Fun Things To Do In Springfield, Ohio On a Girlfriend’s Weekend
Raise your hand if you need a Girl’s Weekend Getaway! It is time to gather your friends to sneak away for a weekend full of adventure and plenty of exciting things to do in Springfield, Ohio.
It can be difficult to orchestrate the schedules of busy moms and friends who juggle full-time jobs and children and many other responsibilities. However, the stars occasionally align for an epic weekend away, and when they do, a perfect getaway close to Cincinnati is the charming small town of Springfield, Ohio.
If you want to experience a darling small Ohio town, read my weekend getaway guide showcasing where to stay, what to do, and where to eat and drink in Greater Springfield, Ohio!
How To Get To Springfield, Ohio:
A great aspect of any weekend getaway is that a short road trip is in store. It is the perfect time not only to see more of Ohio but catch up with your friends. Getting to Springfield is an easy drive from most large Ohio cities. The city of Springfield can be found in west-central Ohio in Clark County.
- Cincinnati – 80 miles
- Columbus-48 miles
- Dayton-26 miles
- Toledo-163 miles
- Athens- 121 miles
Where To Stay In Springfield
The Courtyard Springfield Downtown is located in the heart of downtown Springfield. The hotel is within walking distance of popular restaurants and entertainment. Directly across from the Courtyard is the popular CoHatch Market, which houses a food hall of over four different eateries.
This pet-friendly hotel has rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, ergonomic workspaces, and every popular plush Marriott bedding. Satisfy your appetite at Mela Urban Bistro, an onsite restaurant serving delicious breakfast and dinner options, Starbucks® coffee, and an extensive wine list.
Other popular amenities include a fitness center, a guest laundry room (bring quarters), and an indoor swimming pool. Note: The pool was temporarily closed during our visit due to the pandemic.
Where To Eat & Drink In Springfield, Ohio
Springfield’s food scene has quite a few hot spots that can’t be missed, many within the hotel’s walking distance. Start the morning with gourmet coffee, splurge on french pastries, then top the evening off with crazy tacos! Whether you are spending the afternoon strolling the eclectic shops of Yellow Springs or touring a college campus, Springfield is full of delectable restaurants, trendy bars, breweries, and plenty of small-town coffee shops.
Springfield does have a portion of the city that has been designated as a DORA. A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. DORA allows patrons to purchase and carry an open alcoholic beverage in a designated plastic cup.
Le Torte Dolce
The first stop on any trip to Springfield needs to be to Le Torte Dolce. This Europen style bakery has an incredible selection of pastries, including their famous macaroons. It is next to Winans Chocolates and Coffees, which is the perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee afterward.
Everything is made from scratch and is divine. The bakery is closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly.
Website: http://letortedolci.com/
Address: 36B, N Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502
Winans Chocolates and Coffees
The spot for coffee is no other than Winans Chocolates and Coffee. In addition to creating delectable chocolate creations, their gourmet coffee options are heavenly. The displays of hand-crafted chocolates are tempting, beckoning shoppers to take home a few pieces.
Website: https://www.winanscandies.com/
Address: 32 N Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502
CoHatch -The Market In Springfield, Ohio
Directly across the street from the hotel is the CoHatch- The Market. CoHatch is a new kind of work and social space that offers office spaces, meeting rooms, and more. To utilize the workspaces at CoHatch, a membership or daily fee is required. However, this particular CoHatch offers a CoHatch – The Market. The CoHatch Market is a food hall that is open to the public. The food hall contains a variety of restaurants, a bar, and a brewery.
The restaurants inside The Market are the Painted Pepper, Crust & Company, Fresh Abilities, Ironworks Waffle Cafe, The Market Bar, North High Brewing, and Cork + Board. During our visit, we had the opportunity to visit a few of the restaurants.
Address: 101 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502
Crust & Company
To splurge on pizzas that are out of this world, head over to Crust & Company. These made-to-order pizzas are created in the Roman Style and served with the freshest ingredients. Did I mention the crust? They live up to their name! Don’t forget to take home a loaf of one of their artisan breads.
Cork + Board
For wine tastings and charcuterie boards, look no further than the Cork + Board. This wine bar offers unique wines, a specialty daily sangria, along a variety of cheeses. Classes are offers to educate wine enthusiasts about the different wines being offered.
Charcuterie boards are also available for carry-out. Perfect for taking to the Sip & Dipity for a painting class.
Mother Stewarts Brewing
After a day of hiking, shopping and sightseeing, quench your thirst with a beer from the local brewery, Mother Stewarts Brewing. With a massive outdoor space, fire pits, and tents, this is a perfect spot to unwind!
Guerra’s Krazy Taco
Tacos are always a mandatory stop on any getaway, so when I saw the locals raving about Guerra’s Krazy Taco, I had to check it out. Their taco menu is quite extensive, making it hard to choose only two or three tacos! My recommendation: Go with a Sweet Lucy and a margarita for sure!
Address: 229 N Belmont Ave, Springfield, OH 45503
Clifton Mill
The historic Clifton Mill is simply an Ohio bucket list. The farmhouse restaurant that is housed in the old mill serves up homemade classics that grandma used to make. Located near the Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve, a visit before or after a hike is always a good idea. Ask for a window seat to get a view of the gorge and river. A covered bridge crosses the river giving guests that picture-perfect photograph.
Clifton Mill puts on an extraordinary light display every holiday season. Visit their website to get updated information and see what is in store.
Address: 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316
Fun Things To Do In Springfield, Ohio
Hartman Rock Garden
A hidden gem in Springfield, Ohio, is the Hartman Rock Garden. This impressive rock garden was constructed by Ben Hartman, who was a self-taught artist. His rock garden began in 1932 after he was laid off from his job during the great depression. His hobby soon transformed his backyard into a masterpiece.
He began constructing various structures and figures, following the themes of history, religion, and patriotism. For the remaining twelve years of his life, Ben filled his yard with over fifty structures, numerous varieties of plants, and countless handmade figurines.
Free-self-guided tours of the garden are available from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. The best time to visit the garden is from Memorial Day to Labor Day as the grounds are lush. Donations are encouraged to support the ongoing conservation and interpretation of the garden.
Address: 1905 Russell Avenue, Springfield, OH 45506
Tour The Springfield Murals
Murals liven up the city as these beautiful public art pieces are ideal for photos. The Greetings From Springfield postcard mural is located right around the Champion City Guide and Supply Store.
Venture up the street a little further to locate the Rose’s mural. This mural was in memory of when Springfield was known as the Rose City from the late 19th Century through the Great Depression for nurturing around 20 million flowers a year.
Numerous other murals are found throughout Springfield. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these inspiring pieces of art.
Visit the Antique Mall In Springfield, Ohio
As the antique capital of the Midwest, Springfield is a hotbed full of vintage finds. The Heart of Ohio Antique Center is 116,000sq ft, featuring over 650 vendors and a plethora of fun finds. A visit to the Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market adds to the antiquing adventure with even more treasures to discover. Plan an overnight stay because just one day isn’t enough to uncover all the unique finds.
Address: 4785 East National Road, Springfield, OH 45505
Hike In The Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve- A Top Thing To Do In Springfield, Ohio
One of the most majestic hikes in Ohio is the Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve. Located just three miles east of Yellow Springs, Clifton Gorge features 268 acres of spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges. The rushing waters of the Little Miami River flow through narrow channels and cliff overhangs.
The overall hike was moderate, with plenty of wooden walkways and overlooks. Keep in mind that the gorge has very steep drop-offs so staying on the designated path is imperative. I would not recommend this hike for young children unless they can be strapped to you via a harness.
The ideal times to visit would be in the warmer months when wildflowers carpet the gorge or in autumn as the leaves set the gorge ablaze in radiant colors. However, our hike in November was still breathtaking.
Pro Tip: Take a picture of the trail map before venturing onto the trail. That way, you will be able to pull it up still if no cell phone service is available.
Take A Painting Class At The Sip & Dipity
Tackle a new skill by signing up for a fun painting class at the Sip & Dipity Paint Bar. Located within the DOMA, it is easy to grab a glass of wine at a nearby restaurant to bring to class. Depending on how many friends join, get a bottle or two of wine to split while painting.
The cost of your class includes everything you will need to create your masterpiece. All that you need to bring is your creativity and a beverage of your choice.
Sip & Dipity offers a variety of different paint classes with something for everyone. Check out their seasonal activities and courses for creative ways to get into the holiday season.
Address: 10 N Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45502
Go Shopping In Yellow Springs
The nearby eclectic town of Yellow Springs is known for its assortment of unique shops and boutiques. As the most hippie town in Ohio is one place, you don’t want to miss. Check out our top Five Things To Do While Visiting Yellow Springs.
Young’s Jersey Dairy
A visit to Youngs Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, Ohio, has been a longtime fall tradition in our household. From picking your pumpkin off the vine to indulging in a scoop of pumpkin ice cream, Young’s Jersey Dairy has it all. Here are seven reasons to make time for a visit to Young’s Jersey Dairy.
Tour Wittenburg College Campus
The beautiful college of Wittenburg is a delight to stroll through and explore. Founded in 1845, this Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts college is known for its historic architecture and welcoming atmosphere.
There are likely many other great spots in Springfield on my bucket list, such as Buck Creek State Park and Frank Lloyd’s Wright’s Westcott House. There is always another reason to make a return trip to Greater Springfield, Ohio.
I want to thank Visit Greater Springfield for hosting our fantastic visit so that we could share these great recommendations with you. Find more great things to do in Greater Springfield and start planning your visit today!
Related Posts
Scenic Route: Adventures In Yellow Springs and Dayton
11 Reasons To Visit Downtown Dublin, Ohio
A Guide To Natural Springs Resort in New Paris, Ohio
Fun Things To Do In Springfield Ohio On A Girlfriends Trip
