A conglomeration of all sorts, the endearing village of Marblehead in Ottawa County perched on Marblehead Peninsula is a top shoreline destination.
Just like the Lake Erie Islands and Sandusky, this breathtaking coastal town is also one of many small seasonal tourist towns in the region known as Vacationland.
Marblehead often gets a lot of visitors seeking to enjoy the open air thanks to its hot summers and the beautiful shoreline of Lake Erie.
With the lake frontage and its ferry service to the Lake Erie Islands, it’s no surprise that this charming town on the coast of Ohio is loved by many.
And who can pass up the natural U.S. population of the Lakeside Daisy, which attracts nature lovers and photographers from all over?
Here you might come across marina and yacht club facilities, golf courses, hotels, and parks which are all frequented by locals and tourists alike because of how beautiful this town is.
So if you’re feeling ready to see what Marblehead has to offer, be sure not to miss the 15 best things to do in Marblehead, Ohio.
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Ohio’s Marblehead Lighthouse State Park is indeed an interesting spot, located right on the rocky shores of Lake Erie.
At this historical site, you can visit the magnificent lighthouse itself as well as its other buildings, like the Lifesaving Station Museum and the Keeper’s House Museum, where you’re provided with historical facts about maritime history.
The museums, though, are only available for visits from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
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If you would like to visit the Park, it is free, but if you wish to climb the steps of the lighthouse and take in the amazing views of Lake Erie from above ground level, there is a small admission fee.
Next to the lighthouse is a museum built in 1880 known as the Keeper’s House Museum, which was formerly occupied by 16 different keepers and their families.
Inside the museum, you will enjoy learning all about this historical site while perusing the displays available.
Also located near the lighthouse, Lifesaving Station Museum is a beautiful recreation of the original 1876 station and provides a fun and unique opportunity to learn U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Life Saving Service histories.
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Every August, there’s a great community event to be held at the lovely location of James Park in Marblehead, Ohio.
The Marblehead Perch Festival will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and it’s hosted by the local Marblehead Peninsula Lions Club and regional nonprofit Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands.
The festival features different games and activities for generations to come with free admission and is a celebration not only involving but celebrating many people within the community.
There are also amazing vendors that make available an excellent variety of delicious food and drinks as well as souvenirs for your loved ones to enjoy at home.
Moreover, we have musical performances that range from vocalists who will provide great entertainment throughout the day.
The fun-filled festival also features tours of LaFarge Quarry, a car show, magic, a 50/50 raffle, and a parade complete with a special presentation of colors by area veterans.
If you’re in the surrounding region during August, you might want to experience this exciting event that promises to be one of the best festivals yet!
Located in the historic downtown area of Marblehead, The Red Fern Inn and Rocky Point Winery will provide you with a wide variety of wonderful adventures and experiences.
You can expect luxury accommodations when staying at this five-star hotel with some of the highest ratings of any hotel along Ohio’s north coast.
They also have a cozy little winery with its premises so you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine while being able to take advantage of their many other amenities.
Rocky Point Winery is quite popular for its premium selection of 6 domestic and over 50 imported wines.
In addition to its fantastic selection of wines and spirits, it also offers a full-service menu of easy-to-eat homemade dishes so you can enjoy your dip in the ocean while having a taste of something refreshing at the same time.
The pavilion and energetic backyard scene create a unique atmosphere of fun, and you’ll enjoy the live music, special events, and shows, which occur between April through October.
Sitting right on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, Hidden Beach Bar has become a hot spot for both locals and visitors alike since it first opened in 2014.
It not only serves as a chill meeting place for groups of friends who want to drink cold beverages, but it also offers frozen cocktails that are sure to cool everyone down on hot summer days.
This is also an excellent spot to bring your family and friends for outdoor patio seating as you enjoy breathtaking views of the shimmering water during the summer months and of Lake Erie during the fall and winter.
Their signature dish here is a delightful Perch sandwich served up on brioche buns with their famous apple sauce and a side of coleslaw.
The bartenders at Hidden Beach Bar have lots of local knowledge, so make sure you take time to get to know them!
Once you get in, having a drink at Jamestown Tavern only gets more inviting.
