Shores & Islands Ohio has something for everyone. Hike and bike miles of natural trails, explore quaint downtowns and museums, witness fall bird migration, and enjoy the beauty of changing colors throughout our region.
Visit an orchard to pick a peck of apples or sample other fresh-from-the-farm produce at a farmer’s market. Take a tour of a local winery at the peak of harvest season and taste craft beverages at a brewery or distillery on the free Shores & Islands Ohio Cheers Trail . Sign up, check in, and collect points for prizes!
Find your Lake Erie Love year-round at SHORESandISLANDS.com .
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BEST OF LAKE ERIE
Currents
6
Beauty & the Beach
How artist Linda Dempsey turns ordinary pieces of driftwood into soulful sculptures.
8
Lost and Found Diver Mark Lasmanis believes he’s found the debris field from Lake Erie’s deadliest shipwreck. We check in with the experts to see if it’s true — and, if so, what the discovery means.
In Every Issue
4
From the Editor
10
Lakeside Living
How a Lakeside, Ohio, cottage bought on a whim brought healing to its owner.
Best of Lake Erie 2024
Discover dozens of ways to live your best life on our Great Lake, including places to stay, dine, drink, laugh, kick back and relax.
On the Cover
Lake Erie Living contributor Laura Watilo Blake both photographed and wrote about Sandusky, Ohio’s newest waterfront destination, Pipe Creek Wharf (page 15), for this issue.
From
the Editor
As we roll into September, let’s keep the fun rolling as well.
That’s easier to do than ever around Lake Erie, thanks to a shift in attitude that’s extended the season. Why shut down when you can add a few fire pits or patio heaters? Why lock up completely till Memorial Day when you can still do good business on weekends?
In this, our Best of Lake Erie issue, there are loads of outings and options that you can do all year long. How about enjoying a sauna overlooking a frosty lake (page 13), taking a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired road trip (page 14) or indulging in a boozy brunch (page 22)?
There’s no shortage of events either.
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
Art Director
Rayanne Medford rmedford@glpublishing.com
Contributing Artists
Laura Watilo Blake
Production Manager
Alyson Moutz
Account Managers
Julie Bialowas, Frank Bird and Nichole Cardinale
Operations Manager
Corey Galloway cgalloway@glpublishing.com
Traffic Manager
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our waterfront dining guide at LakeErieLiving.com/ restaurants.
The Westfield Grape & Wine Festival (Sept. 7-8) has something for the whole family. While we’re sipping pinot grigio in New York, all you overachievers can head to Pennsylvania for the Erie Marathon (Sept. 8). The Toledo Lighthouse Waterfront Festival (Sept. 14-15) gets better every year, while the FireFish Festival in Lorain, Ohio, (Sept. 21) has totally redefined art festivals. The islands stay open past Labor Day, too, and Oktoberfest (Oct. 12-13) is an ideal time to go to Put-in-Bay. Finally, there’s the Ashtabula Covered Bridge Festival (Oct. 12-13), which feels like slipping into a Hallmark movie.
This is our last printed issue of the season but, like everybody else, we’ve changed things up too. Sign up for our free email newsletter (LakeErieLiving.com/newsletter) to keep up with Lake Erie through the winter. You can always find our events listings at LakeErieLiving.com/events. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram for photos and videos of our always changing, always beautiful Lake Erie.
See you on the lake!
Speaking of fall on Lake Eerie, one of our all-time most popular stories is on haunted Lake Erie. Read it at LakeErieLiving.com/haunted.
How one Lake Erie artist collaborates with nature to turn pieces of driftwood into unexpected art.
By Jill Sell
These are the faces of mythical mermaids, sirens, fairies, wood nymphs, damsels lost at sea. Their long, wild, windblown hair sticks out like seaweed, frozen in wooden waves.
Almost all of the driftwood sculptures by Lakewood, Ohio, artist Linda Dempsey depict female figures. Recently, she received a commission for a sculpture of an owl. However, she’d rather not make art meant to resemble a specific person. The wood has its own personality, she insists.
“Driftwood is something that has been broken away from its source and has been through some twisting, turning and injury on its travels,” she says. “All of its inner resources have been thinned out, but it becomes another thing of beauty with another purpose.”
Dempsey collects driftwood and other found objects (pine cones, bark, roots, rocks, old bricks for bases) along several Lake Erie beaches. She almost always begins with larger pieces of wood she carves into a body or torso, later adding pieces for limbs and heads. Her go-to tools include a versatile Dremel (often called a crafter’s favorite tool), a hot glue gun and wooden dowels. Her kitchen doubles as an artist’s studio.
Dempsey prefers “an organic look” to her art, rejecting most bright colors or glittery accessories and letting nature be unfiltered.
JEFF BLACK
“I put a lot of emotion into my work,” Dempsey explains, acknowledging the subtle sadness of some pieces, lurking just below the surface. “I close the eyes on my sculptures because it’s really the driftwood that speaks to me.”
Dempsey started as a photographer but found her artistic passions turning to driftwood in 2016. It wasn’t until two years later that she felt satisfied enough with her work to enter her first art show. Selling her early pieces, which she described as her “children,” wasn’t easy.
“Driftwood also became an obsession with me,” admits Dempsey, who offers her art under the name ADrift. “I would go out almost every day to the lake in every season to collect, collect, collect. I felt like I needed a pile of driftwood to be able to always choose the right one. It became almost problematic to me.”
The sculptor still combs beaches, even when she travels, including the rocky and sandy shores of California and the Northwest part of the United States. But Dempsey prefers the diversity and availability of driftwood found on Lake Erie’s shores over West Coast locations. She keeps her cache manageable by limiting herself to driftwood she can store at her home.
Her sculptures, most between 18 and 20 inches tall (although she has done “minis and a huge one”), can be found year-round at Negative Space Gallery in Cleveland, where they are priced from around $100 to upwards of $1,000.
Although Dempsey is pleased about the recognition given her talent, she also wants to credit a bigger force.
