Oh, the Places to See! Visiting Wilmington, Ohio

Due to current health concerns, please be aware locations may have restrictions.

If you venture an hour outside the bustling cities of Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton, you’ll discover one of the most charming towns in America – Wilmington, Oh. With a population of just over 12,000, Wilmington is a hub of suburban family life, but there’s a lot more to the picturesque town than its small-town charm. From its iconic Murphy Theater and its ties to the late actor John Ritter to its claim to fame for inventing the banana split, there are many hidden gems in the quaint town of Wilmington. Here are just a few of our top picks.

#1 The Murphy Theatre

Founded in 1918 by Charles W. Murphy, the Murphy Theatre quickly became the heart of downtown Wilmington and welcomed a variety of entertainment and special events from vaudeville, concerts, and films to graduations, lectures, and church services. Over time, the theatre evolved from an artist’s haven to a movie theater. By 1985, the Murphy family sold the theatre to a local group that restored the building to its original glory.

Today, the theatre welcomes a variety of special events and productions as dozens of volunteers continue the restoration project meant to showcase its rich history. That history extends far beyond Wilmington to Hollywood since the theatre can be seen in films and documentaries like Lost in Yonkers (1993) and Michael Moore in TrumpLand (2016). It was also the venue for the late John Ritter’s marriage to actress Amy Yasbeck on September 18, 1999.

50 W Main Street
Wilmington, OH 45177
(937) 382-3643

#2 Banana Split Festival

Wilmington’s greatest claim to fame and its source of great pride is that local restaurateur, ER Hazard, invented the banana split in 1907. Hazard was desperate to attract students from the nearby Wilmington College and concocted a new dessert with three scoops of ice cream and a banana. As the treat caught on, Wilmington embraced its claim to fame and launched the annual Banana Split Festival. The festival is held during the summer as locals gather for an old-fashioned celebration with games, rides, crafts, live music, a classic car cruise-in, a car show, and a banana split eating contest.

The Banana Split Festival is a huge attraction even though Wilmington’s claim to fame might be invalid as experts argue that David Strickler of Pennsylvania invented the banana split three years earlier in 1904. Despite this, Wilmington refuses to stop celebrating and embraces the controversy as thousands flock to Wilmington year after year to celebrate their favorite dessert. That’s the same spirit that makes the annual Banana Festival a must-do for ice cream lovers of all ages!

Denver Williams Park
1100 Rombach Avenue
Wilmington, OH 45177

#3 Clinton County Corn Festival

One of the longest traditions in Wilmington is the Clinton County Corn Festival that celebrates the area’s most popular agricultural crop and the livelihood of many residents. The festival is popular because it isn’t like traditional county fairs with carnival rides and games. In true Wilmington fashion, the festival features a variety of games and events like a tractor pull, the Corn Olympics, and a skillet and rolling pin toss!

The Corn Festival also boasts some of the best homemade food in the area, with over 20 vendors who serve everything from corn on the cob and ice cream to pork sandwiches and more. Visitors can sit back and enjoy live music or venture over to the barns where they can browse through antiques, crafts, and handmade items. There’s also a tractor, engine, and car show, as well as a cruise-in featuring some of the area’s finest tractors and cars!

958 W Main Street
Wilmington, OH 45177
[Enter off Nelson Ave]

#4 Quakers Sports

If you’re a sports fan visiting Wilmington, you might be interested in catching the Fightin’ Quakers of Wilmington College in action. The Quakers are part of the Ohio Athletic Conference and are an NCAA Division III affiliate. Because of this, the college offers a variety of men’s, women’s, and coed sports, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, track and field, wrestling, and softball.

The Quakers made national headlines in 2004 when the women’s basketball team won the NCAA Women’s Division III Basketball Championship. The Quakers beat Bowdoin 59 to 53 to earn the most prestigious title in Wilmington College history. With the 2004 women’s basketball team still holding that honor today, it’s easy to see why the Quakers hold a coveted place in the hearts of Wilmington locals.

Wilmington College Main Campus
1870 Quaker Way
Wilmington, OH 45177

#5 Brausch Brewery

Wilmington has something for everyone, even craft beer lovers! Located in the heart of Wilmington, Brausch Brewery specializes in craft beers with their variety ranging from Belgium ales and IPAs to German lagers and Kombucha. They’ve even crafted a domestic light beer that’s a favorite among locals!

If you’re traveling to Wilmington, check out Brausch’s Facebook page for information on their latest events and newest brews. If you’re already in town, be sure to stop by the taproom and enjoy one of the notable brews while visiting with friends or catching the latest football, basketball, or baseball game on TV. You’ll feel right at home!

Brausch Brewery
1030 S South Street
Wilmington, OH 45177

#6 Shop Local

Browsing through the many shops in Wilmington is also a must when you’re in town. One of the area’s most popular stops is Alma’s Attic, a cozy little antique store that is a must-see for their one-of-a-kind antiques, gifts, and decor. Alma’s is home to a variety of country-themed items like candles and quilts, greeting cards, and more. The store is also known for its impressive collection of vintage items that range from quilts and books to china, jewelry, and toys.

Alma’s Attic:
1679 Rombach Avenue
Wilmington, OH 45177

Another great stop in Wilmington is the Strength & Dignity Boutique in historic downtown. The boutique offers one of the best clothing collections in town and encourages customers to shop the boutique in person or visit their website, Facebook page, and Instagram for the latest items. This collection of hand-selected merchandise is perfect for people looking for a little something extra to add to their wardrobe. Time after time, customers find that the boutique offers the best shopping experience in town thanks to their dedication to providing a positive shopping experience to everyone who walks in the door!

Strength & Dignity Boutique:
57 W Main Street
Wilmington, OH 45177

It’s Time to Visit Wilmington

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of busy city life, whether you live in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Dayton, it’s time to venture over to Wilmington. You’ll quickly see why the small town in Clinton County is one of the best out there. While you’re there, be sure to visit the historic Murphy Theatre, try a local brew at Brausch Brewery, watch the Fightin’ Quakers football team play at Williams Stadium, or shop at one of the many local boutiques. Whatever you do, you’ll see why it’s so easy to fall in love with the small-town charm of Wilmington, Ohio.