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Lorain, County, Ohio
Lorain, County, Ohio

Lorain County is in Northeast Ohio. Located a short distance west of Cleveland, Ohio and east of Sandusky, Ohio, along the North Coast and shore of Lake Erie. The county seat is Elyria, Ohio. The Black River flows north through the county and into Lake Erie at Lorain

Cities

Map
Map of Lorain County

Other destinations

Amherst Ohio Town Hall
  • Findley State Park southern Lorain County, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, 272 non-electric camp sites, fully stocked camp store, sand volleyball, basketball court, two horseshoe pits, 93-acre lake, two launch ramps, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats and ten miles of hiking trails. Eight miles of singletrack mountain biking.
  • Findley Lake and Dam
  • Lake Erie Lake Erie is the shallowest, warmest and southernmost of the Great Lakes, and is the 12th largest freshwater lake in the world. Erie's shallowness adds to its treacherous reputation; she can go from flat calm to a raging beast in less than 20 minutes. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)
  • Lake Erie Shipwrecks Lake Erie has over 1700 shipwrecks , of which only approximately 277 have been found and salvaged, or located by divers and remain on the bottom. Over 6000 shipwrecks are known to have occurred Great Lakes-wide, with Lake Erie claiming the most at 1700. Lorain's offshore waters hold some of the best wrecks for diving in Lake Erie. Popular destination shipwrecks offshore of the Lorain area include: Morning Star, City of Concord, Courtland, Hickory Stick, Sarah Sheldon, Ivanhoe, Craftsman, Alva B, John Pridgeon Jr., and the Duke Luedtke just to mention a few. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)
  • Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport Route Miles of rolling, rural roads with beautiful scenery ranging from farmland and forest to the nautical flavor of the Lake Erie Shoreline. The route provides the most scenic and low traffic routes that lead riders through some of Ohio's best landscape. It also highlights some of the area's most relevant history, culture, arts and cutting-edge environmental initiatives. The BRaB tour only highlights eateries that feature locally grown produce, organics, healthy choices and spectacular outdoor views of natural areas. The route travels through several small towns and cities in Lorain County. The tour is popular with both touring cyclists as well as training athletes and triathletes. The tour features abundant Underground Railroad history as well as six wineries and a number of art galleries along the way.

Mileage and Terrain: Most of the route is relatively flat with a few rolling sections. You will find some challenging climbs in the northwest section, just south of Vermilion.

  • Black River and Lake Erie Kayaking - Kayakers of all skill levels will be comfortable on the Black River and/or Lake Erie. Lake Erie offers spectacular scenery, birding and up-close views of the Lorain Lighthouse. From here you can kayak on Lake Erie, inside or outside the breakwall.
  • Mountain Biking The almost 10 mile Thorn Mountain Biking trail at Findley State Park has beautiful forested single track with options for beginner to expert.
  • Cascade Park Elyria. Features beautiful twin waterfalls that mark the union of the east and west branches of the Black River. Explore the shale cliffs and natural formations created by the retreat of the Wisconsin glacier over 12,000 years ago.
  • Lakeview Beach and Park On SR 6 in Lorain. Newly restored, this is one of the nicest beaches on Lake Erie with a brand new bathhouse that overlooks Lake Erie and the Lorain Lighthouse. It is one of Lorain County's most picturesque beaches. Historic fountain is lit up at night.
  • Lake Erie Central Basin Sport Fishing - Sport fishing in Lorain County consists of walleye fishing in Lake Erie, to fishing the numerous tributary streams for trophy steelhead. Walleye are considered the most-pursued game fish on Lake Erie, and in Lorain County waters, they are caught along Lorain County's rocky nearshore beginning in the spring and continuing through the entire season. Deeper offshore waters offer anglers plenty of walleye action during the summer and fall months, with both trolling and drifting/cast methods being productive. Limit catches and trophy sized fish are trademarks of our Lake Erie waters. The well-known sandbar, located between Lorain and Vermilion, creates a natural habitat for summer and fall walleye, producing many trophy-size walleye in late October and November. Smallmouth bass are plentiful along the entire length of Lorain County's rocky shoreline and artificial reef structures, providing fast action from spring through fall. (Dave Kelch, Ohio State University Extension Specialist, Ohio Sea Grant)
  • Underground Railroad History While northern Lorain County established itself as a manufacturing mecca, a tiny town miles to the south put itself on the map for a different reason. Oberlin would come to be known as "The Town that Started the Civil War." Students and faculty of Oberlin College were especially sympathetic to fugitive slaves. Today the college's Underground Railroad sculpture, dramatic railroad tracks that emerge from the ground, is surrounded by a healing garden of flowering and leafed plants used by slaves on their road to freedom. The Oberlin Heritage Center and the Spirit of '76 Museum in Wellington are valuable resources for more on the area's role in the civil War. Throughout Lorain County, churches, cemeteries, historic homes and peaceful parks collectively tell America's story of freedom. "On the Trail to Freedom," is a program developed in 1992 by Visit Lorain County which guides visitors to points of interest on the Underground Railroad.
  • Allen Memorial Art Museum One of the finest college or university collections in the United States, comprising more than 12,000 works of art from virtually every culture.
  • Frank Lloyd Wright - Weltzheimer/Johnson House The first Usonian house in Ohio and one of the few in the nation open to the public.

Understand
This is a region article; detailed listings go in the city articles, district articles, rural area articles or (national) park articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.

Lorain county is rich with history, with almost every city within having some kind of historical museums. However, you will find that most residents, especially younger people, will not even be aware of their own town's history. Take a trip to the local Historical Society in whichever town you are visiting to get a good overview of the history.

Oberlin College - Tappan Square Bandstand

Get in

By plane
This is a region article; detailed listings go in the city articles, district articles, rural area articles or (national) park articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.

By boat

There is no public transportation available via boat, how ever there are day site seeing cruises available on Lake Erie.

By car

  • SR 6 E/W 2 lane follows lake shore. Scenic.
  • SR 2 E/W 4 lane.
  • I 80/90 Turnpike E/W Indiana to Pennsylvania
  • SR 58 2 lane N/S
  • SR 53 2 lane N/S

By bus

By train

Get around

You may rent a car at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport if you are flying in. Taxis are available, but for long distances you will pay a pretty penny.

Enterprise and Hertz have local rental offices.

Do
This is a region article; detailed listings go in the city articles, district articles, rural area articles or (national) park articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.
  • Lorain County Fair, ☏ +1 440 647-2781. August 24th-30th. The Lorain County Fair offers a fantastic family activity complete with rides, crafts, live music, and their famous demolition derby. You can also take a ride on an old fashion steam train for 15$ 
  • Lake Erie Crushers Professional Baseball, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon, ☏ +1 440 934-3636. The Crushers are Lorain County's professional minor league baseball team. The Crushers are not affiliated with any major ball club, and instead, compete in the Frontier League, an association of twelve Midwestern baseball teams. In 2009, the state-of-the-art All Pro Freight Stadium was constructed. 
  • Speedway Slots and Hobbies, 46400 Telegraph Rd., Amherst, ☏ +1 440 986-2298. Speedway Slots and Hobbies has 1:24 scale slot car racing on a 100ft and a 160 ft road course track. No experience or equipment needed. Fun for the whole family. 
  • Jamie's Flea Market, 46388 Telegraph Rd., Amherst, ☏ +1 440 986-4402. Northeast Ohio's Largest Flea Market. Open year round on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8AM to 4PM. 200 inside booths and 400 spaces for outdoor vendors. 
  • [dead link] Main Street Oberlin, 13 South Main St., 2nd Floor, Oberlin, ☏ +1 440 775-2423. Fantastic art boutiques, clothing shops, restaurants, and specialty shops can all be found in Oberlin's historic downtown district. 
  • [dead link] Main Street Wellington, P.O. Box 1, 118 West Herrick Ave., Wellington, ☏ +1 440 647-3987. Main Street in Wellington offers shopping opportunities and an array of historic homes dating as far back as the 1830s. 
  • Main Street Vermilion, 685 Main St., Vermilion, ☏ +1 440 963-0772. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the historic harbour town of Vermilion is filled with specialty shops, restaurants, art galleries, and well-maintained captain's homes. 
  • Main Street Amherst, 225 Park Ave., Amherst, ☏ +1 440 984-6709. Atune with its designation as the Sandstone Center of the World, downtown Amherst has striking sandstone architecture, wonderful shopping opportunities and a tangible sense of the town's rich history. 
  • The Shoppes of Olde Avon Village, 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon. The Shoppes of Olde Avon Village are a combination of modern specialty shops and restored, nineteenth century homes. Antiques, folk art, craft supplies and hobby needs are among the things you can find there. 
  • Bonnie Brae Farms, 27717 Quarry Rd., Wellington, ☏ +1 440 647-3232. One hundred years old, Bonnie Brae Farms is a champion Elk farm in Ohio's gorgeous rolling countryside. On special days, tours of the farm are available. 
  • Miller's Apple Hill, 50549 State Route 113, Amherst, ☏ +1 440 965-7077. Come from mid-September to late October to pick apples in Miller's large and varied orchard, or stop by any time of the year to browse the bulk food store. 
  • Grobe Fruit Farm, 43875 Telegraph Rd., Elyria, ☏ +1 440 332-8312. Open July through April, Grobe Fruit Farm offers fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, and pastuerized cider. 
  • Golf. Lorain County is home to several excellent golf courses, ranging in price and difficulty level. Just a few options: Forest Hills Golf Course, 41971 Oberlin-Elyria Road, Elyria, +1 440 323-2632 / Bob-O-Link Golf Course, 4141 Cneter Rd., Avon, +1 440 934-6217. 
  • Oberlin College, 101 N. Professor St., Oberlin, ☏ +1 440 775-8411. Oberlin College is one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges and conservatories. Year round the college plays host to a multitude of events, ranging from concerts, to theatre performances, to speakers, and festivals. 
  • [formerly dead link] Splash Zone, 95 West Hamilton St., Oberlin, ☏ +1 440 774-5059. Splash Zone is Lorain County's aquatic complex. With both indoor and outdoor facilities, Splash Zone is open year round. Slides, tot pools, a fitness room, and handicap accessibility make Splash zone a fun time for the whole family. 
  • FAVA-Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, 87 North Main St., Oberlin, ☏ +1 440 775-8665. Located in downtown Oberlin, the FAVA gallery hosts changing exhibits of high quality visual art year round. 
  • Ginko Gallery, 19 South Main St., Oberlin, ☏ +1 440 774-3117. Ginko Gallery is a working fiberart studio and gallery in downtown Oberlin, which features the work of over 250 individuals. Local artists can be seen in small studios within Ginko crafting their pieces. 
  • Stocker Arts Center, 1005 North Abbe Rd., Elyria, ☏ +1 440 366-4040. Lorain County Community College's Stocker Center is one of Ohio's top performance and visual arts venues. The center hosts music, theatre, and dance performances, while also featuring gallery exhibitions from students, community members, and professional artists. The center houses a 994-seat theatre, 219-seat lecture hall, smaller theatre, cinema, dance studio, rehearsal hall, and art gallery. 
  • [formerly dead link] Schoeple Garden, Just of State Route 113 on Market Street in Birmingham, ☏ +1 440 965-7237. Schoeple Garden, located near the Vermilion River, is composed of 70 acres of beautiful botanical gardens and natural woodland. Guided tours are available. 

Eat
This is a region article; detailed listings go in the city articles, district articles, rural area articles or (national) park articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.
  • Eat' N Park, 1524 W. River Rd. N., Elyria, ☏ +1 440 324-3286. Casual neighborhood restaurant featuring an Espresso Bar, cafe, an in-house bakery, seasonal specials, bountiful soup and salad bar, Eat'n Smart selections and a breakfast and fruit buffet. 
  • Garden Restaurant at Oberlin Inn, 7 N. Main St., Oberlin, ☏ +1 440 775-1111. The chef prepares fine traditional American cuisine that has received recognition for dining excellence. 
  • Jackalope Lakeside, 301 Lakeside Ave., Lorain, ☏ +1 440 288-2051. Lorain's casual restaurant with a fine dining menu situated on the shores of Lake Erie overlooking the Lorain Lighthouse. Great steaks, seafood, pasta, and more. 
  • Mr. D's, 1825 Lorain Blvd., Elyria, ☏ +1 440 324-5411. Located in Elyria's Holiday Inn, Mr. D's is open daily, offering Early Bird Dinner specials, Soup and Salad buffet, and Sunday Brunch. 
  • Moosehead Grill, 7660 Leavitt Rd., Amherst (SR 58), ☏ +1 440 985-7429. Cleveland Rib-Burn-Off award winning baby back ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, certified Angus beef prime steaks, fresh seafood and pastas, full service bar in a log cabin. 
  • Nemo Grille, 36976 Detroit Rd., Avon, ☏ +1 440 934-0061. Open every day for dinner, the Nemo Grille serves "globally influenced American cuisine in the historic 1850 Alten House." 
  • [dead link] Rose Cafe, 1800 West Eire Ave., Lorain, ☏ +1 440 233-7272. Open Monday-Saturday for breakfast and lunch, and Sunday's for brunch, the Rose Cafe serves soup and sandwich fare on gorgeous Lakeview beach. 
  • Smitty's Place, 368 E. Bridge St., Elyria, ☏ +1 440 323-9708. Smitty's features a great lunch and dinner menu along with excellent happy hour and beverage selections. Smitty's provides a family friendly dining room and patio seating in warm weather as well as bar seating where the sports are always on. 
  • Sugarcreek Restaurant, 5196 Detroit Rd., Sheffield, ☏ +1 440 934-5059. Open daily, Sugarcreek Restaurant offers Amish-style cooking, friendly service, and a family dining atmosphere. 
  • [formerly dead link] The Spitzer Café at the Spitzer Conference Center, 1005 Abbe Rd., North Elyria, ☏ +1 440 336-4100. The Spitzer Café, located on the Lorain County Community College Campus, offers an upscale buffet experience. 
  • Strip, a Steakhouse, 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon, ☏ +1 440 934-9900. Located in the Olde Avon Village in the historic Ewers Barn. 
  • The Tree House Gallery and Tea Room, 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon, ☏ +1 440 934-1636. Located in Avon's picturesque French Creek District, the Tea Room is open daily for lunch, serving sandwiches, wraps, and salads. 

Drink
This is a region article; detailed listings go in the city articles, district articles, rural area articles or (national) park articles. This article should only provide a brief overview.
  • John Christ Winery, 32421 Walker Rd, ☏ +1 440 933-9672. John Christ Winery produces many award winning wines that are produced and bottled on the premises. Retail and tasting hours are daily. The bar is open Thursday through Sunday. 
  • [dead link] Klingshirn Winery Inc., 33050 Webber Rd, Avon Lake, ☏ +1 440 933-6666. On a third generation family farm, Klingshirn Winery boasts an excellent selection of wines and wine accessories. 
  • Matus Winery, 15674 Gore Orphanage Rd, Wakeman, ☏ +1 440 774-9463. Enjoy award-winning wines and beautiful Ohio countryside on the 75- year-old Matus Farm. 
  • Paper Moon Vineyards, State Route 60 & Kneisel Road, Vermilion, ☏ +1 440 967-2500. Situated just west of the historic harbour town of Vermillion, Paper Moon Vineyards offers an extension selection of wines and live music on Saturday nights. 
  • Vermilion Valley Vineyards, 11005 Gore Orphanage Rd, Wakeman (1/2 mile south of SR 113), ☏ +1 440 965-5202. We are located at 11005 Gore Orphanage Road, South of State Route 113 in Henrietta Township, in the central coastal region of Northern Ohio. The location is easily accessible from Interstate 80 (Ohio Turnpike) and State Route 2. 

Sleep

Stay safe

Lorain County is a safe place to be. Theft can be an issue however. Make sure your car is locked, and all personal items within your possession.

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Adjacent Counties

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