Things to Do

Lima and Allen County have a highly desirable quality of life at a very reasonable cost of living. Allen County has the charm, heritage and opportunities to satisfy whatever a family could want.

Shopping

Allen County is the regional center for retail shopping, entertainment and activities. Allen County is the second largest per capita retail market in Ohio with an ever expanding list of national, niche and local stores. Mega retailers such as Wal Mart and Meijers, niche retailers such as Old Navy and Victoria Secrets and many others provide a plentiful shopping experience without the big city congestion. For more information, visit the Lima/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Entertainment

If its entertainment that you’re seeking, you will be very surprised at the variety and quality in our community. The Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center is the home to the Lima Symphony Orchestra providing the finest in musical entertainment. The Convention Center also provides a broad range of other entertainment from comedy shows like Jerry Seinfeld to a Broadway series of 6 annual shows directly from New York. The newly constructed Wingate Inn by Wyndham is connected to the Civic Center, a perfect weekend getaway. For more information, visit the Lima/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Sports

For the sports enthusiast the possibilities are tremendous. Fishing in 5 reservoirs is the best up-country fishing south of the Great Lakes. 6 colleges provide highly competitive collegiate sports. Motor sports are king in Allen County. The Limaland Motorsports Park, owned and operated by the University of Northwestern Ohio, has become the finest quarter mile high banked dirt track in the Country. Every Friday evening from April to September Limaland provides of variety of racing from modifieds to the winged sprint cars. If you’ve not seen the sprint cars, you are in for a treat. Each May the Allen County Fairgrounds hosts the nationally recognized 4 Wheel Monster Truck Jamboree. Attended by over 50,000 people, this premier motorsports event is a key stop on the national tour. The Allen County Fairgrounds also hosts the American Motorcycle Association tour in June. Mid Ohio Race Track is less than an hour from Lima providing everything from sports car to vintage car racing. Allen County is also home to 8 outstanding golf courses that challenge every ability. The Colonial Golfers club, a public course, was ranked as the best golf course in Ohio for 2009. For more information, visit the Lima/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Fairs and Festivals

Allen County is also home to a number of fairs and festivals. The Allen County Fair held every August is one of the largest traditional agricultural fairs in Ohio. The Allen County Fair celebrates and promotes the long agricultural heritage of the County. The horse racing events like the Supertrot bring competitors from all over the Midwest. The Fairgrounds hosts many other events throughout the year from Gun Shows to one of the largest Classic Car shows in the Midwest. Square Fair is a downtown festival sponsored by the local Arts organizations and features all types of arts events from concerts to visual arts. And during the summer, the Rally in the Square is held every Friday evening with great music, beverages and fun. For more information, visit the Lima/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Attractions