During the twentieth century, Lima experienced the typical boom and bust years of Ohio’s other industrialized cities. In the early twentieth century, the oil industry continued to prosper as did Lima’s production of railroad products. As the oilfields dried up and Americans chose car and truck over railroad traffic, Lima suffered. Today, Lima is has been experiencing a resurgence with a lot of new and exciting projects in the works. #Limaohio Ohio History Central
First stop on Lima’s bucketlist should be the historic downtown. Stop in to see Artspace/Lima gallery and shop across the street at Alter Ego Comics. Dine on some amazing food at The Met, the Meeting Pace on Market, Old City Prime or Joey’s Italian Deli and Subs. See a show at the Veteran’s Center/Crouse Performance Hall. Attend a concert of the Lima Area Concert Band, or the Lima Symphony Orchestra. Don’t miss the famous downtown Kewpee Restaurant, a circa-1930’s diner which is the 2nd oldest hamburger franchise in the nation. Other great downtown eateries to try out include Zinum, and 318.
A little down the road on Market street, more culture awaits at the the MacDonell House Victorian Mansion, Allen County Museum, Children’s Garden, and the Lima library. Keep heading West on Market, Elm and High streets to see the beautiful historic homes and post office from a bygone era.
Other entertainment options include the Encore Theatre/Amil Tellers, and the Regal Cinema Movie Theatre. Have fun learning at the Schoonover Observatory in Schoonover Park, skating at the Edgewood Skate Arena, bowling at Westgate Entertainment Center, and swimming at the Winona Lake Swim & Tennis Club or the Lima Family YMCA. Other interesting stops include the Ft. Amanda Monument Park and Canoe Livery (visit the civil war site and then rent a canoe down the river), shop at the Lima Mall, watch races at the Limaland Motorsports Park, attend an event at the Allen County Fairgrounds, or shop at Lima’s seasonal Farmer’s Market.
After a day camping or relaxing at the Ottawa Metro Park Beach, see a live concert at the Park’s Amphitheater. Then take a leisure walk along the well marked path, past the disc golf area, to the Lauer Historical Farm. Other nice walks include a stroll through Faurot Park and Woodlawn cemetery, a walk around Bresler Reservoir or the quiet trails of the Lippincott Bird Sanctuary. Visit these posts to see other Lima parks and trails, especially Lima’s Rotary River Walk.
Other unique places of interest include the John H. Keller Memorial Railway Exhibit, Lima Fire Fighters Memorial Museum, and the Veterans Memorial Freedom Flag Monument. Shops to explore include Crankers Cycling, For the Love of Quilts, Simply Torn, The Amish Merchant, Lox Salon, Crystal Vision, One River Collective, Groamy’s CD’s and Tapes, Barnes and Noble, and Blooms.
Find delicious treats at Whippy Dip Icecream, Starbucks, MelloCreme Donuts, Dash & Joey’s Gourmet Smoothie & Juices, Sara’s Sweets, Coffe Amor, Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Gallery, Bread and Batter Lima, The Grind Cafe, Menchies, Pete’s Icecream, Cold Stone, Tim Hortons, Pat’s Donuts, Biggby Coffee, and Planet Health Nutrition Center. And don’t forget to check out the cool new downtown Vibe Coffeehouse and Cafe coming soon.
Dine in or get take out at a variety of great places, including; Olive Garden, Bangkok Bay, Thai Jasmine, Fat Jack’s Pizza, Vino Bellissimo’s, Mara’s Gourmet, LuLu’s Diner, Rigali’s Pizza Village, Beer Barrel, Cracker Barrel, Applebees, Panera, Bob Evans, Pizza Station, Old Barn Outback, Fazoli’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Milano’s Cafe, Bandido’s, Rapid Fire Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, Chipotle, Five Guys, IHop, Panda Express, Golden Corral, Bellacino’s, Penn Station, Jimmy John’s, Mark Pi’s, Happy Dayz, Bella Notta’s Pizza, Casa Lual, Yamato Steakhouse of Japan, Hunan Gardens, La Charreada, El Cazador, 12 East, Red Lobster, W.G. Grinders, Captain D’s, Buffalo Rings and Wings, Texas Roadhouse, Western Sizzlin, and the Shawnee Country Club.
Did you also know that Lima is a college town? Lima has the following colleges and universities: The Ohio State University at Lima, Rhodes State College, and University of Northwestern Ohio. Ohio Northern University is also nearby in Ada, Ohio.
And last but not least, don’t miss Lima’s Optimist Safety City – a recreated miniature city of Lima for educational school and group tours. Lima is a great place to raise a family with top schools in Shawnee and Bath Townships. Don’t overlook this great stop as you travel to nearby Detroit, MI, Fort Wayne, IN, or Dayton, Toledo, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.