Kirkersville OhioATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Kirkersville, Ohio.
1. Restated Home
UNIQUE ANTIQUES AND GIFTS
Restated Home is a popular shopping destination in Kirkersville that offers quality furniture, beautiful dishware, and unique gifts. Visitors will find this shop particularly valuable when looking for presents for people who are difficult to shop for. The store specializes in antiques that combine quality craftsmanship with distinctive character.
2. Van Buren Acres
FAMILY FARM ADVENTURES
Van Buren Acres provides visitors with authentic farm experiences and seasonal activities for the whole family. The farm features different attractions throughout the year, including corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and harvest festivals during the fall season. Visitors can enjoy outdoor adventures while learning about agriculture and farm life.
3. Pigeon Roost Farm
SEASONAL FARM FUN
Pigeon Roost Farm offers seasonal agricultural entertainment with a focus on fall festivities and family-friendly activities. The farm is known for its pumpkin patch, corn maze, and various attractions that celebrate rural traditions and the harvest season. Visitors can participate in hayrides, pick pumpkins, and enjoy other farm-based activities during their visit.
4. National Trail Raceway
HIGH-SPEED MOTORSPORTS VENUE
National Trail Raceway is a premier motorsports facility hosting drag racing events and competitions throughout the racing season. The venue features a quarter-mile drag strip where spectators can watch various classes of vehicles compete at high speeds. Racing enthusiasts can enjoy professional and amateur events in an exciting atmosphere filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of motorsport competition.
5. Crystal Beach
OUTDOOR WATER RECREATION
Crystal Beach offers visitors a refreshing water recreation experience near Kirkersville. The beach area provides swimming opportunities during warm months along with picnic facilities for family gatherings. Visitors can enjoy a day of relaxation by the water while taking in the natural surroundings.
6. Dawes Arboretum
BOTANICAL GARDENS AND TREES
Dawes Arboretum is a magnificent 2,000-acre tree museum and botanical garden showcasing diverse plant collections and natural landscapes. Visitors can explore miles of hiking trails, themed gardens, and a Japanese garden while learning about tree conservation and horticulture. The arboretum offers changing seasonal displays, with spring flowering trees, summer gardens, fall foliage, and distinctive winter landscapes.
7. Flint Ridge State Memorial Park
ANCIENT QUARRIES AND MUSEUM
Flint Ridge State Memorial Park preserves a 533-acre site where American Indians quarried the unique rainbow-colored flint used for trade, tools, and weapons. Visitors can hike trails through the preserve to see ancient quarry pits while learning about this significant archaeological site. The park museum teaches guests about Ohio's official gemstone and demonstrates flint knapping, the process of shaping flint into tools.
8. Newark Earthworks
PREHISTORIC MONUMENT SITE
Newark Earthworks represents the largest set of geometric earthen enclosures in the world and is designated as Ohio's official prehistoric monument. The site holds deep spiritual significance for American Indians and offers visitors a glimpse into the sophisticated engineering and astronomical knowledge of ancient cultures. Interpretive signage throughout the site helps inform visitors about the historical and cultural importance of these remarkable structures.
9. Buckeye Lake Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Buckeye Lake Historical Society Museum houses an extensive collection of Buckeye Lake Park memorabilia dating back to when the area was a popular amusement park destination. The museum, which opened in 1998, preserves the history of Perry, Licking, and Fairfield counties including the communities of Hebron, Millersport, and Thornville. Visitors can explore exhibits that tell the story of Buckeye Lake's transformation from a reservoir to a recreational destination.
10. Hebron Pie Festival
ANNUAL DESSERT CELEBRATION
The Hebron Pie Festival is a beloved annual event celebrating the traditional American dessert in all its forms. Festival-goers can sample a wide variety of pies from sweet to savory while enjoying entertainment and community activities. This family-friendly event showcases local bakers and has become a cherished tradition in the area near Kirkersville.
11. Robbins Hunter Museum
HISTORIC HOUSE COLLECTION
Robbins Hunter Museum is housed in a stunning Greek Revival mansion filled with decorative arts, antiques, and historical artifacts. The museum preserves the elegant lifestyle and collections of its namesake, showcasing fine furnishings, art, and decorative objects from various periods. Visitors can tour the beautifully preserved rooms that offer a glimpse into America's past through the lens of a passionate collector.
12. Ohio Canal Greenway
SCENIC RECREATIONAL TRAIL
The Ohio Canal Greenway is a three-mile multi-purpose recreational trail built on the former Penn Central Railroad right-of-way near Kirkersville. The trail offers excellent opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and hiking through scenic natural areas. A highlight of the greenway is the beautiful wooden truss bridge that makes a perfect photo opportunity for visitors.
13. Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve
UNIQUE FLOATING ECOSYSTEM
Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve is a rare floating island ecosystem that represents one of Ohio's most unusual natural features. The bog hosts unique plant species including cranberries, sundews, and other vegetation typically found much further north. Nature enthusiasts can learn about this distinctive habitat that has been preserved as a scientific study area and natural heritage site.
14. Buckeye Lake Brewery
CRAFT BEER AND DINING
Buckeye Lake Brewery crafts delicious local beers in a welcoming atmosphere that has become a social hub near Kirkersville. The brewery is attached to Chef Shack, which provides excellent food options to pair with their craft beer selection. Visitors can enjoy quality drinks, good food, and entertainment in this popular local establishment.
15. The Clay's Cafe and Catering
HOMESTYLE FOOD DESTINATION
The Clay's Cafe and Catering serves delicious homestyle meals in a comfortable, welcoming environment near Kirkersville. The restaurant has built a reputation for quality food and friendly service that keeps locals and visitors coming back. Beyond their regular dining service, Clay's also provides catering options for events and gatherings throughout the area.