“I feel I am in collaboration with nature,” she says. “I don’t think I have the talent alone to do what I do.”
Lost and Found
Mark Lasmanis was scuba diving this May when he discovered what many think are remnants from the worst shipwreck in Lake Erie history.
By Jennifer Boresz Engelking
Mark Lasmanis was on his first dive of the year off the shore of his home in Willowick, Ohio, when he saw what appeared to be an expansive debris field. About 18 feet down, the lake floor was covered with worn and rusted nails, rods and bolts. He grabbed his underwater tablet, quickly scrawled his suspicion, and turned to show his dive buddy.
“Wreck??”
The first thing Lasmanis picked up was a key that, although broken, looked untarnished. Could it be, he wondered, from the shipwreck he grew up hearing about, said to have happened in this same location, the SS G.P. Griffith? His thoughts quickly took off.
What did that lock? Was it a big trunk? Was it someone’s cabin? Whose key was it? Was it an immigrant’s journey? What were they locking up and hoping to bring with them to their new life?
“There was just something about it,” says Lasmanis, who grew up snorkeling Lake Erie and was scuba-certified last year. “It just seemed unique — a key in Lake Erie — among all of this rusted metal and then to find a shiny brass key down there.”
Built in Maumee, Ohio, in 1847, the Griffith was a steamship carrying more than 300, mostly European, immigrants westward on Lake Erie in the predawn hours of June 17, 1850, when it caught on fire and got stuck on a sandbar off the coast. Passengers panicked and threw their trunks, filled with clothing and valuables, overboard and jumped in.
Because most didn’t know how to swim, and many were believed to have been weighed down by coins sewn into their clothing, hundreds of immigrants died and were buried in a mass grave near the shore. Only several dozen passengers survived. It’s the deadliest shipwreck on Lake Erie and the third worst on the Great Lakes.
Still, Lasmanis was far from certain he’d found the shipwreck — until he returned the next day and came across more evidence.
“I started finding some other pieces of interesting cast iron stuff when I glanced over and I saw a coin sticking out,” he says. “I don’t even know how to say it, kind of a thing of joy and I just ‘hurrahed’ underwater with the scuba equipment on with the regulator and blew bubbles out — like, Wow, I can’t believe this! Is this real?”
Knowing how quickly the lake changes, Lasmanis took the coin to prevent it from being covered by shifting sediment. Before picking it up, he documented where he found it by recording video. Once on land, he saw it was an 1815 Brazilian silver coin, which is significant because, until now, most immigrants aboard the ship were believed to have come from Europe.
Since then, Lasmanis has found more items that seem to be from the mid-19th century, including irons, tools and decorative cast iron. The artifacts with the most obvious ties to the Griffith are those that appear damaged from high heat, including several pieces of flatware melded together.
But if the artifacts really are from the Griffith, where’d the ship go?
In the months following the wreck, several salvage attempts were made. The ship is believed to have ultimately landed near the mouth of the Chagrin River, although its exact location remains unknown.
Alan Hitchcox, the vice president of the Willoughby Historical Society in Ohio, believes Lasmanis has found items from the Griffith. “I’d say I’m 90% sure. Most of what we find in retracing history is circumstantial evidence that leads us to conclude a high probability of proof.”
Lasmanis has also shared artifacts and photos with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office. There is enough evidence to warrant adding the discovery to official state records, according to an email from archaeology survey and data manager Brent Eberhard. Because the state has no plans to conduct an official archaeological survey of the debris field, Lasmanis is the only person working to document the site and preserve its artifacts. (Ohio law requires a permit to remove or disturb items from a shipwreck but does not specifically address items not located near
the sunken watercraft.) Lasmanis says he’s already contacted several maritime museums and plans to donate artifacts of interest.
And there may be more to come. Lasmanis is still diving to the site. Each time, he returns with more photos and video documenting the debris field — and more certainty.
“I am a technical and analytical person,” he says. “Considering the location, variety of items, some with dates and or heat damage … it all points with almost certainty to the events of the Griffith in 1850.”
THE STORY CONTINUES
“Lost Lake Erie” author Jennifer Boresz Engelking grew up near the shipwreck in Willowick and has written about the in several of her books, including “Hidden History of Lake County, Ohio” and “Lost Lake County, Ohio.” When Mark Lasmanis contacted her to ask if she was interested in hearing about his discovery, her immediate response was, “I am absolutely interested!”
After seeing the artifacts and learning where they were found, Engelking says, she was certain from her research that Lasmanis had discovered the site of the Griffith shipwreck — she also knew she had the idea for her next book. “I have to continue telling the story of the immigrants who were aboard that day,” she says.
Aside from the discovery of the Griffith bell in the 1970s (on display at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio) Engelking believes the new finds are the first artifacts anyone has seen since the tragedy happened 174 years ago — and many come directly from the immigrants who perished.
“These remnants give us glimpses of the people who were aboard the ship … in a sense giving them a voice and letting us know where they came from, what they carried, and what was important to them as their journey to start a new life in America was tragically cut short,” she says. “It’s that connection to our past, believed to have been lost, that is perhaps the greatest treasure.”
For more information go to jenniferboresz.com
Experience Frank Lloyd Wright in Western New York through the Martin family’s city and summer homes, now fully restored.
PHOTO: Matthew Digati
PHOTO: Meccay Photography
The Healing House
Catherine Edwards feared she’d made a mistake buying a cottage in Lakeside, Ohio. Then, she was diagnosed with cancer.
By Lynne Thompson
Catherine Edwards bought her cottage in the historic Chautauqua community of Lakeside, Ohio, on a whim — one she quickly questioned. The sellers had gutted the 1,500-square-foot structure with the abandoned intention of building an addition. And shortly after the 54-year-old South Carolina resident closed on the deal in late February 2020, governments began issuing orders to close all but the most essential businesses due to COVID-19 fears.
“I was mortified,” recalls Edwards, the CEO of a private water-utility-services
company headquartered in Alabama. “I thought, I bought this place, and the world shut down, and I can’t even use it!”