The scent of apple cinnamon will fill your nostrils, making you homesick for Christmas just one day early.
This cozy neighborhood bar on Main Street in Marblehead is near the local Catholic church.
People love this jam-packed bar because of its super friendly staff, the delicious drinks, and truly fantastic entertainment.
You see, Jamestown hosts live music every night like something out of Gilligan’s Island.
The best part about Jamestown Tavern is that their service is outstanding, and even when it gets more crowded, they’re still on top of all things.
When you do pay them a visit, do yourself a favor and try their sausage pizza topped with savory Italian sausage and zesty marinara sauce on the vibrant, crispy crust as well.
Formerly a roadside park, Lake Point Park is an exciting 8.7-acre Danbury Township-owned recreational area that lies on Bay Shore Road in Marblehead.
In the eastern part of Lake Point Park is the scenic Lake Erie.
Amongst the benches there that overlook the lake, you will find a view of the eastward of Cedar Point Amusement Park, which is located in Sandusky.
Lake Point Park has a fishing access point as well for when you feel like sitting by the water for hours on end with a fishing rod in hand.
If you travel to Lake Point Park’s western side, you’ll find its other amenities, like sheltered picnic tables, a playground, restrooms, and tons of nature trails for all to go hiking.
The peaceful echoes that bounce off of the water in its quarry pond make it a popular spot for couples who like to get away from it all and just enjoy the view around them.
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Now one of northern Ohio’s most popular vacation spots, the East Harbor State Park on the shore of Lake Erie is a great place to come relax and find peace with family or friends.
Here, you can immerse yourself in its extensive wetland areas that support a wide variety of plant and animal life, including many species of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other wildlife.
At this park, you’ll be able to enjoy the wonderful scenery by taking part in one of the many recreational activities available here.
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You’re free to rent boats and can head out on your own adventure along the lake’s blue waters.
You can also go fishing and swimming in the water or simply mingle with friends by spending time at a picnic area/barbecue site.
And if you decide that you would like to have an extreme adventure, then camping out under the stars is definitely recommended here.
Because at the East Harbor campground, you’ve got 205 non-electric sites and 365 electric ones that can accommodate everything from RVs to primitive camping.
The historic 2,600-seat Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside has hosted a wide range of different events throughout the years, including many celebrities and inspirational speakers.
Hoover Auditorium offers a truly rare, classic experience in today’s technologically advanced world.
The architecture here is beautiful while still offering the most luxurious amenities that anyone could ever want.
It is both historic and modern at the same time, with the best of both worlds.
The acoustics here are quite good, and with large projection screens and excellent vantage points to see everything on stage, it’s easy to lose yourself in every event that happens here.
Past performances here have included big names like Three Dog Night, America, Amy Grant, The Spinners, and important historical figures such as Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt.
There’s a fun place where you can play mini-golf overlooking the lake and across from the park at Lakeside Marblehead.
The Lakeside Miniature Golf Course is a miniature golf course with 18 holes of fun and challenging scenery for both beginners and tourney-level players alike.
The cleverly conceived layout is perfect for those who want to unwind and feel relaxed without being rushed to complete the round in less than an hour.
They do close at 10 p.m. every day except for Sunday when they open at noon, but even then, you will be able to take your time and play every hole in peace without feeling rushed.
Rest assured that when you take a trip to Lakeside Miniature Golf Course, it’ll be a lot like a vacation for you.
Located at 210 W Main Street, Marblehead, Ohio, P C Antiques is a great place for those looking to go antiquing.
Whether you’re just getting started or have been at it for years, there’s no shortage of vintage treasures lying around waiting to be discovered here.
As you wind your way through the store, keep your eyes peeled and stay alert as there are tons of collectibles hidden among the various knick-knacks.
With everything being so well-organized, it makes it that much easier to hunt down fellow collectors, admire the quality and authenticity of items on display, or even buy those hard-to-source antique pieces from the past.
When you visit Marblehead, visit P C Antiques, and you’ll definitely have an enjoyable experience with them!
Located at the corner of Sixth Street and South Poplar Avenue in south Lakeside, Chautauqua Park serves as a sacred space to celebrate the circle of life through art and faith.
