We're a month into summer, and now your family is ready to get out and have some fun.
Sure, the family could take a trip to one of theamusement parks in the region or take a hike at one of the many state and local parks. But there are some other sites or to learn about science, history, or animals, or just to have fun.
Here are five places to consider for a day trip within an hour or so from home:
The Farm at Walnut Creek
Address: 4147 County Road 114
Phone: 330-893-4200
Website: www.thefarmatwalnutcreek.com
There are more than 500 animals to see and feed at The Farm at Walnut Creek located in eastern Holmes County. The animals represent species from six of seven continents, including giraffes, camels, zebras and kangaroos. Visitors can view and hand-feed the animals from their vehicle or a horse-drawn wagon.
The farm is a working farm, and depending on the time of year visitors can see plowing, planting, harvesting, thrashing and more. Tour non-electric farm houses where they may be canning, quilting or baking. The farm is fun and educational for all ages.
Kingwood Center Gardens
Address: 50 N. Trimble Road, Mansfield
Phone: 419-522-0211
Website: kingwoodcenter.org
Kingwood Center features acres of garden splendor - from the vista known at the Allee, with views of Kingwood Hall and Garden Gateway, and the perennial, terrace, woodland and herb, rose and trial gardens, to the display greenhouse and Mr. King's Formal Gardens.
There are children's programs and camps, shopping and dining opportunities. In October the center holds the Great Pumpkin Glow, when visitors tour the gardens at night and follow the pumpkin-lighted trail. There are hall tours, flower shows, story times, and activities such as Tai Chi and birdhouse decorating spread throughout the seasons.
Cuyahoga National Park, Peninsula
Address: State Route 303 along the Cuyahoga River from Akron to Cleveland
Phone: 440-717-3890
Website: nps.gov/cuva/village-of-peninsula
Halfway between Cleveland and Akron, the Village of Peninsula is a small community and welcome stop for visitors visiting the Cuyahoga Valley National Park system along the Cuyahoga River. Visitors can stroll through the downtown, shop and dine.
Lock 29 Trailhead is a popular access point for the village, Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and Cuyahoga River Water Trail. On the towpath, travel 2.3 miles north to the village of Boston. About a mile south is Deep Lock and connecting trails to old stone quarries.
Walk the trails as they wind through forest with huge rocks, peaceful waterfalls and lush greenery. Visit a depot and a mill.
Roscoe Village
Address: Coshocton
Phone: 740-622-7644, Visitors Center
Website: roscoevillage.com
Roscoe Village, an 1830s canal town, that has living history tours, horse-drawn canal boat rides, museums, gardens and much more. It is located along the Ohio & Erie Canal. In 1913, a flood wiped out the canal, and the city suffered years of decline.
About 50 years ago townspeople joined to restore the area. There are now restored buildings, annual festivals and events, most notably Canal Days, the Hay Activity Center, The Gardens of Roscoe, Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum and a downtown thriving with shops, restaurants and historic buildings.
Roscoe’s main street is named Whitewoman Street to honor Mary Harris, who is considered to be the first white woman resident in the Ohio Country.
Copper Kettle Works
Address: 119 S. Walnut St., Bucyrus
Phone: 419-562-6891
Website: www.bucyruscopperkettle.com
Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works has been making handmade copper items for over 140 years. The trade began at its location as an outgrowth of a hardware store that was meeting a demand for apple butter kettles that had to be purchased in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The hardware store's owners decided its tinsmiths could be retrained as coppersmiths and the store could manufacture their own kettles, according to the shop's website.
Tours by appointment to watch the coppersmiths at work are available. Tour hours are 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. The cost is $10 and includes a commemorative coin.
Tours by appointment to watch the coppersmiths at work are available. Tour hours are 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. The cost is $10 and includes a commemorative coin. The shop is in the original building erected in 1873.
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