Festivals sometimes fill these few blocks along the Ohio-Erie Canal; the Apple Butter Stirring Festival is in mid-October. Visitors can stir apple butter, take a spirit tour and browse among 100 vendors.

Whenever you go, buy tickets for the attractions in the Visitor Center. (800) 877-1830; roscoevillage.com [1] With their discounts and our AAA card, we spent $18.45 per adult. The center’s video and exhibits sum up the canal’s history. Then head out to see the blacksmith, broom maker, printing press and more.

The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum has an eclectic art collection, with galleries for American-Indian, historic Ohio, decorative and East Asian art. (740) 622-8710; jhmuseum.org [2]

A less-than-1-mile walk along the towpath leads to Coshocton Lake Park, where draft horses pull the Monticello III along a restored section of the canal. (740) 622-7528; coshoctonlakepark.com [3] The boat runs on weekends through mid-October; snag a seat near the captain so you can hear his narration on the 45-minute ride.

Downtown, modern-day shops include Garden Gate, which sells planters, wreaths and backyard baubles (740/622-8640). In River Ridge Leather, Dennis Knight crafts belts and bags. (740) 295-0284; riverridgeleather.com [4]

Warehouse Steak n’ Stein offers burgers, sandwiches and great onion rings, and makes it easy to keep dinner for two to less than $40. (740) 622-4001; warehousesteaknstein.com  [5]

(A version of this story appeared in Midwest Living® September/October 2011.  Prices, dates, and other details are subject to change, so please check specifics before making travel plans.)