Road Trip! Destination: Zanesfield, Ohio
Despite its small size, Zanesfield, Ohio, and the surrounding area's travel offerings are fairly sizable. From skiing and other winter sports to tours of underground caverns, Zanesfield has a lot going for it.
As the smallest incorporated village in Logan County, Zanesfield is named for Isaac Zane, who was born in 1753. Zane purchased 1,800 acres from the federal government around 1795 and the village was officially laid out in 1819.
Details: 937-599-5121 or logancountyohio.com
Ohio Caverns
As one of Ohio's most popular tourist attractions, Ohio Caverns is open year round (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) and remains a steady 54 degrees, regardless of the weather up top. The humidity is always above 90 percent, and the air inside the caverns is cleaner than the air above ground — it's filtered by the water that formed the caves and still drips today. The caverns are the largest in the state, with more than two miles of surveyed passageways ranging in depth from 30 feet to 103 feet.
The exact age of the caverns, marketed as the place “where nature carved a fairyland,” is unknown. The Columbus-gray limestone out of which the caverns are carved is about 400 million years old, formed from the compacted remains of the creatures that lived in the shallow seas that covered prehistoric Ohio.
In addition to being known for its wide variety of colors, from blue to orange to bright white and deep, reddish black, the Ohio Caverns contain a brilliant array of formations and features — fascinating rock formations, ranging from wavy ribbons of luminous white stone to upside-down forests of tiny straws that twist, turn and curl upon themselves.
Details: 937-465-4017 or ohiocaverns.com
Mad River Mountain
A great place for winter family fun, Mad River Mountain has a variety of activities including 24 trails, 144 acres of skiable terrain, 12 lifts, two terrain parks and the Avalanche Tubing Park.
The resort opened in 1962 and is home to Ohio's largest snow-making system. The 133 fan guns have the ability to pump over 7,000 gallons of water per minute, covering 100 percent of the terrain in as little as 72 hours.
Mad River has four freestyle parks — Momentum, the Louie Vito Learning Park, Capital Park and the new Kicker Lane — the most in the state. Freestyle sites help skiers and snowboarders work on their skills.
The Louie Vito site was built for those aspiring to work on their freestyle skills. Its namesake, Olympic athlete Louie Vito, will be onsite Dec. 27 for the snowboard-only Rail Jam XI to benefit local charities. Kicker Lane features two tabletop jumps with two takeoffs that are 30 feet in length and more.
Details: 937-599-1015 or skimadriver.com
Piatt Castles
The Mac-A-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee castles, built in the late 19th century, have been a popular destination for more than 100 years.
In the 1820s, Judge Benjamin M. and Elizabeth Barnett Piatt moved their family from Cincinnati to Logan County. Two of their children, Abram Sanders and Donn, later built homes in the countryside they knew as youths.
These structures have become a private, family-owned museum that interprets more than 200 years of history of the Ohio land and people.
Both feature the Piatt family's history. Tours are self-guided and will resume on a regular basis in the spring. The castles are available for special events, weddings or group tours through the end of December.
Details: 937-465-2821 or piattcastles.org
Logan County History Center and Museums
The Logan County History Center includes the Logan County Museum, the Logan County Transportation Museum and the Orr Mansion.
Over the years, hundreds of volunteers have donated thousands of hours to help preserve a look at the past including historical artifacts, documents, genealogy information and rooms of historical furniture. They continue to add and change exhibits using modern techniques and multimedia presentations.
Details: 937-593-7557 or loganhistory.org
Historic Holland Theatre
Constructed in 1931 as the only Dutch-style atmospheric theater in the country, the Historic Holland Theatre seats about 1,400 in an auditorium that appears as though you are outside in a representation of a 17th-century Dutch cityscape.
From the outside, not much has changed over the years, but the lobby and main foyer have been cosmetically updated.
Upcoming events include the comedic trio the Fun Fun Boys on Dec. 27 and “Freedom Bound,” a musical about Addison White as he escapes from slavery and embarks on a journey to freedom, Jan. 16 and 17.
Details: 937-592-9002 or thehollandtheatre.org
Marmon Valley Farm
Marmon Valley Farm, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, offers its visitors a rather rural experience. Kids will gravitate to the Playbarn, a unique playground styled after a big red barn — with a twisty silo slide and a John Deere tractor made for climbing.
With 150 gentle horses and ponies on hand, the farm specializes in trail rides year-round through the wooded hills and ravines surrounding their many barns and pens. The farm also hosts hayrides and barn dances. Rustic bunkhouses are available for rental from August through May. It offers weekend camps in the spring and fall and horse camps in summer.
The farm is a member of the Christian Camp and Conference Association and the summer camp is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Details: 937-593-8000 or marmonvalley.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at jharrop@tribweb.com or 412-320-7889.
