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Things To Do In Lancaster Ohio

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byCindy
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Lancaster is in Fairfield County, Central Ohio. Lancaster is known as the gateway to the stunning Hocking Hills area and it is also known for its glass industry. Here are some of our top things to do in Lancaster Ohio for all ages to enjoy!

vertical image with three photos of things to do in Lancaster: the wooden treehouse play area at The Well, ziplining, and Rock Mill Covered Bridge. A white area at the top contains the text 16 Things to Do in Lancaster

About Lancaster Ohio

Lancaster is the county seat of Fairfield County. It is in the south-central area of Ohio and is close to the Hocking River.

Originally known as New Lancaster, it was shortened by city ordinance in 1805. The formal incorporation as a city happened in 1831.

Lancaster hosts the Fairfield County Fair which is in the second week of October and is the last county fair in Ohio each year.

Fun Fact: Malcolm Forbes – publisher of Forbes magazine ran a local Lancaster newspaper in 1941.

Map of Things to Do in Lancaster

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!

When I’m in the Hocking Hills area, I always make sure to visit Lancaster. Not only is it home to the Fairfield County Fair, but it also boasts a rich German heritage among its residents. Beyond the history and heritage, there’s plenty to do in Lancaster. It’s a hidden gem worth exploring during your time in the Hocking Hills

Rock Mill Covered Bridge

horizontal photo of Rock Mill Covered Bridge in Lancaster Ohio
Photo credit: Wdzinc, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This covered bridge can be traced back to 1800 when Lancaster Ohio was founded. The current bridge was rebuilt in 1901. There is a lot of history attached to this bridge and if you are lucky enough to meet any locals whilst visiting the bridge, then they may have a story or two to share with you.

The headwaters of the Hocking River emerge from a rocky ravine and create a waterfall under Rock Mill Covered Bridge.

Valley Zipline Tours

This 53-acre property has 9 lines, creating a total of 5,000 feet of ziplining. Experiences here include a guided canopy tour, 5 under-the-canopy ziplines, one monster line that is 1,000 feet long, and 2 side-by-side lines to race with your companion!

Lucky Shots Putt Putt

This is a space-themed mini golf course in honor of the 25 native Ohioans who have been NASA astronauts. A great fun couple of hours for the whole family, this course is designed to challenge your mind in a space-inspired atmosphere. Group bookings are available.

AHA! A Hands-on Adventure

An 8,000-foot facility that offers children the opportunity to use imagination, creativity, and a sense of discovery with over 60 hands-on exhibits. Children from six months to eight years of age can explore, play with science, learn engineering, and learn to paint and draw.

There is an outdoor Nature Playscape that inspires children to become nature enthusiasts and appreciate conservation. This is a challenging and stimulating environment away from technology.

Ohio Glass Museum

horizontal close-up photo of someone glass blowing

Glass blowing is an art form that takes a great deal of skill to get the perfect results. The Ohio Glass Museum has an exhibit available for guests to view and if you fancy having a go at glass blowing, you can do it here! 

You can even sign up for a glass blowing. After some brief tips, you will have the chance to put those tips to the test.

Art & Clay on Main

A real fun thing to do, at Art & Clay you choose your piece of pottery, select your paints, and paint your own design on the ceramic. Then it goes to the kiln room where it is glazed and fired for 24 hours. You will be given a pick-up date, but you don’t have to rush back, they will hold your item for 45 days after that date. Classes and events are held here also, and you can order custom artwork such as birthday plates, pet portraits, and handprint clay impressions of kids and pets.

Square 7 Coffee House on the same site offers a wide selection of beverages including a wide variety of coffees, iced tea, smoothies, and hot chocolate.

Sherman House Museum

If you like American history Sherman House Museum is a great place to visit. The main period of history covered here is the American Civil War era as this is the birthplace of Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman. When you enter this house it will feel like you have stepped back in time! There is memorabilia on show here from this period in our history.

Olde Shoe Factory Antique Mall

The Olde Shoe Factory Antique Mall has dozens of rooms for people to visit and browse what is on offer. 

Most of the antiques are available to buy for a set price, however, some of the items that are on show here are priceless and are not for sale. This is a great place to visit if you like antiques. It is also an ideal place to visit on a cold winter’s day.

Sensory Trail Park

The Sensory Trail Park has activities including a tree house, swings, sensory stations, outdoor music instruments, birding, and nature-watching.

The Sensory Trail is a short, paved trail that is full of surprises! The trail runs along the Fetter Run creek. The park and all the activities are wheelchair friendly. It is located behind Forest Rose School).

Rising Park

horizontal photo of the lake at Rising Park with the car park in the background

Mount Pleasant is in Rising Park, it is a 250-foot tall sandstone bluff called the ‘Standing Stone’. The views from the top of Mount Pleasant are outstanding, but it is not an easy hike to the top!

This is the perfect place to relax and walk amongst the lovely scenery and discover the wildlife in this park. Also, make sure not to miss Devil’s Kitchen Cave which is located on the front side of Mount Pleasant.

Fairfield County Infirmary

This place is not for the fainthearted!

If you like ghost hunts, this is the place to be. This infirmary has a long and dark history and it is said that the place is very much alive – with the dead! Paranormal activity has been reported here on a very regular basis for over 100 years.

If you are feeling really brave (not sure about me!), you can stay overnight. A warning – doors slam on their own, the equipment can behave quite oddly and you may hear voices. The most experienced ghosthunters have confessed to feeling quite spooked after a visit here.

Rockmill Brewery

horizontal photo of five glasses of different beers from the rockmill brewery in lancaster ohio

Rockmill Brewery was built at what was an old 19th-century horse farm. The taproom is now located in the old tavern.

They offer a range of good beers and ales, as well as food. The Rockmill Brewery has been entertaining people for some years and if you fancy good food and drink, then this is a great place to spend an hour or three!

Ale House 1890

Another place to grab a bite to eat and a drink is the Ale House 1890. This is a European-style gastropub that serves food from late afternoon through to the evenings. If you are by yourself or with friends, this is a great place to chill out and have some downtime.

Rockside Winery and Vineyards

Rockside Winery produces most of its wines from the grapes grown in its vineyard, but it also imports grapes from around the world to produce a wide selection of high-quality wines. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening at this winery.

There are a variety of events throughout the year, and you can book your own event here too.

Gypsy Joe’s Ice Cream

A trip to Gypsy Joe’s Ice Cream and donut shop is the perfect way to relax with a sweet treat and the kids will enjoy it just as much as the adults. There is a good menu available for all tastes. There are delights from coffee to donuts to ice cream too! This is an ideal place to visit either at the start of your trip to Lancaster or as a final stop before you leave.

The Well

horizontal photo of the wooden tree house play area at The Well
Photo credit: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

The Well is a cafe located in Lancaster that serves breakfast and lunch and prides itself on providing fresh, quality, gluten-free products for its customers.

There is a wooden treehouse play area in this café where the children can play. Tables are close enough to this area for parents to relax and keep an eye on the kids!

Let’s Visit Lancaster Ohio!

Have you visited Lancaster Ohio? Did your favorite place make our list? We would love to hear from you in the comments below

If you love wineries, check out our Ohio Wineries list! For more things to do in Ohio, see our selection of Things to do in Sugarcreek!

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at [email protected], and we can get it updated.

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Cindy Gordon, the owner of VisitOhioToday.com, is a passionate Ohioan with a deep love for her state's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Her mission is to showcase Ohio's hidden gems and major tourist attractions through her website, offering visitors a comprehensive guide to all the wonders the Buckeye State has to offer. With a wealth of experience as a seasoned small business owner in the media industry, Cindy also manages four other websites in the food space, demonstrating her commitment to sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with a wider audience. Through her dedication, Cindy has become a trusted source for anyone looking to explore Ohio's diverse and vibrant offerings.

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2 Comments

    1. Hi Steve! So glad you stopped in and enjoyed it! You are welcome! If you visit anything else from our things to do in Lancaster post, let me know! Or if you find any other hidden gems, let me know!

      Reply

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