Lorain County - Home to some of the best North Central Ohio Lake Erie beaches!

There is still plenty of time for summer swimming fun, and with the warmest water of any Great Lake, Lake Erie is an ideal beach location. Nestled in the north central shoreline of Ohio, Lorain County is home to some of the best beaches on Lake Erie. Whether you are interested in swimming, a family picnic, or simply sightseeing, Lorain County’s shoreline has it all. From Vermilion’s Main Street Beach in the The Harbour Town 1837 Historic District, to Veterans Memorial Park in Avon Lake, there is something for everyone. With so much to do, what are you waiting for?

Photo by Mark Teleha

Main Street Beach, located in the quaint historic downtown of Vermilion allows visitors to take advantage of the fantastic sunsets and lake views with their large observation deck located on the beach. The Vermilion Lighthouse and Inland Seas Maritime Museum provide an entire fun-filled day.

Lakeview Park stands as one of Lorain County’s most dynamic parks. With a beautiful stretch of sandy beach to go along with many amenities such as gazebos, picnic shelters, a playground, and a Bathhouse home to the popular Rose Café, this park is ideal for everyone. These 20 acres of lakeside land are also home to exciting recreation such as sand volleyball and lawn bowling. Stop by for spectacular sunsets and views of the Lorain Lighthouse or a look at the Historical Rose Garden, a landmark in Lorain County. Spend the night in Lorain and experience even more excitement. Grab dinner after a day at the beach at Jackalope Lakeside Bar and Rotisserie and depart from there on a Sunset Cruise. The opportunities are endless!

Century Park, located in Lorain is another great beach destination. Equipped with a snack bar, restrooms, showers, picnic shelters, grills, a playground as well as fishing access, you can’t go wrong!

Miller Road Park is yet another great location on Lake Erie’s Shore. This park’s 14 acres of land include a boat launch, fishing pier, gazebo, picnic pavilion, playground, restrooms, beachfront access to the lake including a handicap accessible ramp, and a ¼ mile walking path. During the summer it is also home to a summer concert series that is great for all ages. Spend the entire day and tour the historic Peter Miller House Museum located on the park premises.

Photo left: Courtesy of Holly Miller

 The Sheffield Lake Community Park and Boat Launch is one of Lorain County’s most exciting new additions. Thanks to recent renovations, a new handicap accessible fishing pier and a free two lane boat launch are available for everyone to enjoy. Complete with ample parking, a beautiful sandy beach, and tables and chairs close by; this is a park you can’t miss!

Photo courtesy of Sheffield Lake

Veterans Memorial Park is not only a beautiful beach, but it is also full of entertainment and history. With its lifeguard-staffed beach, this is an ideal swimming location. Also notable are its Veterans memorial, Lake House, historic Folger Home, and the Avon Lake Boat Club.

For those water enthusiasts who would prefer an indoor location, Splash Zone is perfect for you. This water park is complete with an indoor 8 lane pool, a tot lagoon, a 6,000 square foot outdoor pool with daring waterslides, outdoor concession stand, playground, fitness center, aerobic center, party room, and a field house with a three lane rubberized walking track and four volleyball/basketball courts. No matter the weather or time of year, Splash Zone is one of Lorain County’s most exciting and fun-filled adventure locations.

For more information on Lorain County, visit our website, email us at visitors@visitloraincounty.com, call us at (440) 984-5282, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on outdoor adventure in Lorain County, visit http://www.backroadsandbeaches.com/

Fish Fries in Lorain County

Are you looking for a local Friday night fish fry? Look no further! This is a list of scheduled fish fries (and a few Saturday steak fries) at churches throughout Lorain County, courtesy of the Lorain County Sacred Landmarks Initiative. As they find out about other church fish fries around town, they will add them to their online Calendar of Events page.

Friday, Feb 19, 2010

Where: St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Elyria
Description: Lenten fish fry, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 300 Third St., Elyria. Dinners $10. sandwiches $5; macaroni and cheese or cheese pizza $4. For more information, call the church office 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday at (440) 322-2126.

