Wapakoneta

Wapakoneta commonly shortened to "Wapak" is a city in Auglaize County, Ohio noted as being the birthplace of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon. == Understand == === Local information === Wapakoneta town website == Get in == === By plane === 1 Neil Armstrong Airport AXV (AXV IATA), 7776 OH-219 (10 mi (16 km) southwest of the city center). A General aviation airport. (updated Jul 2025) Wapakoneta is about 10 miles northeast of the Neil Armstrong airport in neighboring New Knoxville as well as roughly 16.5 miles southeast from the Lima Allen County Regional Airport (AOH IATA), 700 Airport Dr, Lima. Wapakoneta is also a 50-minute drive from the Dayton International Airport (DAY IATA), a 1½-hour drive from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH IATA), and a 1½-hour drive from Toledo Express Airport (TOL IATA). === By car === Wapakoneta lies on i-75 and US-33. Wapakoneta is accessible North and South by exits 111 and 113 on i-75 as well as being accessible East and West by exits 38B, 37, 36, and 35 on US-33. == Get around == In the city center, the main hub is East Auglaize Street, which runs east–west just south of the Auglaize River. This street passes through Wapakoneta's historic downtown district, home to many of the city’s small local businesses, including antique shops, eateries, a coffee shop, and more. Downtown also hosts key community events like the Wapakoneta Summer Moon Festival in early July and the Children’s Hometown Holiday celebration in December. To the southeast of town lies Wapakoneta’s major commercial and dining corridor along Bellefontaine Street, about one mile from downtown. Locals often refer to this area as “Hamburger Road” due to the many fast food options such as McDonald’s and Burger King. It also includes local favorites like El Azteca, La Neta Mexican Grill, and Max’s Dairy Bar. This district features the city’s primary shopping destinations, including Walmart, Aldi, Dollar Tree, and Lowe’s. At the eastern end of Bellefontaine Street, Interstate 75 (Exit 111) and U.S. Route 33 (Exit 38B) intersect near the TA Truck Stop. Located just east of this district along South Wood Street is one of Wapakoneta's most unique attractions: the Temple of Tolerance. To the north of downtown, a secondary commercial corridor runs along Defiance Street and Lincoln Avenue. This area features additional dining and shopping options such as Happy Daz, RJ’s Coffey Cup, Community Market, and Dollar General. On the western end of the corridor is Grand View Plaza, a small strip mall offering a variety of local services and stores. The Auglaize County Fairgrounds is located along West Auglaize Street, about 1.5 miles west of downtown. It has two entrances: one on Auglaize Street and another on Dearbaugh Avenue, which intersects Auglaize Street near the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office. The fairgrounds host events throughout the year, including the Auglaize County Fair in mid to late August, the St. Joseph 4th of July Festival, the Wapak Tug Fest in late May. == See == 1 Armstrong Air & Space Museum, 500 Apollo Dr (just west of I-75 at exit 111), ☏ +1 419-738-8811, fax: +1 419 738-3361. Hours: M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, holidays noon-5PM, closed on Thanksgiving. Dedicated to Wapakoneta-native Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon. Adult $8, child 6 - 12 $4, child 5 & under free; school groups $3 per student. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Bicycle Museum of America, 7 W Monroe St, New Bremen, ☏ +1 419-629-9249, bicyclemuseum@crown.com. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Adult $3, Seniors $2, Students $1, Child 5 & under free.. (updated Feb 2017) 3 Airstream Factory, 419 W Pike St, Jackson Center, ☏ +1 937 596-6111, toll-free: +1-877-596 6111. M-F 9AM-4PM, book tours in advance. Factory tour of the iconic luxury trailer makers, once a day during the week. Adult $5, Senior $3, Military $2, Child 12 & under free.. (updated Feb 2017) 4 Auglaize County Courthouse, ☏ +1 419 739-6780. M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Historic active court house popular for photos and is known for being the tallest building in Wapak. Accessing the inside is generally only advised if you have business there but they do offer occasional tours. (updated Nov 2018) 5 Wapakoneta Historical Museum, 206 W Main St, ☏ +1 419 738-9328, auglaizecountyhistory@bright.net. (updated Sep 2019) 6 The Temple of Tolerance (The Rock Garden), 203 S Wood St, ☏ +1 419-738-4474. Dawn to Dusk. The Temple of Tolerance, also known locally as The Rock Garden, is a unique backyard art installation located in Wapakoneta’s city center. Built by local historian Jim Bowsher, the site features an eclectic collection of massive stones, monuments, and historical artifacts, arranged in a sprawling garden that encourages exploration and reflection. It's free to visit and open to the public year-round, offering a peaceful yet thought-provoking experience tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood. Free. (updated Jul 2025) == Do == === Parks === One of the best ways to enjoy the city is by walking through its four parks, each offering recreational activities and natural scenery. The parks include playgrounds, walking paths, and areas to enjoy nature. Veterans Memorial Park features a 1.1-mile path commonly used for walking, bicycling, and running. Motorized vehicles, including motorbikes, are strictly prohibited on the path. The park includes two parking lots at both entrances, allowing for ample parking. It frequently hosts sporting events, including school district-sponsored activities and local club events for both youth and adults. Facilities include 4 soccer pitches, 8 baseball diamonds, 2 basketball courts, a gaga ball pit, a playground, and a splash pad—all open to the public. The local Walmart is accessible via a walking path to the east. 1 Veterans Memorial Park, 700 S Rauthland Ave (This park has two entrances. One is accessible south of S Pine St and the other south of S Wagner St. These two streets intersect Benton Street, which connects to Bellefontaine Street ("Hamburger Road") intersecting with I-75 to the east.), ☏ +1 419-230-4597. Dawn to Dusk. Free. (updated Jul 2025) Wapak Breakfast Optimist Soccer Park contains 2 full-sized soccer pitches, 2 junior high soccer pitches, and 6 youth soccer pitches. The park also features a playground and a gazebo open to the public. The pitches are maintained during the fall and spring soccer seasons, with nets removed during the off-season, although the park remains open year-round. 2 Wapak Breakfast Optimist Soccer Park, 500 S Water St (Located directly northeast of Veterans Memorial Park along S Pine St. The parking lot is on the south end of S Water St.), ☏ +1 419-738-3011. Dawn to Dusk. Free. (updated Jul 2025) Belcher Park is located next to the Auglaize River and features a playground, musical instruments, a small walking path, and a concrete dock that is popular for feeding geese. 3 Belcher Park, 1 E Harrison St (Located directly north of the historic downtown district across the river. Accessible via Harrison St, which intersects with Defiance St to the west.), ☏ +1 419-738-3011. Dawn to Dusk. Free. (updated Jul 2025) Heritage Park sits alongside the Auglaize River and includes a scenic walking path that acts as a boardwalk. The park’s sole amenity is a gazebo that can be used for small events such as birthdays. 4 Heritage Park, 1 E Harrison St (Located behind the historic downtown district and accessible via Heritage Dr, which intersects with Defiance St to the west. It is on the opposite side of the river from Belcher Park.), ☏ +1 419-738-3011. Dawn to Dusk. Free. (updated Jul 2025) === Festivals & Events === Tourists primarily visit the city for its vibrant community events and festivals. Many are held in the historic downtown district and at the fairgrounds. Children’s Hometown Holiday is a Christmas-themed event held in early December. A small parade takes place, and downtown businesses hand out gifts to children. Costumed characters roam the streets, offering gifts and posing for photos. St. Joseph 4th of July Festival is held annually on July 4th at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds. The festival includes food booths, games for all ages, and fireworks beginning at 11PM. Wapak Tug Fest is a celebration of trucks held annually in late May at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds. The multi-day event features dirt drags, truck pulls, live music, and local vendor booths. Wapak Summer Moon Festival honors Neil Armstrong and the first moon landing. Held downtown along E Auglaize St and intersecting streets like Perry St, Willipie St, and Park St, the multi-day festival includes amateur sports tournaments (such as pickleball, cornhole, and the “Run to the Moon” 5K), bed races, food and shopping booths, live music in the beer tent, and NASA astronaut meet-and-greets. 5 Auglaize County Fair, ☏ +1 419-738-2515. Hours vary by event. Varies by event. (updated Nov 2018) 6 Summer Moon Festival. Early July. (updated Jul 2019) === Entertainment === Popular entertainment amenities in Wapakoneta include the historic Wapa Theater, which shows newly released films in a nostalgic small-town setting. 7 Wapa Theater (Brown Theater), 15 Willipie St, ☏ +1 419-738-3718. (updated Sep 2019) Another attraction is Escape Wapak, a multi-activity facility featuring themed escape rooms, rage rooms, a Nerf arena, and other interactive experiences suitable for both children and adults. 8 Escape Wapak, 1101 Lincoln Ave, ☏ +1 419-549-1684. (updated Jul 2025) During the warmer months, visitors can also enjoy the Wapakoneta WaterPark, a family-friendly destination with swimming areas and a water slide. 