Destinations: Sights, Sands and Seafaring on Lake Erie
A boundary lake between the United States and Canada, Lake Erie is the southernmost and fourth largest of the Great Lakes. Lake Erie provides 9,910 sq. miles of cruising water for the Maxum owner. Its greatest depth reaches 210 ft. However, it is the shallowest of all the Great Lakes with an average of only 62 ft., making it difficult to navigate during storms, especially for commercial vessels. Lake Erie provides great recreational ports catering specifically to the cruiser, especially in the Western Basin along the Ohio shoreline.
Rich in history, Lake Erie has been home to Native Americans, French fur traders, British colonists and American pioneers. This article features Erie, Penn., and the smaller port town of Ashtabula, Ohio. Additionally, it will discuss the wonderful cruising destinations located in the Lake Erie Island Region of the western basin with ports of call such as Marblehead, Kelley Island and Port Clinton, Ohio.
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is Pennsylvania's only port on the Great Lakes. The city has an almost completely enclosed harbor, formed by Presque Isle peninsula and linked with Lake Erie by a narrow channel.
Named after the Native American tribe Erie, the city sprouted from the roots of a French-then-British military fort. An engineering feat at the time -- though modest by today's standards -- the Erie Canal influenced rapid growth in 1825 as did the railroads in the 1850s. By the end of the 19th century, Erie had grown into a hub of commerce and a major industrial center.
Many activities and sights await you when you disembark on the shores of Erie. You can visit the three lighthouses that deck the sandy beaches of Presque Isle State Park, a popular destination for tourists and residents. (If you arrive in August, be sure to catch "We Love Erie Days" on the waterfront.) The victorious flagship of the War of 1812, U.S. Niagra, is at the Erie Maritime Museum. Another point of interest not to miss is Presque Isle State Park, which has one of the most beautiful bird sanctuaries in the country.
However, the center of cultural activity in the city is Discovery Square. It comprises of three museums: the Erie Art Museum, the Erie Historical Museum and the Erie Historical Society's new Erie History Center, which includes a children's museum. Other attractions include the Erie Zoo, numerous wineries, Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark, Port Erie Bayfront, along with numerous shopping plazas, theaters, restaurants and parks.
Ashtabula, Ohio
Sixteen covered bridges, twelve wineries, world-class fishing and the last station of the Underground Railroad are the trademarks of Ashtabula, Ohio. Its population of 20,000 gives it a small town flavor with historical and recreational significance. Established in 1801 as a shipping port, Ashtabula is home to a variety of cultures, traditions of which are exemplified in restaurants and boutiques there.
If you enjoy fishing, Ashtabula is the destination for you. "Ashtabula" is an Algonquian term meaning "river of many fish," the most abundant being walleye perch, musky, bass and steelhead trout. If you prefer historical venues, visit the Hubbard House to see the "end of the line" of the Underground Railroad, during the days leading up to the Civil War. There you'll learn the secrets and codes of the system that saw hundreds of slaves to freedom. Explore the beautiful covered bridges and revive your spirits, or learn the fine art of swirling, sniffing and tasting wine at the local vineyards. Shop and tour the museums of Ashtabula. It's truly a unique destination.
Lake Erie Islands Region
Nearly seven million people visit Erie County, Ohio, each year, solidifying its position as one of the most appealing vacation spots in the Midwest. Located on Lake Erie's southern shore, midway between Toledo and Cleveland, the area boasts a treasure trove of tourist opportunities for all generations. From top-thrill coasters to unspoiled natural coastlines, the Lake Erie Islands area is Ohio's vacation destination. The cruiser will find many ports of call, lining the shores. This article features Marblehead, Kelley's Island, and Port Clinton.
Marblehead, Ohio -- Marblehead is a place apart from big city bustle. Marblehead is located in northwestern Ohio Ottawa County at the point of Sandusky Bay on Lake Erie. With only a population of about 5,500, this little town is a mecca for outdoor recreation. The famous Cedar Point Amusement Park with world-class coasters is just across the bay. East Harbor State Park is only five miles east of town, while Marblehead Lighthouse State Park is just down the road with the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Downtown Marblehead features gift and antique shops, in new and restored buildings. Several art galleries display paintings and prints for sale, including those by nationally known Marblehead artist Ben Richmond. The rocky Marblehead coastline offers opportunities for a variety of water-related activities and is home to the busiest United States Coast Guard station on the Great Lakes.
Kelleys Island, Ohio -- Kelleys Island is not only the largest U.S. island in the western basin of Lake Erie, but it's also the walleye fishing capital of the world. With a landmass of twenty-eight hundred acres and an eighteen-mile shoreline, the island has a lot to offer. Be sure to take in the vista effects of glacial movement at Glacial Grooves and the ancient tribal markings at Inscription Rock. The 600-acre newly modernized Kelleys Island State Park has a sandy swimming beach, a stone pier for fishing, a 129-sited campground and trails that thread their way through a variety of vistas. The downtown area remains the heart of island activity where visitors enjoy a range of cuisine and entertainment on most weekends. Another must-see island specialty is the Sweet Valley Trading Post and Butterfly Kingdom, a peaceful retreat filled with native plants and free-flying North American butterflies. Kelleys Island is a great oasis for boaters with its many private marinas and boat ramps.
Port Clinton, Ohio -- Downtown revitalization, which began in 1999, has made this vacation spot a beautiful stopover with landscaped boulevards, new sidewalks, streetlights and pavilions. You can amble around and enjoy the vista or take in the attractions, ranging from historic wineries to island adventures, rollercoasters, lighthouses and more. Rent a car and enjoy an African safari where animals can walk right up to your window.
For generations all cultures have enjoyed the assets of Lake Erie and with good reason. It's a sea of history and natural resources, waiting for you to make your own memories on your Maxum Cruiser.
Tourism Information
Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
208 E. Bayfront Parkway
Suite 100
Erie, PA 16507
814-454-7191
Fax: 814-459-0241
http://www.eriechamber.com/
Erie Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
208 East Bayfront Parkway
Suite 103
Erie, PA 16507
800-524-ERIE (3743)
Fax: 814-459-0241
Email: info@visiteriepa.com
http://www.visiteriepa.com/
Ashtabula County Convention & Visitors Bureau
1850 Austinburg Road
Austinburg, OH 44010
440-275-3202
Fax: 440-275-3210
1-800-337-6746
http://www.accvb.org/
Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
210B West Main Street
Marblehead, Ohio 43440
Phone and Fax: 419-798-9777
http://www.marbleheadpeninsula.com/
Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce
Division Street
PO Box 783-F
Kelleys Island, Ohio 43438
419-746-2360
http://www.kelleysislandchamber.com/
Other Info: http://www.kelleysisland.com/boats.htm
City of Port Clinton
1868 East Perry Street
Port Clinton, OH 43452
419-734-5522
Fax: 419-734-1043
Email: pcmayor@portclinton.org
http://www.portclinton.com/
http://www.portclintonchamber.com/
