Overview
Oberlin is a city in Ohio's Lorain County. The population was 8,200 in 2019. It is known as the home of Oberlin College and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music as well as many innovations in the fields of natural science, filmmaking and music composition.
5 sights · 4 things to do · 8 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Oberlin
Oberlin College
Aside from being an excellent liberal arts school, Oberlin offers a unique cultural experience in the middle of rural Ohio. The school is known for its liberal and progressive leanings, and the campus sees its share of d…
Allen Memorial Art Museum
The AMAM is a world-renowned art museum. As far as college art museums go, it is in the same league as Harvard's or Yale's, and offers an impressive selection unparalleled for Northeast Ohio. The building was designed by…
Frank Lloyd Wright House
The first Usonian house in Ohio and one of the few in the nation open to the public.
The Oberlin Heritage Center
The Apollo Theater
This historic art deco theater was one of the first to introduce the world to talking pictures back in 1928. But even today, the Apollo attracts more than the college crowd for their low prices, beautiful interior and fr…
Firelands Association for the Visual Arts
An independent, non-profit art organization dedicated to enhancing public appreciation of and participation in the visual arts through exhibitions and related educational and community activities. FAVA presents changing …
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 — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CAK Akron Canton Regional Airport, Akron — 48 mi away. Directions
Oberlin is on Route 58 (North/South) between Amherst and Wellington as well as on Route 511 (East/West). Within the city limits, R58 is known as Main Street and R511 is known as Lorain St. Route 20 (where it is also known as Kipton East Road) runs south of town and connects to R58.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Oberlin College, Allen Memorial Art Museum, The Apollo Theater
- Lunch Black River Cafe
- Afternoon The Oberlin Heritage Center, Oberlin Summer Theater Festival
- Dinner Mandarin
- Evening Feve
Day 2
- Morning Frank Lloyd Wright House, Firelands Association for the Visual Arts
- Lunch Aladdin's
- Afternoon Artist Recital Series
- Dinner Lorenzo's Pizza
- Evening Brewster's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Chain fast-food restaurants are also available.
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.
Get in
Oberlin is on Route 58 (North/South) between Amherst and Wellington as well as on Route 511 (East/West). Within the city limits, R58 is known as Main Street and R511 is known as Lorain St. Route 20 (where it is also known as Kipton East Road) runs south of town and connects to R58.
Oberlin is approximately 35 miles west-southwest of Cleveland, Ohio.
While public transportation between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been discontinued, a private service, the Airport Oberlin Shuttle, has attempted to pick up the slack, albeit with fewer scheduled departures and a higher ticket price. To make reservations or for questions, call Airport Oberlin Shuttle Service, INC at +1 440 775-7779 or +1 216 941-RIDE or visit http://www.airportoberlinshuttle.com. Reservations can be made by phone, online, or by visiting their office. Airport Oberlin Shuttle Service's office is located on the first floor of the Oberlin Inn in Suite 117.
Car rental service from all the national providers, as well as taxi service to Oberlin, are also available at CLE.
Get around
Due to its small size (approximately 3 square mi), it is easiest to walk or bike around Oberlin. Navigation is fairly simple as the streets run mostly in a standard grid system. There are two major east/west streets (Lorain/511 and College St) which are divided by Main/58 into East/West Lorain and East/West College. North/south streets are divided by College St (ex: Pleasant St. is divided into North/South Pleasant by College St. There are many scenic biking trails on Oberlin's periphery that converge on Tappan Square in downtown Oberlin.
Downtown Oberlin is at the corner of Main and College. The central square, Tappan Square, is across College St. from downtown and is a square block with corners at Main/College Sts., Main/Lorain Sts., N Professor/Lorain Sts., and Professor/College Sts. The Oberlin College campus is just west of Tappan Square (the Student Union building, Wilder Hall, is at 127 W. Lorain St).
See
See Oberlin College
Aside from being an excellent liberal arts school, Oberlin offers a unique cultural experience in the middle of rural Ohio. The school is known for its liberal and progressive leanings, and the campus sees its share of drifters moving through, particularly within the Bohemian co-ops on campus. The school is very beautiful in the Spring and Summer. Oberlin College has always taken great pride in its architectural heritage, and visiting the campus is like seeing a slice of New York architecture in Ohio. Beaux-Arts architect Cass Gilbert designed many buildings on campus. World Trade Center architect Minoru Yamasaki designed the Conservatory. The campus features many Gothic and Victorian specimens as well, all well-preserved. Architecture buffs will be pleasantly surprised with Oberlin. The Conservatory attracts lots of great musicians to the school, which also has a very active cultural life. On any given night, there are usually several attractions or events taking place anywhere in the vicinity.
See Allen Memorial Art Museum
The AMAM is a world-renowned art museum. As far as college art museums go, it is in the same league as Harvard's or Yale's, and offers an impressive selection unparalleled for Northeast Ohio. The building was designed by Cass Gilbert and the addition by postmodern architect Robert Venturi. Contains more than 12,000 works of art from virtually every culture.
See Frank Lloyd Wright House
The first Usonian house in Ohio and one of the few in the nation open to the public.
See Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA)
An independent, non-profit art organization dedicated to enhancing public appreciation of and participation in the visual arts through exhibitions and related educational and community activities. FAVA presents changing exhibits of high quality artwork in a variety of styles and media.
Do
Do The Apollo Theater
This historic art deco theater was one of the first to introduce the world to talking pictures back in 1928. But even today, the Apollo attracts more than the college crowd for their low prices, beautiful interior and frequent screenings of cult films.
Do Oberlin Summer Theater Festival
Buy
Shop Main Street Oberlin
Fantastic art boutiques, clothing shops, restaurants, and specialty shops can all be found in Oberlin's historic downtown district.
Shop Dave's Army Navy
Eat
Budget
Chain fast-food restaurants are also available.
Mid-range
Eat Black River Cafe
Americana with an emphasis on organic foods. It also serves dinner.
Eat Mandarin
Chinese and Japanese.
Eat Lupita's Mexican Restaurant
Popular local Mexican restaurant. Delicious food, large portions, reasonable prices.
Splurge
Eat Weia Teia
Offers Asian and American ingredients fused with Asian, French, and Italian techniques.
Eat Presti's of Oberlin
Italian restaurant.
Eat Garden Restaurant at Oberlin Inn
Traditional American cuisine that had received recognition for dining excellence.
Drink
Drink Feve
Bar and restaurant. A popular local hang out. Occasionally features live music. Plus, where else can you get a side of tater tots with your meal? Lovely bar to sit at and relax.
Drink Agave Burrito Bar and Tequileria
Bar and restaurant. Occasionally features live music.
Drink Matus Winery
Enjoy wines and beautiful Ohio countryside on the 75-year-old Matus Farm.
Drink Vermilion Valley Vineyards
Easily accessible from Interstate 80 (Ohio Turnpike) and State Route 2.
Sleep
There are several locally owned and operated B&Bs.
Go next
Nearby
Amherst
City / town · 19 listings · 7 mi away
Elyria
City / town · 27 listings · 8 mi away
Wellington
City / town · 15 listings · 8 mi away
Lorain
City / town · 20 listings · 11 mi away
Vermilion
City / town · 26 listings · 12 mi away
North Ridgeville
City / town · 8 listings · 13 mi away
Avon
City / town · 18 listings · 15 mi away
Sheffield Lake
City / town · 6 listings · 15 mi away
My experience
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