This Is Ohio's Quirkiest Little Town

Whether you are traveling around the Great Lakes region or just need to escape from the hustle and bustle of Cleveland for a day or two, you have a lot of options in terms of small towns to visit that are full of beauty and character. While many communities around the lakes can be described as "sleepy," Ohio's Geneva-on-the-Lake boasts an exciting mix of resort town attractions and natural scenery, all right on the shores of Lake Erie.

This town of less than 1,000 permanent residents flourishes with visitors during the summer months (although winter in the area has its draws, too), with a wide variety of overnight accommodations, unique amenities, pristine green spaces, and a gorgeous lakefront backdrop to top it off. Dive deeper into why you, too, should check out this quirky little location this year.

A Tourist Destination Pleasantly Trapped in Time

Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio’s first real summer resort town, began attracting visitors in the late 1800s when travelers from Cleveland and Pittsburgh sought relief from city heat along Lake Erie’s southern shore. The town’s earliest recorded resort, Sturgeon Point, opened in 1869 and set the stage for its continuing development as an idyllic lakeside retreat.

By the early 1900s, the "Strip,” the main thoroughfare along the lakefront, had evolved into more of a boardwalk akin to that you would find on the Jersey Shore, full of fun attractions like arcades, eateries, dance halls, and lakefront cottages. The town then thrived during the interwar years, with attractions like Erieview Park and the New Inn drawing large summer crowds. This was especially helped with the advent of car travel, making it easier for out-of-towners to regularly go on weekend trips.

Unlike other resort towns that either modernized or faded, Geneva-on-the-Lake stuck to its slightly eccentric charm. Vintage arcades, mid-century motels, and roadside diners still define its landscape today, giving it a bit of an old-timey vibe, but generally in a good way. While local tourism declined during the later parts of the 20th century, renewed interest in nostalgia, inexpensive travel options, and Ohio's budding wine country has brought fresh energy to the area in recent years.

Notable Landmarks and Activities in Geneva-on-the-Lake

From its storied history of bootlegging during Prohibition to its quaint parks and green spaces to relax in, and more, Geneva-on-the-Lake has a variety of things to see and do in a quiet, relatively uncrowded atmosphere. Here are some must-visit spots to experience if you find yourself in and around this charming Great Lakes town.

Geneva State Park

Geneva State Park stretches along the Lake Erie shoreline just west of Geneva-on-the-Lake, offering a quieter counterbalance to the town’s lively Strip. It is a robust park that includes a sandy beach, marina, picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, and a paved lakeside path ideal for sunset views.

It is also well known among anglers, who frequent the area year-round for walleye and perch, while kayakers, canoers, and boaters take advantage of the public launch. Moreover, in winter, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing draw cold-weather visitors for fun in the snow.

Geneva State Park also houses a lodge. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake contains a hotel, rental cottages, on-site dining, and direct access to many of the area's best trails.

Go on a Wine Tour

Geneva-on-the-Lake is very close to Ohio’s Grand River Valley, a surprisingly prolific wine region, producing over 50% of the state’s grapes! The area's unique microclimate, influenced by Lake Erie, creates ideal conditions for cultivating several varietals, namely Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

You are free to explore a diverse array of wineries near town, from the historic Ferrante Winery & Ristorante just south of town, known for its award-winning wines and Italian cuisine, to the Old Firehouse Winery, located in downtown Geneva-on-the-Lake, housed in an original fire station right on the lakefront.

Debonné Vineyards also sits close by, and is Ohio’s largest estate winery. This longstanding establishment offers a wide selection of wines, and even an on-site microbrewery from Double Wing Brewing Co. for those who prefer beer.

Although most of these places are quite beautiful, being situated in northern Ohio's verdant countryside, South River Vineyard is perhaps the most scenic. Set in a converted church, it is a top spot for both sightseers, wine lovers, and history fans. Another option is the Grand River Cellars, nestled in an area consisting of dense woodlands, which hosts another tasty restaurant with both an indoor area and an outdoor patio.

With over 30 wineries in the region, Geneva-on-the-Lake is clearly an ideal base of operation for a multi-day exploration of this underrated wine-producing region of the United States.

Take a Stroll Down The Strip

The Strip is the heart of Geneva-on-the-Lake’s downtown core, a compact stretch of Lake Road East lined with vintage amusements, food stands, bars, arcades, and mom-and-pop shops. Local joints like Eddie’s Grill, serving 1950s-style burgers and root beer floats, or Sportsterz Bar and Grill, a popular stop for bikers, are just a couple of the iconic eateries to be found here.

During the summer months, you may also be able to enjoy regularly scheduled live music, car shows, and easy beach access with Lake Erie always just a few steps away.

If you are bringing the kids, Adventure Zone offers go-karting, mini golf, and an indoor play park. The Big Eli #5 Historic Ferris Wheel is open in the warmer months and provides a scenic ride high above both the town and the lake.

Accomodations

There are tons of options for overnight stays in and around Geneva-on-the-Lake. For one, the Strip boasts more than a few hotels, motels, and cottage rentals. The Lakehouse Inn, Lakeview Resorts GOTL (for a cozy cottage by the water), and The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake at the far west end of the road are all local favorites catering to varying budgets.

The nearby town of Geneva sits slightly more inland. It will take you a bit closer to many of the area's vineyards, while the larger city of Ashtabula is less than 10 miles directly east on the lakefront and hosts its own robust selection of parks, historic landmarks, a sizable marina, and other useful amenities.

Just about an hour west is Cleveland, where many of Geneva-on-the-Lake's visitors come from throughout the year. If you want to come to the town for a shorter visit or a weekend trip, a stay in Ohio's second most populous city will allow you to also check out other renowned destinations along Lake Erie, like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and more big city attractions. The same can be said for Pittsburgh, which is just over a two-hour drive south, and is home to draws like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Point State Park, and the Acrisure Stadium, where you can hopefully catch a Steelers game.