Amazingly, the extensive renovations were completed in time for Edwards, her teenage son and two college-age daughters to celebrate Thanksgiving at the cottage later that year. And buying the home turned out to be the best purchase she’d ever made.
Shortly after Edwards returned to South Carolina after spending the summer of 2021 in Lakeside, she discovered a large lump in her right breast. In early November 2021 she was diagnosed with Stage 2B high-grade
lymphovascular triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive, less-common form of the disease.
A doctor treating a family friend for pancreatic cancer recommended she seek treatment at Cleveland Clinic, an option that would put her near a brother and sister-and-law, aunt and uncle, and many longtime friends. The cottage was in a community that had been like a second home to her family for generations; she’d been summering there since she was 2 weeks old. And her father had served as its executive director from 1980 to 1988.
“The Chautauqua movement is all about renewal,” she adds. “What better place to fight
The Chautauqua movement is all about renewal. What better place to fight this illness and recover from it than Lakeside, the Chautauqua on Lake Erie?”
this illness and recover from it than Lakeside, the Chautauqua on Lake Erie?”
Edwards arranged for a nephew to stay with her son so he could continue his schooling uninterrupted, packed up her car, and drove to Lakeside to keep a Nov. 11, 2021, appointment at the Clinic. It was the beginning of a year-long treatment plan consisting of two 12-week rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, more immunotherapy, surgery and radiation.
Her renovations to the cottage, implemented by Sandusky, Ohio, architect Terry Ross and Monroeville, Ohio-based Strecker Remodeling and Construction, proved prudent over the next months.
Widening a narrow staircase to a standard 36 inches made it easy for Edwards’ visiting children to climb to two second-floor bedrooms and a shared bath outfitted with white beadboard wainscoting, a double-basin porcelain washstand and white subway-tiled shower. A vaulted-ceilinged blue-gray bedroom and ensuite bath with a large gray-marble tiled shower was installed at the back of the house in a spot the kitchen once occupied, making comfortable one-floor living possible. The kitchen was relocated to a first-floor bedroom at the front of the house and opened up to the living/dining area, creating a light, bright space that combined early 20th-century charm with the 21st-century convenience Edwards needed.
“There is history here,” Edwards says. “I tried to stay true to the time period of the home.”
Edwards opted to cover the hardwood floors with a luxury vinyl plank that would
stand up to her two English springer spaniels. She explains that the original floors had been refinished so many times that they couldn’t be sanded again.
“Someday, when I don’t have dogs, I will replace the original wood floors,” she declares.
Although the floor joists over the living and dining areas were left exposed — a common feature in Lakeside’s older cottages that creates the illusion of higher ceilings – and painted white, the builder suggested adding a dropped stained-wood ceiling in the kitchen. Edwards explains that it provided a level line for installing crown molding above the white Carrara-marble-topped cabinetry.
A battleship-gray island separates the kitchen from the living area. Edwards chose to finish its walls, along with those of the dining area, first-floor hall and stairwell, in white shiplap, a nautical foil for deep-navy doors. A brick gas fireplace painted white, topped with a mahogany mantle and flanked by built-ins and high windows, replaced a
firebox eliminated in removing a first-floor bedroom wall. The cream-colored sofa stationed in front of the locally quarried limestone hearth became Edwards’ favorite place to sit during treatment.
“It just feels like I am in my own warm blanket,” she says of the spot.
Doctors suspended Edwards’ chemotherapy in February 2022, when her body could no longer tolerate it. At that point, however, the tumor could not be detected on imaging. A lumpectomy the following month confirmed that the cancer was gone.
Edwards completed five weeks of radiation on June 15, 2022, four months ahead of schedule. A year later, on June 28, 2023, she married her fiancé, Randy Dobbs, in Ravello, Italy. But Lakeside remains her favorite summer vacation spot.
“It just becomes part of your soul, this place,” she says. She no longer thinks her submitting a bid on the cottage was a random impulse.
“There just clearly was a plan,” she says.
STAYING NEUTRAL
BALANCE IS THE KEY WHEN ADDING COLOR TO A HOME.
BY CLARE OPFER’S ESTIMATION, the most difficult choice to make in a home is what color it will be.
“Paint colors are the hardest decision to make,” says Opfer of S&H Blinds and Floors in Sandusky, Ohio. “Once you get that, it’s easy peasy.”
Homeowners balance their color schemes with their furniture — or the furniture they’ll buy for a new home — as well as flooring (itself featuring a multitude of options), the homeowner’s preference and even what they might see online.
But there are some tried-and-true classics that will never go out of style.
As long as people are building and decorating homes, white and gray will always be popular choices for interior walls. But people are putting
their own touches on those colors to give their homes a warmer appearance.
“The biggest thing we’re seeing is greige,” says Jeremy Parish, sales manager for Wayne Homes in Sandusky, Ohio. “It’s not tan or taupe, but not really gray. It’s in between.”
Even when people still go with white, Parish says, they might use taupe or gray trim. Opfer says window treatments are now another choice for homeowners to make.
“Window treatments can blend in with the wall, or you can go the opposite way and have something that pops, whatever you prefer,” she says. “Anything goes nowadays. It’s your space.”
More and more, Parish says, people are looking at an off-white rather than a bright white for walls.
“Classic bright white is always in style,” he says, “but off-white colors still resound. People
still want that kind of classic light and bright, but warmer tones are starting to trend.”
Not all whites are the same, Opfer says. “Some are cooler,” she says. “Some are warmer. Some pull blue. Some pull pink or gray.”
Cooler colors like gray and blue are still being used, but now are used for accents to complement the warmer, lighter main colors.
People might still look for a dark color for an accent wall, particularly in a den or formal dining room. Parish said some colors used in that scheme might be a dark green or peppercorn, a shade of dark gray made by Sherwin Williams. It’s also starting to become more common to see fireplaces — particularly two-story ones in great rooms — covered in shiplap, which is also painted a dark color to make it pop, Parish says.
