Lake Erie Living Magazine - September 2023

We all have our best moments.

During the summer, a lot of our best moments are on or around Lake Erie. That’s what we all have in common — and it’s why you’re reading this magazine.

But it’s also true that many of those “bests” aren’t experienced doing anything special. Some of the highlights from my summer were doing morning yoga at the park next to my cottage, making baked oatmeal with fresh Catawba peaches and enjoying balmy nights on the porch with friends and family.

It’s in that spirit that we bring you our “Best of Lake Erie” cover story (page 12). Sure, you’ll find big splashy things to do, like skydive over Niagara Falls (page 13) or take a road trip to Hell and back (page 22).

But you’ll also find plenty of little outings you can tuck into a day. Maybe it’s a nice cup of coffee (page 21), mini golf with a view of the water (page 18) or a bit of bird watching (page 24).

We love how Lake Erie summers now ease their way gently into fall. Just 10 years ago, it seemed like the lake shut down on Labor Day — and that’s just not true anymore.

While you’ll certainly find a slower pace in September and October (and we don’t publish another print issue till March), there are more and more fun things to do every autumn. Head to page 22 for a start and make sure to check out our guide at LakeErieLiving.com/events. At the top of our list? The annual FireFish celebration in Lorain, Ohio (page 6).

P.S. More than a decade ago, we did a story on an extraordinary estate for sale in Vermilion, Ohio. The property, called Waterwood, just sold — and is being developed into a resort. Read the full story at LakeErieLiving.com/ waterwood.

You can also sign up for our free email newsletter at LakeErieLiving.com/newsletter to get all of the latest Lake Erie stories and news delivered right to your inbox. The best, as they say, is still to come.

See you on the lake!

Chairman Lute Harmon Sr.

President Lute Harmon Jr.

Publisher

Paul Klein

klein@glpublishing.com

Editor

Colleen Smitek

editor@lakeerieliving.com

Web Editor

Rachel Hagenbaugh

Contributing Writers

Laura Watilo Blake, Lara Busold, Linda Feagler, Vince Guerrieri, Kristen Hampshire, Jill Sell, Lynne Thompson and Jennifer Webb

Managing Art Director

Rayanne Medford rmedford@glpublishing.com

Associate Art Director

Megan Rosta

Contributing Artists

Laura Watilo Blake, Matthew Greene

Production Manager

Alyson Moutz Cowan

Account Managers

Julie Bialowas, Nichole Cardinale and Karen Hopkinson

Operations Manager

Corey Galloway cgalloway@glpublishing.com

Traffic Coordinator

Kristen Brickner

Director of Digital Strategy

Jacquie Chakirelis

Development Manager

Daniel Klinzing

Subscriber Services

1-800-453-1015

lakeerieliving@emailcustomerservice.com

Chief Financial Officer

George Sedlak

Finance Director

Perry Zohos

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Geli Valli

Audience and Events Manager

Jennifer Roberts

Colleen Smitek Editor

Currents

Feeding the Fire

When FireFish Festival started in Lorain, Ohio, in 2015, it was seen as a day to energize a postindustrial downtown through innovative art installations, live entertainment and — as the name promises — the lighting of a giant papier-mache fish.

But the pandemic changed the direction of FireFish.

“We decided we wanted to be a yearround organization and not just a festival organization,” explains FireFish operations and marketing manager Candice Pettigrew. “We’ve really situated ourselves to be the arts organization for Lorain.”

The festival’s theme this year is “Fire in the Sky: Transcending Dark and Light,” a nod to next year’s eclipse.

To get the community more engaged, FireFish has made lantern kits that can be assembled at home and then used in this year’s parade down Broadway at dusk. The

festival also helps run an arts camp and, next year, will put up art installations in connection with the Lorain Historical Society to commemorate the centennial of a series of tornadoes in town.

Another thing that’s changed is the fish itself, which Pettigrew says will be taller and “look like it’s jumping out of the water.”

But the biggest addition this year is the Arts Alley, between Fifth and Sixth streets near Speak of the Devil, a popular local bar.

“All summer long, we’ve been working on activating the alley,” Pettigrew says. “A lot of the stuff there will end up being permanent.”

One happy development since FireFish launched nearly a decade ago is a renaissance along Broadway in Lorain.

“It’s still growing, but it’s great to be a part of that amazing experience,” says Pettigrew. “It’s become a cool place to be, and it’s really fun to sell that to people.”

– Vince Guerrieri

WHEN YOU GO

When: Sept. 16, from 2 to 11 p.m.

Where: Downtown Lorain, Ohio, between Fifth and Seventh streets and on and off Broadway

What to expect: Art, music, food trucks — and a giant burning fish

More info: firefishfestival.com

The Best Damn Band on the ISLAND

7 Tips to Find Beach Glass

Need to up your beach glass game? Check out these tips from certified International Sea Glass Association member — and Avon Lake, Ohio, native — Shea Alltmont.

1. After bad weather, uncover the rainbow. Storms stir up debris, making just after a storm the perfect time to comb the beach. Fun fact: Orange glass is the most rare. White, seafoam, green and brown are the most common.

Hang on, Sloopy. Is that a bellowing tuba on that boat?

A drum major squad, sliding trombones and, all told, 228 performers from The Ohio State University will march off the Miller Ferry and land at Put-in-Bay on Sept. 3 for a Labor Day parade and performance. We caught up with marching band director Christopher Hoch to find out more about the show.

ORCHESTRATING LOGISTICS:

Unlike hauling your family by ferry to Put-in-Bay, planning an island trip for players and their instruments plus band staff is a completely different score. If you have a mental picture of a boatload of brass and percussion, that’s about right. “We’ll leave instrument cases in storage on the mainland, and, weather allowing, we’ll play on the boat as we approach the docks,” Hoch says. Next comes a parade through the main streets before students enjoy free time for dinner. Don’t be surprised to dine next to a trumpet.

