Fairfield County combines outdoor recreation with cultural experiences. You can choose from a range of themes as you plan: expansive natural areas, specific fishing opportunities, glassblowing, historic architecture and an annual October event. If you’re looking for hotels, you can first decide which theme you want to shape your stay.
Natural Areas and Water Activities
Clear Creek Metro Park encompasses 5,470 acres of forest, with Blackhand sandstone cliffs, ravines and streams. Its access points are along Clear Creek Road. Fishing is possible at 5-acre Lake Ramona and from the dam at Lake Emily. Allen F Beck State Nature Preserve encompasses 4,729 acres and is the largest state nature preserve in Ohio.
There are also different options for trails and water activities. The Hickory Trail (West Loop) in Mambourg Park is approximately 1.33 miles long; the first 0.25 miles are accessible. On the Canal Heritage Trail, visitors can paddle in Millersport along a quiet, tree-lined stretch of the preserved Ohio & Erie Canal. In Ohio, this historic waterway is one of the few places where paddling is possible. Fishing, paddling and a trail with a designated accessible section are thus distinct options to consider when planning.
Glass, Art and Activities for Children
Tours at the Ohio Glass Museum explore the history of glassmaking, from early methods to modern production techniques. Glassblowing demonstrations are offered during regular museum hours; hands-on classes let visitors create their own works of art. A tour, a demonstration and making something yourself offer three different ways to experience the subject. If you plan to attend a demonstration, check the museum’s hours in advance.
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio offers public programs with lectures, workshops, gallery talks and art classes for children and adults. AHA! features more than 60 interactive exhibits for children from six months to eight years old; the number of exhibits may change. Alongside activities focused on art and crafts, there are also exhibits designed for a specifically stated age range.
Architecture and History
The Georgian Museum was built in 1832 for Samuel and Sarah Maccracken by local builder Daniel Sifford. The brick and regional sandstone house features elements of the Federal and Greek Revival styles. Tours of three restored floors cover the Maccracken family, influential families who lived there and Lancaster’s development from a frontier town into a city. As tour arrangements may change, it’s a good idea to check the latest tour details before your visit.
The Sherman House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Civil War Preservation Trail. Its gardens include a kitchen garden, a medicinal herb garden and a garden of native Ohio plants. In the Square 13 Historic District, visitors can see historic homes and buildings in more than a dozen different architectural styles. These places offer different points of focus: house gardens and building architecture complement the history presented on tours at the Georgian Museum.
Local Experiences and an October Event
The Route 33 Brew Trail lets visitors explore and sample the variety of craft beers at breweries south of Columbus. Visitors can get a trail pass at a participating brewery or at the Fairfield County Visitor Center, 128 N. Broad Street in Lancaster.
The Fairfield County Fair is an annual tradition that lasts seven days in October. Its set time of year distinguishes it from nature and cultural themes that aren’t tied to this month. If you want the fair to shape your stay, check the dates for the relevant year when planning.
Discover more destinations: Pickerington, Lancaster, Clermont County, Monroe, Lawrence, Brown County, Butler, Jefferson.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
