Garden of Weedin' Tour

Alta Greenhouse offers a shopping experience for all types of lovely indoor and outdoor plants with unique items to make your home beautiful. Motorcoach groups can enjoy a demonstration on making a beautiful centerpiece which will be given away at its completion to a guest on the coach.  

Enjoy dining on the stage at the Renaissance Theatre. One of the most historic movie palaces in North Central Ohio! Your group will have an opportunity that very few people have: to experience a working theatre from the perspective of the performers, while dining on a meal custom prepared by one of Mansfield’s most respected chefs. During your meal, the sounds of the mighty Wurlitzer will serenade you and remind you of what it meant to go to the theatre all those years ago. After your meal one of the nation’s most renowned living history performers will give your group a performance like you’ve never experienced. Ken Hammontree will customize a historical figure of local significance, and create a fun historical perspective of our area. Add into that a goodie bag for everyone to take home, the rare opportunity to roam around a registered historic landmark at your own pace, and ask questions one on one with a theatre employee, and you get the most unique experience anywhere in the state. 

Enjoy seeing birds up close at the birds of prey display or by walking through the songbird aviary at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. The visitors center, outdoor theater and entire live birds display area is accessible by a brick walk way. Forty birds that cannot be returned to the wild call the sanctuary home. Nine species of birds of prey including our national emblem, the Bald Eagle reside in large display areas. If you are a fan of songbirds you will enjoy the walk through songbird aviary where birds will alight on your hand in search of food. The Falcon and Friends is a live bird presentation for all to enjoy and see birds up close! Make sure you stop by the gift shop for the nature lover in all of us. 

Take an unforgettable walk of faith through the Bible at Biblewalk. The Heart of the Reformation museum depicts the men and women who gave their lives to bring the Bible to the common man in a language they could understand. While at Biblewalk, view the rare and historic Bibles that date back to the 1500’s. The American Votive Folk Art is a site not to miss. This unique collection of 1910 contains jewelry to create unbelievable biblical scenes. 

Check into host hotel. Contact the Mansfield CVB for a list. 800-642-8282.
www.mansfieldtourism.com

You are in for a dining experience! The Cabin Restaurant offers casual, comfortable dining set in the rural countryside with a delectable dinner buffet. 

Return to your host hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Eyestone Flower Farm in Bloomville, Ohio. Meander through rows of gladiolus. Breathe in the aromatic scent of oriental lilies. Watch dainty heads of strawberry fields dance in the breeze. Located on a fourth generation family farm, you will see the working process of flowers grown from bulbs and seeds to their delivery at farm markets and florists. Tour offers the flower field tour plus make and take bouquet or a bag of local flowering bulbs for each person. 

Visit Hidden Hilltop Alpaca Ranch in Mansfield. A beautifully landscaped farm with adorable alpacas and llamas. Learn the history of alpacas and what they are used for on the farm. Enjoy their farm store consisting of their own alpaca wool, clothing, toys and other gifts.  

Dine at Malabar Farm Restaurant, an 1820-stagecoach stop rich in history serving traditional plated meals and fresh produce from their own Farm Market. 

Visit the wedding site of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall at the historic Malabar Farm. This 914-acre country estate, home of Pulitzer Prize winning author Louis Bromfield, was a haven for many Hollywood celebrities. The new Louis Bromfield Visitors Education Center offers over 30 interactive exhibits to let visitors explore, learn and experience agriculture, our environment and Bromfield’s legacy. Stroll through the aviary to see the natural surroundings filled with many Ohio native birds. Great shopping awaits you with Lehman’s old fashioned products and Ohio made gifts and homemade fudge. 

What better way to create a great shopping stop than the Blueberry Patch and Greenhouse . . . Ohio's Largest Blueberry Plantation. Visit our gift shop, greenhouses, nursery, and don't forget to stop into the new Blossoms Café and Tea Room for a delightful snack or drink. Pick your own blueberries in the 12-acre blueberry patch or enjoy the convenience of fresh pre-picked at the Blueberry Patch during the months of July-August.  Free tour.

Step back in time at the Olivesburg General Store. Established in 1840, the store has antiques, pottery, hardware, deli and Amish cheese, trail bologna and hand dipped ice cream. A perfect ending to your day!

  Contact Jodie Puster, Group Tour Director, for current pricing.  800-642-8282 or jpuster@mansfieldtourism.com

Garden of Weedin' tour available Spring-Summer 2008.