Location: Ashtabula
Top Things to do in Ashtabula
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Top 10 Things to do in Ashtabula, United States
Ashtabula /æʃtəˈbjuːlə/ ash-tə-BEW-lə is a city in Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States, and the center of the Ashtabula Micropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the United States Census Bureau in 2003). It is located at the mouth of the Ashtabula River on Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes, across from the province of Ontario, Canada. The name Ashtabula is derived from ashtepihəle, which means 'always enough fish to be shared around' in the Lenape language.
Restaurants in Ashtabula
1. Historic Bridge Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By CAT_AJM - Niles, Ohio
There seems to be a uptick in businesses here. Several new restaurants have entered the scene. There is a noticeable improvement in the area.... landscaping , parking areas, and some newer and improved boutiques and services, and art galleries. Definitely going for a more upscale vibe. Let's hope the trend continues, but they do need customer support. Definitely an area to check out for dinner as there are many new interesting upscale and casual places. Hope all the new places are able to survive the harsh winter in the harbor.
2. Brant's Apple Orchard
Overall Ratings
5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Sharon W - Conneaut, Ohio
We went to see the remodeling of Brant's. They have expanded. New bigger bakery with more choices. They also have a juice station. Great place to take kids for a tour. The place is keep very clean. Their donuts are out of this world.
3. Smolen-Gulf Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
When we arrived at the Smolen-Gulf Bridge, we were astounded. It was brand-new and quite long. It has two lanes for traffic. Even big trucks drove through this wooden bridge. Wow!
We walked on the side of the bridge where pedestrians were allowed and we were able to enjoy the nature around us. Funny enough on our right was another wooden bridge, but it was erected for a campground.
Once on the other side, we found a parking place and it gave beautiful views about this bridge.
In the pavilion, there was information about 18 covered bridges in this area. However, no address were given. However, it indicated that the Smolen-Gulf Bridge was the longest covered bridge in all of the USA. Wow!
Quite worthwhile to see!
4. Marianne's Chocolates
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
On the historic Bridge street, we found a delicious shop. It was selling chocolates, all hand-made. The store itself was ordinary, but the inside was filed with the odor of chocolates. There were so many kinds of them, it was hard to choose. It made me think of Belgium, where chocolate stores are in every city. Quite heavenly!
By the way the clerk was super nice!
5. Lake Shore Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Daisy H - Jefferson, Ohio
Lake Shore Park is surprising at every turn. They have a beach and even a playground for the kids right next to the beach- convenient. There are big bathrooms/changing rooms as well as a snack shop! Here are the surprises: ample & expansive parking options, many pavilions for events- including a massive one right next to the beach with bench swings so you can sit and enjoy the view. There are also 2 huge duck/swan ponds full of wildlife where you can feed the lounging creatures. AND there is a peacock cage that usually has 1-3 peacocks in it! For this area, that is pretty cool to see.
There is a picturesque little stone bridge over water near the larger swan pond, with nice landscaping for pictures. Walking/step-stones up the many hills for walking/climbing, Frisbee golf courts and boccie courts too. There is a boat ramp for boaters and did I mention the convenient snack shop with ice cream, and light food? Anyway, it's a nice green-space for Ashtabula County and worth a stop.
6. Walnut Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
It wasn't too hard to find this beach. It has a sign that shows where to turn to. The dirt road was quite large and the parking lot was humongous!
The beach was quite wide too. All driftwood was located on a mount of sand, out of the way for anyone wanting to sunbath. However, that would be a bit too early to do so!
There were humongous rocks between the sand and the river. When I walked further, I saw why. The waves at times go quite high. These rocks protect the erosion of sand.
It's then that I found the highlight of this beach. The waves were splashing on the rocks and hit numerous plants. As it was cold, the plants became frozen and looked like long frozen cones. It was amazing! It's as if I landed on a planet that was frozen!
Back away from the beach and we found playground equipment, quite a lot of them. However, no children were nearby, as it was a bit too cold for the moment. In the summer, I can imagine how many kids enjoy this park!
I loved my trek to the Walnut Beach, It was a great wintry adventure, worthwhile to see!
7. Benetka Road Covered Bridge
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
We had fun trying to find this bridge. We eventually saw a sign saying: "Bridge 1 Mile Ahead". Exactly one mile later we found it dimly as it was hiding between plants and trees. We persevered and were able to enter it. The covered bridge was quite long.
We stopped nearby the covered bridge and took some pictures, that showed its real colors.
I enjoyed this detective trek of finding this covered bridge. We had fun and it was a worthwhile endeavor!
8. Ashtabula Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Cranky64 - Grasonville, Maryland
I think you could spend between 1-2 hours here depending on how much you read. They have tons of artifacts and things to take in. Volunteer run museum with very knowable staff. Don't forget to take in the overlook, best view of Ashtabula!
9. Olin's Covered Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By TryppAdams - Minneapolis, Minnesota
This is another one of Ashtanbula's scenic covered bridges. You can walk beneath and wade through the shallow creak enjoying the picturesque view of this historic bridge.
10. Ashtabula Township Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By lifesabeach39 - Ashtabula OH
Lake Shore Park is clean and beautiful. From a guarded beach, playground, food shack, picnic pavilions to my favorite right now, the Duck Pond. The swans have two little grey babies just like in the story "the Ugly Duckling." There are also cute fluffy yellow ducklings and baby Canadian geese. On Sunday nights there is a car show. It is a great place to take the family or it can be a place to take your sweetheart and sit on the swings and look over Lake Erie. Lake Shore Park is a show place.
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