NORTHEAST OHIO
Shelby Ohio
ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
1. Seltzer Park
AQUATIC CENTER & RECREATION HUB | SHELBY OH
Seltzer Park features an 8,400-square-foot aquatic complex with Olympic-sized pool, waterslides, and toddler splash zone. The 22-acre park offers tennis courts, pickleball facilities, and a modern playground. Summer visitors enjoy shaded pavilions while winter brings ice skating opportunities at this four-season recreational destination.
2. Shelby Reservoirs
NATURE TRAILS & WATER SPORTS | SHELBY OH
Reservoir #3 offers 50 acres of surface water for kayaking and electric motor boating. The 3-mile wooded nature trail features interpretive signage about local flora/fauna. Anglers fish for stocked bass and catfish while hikers explore the 1.25-mile paved perimeter path with scenic overlooks.
3. Shelby Museum of History
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE EXHIBITS | SHELBY OH
Housed in a historic building, this museum showcases Shelby's manufacturing legacy including vintage bicycles and light bulb production equipment. Permanent exhibits feature the seamless steel tube innovation and displays about the still-functioning Centennial Light Bulb from Shelby Electric Company.
4. Shelby Bicycle Days
ANNUAL CYCLING FESTIVAL | SHELBY OH
This 3-day June event celebrates Shelby's bicycle manufacturing history with vintage bike shows, 25-mile heritage rides, and criterium races. Festival highlights include live music, craft vendors, and the "Ring of Fire" nighttime illuminated bike parade through downtown streets.
5. Glen's Surplus Sales
ECLECTIC RETAIL EXPERIENCE | SHELBY OH
Known locally as "The Shelby Mall," this 40,000sqft emporium sells military surplus, workwear, and unusual finds. Shoppers discover everything from industrial equipment to vintage signage across 12 themed departments. The firearms section features rare historical weapons and accessories.
6. Roselawn Miniature Golf
CLASSIC PUTTING COURSE | SHELBY OH
This 18-hole mini-golf complex features water hazards, windmills, and elevation changes. The family-owned course maintains 1950s charm with manual scorekeeping and vintage arcade games. Nighttime glow golf events run Friday-Saturday during summer months.
7. The Vault Wine Bar
HISTORIC BANK CONVERSION | SHELBY OH
Occupying a 1924 bank building, this upscale bar preserves original vault doors and safety deposit boxes. The menu features 40+ Ohio wines and artisan cheese boards. Live jazz performances occur monthly in the former bank lobby space.
8. Paul's Drive-In
RETRO BURGER STAND | SHELBY OH
Operating since 1957, this walk-up eatery serves crinkle-cut fries and root beer floats. The signature "Shelby Burger" features a secret sauce recipe unchanged for six decades. Carhop service available Thursday-Saturday evenings April-October.
9. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
WORLD-CLASS RACING VENUE | LEXINGTON OH
This 330-acre motorsports complex hosts NASCAR and IndyCar events 12 miles from Shelby. Visitors can tour pit lanes, attend driving schools, or camp trackside. The facility's museum displays historic race cars and motorcycles.
10. Malabar Farm State Park
HISTORIC WORKING FARM | LUCAS OH
This 900-acre park features the 1930s home where Humphrey Bogart married Lauren Bacall. Guided tours showcase sustainable farming practices and film history connections. Hiking trails pass through maple syrup operations and pasturelands with heritage breed animals.
Shelby Attractions
THINGS TO DO IN SHELBY
Shelby Ohio is renowned for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant community attractions. The city gained fame as the birthplace of the seamless steel tube industry and home to the Shelby Electric Company, which produced the legendary Centennial Light Bulb still burning after 100+ years. Visitors can explore historical landmarks like the Civil War Monument and Black Fork Commons Park, featuring a restored log cabin and covered bridge.
The Shelby Museum of History offers insights into the city's manufacturing legacy through exhibits on light bulb production and vintage bicycles. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Reservoir #3's 3-mile nature trails and Seltzer Park's aquatic center with pools, tennis courts, and playgrounds. The 18-hole Roselawn Miniature Golf course provides family-friendly fun with classic obstacles and arcade games.
Cultural highlights include the transformed Vault Wine Bar in a historic bank building and Glen's Surplus Sales ("Shelby Mall") offering eclectic shopping. Annual events like Shelby Bicycle Days celebrate the city's cycling heritage with parades and bike tours, while December's Polar Xpress festival features holiday activities with Santa and live reindeer.
Foodies appreciate local favorites like Paul's Drive-In for classic burgers and Parrot’s Head Pub for craft beer pairings. The city's parks system includes five distinct recreational areas with amenities ranging from skate parks to dog-friendly spaces, making Shelby a diverse destination for history buffs and outdoor lovers alike.