COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — From scenic lakefront escapes to vibrant countryside adventures and peaceful village retreats, the Buckeye State offers endless possibilities for memorable staycations.
Here is a look at some of the best ways to make the most of summer, without ever leaving the state.
Malabar Farm
4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas, OH 44843
Malabar Farm, the former home of Pulitzer Prize-winner Louis Bromfield, is nestled in the rural countryside near Mansfield, Ohio.
The grounds are now a state park and offer a 15-site primitive campground where campers can bring their pets and even hitch their horses. Visitors can also book a unique stay in the Maple Syrup Cabin.
Tours of the main house are offered from April to December and last 75 to 90 minutes. Farm tours run from May through October and take 45 to 60 minutes.
Trails for hiking and horse riding traverse through scenic views of the farm and park.
Malabar Farm State Park Seen From Mount Jeez, Ohio (Adobe Stock) 
21st May 1945: American actors Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall chase a turkey outside a house on the day of their wedding, Malabar Farm, Mansfield, Ohio. Bogart and his third wife, actor Mayo Methot, had received their divorce 10 days earlier. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) 
Aerial view of Put in Bay’s marina and Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, Kelley’s Island in the far background; Put-in-Bay, South Bass island Ohio (Adobe Stock) 
UNITED STATES – 1994/01/01: USA, Ohio, Lake Erie, South Bass Island, Put-in-bay, Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images) 
Put in Bay Dock at Sunrise (Adobe Stock) 
Dairy cattle stand lined up in a holding area during the second milking of the day at Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Congress’s approval of a one-year extension of the farm bill that expired Sept. 30 heads off government-mandated higher milk prices. Photographer: Ty Wright/Bloomberg via Getty Images 
The Yellow Spring, Glen Helen Preserve, Yellow Springs, Ohio (Adobe Stock)
Put-in-Bay
Put-in-Bay Township, OH 43456
Put-in-Bay, a village on Lake Erie’s South Bass Island, is accessible by personal watercraft, ferry, or plane.
A multitude of lodging options are available, including hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, condos, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and more.
The island’s highlight is Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, an iconic 1915 tower built in honor of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s triumph over the British in the Battle of Lake Erie. Perry’s Cave and Family Fun Center features a cave with stalactites, stalagmites, and rare cave pearls. Also, there is a tour train, a winery, watercraft rentals, a lighthouse, fishing and much more.
Events are planned throughout the summer, including scheduled tours of one of the most original homes in America, the Benson Ford Ship House, a dwelling built into the forecastle of a ship owned by Henry Ford. Trips can also be planned around the annual “Pyrate Fest” in June or the Fourth of July fireworks display.
Yellow Springs
Miami Township, OH 45387
Yellow Springs is a charming village near Dayton and is also home to Antioch College.
Visitors can stay in the recently built Mills Park Hotel, which offers boutique lodging. Jailhouse Suites features overnight and short-term rental apartments in a historic, renovated jail. The Springs Motel provides basic accommodations in a retro-style motel. Additionally, several bed and breakfasts, inns and suites around the area offer exceptional stays.
Yellow Springs’s downtown boasts a shopping district with boutiques and restaurants. Just outside town, Young’s Jersey Dairy serves ice cream and entertains with a petting zoo, a carousel and various events throughout the seasons. In nearby Clifton, sightseers will find the scenic beauty of Historic Clifton Mill. With a short drive to Dayton, the National Museum of the United States Air Force offers the world’s largest military aviation collection, which is free to tour.
