9 Ohio Stops Between Cleveland And Columbus That Are Worth Pulling Over For

Somewhere along this drive, the world’s tallest freestanding steel cell block stands six tiers high and holds 600 cells.

Hollywood liked it so much that The Shawshank Redemption was filmed there. Sure enough, that’s just one surprise on this stretch of Ohio.

A little farther up the road, you can see the actual RV from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, even in the middle of July. Christmas movies, it turns out, never really leave.

Simply put, the trip between these two cities gets a bad rap.

Most people treat it like a two-hour stare at the bumper ahead, with one bathroom break if the kids beg loudly enough.

Why rush to Columbus when the middle of Ohio is this weird and wonderful?

1. Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweeties Chocolates, Ashland

Few road trip snacks beat a family-owned barn packed with cheese, smoked meats, and candy. Your car may smell amazing for the rest of the drive, and nobody will complain.

Grandpa’s Cheesebarn & Sweeties Chocolates stands at 668 US-250, Ashland, OH 44805, close to Interstate 71.

That convenient location makes it easy to pull over between Cleveland and Columbus without committing to a lengthy detour.

Cheese gets serious attention here. The selection ranges from locally produced varieties to smoked cheeses and imports, with dips and spreads adding plenty of picnic possibilities.

Smoked meats, pickles, preserves, and other Ohio-made pantry treats fill the shelves beyond the dairy cases.

Then Sweeties Chocolates takes over. Homemade fudge, chocolate-covered treats, caramel pieces, and assorted candies turn a quick snack stop into a browsing session.

Trying to choose just one sweet for the car could become the hardest part of the visit.

There is also a cafe at the original Ashland location, alongside homemade ice cream. A casual lunch can fit into the stop before returning to the highway.

The store opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday. Its usual closing times are 6 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.

One practical idea: bring a cooler if you plan to carry cheese or other chilled foods for the rest of the journey.

2. The Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield

Andy Dufresne had a complicated exit in The Shawshank Redemption, but getting into its famous filming location only takes a tour ticket.

The Ohio State Reformatory is every bit as remarkably imposing as its screen appearance suggests. Architect Levi T. Scofield designed the enormous stone building, where construction began in 1886.

The first residents arrived in 1896, and the reformatory operated until 1990. Turrets, tall windows, and elaborate masonry give its exterior a castle-like profile.

Inside stands the world’s largest freestanding steel cell block. It rises six tiers and contains approximately 600 cells, creating an unforgettable sense of scale.

Film history adds another reason to visit. The building served as an important location for The Shawshank Redemption, and exhibits explore its screen appearances alongside the site’s architectural history.

Guided tours and self-guided routes offer different ways to experience the rooms and corridors.

The entrance is at 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905. During the main season, daytime tours generally run until 4 p.m., although opening days vary during winter.

From late August into November, seasonal event preparations change the available tour routes. Several areas of the cell blocks may be inaccessible, so choose your visit date according to the spaces you most want to see.

3. Buckeye Express Diner – Belleville

Eating lunch inside a train car that never leaves the station sounds odd until you try it.

Buckeye Express Diner serves hearty comfort food in stationary railroad cars beside a locomotive.

The train-themed restaurant sits above State Route 97, close to Exit 165 on Interstate 71. Look for 810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, and you’ll find a stop that turns an ordinary burger break into something more playful.

Inside, Buckeyes memorabilia shares space with railway details, creating a distinctly local atmosphere. Tables inside the cars make it possible to enjoy the novelty without rushing back to the highway.

Burgers anchor the menu. The Locomotive Buckeye Pounder stacks a full pound of beef with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion on Vienna bread. Smaller burgers include mushroom Swiss and patty melt versions.

Another option is the Buckeye Mega Dog, a substantial Angus hot dog topped with coney sauce. Lake Erie perch, sandwiches, homemade fries, and onion rings provide alternatives if a giant burger isn’t your plan.

Families can stretch their legs around the property, which includes a playground and whimsical roadside figures. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, and carryout is offered.

Service runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

A train-car lunch certainly beats another sandwich eaten beside the steering wheel.

4. Der Dutchman, Bellville

Stretchy pants were basically invented for buffets like this one. Der Dutchman fills its buffet and dining tables with Amish-style comfort food a short distance from Interstate 71.

The restaurant shares the State Route 97 exit with Buckeye Express Diner, but the experience is completely different. Find its spacious dining rooms at 720 State Rte 97 W, Bellville, OH 44813.

Broasted chicken, mashed potatoes, noodles, gravy, and other hearty favorites set the tone. There are soups, salads, and plated meals for anyone who would rather order from the menu. Family-style dining adds another option for a larger group.

The bakery deserves time of its own. Its cases hold fruit pies, cream pies, doughnuts, cookies, and fresh breads. A slice of Dutch apple pie makes an especially fitting finish to the meal.

Prefer something lighter before returning to the road? Soup and a salad can leave room for a bakery treat to take along.

The property also includes an upstairs gift shop with seasonal decorations, household items, and small gifts. It makes the stop feel like more than a straightforward lunch break.

Breakfast service begins at 7 a.m., and the restaurant stays open until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday is its regular day off.

With breakfast, buffet dining, a bakery, and browsing in one place, this exit can easily become a longer pause than planned.

5. Castle Noel, Medina

Cousin Eddie’s RV does not live in a driveway anymore.

A replica of the memorable vehicle from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation stands at Castle Noel in Medina, where the holiday season lasts well beyond December.

The attraction occupies 260 S Court St, Medina, OH 44256, just south of the city’s historic square. Its guided route winds through thousands of square feet of Christmas film memorabilia, vintage toys, and animated holiday displays.

