Things to do at and around Oberlin

In addition to being a Oberlin blogger I am also a tour guide here on campus. One of the questions I get asked most often is what is there to do around Oberlin and the surrounding area? Fittingly, this was also one of my favorite questions to ask colleges when I was a high schooler touring and researching colleges. As such, I thought I would write a blog about my favorite things to do in Oberlin, the nearby area, and Cleveland! I think it's really important to learn about the place you call home for the next four to five years, and I hope this blog will help you envision yourself here on Oberlin's beautiful campus. 

1) Allen Memorial Art Museum. I’ll start with the obvious. Oberlin's art museum is completely free in addition to being recognized as one of the top five college and university art museums in the country. I can attest that it definitely lives up to its prestige because it is an absolutely beautiful building filled with even more stunning art. One of my favorite things to do is visit rotating exhibits with my roommate as well as to go to free lectures and talks. There are after-hours events, tea talks, and more. 

2. Crocker Park and University Circle. Crocker Park is a super cute outdoor mall near Oberlin which I go to frequently because it has a Trader Joe's! I also love going in the wintertime since they have such fun decorations. University Circle is an area of Cleveland that has a ton of museums, beautiful green spaces, and yummy food. The reason I mention both of these places is because they are my two favorite stops on the free Oberlin shuttle, ObieExpress! My friends and I love going into Cleveland on the shuttle, and we always have fun deciding which museum or restaurant we’re going to hit. 

3. Slow Train Cafe. If you’ve visited Oberlin before, you’ve probably either heard about, or seen, Slow Train Cafe. It’s right across from The Hotel at Oberlin and is popular with visiting families and current Obies alike. It’s probably my favorite spot on campus to go and study; I love to grab an egg and cheese bagel as well as their famous ‘Albino Squirrel’ coffee drink. 

4) Apollo Theater. One of the oldest and most popular businesses in Oberlin is the Apollo. Initially I was hesitant to go with my friends (we all know how pricey movie theaters can be), so you can imagine my surprise when I ended up only spending 10 bucks on my first visit. Tickets are around 5-7 dollars, and the popcorn is not only delicious but also affordable for college students. In general, Oberlin is a very student-friendly town, with restaurants and businesses featuring low prices or frequent deals. I probably eat out once a week, and I’m by no means breaking the bank! That being said, you can spend as much or as little money as you want as a student. I’m just as content going for a walk around the arboretum as I am spending money at a shop. 

5. School-sponsored events and excursions. As an Oberlin student you will have access to numerous free, or reduced price, events. While you can find out about these campus-sponsored excursions online, my preferred method is just by reading our newsletter, the Oberlin Digest, every morning to find out about upcoming events. Some examples of events are trips to apple orchards in the fall, trips to Cedar Point amusement park, or even trips to Detroit to visit the Motown museum. One of my favorite things I've done was go see a musical in the world-renowned theater district in Cleveland with my friend--it was cheap and so much fun! 

6. Vermilion. While this one requires a car (don’t worry, though, you can easily rent one from Oberlin), it is well worth it. Vermilion is a quaint lakeside town with a beautiful beach and cute shops. My friends and I love going for a sunset walk by the beach, which we follow up with a stop at our favorite diner for some onion rings and a warm brownie sundae. I’ve yet to go in the summer, but that’s on my bucket list this May. 

As I’m sure you can tell, there are so many things you can do at or around Oberlin. That’s one of my favorite things about this campus, I get to have the best of both a small college town and a large city nearby. It’s a location I fell in love with when I toured three years ago, and one that I am still constantly discovering new things to adore.