Ohio Days - NPX Newsletter Winter 2018

Ohio's Lake Erie Shores & Islands

 

By Marilee Clemons, R.Ph., PharmD

There is so much to love on the north shore of Ohio. You can find something special for everyone whether you’re traveling with your whole family or a group of friends. You can experience island life every day of the week on any of the numerous islands or take in the lakefront view from the Marblehead Lighthouse.

Here are my top 4 places to visit:

Put-In-Bay/ South Bass Island
Nicknamed the “Key West of the North,” Put-In-Bay offers an exciting nightlife with live music entertainment to satisfy all generations. The tiny two by four mile island is dotted with historic homes, the nation’s third tallest monument, and quaint restaurants and local pubs. Beginning in April of each year, visitors flock to Put-In-Bay for an island retreat. Shopping, boating, fishing, great restaurants, and a vibrant nightlight offer something fun for everyone. The island can be accessed via ferry boat, private boat, or airplane. The Roundhouse or Frosty’s is a personal favorite.

Kelleys Island
Kelleys’ west basin location makes it a perfect spot for water activities and fishing. The downtown area is the heart of island activity, where visitors can do anything from browse unique shops, enjoy a range of cuisine and a variety of entertainment, or admire the architecture of the homes which have landed the entire island on the National Register of Historic Places. The Glacial Grooves are the most popular natural destination on the island as they are the largest and best accessible example of this phenomenon anywhere in the world. The Village Pump is a favorite of mine.

Port Clinton
Commonly known as the “Walleye Capital of the world”, this is a great destination located on Lake Erie. Visitors typically walk the sandy beaches of the coastline or shop and eat in the historic downtown Port Clinton district. During the summer, local festivals and events take place practically every weekend. The Walleye Festival is held annually every Memorial Day weekend and the unique New Year’s Eve tradition of Walleye Madness at Midnight where a 20-foot, 600-pound fiberglass walleye is dropped from the sky to mark the beginning of the New Year. Check out the Bait House River Bar which is the only lakefront outdoor bar in the area.

Lakeside-Marblehead
Lakeside Chautauqua is a historic community in Ohio that offers an abundance of spiritual opportunities and is dedicated to nurturing mind, body and spirit. The neighboring village of Marblehead encompasses just over 2 and ½ square miles and is home to the busiest Coast Guard station on the Great Lakes and the oldest continuously operating Lighthouse on the Great Lakes. From spring until fall, the town is bustling with tourists who enjoy fishing, boating and leisure activities. My favorite local pub is Jamestown Tavern.