CAN’T-MISS SUMMER FESTIVALS
- Dean Martin Festival: June 13-15, celebrate the life of Steubenville native Dean Martin with Rat Pack tributes, tours, a street fair, karaoke and more; downtown Steubenville (Jefferson County); admission varies; 740-283-9164 or deanmartinsteubenville.com
- Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival: June 14-16, celebrate the sticky stuff in the Duct Tape Capital of the World, with a parade, rides, entertainment, duct tape crafts, art exhibits and John Waite in concert; Veterans Memorial Park, Avon (Lorain County); free; ducttapefestival.com
- Cy Young Days: June 21-23, hometown hero and baseball great Cy Young is feted with a parade, car show, rides and more; special guest and parade grand marshal is Mike McCormick, who won the Cy Young Award in 1967 with the San Francisco Giants; Cy Young Park, Newcomerstown (Tuscarawas County); free; cyyoungdaysfestival.com
- Tall Ships Festival: July 4-7, up to a dozen tall ships will sail into Cleveland's harbor to showcase Great Lakes maritime history; board vessels, meet crews, shop the maritime marketplace and more; Port of Cleveland, behind FirstEnergy Stadium (Cuyahoga County); $14, tallshipscleveland.com
- Great Mohican Pow-Wow: July 12-14, learn about American Indian culture through music, storytelling, dance and drum competitions, plus food and crafts for sale; Mohican Reservation Camp, Loudonville (Ashland County); $8; mohicanpowwow.com or 1-800-766-2267
- National Senior Games: July 19-Aug. 1, more than 14,000 athletes, ages 50 and up, will compete in a variety of sports including track and field, archery, horseshoes, badminton and pickleball; venues throughout downtown Cleveland (Cuyahoga County); free; nsga.com or 216-621-0600
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival: July 19-Aug. 6, celebrate 50 years of Canton's football museum with a balloon classic, ribs burnoff, multiple parades and the enshrinement of seven football greats into the Hall of Fame; various Canton locations (Stark County); admission varies; profootballhoffestival.com
- All-American Soap Box Derby: July 27 (with pre-race festivities starting July 21), 500 racers, ages 7 to 17, compete in homemade nonmotorized cars on Derby Downs' 989-foot track; Akron (Summit County); race-day tickets $5; 330-733-8723 or aasbd.org
- Twins Day Festival: Aug. 2-4, the largest annual gathering of twins (and other multiples) in the world, with activities including a double-take parade, twins talent show and more; Chamberlin Park, Twinsburg (Summit County); $4 per day (pre-registered twins are free); 330-425-3652 or twinsdays.org
- D-Day Conneaut: Aug. 16-17, the country's largest D-Day reenactment features 1,000 World War II reenactors on Conneaut Township Park beach (aka Normandy); other activities include weapons demonstrations, historic vehicle rally and USO-style dance; free; 440-729-9274 or ddayohio.us
— Compiled by Susan Glaser, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer
SUMMER FUN, ANYTIME
A sampling of popular summertime activities, compiled by The Columbus Dispatch staff members:
THEME/WATER PARKS
GEAUGA LAKE’S WILDWATER KINGDOM
Description: The park includes a wet playground, a 100-foot-tall water slide, four inner-tube slides and a 1,100-foot-long lazy river.
Location: 1100 Squires Rd., Aurora (Portage County)
Open: operating hours vary May 25-27 and June 1-2, daily June 7 through Aug. 18, Aug. 24-25, Aug. 31-Sept. 2
Admission: $31.99 for those 3 and older 48 inches or taller in bare feet, or $15.99 for children 3 and older less than 48 inches tall in bare feet and senior citizens 62 and older, free for children 2 and younger
Parking: $10
Where to buy tickets/information: at the park and online; 330-562-8303, www.wildwaterfun.com
PIONEER WATERLAND & DRY FUN PARK
Description: The park offers six-story water slides, a lazy inner-tube ride, paddleboats on a natural lake and a sportsland fun area.
