Lancaster is Fairfield County's largest city—a growing community 30 miles southwest of downtown Columbus. With a population of 36,000, Lancaster combines many of the amenities of a big city with a friendly small-town feel.

Lancaster is an extraordinarily dynamic arts community. With numerous galleries and museums, art classes, beautiful historic architecture, and a nationally known 12-day annual arts festival, its clear that the city takes its culture seriously. Its the reason Lancaster was awarded a place in the book The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America.

There's plenty to do outside here as well. Fairfield County is the gateway to Ohio's beautiful Hocking Hills with its hundreds of acres of undisturbed wilderness and miles of hiking trails.

• Mount Pleasant A hike to the top of this 300-ft tall rock formation in the center of Lancaster's 86-acre park offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can see the Columbus skyline.
• The Lancaster Heritage District Including parts of downtown and the birthplace of Civil War General, William T. Sherman and his brother, U.S. Senator John Sherman, the Heritage District showcases the city's fine Victorian-era architecture.

• The Lancaster Festival Each summer, the city hosts a 12-day celebration of the arts featuring dozens of concerts and other events many of them freeheld at venues all over town.
• The Fairfield County Fair Dating from 1850, this is the oldest continuously operating fair in Ohio.