TRADITION AND INNOVATION:

The band has built many traditions since launching in 1878, but the most famous, Hoch explains, are the perfectly timed and coordinated ramp entrance established in 1928, Script Ohio in 1936 and the singing of “Hang On Sloopy” in 1965. “Not only do we hold on to our roots, we are innovators in our field. During the last 10 years, we have developed halftime shows that are modern and engage the audience in new ways. That is always at the forefront of our minds.”

DOTTING THE I:

“There is some talk of an abbreviated Script Ohio in front of the Perry monument, and we’ll perform an evening concert,” Hoch says.

DEPARTING MAINLAND:

It has been 10 years since the band visited Put-in-Bay. “Taking the band away from Ohio Stadium is always fun. The students enjoy performing for people who don’t normally get to see us — and they get to see what we are all about.”

– Kristen Hampshire

2. Go off-season. Summer is the most popular time to look for beach glass. Go in fall or even into winter — provided it’s not frozen — and you’ll have less competition.

3. Location, Location, Location. Not all beaches yield results. Alltmont’s favorites in Ohio: Conneaut Beach for blue slag glass, Huntington Beach in Bay Village, Edgewater Beach in Cleveland, Perkins Beach (west of Cleveland) and Veterans Park in Avon Lake. To the west, Lake Erie’s Magee Marsh and Old Woman’s Creek in Huron are good bets.

4. Have the right tools. You can use your hands, a flat rock or even gardening tools for digging. Water shoes are also valuable.

5. Go at night. Chemicals used during the glass making process can make the glass glow when using an ultraviolet flashlight.

6. Look Down. Always look down for the line of debris (that’s where you’ll see the large pebbles or driftwood). Under the debris is often beach glass.

7. Be prepared — and also patient. Reach out to locals about good beach glassing areas and be patient. One day a beach might have oodles of treasure, another day nothing. Beach glassing is a combination of luck and perseverance.

— Sarah Miller

Lakeside Living

By Design

By Sarah Miller

How a Toronto couple with an eye for art found their dream beach home in Port Colborne, Ontario — and then made it even better.

Jessica and Joshua Jensen-Nagle shared the same dream — a beach house. But given their background — Joshua is a fine art photographer and Jessica is a former leather goods designer who now helps run her husband’s business — they were looking for something beyond a cookie-cutter cottage.

So when they followed the winding, forested drive that led to a mid-century modern house designed by architect Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, they perked up. The striking exterior, layered with flagstone from the local quarry, was inspired by the architect’s native Italy. The couple fell in love with the design and bought the “House on Lake Erie” in the winter of 2021.

“This is my happy place,” Jessica says. “Sitting inside feels like you’re outside.”

Indeed, the home is perched high on a hill with sweeping views of their private swath of Lake Erie beach in Port Colborne, Ontario. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the blue-green waters, leafy trees and lilacs. The doubleglazed windows are held in place with steel that can withstand 120-mile per hour winds, and they’re framed with cedar for natural warmth.

“I’ve always been in love with the beach,” Jessica says. “Being on Lake Erie is wild; no two days look the same. I love every season, but maybe winter is my favorite for its quiet solitude.”

Finding this postcard-worthy perch seemed meant to be. “When I was young, we moved quite a bit,” Jessica says. “My dad was an architect and built our homes. I was always drawing C-shaped homes that wrapped around a central courtyard.”

The courtyard Jessica drew her whole life looks remarkably, if not exactly, like the courtyard where she sits today. Likewise, the leather hand railing on the floating stairs looks just like the ones she’d sketched in college. “It was almost as if I’d been manifesting it my whole life,” she says.

And then there are the touches that Jessica and Joshua added.

Joshua’s mural-sized photographs on glass further celebrate beach life in Australia and Italy’s Amalfi Coast. One of their favorite pieces is an original 1950’s Artichoke Lamp by Poul Henningsen that once hung in a Copenhagen restaurant. Now the unique piece hangs from the tall ceiling near the great room’s soaring bookshelves, which are filled with Joshua’s colorful beach ball sculpture and their books on design and travel.

Another whimsical touch is a wall display of straw hats from beach trips in the guest house, which is connected to the main house by a 52-foot-long, slate-tiled hallway.

“We’ve stayed in different hotels over the years, so I want my family and friends to

have these special touches,” Jessica says, while pulling open a fully stocked snack drawer that works in tandem with a nearby mini bar to make sure guests are comfortable.

While they’ve only had the home for a few years, the family has found their rhythm, dividing their time more or less equally between Toronto and the beach. Mornings are spent relaxing with tea for her, coffee for him. Their third floor serves as a fitness room area with 360-degree panoramic views. Watching Lake Erie’s sunrises and sunsets anchors their day.

Every day brings subtle shifts in sunlight and watery blues. From sunkissed sparkling ripples to frozen winds that shape ice into sculptures, Lake Erie acts as a constant companion and muse.

JOSHUA JENSEN-NAGLE

Finding solace here is only part of the equation though.

“I’d like to say it’s relaxing, but it’s also a whole lot of work,” Jessica says. Jokingly, they call the home “The Hole” because it eats up so much time and money. From installing a backsplash to custom-fitting copper around the fireplace, there’s always something to be done.

Recently, they’ve glassed in the floating staircase and added 60-inch-wide wooden beach stairs. The multi-tiered staircase has a resting spot Jessica calls the “lilac lounge” where you can breathe in water and lilac — and just sit a while.

Steadily they’ve created “spots for comfort and relaxing.” Sun-washed furniture and classic elements mix to achieve balance. “I want a playful energy, but also warm and cozy,” Jessica says.

Every day brings subtle shifts in sunlight and watery blues. From sun-kissed sparkling ripples to frozen winds that shape ice into sculptures, Lake Erie acts as a constant companion and muse.

It’s hard to leave, even for the family’s goldendoodles, Trip and Finn, who love beach life as much as their owners.

“Finn plays dead when it’s time to leave and go back to the city,” Jessica says with a laugh. “He revolts!”

JOSHUA JENSEN-NAGLE

Remarkable Lake County,OH

Congratulations to all 2023 Best of Lake Erie winners

Lаke County is proud to be home to so many award-winning businesses!