LOVESLake Erie
From yoga in lavender fields to luxury overnights on the beach, our annual ode to Lake Erie offers dozens of ideas for getting out, enjoying the water and taking advantage of the many ways to sip, dine, shop, tour and explore on our shores.
STORIES BY
LUNGOVITA
Its name means long life. “The idea is to unwind and disconnect,” says Myah Pathak, the chief of operations at Lungovita in Harrow, Ontario. If a blazing beach party is what you’re out for, this isn’t it. Leave the kids at home. This is an 18+ environment. And be aware there’s no WiFi on this property in Harrow, Ontario, which offers luxury geodesic domes. “We encourage silence when you are here because not a lot of people find time in their daily lives to be still and in the moment,” Pathak says. Modeled after a Scandinavian spa, the wellness retreat offers cedar-barrel saunas, steam rooms, a year-round pool and hot tub, hammocks and a waterfront with access to kayaks and paddleboards. Try the Weekday Sip & Stay for Two package (tents start at $120 CAD; domes at $209 CAD), which includes three tastings from award-winning local wineries and a night at Lungovita. lungovita.com
Laura Watilo Blake, Kristen Hampshire, Sarah Miller, Rachel Hagenbaugh and Colleen Smitek
Lungovita
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT ROAD TRIP
His mission: to create a new form of architecture centered on the Midwest landscape, redefining traditional ideas about what a home or space should or could be.
Here are three of our favorite Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes to tour.
Look down. Fallingwater was built over a waterfall with native sandstone. Located in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, this is the only Wright property open to the public with original furnishings still intact.
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Dubbed the “jewel of the lake” thanks to its perch on a cliff overlooking Lake Erie, Graycliff was designed as a summer home in Derby, New York.
Martin House, a quintessential prairie-style house in Buffalo, is considered one of Wright’s greatest achievements. An ambitious renovation was completed in 2019.
BONUS STOP: Hagen History Center
houses Wright’s office, which was relocated to Erie, Pennsylvania, and contains original artifacts. “We get Wright fans visiting us,” says executive director Caleb Pifer. “This is a way for us to tell his story and contextualize it.” eriehistory.org
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SPIRIT OF BUFFALO
Sail back in time aboard the Spirit of Buffalo, a 73foot topsail schooner offering breathtaking views of Buffalo’s waterfront. For a few hours, leave your worries along the shore as gentle breezes lull you into a state of relaxation. Whether you opt for a live music-filled cruise or a children’s pirate adventure, you’ll discover a new appreciation for the region’s nautical heritage. spiritofbuffalo.com
BEST SERENADE SAIL
SPARTA LAVENDER FARM
Wander up a path leading to lavender gardens and exhale the stress. Inhale renewal and relaxation served up by the Lamiaceae family, otherwise known as lavender. What impressed new owners Karen Parr and Bert Floyd? “The healing, remarkable properties of English lavender and how it is beneficial for so much, from sleep to digestion to skincare,” says Parr, who creates products from the bounty for sale at the farm shop. Stop by to sniff for yourself — and stay for a yoga class overlooking more than 10,000 lavender plants. spartalavender.ca
HOLIDAY VALLEY RESORT
Adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike will find a biking haven in Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, New York, where lift-serviced trails and e-bike rentals make exploring easy while providing an array of downhill thrills and scenic routes ideal for families and beginners. Extend your trek into McCarthy State Forest, where a network of trails caters to various skill levels, offering both cross-country and downhill challenges perfect for those craving an adrenaline rush or leisurely pedal through a tranquil landscape. holidayvalley.com
PIPE CREEK WHARF
Pipe Creek Wharf is Sandusky, Ohio’s best new waterfront destination, offering endless summertime vibes along a secluded peninsula dominated by the Pipe Creek Wilderness Area. This hidden gem features a standout menu with chef-driven, made-from-scratch dishes, including lamb, duck, risotto and mussels. Guests can enjoy the view from the dining room’s large picture windows or while sitting on the huge lakeside patio. Its large outdoor firepit tables and frequent live music will keep the energy strong through the fall season. The restaurant has 28 boat slips just steps away. pipecreekwharf.com
BEST SMELLING YOGA
BEST EASY BIKING
Sparta Lavender Farm
BEST NEW DOCK AND DINE
Best Brewery BATTLE OF LAKEERIE
Challenge yourself to chug and choose your favorite (it’s a tough job, but you can do it).
POVERTY KNOB FARMHOUSE ALES povertyknobfarmhouseales.com
Started as a potato farm in 1897, the farm is run by fourth-generation owners Jerry and Kelly Port just outside Erie, Pennsylvania.
Craft brews use what the land offers, like Watermelon Wheat, a traditional wheat ale with 300 pounds of fresh, pureed watermelon.
Try the house-made chips tossed in ranch or topped with pulled pork or craft beer cheese.
Go flower picking in summer or navigate the corn maze in fall. Listen to live music and play ping-pong.
RAMBLIN’ ROAD BREWERY FARM
ramblinroad.ca
LAY OF THE LAND
BREWS
BITES
Go off the beaten path to find this farm in LaSalette, Ontario, a perfect detour between Detroit and Niagara Falls.
Using their own hops and pure spring water from the land, Ramblin Road produces small-batch, hand-crafted harvest beers.
Award-winning burgers and grilled cheese pair perfectly with the Picard’s extreme kettle chips made on site.
There’s 40 acres of peanuts growing here. Stop at the retail shop to pick some up for the drive home.
RED’S LAKEHOUSE
Opened last summer in Marblehead, Ohio, Red’s Lakehouse has a menu that’s just fancy enough for food snobs and just simple enough for locals. While entrees like perch ($25) and chicken paprikash ($27.50) are good, it was the appetizers that won us over. Walleye bites ($14), fried pickles ($11) and buffalo wings ($13) aren’t unexpected in these parts — and Red’s versions deliver. Pierogi ($12) are a nod to one-hour-away Cleveland while the sesame seared tuna ($16) provides a safe place for those avoiding the fryer. But our favorite is the fried burrata ($12) served with marinara and sourdough bread. Your best bet? Go with a group after a day on the lake and order them all. redslakehouse.com
Best Kids’ Night Out
THE STRIP AT GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE
IT’S A THROWBACK arcade-curio shop mixed with a hearty helping of patio suds and grapes. But since we’re doing Ohio’s Geneva-on-the-Lake family style, we’ll leave the wineries and bar joints out. They’re aplenty, but equally balanced with old-time games (putt-putt), newfound thrills (ziplines), idyllic state park camping, and quaint bed-and-breakfasts dotting the landscape. Here’s how an outing with middle-school-aged children rolled out.