Location: 10661 Kile Rd., Chardon (Geauga County)
Open: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends June 8 through Aug. 18, Aug. 24-25. Call to confirm schedule.
Admission: $19.95, or free for children less than 40 inches tall; go-cart admission, $13.95, includes all dry attractions; Grand Prix Go-Karts: $4 a ride
Parking: $4
Least-busy day: Mondays
Where to buy tickets/information: at the park; 440-285-0909 to confirm operation in the event of inclement weather, www.pioneerwaterland.com
OUTDOOR MUSIC
BLOSSOM MUSIC CENTER
Description: With a pavilion that seats 5,700 and a large lawn area that can seat 13,500 people, the venue allows visitors to picnic, enjoy tunes and stargaze.
Location: 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls (Summit County)
Performances: May 31 (7 p.m.): Tim McGraw; June 1 (7 p.m.): Dave Matthews Band; June 20 (7 p.m.): Kenny Chesney; June 28 (7 p.m.): Rascal Flatts, the Band Perry; July 2 (7:30 p.m.): Kid Rock, Kool and the Gang, Uncle Kracker; July 16 (7 p.m.): Jonas Brothers; July 17 (7 p.m.): Train, the Script, Gavin DeGraw; July 18 (11 a.m.): Vans Warped Tour 2013; July 19 (7 p.m.): Toby Keith; July 22 (7:30 p.m.): Heart; July 31 (7 p.m.): Big Time Rush, Victoria Justice; Aug. 1 (7:30 p.m.): Blake Shelton; Aug. 6 (7:30 p.m.): John Mayer, Phillip Phillips; Aug. 7 (7 p.m.): America's Most Wanted Festival featuring Lil' Wayne; Aug. 10 (7 p.m.): Miranda Lambert; Aug. 26 (7 p.m.): Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson; Sept. 12 (7 p.m.): Keith Urban
Parking: included with ticket; premium spots $20 to $30 in advance
Tickets/information: $20 to $125 at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or at www.ticketmaster.com; 330-920-8040, 330-916-6068 or www.blossommusic.com
CAIN PARK
Description: The park boasts an intimate outdoor covered theater (Alma) and an outdoor covered amphitheater (Evans).
Location: Between Lee and S. Taylor roads (bordered by Superior Road and Hyde Park Avenue), Cleveland Heights (Cuyahoga County)
Performances: June 20 (8 p.m.): Gaelic Storm; June 21 (7 p.m.): Black Violin; June 22 (8 p.m.): Susan Werner; June 26 (7:30 p.m.): Happy Together Tour featuring the Turtles, Chuck Negron, Gary Puckett; June 28 (8 p.m.): Amy Grant; June 29 (8 p.m.): Peter Yarrow; June 30 (8 p.m.): Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings; July 18 (8 p.m.): Solas; July 19 (8 p.m.): Ian Anderson; July 20 (8 p.m.): Dancing Wheels; July 27 (7 p.m.): Neil Jacobs; July 31 (8 p.m.): "Weird Al" Yankovic; Aug. 7 (7:30 p.m.): an Evening with Yes; Aug. 8 (8 p.m.): Kris Kristofferson; Aug. 10 (8 p.m.): an Evening with Michael Stanley and the Resonators; Aug. 14 (8 p.m.): Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; Aug. 15 (8 p.m.): Livingston Taylor; Aug. 16 (8 p.m.): the Official Blues Brothers Revue; Aug. 17 (8 p.m.): the Doo Wops; Aug 18 (8 p.m.): Michael McDonald
Parking: area streets and lots
Tickets/information: $8 to $79.50; 216-371-3000, www.cainpark.com
CANTON BLUES FESTIVAL
Description: The two-day event draws 12,000 to 15,000 people annually.
Location: Downtown Canton (Market Avenue North between 3rd and 4th streets, Stark County)
Performances: June 7: Blues Jam, Mahajibee Blues, Lauren Mitchell Band, Devon Allman and Honeytribe, Malina Moye; June 8: Blues in Schools Program performance, the Brighter Side, Sonny Moorman Band, Midlife Chryslers, Shane Dwight
Parking: free
Tickets/information: free; one- and two-day VIP passes $45 to $75; 1-800-533-4302, www.cantonbluesfest.com
JACOBS PAVILION AT NAUTICA
Description: A 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater, formerly Nautica Pavilion, is located along the Cuyahoga River.