9 Wapakoneta Waterpark, 106 Hamilton Rd, ☏ +14197386412. (updated Jul 2025) == Buy == 1 Casa Chic, 109 W Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419 738-2298. Boutique-style gift shop offering home décor, jewelry, and seasonal items. A popular downtown stop for locals and visitors alike. (updated Jul 2025) 2 Auglaize Antique Mall, 116 W Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419-738-8004. A large antique store located just off downtown Wapakoneta. Features multiple vendor booths with vintage furniture, collectibles, memorabilia, and home décor. A great stop for treasure hunters and nostalgia lovers. (updated Jul 2025) 3 Relics, 114 W Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419-649-7588. A shop specializing in handcrafted and vintage-style Wapakoneta and Ohio-themed apparel and goods. (updated Jul 2025) 4 Dad's Toy Shop, 123 W Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419-738-2007. A classic hobby shop with RC cars, model trains, collectibles, and toys. Great for kids or nostalgic hobbyists. (updated Jul 2025) == Eat == 1 J. Marie's Wood-Fired Kitchen and Drinks, 7 W Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419-674-2436. Excellent pizza, friendly staff, if a little slow service. Decor better than the pictures on the web site. (updated Jul 2019) 2 LaGrande Pizza & Subs, 16 S Blackhoof St, ☏ +1 419-738-6050. (updated Jul 2019) 3 RJ's Coffey Cup, 901 Defiance St, ☏ +1 419-738-2191. (updated Jul 2025) 4 Al’s Woody’s Diner, 9 N Wood St, ☏ +1 419-738-9111. (updated Jul 2025) 5 The Side Rail, 17 E Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419-738-6593. (updated Jul 2025) 6 The Whaling Knife, 11 Willipie St, ☏ +1 419-738-7888. (updated Jul 2025) 7 El Azteca, 1345 Bellefontaine St, ☏ +1 567-356-5226. (updated Jul 2025) 8 La Neta Mexican Grill, 1262 Bellefontaine St, ☏ +1 567-356-5226. (updated Jul 2025) == Drink == 1 Alpha Cafe, 7 E Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419-738-2013. (updated Nov 2018) 2 Winans Coffee & Chocolate, 24 E Auglaize St, ☏ +1 419-738-7946. (updated Jul 2025) 3 Coffé Amor Roastery & Cafe, 7 N Water St, ☏ +1 567-319-9925. (updated Jul 2025) 4 Coffé Amor at Wapak YMCA, 1100 Defiance St, ☏ +1 419-204-0174. (updated Jul 2025) == Sleep == 1 Best Western Wapakoneta Inn, 1008 Lunar Drive, ☏ +1 419-738-2050. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Wingate By Wyndham Lima, 175 W Market St (close to Lima Airport), ☏ +1 419-228-7000. (updated Jul 2019) 3 Red Roof Inn & Suites Wapakoneta, 1659 Bellefontaine St, ☏ +1 419-738-2184. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jul 2025) 4 Super 8 by Wyndham Wapakoneta, 1011 Lunar Dr, ☏ +1 419-738-8810. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jul 2025) == Connect == 1 Auglaize County Public Library, 203 S Perry St, ☏ +1 419-738-2921. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Wapakoneta Post Office. (updated Sep 2019) == Stay safe == Wapakoneta is generally considered a safe and quiet community with a relatively low crime rate. As in many small towns, most reported incidents are non-violent in nature, such as petty theft or traffic violations. Visitors are advised to take standard safety precautions—such as locking vehicles and securing valuables—especially when visiting parks or attending large public events. The Wapakoneta Police Department maintains a visible presence in the community and responds promptly to any concerns. The Wapakoneta Police Department is available for both emergency (911) and non-emergency situations. The non-emergency line is +1 419-738-2222. The city is also served by the Wapakoneta Fire Department, which provides fire protection and EMS services. While Wapakoneta does not have a major hospital within city limits, it is located near two full-service hospitals in Lima (Ohio). These include Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center at 730 W Market St and Lima Memorial Health System at 1003 Bellefontaine Ave, both approximately 14 miles north of downtown. For non-urgent care, the city is home to Lima Memorial Health System’s Wapakoneta Medical Center—locally referred to as “Lincoln Memorial”— at 602 Redskin Trail in the northern part of the city, just off OH-501 near Wapakoneta High School. == Go next == 10 Grand Lake St. Marys (Ohio) (Mercer County, west of Wapakoneta and south of Route 29.). 204 campsites, 166 are equipped with electricity. Facilities include flush toilets, laundry, showers, pet camping, swimming beach, boat launch, boat docks/tie-ups, five air-conditioned Camper Cabins, two spacious Cedar Cabins, naturalist scheduled programs, movies, Friday through Sunday night, boats have no limits on horsepower, seven launch ramps, fuel, boat rentals, seasonal dock rentals are available, wildlife refuge, fishing, hunting, 90 seasonal duck blinds, two public swimming beaches, camp store, games, bike and canoe rentals, miniature golf course, basketball, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and playground equipment. (updated Jul 2019) Indian Lake Region - region in Logan County, Ohio noted for being home to the Indian Lake reservoir which brings in thousands of visitors a year for water-related activities. Lima (Ohio) – A regional hub with a restored theater and classic Midwestern charm.