Clay Center OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Clay Center, Ohio.
1. Clay Center of Ohio
POTTERY MUSEUM AND HERITAGE
The Clay Center of Ohio in Roseville is a small local museum dedicated to the region's extraordinary pottery heritage. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring classic old pottery pieces alongside impressive new works that showcase the area's continuing ceramic traditions. The center includes a gift shop with pottery made by regional potteries and local potter artists, plus grounds with picnic sites and shelters for gatherings.
2. Packer Creek Pottery
HANDCRAFTED CERAMIC ARTS
Packer Creek Pottery offers visitors a chance to view and purchase beautiful handcrafted ceramic works in Clay Center. The pottery studio showcases unique designs and colorful pieces created by local artisans. Visitors can often watch potters at work while browsing the selection of functional and decorative pottery items.
3. Cedar Creeks Preserve
NATURAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Cedar Creeks Preserve provides a peaceful natural escape for outdoor enthusiasts in the Clay Center area. The preserve features walking trails through diverse habitats that support local wildlife and native plant species. Visitors can enjoy activities like birdwatching, photography, and nature study throughout the changing seasons.
4. Pearson's Metropark
OUTDOOR RECREATION DESTINATION
Pearson's Metropark offers extensive outdoor recreation opportunities near the Clay Center region. The park features wetlands, woodlands, and meadows with walking trails that showcase the natural beauty of Northwest Ohio. Visitors can enjoy fishing, picnicking, playgrounds, and seasonal programming throughout the year.
5. Bono Tavern
HISTORIC LOCAL EATERY
Bono Tavern serves as a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors in the greater Clay Center area. The tavern offers hearty meals and cold drinks in a relaxed, casual atmosphere with a touch of local history. Patrons appreciate the friendly service and authentic small-town Ohio dining experience.
6. Metzger's Marsh Wildlife Area
WETLAND BIRD SANCTUARY
Metzger's Marsh Wildlife Area provides critical habitat for migratory birds and waterfowl near Lake Erie. The marsh features viewing areas where visitors can observe diverse bird species and other wildlife in their natural wetland environment. Nature enthusiasts particularly enjoy visiting during spring and fall migrations when bird diversity reaches its peak.
7. The Ceramic Hide-Away
POTTERY-THEMED COTTAGE ACCOMMODATION
The Ceramic Hide-Away offers unique overnight accommodations on the grounds of the Clay Center of Ohio. This cottage provides a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the pottery heritage of the Roseville-Crooksville region. Guests appreciate the connection to local ceramic traditions while enjoying the amenities of a private cottage getaway.
8. Zanesville Museum of Art
ARTISTIC CULTURAL HUB
The Zanesville Museum of Art showcases an impressive collection of American ceramics reflecting the region's strong pottery heritage. The museum houses fine art collections spanning multiple periods and styles, offering visitors a comprehensive cultural experience. Special exhibitions and educational programs enhance the museum's permanent collection throughout the year.
9. National Road and Zane Grey Museum
TRANSPORTATION AND LITERARY HISTORY
The National Road and Zane Grey Museum explores the historical significance of America's first federally funded highway alongside literary exhibits. Visitors can learn about pioneer author Zane Grey and view impressive ceramic displays showcasing the region's pottery tradition. The museum provides insight into how transportation development shaped Ohio's growth and cultural landscape.
10. Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio
CONTEMPORARY ART WORKSHOP
Alan Cottrill Sculpture Studio showcases the impressive works of a nationally recognized sculptor in downtown Zanesville. Visitors can tour the working studio to observe the artistic process and view completed bronze sculptures depicting historical figures and scenes. The gallery includes hundreds of pieces ranging from intimate portraits to monumental public works.
11. The Wilds
CONSERVATION SAFARI PARK
The Wilds offers an extraordinary safari experience on reclaimed mine land not far from the Clay Center region. Visitors can observe rare and endangered species roaming freely across vast natural habitats during guided safari tours. This conservation center combines wildlife viewing with education about conservation efforts and sustainable practices.
12. Tom's Ice Cream Bowl
NOSTALGIC DESSERT DESTINATION
Tom's Ice Cream Bowl has been serving homemade ice cream and candies in Zanesville since 1948. The shop maintains its vintage charm while continuing to make small batches of premium ice cream on-site daily. Visitors come for generous scoops of creative flavors along with classic American diner fare in a nostalgic setting.
13. Weasel Boy Brewing Company
RIVERFRONT CRAFT BREWERY
Weasel Boy Brewing Company produces handcrafted beers in a charming setting along the Muskingum River near the pottery regions. The brewery features a taproom where visitors can sample a rotating selection of unique beer styles alongside wood-fired pizzas. Live music performances and a riverside patio enhance the relaxed atmosphere during warmer months.
14. Roseville Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Roseville Historical Museum preserves and displays artifacts chronicling the town's significant pottery-making history and community development. Exhibits feature vintage ceramics from notable local companies alongside photographs and memorabilia documenting daily life through the decades. The museum provides context for understanding how the clay industry shaped the cultural and economic landscape of southeastern Ohio.
15. Crooksville-Roseville Pottery Festival
ANNUAL CERAMIC CELEBRATION
The Crooksville-Roseville Pottery Festival celebrates the region's rich ceramic heritage with demonstrations, exhibits, and sales each summer. Visitors can watch skilled artisans at work, purchase unique pottery pieces directly from makers, and participate in hands-on clay activities. The festival includes food vendors, entertainment, and special events honoring the area's distinction as a former pottery manufacturing center.