Area Attractions

From nature lovers to adrenaline seekers, the area offers something to fit your desires!

Family activities near Mansfield, Ohio

From nature lovers to adrenaline seekers, the area offers something to fit your desires! From kayaking to motorcars, to shopping & sightseeing, we are sure you’ll find what you’re looking for right here in Bellville! Read on and find great ideas for your family outing!

Apple Hill Orchard

Apple Hill Orchards is a family-owned and operated orchard and farm market. We offer apples, peaches, pears, cherries, and plums–most available for pick-your-own when in season. In the store, we have Amish cheese and meats, a large selection of jams, jellies, and apple butter, specialty items, gifts, candies, spices, and from our bakery, our apple donuts as well as bread, pies, cookies, muffins and more. An observation beehive, hayrides, group events, and special fall events round out the season. Come see us!

Buckeye Express Diner

Enjoy an experience like no other! Ohio Sports fans will find memorabilia throughout the restaurant which is located inside a train. Known for their fresh burgers! Try our homemade fries with our sandwiches and burgers. Full menu available.

Altitude Trampoline Park

Altitude is your home for active entertainment. Our indoor trampoline park features attractions for any age group and party space for birthdays and more!

Cardinal Shooting Center

The Cardinal Center is the premier shooting sports facility in Ohio and rapidly becoming one of the largest nationwide. WIth the help of many partners including the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Cabela’s, the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and the Ohio State Trap Shooting Association.

Deer Ridge Golf Club

The Deer Ridge Golf Club and Black Dog Tavern offer an amazing backdrop for events, weddings, and golf outings conveniently located just off I-71 at exit 165, halfway between Cleveland and Columbus. The golf course is rated 4 stars by Golf Digest and the 12,000 sq. ft. clubhouse and banquet facility is a beautiful log structure with a 2000 sq. ft. wrap around deck for dining or just sitting and relaxing while watching the golfers play the #1 and #10 holes and taking in the breathtaking Mohican Valley.

Der Dutchman Bellville, OH

Customers at Der Dutchman Restaurant experience the unique Amish and Mennonite culture, which is well known for traditional home-style cooking & hospitality. The menu includes home-style noodles and dressing, a fresh salad bar, and homemade bread. The in-house bakery sells cookies, pies, bread, cakes, fudge, and pastries, and can also decorate a cake for any occasion.

Charles Mill Marina

Charles Mill Marina is a full-service marina and Ohio pontoon boat dealer offering boat rentals, pontoon sales, docking, service, and more!

Gorman Nature Center

The Richard County Park District’s Gorman Nature Center features 150 acres of forests, prairies, ponds, and streams and provides over five miles of public trails close to the population centers of Richland County. The Gorman Nature Center naturalist staff sponsors weekly programs for the public featuring a variety of hikes, field trips, and natural history programs. Cross country ski in the winter too!

Happy Grape Wine Bar

Looking for something fun to do this evening? Here at The Happy Grape Wine Bar & Bistro our motto is “Drink what you Like”. Stop in tonight and enjoy the relaxed and fun atmosphere we provide. Live music is featured weekly. Choose from over 100 wines from around the world along with Brewing Works, numerous craft beers, top-shelf Bourbon and Whiskeys, and a full bar and drink menu. Enjoy handmade artisan flatbreads, stock made soups, sandwiches, and shareable platters. Have a sweet tooth? Enjoy our signature chocolate cake or one of our weekly dessert specials. Enjoy time well spent with friends as our knowledgeable and friendly staff helps you do just that. Cheers!

Kingwood Center Gardens

Kingwood is the 47-acre former estate of Charles K. King. The grounds are renowned for both their historic significance and the brilliant floral displays. The French Provincial mansion provides an elegant setting for the gardens and is available for viewing by appointment and on specified days and hours including the Christmas season. An elegant greenhouse features plants for sale including rare and distinctive selections not found in garden centers. The extensive gardens and grounds offer an oasis from the stress and commotion. Programming includes lectures, workshops, family and children’s activities, and special events. See our website for details. Workshops also available for children.

Little Buckeye Children’s Museum

The Little Buckeye Children’s Museum is a unique, safe, and welcoming environment where young children (1-10) and families can strengthen relationships and experience the benefits of play that are critical to human development.

Biblewalk

BibleWalk is Ohio’s only life-sized wax museum and home to the state’s only Christian Dinner Theatre, “Dinner With Grace.” BibleWalk features 78 life-sized dioramas accompanied by special effects and an audio text that will guarantee an experience of a lifetime. The tours include The Life of Christ (60 min), The Miracles of the Old Testament (60min), Heart of the Reformation (30 min), The Museum of Christian Martyrs (30 min), and Amazing Grace-The Journeys of Paul (30 min). Also on display are a number of exhibits including The Walk of Parables, American votive folk-art, wood-carvings, Word Art, and a collection of rare Bibles just to name a few.