FIRST STOP, Adventure Zone: After an obligatory selfie in front of the GOTL public art piece in front of the tourism bureau with plenty of free street parking along the strip, we footed it to Adventure Zone, essentially the strip’s gateway. If you can pass this place without hearing “Stop!” from your young passengers, then they must be asleep. Prepare for 18 holes of mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, climbing walls, ziplines, escape rooms, an arcade and all the associated snacks and prizes. For toddlers and up, a kids’ crawl soft play center helps empty the adrenaline. You can also rent a golf cart here.
Highlights: Bumper boats with onboard squirters keep the party going. Even better, a dockside water blaster to spray the kids costs 25 cents per minute. So worth it. No one lost an eye during golf, and the course is chock full of Lake Erie-isms, including a lighthouse hole. Tip: Buy a bracelet for three or five attractions to punch along the way.
Let’s Eat! Eddie’s Grill is a generations-long tradition. Where else do you get a tiny jukebox at your table (accepts quarters), steakburgers, footlongs, crispy fries and Dairy Queen? The open-air carport-like dining environment feels like a drive-in without the vehicles. Apparently, the homemade chili is a recipe from Eddie’s mother, Mary. (Eddie still flips burgers sometimes.) We sunk a few quarters into the mini-juke, sipped on real lemonade and noshed on the usual that brings people back year after year. (Cash only.)
Shop Stops. Frank’s Toy Box is a treasure trove of old-timey nostalgia from signage to records to action figures to furniture pieces. (Bring cash.) My daughter eyed up a collector’s Marilyn Monroe doll. Her older brother was hunting for sports memorabilia. We gawked at a corpse-like mannequin in a wooden phone booth. It was good-weird. (We ran out of cash. Otherwise …)
For the Dogs: If your pooch is on the family plan at GOTL, then Ruff Life is the spot. Our springer spaniel was at home, much to her dismay. We did add the Nerf gun that shoots tennis balls to her Santa list. I’d call this an upscale-casual-beachfront dog lover’s eatery with counter seating, a dogs-welcome ’tude, some tables and a boutique of creative goodies for dogs and the people who love them. We had another selfie moment at Ruff Life in front of the namesake backdrop.
Advice for Families: Hit the ATM because some of the arcades are cash only. Collect your quarters. You can dispense those throughout GOTL, from Eddie’s jukeboxes to pinball machines. Sport Center arcade is set up like Dave & Buster’s with the play card, prizes, etc. And be sure to take home donuts from Madsen’s, established in 1938.
— Kristen Hampshire
QUARRY HILL ORCHARDS’ REAL FRUIT ICE CREAM
Savor delightful swirls of real-fruit ice cream at Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights, Ohio. Thirdgeneration family farmers Ben and Brooke Gammie tasted this dreamy, frozen fruit dessert in New Zealand. While there on an International Fruit Tree Association tour, they observed a deliciously novel machine that used overripe fruit. “It’s unique because we’re using fruit that wouldn’t have a home,” Brooke Gammie says. Flavors change seasonally — peach, blueberry, cherry, etc. — and use 51% orchard fruit blended with Mitchell’s Homemade ice cream of Cleveland. quarryhillorchards.com
THE CORK 1794
The brunch menu at this Erie, Pennsylvania, restaurant has 11 food options and 15 cocktails. Yeah, it’s that kind of a place. We’re talking lemon meringue, berries and cream and chocolate espresso martinis ($13); vanilla, salted caramel and mocha boozy iced coffee ($9); and blackberry, peach citrus blossom, and pineapple mango mimosas ($10). Take care of the entire table with a mimosa flight ($50), which includes one bottle of prosecco and a choice of three juices. Back your drinks up with something filling like chicken- and bacon-laced waffles ($18), short rib hash ($16) or biscuits and gravy ($16). cork1794.com
BELLWETHER AT TOLEDO SPIRITS
Finding the best mocktail at a popular, local distillery might seem surprising. Yet Bellwether at Toledo Spirits in Ohio does both exceptionally well. These mocktails are created using flavor profiles and seasonal themes that receive the same attention as their regular cocktail menu. In summer, tiki cocktails like Strawberry 24 infuse a daiquiri with fresh citrus juices and strawberry puree. Drinks are crafted with locally sourced botanicals, fruits and ingredients whenever possible. toledospirits.com
BIG ED’S SODA GRILL
Stop off Route 6 for a retro-dining experience at Big Ed’s Soda Grill in Vermilion, Ohio. Originally a drugstore, pharmacy and soda fountain, this vintage 1930’s restaurant serves grilled burgers, fried pickle spears, ice cream and phosphate sodas. But don’t miss Ed’s legendary milkshakes. Choose from 30 different flavors. A youthful crew of soda jerks create concoctions seasonally — like the Beach Bum that blends vanilla ice cream with pina colada slushy and strawberry topping. Or keep it classic with chocolate or vanilla. facebook.com/bigedssodagrill
BEST SPECIALTY SHAKES
BEST MOCKTAILS
BEST BOOZY BRUNCH
BEST USE OF FRUIT
Best Dinner Dare
AT THE CALIBER CLUB in Sandusky, Ohio, the Asian Forest Scorpion is more than just a menu item; it’s a testament to the adventurous spirit of the members of the 96,000-square-foot Lake Erie Arms, a shooting range with a members-only restaurant.
