Overview
Amherst is a city of 12,000 people (2018) in the Greater Cleveland area, near the Lake Erie shore. It has been called the Sandstone Center of the World. Its quarries were an important source of grindstones. There were nine sandstone quarries in the area operating at the peak of production. Many early buildings are constructed of native sandstone.
3 sights · 9 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Amherst
Amherst Historical Society & Sandstone Village
Step back into the 1800s.
Amherst Heritage House
Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Lorain County
Miller's Apple Hill
Come from mid-September to late October to pick apples in Miller's large and varied orchard, or stop by any time of the year to browse the bulk food store.
Timber Ridge Campground
The Kneaded Touch
Spa.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Apr. (climate data from nearby Cleveland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CLE Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland — 19 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CAK Akron Canton Regional Airport, Akron — 52 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Neiding Park, Amherst Historical Society & Sandstone Village
- Lunch Jefferson 150 Restaurant
- Afternoon Miller's Apple Hill, Workshop Players
- Dinner Moosehead Grill
Day 2
- Morning Amherst Heritage House, Timber Ridge Campground
- Afternoon Single Tree Winery, Speedway Slots and Hobbies
Day 3
- Morning Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Lorain County, The Kneaded Touch
- Afternoon Art Gallery at Sandstone Village, Main Street Amherst
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Amherst is 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Lake Erie.
Climate
Amherst had a humid continental climate typical of much of the Central United States, with very warm to hot, humid summers and cold winters with moderate snow.
See
See Amherst Heritage House
See Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Lorain County
Do
Do Timber Ridge Campground
Do Workshop Players
Do Single Tree Winery
Nestled in seventeen acres, complete with a tasting room, an upstairs party room, and an outdoor picnic area.
Do Art Gallery at Sandstone Village
Contains the work of Neal Jenne, Artist in Residence, as well as the works of many area artists.
Do Neiding Park
Buy
Shop Don Mould's Plantation West
Eat
Eat Moosehead Grill
Cleveland Rib-Burn-Off award winning baby back ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, certified Angus beef prime steaks, fresh seafood and pastas, full service bar in a log cabin.
Sleep
Stay Days Inn
Stay Motel 6
Go next
Cedar Point is nearby on 2 West.
Get in and around
By far the most common mode of transportation to and within Amherst is by car. However the downtown area is walkable. State Route 2 runs west to east through the northern portion of Amherst providing access from downtown Cleveland (25 minutes), its suburbs and Sandusky, Ohio. There are two exit/entrance ramps in the city (Oak Point Road and State Route 58).
The Ohio Turnpike also runs west to east along the City's southern border and there is one (exit/entrance) ramp just south of the city in Amherst Township at State Route 58.
Parts of the city are served by the Lorain County Transit system.
Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) is the nearest international airport; it is approximately 35 minutes east of the city.
Nearby
Lorain
City / town · 20 listings · 5 mi away
Elyria
City / town · 27 listings · 6 mi away
Oberlin
City / town · 26 listings · 7 mi away
Vermilion
City / town · 26 listings · 8 mi away
Sheffield Lake
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
North Ridgeville
City / town · 8 listings · 11 mi away
Avon
City / town · 18 listings · 11 mi away
Avon Lake
City / town · 11 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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