The Albany, Ohio Pawpaw Festival

Head to Lake Snowden near Albany, Ohio, in mid-September for the state's three-day celebration of all things pawpaw. This delicious fruit is considered Ohio's "first fruit," and the area is home to some of the largest and most productive wild pawpaw groves in the United States. Sample pawpaw dishes, groove to local music, take part in friendly contests and learn about sustainable living from the many workshops. Don't miss out on this opportunity to taste and learn about this tropical fruit that grows naturally in Ohio's temperate climate.

The Pawpaw

• The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) has a long history in the eastern United States and was consumed by Native Americans and early European settlers. Even our first presidents found the creamy fruit irresistible; George Washington indulged in them after meals and Thomas Jefferson grew them at Monticello. These days they flourish in groves along riverbanks and serve as tasty snacks to kayakers and hikers. Commercial grocery chains and big agriculture have yet to jump on the pawpaw bandwagon, so the best places to get a sample outside the wild are at in-season farmers' markets, specialty stores and festivals like the one held in Albany, Ohio, each year.

Entertainment

• Dance and sing along the shore of Lake Snowden to musical entertainment by local, regional and national bands. The festival is known for its spectacular lineup of live bands and performers and has featured the zydeco music of C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band; rhythm and blues group, The Royales; and the local Word of Mouth Jazz, to name a few. Two stages are required to accommodate the musical acts and the smaller stage, adjacent to the beer tent, is actually named the "Beer Tent Stage."

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The Greek Festival in North Royalton, Ohio

The St. Paul Annual Grecian Festival in North Royalton, Ohio mirrors its host city: family-friendly and accessible to all. This four-day festival is a summer favorite of this Cleveland suburb and points beyond, offering authentic Greek food, entertainment and activities. Whether newly arrived from the motherland, or just have a craving for an excellent gyro or a slice of spanakopita, head to the St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church in mid-July for this northeast Ohio event.

Festival Information

• The festival serves as an annual fundraiser for the St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church community in North Royalton. The outstanding spread of Greek food is for sale in the main dining room, pastry line and cafeteria-style tent. All food items on the menu can also be ordered to-go and conveniently picked up at the drive-thru tent in the parking lot. Admission and parking are free.

Entertainment

• Live musical entertainment and dancing take place every evening in the main dining room and outdoor tent. Depending on the line-up, festival goers may enjoy a modern twist on traditional Greek music with Ohio band, Stigma, as well as nightly acts by local performers like Dimitri and Al Dadas. Experience traditional folk dancing each evening with the St. Paul Hellenic Dancers. Dancers include both children and adults, are fully costumed in traditional Greek garb and perform on a rolling schedule throughout the festival.

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The Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio

Visitors to Steubenville, Ohio, in mid-June can celebrate the life and music of Dean Martin, the "King of Cool" and former Rat Pack member, at the Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio. For three days, this riverside city and birthplace of the music legend throws a party reminiscent of Hollywood's glory days. Enjoy swing dancing, musical performances by Dean Martin and Rat Pack tribute bands, historical tours and a street fair, while taking advantage of local hotel deals. Most festival events require a small admission fee. A portion of the proceeds from the festival are donated to the Dean Martin Scholarship Fund, which benefits local high school students who are pursuing education in music and the arts.

Dean Martin's Life

• Dino Crocetti was born in Steubenville to Italian immigrants in 1917. After a string of transitory jobs and local music gigs, he changed his name to Dean Martin and enjoyed a decades-long career in the entertainment industry, starring in 51 films, hosting successful radio and TV variety shows and recording dozens of hits. He is best known for his comedic work with Jerry Lewis and for his membership in the famous Las Vegas Rat Pack. Martin retired from show business in 1989 after touring with Sammy Davis, Jr., and Frank Sinatra and died in 1995 at the age of 78.

Music and Events

• Festival events take place throughout the city of Steubenville and include a swing dance, karaoke parties, musical performances by local bands and nationally touring Dean Martin tribute bands, a Rat Pack tribute concert and a street fair with children's activities and craft and food vendors. At the Spot Bar in downtown Steubenville, which acts as the primary venue for the festival, guests pay a small admission fee to enjoy local performers like the Frank Gallo Italian Band and Neil Diamond and Sonny & Cher impersonators.