It’s also something I wanted to check out for myself, but I would never make it as a contestant on “Fear Factor” or “Survivor.” Instead, I enlist the most adventurous eater I know — my husband, Chris — to come along. He’s never balked at eating unusual insects in our travels all over the world.
While Caliber Club boasts an array of salads, sandwiches and game meats, the scorpion stands out. Priced at $25, this delicacy from Thailand is served smoking under a glass dome accompanied by Thai Chili Ponzu and Furikake, a traditional seafood seasoning, and a two-ounce pour of bourbon.
Since opening in September 2023, the Caliber Club has seen over 200 diners rise to the challenge of consuming the scorpion.
This act of culinary bravery earns them a place of honor on the club’s “Scorpion Slayers” wall, where their names are proudly engraved.
“It’s a rite of passage here,” says Jim West, co-founder and COO of Lake Erie Arms, “and at the very least, a conversation starter.”
So, what does it take to become a Scorpion Slayer? When the creature arrives at our table, Chris generously coats the scorpion’s exoskeleton with the spicy ponzu sauce before lifting it to his lips. In one swift motion, the entire scorpion vanishes into his mouth, each crunch echoing through the restaurant. My face scrunches up in disgust, but he powers through like a champion.
“It’s not bad,” says Chris, unfazed by his latest conquest. “It’s better than a Cambodian beetle, and the seasoning is really good.”
West elaborates on the experience: “In theory, it’s supposed to taste like soft-shell crab. It won’t, but that’s the idea. My 9-year-old daughter described the taste as ‘burnt popcorn with the texture of a lightbulb.’”
While no one has claimed the scorpion is delicious, West reassures us no one has gotten sick from it either. “At the very least, it comes with two ounces of Buffalo Trace,” he adds.
Before the last crunch of my husband’s scorpion fades away, a member sitting at the bar sends a scorpion to a man at the table behind us, daring him to accept the challenge. Amid laughter and some hesitation, the friend complies, much to the amusement of onlookers, who applaud and give him a thumbs up.
“It’s the best form of peer pressure,” West says. “We’re all about creating memorable experiences.”
—Laura Watilo Blake
WANT TO TRY THIS DINNER DARE?
The Caliber Club will be open to the general public Sept. 12 and 26, Oct. 10 and 14, Nov. 7 and 21 and Dec. 5 and 19.
Best Laughs
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER
TRUE, IT’S ONLY 10 A.M. in Jamestown, New York, when I step inside the National Comedy Center. But it feels like Saturday night in New York City. I’m ready to laugh! Overhead a lit-up jumbotron asks, “Whose In Da House?” And there’s a smiling pic of my face lit up on the screen with the words “Hailing from the Midwest,” along with headshots of my fellow fun visitors from around the country.
Armed with my Comedy Center wristband, I’ve logged in my comedy faves — a mix of old and new, including Johnny Carson and Jimmy Fallon, Friends and The Office and even Mickey Mouse. I try to sneak a peek at who my teenage son and husband are picking. Gotta love state-of-the art technology that uses AI to customize your comedy style.
We enter a staged comedy production center equipped with a rotating television camera and monitors. Jay Leno is doing a monologue on the 2000 Bush-Gore voting debacle in Florida. The lady next to me is cracking up; laughter is contagious!
Around the corner, I grab a plastic pie in the “You’ve got to hand it to props” stand and place it on the electronic table. I’m in a fit of laughter watching pies launched in the face of Porky Pig and Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live. My husband picks up a rubber chicken next. Try not to laugh at a rubber chicken, I dare you.
Being a comedian is not easy; I have newfound respect for them. The Comedy Center shows you just how hard it is to get a laugh.
Laugh Lesson 1: My husband and I square off in the Laugh Battle, and he doesn’t crack a smile. That is until, completely exasperated, I say, “I married a robot.” He laughs, but I still end up losing 1-5.
Laugh Lesson 2: I love Lucy, but Lucy wouldn’t love my re-enactment of her famous chocolate factory scene. I couldn’t keep a straight face. Lucille Ball is a comedy genius.
Lucille Ball’s hometown is Jamestown, and it was her wish to have a comedy center celebrating all comedians. The George Carlin exhibit has over 25,000 archived items
spanning his 50-year comedy career on display, including awards, letters, arrest records and countless hours of video and audio recordings. Around the corner, check out Jerry Seinfeld’s “puffy” shirt. Other fun archived items include Betty White’s tracksuit and Lucy’s polka dot dress.
Don’t leave without performing a famous, stand-up comedy sketch on stage. As they say in comedy, timing is everything. My timing was horrible, but timing my trip to include the world-class National Comedy Center? Perfect. It’s a comedy-filled romp for the whole family. comedycenter.org
— Sarah Miller
Best Safari BATTLE OF LAKEERIE
Roll down your windows and immerse yourself in a world where dozens of exotic species roam free, beg for snacks and can’t wait to meet you.
HIDDEN VALLEY ANIMAL ADVENTURE hiddenvalleyadventure.com
63 acres of rolling hills and a large pond in Varysburg, New York
More than 350 animals representing 42 species, including exotic animals like zebras, camels, llamas, alpacas, ostriches, bison, nilgai and water buffalo; and small farm animals such as goats, sheep, pigs and rabbits
Guided safari bus tours with knowledgeable guides sharing facts and stories about the animals, self-drive tours allowing visitors to drive at their own pace and purchase feed for animal interactions, and a walkthrough petting zoo.
A trailside grill, creamery, gift shop selling souvenirs and animal-themed items, and a lodge for overnight stays
AFRICAN SAFARI WILDLIFE PARK africansafariwildlifepark.com
LAYOUT & LOCATION
65 acres of grasslands and wetlands in Port Clinton, Ohio
More than 400 animals representing dozens of species, from camels, deer, bison, bongos, zebras, emu, antelope and giraffes to exotic birds, tortoises, lemurs, gibbons, kangaroos, warthogs and an albino American alligator
Self-drive journey through open habitats with ability to purchase animal feed; walk-through area with primates, reptiles, smaller animals and 20 roaring, life-sized prehistoric dinosaurs; camel rides; and special giraffe, capybara and sloth encounters
A gift shop, snack bar, safari cafe, educational programming, special events and seasonal attractions
Take 3
FARM BELL BASKET BARN
You spot a sunny yellow barn with the words “The Farm Bell” in Dewittville, New York. Curious, you pull off to visit this barn-filled treasure chest. Inside, there’s a little bit of everything — souvenir shirts, Minnetonka Moccasins, antiques, candy and local art. tourchautauqua.com
Here are three things we love.
