Family Staycation Ideas in Mansfield, Ohio

Will rising gas prices keep you close to home this summer? Whether you’re planning to vacation or staycation, I’d like to entice you to visit my hometown with a list of family staycation ideas in Mansfield, Ohio.

Conveniently located between Cleveland and Columbus in North Central Ohio lies Mansfield, seat of Richland County, and a hub of family fun and hidden treasures. Today I’ll be sharing many of the places that my family is familiar with and have enjoyed visiting over the years.

Kingwood Center Mansion & Gardens

900 Park Avenue West, Mansfield 419-522- 0211, Admission is $8 per person for ages 12 and up and grants you access to the grounds and gardens. Tours of the mansion are offered seperately. See the website or call ahead for the most up to date information. 

My family has spent many days at Kingwood Center, picnicking on the grounds, touring the mansion, feeding the ducks at the pond or trying to catch a glimpse of the wandering peacocks.

Mansfield Blockhouse
South Park corner of Brinkerhoff and Park Ave., Mansfield.

Built in 1812, the blockhouse has served as a courthouse, jail and fortress against Indian attacks and serves as a vital part of Mansfield history.

Mansfield Fire Museum and Education Center
1265 West Fourth St., Mansfield 419-529-2573, Free admission, donations welcome.

I don’t know what it is with boys and fire trucks, but when my boys were younger, they LOVED this museum! You’ll learn about the history of fire fighting and take a stroll through historic downtown Mansfield along cobbled streets for a special peek at bygone days.

Richland Carrousel Park – Currently closed for repairs.
75 N. Main St. Mansfield 419-522-4223. Open 7 days a week, hours depend upon season. Free parking is offered directly across the street.

Who can resist a ride on an old-fashioned carrousel? With over 50 hand-carved figures, the Richland Carrousel has become the centerpiece of downtown Mansfield since opening in 1991, the first to be built and operated in the US since the 1930’s.

Coney Island Diner
98 N. Main St. Mansfield 419-526-2669

Less than a block away from the Richland Carrousel Park, this old-time diner with black and white floor tiles, Formica tables and red vinyl seats is the perfect inexpensive place to stop in for a quick bite to eat. Their specialty? Coney’s, of course!

Buckeye Imagination Museum
44 W. Fourth St Mansfield 419-961-2885  Open Tues.- Sat. 10- 4. See website for current pricing and discounted admission.

If a museum ever made me wish my kids were younger, the Buckeye Imagination Museum is it! Designed for ages 0-12, this hands-on museum allows children to explore through playing in a number of interactive exhibits that include a play area for babies, a dinosaur dig, grocery store, bank, beauty salon, and a theater, with more exhibits to come.

Read The Buckeye Imagination Museum: Where Imagination Runs Wild for more information.

Mansfield Memorial Museum – Currently closed. Call for more information.
34 Park Avenue, Mansfield 419-524-9924, Free admission.

The Mansfield Memorial Museum is often overlooked but once you step foot inside, you won’t be able to stay away! Housed in the historic Soldiers & Sailors Memorial building, this unique, eclectic, and historical museum is home to ELECKTRO, the world’s first true robot. ELEKTRO was created by Westinghouse, a company that was once prominent in Mansfield, specifically for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

Gorman Nature Center
2295 Lexington Ave., Mansfield 419-884-3764 , Free admission.

With over three miles of hiking trails through a range of habitats, wildlife is abundant at Gorman Nature Center. The indoor displays offer visitors a look at some of the area’s wildlife, while the building itself offers you a look at green, environmental friendly features.

The Blueberry Patch
1285 W. Hanley Road, Mansfield 419-884-1797

Visit the Blueberry Patch and see for yourself why people travel from all over Ohio to pick their own blueberries. Families are welcome to pick from over 20 varieties of blueberries which ripen at different times throughout the growing season.

Holly’s Book Rack
1464 Lexington Ave., Mansfield 419-756-2667

This independent book store is the area’s only new and used bookstore that offers trade credit. I’ve been known to stop in on many occasions to trade an armload or two of books.

Ohio Bird Sanctuary 3
774 Orrweiler Rd., Mansfield 419-884-HAWK, See website for current pricing.

