23 Fun Things to do in Wooster, Ohio (2024)

Looking for things to do in Wooster, Ohio? Never heard of Wooster, Ohio? No worries, it’s not as popular as the three C’s: Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati, but Wooster is only a short trip from the major cities and has a lot to offer, from the arts to sports, history, and more.

Pinned location of Wooster, Ohio

About Wooster, Ohio

The city of Wooster is located in northeast Ohio in Ohio’s Amish country. It is the county seat and heart of Wayne County and has a population of approximately 26,000 people as of the 2020 census.

Wooster is known for its historic downtown area, which features a variety of locally owned shops, restaurants, and cafes. The city is also home to the College of Wooster, one of America’s premier colleges for liberal arts, founded in 1866.

The city has a strong agricultural tradition, and is known for its production of dairy products, poultry, and grains. The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, which is affiliated with Ohio State University, is located in Wooster.

If you’ve been wanting to visit, here are 23 things to do in Wooster, Ohio.

23 Fun Things to do in Wooster, Ohio

1. Get crafty at A Time to Craft:

If you are at all crafty, check out A Time to Craft! They offer classes in a variety of mediums including crocheting, mosaics, painting, quilting, and stained glass. They also have classes that are specifically designed for kids!

Need to sew something? You can bring your own machine or rent theirs to complete a project! They occasionally have “Sit and Stitch Mondays” where you bring your own project to work on while socializing with others. There is an associated fee, but registration is not required.

2. Take a class at Flex Yoga Wooster:

Flex Yoga Wooster not only offers a variety of yoga classes for all skill levels, but they also have classes in aerial hammock, fitness, and barre. They also offer Reiki, Dry Needling, Massage, and Sound Healing by appointment.

3.   Explore the Wayne County Historical Society and Museum:

The Wayne County Historical Society and Museum features exhibits on Ohio’s history, especially of Wayne County, and the surrounding area. It includes displays of the area’s agriculture, industry, and culture and houses a collection of over 40,000 artifacts. The artifacts include clothing, furniture, tools, and household items, as well as a large collection of photographs and documents.

They have a permanent collection of items on display, which their website says is completely accessible to those with disabilities. Some of their permanent collection rooms include a 1904 Room, an art gallery, a multipurpose room, and a bird and animal section.

Tours of the grounds and historical buildings are also offered. Some of the buildings you can tour are a one-room schoolhouse from 1873, a lady’s dress shop, a General Mercantile Store, an 1800 firehouse replica, and more. Tours are currently held on Saturdays from 1-4 pm, March through December. Check out their home page for more information.

4.   Have a drink at the JAFB-Wooster Brewery:

JAFB-Wooster Brewery is a unique drinking and dining experience as it is BYOF (bring your own food). The brewery does not have a kitchen, but they often have food trucks on location, as well as other dining options that will deliver to the taproom! Be sure to check out their Facebook page to see the food truck schedule.

5. Visit the Shisler’s Cheese House:

Shisler’s Cheese House is a family-owned cheese shop that has been in business since 1958. They offer a variety of cheeses, meats, chocolates, jams, jellies, and other gourmet foods. If you’re not able to visit in person, you can still order their delicious items from their website!

Photo Courtesy of Mark Stebnicki

6. Visit the Cat’s Meow Village:

The Cat’s Meow Village is a store that sells miniature wooden replicas of buildings, landmarks, and scenes from around the world. They can make wooden homes, especially for you, including one of your own home!

7. Ramseyer Farms:

Open during September and October, Ramseyer Farms is a local favorite and a wonderful place to spend a fall day. With the price of admission, you have access to over 50 activities including pumpkin picking, giant slides, corn crib chutes, giant corn mazes, farm animals, jump pad, hayrides, two pedal cart race tracks, gift shop, wheelchair swing, giant rocking chair, teeter totters, and much, MUCH more! You can easily spend the entire day here, which is exactly what we did!

In the past, Ramseyer Farms has done special events such as Nurse Appreciation Day, Grandparents Day, Sensory Friendly Day, Sunflower Days, and no-so-scary Halloween days.

Check out their events page and click here to purchase tickets.

They also offer tent rentals for 60-80 guests, as well as campfire rentals and party tables.

8.   Visit the Local Farmers’ Market:

From May to October, the Farmers’ Market is held in Historic Downtown Wooster every Saturday. Here, you can find fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, wine, baked goods, grass-fed beef, plants for your garden, fresh flowers, honey, goat personal care items, musicians, and much more! The market occurs rain or shine!

Photo Courtesy of Mark Stebnicki

9.   Take a hike at the Secrest Arboretum:

This free Arboretum is a 110-acre garden and research center located on the campus of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, part of The Ohio State University. The Seacrest Arboretum is perfect for any nature lover as it features a variety of gardens, walking paths, picnic sites, educational exhibits, and a play area called the Adventure Garden. There is also a water garden, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, and an amphitheater.

This is a perfect spot for a family or group picnic and there are guided tours, self-guided walks, plant sales, and community events throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy the gardens all year round from dawn to dusk. The education center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission and parking are free.

10.   Visit the Ohio Light Opera:

The Ohio Light Opera (OLO) is a musical theater that features a repertoire of operettas and musicals. The performances take place in the beautiful Freedlander Theatre, located on the campus of the College of Wooster. During the summer season, the OLO may have more than 50 performances of at least six different shows. Check out their performance calendar and purchase tickets online.

11. Sample Ohio-made wine at Blue Barn Winery:

The grapes used to make the wine are grown, pressed, fermented, and bottled right on the farm. They have a variety of both red and white wines. Saturday nights throughout the summer months, the farm is host to Ohio bands playing live music.

The winery is open seasonally, so be sure to check out their calendar of events ahead of time and/or their Facebook page. They also allow you to book their beautifully restored Civil War-era Blue Barn for event gatherings and celebrations!

Photo courtesy of Elle Hughes

12. Christmas Run Park:

Christmas Run Park is a great place to let the kids burn off some energy. This amazing park has a public pool along with basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts. There are many amenities such as pavilions available for rent, grills, restrooms, drinking fountains, and a playground that “features a zip-line, tree house with fire pole, swings, and ADA accessible walking path”.

13. Go shopping and have brunch or lunch at Local Roots Market & Cafe:

The Local Roots Market is a co-op focused on promoting locally-grown produce, food, and art. There is also a café that offers a new menu each day, as a different chef prepares meals from scratch. Dine-in or take-out is available.

Photo courtesy of Erik Scheel

14. There is lots to do at the Pine Tree Barn:

You can purchase a membership to go fishing at Large Lake, dine at the Granary Restaurant, check out their farm of Christmas trees, and pick out the perfect one to take home, and visit their year-round Christmas shop. They also have home furnishings for sale and their own interior design staff to help you pick out the perfect piece.

15.   Visit the amusement park Acres of Fun Family Fun Park:

Acres of Fun Family Fun Park is packed full of family-friendly fun! Mini-golf, arcade, batting cages, bumper boats, laser tag, roller skating rink, outdoor go-karts, and a play zone (just for those 12 and under to run, slide, jump, crawl through tubes, ball pits, and more). There is also an on-site restaurant offering food items such as chicken fingers, hamburgers, and pizza.

Acres of Fun (Photos Courtesy of Jason Shaffer)

16. Take a walking tour of downtown Wooster:

Downtown Wooster is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. Many of these attractions have been made possible by the efforts of Main Street Wooster, Inc., an organization dedicated to revitalizing and preserving downtown Wooster.

17.   Play a round of golf:

Wooster has a few golf courses, including the Wooster Country Club. This private county club boasts a unique 18-hole course. The original 9-hole course opened in 1903, while the front 9-hole course wasn’t built until 1974.

Assuming you don’t want to become a member of the club for a short stay, you can check out L.C. Boles Golf Course, which is open to the public. It offers a putting green, driving range, sand and chipping area, and a pro shop. The course usually opens in April and on select days during the offseason. Be sure to check out their website for more information.

Photo Courtesy of Tyler Hendy

18. Check out the art exhibits at the Wayne Center for the Arts:

The Wayne Center for the Arts hosts a variety of art exhibits and workshops throughout the year. Check out their event schedule.

19. Attend a concert or performance of the Wooster Symphony Orchestra:

The orchestra performs a variety of classical and contemporary music throughout the year. The orchestra is comprised of students and members of the community. Check out their event schedule to see when they are performing.

20. Go bowling at Wayne Lanes:

Wayne Lanes is a family-friendly bowling alley that features 16 lanes, a snack bar, billiards, and indoor mini-golf.

Photo courtesy of Matthias Zomer

21. Attend a movie at the Movies 10 cinema:

The Movies 10 cinema features 10 screens and shows a variety of films throughout the year.

22.   Visit the Wayne County Speedway:

The Wayne County Speedway outdoor racetrack is located a few miles east of Wooster and hosts dirt track racing events from April through September. Be sure to check out their event schedule.

23.   Attend the Wayne County Fair:

If you happen to be visiting Wooster during the month of September, be sure to check out the annual Wayne County Fair. The fair features carnival rides, live music, and agricultural exhibits. If you are visiting Wooster any other time of the year, the fairgrounds still offer other attractions, exhibits, and shows. Be sure to check out their calendar of events.

Photo courtesy of Lalu Fatoni

Overall, Wooster is a vibrant community that offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty with options for every member of the family to enjoy! Wooster is only a short drive from Cleveland or Columbus so come visit northeastern Ohio, and have a great time checking out the local events, unique history, and beautiful surrounding areas.

Check out the About Page:

Roaming with Resilience: How I Found Solace and Joy in Travel Despite Anxiety

Feel free to contact us!!!

Some of our other posts: