Retro Mansfield

A suggested itinerary on your own at your own pace including Coney Dogs, Milkshakes & Memory Lane

MORNING:  Start your Retro trip through Mansfield by trying out Mansfield's newest retro restaurant, Slick'z Drive-In.  It's a fresh step back into the good ole days!  Dine in or car hop available!

Enjoy a visit at the Richland Carrousel Park.  Nothing brings back memories like a whirl on an old fashioned carrousel.  This is the first new hand carved wooden carousel to be built since the early 1930's. Fifty-two beautiful animals and two chariots.  An  indoor facility open year 'round. Gift shop and concessions always available.

The Mansfield Memorial Museum is an architectural wonder unchanged since the building opened in 1889.  Permanent home of ELEKTRO, the Westinghouse robot built for the 1939 New York World's Fair. Artifacts on 2 floors of displays span from Roman to modern times. The museum houses many collections from early Native American, African, Asian, military, and natural history. A display of nearly 600 planes showing the history of aviation is on display.  Call to schedule a tour for your family.

LUNCH:  In 1949 Paul Blasberg saw the future in a car, a great burger and a place to "hang out".  Porky's Drive-In was born!  The food was fast, the burger the best and the atmosphere was friendly. Burgers, foot long hot dogs, fresh cut skin-on fries, milkshakes and root beer, both homemade. Inside seating is a cozy and friendly six booths and a counter. Offering year-round car hop service that lets you eat in your car....or get your order to go.

AFTERNOON: Experience America's most famous farm, Malabar Farm State Park.  A 900 acre country estate of Pulitzer Prize winning author, farmer and conservationist Louis Bromfield. The new Visitor Center if full of interactive displays, and home of Malabar/Lehman's Gift/Book Shop featuring unique Ohio-made items, Bromfield's books, farm fresh products and their own homemade fudge. Walk through the Ohio Songbird Aviary and petting barn. Stroll through the butterfly, prairie & flower gardens or take a farm wagon ride and tour the home where Hollywood stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married. Stop at the Roadside Farm Market, next to Malabar Farm Restaurant, for some fine farm produce.

Nothing says retro like a fun family night of bowling!  Lex Lanes offers 32 lanes, automatic scoring and bumpers. Plenty of your ole' time favorite snacks with a bar and lounge. 

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

DINNER:  Try The Elms for dinner for good food and drinks, friendly people, an oldies jukebox, dart boards, pool table, with Buckeyes, Browns, Cavs, Indians, Nascar memorabilia.  Great wings and goulash daily along with char-broiled burgers and the best reuben sandwich in town.

EVENING:  The Springmill Drive-In Theatre features first-run movies on two large screens. This 50's style drive-in has all the nostalgia and the best in FM stereo sound. Our concession stand will make your mouth water with all your favorites like fresh popped popcorn, grilled hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs, 12" made-to-order pizza, nachos, ice cream novelties and much more. You can be a lucky ticket winner. Drawings held every night for movie merchandise, free pizza and more.

DAY TWO

MORNING:  Enjoy breakfast at Coney Island Inn on the Square in downtown Mansfield. Breakfast is served all day. A Mansfield favorite since 1972. 

The Historic Carrousel District will feed you, entertain you and bring culture and joy to your life! Browse for antiques at Carrousel Antiques or look for Jack and the Beanstalk at Main Street Books.  What Goes Around Thrift Shop supports Hospice of North Central Ohio with upscale items. Enjoy talent of local artists’ work at Elements of Art, grab a lottery ticket or cigar at Mansfield’s oldest newsstand City News, how about a new pair of shoes at Crowe’s Shoes which has been serving the area for 70 years or browse through Studio 19 for hair or nail products.
All this with beautifully restored Victorian-age buildings with tin ceilings, solid oak floors, brass lighting, ornate iron fencing, secluded courtyards and the feel of yesteryear.

The sweet lover's dream!  Watch as the employees of Squirrel's Den make 12 flavors of fudge and different varieties of chocolates in the factory located at the back of the store. The sweet shop also prides itself on providing over 21 flavors of popcorn! Cinnamon frosted almonds and pecans are a favorite of locals and guests alike. If you come on a nice day, you will be able to see the peanut roaster the employees roll out in front of store, and enjoy a bag of freshly roasted peanuts.

LUNCH:  Venture to your next Retro site at the Warrior Drive In and Pizza.  Drive on in for delicious pizza, ice cream, burgers, fries, and coney's in our 1950's style drive in.

AFTERNOON:  Spend your afternoon searching the nooks and crannies of Glen's Surplus in Shelby, Ohio, home to 11 departments spanning tools, hardware, military-camping, housewares and so much more. Located in a historic factory originally built in the 1800's, Glen's has 3 floors of warehouse space for a truly unique shopping experience like no other.

Gather the family and strike some balls at Kelly's Driving Range or practice your putting skills on the mini-golf course. Fun for the entire family with a snack bar and ice cream!

DINNER:  Oak Park Tavern & Restaurant is a 1940's style steakhouse specializing in steaks, seafood and their famous Lake Erie Yellow Perch. Enjoy an old fashioned cocktail like a Grasshopper or a Pink Squirrel.  A place to be seen and where all the locals dine!

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.