Greater Lima, Ohio, has more going on than you might expect. From creative outlets to exciting discoveries, it’s worth the trip.
Start with a Treasure Hunt Throughout Greater Lima
Geocaching brings fun and adventure to the outdoors. Using GPS and clues, you’ll search for ten geocaches across the area. Once you’ve found them all, bring your completed brochure to the Visit Greater Lima office to claim a custom GeoTrail coin. Download the free Geocaching® app, follow the guide, and start exploring.
Create Something New
ArtSpace/Lima is the go-to place for hands-on creativity. This downtown gallery features rotating exhibits, local artwork, and a well-stocked resource library. You can also take pottery, photography, or painting classes—no experience is needed.
Just outside the city, Board & Brush Creative Studio in Bluffton offers instructor-led workshops where you can make wood signs and home décor. Each project is different, and you’ll leave with something you’ve made from start to finish.
From Center Stage to Open Skies: Experience Live Entertainment
Live performances bring energy and creativity to Greater Lima throughout the year. At Crouse Performance Hall, catch Broadway-style productions, symphony concerts, and community band performances. Encore Theatre adds to the lineup with a full season of plays and musicals, including youth shows that spotlight local talent.
When the weather warms up, the entertainment moves outside. The Ottawa Metro Park Amphitheater offers summer concerts, puppet shows, and fun for all ages. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the show under the evening sky. Plus, the Greater Lima Park & Amphitheater has an incredible lineup of live music this summer—check out the schedule at https://www.limaciviccenter.com/panglepavilion!
Dig into Local History
The Allen County Museum covers a wide range of topics, from early pioneers to railroads and the Civil War. It also includes a children’s discovery center and model train display. Outside, the Children’s Garden offers more than 30 mini-gardens tied to Allen County’s history.
Next door, the MacDonell House gives a glimpse into Lima’s oil and railroad boom days. Built in 1893, the home reflects the region’s time of growth and wealth.
Take a Short Drive and Learn Even More
- The Delphos Canal Commission Museum tells the story of Ohio’s canal era.
- The Gomer Welsh Museum honors Welsh settlers in the region.
- The Schumacher Swiss Homestead lets you explore an 1843 home and a limestone barn.
- The John H. Keller Memorial Exhibit in Lincoln Park features the last Berkshire locomotive built in Lima.
Stars Overhead, Stories of Service, and Small-Town Finds
Greater Lima offers a mix of quiet reflection and simple pleasures. On select Friday nights, the Schoonover Observatory opens to the public. Gaze through a 14-inch telescope while members of the Lima Astronomical Society guide you through the night sky.
Nearby, two moving tributes honor America’s Heroes. The Veterans Memorial Freedom Flag Monument in Lima stands as a lasting salute to those who served. In Harrod, Veterans Memorial Park features tanks, a helicopter, and a walking trail lined with military displays.
Take some time to explore local shops and small-town favorites. Downtown Lima and Bluffton have unique storefronts, art galleries, and welcoming places to eat. Stop by the Shannon Theatre for an affordable movie night, where you can catch a show with snacks for around $25 for four people.
Plan Your Visit and See What Greater Lima Has Waiting for You
There’s no shortage of things to experience in Greater Lima. Whether you’re creating, learning, or just enjoying the day, this Ohio destination keeps it interesting.