Here, education, religion, recreation, and cultural arts intertwine to form what is best described as the most positive fall festival ever created.
In addition to the stunning views, Chautauqua Park also offers a charming and peaceful Memorial Garden.
Opened in June 2013, this garden dedicated to inspiring and honoring life serves as a holy abode where people from all backgrounds with a passion for spirituality, honoring those we’ve lost through death, commemorating special occasions, and celebrating one’s love for nature.
Within the garden, people are given options to memorialize a loved one in many different ways.
There are spots where people can bury the ashes of their loved ones in biodegradable containers.
Plants like trees and shrubs will use those remains as nutrients to grow, and living there can be comforting for some.
Others choose granite markers with the names of those who have passed written on them, which is a more traditional way to remember someone behind the garden walls.
Marblehead Mercantile is a beautiful antique shop in Marblehead, Ohio, brimming with a diverse collection of goods.
There are fresh new items for sale as well as vintage collectibles, so if you’re in the town and looking for some art or antiques to take home as souvenirs, this charming antique shop will be worth your visit.
Their vendors offer art, vintage, repurposed, antiques, and retail items, which are guaranteed to complete your home or cottage’s décor with delightful ease.
The workers are wonderfully down-to-earth people who will treat you warmly and catch up on life stories with you over a cup of coffee.
If you’re looking for something to do during the summer or winter, stop by Marblehead Mercantile for an incredible shopping experience with quite possibly one of the best things to buy – antique furniture!
The 19-acre incredible Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve is home to an endangered flower species, a threatened Lakeside Daisy.
This beautiful state park is the only natural area in the country that supports such a unique and rare wildflower, making it one of the places in Marblehead that you should visit.
You won’t be able to help but feel a smile on your face when you visit the eastern edge of the Marblehead Peninsula in May when the small, yellow flowers finally emerge.
This local variety of INCREDIBLY rare low-growing perennials is native to the area and absolutely precious in its tiny stature.
Lakeside Daisies are one of the earliest signs that spring is arriving, with petals peeking out like tiny-yellow sunbeams.
The bright yellow domed petals stand out even more due to the typically grey and rocky eastern region of Marblehead where this particular type of small perennial plant grows.
There was a time when it was thought that the flower might have been extinct — but they turned up in nearby woodland, and now they’re spreading again, giving everyone around the Lakeside area hope!
If you’re thinking of planning your next vacation in Marblehead around fishing, then here’s why Reel King Charters will be your crew.
Reel King Charters specializes in bringing you closer to Lake Erie’s most elusive creatures: walleye.
Their team of seasoned captains and anglers are all Ohio licensed guides, fully insured, and coast guard licensed: think of them as a portable marine biology class brought right to your boat.
They will have their hands full with state-of-the-art equipment for Lake Erie Walleye, including rods, reels, and more, while they take you out on a guided tour of the western and central basins.
Not only will you be guaranteed to come back with that dream catch, but you’ll walk away with a wealth of new knowledge as well!
You just can’t get cozier than a movie theater, especially for those who may enjoy warm drinks.
The Orchestra Hall Movie Theater in 236 Walnut Avenue, Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio, is a veritable haven for lovers of cinematic experiences.
With its storied history, it’s no wonder that Orchestra Hall enjoys the distinction of being both the only movie theater on the Marblehead Peninsula and in all of Ottawa County.
The movie theater has ample facilities with cushioned seating and excels in visual flair as well as acoustic marvels with all the airflow one could ever long for in an admittedly cold weather setting.
From May to December, people will be able to bring families and loved ones to see new or classic titles in this newly remodeled theater that is also available for private events as well.
This beautiful but historically heavy-laden village is yet quite quaint for its vibrant architecture, cerulean sea, and, to top it all off – the continuous ring of seagulls’ caws.
With all of its historic sites, breathtaking views, and great amenities like those pictured above, this waterfront community is a friendly and warm place for locals, vacationers, and their families!
If you’re visiting for a couple of days in this beautifully poised seaside city, take note of the list here to make sure that you’re getting as much out of your trip as possible.
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