Summer in Oberlin

Yes, the Oberlin College campus is quiet but the city of Oberlin is anything but.

Here are 5 reasons you should put this college town on your summer destination list.

1. Tappan Square concerts. Nothing quite says summer than sitting in your comfy lawn chair, picnic basket nearby, on a Friday night while listening to live music under the stars in the center of the city.

The Summer Concert Series gets underway June 23 with Match City (pop rock), followed by June 30 Michelle Romary Band (classic rock, folk); July 7 The Bottom Line (Motown, R&B); July 14 The Geeze Cats (oldies); July 21 The Attraxxion Band (80s); and July 28 The Tyler Reid Band (country). All Friday concerts are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

2. Frank Lloyd Wright House. Explore the Weltzheimer/Johnson house, overseen by the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College. The house, located at 534 Morgan St., is open for tours on the first Sunday of the month, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. through November. Tickets are $10 and advance registration is highly recommended. The house is located at 534 Morgan St., several blocks from campus by the golf course. 
   According to the art museum: “Designed in 1947 and completed in 1949, it is the first Usonian house in Ohio and one of the few in the nation open to the public. In 1968, the home was purchased by Ellen H. Johnson, the distinguished art history professor at Oberlin College who started its famed art rental program. Johnson, a well-known art critic and collector, hosted such artists as Robert Morris in her home. With the help of her many students and local contractors, Johnson restored much of the property to its original state as designed by Wright.

3. Oberlin Farmers Market. The outdoor market is open every Saturday through Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the parking lot by the Oberlin Public Library on Main Street.

“The market specializes in SEASONAL fresh farm produce, fruit, farm raised meats, natural sweeteners, an assortment of baked goods, such as pies, breads, cookies, flowers, plants, jams, sauces, crafts and more,” according to organizers.

Along with fresh food, the market is a place to meet new friends and gather with old ones, often with live music and other entertainment in the background.

4. Oberlin Heritage Center. The city has a rich history and there is no better place to learn about it than the Oberlin Heritage Center, located at 73 ½ South Professor Street (for GPS use 20 West Vine Street).

The center’s Summer History Walks are held every Saturday at 11 a.m. through August. Topics include Civil Rights, the Underground Railroad and the city’s architecture. Advance registration is recommended as there is limited capacity for each tour. Participants can register online or by calling 440-774-1700. History walk fees are $6/adult, free for children/students/members. The center also offers DIY walking tours and has a gift shop.

5. Eat and drink. The city is home to coffee shops, restaurants, bars and nearby wineries so make sure your visit includes time for a drink or meal. Kendal residents Dorothy and Joe Lucianos’ favorites include The Slow Train and The Local coffee shops “where the coffee and bagels are good and, for us, the ambience is good, too,” and the Feve for hamburgers.

Other eateries include: Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, which offers outdoor patio dining; Aladdin’s Eatery, tasty Middle Eastern cuisine, including smoothies and desserts; ThiNi Thai, prepared by classically trained Thai chef Aon Krittathiranon and the 1833 restaurant and bar at the Hotel at Oberlin.

Nearby wineries include Matus Winery and Vermilion Valley Vineyards, both in Wakeman. 

And if you’re free Saturday, June 24, stop by Oberlin to see why the city is such a welcoming and diverse community.

The annual Chalk Walk brings together local and regional artists and all other creative types (that means all of us) who want to create imaginative chalk drawings throughout downtown Oberlin. Volunteers will be on hand to provide free materials and visitors of all ages can add their own artwork to the sidewalk gallery. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Pride Festival gets underway on Tappan Square at noon and runs until 4 p.m. Events include drag king and queen performances, music, dancing, vendors, games, food trucks and plenty of LGBTQ+ comradery, including an outreach table with Kendal’s LGBTQ+ & Allies members.

In the past, Molly Kavanaugh frequently wrote about Kendal at Oberlin for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, where she was a reporter for 16 years. Now we are happy to have her writing for the Kendal at Oberlin Community.

About Kendal at Oberlin: Kendal is a nonprofit life plan community serving older adults in northeast Ohio. Located about one mile from Oberlin College and Conservatory, and about a 40 minute drive from downtown Cleveland, Kendal offers a vibrant resident-led lifestyle with access to music, art and lifelong learning.