We enjoyed our afternoon at the Kingwood Center. The staff and docents we spoke with were friendly…read moreand knowledgeable. We especially appreciated Julie, the receptionist, rounding up some sandwiches for us (They're transitioning to a new food vendor, and the grab-and-go case was nearly empty when we arrived.). We brought our sandwiches out to the gardens, where there are many seating areas with nice views. The historic mansion is beautifully decorated, a window into how this wealthy industrialist lived in the last century. Pam, the docent at the front desk, was full of interesting stories about the family and the house. We were surprised to learn from her that the curtains at the front of the house were the originals from the 1920s. With high ceilings and huge windows, every room has a beautiful view, even the servants' areas. I found the kitchen especially interesting. If you plan to visit Kingwood with small children, I recommend saving the mansion for another day. The beautiful staircase (faux painted with a feather!) has a low railing and wide spaces between the balustrades. It would be easy for a child to slip through and fall to the terrazzo ground floor.

We went on a cold day in late March, so not much was blooming outside. We were still able to enjoy…read moretouring around the house as well as the greenhouses which were lovely. The staff were also wonderful and kind.

This was such a fun stop! There are live farm animals here, and the pastures looked well…read moremaintained with plenty of space for them to roam, which was great to see. The welcome center was pretty nice and had a small kids museum inside that was interactive. There's also a gift shop with cute merch, local items, maple syrup, and other extras. They offer tours of some of the buildings for purchase, which is a cool option if you want a deeper experience, but even just walking around the property on your own is enjoyable. Overall, a really nice place to explore for a bit.

Unique park in Ohio with a visitor center, working farm, historical house and so much more…read more We came on an off-season day in March so the visitor center was open but not staffed. We also didn't see anyone to give tours or ask information. The park is easy to find with lots of signs pointing the way. When you pull in there is a visitor center that has a gift shop and restrooms. Everyone's favorite part was the parrot. If you say hi or dance he will talk to you. The park has trails you can hike. There are maps in the lobby to help find a course. They mentioned a cave trail but the map did not have trail names so we were not sure what path to follow. You can walk down to the barn and see the animals. We also walked around the exterior of the house. Behind the visitor center there is a great playground that the kids really enjoyed. If coming for a visit I highly recommend waiting to come during the peak season so you can view the house and have staff to explain the history and trails you can hike. Lots of picnic areas too so pack a lunch!

We were reliving some fond memories of our youth. The lake was calm and beautiful. The trees were…read morebare due to the fact that winter was winding down. The end of spring and summer, the trees are full of green leaves and the bushes are full of raspberries and blackberries. You can fish for catfish, carp, sunfish, bluegill, and trout. There is an abundance of wildlife. This is a wonderful place to visit and make wonderful memories of your own.

Beautiful view of the lake from our campsite which has a nice level cement pad, a great picnic…read moretable, and a fire pit for an enjoyable evening fire. Since it's late September it's very quiet and peaceful. Loving it..

Mt. Jeez Overlook is on the property of Malabar Farm State Park, but it's kind of its own thing…read more Some places mark it as being in Perrysville, and some in Lucas. Wherever it is, you'll find it by driving to Malabar Farm off of Pleasant Valley Road, and following the signs to the overlook. The dirt road that takes you to the overlook is a bit bumpy, so hang on to your butts. But there's no other option -- you can't really walk up to the overlook because there's nowhere to park at the bottom. But, there's parking at the top, so I'm thinking that that's what you're supposed to do: endure the minute-long bumpy ride. Once you're at the top, you will be treated to fabulous views of central Ohio countryside. The overlook is the highest point on Malabar Farm, and at more than 1,300 feet above sea level, Mount Jeez will give you an up-high look at farmland for several miles. This is an amazing spot to just sit (there's a bench up here) and take in the view. There's also a hiking trail in the woods just off the overlook. We didn't venture too far into the path when we visited, but it's there and it is beautiful when everything is growing and blooming.

Go on a clear evening for sunset. Golden hour light is divine. Sun sets a little earlier due to…read morehigher tree line. Beautiful.

A small neighborhood park, I stopped here to make breakfast and picnic as it was not too far out of…read moremy way. A little toaster ovening and little microwaving and I have breakfast. And a picnic table to sit at and enjoy some nature before continuing my drive across Ohio and northeast. The park has a swing set, an open play area and a swing set. It is next to some deep looking woods so you'll want to pay especial attention for wildlife. [Review 1339 of 2024 - 258 in Ohio - 22362 overall]