Where: St. Jude Church, Elyria
Description: Lenten fish fry, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at St. Jude Church Holy Name Society, 590 Poplar St., Elyria. Full perch dinner: four perch fillets, cabbage and noodles, fries, cole slaw, bread and butter, $10. Baked tilapia dinner: two fillets, parsley potatoes, glazed carrots, bread and butter, $8. Sandwich platter: two perch fillets, half-size cabbage and noodles, fries, cole slaw, $6. Senior platter: two perch fillets, half-size cabbage and noodles, fries, cole slaw, bread and butter, $6. Kids meals are available for $4: choice of one perch fillet or two slices of cheese pizza or macaroni and cheese, with fries, applesauce/cole slaw. Sides dishes — three potato pancakes, large fries or full order of cabbage and noodles — are available for $1.50 each with your dinner order.

Where: St. Thomas the Apostle, Sheffield Lake
Description: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 521 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, will host a fish fry every Friday during Lent beginning Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be a 50-50 raffle. Carryout dinners will be available. Call 949-8491.

Where: St. Teresa of Avila, Sheffield
Description: St. Teresa of Avila Parish, 1878 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Village. Join us each Friday during Lent beginning 2/19 through 4/2 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Dine in or carry out. For take out orders you may call ahead at 440-934-0503. Fresh Lake Erie Perch or Baked Tilapia Dinner $10.00. Shrimp Dinner $8.00. A Dinner includes choice of French Fries , Parsely Potatoes, or Cabbage & Noodles, Dinner Roll, Cole Slaw, Hot or Cold Drink, Dessert. Ala Carte Menu Items: Clam Chowder, Home Made Pierogi, Cabbage & Noodles, Cheese Pizza, Macaroni & Cheese

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010

Where: St. Joseph Church Social Hall, Amherst
Description: A STEAK fry is being hosted Feb. 27 by The Naked Monkeys, with proceeds donated to the Amherst Special Olympics. The event will be at St. Joseph Social Hall from 6 to 11 p.m. Dinner will be served to 7:30 p.m. The cost for a complete steak dinner with draft beer and wine is $25 per person. Entertainment will be provided by The Naked Monkeys after the meal. There will be a 50/50 raffle and other raffles, Chinese Auction, money booth and more. This is for adults 21 years of age or older. Contact Sue at (440) 670-7363, or e-mail nasue506@hotmail.com. Checks should be made out to The Naked Monkeys.

Friday, Mar 5, 2010

Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Sheffield Lake
Description: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 521 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, will host a fish fry every Friday during Lent beginning Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be a 50-50 raffle. Carryout dinners will be available. Call 949-8491.

Where: St. Teresa of Avila, Sheffield
Description: St. Teresa of Avila Parish, 1878 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Village. Join us each Friday during Lent beginning 2/19 through 4/2 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Dine in or carry out. For take out orders you may call ahead at 440-934-0503. Fresh Lake Erie Perch or Baked Tilapia Dinner $10.00. Shrimp Dinner $8.00. A Dinner includes choice of French Fries , Parsely Potatoes, or Cabbage & Noodles, Dinner Roll, Cole Slaw, Hot or Cold Drink, Dessert. Ala Carte Menu Items: Clam Chowder, Home Made Pierogi, Cabbage & Noodles, Cheese Pizza, Macaroni & Cheese

Saturday, Mar 6, 2010

Where: St. John Lutheran Church, Elyria
Description: STEAK Fry 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. March 6 St. John Lutheran Church 1140 West River Road North, Elyria. Tickets $15 per person includes steak, baked potato, salad, roll, and beverage. $3 kids meal available. DJ/Dancing/Entertainment/Chinese Auction/Raffle. Sponsored by Luminators for Life and Bob’s Angels with all proceeds to benefit American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Friday, Mar 12, 2010

Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Sheffield Lake
Description: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 521 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, will host a fish fry every Friday during Lent beginning Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be a 50-50 raffle. Carryout dinners will be available. Call 949-8491.

Where: St. Teresa of Avila, Sheffield
Description: St. Teresa of Avila Parish, 1878 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Village. Join us each Friday during Lent beginning 2/19 through 4/2 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Dine in or carry out. For take out orders you may call ahead at 440-934-0503. Fresh Lake Erie Perch or Baked Tilapia Dinner $10.00. Shrimp Dinner $8.00. A Dinner includes choice of French Fries , Parsely Potatoes, or Cabbage & Noodles, Dinner Roll, Cole Slaw, Hot or Cold Drink, Dessert. Ala Carte Menu Items: Clam Chowder, Home Made Pierogi, Cabbage & Noodles, Cheese Pizza, Macaroni & Cheese

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Sheffield Lake
Description: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 521 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, will host a fish fry every Friday during Lent beginning Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be a 50-50 raffle. Carryout dinners will be available. Call 949-8491.

