Amherst OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Amherst, Ohio.
1. Jamie's Flea Market
TREASURES AND FRESH PRODUCE
Jamie's Flea Market is a popular destination in Amherst where vendors display their treasures for sale. Visitors can find everything from antiques to fresh fruits and vegetables at this bustling market. It offers a fun experience for the whole family with various vendors and goods to explore.
2. Workshop Players Theatre
LOCAL THEATRICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Workshop Players Theatre provides cultural entertainment through live performances in Amherst. The theater showcases local talent with a variety of productions throughout the year. Patrons enjoy intimate performances in a community-focused setting.
3. Hillcrest Orchard
APPLE PICKING AND MORE
Hillcrest Orchard offers seasonal fruit picking experiences in a picturesque farm setting. During fall weekends, visitors can enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, and navigating through corn mazes. The orchard becomes quite busy during peak season as families participate in these popular autumn activities.
4. Hillcrest Orchard Fun Farm
FAMILY FARM ENTERTAINMENT
Hillcrest Orchard Fun Farm expands on the traditional orchard experience with additional family-friendly activities. The Fun Farm features attractions like straw tunnels and seasonal farm activities. It provides a wholesome outdoor experience for visitors of all ages throughout the harvest season.
5. Amherst Town Hall
HISTORIC SANDSTONE ARCHITECTURE
Amherst Town Hall is a stunning historic structure built in 1884 using local sandstone. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, recognizing its historical and architectural significance. It stands as a testament to Amherst's heritage as the 'Sandstone Center of the World.'
6. Beaver Creek Reservation
NATURAL WATERWAYS AND CLIFFS
Beaver Creek Reservation, part of Lorain County Metro Parks, features a stream that once powered local mills. Visitors can explore exposed stone cliffs that highlight the area's abundant natural resources. Hiking boots are recommended for this destination as the area around the creek can become muddy.
7. Savage Society Axe Throwing
UNIQUE THROWING EXPERIENCE
Savage Society Axe Throwing offers a distinctive recreational activity that visitors talk about long after their experience. The venue provides both standard axe throwing and specialty glow throw events on select dates. This unique destination allows locals and tourists to test their axe-throwing skills in a safe, entertaining environment.
8. Historic Downtown Amherst
CHARMING BUSINESS DISTRICT
Historic Downtown Amherst offers visitors a quaint, small-town feeling with its distinctive business district and unique architecture. The area characterizes nineteenth-century America with well-preserved buildings and storefronts. Main Street Amherst promotes the downtown area through economic management, public participation, and making Amherst a fun place to visit.
9. Back Roads and Beaches
SCENIC DRIVING ROUTES
Back Roads and Beaches offers scenic driving routes around the Amherst area and connects to nearby Lake Erie shorelines. These routes provide travelers with picturesque views of rural Ohio and access to lakeside attractions. Visitors can enjoy the changing scenery from agricultural landscapes to beautiful beaches along these drives.
10. Sandstone Center of the World Monument
HISTORICAL INDUSTRY MARKER
The Sandstone Center of the World Monument stands in front of Amherst Town Hall as a tribute to the town's geological significance. This historic marker declares Amherst as the global center of sandstone production, an industry that shaped the community's development. The monument serves as an educational landmark highlighting Amherst's contribution to architecture across America.
11. Old Stone Quarry
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITE
The Old Stone Quarry in Amherst represents the industrial heritage that gave the town its nickname as the Sandstone Capital of the World. Visitors can observe the remnants of the quarrying operations that provided building materials for structures across the country. The site offers a glimpse into the labor-intensive processes that shaped both the local landscape and American architecture.
12. Main Street Amherst Farmers Market
LOCAL PRODUCE AND CRAFTS
Main Street Amherst Farmers Market brings together local producers and artisans in the heart of downtown. Shoppers can find fresh, seasonal produce and handcrafted goods from area vendors. The market creates a vibrant community gathering place that supports local businesses while providing visitors with authentic Ohio products.
13. Amherst Historical Society
LOCAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Amherst Historical Society preserves and showcases the rich heritage of this sandstone community through exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Amherst's development from a quarrying town to a modern community. The society maintains historical records that connect present-day residents and visitors to the area's significant past.
14. Lakeview Park
WATERFRONT RECREATION AREA
Lakeview Park, located near Amherst in neighboring Lorain, offers beautiful Lake Erie waterfront access and recreational facilities. The park features a historic rose garden, beach area, and bathhouse that has been restored to its original 1920s elegance. Visitors can enjoy swimming, picnicking, and spectacular lake views throughout the warmer months.
15. Miller Nature Preserve
BOTANICAL GARDENS AND CONSERVATORY
Miller Nature Preserve in nearby Avon features a beautiful conservatory with exotic plants and seasonal displays. The preserve includes butterfly gardens, outdoor walking paths, and educational exhibits about local and tropical flora. Visitors can enjoy the year-round indoor garden experience as well as outdoor natural spaces that showcase Ohio's native plant species.