#RemаrkаbleLаkeCountyOH

Fairport Harbor

Eastern Ohio BEST HOT SPOT

Headlands Beach State Park

BEST BEACH

The Pompadour, Fairport Harbor

BEST FINE DINING

Fairport Harbor

BEST TOWN

Mentor Lagoons Preserve

BEST NATURE EXPERIENCE

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante

BEST WINERY

Pulpo Beer Company

BEST BEER

Grand River Cellars

BEST PAIRING: COOKIE DOUGH & WINE TASTING FLIGHT

Rego’s Brickhouse Pizza, Fairport Harbor

BEST PIZZA

Headlands Beach State Park

Grand River Cellars Pulpo Beer Company

Fairport Harbor

BEST of Lake Erie of Lake Erie

Life around the lake is full of old favorites and new finds — and there’s nothing better than combining the two. We’re talking about skydiving over Niagara Falls, ice skating along the Maumee River and houseboating on Castaway Bay. Throw in some fall fun, sweet treats, good eats and drinks and you’ll be living your best life on our Great Lake.

By Laura Watilo Blake, Kellie Gormly, Kristen Hampshire, Sarah Miller, Maria Scrivani and Colleen Smitek

SOL STAY: LAURA WATILO BLAKE

Best Rides

SOUTH SHORE PEDICABS

It all started on the water. “We like to take cruises,” says Kim Gill, who recently launched two pedicabs in downtown Sandusky, Ohio, with her husband, Jeff. “At every port, we’d see pedicabs. Something just clicked, and we thought it would be great for Sandusky.” With more than 25 downtown bars and restaurants and a large number of outdoor events at Jackson Street Pier, there’s a growing demand for short rides. “I’m surprised by how excited people get when riding in the cabs,” says Kim. “I see a lot of pure child-like joy.” While the Gills haven’t quit their day jobs yet, they love the opportunity to meet people and get some exercise while earning $2 per block. “Even if I don’t make a dollar,” says Tim, “at least I will be in great shape.” southshorepedicabs.com

Best Cruise with Views THE SANDPIPER

Find the perfect concoction of fresh air, beach music and vibrant art on the Sandpiper Mural Cruise. The open-air boat departs Promenade Park in Toledo, Ohio, with views of the city’s skyline and then breezes to the largest mural in the United States. Called The Glass City River Wall Project, this stunning display of 28 painted silos by artist Gabe Gault captures portraits of a Native American elder, mother and child, as well as a field of sunflowers. Blue, yellow and orange reflections dance on the river as the ship’s first mate entertains passengers with local stories. jmcruiselines.com

Best On-the-Water Overnight SOL STAY

Looking for a place to drift off to sleep? Check out Sol Stay, a village of houseboats in Sandusky, Ohio. Most of the houseboats accommodate two people with a queensized bed, two chairs and a side table — and just enough solar or battery power to charge phones and fans. Bathrooms and showers are a few steps away on dry land. Other perks include a fire pit, shared rooftop hot tub, lawn games and access to paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis. “The goal is to hang out and have a good time at the lake,” says Joe Lisa, one of Sol Stay’s owners. “Our concept encourages people to be outside, to enjoy each other’s company and just unplug and relax.” solstaylodging.com

Best Skydiving SKYDIVE THE FALLS

A top 10 skydiving destination in the world — alongside destinations like Fiji and New Zealand — Skydive the Falls allows you to cross three cities and two countries in one outing. Not to mention the views of Niagara Falls. “It’s the experience of a lifetime,” says co-founder Jason Berger, who has jumped more than 4,000 times and says, “It never gets old.” Altitude sets his outfit apart. Most operations hover at 10,000 feet or less, while this experience scales up to 14,000 feet, offering a full 60 seconds of dive time. “It’s the best feeling you’ll ever have,” Berger promises. skydivethefalls.com

Best Casino Trip

CAESARS WINDSOR

A night at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, is more than a stack of chips or spin at the roulette wheel. Here are 10 ways to create a winning get-away, even if the odds seem stacked against you.

1 Stay at the casino’s hotel — and ask for a room with a view of the river so that you can see the twinkling lights of Detroit and the barges passing by. caesars.com/ caesars-windsor

2 Build in an extra day and explore the wineries on Lake Erie, including Viewpointe Estate and Sprucewood Shores Estate wineries. visitwindsoressex.com

3 Take a walk east along the Detroit River to see the 31 large-scale works at the Windsor Sculpture Park.

4 Take a walk west along the Detroit River to check out the tour telling the story of Canadian whiskey at the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery. jpwiserstour.ca

5 Enjoy one of the best restaurants in the city at the casino’s own Neros Steakhouse, where you can go big with the 26-ounce porterhouse steak or keep it light with the Butterscotch Poached D’Anjou Pear Salad.

6 Enjoy breakfast just down the road at The Twisted Apron, where the Biscoff Lotus Pancakes compete with Breakfast Pierogies for a carb splurge that’s totally worth it. thetwistedapron.com

7 Check out Willistead Manor, a Tudor-Jacobeanstyle manor house with a total of 36 rooms that sits in the middle of a beautiful park. visitwindsoressex.com

8 Head to the Walkerville Brewery to learn about the rich history of beer in the area — and sip some yourself. walkervillebrewery.com

9 Make sure to sample Windsorstyle pizza, which means shredded pepperoni, canned mushrooms and heavy on the oregano (it’s fantastic!). The Windsor Pizza Club will steer you in the right direction. visitwindsoressex.com/pizza

10 Take in a show at the casino like Diana Ross on Sept. 8, Bush on Sept. 14 or comic Andrew Schulz on Sept. 23. caesars.com/ caesars-windsor

Ceasars Windsor

Best New Restaurant

These two eateries were the talk of their towns when they opened this year. Here’s a look at what you’ll find there.

RED’S

Washing down perch tacos with blackberry peach sangria on the breezy decks and patios.

