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Ohio’s Buckeye Magic

Hip, Historic Columbus

Quaint German Village, located south of downtown Columbus, looks much as it did 100 years ago. Brick cottages sit on limestone foundations graced by window boxes and slate roofs. At the Meeting House, groups can watch an eight-minute video that recounts the village’s history before departing on a guided walking or motorcoach tour. For lunch or dinner, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant serves German fare in a boisterous atmosphere, and upscale Lindey’s offers fine dining. Groups won’t want to miss the Book Loft, the nation’s largest independent bookstore, which sells thousands of volumes displayed in 32 themed rooms.

No two shops are alike in the hip and artistic Short North Arts District, which also boasts some of the city’s best art galleries and coffee shops. The Pizzuti Collection, housed in the architecturally rich Traveler’s Insurance Company building, displays the personal collection of a local art aficionado and offers rotating exhibits, artist talks and special events. At the Candle Lab, groups pick out scents and make candles for a fun make-and-take experience.

Farther north, Clintonville began when land grants were given to Continental Army soldiers in lieu of pensions. Today, Flours and Bread offers private group dining and year-round classes. In its floral studio, an instructor walks participants though building bouquets. Group can also gather around the wood-fired oven to make dough and top pizzas, or take part in crafting doughnuts and artisanal breads.

“Like a string of pearls along High Street, the motorcoach can start at German village, drive through downtown and end in Clintonville for a full day,” said Experience Columbus spokesperson Amy Weirick.

Mansfield’s Famous Prison

An hour north of Columbus, tours highlight unique features of the castlelike Ohio State Reformatory, a former prison made famous as a filming location in “The Shawshank Redemption” and other Hollywood movies. Built in 1886, it’s said to be haunted. Along the Shawshank Trail, step-on guides take travelers to 14 other filming sites.

“The Reformatory tour takes groups behind-the-scenes, where they see movie props and hear stories that the general public isn’t going to hear,” said Jodie Snavely, group tour/media director for Destination Mansfield. “Several miles away, downtown’s Richland Carrousel Park makes a fun stop, and local shops sell Shawshank-inspired souvenirs, pizza and even wine.”

Malabar Farm, where Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall married and honeymooned, was the site of the opening scene of Shawshank. Tour the Big House and hear about its owner, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louie Bromfield and the movie stars who stayed there, among them Shirley Temple and James Cagney. Visitors can explore some of the 900 acres on tractor-drawn wagon rides. In late September, Ohio Heritage Days features food, crafts, live music and a Civil War living-history camp.

Elizabeth Hey

Elizabeth Hey is a member of Midwest Travel Journalists Association and has received numerous awards for her writing and photography. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook @travelbyfork.