Ohio is mostly unexplored territory for me, but I’m excited to resolve that problem. “The Buckeye State” holds some of the best vacation spots in the Midwest. Mansfield is a city of about 50,000, halfway between Cleveland in Columbus. It’s exactly the kind of quirky, small city that makes a great destination for a short vacation.
Introduction
Mansfield’s attractions are diverse enough to satisfy a wide variety of interests. Architecture lovers will enjoy the French-provincial style mansion of Charles Kelley King. Movie buffs will love visiting the film sites, especially if you love the movie Shawshank Redemption. And really, who doesn’t love that movie? Those who love all things spooky will not be disappointed by one of the most famous haunted locations in the US.
In addition to the itinerary suggestions below, Mansfield has plenty of other activities to keep you and your family busy and entertained, or relaxed, if you so choose. There are spas, wineries, zip lines, shopping districts, and a water park.
Trip Length: 2-3 days
Distance from Chicago: 4 Hours 30 Minutes
Travel “Flavors”: Outdoors, Culture, Food
Itinerary Suggestions
Haunted Location
Ohio State Reformatory – Not only is the reformatory a filming location for Shawshank Redemption, but it’s also notoriously known as one of the most haunted locations in the the country. Yet, the castle like building is beautiful and probably the most photographed location in Mansfield. Take a tour or go on a ghost hunt to check it out for yourself.
Tours
The Shawshank Trail Driving Tour – Use the brochure to take your own self-guided tour of the Shawshank Redemption film sites. There are plenty of photo ops along the way!
Bakery Tour – There is no brochure for this one because I just made it up! I couldn’t help but notice the number of highly rated bakeries. You can’t really pick just one, can you?
- Eatmore Bundt Co – obviously, they specialize in bundt cakes.
- Buckeye Bakery – they specialize in cakes, cookies and donuts/danishes.
- Share ‘N Dipity – This bakery takes the award for most clever name! They specialize in breads and pastries.
- Blackbird Bakery – They offer a lot of individual pastries such as donuts, brownies, muffins, etc.
Thrill-seeking
Mid Ohio Sports Car Course – Check out the schedule for your trip to see if there will be a car or motorcycle race while you’re in town.
Snow Trails – Snow Trails offers hills for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. On of their, fun features is Glow Tubing, where the hill is lit up with LED lights and on select nights they have a DJ.
Festival
Inkcarceration Fest – In July, Mansfield is home to this cleverly named festival which combines rock music and tattoos on the ground of the Ohio State Reformatory..
Museums
Mansfield Memorial Museum – The museum has exhibits on military history as the history of local breweries and bottlers. However, the reason it made my list is Elektro, the world’s first walking, talking robot from the 1939 World’s Fair.
Mansfield Fire Department Museum – A small, but mighty museum featuring historic firefighting equipment and exhibits on the history of the local fire department. However, many people visit this museum for another reason…it’s rumored to be haunted. Could it be from the coffin that was once used at the Ohio State Reformatory? Schedule a Haunted Tour and they’ll let you conduce your own paranormal investigation.
Biblewalk – There are plenty of wax museums this this country that feature celebrities, but I’m pretty sure this is the only Biblical wax museum. Visit to see scenes from the Bible come alive via wax.
Animals
Ohio Bird Sanctuary – The sanctuary rehabilitates injured birds and provides homes for 30 species of birds that are not able to be released.
Shady lane Alpacas – Tour the farm and visit the alpacas
Outdoors and Gardens
Kingwood Center Museum and Gardens – Kingwood Hall is the former home of Charles Kelley King. It is a French Provincial style home built in the 1920s. You can tour the home and visit the extensive gardens.
Central Park and South Park – take a break in Central Park and stop in to see beautiful and historic Vasbinder fountain. A log blockhouse that originally defended Mansfield during the war of 1812 is not located in South Park, however its original location was in Central Park. You will also find a Johnny Appleseed (a Mansfield native) Monument next to the blockhouse in South Park.
Richland Carousel Park – The carousel is the first hand carved carousel to be built since the 1930s. Spend some time enjoying the carousel and gift shop.
Malabar Farm State Park – Malabar Farm preserves the former home and farm of Louis Bromfield, Pulitzer Prize winning author and early organic farmer. In 1945, it was the location of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall wedding. It was also a popular filming location for a while.
Historic District
Historic Carousel District – Check out the shops and restaurants in the historic carousel district.
Drive-In Theatre
SpringMill Drive In Theater – Enjoy a vintage experience at one of the surviving drive-in theaters.
Coffee
Relax, It’s Just Coffee – if you need a pick me up, stop in for some locally roasted coffee and grab some beans to take home.
Travel Accessory
I’m a huge fan of the product and gift lists you see floating around the internet because I usually find some new-to-me product for myself, a friend or family member. I’d like to offer you the same inspiration by highlighting a travel accessory in each post.
This section contains an affiliate link. If you use this link to buy something I may earn a commission.
I am one of those people who is always cold. At home, I always have a blanket close by. However, I don’t always have an extra throw blanket with me when I’m traveling. I think this could be my solution. I love that this blanket packs away and is convenient for air travel. However, I think it would be equally convenient for road trips. It has a 5 star review with over 500 reviewers.
Final Thoughts
Those are just the highlights that stood out to me. For more places to visit, check out the Destination Mansfield website. If you use my trip suggestions or if you’ve visited any of these locations in the past, please provide your reviews in the comments. Did I miss something? Please add other itinerary suggestions in the comments, especially if they are off the beaten path. Happy vacationing!