Malabar Farm State Park and Museum

BibleWalk is Ohio’s only life-sized wax museum and The historic home of author Louis Bromfield, Malabar Farm State Park, works to continue his legacy through the promotion of conservation, agriculture, and literature. During Mohican Wildlife Weekend in April, Malabar Farm hosts educational events concerning Ohio wildlife and promoting healthy activities with a 5K and guided hiking. Group hikes are regularly scheduled, but hiking trails are also open to the public all year and accommodate cross country skiers. Malabar Farm also offers educational programs about wildlife from barn animals to blue jays, and hosts tours of the Big House and farm. Popular events at Malabar Farm include Maple Syrup Days, Heritage Days, Hearthside Cooking Workshops, and Christmas at Malabar. The park is also known as the wedding site of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and the filming site of the opening scene of The Shawshank Redemption.to the state’s only Christian Dinner Theatre, “Dinner With Grace.” BibleWalk features 78 life-sized dioramas accompanied by special effects and an audio text that will guarantee an experience of a lifetime. The tours include The Life of Christ (60 min), The Miracles of the Old Testament (60min), Heart of the Reformation (30 min), The Museum of Christian Martyrs (30 min), and Amazing Grace-The Journeys of Paul (30 min). Also on display are a number of exhibits including The Walk of Parables, American votive folk-art, wood-carvings, Word Art, and a collection of rare Bibles just to name a few.

Destination Mansfield – Richland County (Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Time to get away to Mansfield, Ohio! This site is full of travel ideas, Local Deals, and easy navigation to find what to DO, where to STAY, and what to EAT. Our calendar of EVENTS changes often, some stop back from time to time. You can even find “what’s nearby” on your phone. Please connect with us on social media! Time to start Exploring!

Mansfield Motor Speedway

Mansfield Motor Speedway is a motorsports destination, located in Mansfield, Ohio. Home to a 4/10 dirt oval that will host some of the most premier circle track events in the country.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

A comprehensive motorsports facility, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course features a permanent road-racing circuit with two primary configurations: a 2.4 mile, 15-turn, and a 2.25 mile, 13-turn circuit. The park-like, 330-acre complex is home to The Mid-Ohio School.

Mid-Ohio School

The Mid-Ohio School offers entertaining, exciting, and innovative automobile and motorcycle programs in a safe environment that maximizes driving and riding time, while developing the skills of participants. Some of the classes include the Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program, Fleet Training, High-Performance classes, and even corporate programs for employee and client entertaining.

Miss Ohio

The Miss Ohio Pageant has called Mansfield home for more than 40 years and is held at the historic Renaissance Theater. The week-long event (June 9-16, 2018) will feature our contestants around the community, onstage competitions, and the crowning of Miss Ohio 2018 and Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen 2018. Many of the activities are free to the public.

Mohican Adventures Canoe Livery

Ohio’s first and finest canoe livery, offering paddling trips from 2 hours to 5 hours on the scenic Mohican River. Leasing canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes to accommodate everyone’s floating adventure. Discover family fun on one of our three lighted 18 hole miniature golf courses, where waterfalls, caves, boulders, and beautiful landscape enhance your play. Race on in to the Go-Karts and take a spin on the family or slick tracks. Our aerial adventure park takes your fun to new levels! So Come to Play and Plan to Stay in a cabin or camping, and enjoy the great outdoors at Mohican Adventures. All the best of Mohican in one place.

Mohican Wildlife Weekend

Experience wildlife and natural history in the breathtaking hills of Richland and Ashland counties. Our theme for 2018 will be “All About the Outdoors”. Workshops, walks, and demonstrations for beginners and experienced naturalists. Be sure to check the website for details.

Oak Hill Cottage

Built-in 1847, it has seven gables, five double chimneys, and seven marble fireplaces. Louis Bromfield, a native of Mansfield and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, played at Oak Hill as a child. His memories of the home were the basis for “Shane’s Castle” in his 1924 novel “The Green Bay Tree”. Operated by the Richland County Historical Society. Considered to be the most perfect Gothic House in the U.S.! We welcome small clubs or family groups! Designated a literary landmark by the National Friends of the Library Association.

Ohio Bird Sanctuary

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is located on the headwater of the Clearfork River in Mansfield, Ohio. The marsh and old-growth forest offers great birding and hiking opportunities. Enjoy seeing birds up close at the birds of prey display or by walking through the songbird aviary. The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is also a wildlife rehabilitation for native bird species. Group tours must be scheduled in advance and a fee applies. Picnic tables, gift shop areas, displays.

Ohio Dreams Action Sports Camp

At Ohio Dreams Adventure Camp, campers ages 7-17 stay anywhere from one to six weeks while learning and participating in Orienteering, Ninja Warrior, Archery, Canoeing, STEM Projects, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Skateboarding, Scootering, BMX, Slacklines, Disc Golf, and the world-famous Slip-n-Fly!

