In the northeastern part of Ohio, Mentor is a historic, beautiful, and family-friendly city that has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and fun.
From historic buildings to state parks and lakes and so much more, the city is a great place to explore.
Go on relaxing trips to nature, hike the trails of beautiful woods, be amazed by the city’s many beautiful views, learn about culture and history, and make new memories with the people you love.
These are only a few of the many things to do in Mentor, Ohio. So, if you’re going to this charming city soon, here are the 20 best things to do while you’re there!
Best 20 Things to Do in Mentor, OH
1. Headlands Beach State Park, Mentor
Headlands Beach State Park is a beautiful beach park that is open to the public. It is in Mentor. People go there all year long, not just in the summer because it’s called the best beach in the state. The park wants to give you a full experience of nature and all it has to offer, not just the beach and water.
Those who want to get some exercise and try something new can hike through the whole park on one of the many trails. If you come here with kids, they can have a good time because there is a playground. A park is also a great place for people who want to learn how to take pictures and watch birds because it is home to many migratory birds.
2. James A. Garfield National Historic Site
Visit the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor if you’re looking for a fun and different way to spend an afternoon.
There are many programs and educational materials at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site that teach people about the life and legacy of the 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield.
The house has antique Victorian furniture and original pieces from the 1880s. About 80% of the pieces were owned by President Garfield and his family.
You can stand on the front porch where the late president held his famous front porch campaign. Take a guided walking tour of the house to learn more, and then walk around the quiet property. Visit this historic home today to learn about the late U.S. president and pay your respects.
3. Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve
It’s a great place to see wildlife, and because it’s so beautiful, you’ll have lots of chances to take pictures there. People walk their dogs here, and there are a lot of birds.
There are some nice places to walk, as well as choices and names for trails. There are also bike paths for people who want to ride their bikes around the area. You can also rent a kayak if you want to go kayaking.
The price is also very low, costing only $10 for an hour. At this spot, you can also go hiking. When I went hiking, I found many 4-6 inch river crossings, so bring water shoes.
Overall, it’s a nice place to see animals, and it’s open from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. It has 4.7 stars out of 5, and reviews are good.
4. The Himalayan Cave
Visit The Himalayan Cave to calm your whole body and mind. Our spa in Mentor, Ohio, has a number of holistic therapies and treatments, such as aqua massage, float pods, an infrared sauna, a salt booth, and a salt cave. We have the only float tank on the East Side, which can help you relieve stress, inflammation, and fatigue, among many other health benefits.
Try our salt booths to help with seasonal allergies and skin problems. It’s the best 15 minutes you can spend on your health! Our caring staff is here to help you find the best treatment for your goals and help you escape into pure bliss. We offer special prices and packages because we believe that everyone should feel their best, no matter how much money they have. Set up your appointment right now.
5. Eleanor B. Garfield Park
This park, which is 65 acres, is right in the middle of Mentor. Garfield Park is one of our biggest parks. It has an outdoor pool (only open in the summer), an All People’s Playground, baseball/softball diamonds, a basketball court, a picnic pavilion, a five-acre fishing pond, soccer fields, lighted tennis courts, restrooms for people with disabilities, and a wildlife area.
The Garfield Recreation Building has more than one floor and has a space that can be rented. The First Floor Lounge is a comfortable, barrier-free place where groups of up to 50 people can meet (The 2nd-floor Ballroom is no longer available for rent and is used strictly for city purposes).
6. Wildwood Cultural Center and Park
A mentor is a city with a lot to offer, and Wildwood Cultural Center & Park is one of the best. The John G. Oliver family built the estate on Little Mountain Road just north of downtown Mentor in 1908. The city of Mentor bought it in 1980.
People come from all over to explore or relax in this beautiful park with lush trees and beautiful gardens. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon in the sunshine.
The park has 34 acres of beautiful hiking trails where you can stop and look at the local plants and animals or have a picnic in the park’s large grassy areas. You should go to the Wildwood Cultural Center and Park if you want to spend a day relaxing in nature.
7. Great Lakes Mall
This mall in Mentor has a lot of smaller shops and looks nice and is kept clean. There are many things to do here, like going to the theater or eating at a good restaurant or food court. There is also a place for kids to shop in this mall. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and there are different events and activities there all year long.
In general, it’s a nice place to go and watch a movie. It has a 4.2 out of 5 rating, which is pretty good for a shopping center.
