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Things To Do In Springfield Ohio

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byCindy

Springfield Ohio is in Clark County, in the southwest of Ohio. The city of Springfield has a population of a little fewer than 60,000. This charming town has a fantastic history and it is a gem of a place to visit. There are a lot of things to do in Springfield!

vertical image with a photo of ice cream from young's jersey dairy, a photo of Buck creek state park and a photo of two cups of winans coffee. A red box at the top contains the text Things to Do in Springfield

About Springfield Ohio

Springfield is the County Seat of Clark County in southwest Ohio. The city is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek, and Beaver Creek.

Originally inhabited by Shawnee Native Americans, Springfield has gone through many changes over the years. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Springfield was very industrial, with ten car manufacturing companies.

In recent years, Springfield has made efforts to revitalize the city with increased residential housing and a focus on heritage tourism.

Below are 15 of the best things to do in Springfield Ohio. So if you are planning a trip to this vibrant city, let us be your guide!

Map of Things to Do in Springfield

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!

On a visit to Springfield, the kids always want to go to Splash Zone. I love a visit to the antique center, and then finally we all enjoy dropping by Young’s Jersey Dairy to round off our day!

Mad River Adventures

Mad River Adventures is an amazing location that has drawn visitors here for years. It is the perfect place to explore with a canoe or a kayak. This is also a perfect place for beginners as the current of the river is very light and it is quite shallow. In fact, it is so shallow that on a sunny day, it is possible to see the bottom as the water is very clear.

The Mad River also has some lovely gardens to explore and paddling is allowed in this area as well. Mad River Adventures is also home to some of Ohio’s wildlife.

horizontal photo looking across the reservoir to the marina and Buck Creek State Park

Buck Creek State Park

This State Park is a fantastic recreation area that has something for everyone. Buck Creek is located to the northeast of Springfield and covers an area of over 4,000 acres. 

Buck Creek State Park features a large reservoir for unlimited horsepower boating. A pier offers more options for anglers of all abilities. There are miles of multi-use trails passing through meadows and wetlands.

Boating

The 2,120-acre C.J. Brown Reservoir offers unlimited horsepower boating. There is a four-lane ramp near the park office. At the marina visitors can purchase fuel and there is a snack bar and bait shop. A boat camping area is available on the north end of the lake.

Trails

  • Lakeview Trail – 2.9 miles | Moderate | Hike
  • Wren’s Nest Trail – 0.25 miles | Moderate | Hike
  • Dam Walk Trail – 0.64 miles | Moderate | Hike
  • Meadow Trails – 2 miles | Moderate | Several connected paths | Hike
  • Bridle Trail – 7.5 miles | Moderate | Horseback
  • Buck Creek Trail – 6.1 miles | Easy | Multi-use connector trail

Camping

The campground has both electric and non-electric sites. There are also 24 cabins set in woodlands. Each cabin has a restroom with shower, kitchen and dining area, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and much more. There is a web page dedicated to the campground at Buck Creek State Park.

Other Activities and Facilities

  • Fishing – Ohio fishing license is required
  • Hunting – Ohio hunting license required
  • Picnicking
  • Disc Golf
  • Reservable Shelters
  • Swimming

In winter, conditions permitting, visitors can enjoy sledding, ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiles are permitted on the bridle trail.

Mother Stewart’s Brewing

Mother Stewart’s Brewing is based in downtown Springfield. This is a family-run establishment and it has a large brewery taproom.

In the beer garden, sample drinks are available such as European-style pilsners, Porter, and Cold-style malt Lagers.

Mother Stewart’s Brewing also hosts film nights and other forms of entertainment. Food is also on offer from one of the food trucks that are in the brewery.

Mad River Gorge and Nature Preserve

The Mad River Gorge and Nature Preserve is over 90 acres of natural beauty. Rock climbing is also available on the 50-foot crag. This area is regarded as Ohio’s broadest rock climbing location.

This is also a great place to do some birdwatching. There are plenty of species of birds that call this area their home all year round. Some migratory birds also visit area, whether they are heading North to Canada or down to warmer climes in Mexico.

The Heritage Center of Clark County

This landmark attraction is one of the most popular places to visit in Springfield. The Heritage Center of Clark County was built in 1890. This is a stone and brick building in the Romanesque style. This is a large building that has over 50,000 square feet of space.

This Center’s main purpose is to maintain Clark County’s heritage. Some of the exhibits are permanently here and some others are here on a temporary basis. 

NTPRD Chiller

The NTPRD Chiller indoor ice skating rink is owned and operated by the National Trail Parks and Recreation District. Skating and ice hockey classes are available for adults and children over the age of 5.