Dean Martin Tours

• Several city landmarks figure into the life of the famous crooner. The Crocetti home is no longer standing, but it's possible to visit St. Anthony's Church where he was baptized and the Grant and Wells Schools he attended. The Naples Spaghetti House, one of his favorite Italian restaurants, is still serving. The Dean Martin Mural can be seen on 350 South Hollywood Boulevard, and a state historical marker commemorating June 7 as "Dean Martin Day" stands in the Gazebo Park at the corner of Dean Martin Boulevard (Route 7) and North Fourth Street. The Jefferson County Historical Association and Museum offers tours of the Dean Martin Room, while the Historic Fort Steuben offers reduced admission to visitors on the last day of the festival.

Accommodations

• The greater Steubenville area has a number of hotels and bed and breakfast establishments where visitors can book their stay in advance. The Best Western University Inn in Steubenville offers a room discount to those attending the festival. Across the river in nearby Weirton, West Virginia, the Holiday Inn also offers a festival discount. Other accommodations within 30 miles of the festival include the Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Chester, West Virginia, and the Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack in Wheeling, West Virginia.

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Things to Do on the West Side of Cleveland, Ohio

Once famous for the fact that the Cuyahoga River, which runs through it, was so polluted it actually burned, the city of Cleveland, Ohio has been undergoing a renaissance of late, drawing in both new residents and tourists in the process. With an increasing number of fine dinning establishments and more and varied tourist attractions, it has grown into something much more than "The Mistake on the Lake," the unfortunate moniker given to the city in its darkest hour. Most of Cleveland's attractions are located on its east side, but if you want to focus on the west side of the Cuyahoga River, you can still find a number of enjoyable activities that are ideal for the whole family.

West Side Market

• The West Side Market is the home to over 100 vendors who ply food items ranging from meats and cheeses to ready-to-eat ethnic foods. Many residents of Cleveland come here for their weekly grocery shopping, but the market's million or so annual visitors also include tourists from all over the world. Veteran shoppers often give tours of the market for new customers. These typically hour-long orientations are scheduled for the last Saturday of every month.

Christmas Story House and Museum

• If you fell for the now-classic 1983 holiday film, "A Christmas Story," you'll love A Christmas Story House, the home that was used in the movie's exterior shots. Following an exacting renovation, the house is now open to the public for tours. A museum located across the street features memorabilia and behind-the-scenes photos and facts from the film set. The museum also has a gift shop where you can purchase items that evoke scenes from the film.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

• The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is home to both freshwater and seawater species. Popular attractions include the Shark Exhibit -- which you can dive into for an extra fee if you are an open water SCUBA-certified diver -- and the Ohio Lakes and Rivers Exhibit, featuring species native to the region. Other interactive experiences -- also available for an extra fee -- include a behind-the-scenes tour that shows how the aquarium staff cares for the animals, overnight stays at the aquarium and the Touch Pool Feed Experience, which allows you to feed the aquarium's stingrays by hand.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

• The expansive, lush campus of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to 3,000 animals representing over 600 species, including endangered ones. The zoo participates in cooperative breeding programs, and environmental preservation is a major educational focus. It also contains North America's largest collection of primates. The animals and many thousands of plants -- the zoo is also a botanical garden -- are divided into areas that recreate different climates and ecosystems. The 2-acre RainForest, for example, contains 10,000 plants and a 25-foot waterfall. Other habitats include the 8-acre Australian Adventure, the African Savanna and, for animals from colder climates, the Northern Trek.

NASA Glenn Visitor Center

• One day a month, from April through October, the Glenn Research Center, one of 10 NASA centers, offers 45-minute tours that are open to US citizens and legal residents. Four separate tours are held on these select days -- one every hour starting at 10 a.m. -- and reservations are required. Scientists and engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center develop and test new aeronautical technology for spaceflight. They specialize in propulsion, air traffic communications, and energy storage and conversion, among other things. The main campus, located near Hopkins International Airport, includes wind tunnels, drop towers, vacuum chambers and an aircraft hangar.

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State Campgrounds Around Columbus, Ohio

Ohio has 56 state parks with family campgrounds that are set along scenic lakes or creeks or in natural wooded areas. Most campgrounds are open year-round and include a mix of electric and non-electric sites for tents, trailers and RVs, as well as access to an array of recreational amenities. If you're planning a camping trip to the Columbus area, a half-dozen state campgrounds are within an hour's drive of Ohio's capital city. You can bring up to two pets per campsite, as long as they are kept on leashes.

