Ah, it's that time of year again- the snow is falling, the breeze is freezing, and you're looking for something fun to do with the family or a significant other that just kind of screams "holidays". You're in luck; Ma & Pa's in Burton, Ohio, is a general store unlike any other in the world- not only do they offer goods like blankets, artwork, and other down-home luxuries, but they also offer incredible tours of maple woods in a unique way.
Originally built in the 1820s and re-assembled in its current location, Ma & Pa's offers up amazing experiences year-round.
In the winter, however, something special happens; Ma & Pa's begins offering horse-drawn open sleigh rides—just like in our favorite holiday song!
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Dash through the snow and into the thick, deep maple woods surrounding the cabin.
In the spring, Ma and Pa offer horse-drawn educational tours into maple country to show you how collecting delicious syrup is done.
We don't think there are a whole lot of things that are more romantic than a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a winter wonderland.
The ride carries you through the maple woods, out into the open field and then back to the cabin for some tasty refreshments.
Some tasty confections you can look forward to are Ma's delicious hot chocolate, delectable maple coffee, and, of course, a warm fire.
This is the perfect winter holiday day trip.
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Ma & Pa's also offers romantic nighttime rides, or super-fun group rides.
Each carriage seats 5; when all three are operating at once, a total of 11 adults can ride. Bring your entire family out to the cabin for memories of a lifetime!
The sleighs themselves are absolutely beautiful.
They are pulled by breathtakingly beautiful Percheron horses, friendly and trained perfectly to give you the time of your life.
Reservations are made a week out to allow for snow forecasting.
All rides are private, and on a per-reservation basis. We think you'll truly love this!
Want to check out Ma & Pa's and see everything they've got to offer? Head to their website here!
Have you ever taken a horse-drawn sleigh ride, or tasted fresh maple syrup? Tell us about your experiences in the comments.
Rumor Has It the Ohio State Reformatory Is One of the Most Haunted Places in the US
Known for its role in "The Shawshank Redemption," there's so much more to discover at the Ohio State Reformatory... including paranormal activity and ghost sightings.
When I was six years old, I had my first ghost encounter. Ironically, this happened at my church.
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My mom was very active in our church and this meant many evenings tagging along while she worked on various committees and projects. I loved wandering the halls when it was so quiet, sneaking into offices and wandering down the pews in the pulpit and choir loft. It felt like my very own secret playground.
That is, until the night I encountered what I later learned to be the church ghost.
I was in a hallway bathroom -- a small space with two stalls and an adjoining room where choir members often changed. I had just sat down when the toilet next to me flushed. There was no one else there, so I bravely said Hello?
After a pregnant pause, the toilet flushed again. I've never hightailed it out of a place as quickly as I did on that fateful evening. I ran into the room where my mom was; she was with a fellow church member prepping for the fall rummage sale. When I explained what had happened, that fellow church member replied, "Oh, yes, that's the church ghost. She's friendly."
She went on to explain that, a hundred years ago when the church had just been built along what was then a one-lane road, there was a head-on collision between two cars. The driver of the first car died instantly, as did the driver of the other car -- but he wasn't alone. His wife was also in the car, gravely injured but able to crawl out of the vehicle and make her way into the church pulpit, where she peacefully passed away.
Today, explained my mom's friend, the ghost roamed the halls of our church but was friendly; she often played with lights and, yes, plumbing, gently reminding folks that she was there.
She may have been friendly, but that was the last time I roamed the halls of my church alone. I never went to the bathroom alone, either... the idea of a paranormal presence really freaked me out. This experience has stuck with me over the years, keeping me far, far away from anywhere even remotely haunted. Like, say, the Ohio State Reformatory.
Whether you live in Ohio or not, you're probably familiar with the Ohio State Reformatory. Not only did this former reformatory play a key role in "The Shawshank Redemption," but it's also considered to be one of the most haunted places in the U.S.
I've lived in Ohio most of my life but had never visited this iconic institution until recently. But on a recent weekend in early fall, just as the leaves were beginning to change and the air carried that faint smell of backyard bonfires, I left my cozy corner of southwest Ohio and headed east to see this mysterious, manmade marvel in person. I wasn't prepared for just how uncanny and, yes, haunting, the Ohio State Reformatory is in person.
Welcome to Only In Your State’s newest series, Rumor Has It, where we celebrate the local rumors – fact and fiction – that make America unique.
Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory or simply the Ohio Reformatory, the Ohio State Reformatory opened in 1886 and is nearly 130 years old.
This prison closed in 1990 and during its 100+ year tenure, 154,000 inmates called the Ohio State Reformatory home. Among its many claims to fame, the reformatory is home to the world’s tallest freestanding steel cell block: six tiers, 12 ranges, and 600 cells. A reformatory cell would have contained a desk, a stool, two footlockers, and two bunk beds, ephemera that can be viewed during a tour (more on that in a bit).