The NTPRD Chiller also plays host to tournaments. This center was established in 1993 and it offers families many hours of fun.

horizontal photo of a brown plate with three meat tacos and some lime wedges

Krazy Taco 937

This is the place to be if you want the best Tacos in Springfield. Krazy Taco 937 is a great place to come along to eat. The restaurant is a beautiful environment that is fun, friendly, and vibrant. The menu in this restaurant changes regularly as well.

Splash Zone Aquatic Center

A visit to the Splash Zone Aquatic Center is the perfect place to cool down on a hot summer day. This waterpark has something for everyone, whether you want to go down one of the crazy water slides, or do a professional workout, all tastes are catered for here. Some of the water slides are over 400 feet in length and there is also Ohio’s first-ever bowl slide based here.

There is a lazy river as well, where visitors can float along at a relaxed pace. There is also a large pool with diving where competitions take place!

horizontal photo of a hand holding a yellow tub containing ice cream Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com
Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm

Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm is one of the best places you can find for an amazing day out near Springfield! There is a nice petting zoo with goats, sheep, and cows. The homemade ice cream made here uses the milk from the animals. This charming place dates back to the 1860s when the Young family built the red barn that is still standing today.

Young’s is a very popular attraction for all the family to enjoy, located very near Springfield.

Check out our article about Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm!

Clark County Fairgrounds

The Clark County Fairgrounds is a must-visit and the ideal place to finish off a break or vacation in this area.

There are over 300 events throughout the year at the Clark County Fairgrounds. Some examples of these events are:

  • Craft and Plants Show
  • Springfield Antique Extravaganza
  • Springfield Swap Meet & Auto Show

This fair dates back to the late 1940s and various events have grown at this site since it was incorporated. There has been a huge expansion of the fairgrounds so that larger events can take place.

Carleton Davidson Stadium

The Carleton Davidson Stadium has played host to Baseball for the past 19 years. The stadium hosts the Champion City Kings, Springfield’s League Baseball team. This is a fantastic facility that has played host to different Baseball tournaments, from local tournaments to national tournaments. The stadium has seating for crowds of up to 1,000 people.

Pennsylvania House Museum

The Pennsylvania House dates back to 1839 and in time it was modernized to host a museum. Back in the day, it was a Tavern for weary travelers heading out West. When the American Civil War was concluded, it was used as a Doctor’s clinic and boarding house. The Pennsylvania House Museum was refurbished with 24 rooms and an extensive collection of antiques.

The house is home to vintage dolls and old-style furnishings. The Museum has played such an important role in the local area that it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Springfield Museum of Art

The Springfield Museum of Art has a permanent collection on display and it also has temporary exhibits as well. It also boasts of being the only art museum in Ohio having an affiliation with the national Smithsonian Institution. 

The museum is also partnered with NASA and has a space exhibition as well. This museum showcases artworks that are enlightening and inciting thought.

horizontal photo of a hand holding a cup of Winans Coffee with a display counter in the background. Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com
Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Winans Chocolates and Coffee

Winans Chocolates and Coffees offer some amazing flavors of both chocolates and coffee. Coffees with flavors including Blackberry bourbon, Peppermint Bark, and Highlander Grogg. Chocolate varieties include Sea Salt Caramel, Pecan Bark, Cashew Wurtle, and Coconut Almond Bliss. There is also a sugar-free selection.

Winans offer pastries, seasonal treats, candy, coffee bundles, and much more!

Heart of Ohio Antique Center

This is the perfect place where visitors can spend hours looking around antiques and possibly looking for a special item to buy for a loved one. This establishment has a huge floor space of over 120,000 square feet. There is also a large outdoor area that has items like furniture.

This is a great place to take a leisurely walk and look at some of the 1,435 available stalls.

More Places to Eat in Springfield

Places to Stay in Springfield

Let’s Visit Springfield Ohio!

Do you know of any hidden gems we’ve missed in this article? We’d love to hear your opinions about Springfield! Let us know in the comments if you have any other suggestions!

While in the area, you may fancy a visit to the nearby Yellow Springs! Check out our article all about Yellow Springs Ohio! While you’re in the southwest region of Ohio, you may like to find out about Things to Do in Cincinnati, Things to Do in Dayton, and Things to Do in Mason.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at [email protected], and we can get it updated.

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Cindy Gordon, the owner of VisitOhioToday.com, is a passionate Ohioan with a deep love for her state's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Her mission is to showcase Ohio's hidden gems and major tourist attractions through her website, offering visitors a comprehensive guide to all the wonders the Buckeye State has to offer. With a wealth of experience as a seasoned small business owner in the media industry, Cindy also manages four other websites in the food space, demonstrating her commitment to sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with a wider audience. Through her dedication, Cindy has become a trusted source for anyone looking to explore Ohio's diverse and vibrant offerings.

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