Alum Creek State Park

• Less than 22 miles north of Columbus, Alum Creek State Park in Delaware is the closest state campground to the Buckeye State's capital. The 4,630-acre park has 286 campsites with 50-amp electrical hookups, including three sites with full hookups and some overlooking 3,387-acre Alum Creek Reservoir. The campground has a mix of wooded and open sites, restrooms with hot showers, RV dump station and camp store with Wi-Fi. Camper cabins and 30 equestrian campsites also are available. Other attractions include a 3,000-foot swimming beach, fishing, boat ramps, disc golf course, dog park and eight picnic areas. The park has a bounty of trails, including several hiking and mountain biking trails, 38 miles of bridle trails and a 7-mile multipurpose trail open to snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and dog sledding in the winter.

A.W. Marion State Park

• If you're looking for a cozy camping spot, A.W. Marion State Park in Circleville fits the bill. This small, 309-acre park lies 30 miles southeast of Columbus and has approximately 60 campsites, half of which include electric hookups. Other campground amenities include vault toilets, drinking water, RV dump station, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pit and playground. The park also has a group camping area, picnic areas and two hiking trails, including 1-mile Squawroot Trail, which begins at the campground, and 5-mile Hargus Lake Trail, which follows the shoreline of the 145-acre namesake lake. Boating and fishing are available on the lake, with boat rentals available. Winter activities at the park include ice fishing, ice skating and sledding.

Deer Creek State Park

• Deer Creek State Park in Mount Sterling, approximately 30 miles southwest of Columbus, has a number of accommodation options, including 227 campsites with electric hookups, group and equestrian camping, camper cabins, 25 two-bedroom cottages, a lakeside cabin and 110-room lodge. The campground has centralized restrooms with showers, an RV dump station, volleyball and basketball courts, miniature golf and two playgrounds. Other park amenities include an 18-hole golf course, 1,700-foot swimming beach, boating and fishing on 1,277-acre Deer Creek Lake, picnic areas, nature center and bicycle rentals. The park also has seven hiking-only trails ranging from a quarter-mile to 2.5 miles, a 1-mile mountain bike trail and 17-mile bridle trail. Winter activities include ice fishing, ice skating, sledding and snowmobiling.

Other Nearby Campgrounds

• Several other Ohio state parks have campgrounds within 45 miles of the state capital. Delaware State Park, 34 miles north of Columbus, has more than 210 campsites with electric hookups and three rental yurts. Buck Creek State Park in Springfield, 42 miles east of Columbus, has more than 110 campsites, including about 90 with electric hookups, and 26 two-bedroom cottages. Mount Gilead State Park, 45 miles northeast of Columbus, has a campground with approximately 60 electric sites and two camper cabins. All three parks include boating, fishing, disc golf and trails. Delaware and Buck Creek also have swimming beaches.

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The Pickerington, Ohio Rib Festival

While negotiating the terms of the Pickerington Jazz and Blue Ribfest's alcohol permits in 2010, the city of Pickerington lost its festival. Organizers moved the event to neighboring Canal Winchester, located about six miles away, and renamed the event the "Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest." Canal Winchester is located about 15 miles southwest of Columbus. This town, which was historically a hub of transportation, agriculture and commerce, comes alive every year in early August, with the smell of ribs wafting through the air, the sound of live music and much more.

General Information

• The Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest is a two-day festival held every year in early August, typically on a Friday and Saturday. Festival organizers say 30,000 people attended in 2012. Admission is free and visitors can expect to experience a street fair-like atmosphere. The festival is held in downtown Canal Winchester, with parking available throughout the surrounding area. Leave your coolers, rollerblades, skateboards, bikes, pets and any outside beverages and food at home. Festival organizers recommend bringing portable chairs because there is limited seating available.

Music and Entertainment

• Much like its name implies, blues music is one of the festival's starring attractions, with everything from electric rock-blues to more traditional acoustic blues music played on two stages. Local, regional and nationally headlining blues performers such as Ray Fuller and Bluesrockers rock the venue, which is the state's only festival with a rib and blues theme. Other attractions include booths with arts and crafts created by area artists as well as a children’s activity area with face painting a bounce house.

