Location: Oberlin
Top Things to do in Oberlin
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The 10 Best Things to do in Oberlin, Ohio (OH)
Oberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, southwest of Cleveland. Oberlin is the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students.
Restaurants in Oberlin
1. Oberlin Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
The Oberlin Heritage Center is an award-winning small museum and historical society. Visitors may tour the Monroe House (1866), Little Red Schoolhouse (1836), and Jewett House (1884) year-round while hearing unique, nationally significant stories about Oberlin College and the City of Oberlin. Guests of all ages can visit the hands-on Little Red Schoolhouse to write on slate boards, ring the bell, and try walking on stilts. Visitors can also attend history walks about Oberlin’s involvement with coeducation, abolition and the Underground Railroad, the local architecture, and more. Tours are guided, so please check our online calendar for tour times. The Oberlin Heritage Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Researchers and family historians may also set up an appointment to visit the Resource Center, where we have city records, oral histories, genealogical information, and more.
2. Little Red Schoolhouse
3. Monroe House
4. Allen Memorial Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By ElaineAndGreg - Chesterland, United States
We visited the Allen Memorial Art Museum about 5 years while it was under renovation. We thought then that it was an excellent, but limited art museum. We just visited again, with the renovation completed and came away with an even higher opinion. The Allen is right next to Oberlin college and is in the same tradition as the art museums at Harvard and Yale. It certainly isn't a huge museum - perhaps only a dozen galleries or so, but what it has is terrific. The works here would be at home at any great art museum, with works ranging from Asia to European old masters to 20th century masterpieces. You'll find works from Monet, Picasso, Braque, Cezanne, Kusama, Modigiliani, Chagall, Klee, Arp, and others from recent times. I particularly liked the Matisse painting of a young girl (circa 1935). You will also find an abstract treasure, Gorky's "Ploughman of the Song", which was included among a Great Courses series on the world's greatest art. Want something more 19th century or before? There is a wonderful Turner painting and works by Rubens, Van Dyck (I think it was unfinished), Jan Steen, and others. The galleries are intimate and quiet, so you have plenty of time to sit back and contemplate works that would be crowded in other venues. There is a smaller second floor with exhibits that change regularly. During our visit there was one on Asian artwork involving insects (such as dragonflies, butterflies, etc.). It contained prints and other artwork that ranged from attractive to amusing. Parking is super easy - we had no trouble finding free parking directly in front. If you are anywhere near the area and love great artwork, come here for a terrific hour or two.
5. Common Ground Canopy Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 194 reviews
Common Ground Canopy Tours is a thrilling zipline adventure in Oberlin, Ohio that takes customers ages 10 and up for a 2.5 hour tour of the treetops and features 7 zips, 13 platforms, 3 aerial bridges 2 spiral staircases, a unique “floating” staircase with a final rappel at the end of the course.
6. Bead Paradise
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
7. Mad Cow Curiosity Shop
8. Oberlin College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By monicaf12345
We enjoyed a fantastic tour by a current student, who was able to give us a comprehensive description of life at Oberlin. This school has beautiful green spaces, is very spacious and well situated, and has diverse opportunities for study and individual growth.
9. Firelands Association for the Visual Arts
10. Weltzheimer/Johnson House Frank Lloyd Wright Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By KathyA227
We visited the Weltzheimer/Johnson House a while ago, but it stands out for us because it was the first Wright house we've seen. Our tour guide was very informative and explained Wright's philosophy and intentions. This home is not so large that we were overwhelmed trying to take everything in. We could easily absorb the style, practicality and challenges of Wright's design and it encouraged us to make a trip to Fallingwater, which we did!