Some exhibits feature genuine film costumes and props from titles such as Elf and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Elaborate department-store window displays, including pieces from New York retailers, bring another kind of holiday spectacle indoors.

Remember the famous slide from A Christmas Story? Castle Noel has its own festive slide inspired by that scene. The Santa’s Chimney Squeeze and a towering indoor Christmas tree add more theatrical surprises along the route.

Toyland features childhood favorites spanning several generations, making it easy to get distracted by a familiar game or miniature vehicle. This is one stop where nostalgia keeps competing with the next room.

Reservations are required because visits follow timed, guided tours. Hours change from week to week, and the attraction takes an annual winter break from mid-January to mid-February.

Yes, Christmas decorations in July might sound unusual. But that’s precisely the point of this wonderfully over-the-top detour.

6. Kingwood Center Gardens, Mansfield

Peacocks strolling around like they own the place? That happens at Kingwood Center Gardens, a former estate covering 47 acres in Mansfield.

The lovely property beautifully combines formal flower beds, fountains, woodland paths, and a stately mansion.

The seasonal displays change throughout the year, from spring tulips to summer roses and ornamental grasses in autumn.

Kingwood Hall was built during the 1920s in a French Provincial style. Inside, visitors can explore historic rooms, while specially scheduled guided tours provide access to restored upstairs spaces.

The house anchors the grounds without overshadowing the gardens.

The display greenhouse adds tropical plants, succulents, and seasonal arrangements, providing another way to explore when outdoor weather changes. Around the Duck Pond, the resident birds share the scene with the estate’s peacocks.

Families can visit the Peacock Playhouse for hands-on activities and follow the Storybook Trail through the woods. A cafe and garden shop near the visitor center make a longer visit convenient.

The main entrance is 50 N Trimble Rd, Mansfield, OH 44906. General garden hours usually run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with shorter winter hours and occasional changes during special events.

Much of the property has paved or accessible paths, although some historic areas include steps. Between the flowers, fountains, and wandering birds, the grounds offer a wonderfully refreshing change after highway driving.

7. Malabar Farm State Park, Lucas

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall got married here, on a farm in rural Ohio. Hollywood romance and cows make a surprisingly sweet combo.

Malabar Farm State Park preserves the countryside retreat of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, whose agricultural ideas shaped the estate.

The 32-room Big House began as a smaller farmhouse and grew into a residence designed to appear as if it had evolved over generations.

Guided house tours introduce the rooms and furnishings, along with the famous 1945 wedding held inside. The house remains a central attraction, but the surrounding working farm deserves equal attention.

Barns, farm animals, fields, and rolling hills make the property feel different from a conventional museum. Farm tours operate seasonally, and the Visitor Education Center introduces Bromfield’s approach to land conservation.

Want a scenic overlook? Drive up Mount Jeez for sweeping views over Pleasant Valley. Woodland trails provide additional opportunities to stretch your legs, and the main grounds have places to picnic.

The park’s address is 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843. Big House tours generally operate from April through mid-December, with a fuller schedule between May and October.

The maple syrup festival in spring and seasonal farm activities create more reasons to visit throughout the year. If you’re combining a house tour with a walk, allow time to appreciate the farmland from above.

8. Richland Carrousel Park, Mansfield

Back in 1991, Mansfield did something the country hadn’t seen since the 1930s. It opened a brand-new, hand-carved wooden carrousel.

Richland Carrousel Park debuted on August 31, 1991, bringing an old-fashioned amusement ride into the heart of downtown.

Its 52 individually carved animal figures include familiar horses alongside a giraffe and a mythical sea creature.

The animals were made locally by Carousel Works in the style of historic carousel designer G.A. Dentzel. Two accessible chariots provide an alternative to riding an animal, so more visitors can take part.

A Stinson band organ supplies the lively music, giving each rotation the feeling of a classic fairground ride. The brightly decorated pavilion is indoors, so weather needn’t dictate the whole outing.

Look up at the painted scenery panels while you ride. They feature Mansfield landmarks and provide another connection between the carrousel and the surrounding downtown district.

A small gift shop and concessions area round out the visit. Outside, the Carrousel District makes a pleasant place to continue walking among local storefronts.

The pavilion stands at 75 N Main St, Mansfield, OH 44902. It generally opens at 11 a.m. on operating days, with seasonal adjustments and Monday closures.

This is a quick stop with a surprisingly big sense of occasion. Pick a carved animal, listen for the organ, and enjoy a few spins before continuing south.

9. Mapleside Farms, Brunswick

Apple cider and baked goods make a strong case for leaving Cleveland a little early. Mapleside Farms in Brunswick serves both amid rolling orchards and wide countryside views.

The farm dates to 1927 and occupies 146 acres along Pearl Road. The orchard slopes toward an expansive valley, giving a simple snack stop an unexpectedly scenic setting.

For the autumn season, the Apple Barn sells orchard apples, caramel apples, cider, and pantry treats.

The current farm schedule places the Apple Barn’s opening at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with later hours on Friday and Saturday. Monday is its regular day off.

Fall in Ohio brings Pumpkin Village, a festival spread across more than 100 acres. Hayrides, pumpkin picking, a large corn maze, and a long hillside slide turn a short detour into an afternoon outing.

Special themed weekends add activities throughout September and October.

There are events beyond harvest season, too. Summer concerts take advantage of the views, and holiday gatherings provide another reason to return later in the year.

You’ll find the farm at 294 Pearl Rd, Brunswick, OH 44212, near the northern end of the Cleveland-to-Columbus route. Festival attractions have schedules distinct from the market, so timing depends on your plans.