There are so many wonderful communities within the Toledo region, each possessing their own unique personalities, local businesses, special events,
home styles, and geographical terrain. We want to allow each major — and minor — community in the area to have their moment in the spotlight, which is why we started our
“Community of the Month” series in February. This month, we’re directing our gaze towards
Sylvania, a community with lots to do — both indoors and outdoors. So consider this your guide to experiencing Sylvania to the fullest, whether you’ve lived there for years or you’re just visiting for the first time!
Get Outside
One of the best ways to enjoy a community is by spending some time outdoors with a visit to a local park. The town of Sylvania has a
superb park system, composed of 17 parks on a total of 250 acres. Some parks host pools, floral displays, war memorials and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Photos courtesy of (from top to bottom): The Olander Park System + Sylvania Recreation District
A couple of our favorites include:
Olander Park is one of the major parks in the area managed by The Olander Park System. This 63-acre space has it all! You can boat, swim or fish in the 28-acre lake in the center of the park, or take a leisurely stroll around the 1.1-mile paved loop around the lake by foot, bike or rollerblade. Bring the kids along to enjoy one of the park’s four playgrounds or one of the two sand volleyball courts.
Pacesetter Park is the main team sports location in Sylvania, as it has several turf fields for soccer, lacrosse and baseball teams to practice or play games on. You can also find a walking path, an 18,000-square-foot playground and a concession stand surrounding these multi-use fields. This is a great place to bring the family — whether or not there’s a sporting event on the calendar!
Grab a Bite to Eat
One of the more telling pieces of information while visiting or moving to a new place is “How is the food?” Because eating is a necessary means of survival — and it’s just so enjoyable! — it has squeezed its way up on our “to do” list. Sylvania has lots to offer in this department, but we’ll spare you the guessing game and point you in the direction of some of our favorite local restaurants.
Photos Courtesy of (from left to right): Element 112, Chandler Cafe + TREO Restaurant and Bar
We really love
Element 112, if you haven’t noticed. We’ll let our past conversations about places to
grab a cocktail or
best places to go for date night in the area do the convincing. Element 112 provides a truly unique dining experience, as the chef uses only the freshest seasonal ingredients to form a menu reflective of the ingredients sourced from local farms, fish mongers, farmer’s markets, specialty purveyors and the restaurant’s very own garden.
Chandler Cafe is the perfect destination for a delicious breakfast or lunch — in a historic restored downtown Sylvania building. Grab a gourmet sandwich or salad, and a cup of coffee, and relax in Chandler’s eclectic and welcoming environment. Or get your order to go by stopping by their drive-thru window located in the alley in their back parking lot. Whichever way you approach this restaurant, you will not be disappointed! Celebrate either a special occasion or another average day at
TREO Restaurant and Bar, serving American, French and Italian cuisine in the heart of Sylvania. This classic yet contemporary restaurant includes a wine bar, lounge, banquet room and an adorable dining room. Take a peek at their various menus and make your reservation today!
Go on a Shopping Spree
Shop for purses, shoes and women’s accessories at
The Limelite Boutique, peruse the adorable baby clothes and accessories at
Sweet Cheeks or step inside
V Couture for upscale men’s clothing.
Photos Courtesy of (from left to right): The Limelite Boutique, Sweet Cheeks + Hudson Gallery)
Dress up your home or get artistic inspiration with a visit to a local art gallery, such as
Hudson Gallery, which is located in a restored mid-1800’s building in the historic downtown section of Sylvania. It is considered one of the region’s premier venues for original art.
Get Immersed in History
You can visit history museums all day, but it isn’t until you stop by
Fossil Park that you will truly experience history in a unique, hands-on way. In fact, Fossil Park is one of only two prime Devonian Era sites on the entire planet! The 5-acre quarry at Fossil Park allows you to search for world-renowned fossils in a safe, controlled environment. You will discover ancient relics dating back to nearly 375 years ago, including fossilized brachiopods, coral and more than 200 species of prehistoric life. And the best part? (Besides the free admission…) You can bring your treasures home with you to remember your grand scientific adventure! The Lathrop House is one of the few homes in the region with strong connections to the Underground Railroad, as it is the safe haven where several slaves hid on their way to freedom in Canada. Every Sunday afternoon, the home hosts tours between 1 and 4 p.m., including actors portraying Harriet Tubman and President Abraham Lincoln and a tour of the newly restored basement, which functions as a museum of slavery history. Watch this video for more information on the Lathrop House!
Catch a Live Outdoor Performance
Centennial Terrace is Northwest Ohio’s premier outdoor entertainment venue — and guess what! It’s located right here in Sylvania. Check out their various
events and upcoming
concerts, including the world-renowned Chicago gracing their stage on August 28! Whatever show you see or event you attend, you’re sure to have an amazing time at this action-packed venue.
Photo courtesy of: Sylvania Recreation District
Make Yourself at Home
If you enjoy your visit to this charming community a little too much and decide to stick around a little longer, you might be happy to find out that Sylvania was named as one of
Ohio’s Best Hometowns for 2010 by
Ohio Magazine. Drive by some of the
amazing homes in the area situated in safe and well-kept suburbs with easy access to the amenities of downtown Sylvania and the abovementioned parks.
These two Sylvania homes are for sale! Find them here and here.
What do you love about Sylvania?
Let us know your favorite features of this town so we can make sure we maximize our experience during our next visit to this community!
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