The best things to do in Elyria

29 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Elyria’s best · Restaurants · Nightlife · Arts & Culture · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Shopping · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Parks & Outdoors · Home & Garden · Sporting Goods · Cafes · Pets

Pinned in Elyria today

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Entertainment · 29 places · showing the latest additions first

Golf course featuring uphill, downhill, and level holes, amid scenic surrounds.

1211 W River Rd N

Golf course featuring uphill, downhill, and level holes, amid scenic surrounds.

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Busy 18-hole, regulation course with a driving range, plus a clubhouse offering a snack bar.

41971 Oberlin Elyria Rd

Busy 18-hole, regulation course with a driving range, plus a clubhouse offering a snack bar.

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Animal exhibits, a simulated rainforest, an interactive kids section, a gift shop & restaurants.

3900 Wildlife Way (Cleveland)

Animal exhibits, a simulated rainforest, an interactive kids section, a gift shop & restaurants.

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Public golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus featuring a tavern and indoor simulators.

1100 Gulf Rd

Public golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus featuring a tavern and indoor simulators.

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Fin Fest is on through August 11, so Greater Cleveland Aquarium is an easy win this week... wander the walk-through experience, check out…

2000 Sycamore St (Cleveland)

Fin Fest is on through August 11, so Greater Cleveland Aquarium is an easy win this week... wander the walk-through experience, check out the mock research vessel, and get face time with stingrays and other locals of the deep without leaving town.

From the Cleveland newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Big Met Golf Course

Entertainment

Turning 100 this year, Big Met Golf Course is the Cleveland Metroparks classic with gentle rolling hills, views of the Rocky River dike,…

4811 Valley Pkwy (Fairview Park)

Turning 100 this year, Big Met Golf Course is the Cleveland Metroparks classic with gentle rolling hills, views of the Rocky River dike, and just enough bunkers to keep you honest. Play a relaxed round, then reward yourself on the Grille and Terrace like a proper weekend champion.

From the Lorain newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Playhouse Square

Entertainment

Playhouse Square is Cleveland’s home for the big stuff, from touring Broadway hits and opera to stand-up, dance and those jaw-dropper set…

1501 Euclid Ave #200 (Cleveland)

Playhouse Square is Cleveland’s home for the big stuff, from touring Broadway hits and opera to stand-up, dance and those jaw-dropper set pieces you can feel in your seat. The Lion King is roaring right now through August 16, so snag a night and treat your inner theater kid.

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This week, Parma crews can step into Game Show Duels Lakewood (Ohio) for a TV-style showdown where you and your friends become the…

13000 Athens Ave (Lakewood)

This week, Parma crews can step into Game Show Duels Lakewood (Ohio) for a TV-style showdown where you and your friends become the contestants. Expect energetic hosts, rapid-fire trivia, team challenges, and surprise minigames that crank up the laughs and rivalry, then go home with epic bragging rights.

From the Parma newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Museum of Illusions

Entertainment

Family-friendly place featuring optical illusions, holograms and interactive exhibits, plus gift shop.

186 Euclid Ave (Cleveland)

Family-friendly place featuring optical illusions, holograms and interactive exhibits, plus gift shop.

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Splash Zone

Entertainment

Recreation center offering an indoor and outdoor pool, plus a gym, and a basketball court.

95 W Hamilton St (Oberlin)

Recreation center offering an indoor and outdoor pool, plus a gym, and a basketball court.

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Amherst Cinema

Entertainment

A long-running single-screen venue emphasizing family-friendly movies at discounted prices.

260 Church St (Amherst)

A long-running single-screen venue emphasizing family-friendly movies at discounted prices.

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Family entertainment center featuring bowling lanes and a pro shop, plus karaoke, and a bar.

5300 Oberlin Ave (Lorain)

Family entertainment center featuring bowling lanes and a pro shop, plus karaoke, and a bar.

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Capitol Theatre

Entertainment

A mix of studio & indie films fill the calendar at this refurbished 1921 venue serving beer & wine.

1390 W 65th St (Cleveland)

A mix of studio & indie films fill the calendar at this refurbished 1921 venue serving beer & wine.

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Live-action adventure games featuring multiple rooms and puzzles to solve in a time limit.

2515 Jay Ave #B3 (Cleveland)

Live-action adventure games featuring multiple rooms and puzzles to solve in a time limit.

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Straightforward course featuring par-3 and par-4 holes, plus a par-5, all set against a forest backdrop.

18599 Old Lorain Rd (Cleveland)

Straightforward course featuring par-3 and par-4 holes, plus a par-5, all set against a forest backdrop.

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Down-to-earth 18-hole spot featuring water features that gobble up balls, plus a dock-diving pool. Friendly staff.

7760 Victory Ln (North Ridgeville)

Down-to-earth 18-hole spot featuring water features that gobble up balls, plus a dock-diving pool. Friendly staff.

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Recreational venue featuring a miniature golf course, restroom, and Wi-Fi.

10340 Memphis Ave (Brooklyn)

Recreational venue featuring a miniature golf course, restroom, and Wi-Fi.

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Opened in 1965, this seasonal movie theater with 2 screens & a snack bar shows mainstream flicks.

33395 Lorain Rd (North Ridgeville)

Opened in 1965, this seasonal movie theater with 2 screens & a snack bar shows mainstream flicks.

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Established movie theater with art deco decor featuring newly released, independent & foreign films.

13116 Shaker Square (Cleveland)

Established movie theater with art deco decor featuring newly released, independent & foreign films.

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Rockin On The River

Entertainment

Live-music, family-friendly concert site with food concessions, plus beer, wine and liquor drinks.

421 Black River Ln (Lorain)

Live-music, family-friendly concert site with food concessions, plus beer, wine and liquor drinks.

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Recreation center offering a swimming pool, fitness area, splash pad, and walking trail with musical instruments.

47160 Hollstein Dr (Amherst)

Recreation center offering a swimming pool, fitness area, splash pad, and walking trail with musical instruments.

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SportsVille

Entertainment

Driving range with grass tees and heated covered bays, plus batting cages and mini-golf.

37500 Center Ridge Rd (North Ridgeville)

Driving range with grass tees and heated covered bays, plus batting cages and mini-golf.

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Apollo Theatre

Entertainment

Popular movie house showing first-run films and classic theatrical concessions, plus friendly service.

19 E College St (Oberlin)

Popular movie house showing first-run films and classic theatrical concessions, plus friendly service.

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Birdietown

Entertainment

Casual eatery offering burgers and cocktails plus a mini golf course.

12501 Madison Ave (Lakewood)

Casual eatery offering burgers and cocktails plus a mini golf course.

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Lorain Skate World

Entertainment

Family and teen roller skating sessions are offered at this longstanding rink.

4952 W Erie Ave (Lorain)

Family and teen roller skating sessions are offered at this longstanding rink.

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Black River Landing

Entertainment

Concert venue on the river offering bands, food trucks, and a dance floor, plus an easygoing vibe.

421 Black River Ln (Lorain)

Concert venue on the river offering bands, food trucks, and a dance floor, plus an easygoing vibe.

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Clean, 18-hole mini-golf course (and a short one), plus a Dairy Queen next door.

12980 W Sprague Rd (Parma)

Clean, 18-hole mini-golf course (and a short one), plus a Dairy Queen next door.

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Restored 1928 theater now offering concerts, plays, youth productions, movies & special events.

617 Broadway (Lorain)

Restored 1928 theater now offering concerts, plays, youth productions, movies & special events.

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Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

17450 Southpark Center (Strongsville)

Chain of movie theaters, some with multiple screens, stadium seats & self-service ticketing kiosks.

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