GIDEON OWEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
Pop into a scene straight out of a holiday Hallmark movie as you stroll the Europeaninspired Christmas Market in Port Clinton, Ohio. From late November to Christmas, Gideon Owen Wine Co. transforms its grounds into a delightful winter wonderland — the perfect destination to kick off your seasonal celebrations. Bask in the twinkling lights, fire pits, evergreen trees and cheery decor as you pop between covered outdoor shopping areas. And delight in live music, caroling, ice sculpting demonstrations, visits with Santa and photo opps that capture the season’s charm. Before you leave, grab a glass of Gideon Owen’s award-winning wine. Or plan ahead and make reservations for dinner in the winery’s festive and historic setting. gideonowenwine.com
Flower pounded art by local artist Brenda Nickerson ranging from small bags to tablecloths ($5-$50).
An Albany Cutter Sleigh ($4,500) built around 1900 and professionally restored (only a few left in existence). Just add a horse to glide over the snow to Grandma’s house.
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Desktop kinetic sand art ($150) handmade by Austrian artist Klaus “Sandman” Bosch.
BEAGLE BAY KNOT WORKS
What’s knot to like? Beagle Bay twists, wraps, cinches, tucks and turns out true nautical décor. This is the real deal. (Forget the “go jump in the lake” signage, friends.) What started as a bracelet is now all things knotical, and we’re loving the rope-trimmed mirrors from porthole-sized rounds to custom 32-inch ovals showcasing elaborate Turk’s head and sennit knots of decorative interwoven strands. Wreaths, bottle stoppers, mug mats and key chains round out the offerings at this Huron, Ohio, shop. beaglebayknotworks.com
TREASURE HUNT
BEST HOLIDAY CHEER
NAUTICAL DÉCOR
PERKINS BEACH
Shea Alltmont has over a decade of sand under her toes and buckets of beach glass experience. So we’re not at all surprised that she knows the best glitter litter location, but we were absolutely shocked she was willing to share it with us — and all of you. Perkins Beach is a true hidden gem tucked away next to the far more popular Edgewater Park in Cleveland. facebook.com/beacheskickglass
GETTING THERE
Head to the Lower West parking lot (10001 Cliff Drive) of Cleveland’s Edgewater Park. “It’s part of Edgwater, but it really, truly, is like its own beach.” Alltmont cautions that the steps are long and steep to get there but are worth it if you’re able.
TREASURES TO BE FOUND
“Perkins Beach offers the best variety of colors for sure.” Favorite finds include cobalt blue pieces from old medicine bottles that are perfectly frosted. Grand mansions and wealthy tourists, plus industries over centuries, make this a prime spot.
WHY DID SHE TELL US?
“It brings others joy, so why wouldn’t I share the knowledge I have with others? There are enough treasures for everyone to discover.”
Get more beach glass-hunting tips from Alltmont at LakeErieLiving.com/beachglass
PUT-IN-BAY
The Ohio island of Put-in-Bay is always a good time. But it’s an even better time when you’re traveling with man’s best friend. Here’s how to do it. visitputinbay.com
CRUISING TO THE ISLAND: Both the Miller Ferries and the Jet Express allow dogs for no extra fee. Just keep Rover on a leash and watch his little, black nose inhale fresh lake breezes.
FIDO’S FAVORITES: Island
Paws is a free dog park and a green 2-acre oasis. Rent a golf cart to roam the island. Take in history at Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, then mini golf at Perry’s Family Fun Center. Cool off with a swim or kayak.
HUNGRY? Imagine paws in the sand, a tropical drink melting in your hand‚ and really good food! Retire to The Keys for Caribbean-style dishes, seafood, desserts and drinks. Located on the water, this pup paradise has a tropical-themed treat station for pics. Dogs are welcome to dine outdoors all over the island. From pizzas to fine dining, there’s a water bowl waiting.
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LAGO ENOTECA
Regional Italian cuisine prepared with locally sourced and imported ingredients, wines from close to home and around the world, and multi-course tours of a curated menu are just a few hallmarks of Chef Alex Asteinza’s “relaxed-elegant” Lago Enoteca in Ashtabula, Ohio. lago-enoteca.com
Here are three dishes to try:
Traditional Arancino fried risotto ball ($13) rises to the occasion with fresh ricotta, pecorino and truffles.
The Mezze Rigatoni ($29) begins with a buttersoaked pasta, which is topped with short rib tomato sauce and truffle cream.
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Capesante scallops ($33) are paired with pea puree, prosciutto and herbs.
Best Butterflies BATTLE OF LAKEERIE
The
attraction
The 4,000-square-foot aviary is filled with more than 50 species of exotic butterflies from around the world.
Perry’s Cave is also home to mini golf, gemstone mining, a rock wall, giant maze and a cave coated in stalactites and stalagmites.
Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory
READERS’ PICKS
YOU CAST YOUR VOTES,
and here are the results — the best of Lake Erie in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario, Michigan and the Lake Erie Islands.
Escape the ordinary and indulge in the charm of Put-in-Bay with a stay at our cozy and picturesque boutique hotel. Enjoy relaxation and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light Fairport Harbor, Ohio fairportharborwestlight house.com
Walleye Drop Port Clinton, Ohio wyliewalleyefoundation. com
FireFish Festival Lorain, Ohio firefishfestival.com
Milan Melon Festival Milan, Ohio milanohio.gov
Erie Blues & Jazz Fest Erie, Pa. eriebluesandjazz.com
BEST OVERALL DINING
Gideon Owen Wine Co. Port Clinton, Ohio gideonowenwine.com
The Wine Vault Vermilion, Ohio facebook.com/winevault vermilion
Tours of the inside of the lighthouse and Sunset Wine Dinners start in June with advanced tickets for both available at lorainlighthouse.com. Schedule your special event at the lighthouse--wedding, corporate event, retirement party, etc.
