O HIO • PEN N S Y LVA N I A • NE W YOR K • ON TARIO • M I C HI G A N
of Best LAKE ERIE THE
100+
ways to sip,
snack, shop, laugh, plunge and pollinate from Put-in-Bay to Port Dover
$4.99 U.S./$5.50 Canada
P L U S How a rookie Ohio grape grower became an almost-overnight success
September 2026
BELLE OAKS MAIN WEBSITE
Contents
volume 19 • issue 4
BEST OF LAKE ERIE
Chairman Lute Harmon Sr. President Lute Harmon Jr. Editor Colleen Smitek editor@lakeerieliving.com Contributing Writers Laura Watilo Blake, Lara Busold, Linda Feagler, Vince Guerrieri, Kristen Hampshire, Jill Sell, Lynne Thompson and Jennifer Webb Managing Art Director Jenny Perdue perdue@clevelandstudios.com
In Every Issue
Contributing Artists
4
Laura Watilo Blake Production & Operations Manager
Letter From the Editor
Corey Galloway
COVER: LAURA WATILO BLAKE / THIS PAGE: ISTOCK: PENELOPEB / SANDUSKY BAY PANCAKE HOUSE / LAURA WATILO BLAKE
6
cgalloway@clevelandstudios.com Account Managers
Currents A rookie vintner’s success in Ohio wine country and treasure hunting by the lake.
Julie Bialowas, Nichole Cardinale and Sara Jamieson Traffic Coordinator Paige Schuller and Megan Stimac
13
Director of Digital Strategy Jacquie Chakirelis
Lakeside Living Adding character to a Catawba cottage.
Development Manager Daniel Klinzing
30
Subscriber Services 1-800-453-1015
Big Picture Port Clinton, Ohio
lakeerieliving@sfsdayton.com
On the Cover
George Sedlak
Contributing artist Laura Watilo Blake set out to snap the Put-in-Bay Floating Tiki (page 16) and found Westlake, Ohio, bride-to-be Martha McKeon cutting loose with her friends ahead of her Chicago nuptials. The boat was rocking from all the dancing, Blake notes, but the party stayed safely afloat.
Chief Financial Officer Finance Director Perry Zohos
Feature
16
Best of Lake Erie 2026
From strawberry pancakes in Sandusky to strawberry shots on Kelleys Island, we celebrate the many delights of life on the lake.
Lake Erie Living (ISSN 1940-4247) is published in March, May, July and September for a total of four issues annually by Great Lakes Studios, 1422 Euclid Ave, Suite 730, Cleveland OH 44115. Periodical postage is paid at Cleveland, Ohio and additional mailing office. Postmaster: Send address changes to LAKE ERIE LIVING, 1422 Euclid Ave, Suite 730, Cleveland OH 44115. Subscription rates: US: $10.00 one year, $18.50 two years, $25.00 three years. Single issue $4.99. Canada and foreign add $10 per year. Ohio residents are subject to 8% sales tax. Copyright 2026 Great Lakes Studios. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Printed in the United States. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or cartoons.
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Cleveland Magazine | Lake Erie Living | Ohio Magazine Community Leader Custom Publishing, Web Sites & E-newsletters
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LakeErieLiving.com 3
From the Editor
E
Shores & Islands Ohio isn’t just a summer spot, it’s a region for every season. From misty spring mornings paddling at sunrise to crisp autumn hikes among the vibrant foliage and fun-filled winter festivals to sunsplashed days in the water, each season brings its own fresh flavors, lively adventures and perfectly peaceful moments. Plan your trip today at shoresandislands.com and come see every season for yourself.
very year at this time, we raise our glasses to celebrate the best of life on Lake Erie — and we’re always impressed by the hard work and creativity people pour into their endeavors. At Groove Bar & Grill on Kelleys Island, they had to hire a full-time person just to hollow out strawberries (page 17). Western New York chef Darian Bryan rose from the ranks of Denny’s to become the winner of FOX’s “Next Level Chef” (page 19). And, in Ohio’s Grand River Valley, Monarch Meadow Vineyard’s attention to detail extends Keep up to date to the free milkweed seeds they hand out to guests to with fall and support pollinators. winter events Among this year’s winners, we also saw a desire to around the lake transcend simple transactions and truly connect. Jim at LakeErieLiving. Kukral, for example, knew he didn’t want an ordinary com/events. Cleveland cruise, so he created his signature “Sink Your Worries” sunset cruise (page 25). Further east in Mentor, Ohio, Karen Hadden makes small-batch tea blends (page 26) to help us slow down and enjoy the moment. “I want people to see tea as more than another beverage,” she says. “From opening the package to drinking the tea, I want it to be a beautiful experience.” Indeed, beauty comes in many forms. We’re thinking of chef Lin Repko’s carved fruit masterpieces (page 21) in Sandusky, Ohio, an art she learned watching her mother and grandmother create edible, elegant displays for Thailand’s royal family. We feel it in the flutter of sails dotting the water at the new Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center in Cleveland (page 20). We taste it in the handcrafted cocktails (page 18) at Patina Porch overlooking Mills Creek in Ohio’s Erie County. Whether you’re looking for a new book (page 22) or a new brunch spot (page 19), why not head out and take in one of the most beautiful times to be on or near the water — and all of the people who give us their best to make it even better. See you on the lake!
Colleen Smitek Editor
4 Lake Erie Living September 2026
LAURA WATLIO BLAKE
You Are Here... All Year
Even Better
Photo by Scott Dommin
NEW! Lantern Parade November 7 meet at 4:30 pm
A holiday tradition! Light Up Vermilion December 4 5-8 pm
Drone Light Show December 4 during Light Up Vermilion 7 pm
Celebrate 25 years of adding the extras to our community this fall and winter with Main Street Vermilion! Event Info & More:
www.mainstreetvermilion.org
LakeErieLiving.com 5
Currents — CULTIVATE —
Grape Expectations How meticulous preparation and a lakeside microclimate helped a rookie winemaker defy the odds to produce an award-winning vintage from his very first harvest.
O
n June 1, 2020, Michael Profeta planted 900-plus cabernet franc grapevines in front of Vincent William Wine, his upscale inn set on five lakeside acres in Madison, Ohio. Viticulture experts and vineyard owners in the Lake Erie American Viticulture Area — a 2.24-million-acre region bordering the lake’s entire southern shoreline — told the winemaking hobbyist that it would be three to five years before he would reap a true harvest. Grapes yielded before that time, they explained, should be culled so the vines and roots could develop without the stress of producing fruit. The wait didn’t faze him. “It was more for ambiance,” says Profeta, an engineer who owns a Cleveland-area MRI procurement, installation, and repair company. But in October 2021, the one-acre vineyard produced enough grapes to yield 375 gallons of Vincent
6 Lake Erie Living September 2026
William Wine Estate Cabernet Franc, which Profeta made in the inn’s cellar. That initial vintage took a bronze medal at the 2024 Ohio Wine Competition. The wine made with the 2022 harvest won double gold at the 2025 contest. What happened in the inn’s front yard is rare in the Lake Erie AVA, even with a growing season that extends well into the fall thanks to slow-to-cool summer-warmed waters, according to Maria Smith, an assistant professor and grape extension specialist in The Ohio State University’s Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. It stunned Profeta’s friend and consultant, Matt Meineke, proprietor of M Cellars boutique winery in nearby Geneva. He’d never seen anything like it in 18 years growing the likes of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes on his and wife Tara’s 28 acres. “Without somebody actually putting eyes on it, they would say we were crazy,” he says of the story they tell.
Michael Profeta
On the UNESCO World Heritage List
IN JUST OVER A
RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL
VISIT FALLINGWATER.ORG
YEAR, THE ONEACRE VINEYARD PRODUCED ENOUGH GRAPES TO YIELD 375 GALLONS OF VINCENT WILLIAM WINE ESTATE CABERNET FRANC,
Plan Your Perfect
Fall Getaway IN WESTERN NEW YORK
CRAFTED BY VINTNER MICHAEL PROFETA IN THE
COURTESY VINCENT WILLIAM WINE
INN’S CELLAR. Autumn adventures await in Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY. Enjoy our lakes and explore our trails in beautiful fall settings. Attend seasonal events, visit unique cultural attractions and taste locally made craft beverages along the Chautauqua County Grape & Grain Trail.