Ribs and Food

• If you love ribs, this is the festival for you. Rib vendors travel from all around the region for the opportunity to compete for a trophy and, even more importantly, the right to brag about having the best ribs. They serve up their special recipes throughout the weekend. In addition to ribs, the festival also serves up other menu items, including ice cream and other desserts. Festival organizers also have a beer garden set up for festival-goers who are at least 21 years old.

Nearby Lodging

• Nearby lodging options include the Best Western Plus Canal Winchester Inn, located less than 2 miles from downtown and within walking distance of attractions such as the Barber Museum or the Doll and Toy Museum. It has a fitness room, indoor pool, business center and free parking. Another option is the Ohio Log House Bed and Breakfast, located on 54 acres about 5 miles from downtown Canal Winchester. It has rustic decor and a kitchen with a wood-burning oven. The inn's three rooms, each with its own bathroom.

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Things to Do Along the Ohio River

Stretching nearly 1,000 miles and accessible from six states, the Ohio River is the largest tributary of the Mississippi River by volume, making it a major artery through the northeast states. Visitors can find countless attractions along the length of this mighty river, including numerous museums and historical sites, and some of the best fishing in North America.

Ohio River Scenic Byway

• The Ohio River Scenic Byway is a 967-mile driving route that parallels the river through the states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Attractions along the byway are too numerous to list, but highlights include the 55-acre National Historic District in downtown Ripley, Ohio, from which you can take a ferry across the river to Kentucky. Outdoor recreation, including camping, hiking, mountain biking and picnicking are available in 200,000-acre Hoosier National Forest and several state parks in each of the river's six bordering states. Indiana's Clark County is home to the world's largest exposed bed of 386-million-year-old Devonian fossils, and nearby Crawford County offers the vast underground cathedrals of Wyandotte Caves. Many towns along the river host a vast array of dining and shopping options, overnight accommodations, local events and festivals, including the annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois.

Ohio River Fishing

• Home to some of the most abundant populations of channel, blue and flathead catfish in the world, the Ohio River is a fisherman's paradise. Big blue cats are most common in the lower portion of the river, but flatheads and channel cats are abundant farther upstream in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Flathead catfish over 100 pounds have been caught, and 20- to 30-pounders are common. You can also catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, stripers, walleye, sauger and a variety of panfish species in the river. Fishing licenses are required, and the states that share the river have agreed to honor the licenses of neighboring states. Specific fishing license information and regulations are available through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website and through corresponding organizations in the other five states along the river.

Museums and Historical Sites

• If you're a history buff, look no farther than the Ohio River. From the Mississippian Indian mounds of Evansville, Indiana, to the Ulysses S. Grant birthplace monument in Point Pleasant, Ohio, opportunities to learn about our nation's past are virtually endless. The Life on the Ohio River History Museum in St. Vevay, Indiana, displays a vast collection of riverboat models and photographs documenting life during the steamboat era, and the Kentucky towns of Augusta and Brooksville boast several Underground Railroad sites. Complete listings of historical museums, buildings, monuments and markers are available through the official websites of the states that border the river.

Canoeing and Kayaking

• The Ohio River is open to boats of all kinds, but the generally placid and slow-moving river is ideal for exploration by canoe or kayak. You can drift through the untouched landscapes of Ohio Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Shawnee National Forest or past the urban centers of Louisville, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The city of Cincinnati also hosts the annual Paddlefest, where hundreds of canoeists and kayakers converge every summer for an 8.2-mile float trip and 11-mile race down the river with refreshments, live music and water stops along the way. If you're unfamiliar with the river, you should be aware that hazards do exist, including barges, towboats, changing water levels, locks and dams. The Ohio Division of Watercraft website offers safety tips, regulations, river charts and contact information for the various safety and law-enforcement entities that operate along the river.

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Things to Do in Defiance, Ohio

Defiance, in northwestern Ohio, has about 16,000 people. Near the Maumee, Tiffin and Auglaize rivers, Defiance has plenty of outdoors activities, as well as activities for kids and diverse dining for a town its size. Whether you're interested in a fine dining experience, a hike or an overnight at a bed and breakfast, you'll find something in Defiance.