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is a refuge for injured birds. They offer educational programs, hiking trails, a live hawk and owl bird display, and a song bird aviary that you can walk through. For a very small price you can buy a cup of meal worms which will guarantee you get a lot of attention from the existing residents.

The Warrior Pizza and Ice Cream
3393 Park Avenue West, Ontario 419- 529-8922

The Warrior may be known for their award winning GPS Pizza (green peppers and sausage) and Lasagna Pizza but you won’t want to pass up one of their amazingly yummy ice cream treats. Located on Park Avenue, minutes from Mansfield, you can’t miss this diner, just look for the crowds and the blue building with the Corvette on the roof.

Apple Hill Orchard
1175 Lexington- Ontario Rd., Mansfield 419-884-1500, Free admission.

Not only can you pick your own fruit when it’s in season, Apple Hill Orchard also has a small petting zoo, a working bee hive that you can view and the best fresh apple doughnuts I’ve ever tasted! I can hardly resist stopping by just to grab a dozen!

Springmill Drive-in Theater
1040 Springmill Rd., Mansfield 419-747-2156 ; Check the website for current schedule and pricing.

Drive-in theaters are quickly becoming a thing of the past and it’s harder and harder to find them operating these days. Why not make some family memories, load up on snacks and bug spray and head off to the next feature film that appeals to your family?

Springmill Drive-in also offers movies on two screens so you have more options.

The Mansfield Art Center
700 Marion Avenue Mansfield 19-756-1700. Check the website for current pricing and hours.

Viewing art at the Mansfield Art Center begins as soon as pull into the parking lot and view the building. Stunning architecture outside, frequently changing exhibits inside make this a stop that’s sure to be appreciated by the budding artists in your home- both young and old.

The Historic Ohio State Reformatory
100 Reformatory Rd., Mansfield 419-522-2644, Check the website for current tour schedule and pricing.

This historic structure is one of the top five castle like structures in the US and houses the world’s largest free standing cell block. It has also been home to four major motion pictures, which include Tango and Cash, Air Force One and the Shawshank Redemption which has led to a trail all it’s own, the Shawshank Trail. The trail begins at the reformatory, but takes you on a journey to 11 other sites in the area where the movie was filmed.

Biblewalk
500 Tingley Avenue, Mansfield 419-524-0139, Check the website for current pricing and hours.

Biblewalk is celebrating its 25th year bringing the bible to life through scenes depicting life size wax figures and mannequins. You can choose one or more tours that include the Old and New Testament, specifically the Life of Christ and Miracles of the Old Testament, Christian Martyrs and the Heart of the Reformation. Biblewalk is also home to some amazing folk art, woodcarvings and a rare collection of old bibles.

Splash Harbor
855 Comfort Plaza Dr., Bellville 419-886-4000

This Comfort Inn Hotel not only offers lodging, but also an indoor water park for guests to enjoy. It’s hard to resist the looping water slide, hot tubs, floating raft and gushing geysers! Day passes are often available, making this an affordable and fun stop on your next Staycation.

Richland County B & O Bike Trail stretches just over 18 miles from Mansfield to Butler, Free access.

A favorite attraction among locals, this smooth, paved bike trail provides an opportunity for bikers, walkers and roller bladers a safe place to exercise in a beautiful scenic location.

Malabar Farm State Park
4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas 419-892-2784, Free admission to the farm. Small fee for home tours.

A short drive from Mansfield, Malabar Farm was home to esteemed author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Louis Bromfield. Built in the beautiful rolling hills of the Pleasant Valley, the Big House at Malabar Farm served as the setting for Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s wedding.

Today you can tour the home (for a small fee), pet the animals in the barn, fish in the pond and stroll along the many trails, one of which that leads to a small cave that you can enter and explore. Malabar Farm is a nature lover’s dream.

With regular festivals and activities throughout the year, it seems that there is always something going on at Malabar Farm.

Oak Hill Cottage
310 Springmill St., Mansfield 419-514-1765, Check the website for current pricing and hours.

After your visit to Malabar Farm, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Oak Hill Cottage where Louis Bromfield’s cousin lived. Not only is this home a wonderful example of gothic architecture, it was also written about in Bromfield’s book, Shane’s Castle.

So, what do you think? Will you be traveling this summer or staying close to home? How about a trip to Mansfield, Ohio?