8. Carol H. Sweet Nature Center
Suppose you want to go somewhere in nature where you can relax, meet animals, and see beautiful fall colors. Then you should go to the Carol H. Sweet Nature Center.
If you want a relaxing outdoor adventure that isn’t too hard, this quiet nature center is the place to go. The boardwalk in the middle makes it easy to walk out into the marsh and connect to the Lake Erie shoreline.
Get away from the noise and chaos of the city in Mentor, where you can hike, meditate, and enjoy nature.
Make sure to bring insect repellent to keep annoying bugs from biting you so you can enjoy a trip to the woods in comfort.
9. Indian Museum of lake county
A hidden gem of Lake County is on the second floor of a shopping center. It is a museum about Native American history and their homes. This place is one of a kind and very hard to find.
A small museum has space for almost 60,000 artifacts, some of which are very old. Even though it’s small, it’s full of useful information. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, and they are eager to tell you as much as they can about their museum.
10. Water at Overlook Beach Park
At Overlook Beach Park, you can have a picnic with friends and family while looking out at the lake. This cute park in Mentor has a place for kids to play, a picnic area with BBQ grills, and a beautiful view of the water.
You can let the kids play on the playground while you read a good book and listen to the sound of the waves hitting the shore. Overlook Beach Park is a great place to have a picnic, take a walk, or watch the sun go down over the horizon.
Make sure this hidden gem is on your list of things to do if you want to spend a quiet time in Mentor.
11. Mentor Civic Amphitheatre
It’s a big amphitheater that can hold up to 7,500 people. It’s the best thing in Mentor, Ohio, that you can do for free. There are a lot of free things to do, like rock concerts, operas, classical events, theater, live music, and more.
They have a wide range of food vendors, which makes it a great place to go with a partner, family, or group of friends. Compared to the past, this place has changed quickly in the last few years.
Their official website, which is linked below, has information about upcoming shows and events. You shouldn’t spend more than two to three hours a day on this activity.
12. Veterans Memorial Park
This beautiful park is right next to the beautiful Marumsco Creek, Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge, and Occoquan Bay National Water Reserve. Veterans Park is a must-see for people who like to be outside and hike.
Several sports leagues, like swimming, soccer, football, baseball, softball, Little League, basketball, and volleyball, meet at the park. On open gym days, basketball, dance classes, sports classes, pickle ball, playschool, summer and mini-camps, and other activities take place at the community center.
The biggest skate park in Prince William County is the Scott D. Eagles Skate Park. For a challenging ride, it has a vertical ramp half-pipe, a 6,300-square-foot concrete course, and a 60-foot-long kidney bowl. The 50-meter outdoor pool has two slides that go down two stories, a gradual entry with water features for little kids, and a bathhouse next to it that has food and drinks for sale nearby.
In the park, you can find grills, picnic tables, volleyball and basketball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, pavilions you can rent, and bathrooms. The Veterans Park office is also where you can rent out pavilions at Cloverdale Park and Rippon Landing Park.
13. See Life-Sized Fiberglass Animals at Judy’s Jungle
Judy’s Jungle in Mentor is a one-of-a-kind place to take kids if you want to take them somewhere fun and different. Judy’s Jungle is a big garden with a lot of life-size fiberglass animals that are easy to miss.
This small, strange garden is a great place to take kids of all ages to see big sculptures of animals. Take a walk through the garden, take some pictures with the fiberglass animals, and have the kids try to figure out what each animal’s name is!
This hidden gem is a must-see if you’re going to Mentor and want a quick but interesting stop along the way.
14. All City Candy
There are thousands of chocolates and other sweets to choose from, making this the sweetest place in the city. It’s also a great place to buy gifts and city-themed souvenirs.
It’s as big as a 5000-square-foot store and has all of your favorite sweets. It is a very clean and well-organized candy store that is a great place to pick up something before going home.
15. Mentor Civic Ice Arena
This cute little arena is just waiting to be found. It has great fun and cool temperatures. The Mentor Civic Ice Arena is a must-see if you like to ice skate with your family.
The arena has a studio rink where people who are just starting out can learn the basics before going to the big rink. There is a snack bar with tasty food and drinks for a break, as well as a pro shop with all kinds of skating gear and accessories.
Whether you want to have a birthday party, watch a hockey game, or learn how to ice skate, they have everything you need.
16. Point Blank Cleveland
This place is the best place to learn how to shoot because you can rent guns and try them out. It’s a fun place to go if you want to learn how to shoot. The staff is very calm and friendly, and they will explain everything to you so you don’t have to worry about the weapon you’re holding.
