Sylvania OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sylvania, Ohio.
1. Fossil Park
PREHISTORIC TREASURES AWAIT
Fossil Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to dig for 375-million-year-old fossils from an ancient sea that once covered Ohio. Visitors can keep any fossils they find, making it an educational and exciting experience for families and geology enthusiasts alike. The park provides shovels and educational resources to help identify various marine fossils including trilobites, brachiopods, and coral specimens.
2. Olander Park
RECREATION AND NATURE SANCTUARY
Olander Park is a jewel of Sylvania offering recreational activities, scenic beauty, and events year-round. The park features a 28-acre lake where visitors can fish, rent paddle boats, or enjoy a stroll along the 1.1-mile paved walking path that circles the water. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse wildlife, beautiful gardens, and picnic areas that make this park a perfect retreat for all seasons.
3. Lathrop House
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORY
The Lathrop House stands as an important historical landmark in Sylvania's Historical Village, known for its significant role in the Underground Railroad. This preserved 19th-century home belonged to minister Lucian Lathrop, who used the property to shelter enslaved people seeking freedom. Visitors can tour the home and its underground tunnels while learning about this crucial piece of American history and Sylvania's contribution to the abolitionist movement.
4. Centennial Terrace
HISTORIC OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
Centennial Terrace hosts a wide variety of entertainment throughout the year, from concerts to dance events in its magnificent outdoor venue. The facility features one of the largest outdoor dance floors in the United States, measuring an impressive 10,000 square feet of terrazzo. Summer evenings come alive at this Sylvania landmark where visitors can enjoy music under the stars in a venue that has been entertaining generations of Ohio residents.
5. Sylvania Historical Village & Heritage Center Museum
LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE
Sylvania Historical Village & Heritage Center Museum offers visitors a journey through time with its collection of preserved 19th-century buildings and artifacts. The museum showcases local history through engaging exhibits that cover everything from famous visitors like Pretty Boy Floyd to the cultural development of the region. History enthusiasts can explore meticulously maintained structures including a general store, schoolhouse, and other period buildings that recreate the atmosphere of historic Sylvania.
6. Toledo Holocaust Memorial Park
REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION
Toledo Holocaust Memorial Park provides a solemn space for remembrance and education about one of history's darkest periods. The memorial features thoughtful design elements that honor victims and survivors while encouraging visitors to reflect on themes of tolerance and human rights. Educational programs and commemorative events are regularly held at the site, making it an important cultural landmark for the Sylvania community and beyond.
7. Plummer Pool
FAMILY AQUATIC FUN
Plummer Pool offers Sylvania residents and visitors a refreshing escape during warm summer months with its excellent aquatic facilities. The community pool features water slides, splash areas for younger children, and designated swimming lanes for exercise and recreation. Families particularly enjoy the affordable admission prices, clean facilities, and friendly lifeguard staff that ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for swimmers of all ages.
8. Funagin's
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
Funagin's provides a one-stop destination for family entertainment with its diverse array of activities for visitors of all ages. The center features arcade games, party rooms, and various attractions designed to create memorable experiences for birthday celebrations and family outings. Children and adults alike enjoy the lively atmosphere and variety of entertainment options that have made Funagin's a popular Sylvania attraction for local families.
9. Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter
YEAR-ROUND ICE RECREATION
Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter offers ice rinks and sports facilities that serve as a recreational hub for the community throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy public skating sessions, hockey games, figure skating lessons, and other ice-based activities in this well-maintained indoor facility. The center hosts tournaments and special events that attract participants and spectators from across the region, making it an important venue for both casual recreation and competitive sports.
10. Wildwood Preserve Metropark
HISTORIC ESTATE GARDENS
Wildwood Preserve Metropark, once the estate of industrialist Robert A. Stranahan, combines natural beauty with historical significance just a short drive from Sylvania. Visitors can explore the architectural grandeur of the Manor House while enjoying over 493 acres of meadows, forests and prairies connected by scenic walking trails. The park offers year-round programming including guided tours, nature education, and special events that showcase both the natural environment and the area's cultural heritage.
11. Veterans Memorial Park
HONORING MILITARY SERVICE
Veterans Memorial Park serves as Sylvania's tribute to the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces. The thoughtfully designed space includes monuments, plaques, and landscaped areas that create a peaceful environment for remembrance and reflection. Community gatherings and ceremonies are regularly held at this meaningful location, particularly on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, making it an important civic space in Sylvania.
12. Fort Meigs Battlefield
WAR OF 1812 SITE
Fort Meigs Battlefield preserves America's largest reconstructed War of 1812 fort, located just a short drive from Sylvania in nearby Perrysburg. Visitors can explore the 10-acre fort with its seven blockhouses and five artillery batteries while learning about this pivotal period in American history. The site offers living history demonstrations, musket firings, and interactive exhibits that bring to life the experiences of soldiers who defended the young nation during this critical conflict.
13. Historic Old West End
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE
The Historic Old West End of Toledo showcases one of America's largest collections of late Victorian and Edwardian homes, just a short drive from Sylvania. Visitors can admire the stunning architecture featuring Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Arts & Crafts styles while strolling through this charming neighborhood. The area hosts the popular Old West End Festival each June, offering home tours, art fairs, musical performances, and other activities that celebrate the district's historical significance.
14. Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY CENTER
The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, located within driving distance of Sylvania, honors America's 19th president with extensive collections and the preserved Spiegel Grove estate. Visitors can tour the 31-room Victorian mansion where Hayes lived, explore museum exhibits featuring thousands of artifacts, and research in America's first presidential library. The 25-acre wooded estate also includes the president's tomb, nature trails, and the original White House gates, providing a comprehensive historical experience.
15. American Civil War Museum of Ohio
CIVIL WAR ARTIFACTS COLLECTION
The American Civil War Museum of Ohio preserves the history of this pivotal conflict through an impressive collection of artifacts, documents, and educational exhibits. Visitors can examine authentic uniforms, weapons, medical equipment, and personal items that tell the stories of soldiers and civilians affected by the war. The museum offers special programs and rotating exhibits that explore different aspects of the Civil War, with particular attention to Ohio's significant contributions to the Union cause.