Top 8 Things to Do Near Springfield
Curating your list of things to do in Ohio? Whether you’re staying for a long weekend or swinging through on a road trip, there’s plenty to see and do in Springfield, Ohio. The area offers myriad activities for visitors of all interests. Art aficionados will find just as much to enjoy as outdoor adventurers and history buffs. The challenge: Whittling down your to-do list to fit into the hours of the day. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Tour One of the Country’s Finest Architectural Masterpieces
After a four-year, $6 million renovation, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House was restored to its former 1908 glory and is now open to the public for docent-led tours. See the famed architect’s Prairie Style showcased in stunning detail, from the extended rooflines and rectangular profile to the pergola connecting the garage to the main home.
2. Visit a Working Dairy
At Young’s Jersey Dairy, not only can you nuzzle up to the animals in the petting zoo — feeding goats by hand and learning how to milk cows — but you can also sample the dairy’s fresh goodies. The on-site store stocks the farm’s famous home-churned ice cream in flavors like black raspberry and sea salt double caramel and also offers an array of farmstead cheeses, from cheddar curds to Swiss.
You’d be hard pressed not to score a unique find at Heart of Ohio Antique Center. As the country’s largest indoor antique mall — sprawling 116,000 square feet — the vintage-goods shopping mecca displays the wares of more than 650 vendors selling everything from jewelry and furniture to high-value collectibles.
3. Discover Hidden Treasures
You don’t have to be a whitewater master to kayak the spring-fed Mad River. The current is steady but light, perfect for drifting along, and the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom of the river bed in some of the more shallow areas. Keep an eye out for wildlife at the river’s edge enjoying a cool drink.
4. Ply the Waters of a Pristine River
Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House
5. Go Underground
A fun thing to do near Springfield is the Ohio Caverns. Maintaining a chilly 54 degrees year-round, this underground natural wonder is the largest of Ohio’s caverns, with more than two miles of passageways, and it features the tallest stalactite in the state.
6. Catch an Indie Film
Skip the streaming services and head to Little Art Theatre to see a movie in historic style. Opened in 1929, this is one of the oldest independent cinemas in the country. The theater screens both modern and classic films and serves beer, wine and snacks.
A 2,210-acre lake anchors the wild beauty of Buck Creek State Park. Explore the sights with a boat ride, a relaxing swim or a hike and a picnic lunch. Four trails wind through the park, including Wrens Nest Trail, a short .25-mile trek, and the longer, 3-mile Lakeview Trail.
8. Appreciate Art
There’s always a new artist to discover or something new to see at the Springfield Museum of Art, thanks to an impressive permanent collection and lineup of ever-rotating exhibitions among eight galleries. No surprise then that Springfield Museum of Art is the only Smithsonian Affiliate art museum in the state of Ohio.
7. Soak Up the Scenery
85 South Greenmount Ave.
Springfield, OH 45505