Springfield, Ohio is renowned nationwide for its architectural heritage. From commercial and public buildings, to private residences and community parks, Springfield possesses some of the country’s finest examples of many architectural styles including Richardsonian Romanesque, Renaissance Revival and the Italianate style. The entrepreneurs and wealthy business owners that called Springfield home from the 1880’s to the 1930’s left their mark with significant artifacts that are still being enjoyed, and studied, today.
Like most busy families, you could probably use a chance to unwind, escape and reconnect. Here’s the good news: You don’t need to book a flight, or spend thousands of dollars to make it happen. We’ve got you covered!
Mad River Gorge & Nature Preserve is 91 acres of natural beauty, encompassing a main hiking trail along an old railroad, access to the Mad River, natural dolomite cliffs reaching heights up to 50 feet for rock climbing, and a beautiful stream-side forest teeming with native wildflowers and ideal birdwatching opportunities. The Access Fund and Ohio Climbers Coalition partnered with the Clark County Park District to develop this exciting natural area.
Mother Stewart's Brewing is a family-owned production brewery in downtown Springfield, with a large tap room and spectacular outdoor beer garden. Food trucks and live entertainment are a regular part of the offering. The tap room is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Much more than a Bed & Breakfast, the Simon Kenton Inn is a guest house featuring 19th century antiques and collectibles, a stocked library, large parlor and gathering rooms. Simon Kenton Inn is now in its 11th year, and includes a caretaker's cottage, a barn on the hill, and three luxury treehouses in addition to the historic house. There are a total of 14 rooms.
Whether you want to play a round of miniature golf with the family, take a ride on the carousel, hit the batting cages, enjoy a relaxing dinner, visit the petting zoo, or get a world-famous ice cream cone, Young’s Jersey Dairy is your destination. Complete your visit to Young’s with a trip to the gift shop. With fun for all ages, Young’s has been a favorite among local families – and nearly 1.5 million annual visitors - for years!
What began as a modest concrete fish pond in H.G. (Ben) Hartman’s back yard is now revered as a folk art masterpiece. The Hartman Rock Garden includes over 250,000 individual stones that combine a mixture of history, religion and depression-era pop culture. Among the Hartman Rock Garden’s many unique attributes, the sheer scale of the work and its contextual location in a residential neighborhood, contributes greatly to its status as an iconic “outsider” art site. Fully restored by the Kohler Foundation in 2009, the Garden is open daily from dawn to dusk with no admission charge.
