The Ravenna Flagpole is 150 feet tall and has shaped the downtown skyline since 1893. The city also bears traces of local business history and offers various opportunities for recreation and exercise. If you’re planning a trip to Ravenna, you can weigh up exploring the city, outdoor activities, and seasonal offerings by the water.
Cityscape and industrial history
The Ravenna Flagpole was restored and re-erected downtown in October 2014. Its height and long-standing significance to the cityscape make it a prominent historical landmark. The completed restoration is as much a part of its history as its 19th-century origins.
Another glimpse of Ravenna’s history can be found at the Riddle Coach and Hearse Company. Its former location is marked at the corner of Main Street and Prospect Street by faded remnants of a painted tree trunk on a brick building. The company began in 1831 under the name Clark Carriage Company. Its hearses are also connected to the state’s history: William McKinley and Warren Harding were taken to their graves in the company’s carriages.
The annual Balloon A-Fair offers a different highlight: the event includes a parade and a festival featuring colorful hot air balloons. Dates and programming may change, so check the latest event information before your trip. This helps distinguish a potential visit to the festival from the permanent historical attractions.
Parks and recreation by the water
City Park of Dreams covers 25 acres and offers well-developed recreational facilities. Amenities include baseball, softball, and basketball, tennis courts, a playground, restrooms, and pavilions. There are various kinds of recreation in one place, from sports to other park facilities.
City Park of Dreams also has a covered lodge and three rentable shelters. If you’re planning to use one of these facilities during your trip, check availability and the applicable rental terms in advance. This keeps your plans aligned with the actual options without assuming a booking or an available date.
Lake Hodgson covers 180 acres and serves as a recreational area during specified months. Fishing and boat rentals are available, and a permit is required. You can get one at the cabin building north of the lodge. As permitting procedures and seasonal availability may change, it’s a good idea to check the current conditions before your visit.
Trails and exercise
Havre's Woods Park has nature trails. The Vita Course offers a different kind of exercise: a trail with various obstacles and exercises for walking or running. The two offerings therefore differ in their stated focus, without implying that the Vita Course is located in Havre's Woods Park.
The PORTAGE Hike & Bike Trail offers cross-country skiing, biking, hiking, and inline skating, as well as opportunities to explore nature and history and to skateboard. A section of the trail is managed by the City of Ravenna. This wide range of activities contrasts with the Vita Course, whose obstacles and exercises are specifically geared toward walking or running. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you prefer different kinds of exercise on a trail or a course with targeted exercises.
For seasonal offerings such as Lake Hodgson and the Balloon A-Fair, it’s also worth checking the latest dates and conditions.
Discover more destinations: Streetsboro, Kent, Mantua.
View the broader travel guide: Portage County.