The Straw Hat Sundae Shop North East, Pa. thestrawhaticecream.com
Simply Scoops Port Burwell, Ontario simplyscoops.ca
BEST BIRDING
The Biggest Week in American Birding Oak Harbor, Ohio biggestweekinamerican birding.com
Presque Isle State Park Erie, Pa. dcnr.pa.gov
Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve Huron, Ohio ohiodnr.gov
The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake Geneva, Ohio thelodgeatgeneva.com
Ariel Broadway Hotel Lorain, Ohio arielbroadwayhotel.com
Sawmill Creek Huron, Ohio sawmillcreekresort.com
BEST BED & BREAKFAST
The Michael Cahill Bed & Breakfast Ashtabula, Ohio cahillbb.com
Candlelight Lodge Bed & Breakfast Westfield, N.Y. andmarkacres.com
Maple Springs Lake Side Inn Bemus Point, N.Y. mslsi.com
BEST LANDSCAPE/ GARDEN CENTER
Pandy’s Premier Garden Center Elyria, Ohio pandysgardencenter.com
Corso’s Flower & Garden Center Sandusky, Ohio corsos.com
Barnes Nursery Huron, Ohio barnesnursery.com
BEST HOME BUILDER
Wayne Homes Milan, Ohio waynehomes.com
K. Hovnanian Homes Lorain, Ohio khov.com
Emil Chernicky & Sons Builders, Inc. Erie, Pa. emilchernicky.com
21 BRIX WINERY
6654 West Main Road Portland, NY 14769
716.792.2749 - 21brix.com
21 Brix Winery is the perfect place to spend a day enjoying wine and stunning views of the Lake Erie Wine Country. We hope to see you soon!
BARNES NURSERY
Two Locations: Huron & Catawba 419-433-5525
barnesnursery.com
Celebrating 75 years of exceptional landscapes and outdoor services! Discover our Garden Centers, acres of ideas, and vibrant garden highlights. Join the legacy!
ANGRY BULL STEAKHOUSE
3317 E. Cleveland Rd.
Huron, Ohio 44839
419-433-2933
angrybullsteakhouse.com
The Angry Bull Steak House is Ohio’s premiere steak house using the finest U.S.D.A choice, hand-picked and cut, aged beef while also serving the finest quality deep cold water lobster and Alaskan King Crab. All food is ordered and delivered daily to insure freshness and cooked to order.
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. Visit our new Broadway Grill & Games, a family friendly restaurant, arcade & bar with an eclectic mix of food and global flavors to create a unique and exciting culinary adventure, located in the lower level of the hotel.” Book your stay or event today.
BEAGLE BAY KNOT WORKS
507 Main St. Huron, Ohio 44839 330-465-0890
beaglebayknotworks.com
Using centuries-old mariners’ knot tying techniques, the seasoned Lake Erie Sailors of Beagle Bay cleverly transformed rope and cord into lifestyle items for land and sea.
FIREFISH ARTS/ FIREFISH FESTIVAL
520 Broadway 3rd Floor
Lorain, Ohio 44052
567-219-0185
firefishfestival.com
FireFish Arts and FireFish Festival creates, celebrates, inspires, and transforms downtown Lorain and waterfront through vibrant community arts programming
JOLLY ROGERS
SEAFOOD HOUSE
1715 E. Perry St. Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419-732-3382
Facebook: Jolly Rogers Seafood House
Jolly Rogers specializes in Lake Erie Yellow Perch & Walleye. They also make their own onion rings fresh daily! Watch them bread to order!
LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS
LAKEVIEW PARK
12882 Diagonal Road
LaGrange, Ohio 44050 440-458-5121
loraincountymetroparks.com
Lorain County Metro Parks preserves a diversity of ecosystems while providing educational and recreational opportunities. With over 11,000 acres and something for everyone to enjoy, Lorain County Metro Parks are your connection to nature nearby!
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER
203 W. Second St. Jamestown, NY 14701 716-484-2222 comedycenter.org
Discover the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to comedy. Named Best New Museum by USA Today and top-rated by Tripadvisor, the National Comedy Center offers fun and laughter for the entire family. This is a safe and worryfree visitor experience with more than 50 immersive and interactive exhibits. Plan your visit at comedycenter.org
PUT-IN-BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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.
ROGER TORY
PETERSON INSTITUTE
311 Curtis St. Jamestown, NY 14701 716-665-2473 - rtpi.org
Wed-Sat: 10 am—4 pm Sun: 1-5 pm
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.
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUMS
Spiegel Grove Fremont, Ohio 43420 800-998-773 - rbhayes.org
Visit President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes’ estate of Spiegel Grove. Tour the couple’s mansion, visit their tomb and museum and walk paved trails. For information on tours, holiday, and seasonal hours, please visit rbhayes.org to see all available hours.
THE WILD GOOSE
4144 Erie St. Willoughby, Ohio 44094
440-951-6644
wildgoosewlby.com
This locally owned sports bar features award-winning stone oven pizza and craft beer, and was voted a top 25 sports bars in Cleveland by cleveland.com. Stop in for our Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 3—6 pm | All Day Sun.
TOUR LAKE COUNTY
105 Main St. B101
Painesville, Ohio 44077
440-975-1234
tourlakecounty.com
As the official destination marketing organization for Lake County, Ohio we encourage visitors to experience everything we have to offer and start their tour at tourlakecounty.com.
Your dream is just that: yours. Whether it’s having a great big place where the whole family can gather or a cozy weekend retreat on the lake, your dream home should be a perfect reflection of your life and your style. And we can help. After 50 years of building custom homes across the region — including Sandusky — we’ve helped turn thousands of dreams into pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming homes. Now it ’s your tu rn.
