Universities for you and I

Editor's note: This story appeared in the 2026 edition of the 419 Summer Fun Guide. When communities drive past their local colleges and universities, they most likely imagine what life is like for the students enrolled. They walk to class, study with their peers and prepare themselves for their future careers. But what do these institutions have to 419 locals and visitors? A good bit, it turns out. Here are some college amenities in the 419 that are open to all: BGSU Firelands 1 University Drive, Huron (Erie County) Whether it's a student who needs a break from classes or a campus visitor looking for something to do, Bowling Green State University Firelands' James H. McBride Arboretum is a popular site for photos, walks and quiet visits. The arboretum was created to develop and demonstrate horticulture and natural landscape for education, enrichment and enjoyment, according to the university's website. Established in partnership with Erie MetroParks in 1983 and named after the campus' first dean, James McBride, the arboretum is a 42-acre area open year-round to visitors. It includes a paved walking path around Parker Lake, wood trails and a prairie. Across the acreage is a collection of over 200 species of trees, shrubs and flower plants. Springtime is the best time of year to experience all the arboretum has to offer. It is the most active time for nature as trees flower and seasonal growth emerge. Next to the arboreum is the Cedar Point Center, a conference and event space for meetings, receptions, proms, banquets and other community gatherings hosted throughout the year. The two features are often used together for events. For example, the arboreum is a great place for wedding or prom photos before guests head inside for their events. University of Findlay 1000 N. Main St., Findlay (Hancock County) The University of Findlay has a beautiful campus and a close relationship with the Hancock County community. The highlight for visitors is the Mazza Museum, which hosts the world's largest collection of original artwork by children's book illustrators. The museum's goal is to promote literacy and enrich the lives of all people through the art of picture books. Six galleries exhibit more than 300 works at any time. Mazza gives world-class artists and authors a platform to share their creative process, along with a permanent home for the preservation and care of their contributions to their craft. Visitors will develop an understanding of how artists use pictures to illustrate the words and meaning of a story. As they stroll through the museum, they will see every aspect of the process, from the first sketches to the final original artwork that became part of the book. Mazza nourishes and inspires in people of all ages an enthusiasm for books and art and how they impact life. By visiting Mazza, children experience a cultural interaction they can appreciate. The picture books the museum highlights can be a child's first step toward a lifelong love of reading. The beautiful illustrations capture the imaginations of young readers as they learn to recognize the meaning behind the images, along with reading and understanding language. The museum also works closely with educators, providing tools to inspire excitement for reading in the classroom and beyond. Acting as a resource, the museum offers workshops, research materials, teaching aids and story kits that assist with the learning process. Educators can also attend conferences where they can hear stories directly from artists and learn more about literature, education, writing and illustration. Director Dan Chudzinski hosts a free sketching class for adults from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Registration is not required. Mazza, in cooperation with the Imagination Station of Toledo, will host a summer STEAM camp June 8-12 for children in grades 5-8. The theme is "Intergalactic Problem Solvers." A summer art camp for elementary and middle school students will be held July 20-24. The theme is "Nature Studio". For more information on events, or to register, visit mazzamuseum.org/events. The Mazza Museum is located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, 201 College St., Findlay. Bluffton University 1 University Drive, Bluffton (Allen County) Bluffton University offers a scenic, welcoming campus experience set within the heart of the friendly village of Bluffton, home to about 4,000 residents. Situated on 234 acres of rolling land, the campus blends academic spaces with natural beauty, including a forested landscape featuring more than 100 varieties of trees and the peaceful flow of Little Riley Creek, which gives the grounds a retreat-like feel. Visitors can explore the 160-acre nature preserve, complete with wooded and grassland trails, a small lake and diverse wildlife habitats, as well as enjoy features like the campus tree walk and art walk that highlight Bluffton's connection to both nature and creativity. The campus reflects a close-knit, welcoming community where visitors can experience both small-town charm and a thoughtfully designed natural setting. The nature preserve is located at 10535 Augsburger Road, Bluffton. More information can be found at bluffton.edu/about/our-campus/nature-preserve.aspx. Bowling Green State University Main Campus 1001 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green (Wood County) Bowling Green State University, home to more than 19,600 students, is located 30 