Springfield, Ohio, promises visitors bucolic bliss, unique architecture, and outsider art. Cultural attractions are matched by thrilling outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting and rappelling at Mad River Gorge.
Cast off your cares at a 2,000-acre lake, where you can enjoy boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. Myriad trails wind around its perimeter, just minutes from your accommodation.
Dating back to 1908, this prairie homestead is unique in the famous architect's oeuvre. It houses one of the most impressive collections of artifacts and boasts unparalleled interior features, such as hand-embellished walls. Joining an hour-long tour, offered Tuesday through Sunday, is a must.
Folk art fans make the pilgrimage to this fantastic Depression-era outdoor space. Wander pathways flanked by 250,000 stones, fish ponds, and flower beds. The garden, fully restored in 2009, is regarded as a bastion of "outsider art."
The state's only art museum affiliated with the Smithsonian, the Springfield Museum of Art boasts an impressive permanent collection of artists' work, including pieces by Berenice Abbott and George Bellows. Don't miss the exciting temporary exhibitions.
Challenge yourself to scale some of the Midwest's most dramatic climbing cliffs. Almost 50ft in height, this picturesque gorge is the perfect place for restoration.
