10 Cool Ways to Beat the Heat This Summer
LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS, OHIO, July 18, 2019 --- As we head into the “dog days of summer,” where Midwest temperatures soar well above the 80° mark and even up towards 100°, we’d like to offer a few suggestions on how to keep cool during this heat wave with Lake Erie Shores & Islands activities. So instead of sweltering, check out some of these ways to keep cool!
1. Break away to the beach
With more than 27 beach destinations, Lake Erie Shores & Islands is the summer capital of Ohio! Wade in the shallow water and feel the cool breezes off Lake Erie as you relax in the sand. Several beaches even offer beach rentals so you don’t have to “sweat” lugging all your beach stuff; some even allow you to bring your pets!
2. Take a ferry ride to an island
Enjoy the wind in your hair while standing on the deck as you take a ferry ride to Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island, or Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. Sure, the Lake Erie islands are great destinations in themselves, but getting there is half the fun! Your lake transportation can include indoor or outdoor seating, scenic views, and some offer narrated tours of the sites around you.
3. Lake Erie thrills
Want to experience an adrenaline rush while cooling down? Zoom across the surface of Lake Erie with a Jet Ski or waverunner rental from Put-in-Bay Watercraft Rentals, Erie Shore Wave Runners in Vermilion, and North Coast Parasail & Water Sports in Sandusky – where you can also parasail high above the lake!
4. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream
Toft Dairy is famous for their mega-portion ice cream cones. Trust us, the small is plenty. Over 50 flavors are offered at their scooping parlors, but we recommend the Lake Erie Cookie Island Monster – a mix of blue cake batter ice cream blended with cookie dough chunks, drops of chocolate chips, and chocolate cookies and cream. Other great spots for a tasty ice cream treat include Granny Joe’s Ice Creamatorium, Milan Village Drive-Thru, DQ Grill & Chill, Dairy Isle, Bay Bell Snack Shack, Brown Dog Gelato Co., and more!
5. Splash the day away at a water park
Lake Erie Shores & Islands is Ohio’s Water Park Capital! For those wanting the ultimate getaway, an extended weekend at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is just what you are looking for. This all-inclusive destination features both an indoor and outdoor water park, complete with thrills from mild to wild. Add in a huge arcade, Safari Outdoor Adventure Park, Spa Kalahari and Salon, and so much more, Kalahari goes beyond your expectations. Other water park options include Great Wolf Lodge, Castaway Bay, and Cedar Point Shores.
6. Sip a frozen drink
There’s nothing like a refreshing drink to cool you off on a hot summer day. Try the famous Brandy Alexander from the Village Pump on Kelleys Island – a local favorite. The Keys at Put-in-Bay features the famous “Fat Tuesday” frozen drinks; best enjoyed at a waterfront table. If you happen to be in Sandusky for sunset, don’t miss the “Freighter in the Bay” drink special at Dockside Café – a yummy rum punch concocted whenever someone spots a freighter coming into Sandusky Bay.
7. Paddle Lake Erie
Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding, have grown in popularity among local water recreation activities. Plus, it’s an invigorating treat if you do happen to fall off! Check out Portage River Paddling Co. in Port Clinton and Oak Harbor, Lakeside Chautauqua Watercraft Rentals, Kelleys Island Kayak Rentals, Put-in-Bay Watercraft Rentals, or West River Paddle Sports in Vermilion.
8. Sip a cold one at a brewery
Ahhh! A freshly-brewed craft beer can be especially refreshing. Grab a cold one at one of these local hot spots: Twin Oast Brewing, Bait House Brewery, Kelleys Island Brewery, and Put-in-Bay Brewery & Distillery. You can even enjoy a cold Lake Erie Love brew from Catawba Island Brewing Company!
9. A place like no other
Sometimes, the best way to cool off is by screaming at the top of your lungs while plummeting down a 300-foot-tall hill at speeds exceeding 90 mph. But where, you ask, can you do that? Why at the one-and-only Cedar Point amusement park. Featuring some of the tallest and fastest rides and roller coasters in the world, plus water rides, great live entertainment (in air-conditioned theatres!) and more, this “place like no other” offers a wide variety of chills and thrills.
10. Cool Culture
Check out a local museum, such as the Liberty Aviation Museum or Thomas Edison Birthplace, or catch a performance at the Sandusky State Theatre. You'll stay cool out of the sun and soak in some culture at the same time!
Whenever the temps climb to the upper digits, be sure take care of yourself. Take frequent breaks if you are outside, relax in the shade or someplace cool, and remember to keep hydrated! Share your experiences with your friends and they’ll all be saying, “how did you get so cool?” The answer? Lake Erie Shores & Islands! How will you ride out the heat wave and chill out this summer?
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ABOUT SHORES & ISLANDS OHIO
Shores & Islands Ohio is the Midwest’s favorite getaway. This coastal destination boasts 152 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, the best fishing on the Great Lakes, welcoming communities, rich history, a wine trail, and an abundance of family-friendly attractions. World-famous Cedar Point Amusement Park calls it home, along with Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, other indoor and outdoor water parks, animal parks, sports venues, and more. Visitors enjoy ferries and cruises to Put-in-Bay, Middle Bass, and Kelleys Island. One of the country’s best areas for spring and fall bird migration, the area is overflowing with natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation. More at SHORESandISLANDS.com
Media Contact:
Jill Bauer, Public Relations Manager
Shores & Islands Ohio
Phone: 419.625.9495
Email: jill@shoresandislands.com
