Lake Erie doubles as northeast Ohio’s biggest summertime amenity

The view of Put-in Bay's harbor as seen from the top of the 352-foot-tall Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.

Dayton Daily News staff photo by Patrick Foose/ALL The view of Put-in Bay's harbor as seen from the top of the 352-foot-tall Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.

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AP Photo/Cedar Point/AP The Maverick roller coaster is shown in Sandusky, Ohio at Cedar Point.

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By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer Updated 7:13 PM Friday, May 21, 2010

No, you can’t see Canada when you’re standing on the southern shore of Lake Erie, looking north.

You can swim in Ohio’s Great Lake, boat on it, eat from it, walk along it — but you can’t see across it.

That fact surprises many first-time visitors to Lake Erie, which doubles as northeast Ohio’s biggest summertime amenity.

Sure, there are plenty of places to play nearby when the weather warms up — northeast Ohio boasts the state’s only national park, one of the world’s great amusement parks, a terrific outdoor concert venue, wine-tasting trails, top-notch museums and much more.

But for many (including this writer), Lake Erie is the region’s No. 1 summertime attraction, its top asset and the best place to spend a lazy August afternoon.

There is no place better than the Lake Erie islands to enjoy lake living. Although there are dozens of small islands, three are easily accessible to Ohio tourists: South Bass (often referred to as Put-in-Bay, the name of the island’s main town), Middle Bass and Kelleys.

Middle Bass is the sleepiest, with primitive camping, cottages for rent and a handful of restaurants and shops. South Bass is the busiest, with a boat-packed harbor, late-night parties, go-cart racing, miniature golf and more. Kelleys, a perfect mix of the two, has the best beach, a small downtown and flat roads perfect for biking.

Ferries shuttle visitors back and forth between the islands and Sandusky (Erie County); Port Clinton and Marblehead (Ottawa County); and Lorain (Lorain County). Tip: Leave your car behind and take or rent bikes or a golf cart on the islands. It’s the best way to get around. (www.heartoflakeerie.com)

Back on the mainland, there’s more than enough to fill a vacation planner. First stop: Cedar Point.

No doubt you already know a lot about this place, the second-oldest amusement park in the country and consistently ranked among the best.

New this year: the water ride Shoot the Rapids, with an 85-foot-high first hill. Also on tap: several deals designed to get guests to spend the night, including a discounted pass good for same-day admission to both Cedar Point and Soak City, the park’s 18-acre outdoor water park.

Cedar Point, in Erie County, offers several places to rest your head, including the historic Hotel Breakers, set on a terrific stretch of Lake Erie sand. Another beachfront option: Lighthouse Point, with more than 100 cabins and cottages, where families can save money by skipping restaurants for some meals.

In recent years, Cedar Point’s popularity has seemed to draw other attractions to Sandusky, including a trio of massive indoor water parks: Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari Waterpark Resort and Castaway Bay, which is owned by Cedar Point.

At 173,000 square feet, Kalahari is the biggest indoor water park in the United States, and, with nearly 900 rooms, the largest hotel in Ohio. The resort also has a more modest outdoor water park and, new this year, an outdoor adventure park featuring a ropes course, zip line, climbing walls and more. Your kids will love you forever if you book a night here. (See listings below for details on all parks.)

East of Cleveland, life on the lake takes on a more sophisticated flavor. This is Ohio’s prime grape-growing and wine-making region, with 20 wineries making up the state’s Vines and Wines Trail, dotting Lake, Ashtabula and Geauga counties, offering wine tastings, winery tours, meals and overnights.

Among the oldest and best-known places to sip away an afternoon: Debonne Vineyards in Madison (Lake County), Ferrante Winery & Ristorante in Geneva (Ashtabula County) and Markko Vineyards in Conneaut (Ashtabula County). Contact: (800) 227-6972, www.ohiowines.org.

A notable newcomer includes Tarsitano Winery & Cafe in Conneaut, which opened in 2001 and where winemaker Ken Tarsitano doubles as a part-time chef.

A great place to rest your head while you’re touring: the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake (Ashtabula County), Ohio’s newest state park lodge (it opened in 2004), located on the lakefront, just west of the retro resort town Geneva-on-the-Lake. Contact: (440) 466-8400, www.dnr.state.oh.us.

Or, grab a bottle of wine and head to Blossom Music Center, the scenic summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra in Cuyahoga Falls in Summit County.

Take a picnic to enjoy on the lawn before heading to your seat (or stay on the grass for a bargain-basement way to hear one of the world’s great orchestras). More contemporary groups take the stage here, too, including a 2010 schedule featuring Phish, Tom Petty and John Mayer. (Important note: Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at non-orchestra shows).

Of course, you can do more than listen to rock music in northeast Ohio — you can immerse yourself in it at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Among the treasured artifacts: Michael Jackson’s glove, Duane Allman’s electric guitar and John Lennon’s Sgt. Pepper jacket. A special exhibit on the music of Motown continues through summer, and a tribute to Bruce Springsteen will stay through the end of the year. (See listings for details.)

If rock music isn’t your idea of a cultural attraction, head a few miles east from downtown to Cleveland’s cultural campus, University Circle. Here you’ll find several museums worth a tour, most notably the Cleveland Museum of Art, which is halfway through a five-year, $350 million expansion and renovation project.

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