Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Cambridge, OH

  • Published 2022/08/11

Cambridge, Ohio, is the number one destination for tourists and conventioneers who want to experience the ultimate fun, excitement, and exploration.

The city is also renowned for its rich history and beautiful parks.

However, it has developed an identity with a great lineup of attractions as a modern-day city.

Here are some of the best things to do in Cambridge, Ohio:

Take a Walk at Cambridge City Park

Covered bridge at Cambridge City Park

Kenneth Keifer / Shutterstock.com

Cambridge City Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the area, with a nice walking path and many shade trees.

It is home to some great playground equipment and a great dog park for your canine friends.

The park also has a big parking lot, making it convenient for visitors.

Likewise, there are plenty of picnic tables, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost while you wait for your food.

Plenty of restrooms are available inside Cambridge City Park.

If you don’t want to hang out at the park all day, check out the nearby lakes or the nearby hickory ridge trail system.

Visit the National Museum of Cambridge Glass

The National Museum of Cambridge Glass is inside a former church built in the early 1900s.

It became a museum after getting destroyed in a 1996 fire.

Then, it also became one of Cambridge’s most popular attractions.

The museum features over 50 glass pieces from history created by famous artists like Dale Chihuly and Richard Raffield.

It also has an extensive collection of art glass, antique glassware, and Tiffany lamps.

If you’re looking for something unique to do while visiting Cambridge, Ohio, check out the National Museum of Cambridge Glass!

Explore the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center

The Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center is one of the most beautiful buildings in Ohio.

You can find it in Cambridge, with many fine restaurants and shops.

It also hosts many special events such as concerts, shows, political rallies, and sports.

The Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center can seat up to 14,500 people for basketball and 8,000 for ice hockey games.

It also offers seating for 2,500 people for tennis matches or concerts.

See the Wildlife at Deerassic Park

Located in Cambridge, the Deerassic Park is an outdoor educational center that provides lifelong learning and appreciation for nature and the outdoors.

Deerassic Park is a perfect destination for families.

This park has many attractions for children and adults.

It is a great place to spend the day with your family and friends.

The park has many attractions to delight people of all ages.

There are also many educational opportunities at Deerassic Park, including camps, programs, and workshops.

The center is a non-profit organization that promotes respect and compassion for the whitetail deer through exciting, engaging, and innovative educational programs and events.

Tour the Cambridge Performing Arts Centre

The Cambridge Performing Arts Centre is one of Ohio’s premiere performance venues.

It has become a hub for the arts community in Central Ohio for over 30 years and is home to the most talented performers in the region.

Founded in 1803, the city of Cambridge once enjoyed the nickname “the Athens of America” due to its high cultural activity.

Today, the city continues to be essential to Ohio’s cultural scene through its vibrant art and annual events like Artfest.

The event features more than 200 artists from around the world.

The Cambridge Performing Arts Centre has multiple auditoriums that can seat 1,200 people each.

However, it often hosts small performances from local musicians and artists who cannot fill larger spaces with their work.

The venue size is perfect for smaller shows such as solos or small musical groups that may not demand a large audience.

Feel the Excitement while Watching Living Word Outdoor Drama

The Living Word Outdoor Drama is a family-friendly event at Cambridge City Park.

This self-directed play portrays the Biblical story of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Likewise, this is the only outdoor passion play in Ohio.

The Living World Outdoor Drama features an exciting variety of activities, including games, crafts, food trucks, live music, and more.

Go Back in Time at Dickens Victorian Village

Decorated with authentic Victorian décor, Dickens Victorian Village is a must-see for anyone who loves the period.

This wonderful village is in Cambridge, Ohio, featuring more than 70 buildings, including a church, schoolhouse, and general store.

You can find several restaurants and shops within the village.

The location of Dickens Victorian Village makes it easy to explore all of Cambridge, Ohio’s attractions.

The village is just minutes from Lake Erie Countryside State Park and the Frank Lloyd Wright House Museum.

Both places are excellent choices for visitors looking for family-friendly activities.

Dickens Victorian Village isn’t just about history, though.

It’s also home to a collection of fun activities, making it an ideal destination for families with children!

In addition to its many shops and restaurants, the village hosts an annual Christmas parade on December 7th.

Visit the Guernsey County History Museum

The Guernsey County History Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of Guernsey County, Ohio.

The museum is in Cambridge, Ohio, and has an extensive collection of artifacts and documents related to the county’s history.

One of the most exciting items on display at the museum is a Civil War-era cannon used in the Battle of Philippi.

The Guernsey County History Museum has over 6,000 square feet of space on three floors.

The first floor houses exhibit about local history and a gift shop selling books, T-shirts, and other items relating to local history.

The second floor contains displays related to transportation, agriculture, and industry in Guernsey County.

There are also displays about early settlers and towns in the county.

The third-floor houses exhibit military units that served in World War I and World War II and paintings depicting battles from those wars.

The Guernsey County History Museum offers educational programs for middle- and high school students who wish to learn more about their community’s history.

These programs include guided tours with staff members who know about local history or related topics.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Bring Your family to Salt Fork State Park

Nature view at Salt Fork State Park

astro.nature / Shutterstock.com

Salt Fork State Park is a beautiful place for families to enjoy nature and spend time together.

It offers fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, picnicking, and a visitor center where you can learn about its rich history.

Beautiful flower at Salt Fork State Park

Elizabeth Shinko / Shutterstock.com

It has a small museum that tells the story of the salt mining industry that once thrived in this region.

If you love kayaking or canoeing and adventurous site seeing, this is the place for you!

Salt Fork State Park offers many different waterways to explore.

It is also known for its horseback riding trails that are great for those who love horses.

You can find this park in Lore City, Ohio, 11 minutes from Cambridge.

Stone house at Salt Fork State Park

Bwsmith84 at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Feel the Adventure at Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve

Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve is where people can get out and enjoy the outdoors.

The preserve has a variety of trails for different levels of difficulty and some great views of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

It also offers a camping area that can be reserved online or at the park’s office in Brecksville.

If you’re looking for a more active day, you can rent bikes from Brecksville Bike Trail Center at the Brecksville Metro Park entrance.

The facility also rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats. There is also an indoor training room where you can learn how to ride a bike safely before hitting the trails.

Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve is open all year round, but it’s best known for its spring wildflower blooms during May and June.

In addition to hiking trails, there are plenty of places to picnic, swim or relax by one of the numerous ponds on site.

Learn at Roscoe Village

Buildings at Roscoe Village

Madison Muskopf / Shutterstock.com

Roscoe Village is a historic district in Cambridge, Ohio, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the “Historic Resources of Guernsey County.”

It lists over 300 properties that are significant to Guernsey County’s history.

The district encompasses the area around Roscoe Avenue and Cleveland Avenue between Chestnut Street (SR 7) and McCord Road.

General store of Roscoe Village

Madison Muskopf / Shutterstock.com

The area was developed by George M. Roscoe (1812-1889), who opened his dry goods store in 1846 after moving from New York City, where he had operated another store since 1837.

His son John W. Roscoe ran it until his death in 1930, when it was taken over by his daughter Mary E., who also lived there at least part-time until she died in 1956.

Building at Roscoe Village

Madison Muskopf / Shutterstock.com

Explore the National Road/Zane Grey Museum

The Zane Grey Museum and the National Road are two most visited attractions near Cambridge, Ohio.

The National Road, also known as U.S. Route 40, is one of the nation’s most famous highways.

It runs from New York City to California, crossing several states, including Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In 1912, workers built the scenic roadway, named after Alexander Hamilton Stephens, governor of Ohio, from 1859–1861.

During that time, he helped create this road’s route through Ohio’s cities and townships across Butler County in southwest Ohio.

Zane Grey Museum features exhibits that explore the life and work of this legendary author and his family.

The museum also includes a theater that shows films about Zane Grey and a gift shop with his books and other related merchandise.

You can find the National Road/Zane Grey Museum in Norwich, Ohio, 21 minutes from Cambridge.

Discover History at John and Annie Glenn Historic Site

The John and Annie Glenn Historic Site is a place you don’t want to miss.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named it one of Ohio’s top 10 historical sites.

John and Annie Glenn moved to the area, becoming its first white settlers, getting married there in 1786.

The site comprises their home and the farm where they worked, a museum with artifacts from their lives, a nature trail, and picnic areas.

You can even find an old schoolhouse built in 1803, which welcomed students until 1940, when they replaced it with an elementary school building.

This site is in New Concord, Ohio, 14 minutes from Cambridge.

Final Thoughts

The Cambridge area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, history, and culture, along with music and arts events.

The surrounding area provides cultural facilities and regional events you can’t find in most other small towns.

Whether you are looking for activities for the whole family or a getaway from the stresses of everyday life, Cambridge, Ohio, is a great place to visit.

Book your trip today and try the best things to do in Cambridge!

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