They also sell things that you can buy in stores. This place has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars and both positive and negative reviews.
17. Black Brook Golf Course & Practice Center
At the Black Brook Golf Course & Practice Center in Mentor, golfers of all levels can find their own special piece of paradise. With its beautiful setting and playing area, Black Brook Golf Course & Practice Center is a must for both new and experienced golfers.
This charming golf course has a practice area where you can work on your game and golf lessons for people who have never played before. Don’t go to their snack bar after your tee time to get some hearty food and a drink to cool off and give you a boost of energy.
Make sure to book a tee time at the Black Brook Golf Course and Practice Center if you can’t take a weekend trip without golf.
18. Mentor mini golf course
It is an 18-hole course that is good for golfers of all skill levels and is family-friendly. There are different kinds of tracks, and a ticket booth is near the entrance. It’s a pretty clean place to play, and there’s a Dairy Queen right next to it where you can get ice cream when you’re done.
The people who work here are very helpful and will point you in the right direction. In case of bad weather, they also offer rain checks. It is also strongly suggested that you don’t go if there is a chance of rain, because you have to wait 30 minutes after each thunder before you can go.
This golf course is also the cheapest in town, with only $5 for each round. The review for this place is also good.
19. Historic Steele Mansion Inn and Gathering Hub
Make sure to book a room at the Steele Mansion Inn and Gathering Hub if you want a cozy place to stay during your trip to Mentor. In the 1860s, wealthy businessman George W. Steele had this charming inn built for him. The mansion is now on the National Registry for Historic Buildings.
The Steele Mansion Inn and Gathering hub is more than just a hotel. The rooms are beautifully decorated to make sure that guests are comfortable and have a good time. This hotel is the perfect place to stay for a romantic weekend getaway, a family reunion, or a business trip!
When you stay at the Steele Mansion Inn and Gathering Hub, you can enjoy the unique mix of old and new.
20. Roll House Entertainment Mentor
It is an indoor entertainment center with arcade games, bowling, highway lanes bowling, group host parties, corporate retreats, and special events.
It’s a great place for families, and the people who work there are very friendly and helpful. The bowling alley is more likely to have adults than the games section. There is also an escape room, which is a fun thing for adults to do.
Overall, this place is very interesting, and people who have been there having given it high marks. But because the bowling alley is always full, you might have to wait.
Final Thoughts
A mentor is a great place to go on vacation if you want to spend your time exploring nature, learning about history, or just having fun with old-fashioned group activities.
If you’re planning a trip to Mentor soon, use this list to make sure you have a fun-filled time away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Things to Do in Mentor, OH
What makes Mentor, Ohio famous?
A mentor is in Lake County, Ohio, which is east of Cleveland. It was first settled in 1797 as part of the Connecticut Western Reserve. Lawnfield, the home of President James Garfield, is in this lakeside town. The town is also known for its parks and greenhouses. A mentor is now a busy town with more than 50,000 people living there.
Who was named Mentor, Ohio, after?
Charles Parker built the first cabin in the area in 1797. By 1799, there were two families living there. The people who live there chose the name “Mentor” from Greek mythology. Mentor grew pretty fast, mostly because it was close to Lake Erie and the Ohio and Erie Canal.
Who runs Mentor, Ohio as mayor?
Bob Shiner is the mayor and council president of Mentor City.
Mentor, OH is in what township?
In the U.S. state of Ohio, there is a county called Lake County. As of the census in 2020, there were 232,603 people living there. Painesville is the county seat. On March 6, 1840, Cuyahoga County and Geauga County gave land to make the county. The name comes from the fact that it is on the south side of Lake Erie.
Mentor, Ohio, became a city when?
On December 18, 1963, the Village of Mentor became the City of Mentor. The Village Hall at the corner of Mentor Avenue and Center Street is the first City Hall for Mentor.
Is it a good place to live in Mentor, OH?
A mentor is a city outside of Cleveland that is home to 47,075 people. A mentor is one of the best places to live in Ohio. It is in Lake County. Most of the people who live in Mentor own their own homes, and it feels like a sparse suburb. There are a lot of bars, cafes, restaurants, and parks in Mentor.
Is Mentor, Ohio, one of Cleveland’s suburbs?
A mentor is a city near Cleveland. It is on the south side of Lake Erie. In 1797, surveyors from the Connecticut Land Company moved into the Mentor Headlands area, which is in the northeast part of the city.
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