An intentionally laid-back feel (they sell ice and cases of beer to go!) paired with a menu that appeals to both food snobs and the burger/pizza crowd.

TRUFFLE

Brunch, especially the honeycomb-shaped Belgian waffles served with buttermilk fried chicken.

The house-made truffle honey that is incorporated in many dishes, including a wood-fired pizza with herbed ricotta and fresh mozzarella.

Best Spuds

THE CHIP SHIP’S DILL PICKLE FRIES

Three workers spend all day peeling and slicing potatoes, which are then sprinkled with a secret seasoning, finished with a drizzle of white sauce (also a secret) and topped with shredded dill pickles. We suggest going big with the $25 family order then heading outside to watch the boats come and go at the Old Cut Boat Livery in Port Rowan, Ontario. thechipship.com

Best Outdoor Dining

GUPPY’S RESTAURANT & TAVERN

Best Rebranded Barbecue

SOUTHERN JUNCTION

Southern Junction Barbecue in Buffalo is the culinary-fusion creation of Ryan Fernandez. Born in India and raised in Texas, he shares the food of his childhood. That’s Texas barbecue tweaked with Indian style and spicing. Think brisket with coconut-curry sauce and cardamom cornbread. Whatever it’s called, we’re coming hungry. southernjunction716.com

IT’S MORE THAN A SANDWICH. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE.

Best Philly Cheesesteaks Not in Philly BROWNS CHEESESTEAK

The best way to experience a Browns Cheesesteak made with 100% ribeye and authentic amoroso hoagie rolls for the first time in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio?

“Order a traditional with mushroom, onion and green pepper, and ask for the American cheese because it binds all the ingredients together,” advises owner Michael Brown. “We’ll toast the roll for you, wrap it up, and have at it!”

Customers have told Brown, “We come up for your sandwiches, but it’s more than a sandwich. It’s an experience.”

That said, try bellying up for a Tony’s Tower Challenge. They’ll serve you a cheese steak with one pound of ribeye, a pound of veggies and three cheeses including American, provolone and whiz. “You have 33 minutes to eat it, and so far, no one has been able to conquer the tower.” brownscheesesteaks.com

BEST TREATS & SWEETS

Best Teatime

LAKESIDE TABLE & TEAROOM

Best Lemonade

BEA’S SQUEEZE

In addition to classic lemonade, Bea’s Squeeze bottles up pink rose, lavender, basil and hibiscus. It began in 2019 when Beatrice Wolnerman and her husband bought a weed-filled postage stamp-sized lot in Detroit and started a lemonade stand. Soon stores were reaching out. “We pride ourselves on the freshsqueezed taste,” Wolnerman says. beassqueeze.com

Best Smoothies

SMOOTHIESIDE

Opened last fall in Lakeside, Ohio, SmoothieSide offers smoothies, smoothie bowls, dog smoothies and bubble tea. Our favorite? The Banana Mocha Bike Ride, a blend of bananas, cold brew, chocolate almond milk, cacao powder, honey and peanut butter. smoothieside.com

Best Sponge Candy

Give sponge candy a second. The rich chocolate and sticky filling need to melt together to work their magic. You get it if you live on the eastern half of Lake Erie, where sponge candy has been a thing for more than 100 years.

3 4 1

Visitors can watch as candy is made at Romolo Chocolates in Erie, Pennsylvania — and nearly a half million confections are sold each year. romolochocolates.com

Built in 1875 with a wrap-around porch and views of the Lake Erie islands, the Hotel Lakeside in Lakeside, Ohio, is perfect for afternoon tea, which is offered (reservations only) through Labor Day. Your table will be filled with a three-tier tray of delights, both savory and sweet, including scones, chocolate mousse, mini strawberry shortcakes and more. tableandtearoom.com 2

Fowler’s Chocolates in Buffalo bills itself as the “original and authentic” sponge candy and has been serving it up since 1910.

fowlerschocolates.com

Stefanelli’s Candies has been around since 1929 and prides itself on bringing the art of Italian candy making to Erie, Pennsylvania. stefanelliscandies.com

Launched in 1946, Watson’s makes three types of sponge candy in Buffalo — milk, dark and even orange chocolate. watsonschocolates.com

Best Skating

THE RIBBON

It’s a new 1,000-foot-long loop trail on which you can ice skate in the winter (reserve a private cabana with fire pit to stay warm) and roller skate in the summer. And it’s just one part of Toledo, Ohio’s Glass City Metropark, which aims to be the best riverfront park in the country. Poised on the east side of the Maumee, the $200 million dollar project opened in 2020 with a glass pavilion for private events, sledding hill, on-site restaurant and a boardwalk along the river. Little ones will love the 41-foot-tall play tower and the mini-Maumee water play area — all set against the backdrop of glass sculptures and colorful murals. metroparkstoledo.com

Best Biking

PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK

Biking, beaches and a couple of stops at concession stands for snacks — that’s all you need for a top-notch family day at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. If you don’t want to haul bikes, you can rent them at the park’s Yellow Bike Rental Co., including tandems, surreys and trailers for kids. Then, hit the 13.5-mile paved loop trail that passes the more than one dozen pristine beaches in the park. presqueisleyellowbikerental.com

Best Seagull Search

GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE

FAMILY FUN TRAIL

Sandy the Seagull is all over Ohio’s first summer resort — and kids can explore the Geneva-onthe-Lake strip with their trail cards to find the mascot in 14 different spots around town.

Don’t miss Mary’s Kitchen for a bite, Grumpy’s Lemonade for a refresher, Eddie’s Grill for a malt, and Madsen Donuts for a classic sweet at a throw-back bakery.