Outdoor Activities

• Because of its scenic location, Defiance offers many outdoors options for active people. You can visit Pontiac Park, the likely birthplace of Ottawa Native American Chief Pontiac. At the confluence of two local rivers, Pontiac Park is a scenic setting for a picnic at the park's gazebo or overlooking its Zonta Fountain. You could also visit the Reservoir, which offers a disc golf course, boat ramps, fishing and a sledding hill for winter. The Defiance area also has four 9- and 18-hole golf courses, as well as a putt-putt course.

Cultural Activities

• The Defiance area also has a number of options to explore its culture and history. The Huber Opera House and Civic Center, in nearby Hicksville, was built as a hotel in 1895, but later gained a reputation as a "test" theater before shows would move on to Chicago or New York. Today, the opera house is home to a local theater troupe and a variety of community events. If you're interested in local Ohio history, you can visit the Tuttle Museum, which displays collections of regional natural and cultural artifacts, or the Riverside Chapel, built in 1890, which has graves of War of 1812 veterans.

Kids' Activities

• Kids and families can enjoy a number of activities in Defiance. Established in 1966, Auglaize Village re-creates local 19th-century history with restored and reconstructed buildings, museums and costumed "villagers" enacting pioneer activities for special events. You can also make a trip to Putt Putt Golf & Games, which offers 18 holes of putt putt, go-carts and batting cages. Another option: bowling at C & H Bowling Lanes or Defiance Recreation Center.

Lodging

• Defiance has locally owned lodging possibilities, along with national chains. The Elliot Rose Guesthouse, near downtown Defiance, is a bed and breakfast with luxury bedding and homemade scones for breakfast. If you prefer to camp, Shepherd’s Pasture, about 6 miles outside Defiance, has 157 campsites, as well as access to canoeing, swimming and fishing. National chains with branches in Defiance include Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Super 8 Motel.

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Ohio State Parks With Paintballing

Ohio has 75 state parks spread throughout 60 counties, allowing residents and visitors alike the chance to enjoy the Buckeye State's natural resources such as lakes, waterfalls and wildlife and participate in recreational activities that include swimming, fishing, hiking and biking. Two Ohio state parks -- one on each side of the state -- also provide scenic settings for a sport that gives you the rare opportunity to splatter your friends and family members: paintball.

Paintball at Hueston Woods State Park

• The three paintball fields at Hueston Woods State Park in southwestern Ohio are set on eight heavily wooded acres behind the Hueston Woods Lodge & Conference Center. The fields have natural bunkers and a creek, and are available for open play on weekends from April to October. Players are allowed to bring their own paint, although the Hueston Woods Paintball Club has paintballs for purchase, as well as rental guns, goggles and overalls. The fields also may be reserved by groups of 15 people or more on weekdays. To make reservations, call 513-664-3500. Catered or boxed lunches are available from the lodge.

About Hueston Woods

• Hueston Woods State Park in College Corner is set on the shores of 625-acre Acton Lake, less than 40 miles southwest of Dayton and less than 50 miles northwest of Cincinnati. Activities and amenities at the nearly 3,000-acre park include a swimming beach, 18-hole championship golf course, 36 holes of disc golf, miniature golf, nature center, 12 hiking trails, 12-mile mountain bike trail, 18-mile equestrian trail, archery range, boat ramp, boat docks and a fishing pier where anglers can drop their lines for bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and largemouth bass. Accommodations include the 94-room Hueston Woods Lodge, 25 two-bedroom cottages, three camper cabins, a yurt and more than 500 campsites, about half of which have electric hookups.

Paintball at Salt Fork State Park

• Salt Fork State Park in east-central Ohio has two paintball fields set behind the Salt Fork Lodge & Conference Center. The courses are heavily wooded, with natural bunkers scattered throughout. Salt Fork's paintball fields are open two to three days each week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and also are available by reservation from April to October for groups of 10 or more. Call 740-439-2751 to make reservations or check on scheduled days and times of play. Children must be at least 12 years old to play. Catered or boxed lunches are available from the lodge.