FIND YOUR FALL ADVENTURE TODAY! TourChautauqua.com 866.908.4569 #TourChautauqua TourChautauqua.com
LakeErieLiving.com 7
The detail-oriented Profeta always thought home winemakers who started with grape juice rather than fresh grapes were cheating the process. So when he decided to install a vineyard, he wanted to do it right. He attended a February 2019 Ohio Grape Industries Committee conference and spent the next months carefully following the site-preparation advice Smith offered there. He sent soil samples to a lab for testing, tilled that soil and added the results-indicated amendments, installed a drainage system. “Any time I saw puddles from rain, I would go out with my tractor … and I would rake dirt into those low spots — and then watch the next rain,” he says. After doing some research and consulting with Smith, he purchased cabernet franc vines — a cultivar that was hardier than pinot noir and didn’t require cabernet sauvignon’s longer growing season, yet would produce the desired red wine — from Double A Vineyards in Chautauqua County, New York. “I wanted a pedigree grape — a vinifera, it’s called — not a hybrid,” he states. “That didn’t strike me as something interesting.”
Profeta planted the bare-root vines — dormant plants sold without soil around the roots — by hand, sheathing each in a plastic grow tube that acts like a mini-greenhouse, then built a trellis system. By October 2020, each plant had produced multiple 10-to-20-foot vines. When Meineke and his vineyard manager visited, they shook their heads in disbelief.They’d planted the same cabernet franc vines at exactly the same time, approximately seven miles inland from Lake Erie, and were tending the expected growth, which Profeta likens to rosebushes. Meineke told Profeta he had enough growth to establish cordons — permanent or semipermanent extensions of vine trunks that act as a base for fruiting — the next year. “Typically, a Year One plant would never have that,” Meineke says. “[The vineyard] was growing so well … it would be a waste to cut off all this growth. These plants were obviously strong.” In early spring 2021 Profeta hired workers to prune and tie the vines to the trellises. As spring turned to summer, he tucked new shoots into the trellises and trimmed the growth with a hedger every week.
The vines were pruned and tied to trelises in early spring 2021, years ahead of what was originally projected by Profeta.
Love Lake Erie? Help Protect What You Love. Your support keeps our lake clean, healthy, and thriving for generations of boaters, anglers, and families. Help LEF keep Lake Erie safe for the next generation of boaters.
Join. Donate. Get Involved. Every dollar helps reduce nutrient pollution, support lake-saving research, and keep our waters safe for recreation. LakeErieFoundation.org 8 Lake Erie Living September 2026
COURTESY
Currents
COURTESY
“I didn’t know I was going to become a farmer,” he says with amusement. “It was like ‘Green Acres,’” the 1960s sitcom in which a lawyer and his socialite wife move from New York City to a rural farm with no experience in working it. Meineke pointed out the developing grapes to Profeta when he dropped by in June. During a subsequent phone call, Smith urged Profeta to cut off any fruit he saw to avoid taxing the plants. But Meineke repeatedly counseled a wait-and-see approach based on the healthy, balanced growth he saw during his three visits that season and Profeta’s phonecall reports. Smith concurred with Meineke after she visited Vincent William Wine with two OSU colleagues later that summer. “What blew my mind was largely the rate of growth,” she says. It was what she’d expect to see in the sustained heat of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas. “His vines were huge.” Robust enough, she adds, to hold a full crop. Profeta didn’t exactly welcome the news. “I thought I had another couple of years before I had to worry about making wine!” he exclaims. He scrambled to buy equipment from a man who’d sold his winery and used French-oak barrels from a California broker.
Profeta comes from a long family lineage of wine makers and has been making wine for 20 years for his friends and family.
With little time to carefully plan a signature flavor profile or aging strategy, Profeta had to rely on pure instinct. “I ended up throwing a dart at a board for style,” he says. Smith attributes his success in part to luck in the form of a mild winter, lack of a spring frost, adequate growing seasons and rainfall, and absence of pests and disease. But she cites a quote often attributed to Louis Pasteur: “Luck favors the prepared.” “I told Mike this time and time again: ‘Don’t diminish the amount of effort that you yourself put into making sure that those grapes were going to be successful in the first year,’” she says. Profeta has his own theory: “I give credit to God.” – Lynne Thompson
Holiday Market Holiday Market The magic of the season starts here! Stroll through Gideon Square and explore our Holiday Market, every weekend November 27 – December 20. Discover local artisan gifts, seasonal treats, and of course a glass of wine to keep you warm. Catawba Island’s festive tradition awaits so bring your friends and family, and make it part of your holiday season. Gideonowenwine.com
3845 E. Wine Cellar Rd. Port Clinton, OH 43452
419-797-4445
LakeErieLiving.com 9
Currents
— CREATE —
Treasure Hunt
T
here’s nothing quite like a Saturday morning beside Lake Erie in search of treasures. On a recent trip to the Lakefront Market in Huron, Ohio, the sky was clear, the breeze was warm, and dozens of booths filled the parking lot with vintage wonders, handcrafted curios and the promise of something special. Flea markets, craft shows, and salvage stops like this aren’t just about shopping — they’re about curiosity, discovery, and collaboration. To that end, we set out with Christine Crawford, co-owner of Beagle Bay Knot Works , whose passion for nautical knots and rope work has turned a traditional maritime craft into living room décor. With her was her husband, Randy, a maker with as much enthusiasm for transforming found objects as for tying a perfect clove hitch. Together, we wandered booth after booth, browsing and imagining. What started as a casual market morning slowly turned into an idea for something entirely new. Our first score was a wooden bowl shaped like a fish that was playful and full of character. It belonged to Simple Scents & Such, a vendor known for hand-poured soy candles. According to the vendor, the bowl 10 Lake Erie Living September 2026
wasn’t deep enough for a candle mold, so it was tucked aside, waiting for a second chance. That chance was ours. Next was a hand-carved wooden block shaped into a buoy — simple, solid, and perfectly nautical — from Leisurely Lakeside, run by a husband-and-wife duo already turning out gorgeous lake-inspired décor. Then, tucked among linens and artisanal prints, we spotted a towel with a Lake Erie theme from Linda’s Other Life. Individually, each piece was a small work of art. But inspired by Christine’s knot skills and an eye toward purposeful design, an idea began to take shape: What if we could connect these pieces into something both sculptural and functional? Something that could sit proudly on a buffet table at gatherings, like a little scenic sculpture, but then open up and become part of the party. Back at Christine and Randy’s workshop, we sketched out a vision. The wooden fish bowl would rest on its side, mounted atop a dowel rod connected to the buoy, grounding the piece visually. But there was more: when guests arrived, the fish bowl could be slid off the
dowel and set on the table, ready to hold hors d’oeuvres or snacks. It was décor that served. Christine and Randy worked rope magic around the core idea. They wrapped nautical cord around the dowel rod, giving it texture and grip. They edged the fish bowl in rope, accentuating its shape and reinforcing its presence. They did the same on the buoy, making the whole assembly feel cohesive and intentional. For the Lake Erie towel, they fashioned a loop, then created a hand-tied rope pocket to hold a bottle opener or other accessories. The result was more than a simple upcycle project; it was a collaborative sculpture that embodied local craft, market treasure and purpose. On its own in a living room or buffet area, it’s a piece that catches the eye and starts conversations. When guests come over, it transforms into a functional serving piece. Flea markets can feel like archaeology meets creative play; you never know what will spark inspiration. The wooden fish bowl might have stayed in the pile of near-missed items. The buoy could have ended up as decor on some shelf, underused. But with a little imagination and the willingness to see potential rather than just product, you can breathe new life into the overlooked. – Laura Watilo Blake
LAURA WATILO BLAKE
Step behind the scenes as Lake Erie Living partners with a local artisan to transform market finds into a functional décor piece that’s ready for entertaining guests.