Location: 2014 Sycamore St., the Flats, near downtown Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Performances: May 25 (9:15 p.m.) Rick Springfield; May 26 (9 p.m.): Buddy Guy; May 27 (6 p.m.): Bret Michaels; June 4 (8 p.m.): Kendrick Lamar; June 13 (7 p.m.): Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson; June 22 (8 p.m.): Peter Frampton; June 25 (7 p.m.): LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Public Enemy; July 7 (6:30 p.m.): O.A.R.; July 9 (8 p.m.): fun., Tegan and Sara; July 23 (8 p.m.): Steely Dan; July 24 (8 p.m.): Chicago; July 30 (7:30 p.m.): Imagine Dragons; Aug. 3 (7 p.m.): Daughtry, 3 Doors Down; Aug. 5 (8 p.m.): the Killers
Parking: various lots
Tickets/information: $26 to $99.50 at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com; 440-247-2722, www.livenation.com
MUSEUMS
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
Description: Known for its extensive collections of pre-Columbian, medieval European, Asian and Indian art.
Location: 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday
Admission: free; a fee charged for some special exhibits
Parking: in the attached garage, $6 to $12; $5 after 5 p.m.
Special exhibits: "The Last Days of Pompeii: Decadence, Apocalypse, Resurrection," investigates the modern obsession of Pompeii as an inspiration of art (through July 7, admission fee charged); "Tantra in Buddhist Art," explores 20 tantric works' relationship to enlightenment (through Sept. 15); "Carrie Wae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video," three-part exhibit of works and photos addressing issues of race, gender and class (June 30 to Sept. 29); "Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads," includes 12 bronze sculptures representing Chinese zodiac animals (July 27 to Jan. 26).
Information: 216-421-7350, 1-888-CMA-0033, www.clevelandart.org
GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER
Description: The center features hundreds of hands-on exhibits, science shows and educational programs.
Location: 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Admission: $14, or $13 for senior citizens 60 and older and students with valid ID, $12 for children 2 to 12; additional cost for the OMNIMAX theater, the Steamship William G. Mather
Parking: $7 in attached garage with a validated ticket
Special exhibits: "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition," 225 recovered artifacts, room re-creations and personal stories from the sunken ship (June 1 to Jan. 5, extra admission fee).
Information: 216-694-2000, www.greatscience.com
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Description: The museum honors the players and history of professional football.
Location: 2121 George Halas Dr. N.W., Canton (Stark County)
Open: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day; till 5 p.m. year-round
Admission: $22, or $18 for senior citizens 62 and older, $16 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and younger
Parking: free
Special exhibits: Enshrinement Ceremony for 2013 inductees will take place at 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at Fawcett Stadium, Canton. The ceremony will also commemorate the Hall of Fame's 50th anniversary.
Information: 330-456-8207, www.profootballhof.com
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
Description: The 150,000-square-foot museum features interactive exhibits, costume displays and artifacts.
Location: 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., corner of E. 9th Street and Erieside Avenue, Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, until 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day
Admission: $22, or $17 for senior citizens 65 and older and those with military with I.D., $13 for children 9 to 12, free for children 8 and younger
Parking: nearby lots, garages and on-street meters
Special exhibits: "Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction," collection of never-before-seen personal items, films and texts (May 24 to March)
Information: 216-781-ROCK, 1-800-493-ROLL, www.rockhall.com
SPORTING EVENTS
Baseball
CLEVELAND INDIANS
Description: An influx of young talent has invigorated a franchise that had fallen hard from its heights of the 1990s.
