The winners were chosen via online voting. Here’s how Scott Hutchinson, senior communications manager for the visitors bureau, described the methodology:
"Over the past several weeks, we have hosted a 'Best of Warren County' page on our web site, OhiosLargestPlayground.com. Locals and Warren County regulars were encouraged to first nominate their favorite Warren County attractions, restaurants, etc. across all 17 categories. After compiling those nominations, we announced four to eight finalists in each category. Locals and Warren County regulars were then asked to vote on those finalists."
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And here are the winners:
Best Fine Dining – Golden Lamb
Best Locally Owned Restaurant – 1572 Roadhouse Bar-B-Q
Best Dish – Ribs at 1572 Roadhouse Bar-B-Q
Best Lunch Spot – Cobblestone Café
Best Burger – Black Horse Tavern/Golden Lamb
Best Pizza – Two Cities Pizza Co.
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Best Sweet Treat – Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory
Best Frozen Treat – Whit's Frozen Custard
Best Coffee – Heather's Café
Best Date Night – Valley Vineyards
Best Antique/Unique Store – Rose & Remington
Best Shopping Area – Cincinnati Premium Outlets
Best Place to Explore History – Ohio Renaissance Festival
Best Place for a Day of Family Fun – Ohio Renaissance Festival
Best Festival/Event – Ohio Renaissance Festival
Best Hangout for Teens – Kings Island
Best Outdoor Adventure – Caesar Creek State Park
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According to attendance figures compiled by the WCCVB, the county’s numerous entertainment, shopping and dining attractions surpassed 12 million visitors for the first time in 2017, toppling a previous record set in 2016. Phillip S. Smith, president and CEO of the visitors bureau, credits the influx in visitation to the county’s growing reputation as both a convenient and affordable travel destination.
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And of course, it doesn’t hurt to be the home of Kings Island, Caesar Creek State Park, Miami Valley Gaming, the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival and the Western & Southern Open, which were cited as the most-visited destinations in the county.
State officials say tourism is the Warren County’s top industry, accounting for one in every nine jobs, or 11 percent of the workforce, WCCVB officials said.
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