9.6/10 rating Booking.com Traveler Review Awards 2026 Featured in the 2025 Lake Erie Living Travel Guide as a Best Place to Stay
Your Perfect Island Escape Starts Here • King-beds with luxury linens • Ensuite bathrooms • Private balconies
WIN M E!
IN IT TO WIN IT This upcycled sculpture — part driftwood fish bowl, part nautical buoy, wrapped in Christine Crawford’s signature knotwork — won’t be sold in any shop. Head to Facebook.com/ LakeErieLiving on Sept. 7 for your chance to win this one-of-a-kind creation.
• Chef-prepared breakfast included daily • Impeccably clean and comfortable rooms are our sweet-spot • Steps from Downtown Put-In-Bay, but quiet when you want it
Anchor Inn Boutique Hotel
CHRISTINE CRAWFORD’S TREASURE TIPS
www.anchorinnPIB.com • 419-285-5055 500 Catawba Ave. Put-in-Bay, OH 45456
LOOK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS. Don’t just walk by a piece because it’s scratched or “not perfect.” Ask yourself what the object could be, not what it was meant for. That’s where the magic lives.
LAURA WATILO BLAKE / ISTOCK: SVETLANA IKRIANNIKOVA
ARRIVE EARLY AT FLEA MARKETS, CRAFT SHOWS AND ART FAIRS. Many vendors bring their best items at the start of the day, and the early hours often reward the curious with unusual finds. Be ready with cash, a tape measure and comfortable shoes. DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHAT WITH VENDORS. Often they know the history and provenance of an object. That context can spark ideas you might not have considered. Vendors are storytellers as much as sellers, and some of the best finds come with the best tales. BRING SOMEONE WITH A CREATIVE EYE. Just as Christine’s maritime knowledge helped bridge the gap between “found object” and “functional art,” a second viewpoint can unlock possibilities you might overlook on your own. LakeErieLiving.com 11
Currents
TWO EXTRAORDINARY STORIES ONE MUSEUM
Save the Date to Create Search for your next upcycle project at these fall markets and craft fairs across the Lake Erie region.
in Erie, Pa. Step inside Frank Lloyd Wright's original San Francisco Field Office.
Open Market | Sept. 5 & 19 Erie, Pa.
Frontier Park sets a scenic backdrop for regional craft vendors, as well as fresh bread, pastries, fruits, vegetables, honey, coffee, tea, flowers and more. leaferie.org
Treasure Island Day | Sept. 12 Kelleys Island, Ohio
Pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce or the Island Market to hunt for treasures at this community-wide event. kelleysisland.com
Crafts in the Park | Sept. 12-13 Ashtabula, Ohio
Command & Courage: Oliver Hazard Perry Discover the story of the legendary hero of the Battle of Lake Erie.
This shoreline tradition, held at Lake Shore Park, features over 120 vendors selling exclusively handmade items. visitashtabulacounty.com
Lakewood Mini Market | Sept. 13 and 27 Tecumseh, Ontario This family-friendly community market brings together local Canadian makers and independent artisans at Lakewood Park. visitwindsoressex.com
3 Beez in a Car’s Annual Fall Market | Sept. 26 Dunnville, Ontario
PLAN YOUR VISIT hagenhistory.org
356 West 6th St., Erie, Pa.
Head to the north shore for independent artisans, a charity bake sale and local food trucks. 3beezinacarsfallmarket.com
Antique World & Flea Market | Saturdays and Sundays through October Clarence, New York A sprawling estate featuring three indoor
12 Lake Erie Living September 2026
co-ops alongside an outdoor weekend flea market perfect for sourcing vintage goods, crafts, fresh produce and more. antiqueworldmarket.com
Fall Extravaganza & Craft Show | Oct. 3 Sandusky, Ohio A festive autumn market held at the Erie County Fairgrounds featuring a diverse lineup of arts, crafts, vendors and local food trucks. shoresandislands.com
Horton Farmers’ Market | Saturdays through Oct. 31 St. Thomas, Ontario
A historic, open-air lakeside community staple operating since 1878 that showcases regional craftspeople, independent artisans and small-batch bakers. hortonfarmersmarket.ca
The Mom Market: Halloween Edition | Oct. 24 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
A curated small-business marketplace hosted outdoors at Jackson-Triggs Estate Winery, featuring festive autumn crafts and seasonal home decor. Check the website for other Mom Markets throughout Canada. themommarketco.com
Jamie’s Flea Market | Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round Amherst, Ohio A massive indoor and outdoor market featuring hundreds of booths filled with antiques, collectibles, clothing and creative raw materials. jamiesfleamarket.com
LAURA WATILO BLAKE
EXPERIENCE WRIGHT
Lakeside Living
Frosted-white cylinders ringed in brass
Brass cabinetry hardware wrapped in cognac leather
Brass-frame chairs upholstered in cream leather
Better Than Home An Ohio family enlists Adeas Interior Design to trade their cottage’s cold, white walls for rich textures, clever seating and cozy custom upgrades.
COURTESY SUMMER ALAEDEEN ADEAS DESIGN
T
he home on Ohio’s Catawba peninsula was ideally located near the Catawba Island Club, offering easy access to the social and recreational organization’s many amenities. More importantly, it had the four bedrooms and three full baths needed to comfortably house the couple who built it, along with their three children, for an entire summer. But the homeowners struggled to furnish the open floor plan so that it could accommodate multiple functions effortlessly, particularly when they entertained. And despite the builder upgrades, the white interiors felt stark and cold, even to a family who loved the streamlined neutral décor Summer Alaedeen of Westlake, Ohio-based Adeas Interior Design had installed in their subur-
By Lynne Thompson ban Cleveland abode. The couple hired her to help them make more efficient use of their vacation getaway’s 3,000 square feet in an easy-care design that felt more like a primaryresidence home. “I remember the husband saying, ‘I love walking into my home now. When I go to my vacation home, I want to have that same feeling,’” she says. The upscale customization began in the foyer. Alaedeen papered the walls with a Romo Fabrics abstract floral print in shades of gray, blue, blush and burgundy on a white background. “It’s a really great way to bring in softness to the space,” she says of the move. The transitional print also bridged the style gap between the homeowners’ more traditional rattan shelving units, which Alaedeen
repurposed as displays for contemporary accessories, and a sculptural white console stationed at the front door. On the shiplap ceiling, a pair of brass-and-alabaster Visual Comfort lighting fixtures replaced a black, lantern-style flush-mount. Alaedeen notes that the emitted light illuminates the alabaster to produce “a really beautiful, soft glow.” Alaedeen used that same brass to bring warmth and interest to the all-white kitchen . Over the island, she swapped the black lantern pendants for frosted-white cylinders ringed in brass. She also replaced the matte-black cabinetry hardware with brass counterparts wrapped in cognac leather, matching the steel-frame stool seats. The adjoining dining area was furnished in a cerused mahogany table featuring a brassLakeErieLiving.com 13
Lakeside Living
“THEY FEEL LIKE THEY’RE HOME AWAY FROM HOME.”
Twin curving sofas upholstered in forest-green polyester velvet
inlaid pedestal and brass-frame chairs upholstered in cream leather. Upgrading the black candelabra-style chandelier to a Currey & Co. fixture made of white, wroughtiron, Bismarckia-palm-inspired fronds provided a visual connection to the foyer. “[The flower-like shape] is so modern that it doesn’t feel too feminine,” Alaedeen says. When the female homeowner couldn’t decide whether to keep the existing white plantation shutters or replace them with draperies to add softness, texture and a little color, Alaedeen suggested doing both. She ordered loosely woven linen panels in a pale shade of green, a color that became the project’s primary space-unifying accent. In a corner across from the kitchen, the homeowners had previously added a wet bar surrounded by white cabinetry. Alaedeen transformed this underutilized area by covering the luxury vinyl plank floor with a cream-and-forest-green, leaf-veinpatterned wool rug and replacing the hightop table and chairs with twin curving sofas upholstered in forest-green polyester velvet. 14 Lake Erie Living September 2026
Burl wood waterfall cocktail table
The shift transformed the space into an area that can be used as a formal living room or a spot for the kids to play board games on the burl wood waterfall cocktail table. “They didn’t see that they could actually utilize that for another seating area,” Alaedeen says. “They thought it was too small.” Similarly, Alaedeen gained additional seating in the great room by replacing the couple’s two sofas with an enormous sectional covered in a black-and-white tweed — a fabric repeated as a contrast welt on a black performance-velvet chair — and a brass-trimmed black wood cocktail table arranged on a black-and-white swirl-patterned rug in a kid-friendly synthetic. She flanked the stackedstone linear fireplace, which she felt jutted awkwardly into the space, with green painted chests that matched its depth. A picturelight-illuminated herb-sprig print hung over each chest enhanced the balancing act. The most dramatic transformation occurred in the upstairs bonus room , which the family used for watching television and movies. Alaedeen achieved a home-theater
vibe by painting the walls SherwinWilliams Tricorn Black and outfitting the windows with blackout Roman shades. She met the challenge of furnishing a long, narrow area with multiple dormer windows on one wall by installing a custom built-in sectional with chaises that extend into the dormers. “Multiple people could sleep in that space,” she says. “Those [chaises] are longer than the size of twin beds.” The slate blue woven into the light-gray performance upholstery echoes a shade found in the throw pillows, an accent that pulls together the entire house’s color palette in a zigzagged viscose. The stripe pattern on zebras frolicking across acid-green velvet ottomans repeats in wallpaper on a facing wall hung with a 72-inch television . Alaedeen says the down-to-the-last-detail changes have instilled the sense of ease the couple so desired. “They feel like they’re home away from home,” she says.
Custom built-in sectional with chaises that extend into the dormers
COURTESY SUMMER ALAEDEEN ADEAS DESIGN
Brass and green marble hardware
ISTOCK: RATCHAPON SUPPRASERT / LIUDMILA CHERNETSKA / GREMLIN / SABINA GALJA
Lakeside Living
A HOME FOR THE AGES EXPERT ADVICE ON PLANNING A SPACE THAT WORKS FOR
HARD SURFACES IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS
ZERO-CLEARANCE SHOWERS
WIDER BEDROOM DOORWAYS
FOR MOST PEOPLE, THEIR HOME IS THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT they’ll ever make — and they want to use every bit of it — for as long as possible. “They’re not looking for dead space,” says Ted Otero of Otero Living in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “They want every room to have a purpose for their family, and not just their family now.” One crucial element of that vision is aging in place, to be able to stay in the same home even as people age, taking into account potential mobility and health issues. Otero notes that the homes his company builds can include zeroentry layouts, with ramps instead of steps and homes built at floor level. Trey Shaffer of Wayne Homes in Sandusky, Ohio, says that their homes limit flooring transitions, because even a switch from carpet to tile can have an elevation change. Wayne Homes also offers wider doorways for bedrooms, bathrooms and other entry points, as well as grab bars where available and zero-clearance showers in place of bathtubs.
Clare Opfer of S&H Blinds & Floors in Sandusky, Ohio, recommends hard surfaces in the main high-traffic areas like living rooms and dining rooms, and carpet in bedrooms. She also notes that window treatments in the United States are required to be cordless as a safety issue. Opfer recommends light-colored floors and low-pile carpet for its ease of maintenance. “You might want that nice thick carpet,” she says. “But you’ll see every footprint and vacuum mark.” Otero recommends luxury vinyl plank flooring. “It’s really come a long way,” he says. “Sometimes you can’t even tell the difference between hardwood and LVP. They’ve got grain, they’ve got character. It’s really beautiful stuff.” Opfer says that many new homes might incorporate game rooms and home theaters, for more entertaining at home. And Otero says he’s seeing a lot of porches outfitted with barbecue grills, hot tubs and pools. “People really want to bring the outside in.”
Blinds • Shades • Shutters • Drapes • Carpet • Vinyl • Laminate • Hardwood • Tile
2124 CLEVEL AND RD. • SANDUSK Y, OH • 419.626.4495
SHBLINDSFLOORS.COM FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1947
LakeErieLiving.com 15
BEST ISLAND TIKI CRUISE
Put-in-Bay Floating Tiki
From cold plunges to hot new brunch spots, there’s no shortage of ways to sip, cycle, shop, laugh and nosh around the lake. By Vince Guerrieri, Kristen Hampshire, Colleen Smitek and Laura Watilo Blake
16 Lake Erie Living September 2026
WHILE EARNING HER CAPTAIN’S LICENSE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS, Miranda Krueger noticed there was one thing missing in the Lake Erie Islands: A tiki cruise. People needed something to get out on the water leisurely,” she says. In 2021, she started her own tiki boat tour, and it remains popular today. “I have a lot of repeat customers,” she says. “I think that’s the best compliment to my business that people come back every year.” Her boat seats six people and offers hourlong daylight and sunset cruises (daylight cruises can be bought individually, but the sunset cruises are sold as a charter). She’ll run two daytime cruises during the week and four or five on the weekends. “People say it’s their favorite part of coming to the island,” she says. “It makes them feel like they’re on vacation.” pibfloatingtiki.com
ith blueberries!
Try the Short Stack w
Captain Miranda Krueger
BEST PANCAKES
Sandusky Bay Pancake House
BREAKFAST AT SANDUSKY BAY PANCAKE HOUSE starts with a stack. Choosing which one is the hard part. Strawberry, blueberry and cookies-andcream pancakes tempt sweet tooths. Savory seekers can dig into pigs in a blanket, breakfast platters for days, crepes and all the omelets. A local favorite since 1966, the family-owned eatery emerged from the pandemic with a renewed focus on Northern Ohio ingredients, sourcing from area farmers, small businesses and producers whenever possible. Settle into the dining room or pop on to the covered patio with your pup. Then pair your pancakes with the signature Pancake Palazzo, a playful coffee creation made with Storm Mountain Coffee Roasters beans, Toft’s milk, maple syrup and topped with a mini pancake. Not a coffee drinker? Order it as a chocolate milk chiller — or make it boozy for brunch with a punch. sanduskybaypancakehouse.com
LAURA WATILO BLAKE / SANDUSKY BAY PANCAKE HOUSE
BEST BUZZ
Strawberry Shots at the Groove Bar & Grill
FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, visitors have been coming to Kelleys Island for strawberry shots. This confectionery treat, served in a hollowed-out strawberry, started at Bag the Moon and can now be found at the Groove. “People come to the island just to get the strawberry shots,” says Shannon Sedivec, who bought the seasonal bar in 2025, then remodeled and rebranded it. “It blows my mind, but they do.” The shot is so popular that the bar employs a full-time worker exclusively to core strawberries. Made to order, it features a sweet strawberry liqueur poured directly into the berry and topped with whipped cream. The bar also serves a “dirty” strawberry shot made with chocolate liqueur and Ghirardelli chocolate, alongside a nonalcoholic version for kids. grooveki.com LakeErieLiving.com 17
cktail or mocktail co e ad on m le t in m y Strawberr
Chef Darian Bryan
BEST COCKTAILS AND MOCKTAILS
