Shopping is an integral part of the travel experience. But when shopping is a trip’s sole purpose, it’s time to call the girlfriends and embark on a journey that won’t be forgotten.

Tucked into Ohio’s southwest corner, the communities in and around Warren County provide an array of experiences for all kinds of shoppers, whether they’re searching for something trendy at contemporary shops, something old at antique stores or something inexpensive at flea markets.   And, many charming bed & breakfast and inns are within walking distance of the best antique shopping in Ohio.  Endless treasures are just waiting to be uncovered during a girlfriends shopping getaway in Warren County, Ohio.

Small-Town Appeal
Small towns often swell with charm, and the Warren County villages of Lebanon, Waynesville and Springboro don’t disappoint. USA Today named Lebanon’s historical downtown one of “ten great places to browse for antiques.” With more than 50 antique shops in Lebanon featuring American, European and Asian collectibles dotting its historic downtown, it’s easy to see how it earned that title. Other desirable pieces waiting to be found include furniture, glassware and textiles.

There’s no doubt why Waynesville is called the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest.” A walk down the village’s Main Street is sure to reveal the existence of old furniture, clocks or jewelry inside beautifully maintained Victorian-era buildings. Many were once homes that have been converted into shops that now sell coffee, books, art and other specialty items. And shoppers lucky enough to be in town during early October should linger for the annual Sauerkraut Festival, a celebration that has grown from a small, local event into a national happening.

Complete the antiques shopping loop with a jaunt over to Springboro.  A six-block stretch of south Main Street has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Strolling this historical area is a shopper’s dream as many of the 1800s homes have been turned into shops featuring antiques, children’s and women’s clothing, candles, art glass, and seasonal decorations.

Something New on the Mall Scene
Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe is the area’s newest outlet mall with 100 shops specializing in designer fashion and sportswear, shoes, jewelry, housewares and home furnishings, and gifts and specialty items. Cincinnati Premium features such popular names as Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic, Polo Ralph Lauren, COACH, Cole Haan, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and J. Crew.

With shopping, restaurants and a new cinema center, Deerfield Town Centre is an aptly named gathering spot for girlfriends to get away from the routine. Aching feet can always use a rest from power shopping, and what better way to put your feet up than with a movie at the recently opened Regal Deerfield Cinema Stadium 16. Or stop and grab at bite at one of Deerfield’s many restaurants before hitting the shopping trail again. Deerfield boasts dozens of national brand stores, specialty boutiques and furniture stores such as Archiver’s, White House/Black Market and Ann Taylor Loft.

While visiting the greater Cincinnati area, stops should include Kenwood Towne Centre and IKEA. Kenwood has two levels featuring 180 specialty shops such as J.Crew, Pottery Barn, Aveda, Bebe and more alongside great restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory and Manggiano’s Little Italy.

Just outside Cincinnati, and a short drive from Warren County, IKEA—the popular home-furnishings store out of Sweden—opened in 2008.  IKEA includes a 26-acre pond, 350-plus-seat restaurant, Swedish food market and bistro featuring 50-cent hot dogs. Shoppers will enjoy the store’s 48 room settings and three fully furnished home interiors.

Your tour of Cincinnati shopping malls continues with Prime Outlets Jeffersonville, Ohio’s largest outlet mall. Its 100 shops include kate spade, Banana Republic, Adidas, Fossil, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger and Van Heusen.

A Rare Find
For a different take on furniture, shoppers should browse through the Workshops of David T. Smith in Morrow to see his Shaker-style creations, which also include pottery and wood items. Smith has been featured in Country Living Magazine and produces kitchens for homes across America. (He has designed and built more than 300 handmade kitchens throughout the country.)

More Shaker-inspired creations can be found at Isaacs’ Shaker Hill, also in Morrow. Housed in an1863 building, the shop features furniture, decorative items and accessories for the home.

For those who keep the Christmas spirit all year, Kings Mill General Store & Christmas Shop is where to go for holiday decorations. This family-owned stored in Kings Mill is packed from floor to ceiling with nutcrackers, Fontanini nativity sets, Patricia Breen ornaments and retired Dept. 56 collectibles.

Hidden Treasures
Shoppers are always looking for good deals or searching for that missing accessory to complete a special outfit or put the finishing touch on a room in their home. Flea markets are the perfect place to make this happen.

Warren County flea markets feature a treasure trove of items for shoppers to peruse. In Wilmington, Caesar Creek Market offers hundreds of vendors each weekend and the convenience of indoor shopping. Its outdoor venue runs March through October. Monroe offers two flea markets: Traders World and Treasure Aisles. Both have indoor and outdoor markets, feature hundreds of vendors, and are open every weekend.

Historical Haven
Though it may be hard to believe, there’s more to a vacation than shopping—even in a haven such as Warren County. Proving the rule are places like the Golden Lamb Inn and Restaurant, Ohio’s oldest continuously operating business and oldest inn. It’s been visited by no fewer than 12 U.S. presidents. Another type of culinary experience can be found at the Village Ice Cream Parlor, an old-fashioned soda fountain that also features a full menu. It recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

History buffs should take in the Warren County Historical Society Museum and Glendower Mansion. The museum boasts extensive collections that include pre-history artifacts, farming tools and equipment, and antique pottery. The museum’s collection of Shaker objects is vast. Glendower Mansion, considered one of the most impressive examples of Greek Revival architecture in the Midwest, can be toured from May through October.

Anyone looking to take in the scenic countryside should climb aboard Lebanon’s LM&M Railroad, which offers nostalgic rides through Warren County as well as theme trips throughout the year. For a closer look, there is the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail, which connects Lebanon and Waynesville, and is part of a larger trail along the Little Miami River. Hikers and bikers can enjoy a paved route through nature areas, under railroad trestles and into quaint towns.

Extreme Adventures
If you and your girlfriends are more active, then Warren County has you covered with a host of daring activities including zipping through tree-tops, zooming down roller coasters and racing down giant waterslides. Start your adventure with a daring trip aboard Ozone Zipline Adventures, the largest zipline canopy tour in the Midwest. Your nearly 2-mile-long trip at heights reaching 150 feet above the ground promises to be one of your most memorable outdoor adventures.

Hop aboard some of the best roller coasters in the Midwest at Kings Island amusement park. Ride the all-new Diamondback and reach speeds of nearly 80 mph or ride The Beast, the longest wooden roller-coaster in the world. Or grab a taste of the tropics at The Beach Waterpark, complete with white sand, palm trees, waterfalls, crashing waves and more than 50 rides and attractions.

Take your girlfriend getaway to new heights (literally) with a trip to the Warren County airport. This hidden gem is home to a variety of thrilling air adventures in Warren County. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, throw caution to the wind and soar through the air for 30 to 50 seconds of free fall on a tandem skydive with trained instructors at Start Skydiving!

With so much to do, all in one place, it’s no wonder Warren County is Ohio’s Largest Playground. 

For more information about a Warren County getaway, visit www.ohioslargestplayground.com. For trip-planning assistance, visit AAA.com/travel.