Where: St. Teresa of Avila, Sheffield
Description: St. Teresa of Avila Parish, 1878 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Village. Join us each Friday during Lent beginning 2/19 through 4/2 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Dine in or carry out. For take out orders you may call ahead at 440-934-0503. Fresh Lake Erie Perch or Baked Tilapia Dinner $10.00. Shrimp Dinner $8.00. A Dinner includes choice of French Fries , Parsely Potatoes, or Cabbage & Noodles, Dinner Roll, Cole Slaw, Hot or Cold Drink, Dessert. Ala Carte Menu Items: Clam Chowder, Home Made Pierogi, Cabbage & Noodles, Cheese Pizza, Macaroni & Cheese

Friday, Mar 26, 2010

Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Sheffield Lake
Description: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 521 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, will host a fish fry every Friday during Lent beginning Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be a 50-50 raffle. Carryout dinners will be available. Call 949-8491.

Where: St. Teresa of Avila, Sheffield
Description: St. Teresa of Avila Parish, 1878 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Village. Join us each Friday during Lent beginning 2/19 through 4/2 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Dine in or carry out. For take out orders you may call ahead at 440-934-0503. Fresh Lake Erie Perch or Baked Tilapia Dinner $10.00. Shrimp Dinner $8.00. A Dinner includes choice of French Fries , Parsely Potatoes, or Cabbage & Noodles, Dinner Roll, Cole Slaw, Hot or Cold Drink, Dessert. Ala Carte Menu Items: Clam Chowder, Home Made Pierogi, Cabbage & Noodles, Cheese Pizza, Macaroni & Cheese

Friday, April 2 , 2010

Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Sheffield Lake
Description: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 521 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, will host a fish fry every Friday during Lent beginning Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. There will also be a 50-50 raffle. Carryout dinners will be available. Call 949-8491.

Where: St. Teresa of Avila, Sheffield
Description: St. Teresa of Avila Parish, 1878 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Village. Join us each Friday during Lent beginning 2/19 through 4/2 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm. Dine in or carry out. For take out orders you may call ahead at 440-934-0503. Fresh Lake Erie Perch or Baked Tilapia Dinner $10.00. Shrimp Dinner $8.00. A Dinner includes choice of French Fries , Parsely Potatoes, or Cabbage & Noodles, Dinner Roll, Cole Slaw, Hot or Cold Drink, Dessert. Ala Carte Menu Items: Clam Chowder, Home Made Pierogi, Cabbage & Noodles, Cheese Pizza, Macaroni & Cheese

COMING SOON! Mock Seder at Agudath B’nai Israel Synagogue, Lorain.
Sunday, March 7th at 2:00 p.m. Celebrate this special meal and learn more about the Passover holiday. Make your reservations today! Cost is $10.00 ($6.00 for LCCC students.) Call 440.366.4590 or email sli@lorainccc.edu to reserve your seat. The synagogue is located at 1715 Meister Rd, Lorain.

For more information about the Lorain County Sacred Landmarks Initiative, call 440.365.5222 ext 7371 or visit them online at sli.lorainccc.edu.

Visit Lorain County's Guide to Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping isn’t always easy. That’s why we at Visit Lorain County are providing a helping hand to get you started finding the coolest, unique gifts, and enjoy your Holiday season.

First, mark your calender; a savvy holiday shopper wouldn’t miss these fun and festive shopping events:

• Through December 11th, check out the Winter Fine Art & Craft Exhibit & Sale at Stocker Arts Center on the Lorain County Community College Campus, featuring fine arts and crafts by regional artists and designers.
  


• December 4th-6th, visit Avon’s French Creek District for the 30th Annual Christmas Candlelight Walk. Shop for antiques, crafts, and gifts, then relax and enjoy some caroling, a craft show, a tree lighting ceremony, and a visit from Father Christmas himself.
  


• On December 5th, you’re going to have to allot your time carefully. Three special shopping events can’t be missed:
  
  
• Holiday on the Ridge in North Ridgeville: all-day shopping, craft shows, a tree lighting, and live nativity and theater performances at the Old Towne Hall.
  


• Jamie’s Annual Christmas Special: 200 inside vendors, free pictures with Santa Claus and hourly gift certificate drawings.
  


