How Does Your Garden Grow?

A suggested itinerary on your own at your own pace including colorful gardens intertwined with shopping in the Historic Carrousel District,  distinctive greenhouses, a bird walk and warm sunshine! 

June-September 2011

DAY ONE

 MORNING:  Established in the late 1920s, by the Clever family, Alta Greenhouse has been in continuance operation for nearly 80 years.  With an acre under cover and five acres available for production, Alta offers customers the best in annuals, perennials, vegetables, shrubs, and water gardening plants. Alta's gift and pottery selection is handpicked from a vast array of sources.  A wide seasonal selection of seeds, rhizomes, & bulbs are available! We also offer plant foods and sprays for indoor or outdoor gardening, including orchid, African violet and cactus potting mediums. Open all year with blooming plants twelve months a year.

Welcome to Kingwood Center; a 47-acre former estate with majestic gardens.  Known for years as the Formal Garden, this is our most photogenic site for seasonal displays of tulips and annuals. Sculptures, stone walls, pools, bath houses, a trellis, ornamental stairs, iron railings, bluestone paving, and a lovely vista provide an ideal setting for massive floral color displays. It's a great time to use the Kingwood Library to look up information on landscaping, floral design, nature, individual plants etc.   

LUNCH:  Welcome to the Blueberry Patch, home of Ohio's premier blueberry plantation. The Blueberry Patch features u-pick blueberry fields throughout the blueberry season (July-August), as well as pre-picked fresh and frozen berries. Come browse North Central Ohio's most unique and complete Gift Shop! You'll find gifts and home decor for most any occasion, Including fine jewelry, handbags, greeting cards, candles, and much more.
Blossom's Cafe is built inside the new greenhouse and attached to the gift shop.  Come enjoy a meal while surrounded by flowers, plants, fountains, and gifts.

AFTERNOON:  Visit Ohio’s most talked about garden center and gift shop at Possum Run Greenhouse! Located on Ohio’s coldest spot, Possum Run Road, this garden center and gift shop has been serving North Central Ohio and the world for over 30 years! Near Malabar Farm, their unique setting “offers” the visitor an amazing relaxing environment! Look down upon the room from the rainbow bridge while soaking in the sounds of the enormous and home decor. Stroll the state-of-the-art Dutch greenhouse for seasonal plants year round! The seasonal selection and quality will impress even the most avid gardener.

This garden center and farm market provides year-round fresh produce at a reasonable price.  Wayne's Country Market specialize in carrying local produce when in season. The store also offers bulk and bagged mulches and topsoil.  Indulge yourself by purchasing one of the many items from the year-round Amish bakery in the store, or choose from a wide selection of Waggoner Premium Chocolates.  For those that are a little more health conscious, the store also offers an extensive variety of sugar-free chocolates. Visit in the Fall for hayrides, straw maze and more.

Check into your host hotel with this complete list of lodging facilities in Mansfield/Richland County.

EVENING:  Buck's Bar and Grill legacy has been around for years and known for their big burgers and fresh-cut french fries.  A perfect place to grab dinner with the family.  A trip to Buck's wouldn't be complete without trying their award-winning ribs amidst the unique race motif that compliments the restaurant's laid back atmosphere.

DAY TWO

MORNING:  At  Cooper's Mill, we take pride in our homemade jams & jellies made from David Cooper's own grandmother's recipes.  You'll be reminded of days past when you see our apple butter cooking in 50 gallon copper kettles over a wood burning hearth.  Your tour guide will explain the history of our family-owned business.  After your tour, enjoy samples at our tasting table.  Products available for purchase. 

Experience the wonders of nature at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. Visitors Center, outdoor theater & the entire live bird display is accessible by a brick walk way. Nine species of birds of prey including the Bald Eagle reside. Birds will alight on your hand in search of food in the songbird aviary for all to enjoy & see birds up close!

LUNCH & AFTERNOON:  The Historic Carrousel District will feed you, entertain you & bring culture & joy to your life! Bring out your inner child with a whimsical ride at the Carrousel Park. Look for Jack & the Beanstalk at Main Street Books; see fudge & sugar-frosted nuts made at the Squirrel’s Den Chocolate Shop. What Goes Around Thrift Shop sells upscale second-hand items.  All this & more with restored Victorian-age buildings with tin ceilings, oak floors, brass lighting, ornate iron fencing, secluded courtyards & the feel of yesteryear. Restaurants include Ed Pickens’ Café on Main, Coney Island Diner, Athens Greek Restaurant .

A historic 1928 movie palace in the grand baroque style, The Renaissance Theatre is now the premiere venue for live entertainment in north central Ohio. Home of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and the annual Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, RPA (the non-profit entity which oversees operations) also presents a full slate of National Broadway Tours, rock and country concerts, variety shows, and movies.  For individual tours, ask a Renaissance employee for assistance.

Step back in time at the Olivesburg General Store. Wander around the store with ice cream hand-dipped from the original marble counter & browse over the varied selection of merchandise. Delicious cheese from the Amish heartland is second to none! Samples!

Visit the wedding site of Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall at the historic Malabar Farm. The 914-acre country estate, home of Pulitzer Prize winning author Louis Bromfield, was a haven for many Hollywood celebrities. The Louis Bromfield Visitors Education Center offers over 30 interactive exhibits to let visitors explore, learn & experience agriculture, our environment & Bromfield’s legacy. Malabar Farm Country Store has partnered with Lehman's old fashioned products to provide a unique shopping experience with a step back in time featuring Ohio made gifts &homemade fudge.

Louie Bromfield's original spring-cooled roadside produce market is open May-October beside Malabar Farm Restaurant!  Visitors to Malabar Farm State Park can buy freshly-picked, seasonal produce grown locally. Self-service for your convenience. Everything from fancy lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, honey, cut flower bouquets to ornamental gourds and corn.

DINNER:  Dine at the Malabar Farm Restaurant. Serving up more than history & featuring all natural farm ingredients from their own farm market & fresh produce. There is something special about French food. The rich creamy sauces, fresh vegetables & the fine desserts. Experience fine French cuisine locally.

 EVENING:  Martini's on Main, Taverna & Pizzeria has homemade wood oven pizza, extensive craft beer list, great wine by the glass, a beautiful outdoor brick patio, and a full bar.

This itinerary is a sample of some of the establishments in the Mansfield/Richland County area.  Please feel free to visit our web site for more details and ideas, www.mansfieldtourism.com.