Wapakoneta

Understand

Local information

• Wapakoneta town website

Get in

By plane

Wapakoneta is about 10 miles northeast of the Neil Armstrong airport in neighboring New Knoxville as well as roughly 16.5 miles southeast from the Lima Allen County Regional Airport (AOH), 700 Airport Dr, Lima. Wapakoneta is also a 50-minute drive from the Dayton International Airport (DAY), a 1½-hour drive from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), and a 1½-hour drive from Toledo Express Airport (TOL).

By car

Wapakoneta lies on i-75 and US-33. Wapakoneta is accessible North and South by exits 111 and 113 on i-75 as well as being accessible East and West by exits 38B, 37, 36, and 35 on US-33.

Get around

In the city center, the main hub is East Auglaize Street, which runs east–west just south of the Auglaize River. This street passes through Wapakoneta's historic downtown district, home to many of the city’s small local businesses, including antique shops, eateries, a coffee shop, and more. Downtown also hosts key community events like the Wapakoneta Summer Moon Festival in early July and the Children’s Hometown Holiday celebration in December.

To the southeast of town lies Wapakoneta’s major commercial and dining corridor along Bellefontaine Street, about one mile from downtown. Locals often refer to this area as “Hamburger Road” due to the many fast food options such as McDonald’s and Burger King. It also includes local favorites like El Azteca, La Neta Mexican Grill, and Max’s Dairy Bar. This district features the city’s primary shopping destinations, including Walmart, Aldi, Dollar Tree, and Lowe’s. At the eastern end of Bellefontaine Street, Interstate 75 (Exit 111) and U.S. Route 33 (Exit 38B) intersect near the TA Truck Stop. Located just east of this district along South Wood Street is one of Wapakoneta's most unique attractions: the Temple of Tolerance.

To the north of downtown, a secondary commercial corridor runs along Defiance Street and Lincoln Avenue. This area features additional dining and shopping options such as Happy Daz, RJ’s Coffey Cup, Community Market, and Dollar General. On the western end of the corridor is Grand View Plaza, a small strip mall offering a variety of local services and stores.

The Auglaize County Fairgrounds is located along West Auglaize Street, about 1.5 miles west of downtown. It has two entrances: one on Auglaize Street and another on Dearbaugh Avenue, which intersects Auglaize Street near the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office. The fairgrounds host events throughout the year, including the Auglaize County Fair in mid to late August, the St. Joseph 4th of July Festival, the Wapak Tug Fest in late May.

Stay safe

Wapakoneta is generally considered a safe and quiet community with a relatively low crime rate. As in many small towns, most reported incidents are non-violent in nature, such as petty theft or traffic violations. Visitors are advised to take standard safety precautions—such as locking vehicles and securing valuables—especially when visiting parks or attending large public events. The Wapakoneta Police Department maintains a visible presence in the community and responds promptly to any concerns.

The Wapakoneta Police Department is available for both emergency (911) and non-emergency situations. The non-emergency line is +1 419-738-2222. The city is also served by the Wapakoneta Fire Department, which provides fire protection and EMS services.

While Wapakoneta does not have a major hospital within city limits, it is located near two full-service hospitals in Lima (Ohio). These include Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center at 730 W Market St and Lima Memorial Health System at 1003 Bellefontaine Ave, both approximately 14 miles north of downtown. For non-urgent care, the city is home to Lima Memorial Health System’s Wapakoneta Medical Center—locally referred to as “Lincoln Memorial”— at 602 Redskin Trail in the northern part of the city, just off OH-501 near Wapakoneta High School.

Go next

• Indian Lake Region - region in Logan County, Ohio noted for being home to the Indian Lake reservoir which brings in thousands of visitors a year for water-related activities.
• Lima (Ohio) – A regional hub with a restored theater and classic Midwestern charm.