Sunday, Monday, Any Day are Happy Days in the Heart of Ohio
For Immediate Release
April 20, 2012
Contact Lee Tasseff, President
Mansfield/Richland Convention & Visitors Bureau
419-525-1300 ext 24, ltasseff@mansfieldtourism.com
MANSFIELD, OHIO – You don’t need to have been raised in the 1950’s to fully enjoy the trends and treats of that simpler time. Mansfield, Ohio offers up some fun solutions to put together your own custom trip back to the future. Great classic restaurants and simple, family-oriented activities will help you do just that.
“Friday Cruise Ins” steer their way into downtown Mansfield on the first and last Friday of each month , beginning May 25th and running through August. From 5:00-7:30 p.m. vintage cars and their owners hang out near the Richland Carrousel Park, 75 North Main Street. A summer tradition, Cruise-In’s with classic cars and local radio personalities spinning the oldies. No one minds if you break into a jitterbug! The Richland Carrousel Park, beckons kids of all ages to enjoy a spin on this timeless, joy ride with cotton candy and popcorn available at the gift shop.
On the square in downtown Mansfield, Coney Island Inn has been creating memorable Coneys since 1972 to go with its retro interior and counter dining on cool chrome stools. Serving breakfast all day, Coney Island Inn also has homemade daily specials. Be sure and leave a little room for dessert and their infamous rice pudding.
You don’t even have to get out of your car to immerse yourself in a total Retro dining adventure. Slickz Drive In, located at Rt. 42 and Cline Avenue in Mansfield, and Porky’s Drive-In, 811 Ashland Road, both are ready to treat you to the total car hop experience. Homemade burgers and fries, as well as each restaurant’s unique specialties, will send your tastes buds back in time. No meal is complete without a milk-shake or old fashioned malt!
Award winning pizza and a cool blue corvette on the roof go hand in hand at the Warrior Drive In and Pizza, located at 3393 Park Avenue West in Ontario. This family friendly drive in is noted for their award winning homemade pizzas. The Warrior recently won the distinction of first place for “Pizza with Pizzaz” at the 2011 North American Pizza & Ice Cream Show and received fourth place for their renowned green pepper and spicy Italian sausage pizza at the 2009 Las Vegas International Pizza Expo!
If you are looking for more upscale cuisine of the dinner club variety, Oak Park Tavern is Richland County’s oldest Supper Club, serving great food since 1940. Oak Park is famous for Lake Erie Perch as well as their hand cut premium steaks. Sip an old fashioned cocktail; maybe a Stinger, Pink Squirrel, or Golden Cadillac? Oak Park mixes the traditional cocktails too and has a comprehensive wine list.
Bellies full, it’s time to head to the drive-in movies. Warm summer evenings, crickets, and a carload of movie buffs creates the perfect opportunity for a night in front of the outdoor big screen. Springmill Drive-in, built in the 50’s has combined the nostalgia of that time with state of the art FM stereo sound and speakers. First run movies are shown throughout the summer on two screens. While snacking in the car is perfectly acceptable, you’ll want to check out the huge selection of treats in the Concession Stand. The best part, the kids can wear their jammies, and mom and dad can slip on their sweats. Casual attire is not only permitted, it’s preferred. For more information on all of these phenomenal revisits to “Happy Days,” check out the “Retro” trip ideas at www.MansfieldTourism.com .