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First, the layout: you might notice that cells in the West Cell Block are slightly larger than cells in the East Cell Block; both eventually housed two inmates each due to overcrowding. Something you'll notice, as I did, is how much smaller the reformatory is in person. Don't get me wrong – it's a striking structure that certainly commands respect – but in person, the halls are tight and cells impossibly small. It's very difficult to imagine thousands of folks calling this place "home" at any given time.
The smallness of this space makes it all the more terrifying.
The reformatory was especially overcrowded in the 1920s (hello, Prohibition), and space became even tighter in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The highest committed crimes of inmates at the reformatory during this time period were robbery, burglary, larceny, and car theft. The average annual population in 1934 was 3,500 men; the prison was originally built to house 2,000 inmates, max.
Fitting so many men in a single area created a pressure cooker kind of situation, fueling tensions and sparking fights that ultimately led to inmate deaths. Violent, tortured deaths. The most infamous tale of the prison involves "the hole," a small cell wherein prisoners were held for three days as punishment. Several sources have reported that at one time, there were two inmates held in "the hole" – and by the end of the three days, one did not make it out alive.
Given its sordid history, it's no surprise the reformatory has captured the imaginations of many, including Hollywood. "The Shawshank Redemption" was famously filmed here, and Steven King's story couldn't have had a more appropriate setting.
Fast-forward to the 1980s, when these inhumane conditions finally forced the closure of the Ohio State Reformatory; remaining prisoners were moved to the nearby Mansfield Correctional Institution. Due to its age and crumbling condition, the future of the Ohio State Reformatory was uncertain, but in 1995, the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society was formed, opening the doors of this former prison to the public.
Today, film fans can explore the reformatory on a tour – guide-led or self-guided – and visit the official Shawshank Museum. The museum boasts five rooms of props, costumes, set pieces, and other treasures from the film: the safe in Warden Norton’s office, Red’s Parole Board room, Andy’s escape tunnels, and more. My film-loving partner was a big fan of the museum... I, however, found myself ruminating on the past.
Wandering through the halls and peeking into the cells was an unsettling experience. Having seen "The Shawshank Redemption," I was familiar with the building's layout, but the "mood" of the Ohio State Reformatory is something entirely different. If you're like me and you have an overactive imagination, be prepared to have your thoughts running amok and your mind playing tricks with you...
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What was that noise?
Did that light just flicker?
Were those footsteps behind me?
This brings me to why: Why visit the Ohio State Reformatory?
As with all of the adventures we share on Only In Your State, the experience is the why. We can describe a beautiful canyon or historic site, but there's only so much words and photos can convey. The feeling – that deep-in-your-bones, hair-raising unease – of a place like the Ohio State Reformatory; it's an experience.
Let this be your sign to go out and have your own Ohio State Reformatory experience... rumor has it, you won't be disappointed.
If ever you've dreamed of soaring through the treetops at exhilarating speeds, we've got just the destination in mind, and it might just be the best zip line in Ohio.
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Located on 30 acres just outside of Oberlin, Ohio, Common Ground Canopy Tours is part of a remarkable non-profit organization that features one of the most enthralling zip line canopy tours in the state. The 2.5-hour guided tour includes several zip lines, an exciting series of sky bridges and platforms, and a final rappel at the end. No matter your age, you'll find yourself delighted by the opportunity to soar through the trees and challenge yourself in this naturally beautiful environment. Here's more on this thrilling zip line in Ohio that you need to experience:
Attention all adventurers! There's a breathtaking zip line canopy tour tucked away in Ohio's Vermilion River Valley and it's the perfect outing for the whole family.
Home to Common Ground Canopy Tours, Common Ground is committed to providing a variety of ways to help guests explore, learn, and grow.
Along the way, visitors will enjoy exquisite views of the surrounding landscape as they explore the tree canopy from new heights.
The tour begins with a helpful demonstration by your guide, who will offer insight, knowledge, and support for the entirety of this 2.5-hour adventure.
You'll feel completely supported by the guides and safety equipment as you move through each segment of the course.
The tour includes three aerial bridges, thirteen tree platforms, two spiral staircases, and a unique "floating" staircase.
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Perhaps the most exhilarating portion of the tour is the opportunity to zip through the trees.
The seven individual zip courses along the way amount to 2,500 feet of flight. Whirling past the trees, you'll truly feel like you're flying!
So whether you're looking for an excuse to enjoy the natural beauty of Ohio's Vermilion River Valley or seeking out a memorable adventure, you'll be glad you visited Common Ground.
Curious to see this Ohio canopy tour in action? Watch this brief video below: