Lancaster, Ohio is located on State Route 33, 20 minutes north of the Hocking Hills region and 30 minutes south of the city of Columbus. It offers a number of historic and entertaining options to tourists to the area.
The Georgian
History comes to life at The Georgian, a 19th century Federal style mansion-museum. The restored 1833 home features period furnishings of its builders, the McCracken family. It is located at 105 East Wheeling Street in Lancaster. The Georgian is also available for parties, reception dinners, and weddings. See picture above.
They are open 1 pm – 4 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Tour admission price is $6.00 for adults and $2.00 for students 6-18 years of age. A senior discount is available as well as a discount to tour both the Sherman House and the Georgian at the same time. For group tours call 740-654-9923 or email Fairfield Heritage at office@fairfieldheritage.org. Visit them on the internet at: www.thegeorgianmuseum.org
The Sherman House
The Sherman House is the birthplace of Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman and his brother Senator John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury and father of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Their childhood home on the city’s historic Square 13 is known as the Sherman House Museum. It contains displays of family and Civil War Memorabilia.
The Sherman House Museum is open Tuesday through Sundays 1 pm -4 pm. They are closed on holidays and Mondays. Admission is $6.00 for adults and $2 for students 6-18 years old. A senior discount is available. For group tours and discounts call 740-654-9923 or email the Fairfield Heritage Office at office@fairfielsheritage.org.
They are located at 137 East Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Give them a call at (740) 687-5891 or 740-654-9923.
Lancaster Festival
The annual Lancaster Festival of music and the arts is held every year the last two weeks in July. It features a renowned Symphony orchestra in two outdoor concerts which are held annually at the Ohio University Lancaster campus. Call (740) 687-4808 or visit their website at: www.lanfest.org
The Fairfield County Fair is held mid-October every year just as the fall leaves show their color.
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio at the Reese Peters House presents changing exhibitions, both historic and contemporary; celebrating the arts we live with and enjoy every day.
The magnificent 1835 mansion and the handsome Wendel Center for Art Education have a lively year-long schedule of classes, programs and special events scheduled.
Rental facilities are available for meetings and receptions. A gift shop offers unique specialties. They are located at 145 East Main Street in Lancaster. Call them at 740-681-1423. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm. www.decartsohio.org
Shaw’s Restaurant and Inn
Shaw’s Restaurant and Inn is within walking distance to the Georgian and Sherman House museums. After your exploring of Lancaster, if you want a nice place to eat, try Shaw’s. They have casual elegance, fine wines and romantic guest rooms located next to historic Lancaster. They are located at 123 North Broadway Street on Zane Square.
For information and reservations call 740-654-1842. Or visit their website at www.shawsinn.com
The Old Shoe Factory Antique Mall
In 2003 the Drew Shoe Factory was purchased, updated and converted into an antique mall. The historic 1800’s building has 60,000 square feet to browse and shop. Their address is 301 Forest Rose Avenue in Lancaster.
They are open Monday-Thursday from 10 am-6 pm and Friday and Saturday from 9 am-6 pm. They are closed on Sundays Phone them at 740-687-1760. Visit them on the internet at: www.oldshoeantiques.com
Ohio Glass Museum
The Ohio Glass Museum allows you to experience the process of blown glass creation. They have a Glass Blowing Studio which is open for demonstrations during regular museum hours. The glass museum frequently changes their exhibits throughout the year.
Glass Blowing Classes are offered for individuals or groups by appointment. Classes are taught by Mike Stephanie. Call him at 740-687-0101 to register.
You can also sign up for Flameworking Class or a making a Pandora Bracelet Bead Workshop with Teresa Cress. All your tools and supplies are provided. Students must be at least 14 years old. Classes must have a minimum of 4 students to run and a maximum of 6. Prior registration with the museum is necessary 740-687-0101.
The museum is open March-October: Tuesday-Sunday 1-4 pm and by appointment. They are closed on Mondays.