SUNSET, MARSH VIEWS AND A HANDCRAFTED DRINK. That’s the recipe at Patina Porch in Sandusky, Ohio. Seasons change, and so do ingredients blooming in on-site gardens. Perched on the historic Patina Creek property overlooking Mills Creek amid a collection of artisan businesses on the old Toft’s Dairy property, the laid-back gathering spot serves fresh, herb-forward sips. Add flatbreads and shareable bites. What to order? The Lemon Lavender Wren is a garden in a glass, blending house-made lavender syrup, lemonade, soda and fresh lavender clipped from the garden. Order it as a refreshing mocktail, or let Empress Indigo Gin turn the drink a striking shade of violet for a cocktail that matches the marsh views. patinaporch.com BEST PLUNGE
Saunagoose Cleveland
WITH ITS PROXIMITY TO DOWNTOWN and to the Towpath Trail, the Scranton Peninsula in The Flats has become Cleveland’s hottest new area. But Dan and Femke Michael hope to make it one of the coldest. They’re the owners of the new Saunagoose resort, which uses Scandinavian wellness practices to offer rest and relaxation. Among those, as the name implies, will be communal and private saunas — as well as a cold plunge, which is touted for muscle soreness recovery, alertness and mood enhancement. A fall opening is anticipated — just in time for the Cleveland weather to become an asset, founders say. thesaunagoose.com 18 Lake Erie Living September 2026
ISTOCK: TKPOND / COURTESY PATINA PORCH / DARIAN BRYAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY LUKE COPPING
Patina Porch
COURTESY TULIP’S BRUNCH HOUSE / LORAIN COUNTY METRO PARKS
BEST CHEF
BEST BRUNCH
Darian Bryan
Tulip’s Brunch House
FOURTEEN YEARS AGO, CHEF DARIAN BRYAN left Jamaica and chose Buffalo to pursue his culinary career. “I wanted to see snow,” he quips. Today, the snow belt can’t get enough of his cooking. Neither can the Buffalo Bills (he’s the players’ go-to personal chef ). And foodies from across the country fly in to dine at his restaurants or experience his Plating Society event venue. His fans love to bring guests to his hot spots so they can brag on this nowlocal legend who has brought true Jamaican cuisine to town. Bryan is humbled, noting that his first job in the states was at Denny’s. “I’d never seen a pancake in my life!” he says with a laugh. But he knew his home-cooked roots and had a formula for success. Now, guests who’ve never seen curried goat, Jamaican porridge (killer oats dosed with heavy cream and spice) and Escovitch snapper salad are experiencing tastes they never imagined. The appreciation goes both ways. Bryan is the Season 5 winner of FOX’s “Next Level Chef ” and one of Buffalo’s most celebrated culinary talents, building a trio of concepts that include Bratts Hill and the newly opened Reserve Steakhouse. But before the national headlines, there was a cookshop in rural Jamaica where Bryan learned from his mom that food was about more than feeding people. “Food is what always brought us together,” he says. This philosophy anchors every menu. “Jamaican cuisine is bold,” he says. “It’s loud. It’s proud. It’s vibrant.” Bryan layers warming spices, fresh herbs, slow-cooked meats and bright island flavors into dishes that surprise first-time diners and keep regulars coming back. Here’s what to expect from three distinct chef Darian experiences. At Bratts Hill, try the curry goat ravioli with white curry truffle sauce or the slow-braised oxtail. At Reserve Steakhouse, order the Steak Au Poivre that wowed Gordon Ramsay on “Next Level Chef.” Can The Plating Society is where you can book the chef ’s table experience or roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class. chefdarianbryan.com
TRAVIS BENSINK has spent nearly 20 years cooking for hotels, restaurants, and the historic Chautauqua Institution in New York. Looking to strike out on his own, he opened Tulip’s Brunch House in nearby Mayville. Judging from the reaction, it’s a home run. “We’ve had great community support,” Bensink says. “Boaters have supported us. Snowmobilers have supported us. Sometimes you’d see 30 snowmobiles in our lot.” It’s a true family business, with his wife Tawn and their children also working there. Everything’s made in-house, and Bensink recommends the French toast brule, featuring brioche bread dipped in pot de crème and seared — “It’s like candy,” he says — and the Brunch Madam, a house take on the classic sandwich loaded with ham, Swiss cheese, a poached egg, bechamel and hollandaise. instagram. com/tulipsbrunchhouse
BEST TRAM TOURS
Lorain County Metro Parks
DURING THE SUMMER, All park tram rides ar VISITORS CAN HITCH A e free! RIDE on golf cart-type vehicles through several of the Lorain County Metro Parks in Northeast Ohio. The rides are first-come, first-serve and typically seat six (except for special Cascade Park waterfall tours, which seat four and require pre-registration). Tours last 15-30 minutes, and riders can see a variety of forests, wetlands and gardens. Tram rides are offered at Black River Reservation’s Days Dam Park in Lorain, Cascade Park in Elyria, Kopf Family Reservation in Avon Lake, Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville, Schoepfle Garden in Wakeman and Wellington Reservation. All tours are weather-dependent. loraincountymetroparks.com LakeErieLiving.com 19
While both wineries are in Ohio’s Ashtabula County, that’s where the similarities end at these delightfully different newcomers to Grand River & cocktails. Valley wine s er cid s, er be t af cr , es culture. Enjoy self-pour win
BEST NEW WINERY
Unwind with wine &
homemade p izza.
Corkscrew Taphouse Monarch VS. Winery + Tasting Bar Meadow Vineyard Vintage-industrial cool meets sustainability and innovation. It’s playful, a little irreverent, and built for groups who want to graze.
THE VIBE
Choose your own adventure with a wall of 30 rotating taps of Corkscrew’s own wines, local craft beer, cider, cocktails and sangria, including one the regulars call “liquid apple pie.”
THE SIPS
Chef-crafted small plates include Reuben fritters, stuffed mushrooms and the famously good corkscrew fries. The self-pour tap wall of 30 rotating selections is the whole schtick that allows guests to sip and compare notes.
THE NIBBLES SELLING POINT
monarchmeadowvineyard.com
This adults-only, relaxed resort-style setting has modern farmhouse touches and a meadow that encourages lingering. A tighter, homegrown list built entirely from grapes within 20 miles, including cabernet franc, chardonnay and rosette. Come in for a flight or reserve a seated tasting for $50. A rotating, locally sourced menu published weekly leans on nearby meats, cheeses and greenhouse produce. A genuine pollinator mission with wild meadow buffers for monarchs and free milkweed seeds on the way out.
BEST NEW VIEW
BEST PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION
The Galley
Gordie Howe Bridge
A VIEW OF THE WATER is one thing; a view of the water dotted with fluttering sailboats is even better. That’s what you’ll find at the new Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center’s restaurant. Choose a seat on the large patio and you’ll be just a few feet from the water. Happily, the Galley’s million dollar view comes with a reasonably priced menu with most entrees priced under $20. Start with the shareable Merwin’s Big Pretzel before branching out to salads, smoked meat platters and handhelds. Refreshing craft cocktails and weekend brunch offerings like Nutella pancakes and chicken and waffles round out the experience. clevelandmetroparks.com 20 Lake Erie Living September 2026
AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING — and more than a few obstacles to clear — the new Gordie Howe Bridge is officially open, providing a second connection over the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. It also provides a free multi-use trail, allowing walkers and bicyclists to cross the border (remember to bring your passport). The trail wasn’t originally part of the plan, but it was added in after meetings with stakeholders, who saw it as a worthwhile addition, given the rise of cycling tourism. And much like the new bridge provides highway-to-highway connections for vehicles, the trail will connect directly to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Canada and the Joe Louis Greenway in Detroit. gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com
LAURA WATILO BLAKE / COURTESY CLEVELAND METROPARKS
corkscrewtaphouse.com
BEST FRUIT CARVER
Chef Lin Repko
LAURA WATILO BLAKE / COURTESY JENNY PERDUE / ISTOCK: SVIATLANA BARCHAN
AT ROCKIN’ RANCH SALOON AND EVENT CENTER in Sandusky, Ohio, cowboy boots and pad thai share the same floor. Chef Lin Repko commands the kitchen, whipping up pulled pork and cheeseburgers with the same ease as the Thai dishes she grew up on in her hometown of Bangkok, Thailand. Her real showstopper, though, is fruit carving, where she turns melons and pineapples into fanciful creations, such as flowers, bunnies, cars, even dragons. Carrots become articulating tails, tomatoes turn into roses and apples become flower blossoms or ducks. Repko wasn’t taught in a classroom; the skill was passed down like an heirloom. She learned by watching her mother, who carved for Thailand’s royal family, continuing work her grandmother had done before that. rockinranchohio.com
Chef Lin Repko has a passion for fruit carving.
BEST NEW LOOK
Shooters Cleveland
FOR NORTHEAST OHIOANS OF A CERTAIN AGE, Shooters Cleveland represents the golden era of the Flats nightlife scene from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Following an ownership change —with investors including hometown musician Machine Gun Kelly — and a refresh in 2025, it looks better than ever, brightening up while still offering the familiar blue and white tile, opportunities for boats to dock and order meals and expansive vistas of the Cuyahoga Riverfront. The menu — never the restaurant’s biggest selling point — has also changed, with chef Ryan Boone, whose previous stops included the late, lamented Greenhouse Tavern, offering brunch, dinner and late-night options. shooterscleveland.com LakeErieLiving.com 21
BEST TINY BOOKSTORE
BEST SOY CANDLES
Island Sham Farmhouse
NO BORING CANDLES ALLOWED. That’s the unofficial rule at Island Sham Farmhouse in Sandusky, Ohio, where owner Julia Nickell invites customers to blend custom candles from more than 200 fragrances. Think a scent called Saturday Morning Cartoons that smells like Fruit Loops, Mohave Monsoon inspired by Arizona desert rain or Olive Oatman, a warm blend of orange, clove, cinnamon and whiskey named for the legendary Western pioneer. Nickell started pouring candles during the pandemic after researching the ingredients in many popular brands. “What I found terrified me,” she says. Now, every candle she makes is hand-made with 100 percent soy wax, cotton wicks and thoughtfully sourced fragrance oils. You can buy one — or pick from more than 100 vintage, modern and eclectic glass vessels and create your own custom candle in the shop. “We always tell people to pick more than one scent,” Nickell says. “Pick three, four or five. Make it you.” islandshamfarmhouse.com 22 Lake Erie Living September 2026
AFTER LABOR DAY, it’s free to get into Lakeside Chautauqua (about one hour west of Cleveland) — and this darling bookstore, which will be open at least through the holidays, is the perfect excuse for a road trip. Chat up owner Traci Richards for a book suggestion, browse the beautiful mahjong sets or pick up a puzzle to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Bop next door to Marilyn’s to see why it recently won the FOX Business America 250 Small Business Award. facebook.com/ milliemagoos
LAURA WATILO BLAKE / COURTESY ISLAND SHAM FARMHOUSE / ISTOCK: OLGA YASTREMSKA
Owner Traci Richards
Millie Magoo’s & The Fine Print
V R experience A fully immersive
Niagara Falls added even more thrills this year — one on the Canadian side and one on the American. Keep reading to see which experience is right for you.
Features a 180
-degree dome
BEST NEW NIAGARA FALLS ATTRACTION
Above the Roar
niagarafallsstatepark.com
VS.
Soar above the Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls, before gliding through the gorge and plunging into the depths below through this multi-sensory, virtual reality thrill.
THE EXPERIENCE
Located at the Ralph Wilson Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park in New York. Riders must be 7 or older. Cost is $18.
THE DETAILS
screen
Niagara Takes Flight niagaraparks.com
Motion-based seats and other special effects — like wind, mist and scent — come together to create the exhilarating illusion of free flight from the shores of Ontario to Horseshoe Falls. Located at Table Rock Centre on the Ontario side of Niagara Falls. Tickets are $33 for adults and $21.50 for children.
COURTESY NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK / NIAGARA PARKS / LINWOOD LANDING / FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FIELD OFFICE MUSEUM
Take a ride on Maid of the Mist, hike one of nine scenic trails Check out iconic attractions like Journey Behind the Falls and WHILE ranging from .7 to 5.4 miles, take the trolley to the Aquarium YOU’RE THERE Niagara’s Fury, then dine at Table Rock House Restaurant or of Niagara or dine at the Top of the Falls restaurant. Table Rock Market.
BEST NEW FOOD TRUCK PARK
BEST OFFICE SPACE
Linwood Landing
Frank Lloyd Wright Field Office Museum
FOOD TRUCKS ROLL IN. Local musicians take the stage. Kids play. Dogs roam. Friends gather with cocktails in hand as the sun settles over Lake Erie. That’s the vibe at Linwood Landing, Vermilion’s newest outdoor gathering place. Open Thursday through Sunday, the family-friendly destination keeps things fresh with a rotating lineup of food trucks, artisan vendors, live music and seasonal events. A constant: Bowl Thyme’s outdoor bar pours local beer, wine, seasonal cocktails and lightweight mocktails. Make sure to check the schedule before you go. With different food trucks and entertainment throughout the season, no two visits to the Landing are exactly alike. thelinwoodlanding.com
IF YOU’RE A FAN OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE ARCHITECT, there’s no better fall outing than the Hagen History Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, to check out the new Frank Lloyd Wright Field Office Museum. In 2021, the history center meticulously reassembled Wright’s original San Francisco field office on its campus. This summer, they added a 2.700-square-foot interactive space filled with rare artifacts, personal letters, the business cards he used while working in California, hands-on displays and never-before seen memorabilia such as Wright’s sports car — a 1950 Crosley Hotshot Roadster. hagenhistory.org LakeErieLiving.com 23
BEST BREAKFAST POUTINE
SoLo on Main in Port Stanley
BADASSTEACO.COM @thehelicopterdaughter 9010 Tyler Blvd Unit G Mentor, OH | 440-725-1571
24 Lake Erie Living September 2026
BEST NEW EATS IN ONTARIO
The Green Room
OPENED IN MAY IN A STOREFRONT ON MAIN STREET IN PORT DOVER, ONTARIO, the Green Room Stop by for lunch! is equal parts bistro, speakeasy and alley bar — aiming to become a proverbial “third place” for locals and visitors alike. Owned by Matt Long and Jodi Van Kasteren, already well-known in Port Dover for their catering business, the Green Room features lunch and dinner options, including sandwiches and small plates, as well as a “boozy brunch” on weekends. The venue is also designed to be photogenic, featuring exposed brick, green accents and a greenery wall the owners say is “Instagrammable.” instagram.com/thegreenroompd
COURTESY SOLO ON MAIN FACEBOOK / THE GREEN ROOM FACEBOOK
At Badass Tea Co., we thoughtfully source exceptional teas and ingredients to offer distinctive blends filled with flavor and purpose. We believe tea can be a simple yet meaningful self-care tool—supporting your overall well-being and bringing comfort to everyday life. Whether you need to reset, reconnect, or simply pause, we hope each cup helps you feel calmer, more centered, and more present for yourself and the people you love. Find strength in every cup.
POUTINE MAY HAVE DEEP 1950S ROOTS in rural Quebec, but SoLo on Main in Port Stanley, Ontario, gives the Canadian staple a brilliant morning makeover. Operating under fresh management, the restaurant swaps out standard curds for rich mozzarella cheese. Their Breakfast Poutine stacks smoky bacon, chorizo, caramelized onions, perfectly cooked eggs, gravy and velvety hollandaise over house-cut French fries. The menu also includes a variety of locally sourced meal options, including fresh Lake Erie perch. soloonmain.com
ON-THE-WATER FUN
Cleveland Floaters
JIM KUKRAL HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT, which makes him want to help other people who have been through a lot. That’s why this year, Kukral started Cleveland Floaters, an excursion experience on the Cuyahoga River. “The world’s messed up,” he says. “Can we just get on a boat on a river in Cleveland for a couple hours and get along, put our phones away and just relax?” Kukral offers Sink Your Worry Sunset Cruises twice a month, featuring improv actors Tyler Coventry and Halle St. John, who perform a three-act show (with Kukral performing as the Admiral). It’s meant to be fun, but it’s not a typical booze cruise. It’s also designed to be cathartic, with participants writing their worries on paper and then watching them dissolve in the waters of Lake Erie. (Kukral notes that they can’t actually throw them into the lake; they use a bucket of lake water.) “We want fun, thoughtfulness and weirdness,” Kukral says. clevelandfloaters.com
Best of
LAKE
ERI WI
NNER
big day AT T H E BAY back again! K I D ' S C A R N I V A L 2 - 5 P M • D E R I V E R A PA R K
COURTESY CLEVELAND FLOATERS
plus! C L A M BA K E S A L E AWAY M O N T E CA R LO
sept 26
VISITPUTINBAY.COM LakeErieLiving.com 25
The Helicopter Daughter Tea & Wellness Co.
