ITINERARY 1
GO, GO, GO
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Fly in or drive in and fuel up for fun with a big breakfast at Tin Goose Diner. Enjoy classic dishes in this restored 1951 stainless steel diner
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After breakfast, explore the attached Liberty Aviation Museum where you will learn about historic aircraft and vehicles and get your nostalgia on by perusing the PX Store for vintage candies and other unique trinkets
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Get a little wild and feed the animals at African Safari Wildlife Park. African Safari offers many ways to interact with furry friends via drive-thru, walk-thru, and Animal Encounter experiences. Gem mining, a café, and gift shop are also on site
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Zoom on into Fast Eddie’s Sports Park Bar & Kitchen for kid-friendly foods such as pizza and chicken fingers. Everyone will enjoy the on-site go-karts, bumper boats, gemstone mining, and mini golf course with 18 holes of family fun
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If exploring a downtown is more your speed, have lunch at the Clinton House, a family-friendly pub that features hearty, fresh, homemade entrees such as perch and a kid’s menu with mini corn dogs, grilled cheese, and chicken nuggets.
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Get your sea legs and venture out on the water for a half-day head boat fishing excursion aboard Shore Nuf Charters or Tibbels Fishing Charter Service and catch walleye, perch, or bass.
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If you’d rather be land-bound while still enjoying Lake Erie Views, spend the afternoon at Lakeside Chautauqua, a family-oriented, waterfront gated community. The gate fee gains your family access to amenities such a beach, swimming pool, family-friendly movie theater, shuffleboard, and more.
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Shopping and dining options abound in Lakeside, or try Red’s Lakehouse Restaurant and Bar for elevated pub fare.
ITINERARY 2
TAKE IT SLOW
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Invention Restaurant in historic Milan is a great way to start off any day. Celebrate great home-style food and the heritage of Thomas Edison and enjoy made-to-order omelets, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and more
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Enjoy a walk at the site of the defunct Milan Canal on Erie MetroPark’s Milan Towpath trail. Located just behind the Village of Milan, this 0.9-mile path is a linear park that follows the path of an early canal and railway.
- Want to know more about the Milan Canal? Explore the rise of the Milan Canal through the genius of Thomas Edison at the Milan Museum. This museum offers a day of exploring historic buildings, filled with engaging exhibits and hands-on activities. Special events and programs for the whole family all year!
- Visit the boyhood home of one of the world’s most prolific inventors at Edison Birthplace. Experience the legacy of Thomas Edison with a one-hour guided tour of his birthplace home. Suitable for all ages, one of Edison’s most famous quotes was, “The greatest invention in the world is the mind of a child.”
- Getting hungry? Head on to Vermilion and stop at Granny Joe's Ice Creamatorium. Dine in or eat out on their patio and enjoy soups, sandwiches, and entrees such as Lake Erie yellow perch, cabbage rolls, chicken paprikash, and a kid’s menu. Save room for dessert! Choose from 32 flavors of Toft’s ice cream.
- Cruise on in to Romp's Water Port, a family-friendly marina, and play a round of mini golf at Romp's Putter Port or grab a treat from Romp’s Dairy Dock. Other great amenities include dockage, a heated pool, multi-sport court, children’s play areas, showers, and picnic shelters.
- Vermilion Scenic River Cruises on the Mystic Belle is a relaxing way to enjoy a Lake Erie sunset! Throughout the one-hour narrated cruise, you’ll experience Vermilion like never before. The captains of the Mystic Belle are all U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains and have over 150 years of collective experience navigating on the Vermilion River and Lake Erie so sit back and enjoy the ride!
- Sunsets are also enjoyed at Vermilion’s Lighthouse and Main Street Beach. The sandy beach here is ideal for swimming, relaxing, or building sandcastles. Located adjacent to the Vermilion Lighthouse, Main Street Beach features a kayak/canoe launch, benches, an ADA mobility mat, and brand-new bathhouse where you can change into your swimsuits.
- Finish out your day dining at a number of options including Rudy’s Bar & Grill, The Pavilion Grill, Quaker Steak & Lube, or Bowl Thyme. All offer both kid and adult-friendly selections.
ITINERARY 3
MEET IN THE MIDDLE
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Wake Up and Waffle and enjoy breakfast at this brunchery. Indulge in waffles every which way imaginable, egg dishes, fresh-squeezed juice, coffee creations, and more. In a hurry to hop on the ferry? Pop into Mr. Smith’s Coffee House or Maca Root Juice Bar & Eatery for a quite bite to go.
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Grab the Jet Express from Sandusky and embark to Kelleys Island on this high-speed, passenger ferry. Need to transport your vehicle? Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line from Marblehead offers passenger and auto transportation to the island.
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Once on Kelleys Island, rent a golf cart or bicycle, and start exploring the island! Kelleys Island is the largest of Ohio’s Lake Erie islands and offers a plethora of natural areas to discover, including many Ohio state parks and preserves.
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A National Natural Landmark, Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve on the north side of Kelleys Island are the largest easily accessible such grooves in the world. Get an up-close view of the grooves from the brand-new walkway and accessible ramp.
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Stop by Kelleys Island Wine Co. and KI Cantina for pizza, tacos, and ice cream. Lawn games and farm animals will keep the kiddos busy while the adults can relax with a glass of island-made wine or handcrafted margarita. Hungry and on the west side of the island? West Bay Tiki Bar and Grill also offers lawn games, such as cornhole and volleyball, and a kid’s menu.
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Looking for something unique to do? Hop back on the golf cart and drive to Charles Herndon Galleries and Sculpture Garden. This 10-acre sculpture garden and art galleries are full of beautiful art created by Charles Herndon.
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A visit to Kelleys Island would not be complete without discovering the history of the island at Kelleys Island Historical Association. The museum is ADA accessible. Then enjoy shopping at The Parsonage House and Sis’s Cottage Resale Shop, adjacent to the museum.
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Time to relax? At Kelleys Island State Park a 150-foot sandy swimming beach awaits! Other amenities include hiking, fishing, and camping. Launch your own kayak or canoe from the small boat launch, or rent a kayak or rowboat at the state park.
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Head into downtown Kelleys Island and have dinner at one of several local eateries, including The Casino and The Village Pump; both offering kid-friendly options. While downtown, browse Chicklets Closet, Kelleys Island General Store, Island Market, or The Village Peddler for a souvenir of your adventure before journeying back to the mainland!
PLACES TO STAY