Location: Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Home games: May 19-20 vs. Mariners; May 21-22 vs. Tigers; May 29-30 vs. Reds; May 31-June 2: vs. Rays; June 14-16 vs. Nationals; June 17-19 vs. Royals; June 21-23 vs. Twins; July 5-8 vs. Tigers; July 9-11 vs. Blue Jays; July 12-14 vs. Royals; July 26-28 vs. Rangers; July 29-Aug. 1 vs. White Sox; Aug. 5-8 vs. Tigers; Aug. 9-11 vs. Angels; Aug. 23-25 vs. Twins; Sept. 2-4 vs. Orioles
Admission: $10 to $79, free for children 3 and younger if sitting on an adult's lap
Parking: nearby lots
Tickets/information: available through Ticketmaster, 1-866-48-TRIBE, team shop locations, at the park or online; 216-420-4200, www.indians.mlb.com
AKRON AEROS
Description: The Cleveland Indians’ Class AA affiliate is a member of the Eastern League.
Location: Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron (Summit County)
Home games: May 19 vs. Erie; May 20-23 vs. Bowie; May 28-31 vs. Harrisburg; June 4-6 vs. New Hampshire; June 18-20 vs. Trenton; June 21-23 vs. New Britton; June 24-26 vs. Harrisburg; June 27-30 vs. Altoona; July 11-14 vs. Altoona; July 15-17 vs. Erie; July 25-28 vs. Richmond; Aug. 6-8 vs. New Britain; Aug. 16-18 vs. Reading; Aug. 22-25 vs. Binghamton; Aug. 26-29 vs. Erie
Admission: $5 to $9, or $8 for senior citizens and children younger than 12; free for children 3 and younger
Parking: nearby lots
Tickets/information: 330-253-5153; 330-253-5151, 1-800-972-3767, www.akronaeros.com
LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS
Description: The minor-league team is a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.
Location: Classic Park, 35300 Vine St., Eastlake (Lake County)
Home games: May 19-20 vs. Fort Wayne; May 25-27 vs. West Michigan; May 28-30 vs. Bowling Green; June 8-10 vs. Bowling Green; June 14-16 vs. Great Lakes; June 26-28 vs. Great Lakes; June 29-July 1 vs. Fort Wayne; July 2-3 vs. Lansing; July 6-8 vs. West Michigan; July 17-19 vs. Cedar Rapids; July 20-22 vs. Quad Cities; Aug. 1-2 vs. Fort Wayne; Aug. 3-6 vs. Great Lakes; Aug. 10-12 vs. Bowling Green; Aug. 14-16 vs. South Bend; Aug. 21-23 vs. Dayton; Aug. 28-30 vs. Lansing
Admission: $10
Parking: $5 gold lots at stadium, private lots off Curtis Boulevard
Tickets/information: 440-954-9467; 440-975-8085, www.captainsbaseball.com
LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS
Description: The Crushers are members of the independent Frontier League.
Location: All Pro Freight Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon (Lorain County)
Home games: May 19 vs. Gateway; May 28-30 vs. Florence; May 31-June 2 vs. Joliet; June 11-13 vs. Evansville; June 18-20 vs. Normal; June 25-27 vs. Frontier; July 2-4 vs. Windy City; July 5-7 vs. Rockford; July 12-14 vs. Frontier; July 22-24 vs. Southern Illinois; July 25-27 vs. River City; July 31-Aug. 2 vs. Washington; Aug. 3-5 vs. Traverse City; Aug. 13-15 vs. Washington; Aug. 16-18 vs. Frontier; Aug. 23-25 vs. Schaumburg; Aug. 30-Sept. 1 vs. Frontier; Sept. 3-5 vs. Traverse City
Admission: $6 to $14, $18 club level
Parking: $3 stadium parking
Tickets/information: 440-934-3636 or at stadium ticket office; www.lakeeriecrushers.com
MAHONING VALLEY SCRAPPERS
Description: A minor-league team affiliated with the Cleveland Indians.