e dedicated to wellness. Karen Hadden’s teas ar
CALM THE HELL DOWN. Mood Swings and Murder Plots. Get Sh*t Done. These are some of the tea blends you’ll find at this oasis in Mentor, Ohio. Karen Hadden is blending whole-leaf teas, herbs, florals and spices into small-batch creations with as much personality as flavor. And they do some heavy lifting. Behind the empowering names is a purpose. These teas are curated to help you slow down, restore and reconnect. Hadden figured out why this matters first-hand. After heart surgery, she had to reach for tea rather than coffee. What started as a warm cup each morning with recovery stretches evolved into more. “Tea became this grounding moment,” she says. “I fiercely protected that routine because it made me feel so much better. I want people to see tea as more than another beverage. From opening the package to drinking the tea, I want it to be a beautiful experience.” Her advice? “Pair tea with something you’re already doing, whether it’s stretching, breakfast or simply sitting quietly. The key is consistency.” badassteaco.com
Waterfront hotel, shopping, dining, 700 ft. dock, pool and live entertainment ...
it’s all in Lakeside. EDUCATION
ARTS
RELIGION
RECREATION
Lakeside has been a family vacation destination on Lake Erie for more than 150 years. As one of the original Chautauqua communities, Lakeside has been a center for cultural arts, education, spiritual renewal and recreation. Make this the year you experience all Lakeside has to offer.
Book your family vacation today. (866) 952-5374 • lakesideohio.com/calendar 26 Lake Erie Living September 2026
LEFT PAGE: COURTESY KAREN HADDEN / ISTOCK: STUDIOCASPER / RIGHT PAGE: COURTESY SHAY RICKARD: SHOT BY SHAY
BEST TEA TIME
BEST NEW BOUTIQUE
Erie & Main
Kim Johnson’s boutique
perfects coastal living.
Congratulations to the 2026
WHILE FUN, TYPICAL COASTAL DECOR can quickly become overdone. There are pillows that proclaim the lake to be “my happy place,” signs instructing you to “go jump in the lake” and an endless lineup of anchors and fish. Then there’s Erie & Main, which boasts a curated collection of new and reclaimed furniture and accessories that make you feel like you’re on vacation without overtly telling you that you are. Step into this Marblehead, Ohio, boutique and you’ll find a 500-pound butcher block table that lived for years at the market down the street, oil paintings of old steamers, statement vases decorated with nautical knots, seagrass-and-aloescented candles and elegant accent pieces in beachy shades of blue, green and cream — and, yes, just a bit of kitsch in the form of tea towels, T-shirts and items emblazoned with the local zip code. “I’ve wanted to open a place like this for a long time,” says owner Kim Johnson. “This is everything that I love.” instagram.com/130erieandmain
BADASS TEA CO. 9010 Tyler Blvd. Unit G Mentor, Ohio 44060 440-725-1571 badassteaco.com WINNER: Best Tea Time! Enjoy the rhythm of the Badass Tea Co., a division of The Helicopter Daughter, sourcing small-batch teas and designing intentional moments to help you show up more fully for yourself and the people you love.
WINNERS GILCHRIST GUESTHOUSE 5662 Huron St. Vermilion, Ohio 44089 440-290-6007 gilchristguesthouse.com Gilchrist Guesthouse has 4 guest rooms with private baths on the second floor. Guests relax in a common room, wrap-around porch, and patio with a fire pit overlooking Lake Erie. Less than 50 yards to the water’s edge and sunsets. Just a 3-minute walk to Vermilion’s famous Chez Francois restaurant. Photos at Gilchristguesthouse.com.
HAGEN HISTORY CENTER 356 W. 6th St., Erie, Pennsylvania 16507 814-454-1813 hagenhistory.org Hagen History Center’s museum features 30,000 square feet of historic buildings with 200 years of Erie County and American history, including Frank Lloyd Wright and Oliver Hazard Perry exhibits.
LakeErieLiving.com 27
Reader’s Picks BEST OHIO HOT SPOT Cedar Point Sandusky cedarpoint.com Geneva-on-the-Lake visitgenevaonthelake.com Fairport Harbor fairportharbortourism.com BEST ISLAND HOT SPOT Put-in-Bay Put-in-Bay, Ohio visitputinbay.com
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.
Lake Erie Ale Trail Erie lakeeriealetrail.com City of Erie erie.pa.us BEST WESTERN NEW YORK HOT SPOT Niagara Falls niagarafallsusa.com National Comedy Center Jamestown comedycenter.org
Kelleys Island Kelleys Island, Ohio kelleysislandchamber.com
The Chautauqua Institutuion Chautauqua chq.org
Miller Ferries Port Clinton, Ohio millerferry.com
BEST ONTARIO HOT SPOT
BEST PENNSYLVANIA HOT SPOT Presque Isle State Park Erie dcnr.pa.gov
Point Pelee National Park Leamington parks.canada.ca
East Harbor State Park Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio ohiodnr.gov
BEST MICHIGAN HOT SPOT
Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park Fairport Harbor, Ohio lakemetroparks.com
The Henry Ford Dearborn thehenryford.org
Vermilion Boat Club Vermilion, Ohio vermilionboatclub.com BEST LIGHTHOUSE Lorain Lighthouse Lorain, Ohio lorainlighthouse.com
Luna Pier cityoflunapier.com
BEST STATE OR PROVINCIAL PARK
Belle Isle Conservancy Detroit belleisleconservancy.org
Maumee Bay State Park Oregon, Ohio ohiodnr.gov
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Light Fairport Harbor, Ohio fairportharborwestlight house.com
East Harbor State Park Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio ohiodnr.gov
Marblehead Peninsula Marblehead, Ohio marbleheadlighthouse ohio.org
BEST TOWN Lorain, Ohio cityoflorain.org Vermilion, Ohio vermilionohio.com
Headlands Beach State Park Mentor, Ohio ohiodnr.gov
Niagara Falls niagarafallstourism.com
Westfield, New York westfieldny.com
Long Point Beach Port Rowan, ontarioparks.ca/park/ longpoint
BEST BEACH
BEST MARINA
Lakeview Park Lorain, Ohio loraincountymetroparks.com
Catawba Island Club Port Clinton, Ohio cicclub.com
JOLLY ROGER’S SEAFOOD HOUSE 1715 E. Perry St. Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419-732-3382
Facebook: @Jollyrogerseafoodhouse Jolly Roger’s Seafood House features Lake Erie Yellow Perch and Walleye, homemade onion rings, hush puppies, vegetarian options as well. Waterfront dining with large patio.
LAKESIDE CHAUTAUQUA 236 Walnut Ave. Lakeside, Ohio 43440 419-798-4461 lakesideohio.com
Lakeside Chautauqua is a family destination dedicated to nurturing mind, body and spirit. Enjoy enriching programming and the beauty of Lakeside, featuring charming cottages, shops and restaurants.
28 Lake Erie Living September 2026
Lorain Harbor Boat Club Lorain, Ohio lorainhbc.org
BEST LIVE MUSIC Rockin’ on the River Lorain, Ohio rockinontheriver.com Barrel House Saloon Sandusky, Ohio sanduskybarrelhouse saloon.com
Lakeside Chautauqua Lakeside, Ohio lakesideohio.com BEST FESTIVAL Lorain International Festival Lorain, Ohio loraininternational.com Woollybear Festival Vermilion, Ohio vermilionohio.com Erie Blues & Jazz Fest Erie, Pa. eriebluesandjazz.com BEST OVERALL DINING Gideon Owen Wine Co. Port Clinton, Ohio gideonowenwine.com Guppy’s Restaurant & Tavern Bemus Point, N.Y. guppystavern.com Trader Jack's Riverside Grille Eastlake, Ohio
traderjacksriversidegrille.com
TOUR LAKE COUNTY 105 Main St. B101 Painesville, Ohio 44077 440-975-1234 tourlakecounty.com Congratulations to Lake County’s 2026 Best of Lake Erie winners! Award-winning beaches, dining, attractions and local favorites will highlight your next visit to Lake County!