About Salt Fork

• Salt Fork State Park is set on the shores of Salt Fork Reservoir in Lore City, less than 60 miles south of Canton. Ohio's largest state park at 17,229 acres, Salt Fork has amenities and attractions that include a 2,500-foot-long swimming beach, 18-hole golf course, miniature golf, nature center, 14 hiking trails, 12-mile equestrian trail, two marinas, 10 boat ramps and fishing for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie and walleye. Overnight options include the 148-room Salt Fork Lodge, more than 50 two-bedroom cottages and more than 200 campsites with electric or full hookups.

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Things to Do in Sandusky, Ohio, for Adults

With more than 3 million annual visitors, Cedar Point Amusement Park may be Sandusky's most widely known attraction, but plenty of grown-up offerings lure visitors to this Ohio town as well. Sandusky sits along Lake Erie's southern coast between Cleveland and Toledo. Its 22 miles of shoreline provide access to diverse water adventures, a historic downtown offers shopping and dining, and cultural attractions inspire learning and fun.

Water Recreation

• With Lake Erie at its door, fishing is a favorite Sandusky pastime. Anglers cast their lines from several city piers, including the pier at Battery Park and the Miegs Street pier. Charter operations such as Speerfish Fishing Charter lead customers to hot spots for reeling in walleye, perch and bass. Numerous public and private marinas accommodate private boating. Fun cruise options include Lake Erie island hopping and sightseeing adventures to Pelee Island for winery tours, hiking and biking fun. The Goodtime I offers Friday night dance cruises and themed party cruises. For landlubbers, a stroll along the waterfront -- Sandusky Bay Pathway -- provides a relaxing outing.

Historic Sightseeing

• Explore Sandusky's historic downtown district for insight into the city's past. Populated by German and Irish immigrants who brought stone masonry skills to the New World, many historic Sandusky buildings reflect their heritage styles. Architectural highlights include the Cassedy-West Building, constructed in 1887 and featuring carved stone enhancements. Reflecting a Spanish flair, the G.A. Boeckling Building was constructed in 1928 to serve as administrative offices for Cedar Point Resort. Hubbard's Block was built in 1854 of limestone and sandstone as home to the Cosmopolitan Art and Literary Association, a nationwide organization promoting the arts.

Museums

• Feel like a kid again with a visit to Sandusky's Merry-Go-Round Museum. The centerpiece of the museum collection is a restored Allan Herschell carousel. Museum displays include traditional woodcarving tools used in crafting carousel animals. Demonstrations by museum artisans, experts in carousel restoration, provide opportunities to observe their work.

  Relive the romance and historic dangers of travelling the inland seas at Sandusky Maritime Museum. Interactive exhibits highlight Sandusky area shipwrecks, including the F.H. Prince, St. Louis and America. Learn about boat building, commercial fishing, ice harvesting, passenger travel and Lake Erie pirates.

Theatre

• Laugh, cry and be inspired at Harlequins Community Theatre, Ohio's oldest continuously operating community theatre. Staging four productions each year, Harlequins presents Friday and Saturday night shows and Sunday matinee performances. Founded in 1927, the 97-seat theatre is housed in a historic coach house.

  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sandusky State Theatre showcases performing arts and film. It opened in the 1920s as a vaudeville house and remains a cornerstone of the region's cultural scene. Performances range from comedy acts to ballet. Tours of this landmark theatre are available by appointment.

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Places to Visit in Bellville, Ohio

Bellville, Ohio, surrounded by rolling green hills, is a historic village where the cemetery is carefully maintained and the downtown area -- defined by its mile-long Main Street -- has thriving shops, restaurants and antiques stores. Trees planted along the street offer shade in the summer, and the bandstand on the Village Green symbolizes traditions and heritage embraced by the residents. You'll find ample opportunity for active pursuits and interesting places to visit in and near Bellville. The small burg is approximately 10 miles south of Mansfield, halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio.

Play at the Lakes

• Plan a visit to one of three lakes surrounded by forested hills within 15 miles of Bellville, to play in or on the water. Spend the night at one of the 380 campsites at Pleasant Hill Lake Park after a day of water skiing, hiking and swimming. Clear Fork Reservoir, designed to be the major source of water for the city of Mansfield, contains 997 surface acres of water for boating and fishing, 14 miles of shoreline, and an adjacent 1,000 acres of land where you can picnic, hike, hunt and camp. Anglers usually reel in largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Charles Mill Lake Park has 1,350 acres of water surface with a swimming beach and 2,000 acres of land with more than 500 campsites and hiking trails.

