Day trips

Sometimes life can get wild, especially at The Wilds in Ohio. Did you know you can take an open-air safari in the Buckeye State?

While it may not be the south of France, there are plenty of Ohio lavender fields to visit. We visited a self-pick lavender farm near Dayton.

Spend an afternoon exploring the Portsmouth flood wall mural in Ohio. It’s 20 feet tall and 3/4 mile long and tells the story of the city.

If you’re looking for a great free activity in Central Ohio, check out Slate Run Living Historical Farm. Interested in history? You’ll get to experience a working farm from the 1880s. Your children will love helping with chores and visiting the animals. And the best thing? Your visit is entirely free!

If you enjoyed The Shawshank Redemption, you’ll appreciate a visit to the Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. Much of the movie was filmed at the prison and in the area surrounding it. In total, there were five Hollywood movies and a number of music videos filmed at the prison. Learn about the filming and history of the prison. You can even take a ghost tour.

The outdoor drama Tecumseh is in its 50th season near Chillicothe, Ohio. The drama portrays the life of Shawnee chief Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa as they prepare to unite the Indian tribes against the settlers that were moving into their territory.