The scavenger hunt starts at Geneva-on-the-Lake’s Welcome Center and includes plenty of active stops, too. Play a round of mini golf, check out the Sports Center Arcade and explore Bula Coast Water Sports. Just turn in completed cards to enter a drawing to win a family pass to Lake Erie Canopy Tours. visitgenevaonthelake.com

The Ribbon

Best Break

CEDAR POINT’S GRAND PAVILION

You know how, as great the day at an amusement park, there comes a time when you just need a break? Cedar Point’s brand-new Grand Pavilion & Bar perfectly meets that need. Inside, you’ll find air conditioning, plus elevated food options (we still love you funnel cakes and fries!) like slowroasted turkey breast, beer-battered fish and carved rotisserie sandwiches. But it’s the upstairs that has us swooning — a waterfront bar with unbeatable views of Cedar Point and the shoreline. cedarpoint.com/dining

Best Mini Golf

Both of these 18-hole courses sit just feet from the water, creating a spectacular backdrop for an afternoon of fun.

OLIVER’S BAYFRONT oliversrooftop.com | Erie, Pennsylvania

vs.

LAKESIDE CHAUTAUQUA

lakesideohio.com | Lakeside, Ohio

Best Farm Animals

PURPLE GOAT GARDENS

Learn, play, explore — and wander with a gaggle of goats. This sustainable northeast Ohio farm in Austinburg, Ohio, offers hands-on summer farm tours with opportunities to milk mama goats, feed hens from your hand, help with farm chores, plant a seed to take home and hike the surrounding trails. Make a day of it and save some down time for the Boardgame Barn that’s stocked with more than 220 games for all ages. Seem overwhelming? Then, ask the self-proclaimed Happy Hippies on the farm for a suggestion. You can reserve a campsite and check out the nine-hole disc golf course on site. Mark your calendar for the Oct. 14 fall festival. purplegoatgardens.com

With wide views of the lake, this always shady course is in the 150-year-old Lakeside Chautauqua and, while it’s a dry community, there are plenty of places to get ice cream.

Best New Pool

KALAHARI

RESORT

Known as an indoor waterpark, Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, has taken the fun outside with its new 3-acre Zambezi Outdoor Waterpark. Among the new items is a 15,000-square-foot pool featuring a zero-depth entry on one side. The pool has tanning ledges on the other three sides, including lounge chairs set in about 8 inches of water. Looking for more thrills? You can zipline overlooking it all. And if it’s rainy? Just head indoors. kalahariresorts.com/ohio

Oliver’s Bayfront

2023

1963

This sunny course, which offers an education on the Battle of Lake Erie, overlooks Presque Isle Bay and is right next to the also-new Oliver’s Beer Garden.

Best Island Fun

While both islands have their share of wineries and bars, they’re also ideal places for a day — or more — of family fun.

The new script sign at South Bass Island State Park.

The Lake Erie Island Nature and Wildlife Center, which offers classes, exhibits and special events.

Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, Kimberly’s Carousel, the Put-in-Bay Candy Bar and Crystal Cave at Heineman’s Winery.

The giant chair at Papa T’s Ice Cream Stand.

The glacial grooves carved out by the massive glacier that created the Great Lakes — and the Lake Erie islands.

Mini golf at Caddy Shack Square, kayak rentals at Kelleys Island State Park and yard games, goats and pizza at Kelleys Island Wine Co.

PHOTO OPP

BEST SIPS & SPIRITS

Best Craft Cocktails

TWISTED LEMON

There’s always been a creative bent at the Twisted Lemon Restaurant & Boutique Inn in Cayuga, Ontario, where chef and proprietor Laurie Megna, who is classically French-trained, plucks herbs and veggies from a sustainable garden 30 steps from the kitchen back door. But a “divine intervention during the pandemic” took that creativity even further, resulting in a new line of Clarity Cocktails that can be enjoyed with dinner or purchased and taken home, including creative concoctions made with vodka, gin, whiskey and tequila. “Clarity Cocktails were the answer to the problem,” Megna says, “and allow us to expedite service while delivering drinks with layers of flavor.” twistedlemon.ca

Best New Wine Tour

LOCALE WINE TOURS

Locale Wine Tours prides itself on delivering a grape education. Did you know that 85% of grapes grown in the Chautauqua region are sold to Welch’s, and the remaining 14% are crafted into wine? “There are more than 20,000 acres of vineyards in the county, which is the largest grape-growing area outside of California,” says Morgan Dinger, who started the tours with her husband, Matthew. During the daylong tour, you’ll visit three wineries and enjoy a flight at each stop in the towns of Westfield, New York, and North East, Pennsylvania — all led by a certified wine expert. “You’ll learn a lot,” Morgan says. “We don’t just drop you off at a winery.” localewinetours.com

Best Boat Drinks

Boating and drinking go together like fish and chips, once the boat is docked, that is. Here are two ways to indulge.

The Bloody Mary bar at the Old Fish House bar in Huron, Ohio, became so popular that the owners decided to bottle their concoction. Now, you can take home the award-winning Ship Faced Bloody Mary Mix. shipfacedbloodymarymix.com

Distilled six times and filtered 10 times through activated charcoal, Shiphouse Vodka is made from wheat and corn and poured into a bottle that’s a real keeper —a replica of the Benson Ford ore freighter that sits on land in Put-in-Bay, Ohio. shiphousevodka.com

Twisted Lemon COURTESY TWISTED LEMON RESTAURANT & BOUTIQUE INN, WINE TOUR: ISTOCK

Best Bourbon Experience

EVERWILD SPIRITS

Everwild Spirits in Sandusky, Ohio, is a bourbon lover’s paradise created by husband/wife duo Rick Lynch and Gia Gennari-Lynch. Their journey began in 2020 with the acquisition of more than 300 barrels from Kentucky suppliers that they aged, finished and blended in-house with award-winning results. Everwild prides itself on catering to all bourbon drinkers, 50 percent of whom are women. “Women have 10,000 more taste buds than men, so they experience the drink differently,” says Gia. She established Whiskey Girls on the second Wednesday of each month to give all those extra taste buds the chance to sample whiskey flights and seasonal craft cocktails, like this one. everwildspirits.com

CINNAMON CIDER BOURBON

Mix 2 ounces Seekers bourbon, 1 ounce apple cider, 1 ounce cinnamon simple syrup and 1/2 ounce lemon juice, and pour over ice. Add a cinnamon sugar rim to the glass for added flare.