November-February they are open Tuesday-Saturday 1-4 pm and by appointment. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. They are closed most of the major holidays so call first before you go. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for students from 6-18 years old. Children under 6 are free. The Gift Shop Hours are 12-4 pm Tuesday-Friday and during regular business hours.
They are located at 124 West Main Street in Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Phone them at 740-687-0101. Visit them on the internet at : ohioglassmuseum.org
Fairfield County Historical Covered Bridges
Only the state of Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than Ohio and Fairfield County has the most in the state. They were built in the 1871-1906 era.
You can see pictures and descriptions of all 18 bridges here. There is even a map you can print with their locations.
Scuba Diving at Lakeview RV Park
If you scuba dive you can dive in a 16-acre, 50 feet deep spring fed stone quarry. It has an on-site refill station and camping possibilities. You will have a 10-30 feet visibility depending on the weather. You can even look for the twin-engine plane, the Frito Lay truck and swim among the bluegill, crappie, carp and some mussels and clams. They are located at 2715 Sugar Grove Road in Lancaster. Call them at 740-653-4519. www.rvatlakeview.com.
Skydive Columbus
The only place you can skydive in central Ohio is at Skydive Columbus. They have both tandem skydiving rides for the beginner and more advanced skydiver options. Not only will you be able to see the sights of Fairfield County but also the hills in Hocking County. They are located at the Fairfield County Airport at 3430 Old Columbus Road in Carroll. Call them at 614-203-0210. www.skydivecmh.com
Jet Pack Water Adventures, Inc.
Now you can learn to fly a hydro jetpack over water. You will wear an ultralight harness and then rocket 30 feet above or below the surface of the lake while propelled by a 200-horsepower marine engine that pumps 1000 gallons of water per minute up a 10-meter hose. All that power generates 420 pounds of thrust for an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You must be a good swimmer and 18 years or older. Life jackets and helmets are provided.
They are located at 2715 Sugar Grove Road, Lancaster, Ohio. Phone 740-359-8463. www.jetpackwateradventures.com.
Rockside Vineyard
View their vineyards and on-site winemaking. They have a pub-style tasting room and a covered patio. They are located at 2363 Lancaster-Newark Road in Lancaster. Phone them at 740-687-4414. www.rocksidevineyards.com
Skyview Drive In
I think going to the drive-in is becoming a thing of the past. In Lancaster you can pile the kids in the car and see not one but two currently running movies. Take your fold up chairs and watch a movie under the stars. I have done this with my kids during the summer months and it is great fun.
Warning: If you watch both movies you won’t get out until around 1:00 am. Keep this in mind if you have to drive back to your cabin In the Hocking Hills. It could take you at least an hour or more to get home. Be sure you know your way back to your cabin in the dark. I wouldn’t want you getting lost at that hour of the night.
So if you don’t mind driving back late at night and have a good sense of direction, check out their website to see what’s playing before you travel to and from the Hocking Hills They are located at 2420 East Main Street in Lancaster, Ohio. The ticket office opens at approximately 7:45 pm and movies start at approximately 9:15 pm. Call them at 877-286-6843 or 740-653-5517. Visit them on the web: www.skyviewdrivein.com
Geocaching in Fairfield County
Fairfield County has a History Geo Trail that started in May 2013. It is a fun and history learning activity for the whole family. All that is needed is a free account, GPS enabled device and the official puzzle sheet found here. For more information about geocaching go to www.geocaching.com.
The Fairfield County Ohio Visitors Bureau
The Fairfield County Visitors Bureau is located on the second floor of the Ohio Glass Museum at 124 West Main St, Suite 200, Lancaster, Ohio 43130 Call them at (740) 654-5929 or 1-800-626-1296 for more information. Or visit them on the internet at: www.visitfairfieldcounty.org
This was excerpted from, “Hocking Hills Highlights” E-Guidebook.
Copyright Terri Baker 2015