Ohio Genealogical Society

60,000-volume genealogical library, primarily for Ohio family research, including census records, cemetery listings, Bible records, vertical files, manuscripts, newspapers, and lineage papers for First Families of Ohio, Society of Civil War Families of Ohio, and Settlers & Builders of Ohio. Write for brochure and publications list. We have material on Ohio’s 88 counties and all other states. Meeting facilities available.

Ohio State Reformatory

With the cornerstone laid in 1886, this castle-like prison was designed as a reformatory for young offenders. Five major motion pictures have been filmed on location including “The Shawshank Redemption”, “Air Force One” and “Escape Plan 3” (2018). Abandoned in 1990, the original cell-blocks and administration areas remain intact.

Pleasant Hill State Park

Family-friendly park with plenty of activities for all ages. Pleasant Hill Lake Park is the perfect family getaway destination! Entertainment and activities are planned Memorial Day through labor day to keep the entire family engaged.

Renaissance Theater

The Renaissance Theatre opened as a movie palace in 1928 and is now an exciting performing arts center dedicated to providing world-class entertainment and arts education programs to the people of Richland County and beyond. Presenting a diverse lineup of arts and entertainment acts each season, the theatre is home to the Mansfield Symphony and the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. Having recently completed a 5 million dollar expansion and renovation project, the theatre now offers the best in patron amenities with new restroom facilities, a modern two-story atrium lobby, and an elevator, which offers complete handicapped accessibility. The theatre presents the Mansfield Symphony, local Broadway productions, a full slate of concerts in every genre, comedy shows, and original works. Guests are invited for backstage tours. The theatre is available for rentals, weddings, and receptions. Visit www.mansfieldtickets.com for a complete list of events.

Richland Carrousel Park

Richland Carrousel Park opened in 1991 as the first new, hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930s. The Carrousel figures were carved in the style of G.A. Dentzel, one of the most revered carvers of the early 1900s. Fifty-two beautiful animals and two chariots. There are 30 horses and 22 menagerie figures including a mythical hippocampus A Stinson Band Organ provides rousing music for carousel riders. The scenery panels atop the carrousel depict past and present attractions in Mansfield. Indoor facility. Open year-round. Gift shop and concessions. Accessible to the handicapped.

Richland B & O Bicycle Trail

A paved 18.4-mile bike trail is built on the railroad bed of the former Baltimore & Ohio Railway. Connecting Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, and Butler, the trail traverses some of the most scenic parts of North Central Ohio. There are multiple access points in each community. The trail is open year-round during daylight hours for bicycling, in-line skating, walking, jogging, and also cross-country skiing in the winter. Motorized vehicles and horseback riding are prohibited. Parking and bike trail access are available in each of the communities listed above. For more information, call the Gorman Nature Center at 419.884.3764.

Richland County Fairgrounds

Four large, heated buildings: Fairhaven 100’x200′ with office and food service by the staff, two buildings, 60′ x 200′, both with showers, one building, 60’x 80′, stage and sound available; all within easy walking distance. Richland County Fair, Flea Markets, and Gun Shows.

Shawshank Trail Driving Tour

As you travel along with the 14 authentic filming sites of The Shawshank Trail, you can touch and feel the places Andy and Red did. Feel the same hope Andy talked about while you explore Shawshank Prison, or walk down the same road as Red on his way to Fort Hancock, Texas. You’ve seen the gang’s original adventure, now it’s time to finish your own. Don’t let your love of The Shawshank Redemption end once the movie is over.

Snow Trails

Snow Trails offers Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Tubing. Broad slopes and pristine snow conditions await you, December through March, thanks to major investments in snowmaking equipment! Our newly improved Beginner’s Area, now complete with two Surface Conveyor Carpet Lifts and Beginner’s Double Chairlift, plus our spacious Rental Center with self-service boot dryers, skis, and snowboards, and friendly instructors, for learning made easy! Now 17 Slopes, 3 Glade Skiing Areas, 4 Terrain Parks, 6 Chairlifts, and 2 Surface Conveyor Lifts, all 100% lighted for night skiing! Lessons available for all ages. Full-Service Ski Shop, Two Restaurants, and Bars in Day lodge, slope-side. Kid-friendly Snow Tubing Park, complete with Surface Conveyor Lift, Tubing Lodge and Snack Bar, all 100% lighted. We make all the snow needed! Guaranteed snow conditions all season long!

SplatterPark

The Barnyard is Richland County’s premier fall destination for families. We offer 20 attractions such as a corn maze, apple blaster, hillside slides, pumpkin slingshot, petting farm, inflatables, Barnyard ball zone, wagon rides, Barnyard game zone, and gemstone mining – just to name a few!

The Phoenix Brewing Company

Mansfield’s only brewery and tasting room! Featuring our own handcrafted beers along with regional foods, beers, and wines in our restored 1914 mortuary.

Tree Frog Canopy Tours

A 2 1/2 hour adventure through the treetops by means of zip lines, sky bridges and rappels, or our new 60′ Free Fall. Northern Ohio’s longest and fastest canopy tour located in the heart of Mohican Country. You don’t want to miss it!