Best Coffee

WHAT’S HIS NUTS?

They call it “comfort in a cup,” and we agree. Saucy Brew Works has five Ohio locations, including Sandusky and Put-inBay. While they brew both beer and coffee, it’s this mild blend — What’s His Nuts? — that won us over with notes of chocolate and peanut butter. saucybrewworks.com

Best Beer

PULPO BREWING CO.

If you’re a first-timer at Pulpo in Willoughby or Westlake, Ohio, then it’s apropos to order its first-ever brew — the Blonde Mamacita, an ale with premium malts and hops that delivers a sweet-and-dry finish. It’s an easy, satisfying swill, as are the rest of the brewery’s beers. pulpobeerco.com

Best Pairing

GRAND RIVER CELLARS

Cookie dough and wine. That’s what we call indulgence, and a pairing of both is offered at Grand River Cellars in Madison, Ohio, in April and May. (Mark your calendars.) Can’t wait that long? Check out the chocolate and wine pairing tray. grandrivercellars.com

EVERWILD: LAURA WATILO BLAKE, COURTESY SAUCY BREW WORKS, PULPO BREWING CO., GRAND RIVER CELLARS

Everwild

Best Fall Road Trip TO HELL AND BACK

We have the perfect comeback for the next time someone tells us to go to Hell: Not only have we been there, but we had a blast.

And our visit to Hell — that is, the tiny, unincorporated community of Hell, Michigan — only lasted a few hours, rather than the threatened eternity of punishment.

So where the hell is Hell? It is in Livingston County, about 60 miles west of Detroit. Hell is more of a roadside attraction than a town: You drive down Darwin Road (good one) and if you go maybe a tenth of a mile too far, you’ve escaped Hell. The Hell Hole Diner was considered Uptown, but it has since moved to its new location inside the Hell Saloon, which is Downtown.

The in-between Midtown building is Screams Ice Cream & Helloween, a cute store that functions as the town’s headquarters and is filled with punny souvenirs. A potentially bad omen for marriage aside, couples who want a quirky wedding can tie the knot at the tiny Hell Chapel. That is right by the Hell-themed mini golf course. And don’t forget to buy your degree from Damnation University.

Hell is hardly a bustling vacation destination, but the fun lies in the endless puns and storytelling fodder. Everyone is in on the joke here, and the puns never get old. As to a road trip, we say: “Hell yes!” gotohellmi.com

COURTESY HELL, MICHIGAN

Best Time on the Slopes

Ski resorts offer some of the best off-season fun around. Here’s what you’ll find at two of New York’s best, including golf, a spa and a Fall Fest at both resorts.

vs.

FALL

The ropes course, mountain coaster and climbing forest are open through October.

Heading into nearby Ellicottville for the shopping and dining.

LOVE

The ropes course, giant zipline and Soaring Eagle zipline are open through Oct. 22.

HOLIDAY VALLEY holidayvalley.com | Ellicottville, New York

PEEK’N PEAK pknpk.com | Clymer, New York

Oct. 7-8 transforms both the resort and the village of Ellicottville with arts, crafts, music, food and fall fun like ski lift rides.

Oct. 14-15 and 21-22 brings a juried craft show, farmers market, the pumpkin cannon, children’s games, live entertainment, pony rides, ski lift rides and classic car cruise-in.

Best Bones

SHAKE, RATTLE AND STROLL

’Dem bones are tucked into shop windows and storefronts in Vermilion, Ohio, from Oct. 1 through Halloween for a ghoulish gallery of fall fun. Shake, Rattle and Stroll is Main Street Vermilion’s annual around-town tour of creative, silly and somewhat spooky skeletons put on display by local businesses. “Many think of Vermilion as a summer town, and we want everyone to know that we are open year-round and there is fun for every season,” says Main Street executive director Kate Repola. “It’s something to do with family while enjoying the community.” mainstreetvermilion.org/bones

Best Farm Stay

FLANNEL DOG FARM’S COVERED WAGON

This Ashtabula, Ohio, farm, which is less than a mile from Lake Erie, lets you recreate the feeling of heading west (starting at $100) in a covered wagon, but with a few modern touches such as a comfy full mattress on a platform, screens to keep the bugs at bay and a fresh farm breakfast. As owner Alan Block says, “It sleeps two people, and you could probably squeeze a dog in there.” flanneldogfarm.com

Best Fall Birding

While spring is a celebrated birding season on Lake Erie, the fall season lasts longer and brings more birds as the summer-hatched young will be traveling as well.

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More than 390 species of birds have been spotted at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, including many warblers, raptors and more.

Northwest Ohio’s Magee Marsh Wildlife Area’s fall birding season begins as early as July and lasts through December when the last stragglers come through.

November and December are the months to see waterfowl migration — think ducks, geese and swans — at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Best Office Visit

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT AT THE HAGEN HISTORY CENTER

Follow Frank Lloyd Wright’s footsteps from his drafting room with unrolled blueprints on spacious tables to his quaint desk. The architect’s office is now open to the public at the Hagen History Center in Erie, Pennsylvania — and it’s come a long way. It was originally in San Francisco, where Wright worked from 1951 until his death in 1959. The office was disassembled, sold to a collector and now resides for all to experience in Erie. eriehistory.org/franklloydwright

Best Art Upgrade

BUFFALO AKG ART MUSEUM

Burnished to a new brilliance after a nearly three-year closure and a $230 million campaign to transform two old buildings and incorporate a new one, the rechristened Buffalo AKG Art Museum, which reopened this June, manages to look both forward and backward. You’ll find the museum’s vaunted collection and a new three-story glass building. Be sure to check out highlights including Paul Gaugin’s “The Yellow Christ,” Jackson Pollock’s “Convergence” and Lucas Samaras’ “Mirrored Room.” buffaloakg.org

