Great Getaway Close to Home-
Fairfield County(Lancaster)
Just 45 mins from the East side of Columbus, it was just the trip our family needed. There’s a variety of activities to suit everyones interests. I was blown away by the gluten free options, I was on a vacation from cooking and got to treat myself. Children’s museum, sweet treats, pottery, yummy meals, covered bridges, cute shops, Farmer’s Market, an awesome playground with a ‘mountain to climb’, historic mill, library, and a fun downtown area to enjoy.
#hosted, but I am providing my honest feedback as always 😉
👍🏻AHA! Children’s Museum
1708 River Valley Circle South
Explore this 8,000 square foot adventure space featuring more than 35 hands-on exhibits and activities for children ages 0-8. The outdoor Raymond B. Martens Nature Playscape is the perfect space for kids to adventure this summer, providing natural materials and a playful STEM approach for hands-on learning.
Open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
I have been wanting to go here and am happy we were able to check this off our to do list. I loved that there was an inside and outside space. I liked that you could see all the areas inside since our girls run in different directions with there varying interests.
🖌Art & Clay on Main
150 West Main Street
🌳Rising Park
1120 N High St.
Explore the great outdoors and beautiful views of Lancaster at Rising Park, where kids can enjoy the pond and playground! If you’re feeling adventurous, hike to the top of Mount Pleasant. For a moderate trek, you’ll see breathtaking views.
We loved the shade, the adventure of climbing a ‘mountain’, the view, and of course the playground with tons of options.
📚Fairfield County Library
219 N Broad St.
The aliens have landed for the summer and they have the kid’s area decorated awesome. Along with a ship command station, spaceship tent and lots of fun games and books.
📍Rock Mill Park
1429 Rockmill Rd. NW
A great educational experience about mills along with a great waterfall and view. A covered bridge to walk on, and picnic area for a sweet treat(get some from the Happy Goat before you drive there or donuts from Gypsy Joe’s Ice Cream).
🌽Lancaster Farmers Market
134 South Columbus Street
Enjoy fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, flowers, body care products and more! The market is open Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
🥕🍓🍔Food Options🍦🍪
The Ale House 1890
149 West Main Street
Ale House 1890, a casual and comfortable restaurant. I enjoyed a big juicy burger!
- The Well
203 S Broad St.
A gathering place featuring wholesome vegetarian eats, house-roasted coffees, fresh organic smoothies and local artisan wares.
Open 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Friday
My favorite restaurant we tried. I’m health conscious and the ingredients were fresh and mainly organic. The staff was very welcoming. My girls said it was the best food they ever had! My middle said she felt like she was at home(and it really did have that feel). And entirely Gluten Free!
- Santino’s Restaurant
122 N Columbus Street
They offer lots of healthy choices, including customizable salads, wraps and paninis.
The options were endless, which made it hard to decide for the adults.
- Gypsy Joe’s Ice Cream
123 N. Broad St.
Donuts and ice cream, no way! The beachy vibe was fun and my girls enjoyed the surfboard tables.
- Happy Goat
608 Forest Rose Ave.
This gluten-free bakery and bulk food store is dedicated to making delicious quality gluten-free baked goods with local ingredients. Warm your heart and fill your belly regardless of allergies and dietary needs.
I may have eaten 3 of these at one time. This Mom gets deprived from gluten free sweets. My stomach hurt from so much sweet, but my heart was happy.
- The Downtown Bistro
123 North Broad Street
Located on Zane Square in the historic Hotel Lancaster, the restaurant has beautiful indoor/outdoor seating and an extensive menu with kid-friendly options.
Fancy meal to end the trip.
- Crazy 4 Popcorn
618 Forest Rose Ave.
The owner at Happy Goat suggested we try it out. Holy Popcorn! Just a few doors down from Happy Goat, a must try sampling dream. My daughters loved it and so will you! They were wonderful with allergies(gluten for me and red dye for my oldest).
🛌Holiday Inn Express and Suites
1861 River Way Drive
Our home away from home for this fun yet tiring trip with 3 kids 5 and under 🤪
🛍Enjoy the small town charm in historic downtown Lancaster with some shopping
- A Season in Time – 200 W. Main Street, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
- The Paperback Exchange – 201 W. Main Street, open 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Feline ambassadors Dickens & Webster will be there to greet you!
- Silver Expressions & More – 168 W. Main Street, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Ava Jewelers – 111 N. Broad Street, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Ava will show you all her custom designs!
- Keller Market House – 134 S. Columbus Street, open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Miss Molly’s Mercantile – 117 S. Columbus Street, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Merch Lancaster – 123 N. Columbus Street, open 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Tracie Lynn’s Collections – 113 N. Columbus Street, open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Rustic Gals Boutique – 131 N. Columbus Street, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Sparkle and Rust – 158 W. Wheeling Street, open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays.