The beautiful city of Elyria is located in the northern part of Ohio, United States, and it lies south of the town of Lorain and along the Black River. Heman Ely was the region’s first inhabitant who built a sawmill, a gristmill, a dam, and a log house. Today, the site has evolved into an incredible industrial community specialized in manufacturing hydraulic appliances, aircraft parts, medical equipment, and more. Elyria features lots of surprises for the avid adventurer – including Elywood and Cascade parks – featuring forest tracks, waterfalls, and caves. Less than an hour away from some of the best Airbnb vacation rentals in Berea, this tranquil destination is ideal for a family getaway: it has family-friendly recreational centers, museums, large shopping malls, and more. It can even be a great stopover after your stay at one of the best hotels in North Olmsted since it’s less than 30 minutes away! Get the most out of this city by adding these top things to do in Elyria, Ohio.
1. Check local art exhibits and workshops at Elyria Arts Council
You still have time! We have many great gift priced items for Mother’s Day! Stop in and Shop with us. We also have gift...
Posted by Elyria Arts Council on Thursday, May 11, 2023
With the tagline, “Where art thrives, communities thrive,” the Elyria Arts Council is definitely a great part of the Elyrian community. They feature plenty of local artists who work with a variety of mediums from charcoal and pencil to acrylic and watercolors. They even exhibit jewelry, pottery, stone sculptures, and many others!
For those who want to learn and be guided by featured artists, you can also join one of their classes so you can have fun while learning. There are classes on jewelry-making, fused glass, and many others.
Elyria Arts Council
Address: 336 Broad Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035
Website: Elyria Arts Council
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 11am - 3pm (closed Sun to Wed)
2. Enjoy apple-themed activities at the Elyria Apple Festival
We had 16 entries for our Apple Baking contest! 1st place-Alesia Pilson, Carmel Apple Cake, 2nd place-Tammie Thompson,...
Posted by Elyria Apple Festival on Sunday, September 17, 2023
If you’re traveling with the whole family and bringing children along, you might want to time your travel to join the Elyria Apple Festival! The wholesome festival began in 1980 and has since provided lots of fun. Aiming to promote Elyria, the festival draws over 100,000 people and features up to 100 booths! There are runs/walks, apple pie contests, a kids’ zone, and can also feature performing artists. The festival’s proceeds are used for the improvement of the city and have been used to buy Christmas lights, the fountain, the gazebo, and others.
Elyria Apple Festival
Address: Elyria, Ohio
Website: Elyria Apple Festival
3. Tour The Hickories Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by The Hickories Museum on Friday, April 27, 2018
Explore this beautiful late 19th-century architectural piece, built by Arthur Garford, and featuring Shingle-style and Richardsonian Romanesque architectural designs. Owned by the wealthy Mr. Garford – founder of Garford automobiles and inventor of the padded bicycle seat, the mansion was the first to have electricity in the town. The home is now open to the public as a museum and it highlights the life of the Lorain Family. Throughout the museum, you will find beautiful woodwork with cherry, mahogany and oak in Gothic and French style. Discover the mansion’s private chapel, carved faces, six fireplaces and Tiffany-style windows. It’s a history tour you won’t want to miss.
Hickories Museum
Address: 509 Washington Ave, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Hickories Museum
Opening hours: Sat: 1pm - 3pm; Tue - Fri: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: 5 USD
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4. Discover the waterfalls at Cascade Park
Spend your day at the Cascade Park, a recreational area covering 54.6 hectares (135 acres) - featuring picnic areas, sandstone gorges and two huge waterfalls – the West and East Falls of the Black River. Both falls are impressive, however, the larger West Falls is a sight to behold. The more significant fall possesses a height of 10.7 meters (35 feet), a crest of 24.4 meters (80 feet) and a hallowed cave of 15.2 meters (50 feet). The East Fall is less impressive than the West Falls and it features a human-made spillway with a small reservoir, and it’s equally worth your time. The park features a similar character as national parks but on a smaller scale.
Cascade Park
Address: 170 Cascade St, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Cascade Park
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
5. Have fun at Altitude Trampoline Park
Let your kids have the fun of their lives at this outstanding trampoline park in Elyria, Ohio, with (2787.0912 square meters) (30,000 square feet) of fun equipment. Altitude Trampoline Park features rock climbing, a foam pit, and 2322.6-square-meter (25,000-square-feet) trampolines where you and your children can jump all day. The fun center is the best around - focused on offering excellent customer service, and a fun, clean, safe, and family-friendly atmosphere. As a bonus, it is perched in a vast area – surrounded by restaurants, stores, and movie theaters.
Altitude Trampoline Park
Address: 110 Market Dr, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Altitude Trampoline Park
Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm; Mon - Thu: 10am - 9pm; Fri: 10am - 10pm
Price: 20.95 USD
6. Enjoy fishing at Rowland Nature Preserve
Posted by Rick Hutman on Sunday, 9 September 2012
If you are looking forward to a fishing opportunity in this quaint town, Rowland Nature Preserve offers you that and much more. The preserve features the 9/11 memorial, beautiful walking trails and a (4.9-hectare) 12-acre lake for an incredible fishing experience. Over the past decades, this preserve has undergone enhancement from Elyria Township, with updated walking trails for all ages and a playground to complement the already existing pavilion. It is a tranquil and safe place to spend a memorable time with the kids.
Rowland Nature Preserve
Address: Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035
7. Try out skating at Roll Arena Family Skating Center
Most times, fun is always at its peak when you are together with family. Visit a skating rink in Elyria! One of the best places to enjoy all-round family entertainment in Elyria is Roll Arena Family Skating Center. Let your kids spend some time in the arcade games area while you skate with your partner at the skating facility. Other enjoyable activities include rock climbing, laser tag, and rollerblading. You can also organize your birthday parties, and public and private skating classes, at this venue. There is no dull moment in this recreational hub.
Roll Arena Family Skating Center
Address: 908 Cleveland St, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Roll Arena Family Skating Center
Opening hours: Sat: 1pm - 4pm, 7:30pm - 11pm; Tue: 6:30pm - 8:30pm; Fri: 7:30pm - 11pm (closed on Sun, Mon, Wed & Thu)
Price: 2 - 3 USD
8. Unwind in the picnic areas of Black River Reservation
Do you feel like getting away from the bustle and hustle of the city to a serene, untouched nature reserve to neutralize the stress? Black River Reservation in Elyria, a famous park in Lorain County, offers two long trails and picnic areas for you to hang out. Admire the beauty and smell of the wild as you walk on the trails that stretch 8.9 km (5.5 mi) along the Black River. You can also choose to relax in any of the three picnic areas – Day’s Dam, Bur Oak, or High Meadows – all offering a distinctive flair and natural elegance.
Black River Reservation
Address: 1750 Ford Rd, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Black River Reservation
Opening hours: 8am - 4:30pm (daily)
9. Visit St Mary's Church - Elyria
St Mary’s Church is a Gothic-Revival-style old parish completed in 1883 and included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Although the church has undergone some renovations in recent times, most of its original features are still intact. The 19th-century wonder runs a hall, a school and pre-school program, aside from the primary catechism classes and Sunday mass. Even if you are not the religious type, the impressive building’s style, sculptures and decorations and are worth exploring. Otherwise, pay your homage and even donate to a good course.
St Mary's Church
Address: 320 Middle Ave, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: St Mary’s Church
10. Test your golfing skills at Forest Hills Golf Course
Forest Hills Golf Course has something for every lover of the game - not only for the professional golfers. The course is a standard 18-hole, and an intermediate course run by Lorain Metro Parks and it features a range of difficulty levels. It has six holes running along the Black River, a myriad of hills, bunkers, and ponds to keep the game challenging, yet, enjoyable. If you are a beginner, you can utilize the large practice tee. The course also has a driving range, a snack bar and a pro shop for your convenience.
Forest Hills Golf Course
Address: 41971 Oberlin Elyria Rd, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Forest Hills Golf Course
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 9 - 20 USD
11. Go fishing with Mega Bites Charters
Since 1983, Captain Tony Denslow has been doing his hobby of chartering on Lake Erie. The freshwater lake provides an ideal fishing and recreational opportunity. If you love fishing, there is no better way to go about it in the city than with the experienced, licensed and amiable captain. Catch some fun hunting large schools of yellow perch, casting for smallmouth bass and even deep-water fishing. A memorable fishing experience awaits you with Mega Bites Charters.
Mega Bites Charters
Address: 130 Villanova Cir, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Mega Bites Charters
Opening hours: 6am - 10:30pm (daily)
12. Watch amazing wildlife at Elywood Park
Elyria features two amazing parks – Cascade and Elywood, which are part of the critical history of the town. Elywood Park is especially famous for bird-watching, hiking and other recreational activities, especially along the Black River. Spot fantastic wildlife, check out the caves and watch diverse species of birds, and experience tranquility while connecting with the wild. Discover an integral part of the natural heritage of Elyria in this fantastic park.
Elywood Park
Address: Elyria, Ohio 44035
13. Enjoy good food and live music at Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub
For almost a decade, Wolfrey’s Bistro & Pub has been delighting its patrons with exceptional food, beverages and live music. The eatery features a spacious traditional setting that can accommodate a small and large group of up to 20 people. Enjoy live music from featured DJs in the evening as you savor the top foods on the menu – including cheese, lobster macaroni, Stromboli and pizzas. They also feature a wide selection of wine, complimentary WiFi and discounts during their happy hour. The eating house is the best place to dine and spend time with family or friends.
Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub
Address: 1069 E Broad St, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 11am - 1:30am; Sun: 11am - 12am; Mon - Wed: 11am - 12:30am
14. Watch a movie at Atlas Cinema
Elyria provides a range of fun activities during the day, and when it’s dusk, there is one way to make your night as exciting by catching your favorite movies at Atlas Cinema in Midway Mall. See the latest blockbuster films and new releases in all-digital projections. The movie theater features some viewing options – including 13 Real D 3D and 63 all-digital screens at competitive prices. Also, enjoy concession products and amenities in this upscale movie theater. The movie house sits in an enclosed 102193.3-square-meter (1.1 million-square-foot) mall, with over 100 specialty stores which you won’t be able to resist checking out.
Atlas Cinema
Address: 2650 Midway Mall, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Atlas Cinema
15. Dine at Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings has been in the tradition of serving authentic signature seasonings and sauces since 1982 at Buffalo, New York. The restaurant moved to Elyria not long ago and now offers a lovely dining atmosphere with large-screen TVs for sports fans. If the live sport on TV doesn’t attract you, then their 21 delicious signature seasonings and sauces will. Don’t miss the taste of the New York-style wings or the boneless chicken dipped in dry seasoning or sauce. For the sports lover, it’s a hangout experience you can’t afford to miss.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Address: 239 Midway Blvd, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Buffalo Wild Wings
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 1am; Sun - Thu: 11am - 12am
16. Check out branded shops at Midway Mall
Midway Mall is the only enclosed shopping center in the county, which opened in 1965, and covers an area of 102193.3 square meters (1100000 square feet). Check out over 100 specialty stores in the mall offering shoes, clothing, home accessories, jewelry and much more. A vacation without a shopping spree is not complete and this extensive mall offers you the best buying experience around. Also, your kids will love playing at the children’s playland within the facility.
Midway Mall
Address: 3433 Midway Mall, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: Midway Mall
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm
17. Try authentic Mexican cuisines at El Patron Mexican Restaurant
El Patron Mexican Restaurant is famed and loved for its consistency in three things – a cozy atmosphere, outstanding services and fresh, quality dishes. Marvel at the beautiful Mexican décor as you savor authentic Mexican homemade dishes, margarita and other specialties. Don’t miss the taste of some of their homemade specialties – including Tamal, Taco, Enchilada, Chimichanga, burrito and much more. This eatery is a beautiful place to dine with a small group, especially during their happy hour.
El Patron Mexican Restaurant
Address: 629 Chestnut Commons Dr, Elyria, OH 44035, USA
Website: El Patron Mexican Restaurant
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 10:30pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm; Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm
Make life-long memories
Spending your next vacation in Elyria will be more exciting with your family, and we are sure you are now fully convinced. There is lots of fun to catch: picnics, shopping, visiting museums, family centers and more. Begin your vacation with these things to do in Elyria and live to remember the great memories you make here.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Elyria, Ohio
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