• Don Mould’s Holiday Open House: Free refreshments, great deals, and a visit from Kris Kringle, available at both the North Ridgeville and Amherst locations.

Don Mould’s

And for that friend or family member who has everything, might we recommend some unique gift ideas off the beaten path? Unless you’re a big fan of overcrowded malls, long lines, and jam-packed parking lots, why not try some of these ideas:

• Pick up a bottle of wine or a gift basket from one of Lorain County’s many local wineries.
  
  
  


• Browse the pottery, jewelry, and glass, wood, and metal crafts—made by local artists—at Oberlin’s Ginko Gallery.
  
  


• Outfit your family’s nature-lover with outing gear, outerwear, fishing supplies, and hunting equipment at Molnar Outdoor.
  

• Stop by Petitti’s Garden Center for Holiday florals, decorations, gardening and other home gifts.
  

• Shop the extensive wine cellar and the broad selection of gourmet sauces & food, antiques, and furniture at the Tree House Gallery and Tea Room in Avon (treat yourself to a nice lunch while you’re there).
  
  
  
  


• Get ready for baseball season with Lake Erie Crushers tickets and merchandise.
  
  
  
  
• Pick up great Lorain Lighthouse gifts at the Black River Historical Society’s Moore House Museum gift shop.
  


• Invite a friend to a performance at Lorain County Community College’s Stocker Arts Center. Check out their schedule here.
  


• Visit The Days of Yore Herb & Flower Farm in Wellington for home décor, gourmet foods, bath & body gifts, and assorted candles.
  


• Give the gift of relaxation with a spa package or spa-related gift from The Kneaded Touch in Amherst.
  


• For that art enthusiast you know, make a special trip to FAVA in Oberlin for original works of contemporary art, or to the Art Gallery at Amherst’s Sandstone Center.

But we’re willing to bet that even with all these options, you’re still not going to be done. So stumble upon some unique gift ideas of your own by visiting the area’s quaint Main Street shopping districts.

• Main Street Wellington
  


• Main Street Amherst
  


• Main Street Oberlin
  


• Main Street Vermilion
  

For more information on all the varied types of Holiday happenings in Lorain County this season, take a look at our Calender of Events. Visit Lorain County would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe Holiday season!

For more information about Visit Lorain County, stop by our Tourist Information Center at 8025 Leavitt Road, Amherst, OH 44001, call us at (440) 984-5282, visit our website, follow us on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook.

March Performances in Lorain County

From hilarious improv comedy, to a world-class German opera, to a Broadway production...I'm not talking about New York or Chicago; I'm talking about Lorain County, North Central Ohio! That's right, Lorain County, home to the world renowned Oberlin Conservatory and many beautiful performance venues, has its fair share of extraordinary performances. Here's a sampling of what March has to offer.

Mar 6
First Friday Improv, First Church Fellowship Hall, Oberlin, 7pm. Entertainment by The Mad Factory’s talented improvisational troupe.

Mar 6–8, 12–15
I Do! I Do!, French Creek Nature Center, Sheffield Village, 7:30pm, Sun 3pm. Romantic musical about the ups and downs of 50 years of marriage.

Mar 5–7
A Grand Night For Singing, The Olde Towne Hall Theatre, N. Ridgeville, 8pm, Sun 3pm. Musical revue with more than 30 Rodgers and Hammerstein songs.


Mar 10

Artist Recital Series, Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, 8pm. Apollo’s Fire performs Vivaldi’s Oboe Concerto in D minor. Join Apollo’s Fire, the Cleveland baroque orchestra, for a trip back in time to 18th-century Venice. Photo: Apollo's Fire by Sally Brown, courtesy of Oberlin College


Mar 11, 13–15
The Magic Flute, Hall Auditorium, Oberlin College, 8pm, Sun 2pm. With a lovable cast of characters and some of the most sublime music ever written for the stage, The Magic Flute is Mozart’s brilliant final opera, often hailed as among his greatest achievements. Sung in English.

Mar 16
The Drowsy Chaperone, Stocker Arts Center, Elyria, 7:30pm. A musical comedy filled with tons of laughs and screwball antics. Take a journey to glamorous 1928 and the hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day. The Drowsy Chaperone has the most 2006 Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway. Photo courtesy of Stocker Arts Center




Mar 21
Oberlin Choristers Lorain County Children’s Honors Choir, Stocker Arts Center, Elyria, 3pm. Children’s choir concert featuring 160 children from 20 schools.

