Cambridge
Around Cambridge
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Town and around · Ohio · 38k people
Cambridge
“The Glass City”
Where Appalachian hills meet the art of glass.
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Welcome to Cambridge, where the hills meet the National Road. Take a stroll through downtown, browse the antique shops, and enjoy the small-town pace. If you love the outdoors, Salt Fork is right down the road.
Clubs for Cambridge
No clubs for Cambridge yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cambridge. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cambridge. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- National Museum of Cambridge Glass History of the local glass industry.
- Salt Fork State Park Large lake and miles of trails.
- The Great Guernsey Trail Paved rail trail for biking and walking.
- Guernsey County Courthouse 19th-century architecture in the town square.
- Cambridge Main Street Antique shops, diners, and small-town charm.
- Old National Road (U.S. Route 40) One of the first paved highways through Ohio.
- Outdoors Hiking at Salt Fork State Park
- Outdoors Biking the Great Guernsey Trail
- With kids Visit the National Museum of Cambridge Glass
- With kids Swim at Cambridge City Park pool
- Evenings Live music at local taverns
- Evenings Trivia nights at downtown pubs
- Locals love Glass museums and factory tours
- Locals love Antique shops and malls
Through the year
- Guernsey County Fair August County fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Dickens Victorian Village November-December Downtown transformed into a Victorian Christmas scene.
- Cambridge Glass Show Summer Collectors and dealers showcase local glassware.
- Old National Road Yard Sale Summer Multi-state yard sale along U.S. 40.
Humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to be outside.
Getaways
- Coshocton Historic canal town with Roscoe Village.
- Zanesville Pottery and art galleries along the Muskingum.
- New Philadelphia Amish country and shopping.
- Marietta Riverfront history and the Ohio River.
Local flavour
Rooting for Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA), Cleveland Browns (NFL), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cincinnati Reds (MLB), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)
Eat and drink
- buckeyes (chocolate-peanut butter treats) A classic Ohio candy
- sauerkraut balls Often served as appetizers in local bars
- ramps (wild leeks) Seasonal Appalachian delicacy
Where people go
- glass factories and museums Reflecting the town's historic glassmaking industry
- antique shops and malls Numerous shops in the historic downtown
- covered bridges Several historic covered bridges in the surrounding county
- Appalachian hills and hiking trails Rolling terrain and outdoor recreation
- small-town diners Classic American eateries with local charm
Heritage and traditions
Cambridge is proud of its glassmaking heritage, its role on the historic National Road, and its close-knit Appalachian community. Locals love sharing the story of John Glenn, who grew up here, and the natural beauty of the hills and lakes that surround the town.
This time of year in Cambridge
- Apple butter making September-October Some families still make apple butter in the fall, a slow, communal process.
- Leaf peeping in the hills October The fall foliage draws visitors to the scenic byways.
Say it like a local: “Crick” — A small stream or creek
Festivals
- Guernsey County Fair August A traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Dickens Victorian Village November-December Downtown Cambridge transforms into a 19th-century Christmas scene with costumed characters and lights.
- Cambridge Glass Show June Collectors and enthusiasts gather to buy, sell, and admire Cambridge glassware.
- Old National Road Yard Sale May A multi-state yard sale along the historic National Road, with vendors and antique hunters.
- Byesville Coal Festival September A small-town festival celebrating the region's coal mining heritage, with a parade and live music.
- Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival July An outdoor festival at Salt Fork State Park featuring local artisans and craftspeople.
Landmarks with a story
- Cambridge Historic District Listed on the National Register, this district showcases 19th- and early 20th-century architecture.
- Guernsey County Historical Society Museum Housed in a former church, this museum preserves local artifacts and stories.
- Byesville Depot A restored train station that recalls the era when rail was king in the coal fields.
- Byesville Coal Miner's Memorial Honors the miners who worked the local coal seams, a key part of the region's heritage.
- Old National Road (U.S. Route 40) One of America's first highways, still lined with historic inns and landmarks.
- Northwood Cemetery Final resting place of many early settlers and Civil War veterans, with historic gravestones.
Food traditions
- Buckeyes A peanut butter and chocolate treat shaped like the nut of the Ohio buckeye tree, a state symbol.
- Sauerkraut balls Fried balls of sauerkraut and sausage, a regional appetizer often served at parties and bars.
- Ramps (wild leeks) Foraged in the Appalachian hills each spring, ramps are celebrated in local dinners and have a strong, garlicky flavor.
- Morel mushroom hunting In spring, locals search the woods for these prized mushrooms, often frying them up with butter.
- Church potluck suppers Community gatherings feature home-cooked casseroles, fried chicken, and desserts, a staple of small-town life.
Music and arts
- Appalachian folk and bluegrass Local musicians keep the old-time sounds alive at festivals and church gatherings.
- Glass art and glassblowing The legacy of Cambridge Glass lives on in studios where artisans create new pieces.
- Quilting and folk crafts Quilts, baskets, and woodcarvings are sold at craft fairs and local shops.
A little history
- 1806-1830s Founded as a stop on the National Road
- Late 1800s-early 1900s Glassmaking industry booms
- 1921 John Glenn born in Cambridge
- Late 1800s-mid 1900s Coal mining in Byesville area
- 1960s Salt Fork State Park established
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Mud volleyball at the fair
- Outdoors Hiking at Salt Fork State Park
- Outdoors Biking the Great Guernsey Trail
- With kids Visit the National Museum of Cambridge Glass
- With kids Swim at Cambridge City Park pool
The local accent is a blend of Appalachian and Midland American English, with a slight Southern drawl. You'll hear 'y'all' and 'crick' for creek, and locals may 'warsh' their clothes. It's a friendly, down-home way of speaking that reflects the region's rural heritage.
Only here
- The only place where you can see the original brick of the National Road still in use.
- The only place where the annual Dickens Victorian Village turns the entire downtown into a 19th-century Christmas scene.
- The only place where you can tour the National Museum of Cambridge Glass, dedicated to the iconic glassware.
- The only place where you can eat sauerkraut balls as a bar snack with a side of Appalachian hospitality.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the hills: winding roads and steep grades are part of the charm, but take it slow in winter.
- Try a buckeye and a sauerkraut ball right away—they're local favorites.
- Visit the National Museum of Cambridge Glass to understand the town's proud manufacturing past.
- Drive the Old National Road (U.S. 40) for a scenic route lined with history.
- Join a community event like the Guernsey County Fair or a church potluck to meet neighbors.
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Part of Columbus area
Nearby
Every areaCoshoctonOhioWhere three rivers meet and history flowsZanesvilleOhioWhere the rivers meet and the clay turns to art.WoodsfieldOhioRugged hills, warm welcomesNew PhiladelphiaOhioLocal rooms for Twin Cities.Harrison CountyOhioRooted in the hills, open to the sky.Holmes CountyOhioWhere the buggies roll and the heart slows.MariettaOhioWhere the Muskingum meets the OhioWheelingWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills hold stories.
Cambridge, OH. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.