miles from Toledo in Bowling Green, which was ranked one of America's Best College Towns by WalletHub. The campus offers a variety of spaces the public might enjoy. The Marine Biology Laboratory and the Herpetarium, both located at 217 Life Sciences Building, may appeal to those interested in wildlife. The marine lab offers a chance to view more than 66 genera of marine life including sea anemones, corals, starfish, sea urchins, snails, crabs, lobsters and algae, as well as a wide variety of marine fish. The animals in the lab are maintained by students mainly for class study and research projects, but are also present for the appreciation of visitors and other students. The herpetarium includes more than 30 species of animals, including snakes, lizards, frogs and a tortoise. Its mission is to promote appreciation of biological diversity as well as the understanding and respect of organisms encountered through the field of herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians). The BGSU Planetarium is a 114-seat public science theater serving BGSU students, area schools and the public. Set under a 40-foot dome, the state-of-the-art SciDome video system fills the dome with video that immerses visitors in the cosmos and shows the sky as it would be seen from any place on the Earth at any time. The location is 112 Physical Sciences Lab Building. Many of these facilities have limited or varying hours in the summer. Visitors are advised to call ahead, as in some cases visits may need to be scheduled. BGSU also offers a variety of youth summer camps on subjects ranging from creative writing to exploring nursing careers to marine biology, along with a variety of camps focused on athletics and music. More information on these can be found at bgsu.edu/pre-college-programs.html. Heidelberg University 310 E. Market St., Tiffin (Seneca County) Heidelberg University is another walkable campus that offers an easy stop for visitors, both indoors and outdoors. The campus blends historic academic buildings with open green space, making it a common place for a casual walk, a place to sit and enjoy lunch, or a quieter place to spend some time near the center of Tiffin. Areas around the central campus connect easily to surrounding neighborhoods, giving it more of a public feel than a closed off university setting. Among the more recognizable features is the campus labyrinth, which provides a quiet place to walk and spend time, along with a number of sculptures placed throughout the grounds that add visual interest. The university also recently opened Frann's Fieldhouse, which has become a key part of campus activity and adds to the overall footprint of facilities visitors may notice while walking through campus. The fieldhouse is host to a number of different events to the public, including open-walk days as well as others, for those who want to get active but prefer to stay indoors. In the summer, Heidelberg hosts several camps and smaller-scale events that bring visitors onto its campus. The setting remains open and accessible during the summer, making it a straightforward stop for visitors looking to spend time outdoors or incorporate a visit to Tiffin. Tiffin University 155 Miami St., Tiffin (Seneca County) Tiffin University brings a steady mix of music and events to the community during the summer. The East Green Amphitheater serves as a central spot for outdoor concerts, with a lineup that includes visiting groups and regional performers across a range of styles. Shows scheduled throughout the summer feature everything from jazz and vocal ensembles to rock and pop-influenced performances, with shows held at campus venues such as The Marion Center and The Wall Street Pub and Grille. In addition to the concerts, the campus sees regular activity through a wide range of summer camps that draw students and families into the area. Academic camps can be held regarding a variety of subject areas, while athletic camps are held for basketball, football, track and field, volleyball, and tennis. The mix of performances and camps creates a consistent presence on campus and offers visitors several ways to experience the university during the summer months. University of Toledo 2801 Bancroft St., Toledo (Lucas County) The University of Toledo's main campus is one of its biggest draws for visitors, with a walkable layout that mixes historic buildings and open green space. University Hall, completed in 1931, anchors the campus and gives it a distinct historical look, while sculptures placed throughout the campus create additional points of interest. Several designated photo spots with smartphone stands have been added to campus. Just off the main campus, the Stranahan Arboretum offers a quieter outdoor option. The 47-acre site includes landscaped gardens, wooded areas, ponds, and prairie space, and is open to the public free of charge. On campus, the Ritter Planetarium and Brooks Observatory provide another public-facing experience, with regular weekend programs and telescope viewing nights that give visitors a chance to see inside a research-grade observatory. The university's largest summer event is Art on the Mall, this year scheduled for July 26. The event brings in over 100 artists for a daylong outdoor show and is free to attend, with parking available for visitors. Later in the summer the university typically hosts a Movie Night at the Glass Bowl, but details for this year's event have not yet been announced at the time of writing.