berry lavender cupcake or relaxing herbal teas.
• Stop in Amish Country Essentials and take in the heavenly scents! Shop for all-natural soaps, lotions, baby, body and bath products, all made in Ohio's Amish Country!
• Sample herb-inspired cocktails and mouth watering BBQ at Barrel & Boar at Creekside. Take in the views from the beautiful patio!
• Stop by Somedays (formerly the Wine Guy Bistro) and savor chef-created signature appetizers inspired by herbs, while sipping a delightful wine of your choice.
• Meander the walking paths at Creekside Park, past the Sunburst Herbal Garden and down to the Gahanna Historical Settlement where you’ll discover the Goosefoot Garden. Discover a world of herbs and plants along the way.
• Explore the Community Gardens at Friendship Park and walk the Story Trail.
• Dine at The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek, start with the "Barn Tea" (Bourbon Cocktail), followed by Baked Oysters Bingo w/ Lemon Garlic Aoili, savor a steak or the Crab Stuffed Shrimp and finish your meal with one of the The Barn's mouth watering, house-made desserts.

Day Two

• Shepherd’s Corner, just east of Gahanna, is a 160-acre farm and ecological center offering special classes, events and tours. Learn about perma-culture and meet the resident Llama and sheep. Visit the website for hours.
• Discover Gahanna’s popular Geroux Herb Garden—named for Bunnie Geroux, the driving force behind Gahanna’s Herb Capital recognition. The gardens offer an acre of themed herb collections including the Culinary Garden, Biblical Garden and Medicinal Garden.
• Lunch on herb-inspired seasonal menu items at 101 Beer Kitchen; spicy homemade cilantro infused Latin American Food at Arepazo Tapas & Wine, or delicious tacos (cheap eats!) at Local Cantina!
• Every visit to Gahanna MUST include a visit to Mrs. Turbo's Cookies! The fun 50s era retro diner features ah-mazing made-from-scratch (and only natural ingredients) cookies, "Brookies," and Whoopie Pies ...featuring herb infused flavors like Blueberry Lemon and Lemon Thyme. (One of our favs!)

• Visit Anthony Thomas Candy Shop and stock up on hand-poured and dipped chocolate mint truffles, Buckeyes and other treats for the trip home.
• Enjoy a free tour of Swisher Creek Farm -- enjoy nature (and the garden) while getting up close and personal with some of Judy & Pete Klein's pack of beautiful alpacas. Call ahead to schedule a tour.