Best Knots

BEAGLE BAY KNOT WORKS

Beagle Bay Knot Works in Huron, Ohio, started as a pop-up shop and evolved into a robust “boat-ique” stocked with handknotted home and boat décor, bracelets and accessories. Owner Christine Crawford sources 100% cotton cord and then twists, ties and weaves each piece with care. From mats, mirrors and wreaths to knob covers, coasters and bottle stoppers, Beagle Bay delights creates products Crawford says are both “practical and decorative.” beaglebayknotworks.com

READERS’ PICKS

YOU CAST YOUR VOTES,

Marblehead Peninsula Marblehead marbleheadohio.org

Cedar Point Sandusky cedarpoint.com

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Oak Harbor fws.gov/refuge/ottawa

BEST ISLAND HOT SPOT

Kelleys Island, Ohio kelleysisland.com

Put-in-Bay, Ohio visitputinbay.com

The Boardwalk Put-in-Bay, Ohio the-boardwalk.com

BEST EASTERN OHIO HOT SPOT

Geneva-on-the-Lake Geneva-on-the-Lake visitgenevaonthelake.com

Fairport Harbor  Fairport Harbor fairportharbor.org

Ashtabula Historic Harbor Ashtabula visitashtabulacounty.com

BEST PENNSYLVANIA HOT SPOT

Presque Isle State Park Erie dcnr.state.pa.us

Lake Erie Ale Trail Erie lakeeriealetrail.com

Hagen History Center Erie eriehistory.org

BEST WESTERN NEW YORK HOTSPOT

Niagara Falls  niagarafallsusa.com

Village of Bemus Point Bemus Point bemuspointny.org

National Comedy Center Jamestown comedycenter.org

BEST ONTARIO HOT SPOT

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario niagaraonthelake.com

Norfolk County Simcoe, Ontario norfolkcounty.ca

Point Pelee National Park Leamington, Ontario pc.gc.ca

BEST MICHIGAN HOT SPOT

Luna Pier Luna Pier cityoflunapier.com

The Henry Ford Dearborn thehenryford.org

Belle Isle Detroit belleisleconservancy.org

BEST BEACH

Presque Isle State Park Erie, Pa. dcnr.state.pa.us

Lakeview Beach Lorain, Ohio metroparks.cc

Headlands Beach State Park Mentor, Ohio ohiodnr.gov

BEST MARINA Romp’s Marina Vermilion, Ohio romps.com

Catawba Island Club Port Clinton, Ohio cicclub.com

Middle Bass Island Marina Middle Bass Island, Ohio ohiodnr.gov

BEST OVERALL DINING

Ellicottville Brewing Co. Ellicottville, N.Y. ellicottvillebrewing.com

Briquettes Smokehouse Ashtabula, Ohio briquettessmokehouse.com

Erie Steak & Seafood Co. Lorain, Ohio eriesteakandseafoodco.com

BEST DINING VIEW

Oliver’s Rooftop Erie, Pa. oliversrooftop.com

The Keys Put-in-Bay, Ohio thekeyspib.com

Lago 210 Hamburg, N.Y. lago210.com

BEST PIZZA

Guppy’s Tavern Bemus Point, N.Y. guppystavern.com

Sloopy’s Sports Café Lakeside, Ohio sloopyspizza.com

Rego’s Brickhouse Pizza Fairport Harbor, Ohio regosbrickhousepizza.com

BEST CHOCOLATES

Romolo Chocolates Erie, Pa. romolochocolates.com

Marianne’s Chocolates Ashtabula, Ohio marianneschocolates.com

Brummer’s Homemade Chocolates Vermilion, Ohio brummers.com

BEST LAKE ERIE FISH

First Mate’s Port Rowan, Ontario firstmates.ca

Jolly Roger Seafood House Port Clinton, Ohio facebook.com/ jollyrogerseafoodhouse

DeMore’s Offshore Bar & Grill Sandusky, Ohio facebook.com/ demoreoffshore

BEST BREWPUB

Huggy’s Social House Vermilion, Ohio facebook.com/ huggyssocialhouse

Ellicottville Brewing Co. Ellicottville, N.Y. ellicottvillebrewing.com

Southern Tier Brewing Co. Lakewood, N.Y. stbcbeer.com

BEST BURGERS

Rudy’s Bar & Grill Vermilion, Ohio rudysbarandgrill vermilion.com

Sara’s Restaurant Erie, Pa. sarasandsallys.com

Sandbar on the Beach Turkey Point, Ontario sandbaronthebeach.com

BEST WINERY

Gideon Owen Wine Co. Port Clinton, Ohio gideonowenwine.com

21 Brix Winery Portland, N.Y. 21brix.com

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante Geneva, Ohio ferrantewinery.com

BEST UPSCALE HOTEL

Ariel Broadway Hotel Lorain, Ohio arielbroadwayhotel.com

The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake Geneva, Ohio thelodgeatgeneva.com

Sawmill Creek Resort Huron, Ohio sawmillcreekresort.com

BEST ICE CREAM

Toft Dairy Sandusky, Ohio toftdairy.com

Heavenly Creamery Conneaut, Ohio heavenlycreamery.com

Simply Scoops Port Burwell, Ontario simplyscoops.ca

BEST CHEAP EATS

Tony Packo’s Toledo, Ohio tonypacko.com

Eddie’s Grill Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio eddiesgrill.com

Sara’s Restaurant Erie, Pa. sarasandsallys.com

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH

The Parkview Westfield, N.Y. parkviewcafeand catering.com

Orchard Bar & Table Port Clinton, Ohio orchardoncatawba.com

Peek’n Peak Clymer, N.Y. pknpk.com

BEST FINE DINING Chez Francois Restaurant  Vermilion, Ohio chezfrancois.com

The Pompadour Fairport Harbor, Ohio thepompadourbar.com

Dodie’s Dockside Lorain, Ohio dodiesdockside.com

BEST TOWN Vermilion, Ohio discoververmilion.org

Lakeside, Ohio lakesideohio.com

Fairport Harbor, Ohio fairportharbor.org

BEST HISTORIC SITE

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums Fremont, Ohio rbhayes.org