Hit the Old Rail Trail

• Outdoor-lovers will find ample room to ride in the scenic, rural countryside on the Richland B&O Bike Trail, a paved 18.2-mile bike trail that winds through Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville and Butler. You'll pass farms and woods and will pedal through downtown Bellville, crossing Main Street. You can take a break at the designated stop in town that has restrooms, water fountains, drink machines and picnic tables nearby. In Lexington, a bike shop will help out if necessary, and bike rentals are available during the season. Don't worry about elevation gain; the entire trail is mostly flat with mile markers, benches on occasion and parking areas.

Discover the State Parks

• Two state parks less than 10 miles west of Bellville draw visitors for different reasons. Canoeing, fishing and hunting are the main attractions at Mohican State Park, where the the Clear Fork of the Mohican River flows through the park; it's known throughout the state as a good canoeing river. Anglers will most likely catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, carp, catfish, perch and bluegill. The adjacent 4,525-acre state forest is open to hunters in season with a valid license. Nestled in the hills, Malabar Farm was built in 1939 by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, who lived there until his death in 1956; it became a state park in 1976. Tour the Big House, the farm, the gardens and Pugh Cabin, and take time to enjoy hiking trails, hayrides and the horse camp.

Celebrate with Events and Festivals

• One of the big, annual events in Bellville centers around the Bellville Street Fair in September. Come for the truck and tractor pull, carnival rides, exhibits and livestock shows and sales. Meet a friend for coffee and a pastry at the seasonal, weekly Farmers Market on the square in Bellville, or try out the twice-weekly Carrousel District Farmers Market in nearby Mansfield. Try fresh, local produce, baked treats or canned goods and pick up a homemade gift or craft. If you enjoy looking for treasures, mark your calendar for the Flea Market and Antique Show held at the Richland County Fairgrounds the last full weekend of each month, February through November. Celebrate the Annual Ohio Heritage Days Festival in September at Malabar Farm, shopping for crafts and antiques while enjoying food and live music.

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Things to Do in Seville, Ohio

Often overshadowed by its metropolitan neighbors of Cleveland and Akron, the small village of Seville is not complaining. There are plenty of things to do within the borders of this rural Ohio enclave less than an hour from the hustle and bustle of city life. Since being settled in 1816, the village has maintained its original charm, with dozens of period architectural buildings and historical sites.

Riding the Rails

• Discover the nostalgia of riding the rails in bygone eras with a visit to the Northern Ohio Railway Museum. View more than 40 pieces of railway memorabilia, including trolleys, streetcars, interurbans, a reconstructed carhouse and various freight cars. The Differential collection includes a 50-ton Toledo Edison electric locomotive built in 1924. Browse through historic photo archives and collectible railroad-themed books. Public walking tours are conducted on Saturdays from mid-May through October.

Supersize It

• The village of Seville stakes a claim to fame that rivals any community in the state, as home to the 19th-century "world's tallest couple." Martin Van Buren Bates and Anna Swan Bates, former circus curiosities measuring almost 8 feet tall each, made their home in Seville. Residents honor the "Giants of Seville" with an annual festival in late September. The Seville GiantFest beckons townspeople and visitors with old-fashioned games, a talent show, horse-drawn wagon tours, a giant-dog contest and Civil War-themed entertainment.

Flash to the Past

• Antiques are the unofficial shopping genre of Seville, with the Downtown Seville Antique Show every July drawing collectors by the droves. Seville Antiques Mall on Milton Street specializes in 18th- and 19th-century primitives, early American antiques, folk art, and original paint and finishes for artists. Stroll over to Main Street for a browse through the Funky Junk Boutique offerings of vintage and up-cycled goods, as well as custom jewelry and local art. Specialty art supplies include chalk paint and milk paint made in the USA.

Back to Nature

• The number of parks in Seville showcase the village's love for outdoor recreation, with four parks open to the public. Cy Hewit Park features three pavilions, a children's playground and multiple ball fields. Stanhope Park hosts events throughout the year and is home to the memorial statue that Martin Van Buren Bates commissioned to honor his wife Anna upon her death. Leohr Park draws the nature-loving crowd with a fishing lake, sledding hill and multiple nature paths. A walking path connects the park to the downtown area.

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