MILLIE MAGOO’S & THE FINE PRINT 229 Walnut Ave. Lakeside, Ohio 43440 567-366-6460 @milliemagoos Read, explore, connect and play at Millie Magoo’s & The Fine Print, Ottawa County’s only independent bookstore. New releases, games, puzzles and an excellent children’s selection. Located inside the gates of Lakeside Chautauqua. Ask about two-hour shopping and dining pass during the summer. Open year round.
BEST FINE DINING Chez Francois Restaurant Vermilion, Ohio chezfrancois.com Beach Glass Lounge Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio beachglasslounge.com Orchard Bar & Table Port Clinton, Ohio orchardoncatawba.com BEST WINERY Paper Moon Vineyards Vermilion, Ohio papermoonvineyards.com Gideon Owen Wine Co. Port Clinton, Ohio gideonowenwine.com
First Mate’s Long Point, Ontario firstmates.ca American Slovak Club Lorain, Ohio americanslovakclub.com BEST PIZZA Lorenzo’s Pizza Oberlin, Ohio lorenzospizza.com Eliseo’s Pizza & Fran’s Pizza Lorain, Ohio eliseospizza.com
The Parkview Restaurant Westfield, N.Y.
parkviewcafeandcatering.com
Orchard Bar & Table Port Clinton, Ohio orchardoncatawba.com Truffle Honey Restaurant & Bar Mayville, N.Y. trufflehoneychq.com BEST CHOCOLATE
Guppy’s Restaurant & Tavern Bemus Point, N.Y. guppystavern.com
Brummer’s Homemade Chocolates Vermilion, Ohio brummers.com
BEST CHEAP EATS
Romolo Chocolates Erie, Pa. romolochocolates.com
Quarry Hill Winery Port Clinton, Ohio quarryhillwinery.com
Scooter’s Dawg House Mentor, Ohio scootersworldfamousdawghouse.com
BEST LAKE ERIE FISH
Sara’s Restaurant Erie, Pa. sarasandsallys.com
Jolly Roger Seafood House Port Clinton, Ohio facebook.com/ jollyrogerseafoodhouse
BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
Rudy’s Bar and Grill Vermilion, Ohio
rudysbarandgrillvermilion.com
Suzin L. Chocolatier Elyria, Ohio suzinl.com BEST ICE CREAM Fairport Harbor Creamery Fairport Harbor, Ohio
fairportharborcreamery.com
MONARCH MEADOW WINERY 1599 State Route 534 S. Geneva, Ohio 44041 440-488-0048 monarchmeadowvineyard.com
K Cream Parlour Lorain, Ohio facebook.com/p/kcream-parlour
Anchor Inn Put-in-Bay, Ohio anchorinnpib.com
Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream Cleveland mitchellshomemade.com
BEST HISTORIC SITE
BEST UPSCALE HOTEL Ariel on Broadway Lorain, Ohio
lc@arielbroadwayhotel.com
The Lodge at Genevaon-the-Lake Geneva, Ohio thelodgeatgeneva.com
Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial Put-in-Bay, Ohio nps.gov/pevi Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums Fremont, Ohio rbhayes.org
The Wave Marblehead Marblehead, Ohio wavemarblehead.com
Hagen History Center Erie, Pa. hagenhistory.org
BEST BED & BREAKFAST
BEST WATERPARK
The Old Vermillion Jailhouse Vermilion Ohio info@jailbed.com
Cedar Point Shores Waterpark Sandusky, Ohio cedarpoint.com
Captain Gilchrist Guesthouse Vermilion Ohio gilchristguesthouse.com
Waldameer & Water World Erie, Pa. waldameer.com
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Sandusky, Ohio kalahariresorts.com BEST BOUTIQUE Marblehead Soap Co. Marblehead, Ohio marbleheadsoap.co Beagle Bay Knot Works Huron, Ohio beaglebayknotworks. com Erie & Anchor Vermilion, Ohio erieandanchor.com BEST CASINO JACK Cleveland Casino Cleveland jackentertainment.com Ariel Broadway Hotel Toledo, Ohio
hollywoodcasinotoledo.com
The Wave Marblehead Northfield, Ohio mgmnorthfieldpark.com
NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER 203 W. 2nd St. Jamestown, New York 14701 716-484-2222 comedycenter.org
NE Ohio’s first adult only winery, focusing on the local agricultural community and eco sustainability. Join us in making the world better one bottle at a time!!
Explore immersive, interactive exhibits at the National Comedy Center, where the best of stand-up, television, movies, animation, and more comes to life. Laughter lives here. Fun for all ages.
NORTHFIELD PARK
PUT-IN-BAY CHAMBER
RACINO
OF COMMERCE &
10777 Northfield Rd. Northfield, Ohio 44067 330-908-7625 northfieldparkracino.com
TOURISM BUREAU 419-285-2832 visitputinbay.com
Northfield Park Racino is Ohio’s premier entertainment, gaming, and racing destination. Located on the historic Northfield Park harness racing grounds, the property hosts 200+ live races each year.
Thank you readers for picking Put-inBay for the Best Island Hot Spot. Come to Put-in-Bay for your next Every Day Island Getaway for Family Fun! Get your picture taken at the Put-in-Bay Sign and #putinbaysign.
LakeErieLiving.com 29
Big Picture
A
Port Clinton, Ohio
century ago, Ford Motor Co. tried to do for aviation what it did for automobiles — and, on June 11, 1926, the first of its Tri-Motor planes took off. Wrapped in corrugated aluminum — a rarity in an era of fabric-covered aircraft — the TriMotor was the first plane built specifically to carry passengers. The Ford name, already synonymous with reliability, made flying seem less dangerous. The fact that it had three engines made Henry Ford himself comfortable calling it “the safest airliner around.” Indeed, passenger air travel surged nationwide from 6,000 in 1929 to 450,000 in 1934. Closer to home, the history of the Lake Erie Islands would be markedly different were it not for the “Tin Goose.” “It changed the lives of those people living out on the islands so dramatically,” says Jody Brausch, president of the Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation. “Before aviation came to the islands, islanders would take their lives into their own hands to get to the mainland in the winter.” In 1931, pilot and barnstormer Milton Hershberger bought his first Tri-Motor for Island Airlines, the freight line he’d started two years earlier in Port Clinton. In 1936, he added passenger
30 Lake Erie Living September 2026
services. The Tin Goose wasn’t particularly big — typically holding 10 to 15 passengers, mostly in wicker chairs (to keep the weight low). It wasn’t particularly fast, either, topping out around 135 mph. Ironically, those traits worked in its favor on the islands, which offered little space for landing. “It had a nice, thick chord, lots of lift, and didn’t fly too fast,” Brausch says. “If you knew what you were doing … you could go to the islands and back in about 45 minutes.” But the payloads were enormous. It’s estimated that the planes carried 65,000 passengers, 300,000 pounds of freight and 150,000 pounds of mail annually. Island Airlines finally retired its Tri-Motors in 1977, 44 years after Ford ceased production. Of the 199 Tri-Motors built, only about a dozen survive, with just five still in flying condition. One can be found at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, and it offers passenger flights throughout the summer. “It played such an integral role for the people in the western basin of Lake Erie,” Brausch says. “Our aim is to … give the public an opportunity to see what it used to be like to fly.” — Vince Guerrieri
COURTESY HAYES PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUMS CHARLES E. FROHMAN COLLECTION / ISTOCK: RIKKYAL
The Tin Goose played an integral role in the western basin of Lake Erie, connecting the mainland to the Port Clinton airport.
They packed all their
favorite things.
(And not a single pair of shoes.) We build lake homes where shoes are optional—but memories are guaranteed. At Wayne Homes, we know that a lake home should feel like freedom—the kind you can taste eating breakfast on the counter and feel in sand-dusted toes that never quite make it into shoes. That’s why our homes are built for easy living, whether it’s floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views, floors that can handle soggy footprints, or layouts that give every family member their own slice of bliss. Because at your lake house, you don’t just take your shoes off. You let your guard down. Learn about building a custom home on your land at WayneHomes.com Sandusky: 866-928-0906 32 Lake Erie Living September 2026