Things to Do in Lima, Ohio
Come discover our Real American Style! To us it’s home. To you, its your home away from home. With nearly 200 dining options, more than 70 unique shops and a variety of distinctive events throughout the year, you’ll quickly “sense our style” in the welcoming smiles that await you. Exciting sports, celebrated arts, top-notch performances, varied lodging and a selection of meeting and convention venues are just the beginning. Want to know more? Visit our websites at www.visitgreaterlima.com and www.WeAreRealAmerican.com. Take a look; you’ll see why we live it, and you’ll love it!
Arts & Theatre
Artspace/Lima
65-67 Town Square, Lima
(419) 222-1721
www.artspacelima.com
Artspace is the premier art gallery and educational center in west central Ohio. Enjoy exhibits in the Ellen Nelson Gallery, Loft Gallery, and Artzone Gallery and purchase art in the gallery shop. Also houses one of the regions best arts resource libraries. ArtSpace is housed in a turn-of-the-century brick building in Downtown Lima. Art classes for children and adults are offered, ranging from pottery to photography and everything in between. ArtSpace also puts on many events including the summer concert series: Rally in the Square.
Crouse Performance Hall
#7 Town Square, Lima
(419) 224-1552
www.limaciviccenter.com
The Crouse Performance Hall is a 1,700-seat proscenium theater and is the setting for a host of entertainment events. It is the performance home of Broadway in Lima, Lima Symphony Orchestra and the Lima Area Concert Band, as well as the Town Square Live series, featuring a variety of arts and entertainment for community enrichment.
Encore Theatre/Amil Tellers
991 North Shore Dr., Lima
(419) 223-8866
www.amiltellers.org
The mission of Amil Tellers of Dramatics, Inc. is to provide the community with an artistic outlet, rooted in theatrical education and tradition, with events to raise public interest in Encore Theatre and community theater as a whole.
Encore Theatre has a full season of shows that run from July through May as well as the McDonald’s Youth Theatre that holds three shows each season showcasing the area’s talented youth. ›
Ottawa Metro Park Amphitheater
2632 Ada Rd., Lima
www.jampd.com/venue/ottawa-metro-park-amphitheater
The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Parks District proudly maintains and presents a series of summer programs at their beautiful outdoor amphitheater. The series has something for everyone including historical reenactments, musical performances and concerts, puppet shows, demonstrations and many kid-centric programs. The summer series is sure to have something that appeals to everyone in the family.
Children’s Garden
Allen County Museum Complex
620 W. Market St., Lima
(567) 825-1233
www.limachildrensgarden.com
Open May through October, dawn to dusk
This garden has grown to include over 30 mini-themed gardens and child-inspired works of art, with historical elements that relate to Allen County’s rich history. It is an interactive green oasis for “children” of all ages.
John H. Keller Memorial Railway Exhibit
Lincoln Park
Lima Fire Fighters Memorial Museum
Lincoln Park
Veterans Memorial Freedom Flag Monument
(Maintained by the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Parks District)
www.uawfreedomflag.com
Open dawn to dusk.
The Veterans Memorial Freedom Flag Monument stands proud to salute, thank and honor all U.S. veterans of the past, present and future. The Veterans Freedom Flag Monument is the largest known permanent flag monument of its type in the United States. Speakers are available by appointment. ›
Allen County Museum
www.allencountymuseum.org
The Allen County Museum is a premier attraction for history lovers of all ages. While railroad buffs will enjoy seeing the 1925 Shay locomotive, Lima City Street Railway motorman’s cab and interurban exhibits, visitors can also enjoy permanent exhibits such as the pioneer room, a room-sized Mount Vernon model, civil war camp, firearms, the industry of Allen County and an exhibit on John Dillinger. The Children’s Discovery Center offers hands-on activities for kids including a general store, one-room schoolhouse, Native American wigwam and large model railroad layout. The institution also offers the Elizabeth M. MacDonell Memorial Library and the John H. Keller Railroad Archives featuring thousands of photographs, builders’ prints and Lima Locomotive Works documents.
MacDonell House Victorian Mansion
Built in 1893, the MacDonell House is one of the few remaining examples of Victorian architectural elegance that once marked an area known as the “Golden Block” in Lima, Ohio. During the last two decades of the 19th century, Allen County flourished with the discovery of oil and the growth of the railroad industry. This mansion is a tribute to that prosperous period in its history.
The Schoonover Observatory in Schoonover Park
Lima Astronomical Society
The Schoonover Observatory in Schoonover Park is open at 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, and also every Friday from June through August. The public is encouraged to come to the observatory and look through the 14-inch Celestron telescope housed at the facility. Members of the Lima Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescope and answer questions. For updates, please visit the Lima Astronomical Society’s Facebook page. Programs can be arranged by appointment.