Mar 26
Charlotte Blake Alston, Stocker Arts Center, Elyria, 7:30pm. A Philadelphia-based storyteller, she breathes life into traditional and contemporary stories from the African and African American oral and cultural traditions. She often enhances her performances with traditional instruments such as djembe, berimbau, nkoning, mbira and the 21-stringed kora. Photo courtesy of Stocker Arts Center


Mar 28
Sweet Adelines International’s Lake Ridge Chorus Dinner Show and Silent Auction, Elyria, 6pm. Award-winning a cappella show chorus.


For additional events, check out the Visit Lorain County Calendar of Events, or call 1-800-334-1673 to request a printed version.

Include Lorain County, North Central Ohio, on your Winter Travel Itinerary

Whether you're traveling by car, bus, or RV this holiday season, give yourself some extra traveling time to explore Lorain County, Ohio. If you're trip takes you along the Ohio Turnpike, I-90, I-480, US Route 6 or 20, or State Route 2, 18, 58, or 83 through North Central Ohio, STOP, you are in Lorain County!
While you're here, visit the beautifully decorated downtowns of Amherst, Avon French Creek District, Oberlin, and Wellington to shop for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.

Downtown Oberlin

Olde Avon Village


Olde Avon Village

Drive through the grounds of historic Finwood Estate in Elyria to view the elaborate holiday light display. Lorain County Metro Parks' Carlisle Reservation in LaGrange also puts on a beautiful display of lights and decorations during their annual Holiday Lights Festival.

Finwood Estate, photo by Rona Proudfoot

Carlisle Reservation, photo by Rona Proudfoot

Warm up with a glass of Lake Erie region wine in one of our four wineries: John Christ Winery, Klingshirn Winery, Matus Winery, and Single Tree Winery. If you're looking for a place to stay during your visit, Lorain County has a great selection of lodging options from full service hotels like the Holiday Inn-Elyria to historic bed & breakfasts like the 1830 Hallauer House B&B.

Before continuing on your travels, be sure to document your Winter in Lorain County with a perfect photo op of the Lorain Lighthouse. Safe travels & come see us again soon!

Lorain Lighthouse by Rona Proudfoot

Lorain County's Farmers Markets

Lorain County is known for its agriculture; so naturally, we have some excellent farmer's markets. A recent trip to Spiegelberg Orchards in Lorain yielded fresh produce and a variety of apples including caramel apples.

For some reason, the apples always taste better from local orchards than from the grocery store. Maybe it’s because the apples are fresher and because you know it’s good for our local economy--buying directly from family farmers helps them stay in business.

In addition to apples, Spiegelberg Orchards features maple syrup, grapes and other fresh produce. They are located at 6161 Middle Ridge Road, Lorain, OH 44053.

For a listing of additional Lorain County farmers’ markets, gardens and orchards, visit the Lorain County Visitors Bureau website.

PSA's World Youth Soccer Tournament

There’s still time left to attend the World Youth Tournament at Premier Soccer Academies in Lorain! Not only will you get to watch youth soccer at its best, but you’ll get an up-close look at the Premier Soccer Academies’ world-class facilities.

Spectators at the World Youth Soccer Tournament's Opening Ceremonies on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at Brad Friedel's Premier Soccer Academies.

Team Rush Select from Colorado line up for opening ceremony introductions.

Our local Team PSA after the opening ceremonies.

Team Chivas gets ready to play their first match of the tournament.

First match of the tournament: Chivas vs Rush Select

The Kneaded Touch helps the PSA team loosen up.

Team Chile took in a match to check out their competition.

Eight different teams from around the world will compete for a spot in the championship match taking place Sunday, August 17th at 1:30pm. Here’s the rest of the tournament schedule: Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Thursday, August 14th 4:30pm: Match #9
6:30pm: Match #10

Friday, August 15th 4:30pm: Match #11
6:30pm: Match #12

Saturday, August 16th 11:30am: Match #13
1:30pm: Match #14

Sunday, August 17th 11:30am: Match #15
1:30pm: Match #16

Closing Ceremonies follow the championship match.

While you're at the soccer tournament, stop by the Lorain County Visitors Bureau booth to pick up our Visitors Guide, Events Calendar and other brochures! See you at the tournament!!