St. Marys (Ohio)

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St. Marys (Ohio)
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St. Marys is a city in Auglaize County, Ohio, noted for being home to Grand Lake St. Marys and to Grand Lake St. Marys State Park which brings in thousands of visitors in the area.

Understand

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Local information

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Talk

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Most residents speak English. Expect a small-town Midwestern dialect, and friendly, casual conversation. In summer, many tourists visit from nearby cities like Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati.

Get in

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Map
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Map of St. Marys (Ohio)

By plane

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St. Marys is served by two nearby general aviation airports:

For commercial flights, the nearest major airports are:

  • Dayton International Airport (DAY IATA), about a 1-hr drive south.
  • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH IATA), about a 1 hr 40 min drive southeast.

By car

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St. Marys is directly accessible via US-33 (east and west), which connects the area to Auglaize county seat Wapakoneta in the east and to the state capital Columbus to the southeast and Fort Wayne to the northwest. The main access points are along US-33 (exits 27A/B, 26 and 25). The city is also accessible by state routes 29, 116, and 66 all of which intersecting with US-33 from the north to south.

By bike

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The city features many major bike paths including several road and land trails by the lake as well as another path running next to the St. Marys canal. The path running by the Lake extends over 2.5 miles but is also accessible by vehicles so exercise extra precautions. The St. Marys Canal has a 6.3-mile-long stretch sitting alongside the scenic and historic waterway. This path intersects with a few roadways which requires extra safety precautions. Also, features a small tunnel running under US-33 which may require you to walk your bike as it is a tight fit. The canal is accessible by Memorial Park in downtown St. Marys off of East Spring Road.

Get around

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St. Marys' major commercial district is downtown, featuring a mix of fast food chains and local restaurants and businesses. The downtown area is centered on East Spring Street and extends through several intersections, including North Front Street, North Spruce Street, and a number of smaller connecting roads.

Memorial Park serves as the city’s main hub for festivals and events, hosting concerts, farmers markets, and seasonal gatherings. Popular events include St. Marys SummerFest, the Fourth of July Festival, and the Nature Fall Fest. The park is located along the St. Marys Canal and marks the main entrance to the city's walking and biking path. Notable landmarks within the park include the Memorial Covered Bridge, a clock tower, and the Belle of St. Marys canal boat.

The city is best known for its proximity to Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, which boasts the largest man-made lake in Ohio at 13,500 acres. The lake lies along State Route 364. Visitors arriving via US-33 can take Exit 26 and head south on Koenig Road, which leads directly to the lake. Located on the city’s east side, the lake offers a sprawling shoreline with numerous campgrounds, restaurants, fishing spots, and swimming areas.

A secondary commercial district is located off US-33 at Exits 27A and 27B. This area includes a variety of fast food options such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Biggby Coffee, along with the city’s main shopping center, Kroger. A pedestrian bridge crosses above US-33 near this exit.

See

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  • 1 Miami and Erie Canal Boat (The Belle of Saint Mary), 129 E Spring St. Canal boat docked at Memorial Park which often able to be boarded for pictures. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 2 Memorial Covered Bridge, 134 W South St. Covered bridge which is able to be walked on and is popular for photos. The start of the canal walkway. (updated Jul 2025)
The Grand Lake St. Marys Lighthouse near St. Marys.
  • 3 Grand Lake St. Marys Lighthouse, Near intersection of Northwood Dr and Paulus Dr. Celina (in between Celina and St. Marys). Popular lighthouse in the area common for photos. (updated Jul 2025)

Do

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A view of Grand Lake St. Marys near St. Marys, Ohio.
  • 1 Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, 834 Edgewater Dr, ☏ +1 419-394-3611. Major Ohio State Park sitting on Grand Lake St. Marys with many beaches, spots to fish, campgrounds, and walking paths. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 2 Miami Erie Canal & Bike/ Walk Path, 156 E High St, ☏ +1 419-394-3611. 6-mile walking and hiking path. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 3 Grand Opera House Live, 119 W Spring St. Opera house where many concerts and events are held. Visit their website to view when events are being held. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 4 Grand Miami Disc Golf Course, 170 E Greenville Rd (inside KC Geiger Park). Open disc golf course. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 5 KC Geiger Miniature Golf Course, 170 E Greenville Rd (inside KC Geiger Park), ☏ +1 419-300-3184. Mini golf course. Call to see if they are open, can only book in person. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 6 KC Geiger Park, 170 E Greenville Rd, ☏ +1 419-300-1252. Public park with many running paths, soccer fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, playgrounds, and more. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 7 Varsity Lanes, 91 Herzing St, ☏ +1 419-394-2915. Bowling alley. (updated Jul 2025)
  • 8 Sunset Beach (Dog Tail Beach), 834 Edgewater Dr. Public beach. Exercise increased caution due to algae toxins commonly found in this lakebed. (updated Jul 2025)

Buy

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Eat

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Drink

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Sleep

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Shoreline view of Grand Lake St. Marys, a major feature of the St. Marys area.

Connect

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Stay safe

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  • St. Marys is a generally quiet and safe small town with low crime. As always, use common sense when walking alone at night, and lock your vehicle and belongings, especially during festivals or at busy parks.
  • If you're visiting Grand Lake St. Marys, be aware that the lake has historically had issues with harmful algal blooms (HABs), particularly during the warmer summer months. These blooms can produce toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that may be dangerous to humans and pets.
  • Before swimming, boating, or allowing pets near the water, check the latest Ohio EPA or Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) advisories for the lake. Signs may also be posted at state park access points if water quality is a concern.
  • Avoid ingesting or swimming in discolored water, and rinse off immediately after contact. Drinking untreated lake water is not recommended at any time.

Up-to-date information can be found on: Ohio Algae Information Portal

Go next

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  • Celina - Neighboring city also sitting on Grand Lake St. Marys with a popular boardwalk.
  • Wapakoneta - Birthplace of Neil Armstrong, with a space museum and quaint downtown.
  • Lima (Ohio) – A regional hub with a restored theater and classic Midwestern charm.
  • Indian Lake Region - Another lake in the Western Ohio area which brings in thousands of visitors a year and also features a state park.
Routes through St. Marys
Fort Wayne ← Willshire ←  W  E  → Jct. OH-66 → Wapakoneta
Minster ← New Bremen ←  S   N  → Delphos → Spencerville


This city travel guide to St. Marys is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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