Johnson’s Island  Sandusky, Ohio johnsonsisland.org

Ashtabula Historic Harbor Ashtabula, Ohio visitashtabulacounty.com

The Best of Fall

BEST LIVE MUSIC

3rd Thursday  Vermilion, Ohio  vermilionohio.com/3rdthursdays

Rockin’ on the River Lorain, Ohio rockinontheriver.com

Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside, Ohio Lakeside, Ohio lakesideohio.com

BEST WATERPARK

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark Sandusky, Ohio cedarpoint.com

Splash Lagoon Erie, Pa. splashlagoon.com

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions  Sandusky, Ohio kalahariresorts.com

BEST LIGHTHOUSE Lorain Lighthouse Lorain, Ohio lorainlighthouse.com

Marblehead Lighthouse Marblehead, Ohio marbleheadlighthouse ohio.org

Barcelona Lighthouse Westfield, N.Y. parks.ny.gov/parks/ barcelonalighthouse

BEST BED & BREAKFAST

The Michael Cahill Bed and Breakfast Ashtabula, Ohio cahillbb.com

Anchor Inn Boutique Hotel Put-in-Bay, Ohio anchorinnpib.com

Gilchrist Guesthouse Vermilion, Ohio gilchristguesthouse.com

BEST BOUTIQUE/ SHOP

Erie & Anchor Vermilion, Ohio erieandanchor.com

The Shop at Cleveland Stone Co. Vermilion, Ohio clevelandquarries.com

Coastal Cleveland Avon Lake, Ohio coastalcleveland.com

BEST CASINO

Hollywood Casino Toledo Toledo, Ohio hollywoodcasinotoledo.com

Caesars Windsor Windsor, Ontario caesars.com/caesars-windsor

Jack Cleveland Casino Cleveland jackentertainment.com

BEST FESTIVAL

Lucille Ball Comedy Festival Jamestown, N.Y. comedycenter.org

FireFish Festival Lorain, Ohio firefishfestival.com

Walleye Festival Port Clinton, Ohio portclintonchamber.com

BEST NATURE EXPERIENCE

Roger Tory Peterson Institute Jamestown, N.Y. rtpi.org

Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center Put-in-Bay, Ohio lakeerieislandswildlife.com

Mentor Lagoons Preserve Mentor, Ohio ohiodnr.gov

BEST HOME BUILDER

Wayne Homes Milan, Ohio waynehomes.com

Harbor’s Edge at Catawba Island Club Avon Lake, Ohio kopf.net/harbors-edge

TCG Prete Builders Sheffield Lake, Ohio tcgprete.com

CONGRATS! to the 2023

Best of Lake Erie Winners

ARIEL ON BROADWAY

301 Broadway Ave. Lorain, Ohio 44052 440-246-6669 arielonbroadway.com

Welcome to the Ariel Broadway, a historic boutique hotel in Lorain, Ohio. Enjoy great views of Lake Erie, the Lorain Lighthouse all on the Black River. Located within walking distance to activities like fishing, boating, hiking, kayaking, Lakeview Park, 1 Mile Pier, Downtown Lorain and the Palace Theater. Book your stay or event today!

FERRANTE WINERY

5585 State Route 307 Geneva, Ohio 44041 440-466-8466 ferrantewinery.com

Open 7 days a week

Estate winery in Ohio’s wine country. Tasting room, full service Italian restaurant, live weekend entertainment.

LAKE Best of ERI 2023

BEAGLE BAY KNOT WORKS

507 M ain S t . Huron, Ohio 44839 330-465-0890 beaglebayknotworks.com

Wed-Fri: 10 am-4 pm, Sat: 10 am-2 pm

We Tie Knots! Nautical décor including rope wreaths, bowls, mats and textile art. Supplier of cordage and rope for the knot tyer.

FIREFISH ARTS/ FIREFISH FESTIVAL

520 Broadway Ave., 3rd Floor Lorain, Ohio 44052 567-219-0185 firefishfestival.com

FireFish Arts is a community art organization that brings people together to create, celebrate, and inspire a transformation in downtown Lorain through the FireFish Festival and year-round programming.

HUGGY’S SOCIAL HOUSE

5024 Liberty Ave. Vermilion, Ohio 44089 440-714-1992

GR8 BEER, BOURBON, BURGERS, WINGS & FRIENDS!

Francisco office in Erie, Pennsylvania. Erie? Please visit us! We’re located

LAKE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

105 Main St. B101 Painesville, Ohio 44077 440-975-1234 mylakeoh.com

Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm

Destination marketing organization for Lake County, Ohio, sharing everything that’s remarkable about Lake County including the Grand River Valley, and Ohio’s Wine Country.

PUT-IN-BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM BUREAU

419-285-2832 visitputinbay.com

Put-in-Bay is Your Every Day Island Getaway for Family Fun come during the week and get your family picture at the Put-in-Bay Sign! Be sure to post and #putinbaysign.

LAKESIDE CHAUTAUQUA

236 Walnut Avenue Lakeside, Ohio 43440 419-798-4461 lakesideohio.com

Hours: All Day

Lakeside Chautauqua is a family destination on Lake Erie that has pioneered the act of nurturing mind, body and spirit for 150 years.

ROGER TORY PETERSON INSTITUTE

311 Curtis St. Jamestown, NY 14701 716-665-2473

rtpi.org

Wed-Sat: 10am–4pm Sun: 1-5pm

Home to the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s art, the museum celebrates Roger’s legacy by exhibiting art inspired by the natural world.

TWISTED LEMON RESTAURANT & BOUTIQUE INN

3 Norton St. W Cayuga Ontario Canada, N0A 1E0 905-772-6636

twistedlemon.ca

Wed-Fri: Opens 5pm Sat: Opens 4pm

Twisted Lemon is dedicated to your complete culinary experience. Where food and beverage are created in harmony with innovative and unique recipes inspired by flavours from around the world and crafted through a local lens.

From boutique hotels and lakeside dining destinations to acres of parkland, scenic beaches and activities for all ages and interests, discover dozens of ways to live your best life on our Great Lake.