Location: Eastwood Field, 111 Eastwood Mall Blvd., Niles (Trumbull County)
Home games: June 17-19 vs. Jamestown; June 23-25 vs. Auburn; June 26-27 vs. State College; July 4-6 vs. Williamsport; July 10-12 vs. Tri-City; July 13-15 vs. Vermont; July 23-25 vs. State College; July 26-27 vs. Batavia; July 28-29 vs. Williamsport; Aug. 6-8 vs. Lowell; Aug. 9-11 vs. Hudson Valley; Aug. 20-22 vs. Jamestown; Aug. 23-25 vs. Batavia; Aug. 29-30 vs. Auburn
Admission: $7 to $11; $1 Thursday nights
Parking: $3, on-site
Tickets/information: 330-505-0000; 330-505-0000, www.mvscrappers.com
Golf
WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL
Description: The South Course at Firestone Country Club is a meticulously groomed test for some of the best golfers in the world.
Location: Firestone Country Club, 452 E. Warner Rd., Akron (Summit County)
Dates: July 31-Aug. 4
Admission: $85 to $275 (tournament); $35 to $48 (daily); $20 to $25 (Wednesday practice round); free for youths 18 and younger accompanied by an adult
Parking: $5
Tickets/information: available by calling Ticketmaster (1-888-401-8000), or online; 330-644-2299, www.worldgolfchampionships.com
Pro football
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Description: Since returning to the NFL in 1999, Ohio's senior NFL member has been in the playoffs only once.
Location: FirstEnergy Stadium, 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Preseason home games: Aug. 8 vs. St. Louis Rams; Aug. 15 vs. Detroit Lions
Admission: starting at $35
Parking: lots within walking distance of the stadium
Tickets/information: 440-824-3434, through Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000, or online; 440-891-5000, www.clevelandbrowns.com
Harness racing
NORTHFIELD PARK
Description: One of America's premier tracks features year-round, live harness racing.
Location: 10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield (Summit County)
Season: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (post times 6:30 p.m.) through June 7 and then returning to that schedule on Aug. 5; Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays June 10 through July 27; simulcasting daily
Admission: free admission and parking
Information: 330-467-4101, www.northfieldpark.com
Horse racing
THISTLEDOWN
Description: The track offers live thoroughbred racing from May to mid-November as well as simulcast racing.
Location: 21501 Emery Rd., North Randall (Cuyahoga County)
Season: Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (post time 12:55 p.m.) through Nov. 17; simulcasting daily
Admission: free
Parking: free
Information: 216-662-8600, www.thistledown.com
ZOOS
AKRON ZOO
Description: The accredited world-conservation zoo boasts 50 acres and more than 700 animals.
Location: 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron (Summit County)
Big attractions: Grizzly Ridge, opening July 20, will house six animal species, highlighted by grizzly bears. Animals never before seen at the zoo will also roam the exhibit, such as red wolves and coyotes, and a walk-in aviary with native Ohio birds will be included.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October
Admission: $10, or $8.50 for senior citizens 62 and older, $7 for children 2 to 14, free for children younger than 2
Parking: $2
Information: 330-375-2550, www.akronzoo.org
CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO
Description: The 180-acre zoo has nearly 3,000 animals — many in natural settings.
Location: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
Big attractions: Dinosaurs will return to the zoo this summer with 15 species, brought to life through animatronics. Admission to the exhibit, which runs through Sept. 15, is $3.50 per person, or $2 for zoo members, free for children younger than 2.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays Memorial Day through Labor Day
Admission: $12.25, or $8.25 for children 2 to 11, free for children younger than 2
Parking: free
Information: 216-661-6500, www.clemetzoo.com
Sandwiched between two of the state's largest cities, bisected by the busy Ohio Turnpike, this is not your typical national park. There are no dramatic canyons, no jagged mountaintop peaks. What you will find: a river, a canal, scenic waterfalls, terrific rock formations, hiking trails, bike paths and much more. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is our urban oasis.
“It’s 33,000 acres of preserved countryside right in the heart of our metropolitan area,” said John Debo, the former longtime superintendent of the park who now raises money for its nonprofit conservancy. “It has sometimes been characterized as Ohio’s equivalent of Central Park. It’s that important of a space.”
