NORTHEAST OHIO
Lucas Ohio
ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
1. Malabar Farm State Park
HISTORIC WORKING FARM & TOURS | LUCAS OH
Malabar Farm State Park offers guided tours of Pulitzer winner Louis Bromfield's 32-room mansion where Humphrey Bogart married Lauren Bacall. Explore 900 acres of sustainable farmland, hike Butternut Trail's hidden caves, and enjoy seasonal maple syrup festivals. The park features wagon tours, petting barns, and Mount Jeez scenic overlook.
2. Ohio State Reformatory
SHAWSHANK FILM LOCATION & MUSEUM | MANSFIELD OH
The Ohio State Reformatory gained fame as Shawshank Redemption's filming location. This Gothic-style prison offers historical tours showcasing its 1886-1990 operation and paranormal investigations. Explore six floors of cell blocks, the administration wing, and exhibits about Hollywood productions filmed at this National Register site.
3. Oak Hill Cottage
GOTHIC REVIVAL HISTORIC HOME | MANSFIELD OH
Oak Hill Cottage features original Victorian furnishings in a preserved 1847 Gothic Revival mansion. Featured in Louis Bromfield's novels, this National Register property offers guided tours of its intricate woodwork, family chapel, and Civil War-era artifacts. Special events include Victorian tea parties and holiday candlelight tours.
4. Snow Trails
WINTER SPORTS RESORT | MANSFIELD OH
Ohio's first ski resort offers 17 slopes with 300-foot vertical drops and six snow tubing lanes. Features include night skiing, terrain parks, and The Last Run Bar & Deli. Snowmaking systems ensure December-March operations, with lessons available for all skill levels.
5. Pleasant Valley Bridle Trail
HORSEBACK RIDING & HIKING | LUCAS OH
This 4.9-mile trail system connects Malabar Farm to Mohican State Forest, featuring creek crossings and limestone formations. Open year-round for hiking and horseback riding, the trail offers rugged terrain through working farmland and old-growth forests. Primitive camping available for equestrians.
6. Richland B&O Bike Trail
PAVED RAIL-TRAIL | MANSFIELD OH
This 18.5-mile asphalt trail follows the former B&O Railroad between Mansfield and Butler. Cyclists pass through Bellville's historic square and rural landscapes. Trail features include restored depots, picnic areas, and connections to Clear Fork Reservoir. Open for cross-country skiing in winter.
7. Charles Mill Lake
FISHING & BOATING DESTINATION | LUCAS OH
This 1,350-acre reservoir offers premier hybrid striped bass fishing and water sports. Facilities include two boat launches, 25 miles of shoreline, and lakeside camping. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District hosts fishing tournaments and sailing regattas April-October.
8. Open Door Café
LOCAL DINER & INFORMATION HUB | LUCAS OH
This community gathering spot serves hearty Midwestern breakfasts and homemade pies. Features include a visitor information center and outdoor volleyball courts. Signature dishes include sausage gravy biscuits and apple walnut fudge. Open daily 7am-5pm.
9. Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway
HERITAGE DRIVING ROUTE | LUCAS OH
This 27-mile scenic drive connects sites related to John Chapman's apple tree nurseries. Highlights include the last surviving Johnny Appleseed-planted tree and interpretive panels about 19th-century frontier life. Best experienced during fall foliage season.
10. Prairie Peddler Festival
ANNUAL CRAFTS FAIRE | BUTLER OH
This September festival features 150+ artisans in a wooded setting near Lucas. Enjoy live folk music, historical reenactments, and traditional foods like kettle corn and smoked meats. Free shuttle service from Malabar Farm parking areas.
Lucas Attractions
THINGS TO DO IN LUCAS
Nestled in Richland County's rolling hills, Lucas Ohio combines agricultural heritage with Hollywood history. The village serves as gateway to Malabar Farm State Park, where Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield hosted celebrities like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. As part of the Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway, Lucas preserves connections to America's legendary nurseryman through sites like the last surviving apple tree he planted.
Malabar Farm State Park remains Lucas' crown jewel, offering guided tours of Bromfield's 32-room "Big House" mansion and working farm operations. Visitors can hike the Butternut Trail to discover hidden caves or enjoy panoramic views from Mount Jeez overlook. The park hosts seasonal events including maple syrup festivals in spring and heritage days showcasing antique tractors and living history demonstrations.
History enthusiasts will appreciate Lucas' connection to the Ohio State Reformatory, a Gothic-style prison featured in The Shawshank Redemption located 16 minutes away. Local trails like Pleasant Valley Bridle Trail provide year-round recreation, while Snow Trails Ski Resort offers winter sports just 13 minutes from downtown. The village's Open Door Café serves as both information hub and dining destination with homemade fudge and hearty Midwestern meals.
Seasonal highlights include autumn foliage tours along the Johnny Appleseed Byway and cross-country skiing at Malabar Farm's preserved landscapes. The Prairie Peddler Festival in neighboring Butler showcases artisan crafts each September, making Lucas an ideal base for exploring Richland County's cultural and natural attractions across all seasons.