Lake Erie encompasses a massive 870 miles of shoreline reaching from Toledo to Buffalo and around Canada’s eastern dip into the U.S. Its massive presence provides endless activities for all ages and throughout every season. Here’s our list of the six best things to do on Lake Erie.
Once you’re back on land, you’ll want to continue your adventures. Download our complimentary Vacation Guide for all of Northeastern Ohio’s best attractions and restaurants.
Things to Do on Lake Erie to Make Your Trip Memorable
Kayaking
The best way to see the water is from the water. Grab a kayak from one of Erie’s several rental spots and get to paddling. Join a guided tour through Harbor Yak or spearhead your own adventure from Geneva’s coastline with Best Coast Watersports.
Have a need for speed? Learn more about reserving your Lake Erie speed boat rental.
Marblehead Lighthouse State Park
If you’re in the mood for a short road trip from The Lakehouse Inn, take Interstate 90 west to Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. Don’t forget your camera on this trip, as the 65-foot iconic tower stands as one of the Great Lake’s oldest and most respected lighthouses. Bring a picnic to enjoy the park’s lakeside nature preserve.
Take a Dinner Cruise
Hop aboard the Goodtime III in Cleveland for an unforgettable night on the lake. The 150-foot yacht boasts themed nights nearly every day throughout the summer months. Their Saturday dinner and city lights cruise offers a five-star buffet meal and ends the night cruising past Cleveland’s most coveted landmarks.
Whether you’re looking for something more casual or a black tie affair, Lake Erie has it all. Sail away with all of our best dinner cruises.
Laurentia Vineyard & Winery
Ohio’s Wine Valley claims some of the best wine in the country, and Laurentia Vineyard in Madison lives up to the hype. The winery and tasting room are timelessly engraved in stone and oak while the expansive outdoor patio offers endless views of the fruit-fragrant vineyard. Pair the Estate Pinot Noir with one of their wood-fired, artisan pizzas and bask in the cool, Lake Erie breeze.
Explore all of Ohio’s best wineries. Take a wine tour of the best wineries Lake Erie has to offer. End the night with a wine lover’s package and indulge in The Lakehouse Inn’s handcrafted wines.
Presque Isle State Park
Nestled just off the shore of Erie, Pa., resides the sandy Presque Isle State Park peninsula. The 3,200-acre park is home to Presque Isle Bay, one of the Great Lake’s largest shipping ports, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Presque Isle Lighthouse, and some of the most picturesque beaches on the lake. The peninsula is the perfect day trip for thrill-seekers and nature-lovers alike.
Port Erie Bicentennial Tower
While you’re visiting Presque Isle, be sure to make a stop at the Bicentennial Tower. The lookout provides some of the best views of the lake. It was built in 1996 to mark the bicentennial of the town of Erie. Ride the elevator to the top for panoramic views of ships docking in the harbor.
Stay at The Lakehouse Inn
No trip to Lake Erie would be complete without a visit to The Lakehouse Inn. Our cozy, lakeside resort offers everything you’ll need for a peaceful stay. Visit Crosswinds Grille for a chef-inspired, farm-to-table dinner on our lake-front terrace. Book your stay in the spacious, two-bedroom Cottage Two. Enjoy an enclosed patio, a kitchenette, and a large living area. Come see why our shores are the best on the lake!