People unfamiliar with the park, which stretches into southern Cuyahoga County, are often astounded to find it listed among the most-visited national parks in the nation (No. 10 in 2012, right after Acadia in Maine).
Those of us in northeastern Ohio, however, aren’t surprised at all.
There’s so much to do, and it’s so close. Among the favorite activities:
- Biking along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which runs 20 miles through the park (and extends another 60 miles north and south, connecting Cleveland with Zoar). Follow the trail where mules once pulled canal boats during the Civil War era. (Information: www.ohioanderiecanalway.com)
- Checking out the lovely Brandywine Falls or exploring the Ledges Trail, among the most popular hikes in the park, which has more than 125 miles of trails to explore, including a 35-mile section of the Buckeye Trail.
- Hopping aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which carves a route through the park. If you bike one way and ride the train the other, the fare is only $2. (www.cvsr.com)
- Attending a concert at Blossom Music Center (Summit County), the outdoor amphitheater that hosts the Cleveland Orchestra all summer, or checking out smaller groups at smaller venues, including Happy Days Lodge.
- Spending the night at the private Inn at Brandywine Falls, a perfect antidote to a day of hiking. (www.innatbrandywinefalls.com). Or try the Stanford House, owned by the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with nine rooms to rent, together or separately. (www.conservancyforcvnp.org. For more information on the park: www.nps.gov/cuva)
The national park, of course, is just one place to enjoy Mother Nature in northeastern Ohio. The region's other jewel: Lake Erie.
Lake Erie's western basin, from Sandusky west to Toledo, includes the always-hopping Lake Erie islands. Farther east, the lake offers plenty of attractions of its own, including several terrific sandy stretches: Huntington Beach in Bay Village (Cuyahoga County), just west of Cleveland, and Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor (Lake County).
Just east of Headlands, also in Lake County, is Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, part of the Lake Metroparks system, a terrific strand that offers plenty of fun for more active beach bums, including kayak rentals and sailing lessons. The park also offers lessons in stand-up paddleboarding, an increasingly popular sport that's a hybrid between surfing and kayaking.
Seth Begeman, park manager at Fairport Harbor, said the sport is relatively easy to learn — and offers a unique perspective.
“It almost feels like you’re walking on the water,” Begeman said.
The park has six paddleboards available to rent, and beginner lessons are offered from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday mornings, June 15 through Labor Day. (www.lakemetroparks.com/select-park/fairport.shtml.)
Paddleboarding lessons are also available at Lakeview Park Beach in Lorain County. (www.lakeeriepaddler.com/lessons)
The eastern shore of Lake Erie is also a great spot to catch a fishing charter, with boats leaving from Ashtabula, Painesville, Cleveland, Eastlake and other lakefront towns. (www.northcoastcharter.com)
For a fine lakefront overnight, check out the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, a state park resort in Ashtabula County, with terrific lake views from most rooms, bikes for rent and a shuttle to area wineries. (www.thelodgeatgeneva.com)
Away from the shores of Lake Erie, consider these outdoor adventures in northeastern Ohio:
- Go zip-lining in the Mohican River valley. Tree Frog Canopy Tours (Knox County), open since 2010, offers a three-hour treetop tour, with seven zip-lines, two sky bridges and two tree rappels. Cost is $75 weekdays, $85 weekends. (www.treefrogcanopytours.com)
- Pick up a paddle and check out the view from the water in what's known as the Canoe Capital of Ohio. The Mohican region (Ashland County) is also a great area to explore on horseback. (Information on either activity: www.loudonville-mohican.com)
- Rent a canoe on the Upper Cuyahoga River. Try Camp Hi in Hiram, (www.camphicanoe.com) or the Grand River in Rock Creek (Ashtabula County, www.grandrivercanoe.com).
- Consider a trip to Atwood Lake in Carroll County, with pontoon and sport boat rentals. (www.atwoodlakeboats.com). Stay overnight at Atwood Lake Resort, which reopened late last year after being closed for two years. The renovated 104-room resort plans to open a par-3 golf course in June. (www.atwoodlakeresort.com)
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