ASHLAND — If you’re one of the 150,000 people expected to flock to Ashland County to catch a glimpse of the rare solar eclipse on April 8 — go no further. We’ve got you.
Use this as your official guide for everything solar eclipse in Ashland County.
Here, you’ll find an insider’s guide for places to eat, places to stay and must-see attractions across the county to keep you busy for the other 23 hours and 57 minutes there isn’t an astronomical phenomenon happening in the heavens.
Oh, and scroll to the bottom for a specially curated playlist featuring sun, moon and space songs to get you in the right spirit.
Places to stay
First, let’s figure out where you’ll stay. Ashland County has plenty of options, whether you’re looking for the primitive tent-camping experience or the luxurious AirBnb route or the simple hotel stay.
Let’s start with camping options — there are plenty.
Mohican State Park is by far the most popular destination. Surrounded by Mohican-Memorial State Forest, a sprawling 4,541 acres of hardwood trees, Mohican River and Pleasant Hill Lake, there are plenty of things to do.
But there are other options, which you might be forced to do if you haven’t yet booked a spot.
If you’d like to stick close to the Mohican forest and its offerings, check out Mohican Adventures, Arrow Point, River Run and Wally World. They’re all privately owned and have sites to hook up an RV or spots for pitching tents.
Don’t forget about The Mohicans, which offers tree houses in the middle of the forest. (There’s only a couple left!)
Also in Loudonville is Landoll’s Mohican Castle, where you’ll find stately suites equipped with TVs and Wifi. The castle also features The Copper Mug Bar and Grille, where “casual meets elevated dining.”
There’s also Terrace Lakes Campground and Rustic Lakes Campgrounds, both in Sullivan.
Hidden Acres Campground and Hickory Lake Campground are both located in West Salem.
Charles Mill Lake Park, in Mansfield, also might be a viable option. So would Pleasant Hill Lake Park, in Perrysville.
The Ashland County Fairgrounds has opened up its site along Claremont Avenue to campers, too.RV rates are $200 for camping Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with $50 per additional day. Primitive campsites will cost $100 for the weekend, with $35 per additional day.
If camping isn’t your thing, check out the AirBnb listings for the area — like the Turtle Inn in downtown Ashland or the Mohican Family Spacehaven in Loudonville.
Ashland also has conventional hotels along U.S. Route 250, which is close to Interstate 71 and other shopping amenities.
Where to watch
There will be plenty of watch parties.
But since Ashland County will be in the line of totality, meaning the celestial showcase will be visible anywhere in the county. You’ll have three minutes and 18 seconds of darkness.
If you’re camping at the Ashland County Fairgrounds, chances are you can step out of your RV or tent and look up.
Freer Field, where the annual BalloonFest is held, will also be a good option to watch the eclipse. The open field with a walking path surrounding it is one of the 20 parks in the Ashland County Parks District. Check it out.
Where to eat and drink
Whether you’re craving burgers and fries, or tacos and margaritas — you’ll find excellent options all around the county.
By the way, the list below features locally owned establishments. If chain restaurants are your thing, you’re in luck: they exist in Ashland County, and the surrounding counties.
Breakfast
- GoldberryRoasting Company
- Downtown Perk
- Stella’s Ice Cream Shoppe and Coffee House
- Lyceum Cafe (Ashland University)
Lunch
- Mohican Market & Cafe
- River Room Lounge (also known as Shipley’s)
- Mellor’s Family Restaurant
- Lyn-Way Restaurant
Dinner
- South Street Grille: burgers, seafood, steaks
- Ohio Fire: wood-fired pizza
- The Well: American food
- Fiesta Charra: Mexican cuisine
- Tacos and Tequila: Mexican cuisine
- Black Fork Bistro: burgers, wings, pizza
- Trails End: American food
Drink
- The Ugly Bunny: winery
- Uniontown Brewing Company: beer
- Kash Co. Pourhouse: beer and liquor
- Joan’s Tavern: co*cktail lounge
- O’Bryan’s Pub: Irish pub with food and drinks
- Bullshooters: dive bar in downtown Ashland
- Beano’s Buckeye Ballroom: bar in Loudonville
What to do in Ashland County
There’s something for everyone in Ashland County — from thrill seeking adventures to leisurely strolls through its many parks.
For those seeking their next fix of adrenaline, Aerohio Skydiving — located at the Ashland County Airport — is offering a tandem skydive during the eclipse.
The website says you and the instructor will “exit the airplane within 60 seconds of the start of the totality, you will freefall for about 1 minute and spend about 5 minutes flying your parachute.”
The price for the one-in-a-lifetime skydive is $899. It increases to $1008 if you choose the video package option.
Ashland is known for hosting an annual BalloonFest, which is a three-day festival featuring hot air balloons. Ashland Balloon Rides offer solo, couple and group rides starting at $450.
There are tamer, and less-expensive, options.
As mentioned, there are 20 parks within the Ashland County Parks District. Click here for a map.
Mohican State Park also has opportunities for recreation — think hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and horseback riding.
If you enjoy putt-putt and go-karts, check out Mohican Adventures. They also have a ropes course.
If you like cheese, look no further than Grandpa’s Cheesebarn. The establishment has become a fixture in Ashland for selling specialty cheeses and meats. And next door, you can stop for some chocolate at Sweeties Chocolates.
The history buffs might enjoy a walk through the Ashland County Historical Society house at 420 Center St., known as the Manor House. It features Victorian era living and items from prominent Ashland families.
The society has three other buildings throughout Ashland. One of them features the second largest insect collection in the U.S. and in another you’ll find a local sports hall of fame.
Bonus: An Eclipse Playlist
If you’re driving to Ashland, you’ll need some tunes to get in the spirit.
My coworkers at Source Media curated a Spotify playlist for the occasion. It’s pretty diverse, featuring artists such as Mos Def, Johnny Cash, Eddie Vedder, Soundgarden, Taylor Swift, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Reba McIntyre, Harry Styles.
Yeah, you get the picture.
Basically the bar was: what songs sing about the moon? Or the sun? Or space? We came up with a list with music to last you five hours and 30 minutes.
Happy listening!
As the sponsor of Ashland Source's Life and Culture section, Brethren Care Village continues its commitment to enriching lives and promoting a vibrant community.
