NORTHEAST OHIO
Ontario Ohio
ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
1. Ohio State Reformatory
HISTORIC PRISON & FILM LOCATION | MANSFIELD OH
Ohio State Reformatory features Gothic architecture and Hollywood fame as the Shawshank Redemption filming location. This National Historic Landmark offers guided tours through cell blocks and administrative wings, with seasonal ghost hunts in the 250,000-square-foot complex. Explore prison history and movie memorabilia exhibits at this preserved 1886 facility.
2. Malabar Farm State Park
WORKING FARM & HIKING TRAILS | LUCAS OH
Malabar Farm State Park showcases Pulitzer winner Louis Bromfield's 1930s agricultural estate across 1,000 acres. Visitors hike four trails including the 7-mile bridle path, tour the Big House museum, and attend maple syrup festivals. The park operates as a working farm with seasonal crop demonstrations and guided tractor tours.
3. Richland Carrousel Park
HAND-CARVED MERRY-GO-ROUND | MANSFIELD OH
Richland Carrousel Park features 52 hand-carved wooden animals and Ohio's only permanent indoor classic carousel. Opened in 1991, this family destination offers vintage band organ music and hosts birthday parties in its Victorian-style pavilion. The adjacent Carrousel District features boutique shopping and seasonal events in downtown Mansfield.
4. Ohio Bird Sanctuary
RAPTOR REHAB & NATURE TRAILS | MANSFIELD OH
Ohio Bird Sanctuary rehabilitates native birds across 90 acres of forested preserve. Visitors meet non-releasable owls and hawks during educational programs, hike 2 miles of riverside trails, and explore interactive exhibits. The facility offers bird banding demonstrations and hosts annual events like Owl Prowl night hikes.
5. Kingwood Center Gardens
FORMAL GARDENS & HISTORIC MANSION | MANSFIELD OH
Kingwood Center Gardens displays 47 acres of themed floral arrangements and a 1926 French Renaissance mansion. The property features rose gardens, peony collections, and tropical plant conservatories. Seasonal highlights include holiday light displays and educational workshops in the historic greenhouse complex.
6. Gorman Nature Center
WILDLIFE OBSERVATION & HIKING | MANSFIELD OH
Gorman Nature Center provides five miles of trails through diverse habitats including meadows and hardwood forests. The 150-acre preserve features a visitor center with live animal exhibits and hosts nature programs like owl prowls and maple syrup workshops. Accessible trails connect to the Clearfork River ecosystem.
7. Oak Hill Cottage
VICTORIAN GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE | MANSFIELD OH
Oak Hill Cottage presents preserved 1847 Gothic Revival architecture with original 1870s furnishings. This National Register-listed property offers guided tours showcasing Victorian-era lifestyle through intact period rooms. Special events include paranormal investigations and holiday-themed historical reenactments.
8. Mansfield Art Center
CONTEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS & CLASSES | MANSFIELD OH
Mansfield Art Center features rotating exhibitions in a 1971 award-winning concrete structure. The facility offers glassblowing workshops, ceramic studios, and juried art shows. Visitors explore two floors of galleries showcasing regional artists and attend artist talks in the modernist atrium space.
9. Alpaca Meadows
FIBER ARTS & ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS | ONTARIO OH
Alpaca Meadows offers interactive experiences with alpacas including pasture walks and fiber arts classes. The farm store sells handmade alpaca wool products while seasonal events feature yoga sessions and picnics among the grazing animals. Educational tours explain alpaca husbandry and sustainable textile production.
10. Snow Trails Ski Resort
WINTER SPORTS & TUBING PARK | MANSFIELD OH
Snow Trails operates Ohio's longest ski season with 19 trails across 55 acres. The resort features three terrain parks, night skiing, and the state's longest tubing lanes. Equipment rentals and lessons cater to all skill levels at this family-owned winter destination.
Ontario Attractions
THINGS TO DO IN ONTARIO
Ontario Ohio serves as a vibrant gateway to Richland County's most iconic attractions, blending natural beauty with cultural heritage. The city is best known for hosting Malabar Farm State Park, a 1,000-acre preserve featuring historic trails and the former home of Pulitzer-winning author Louis Bromfield. Visitors can explore four distinct hiking paths including the 7-mile Pleasant Valley Bridle Trail, while history buffs tour the preserved 1930s agricultural estate.
Film enthusiasts flock to the legendary Ohio State Reformatory, a Gothic-style prison featured in "The Shawshank Redemption." This National Historic Landmark offers guided tours through its cell blocks and administrative wings, complemented by seasonal ghost hunts. Nearby, the Shawshank Trail connects 15 filming locations across Mansfield, creating an immersive experience for movie fans.
Family-friendly attractions abound at Richland Carrousel Park, home to hand-carved wooden animals and vintage band organ music. The Ohio Bird Sanctuary provides interactive wildlife experiences with native raptors across 90 acres of forest trails. Winter brings skiers to Snow Trails, Ohio's only privately-owned ski resort featuring 19 slopes and the state's longest tubing lanes.
Cultural highlights include the Mansfield Art Center's rotating contemporary exhibitions and Kingwood Center Gardens' 47-acre floral displays. The Gorman Nature Center offers five miles of year-round hiking trails through diverse ecosystems, while history comes alive at Oak Hill Cottage's Victorian Gothic architecture. Ontario's strategic location along US Route 30 makes it an ideal base for exploring Richland County's blend of outdoor adventure and cinematic history.