🏖️Our Staff’s Must-Know Travel Tips - Katie’s POV🩴
Katie Montz, Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy
Katie Montz, Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy shares some of her family’s favorite places to go, hidden gems for dessert, and top tip for new visitors to Lake County, OH. Katie has been with Tour Lake County since the summer of 2022 and has been traveling to the area for 20+ years visiting friends and family throughout all four seasons.
Can you share your favorite outdoor activity in the county and why you love it?
Beach Days + Lake Erie Sunsets at the Perry Bluffs!
🏖️Fairport Harbor Beach is the perfect spot for our family because it not only offers perfect beach views of Lake Erie and sandy spots for castles and picnic lunches, but the snack stands, bathrooms (kids!), playground, and close parking all help make the day go smoothly. You know when you’re planning a day out with young kids you tend to have a few bags for well - all the things. The parking lot is so close to where you can plant your beach blanket that sometimes we even leave some items in the car and go back if we need to.
The playground is the perfect break from the sun and is right nearby the concessions which is a great distraction for the smaller ones while ordering those snacks.
🌅We also love catching the beautiful water-kissed sunset along the lake from up high on the Bluff Observation Tower or down below along the shoreline where you can look for beach glass too! The Lake Erie Bluffs are truly a gem and somewhere you can’t miss. We can never decide if we should just climb the tower or if we want to walk down to the shoreline. Thankfully, you can do both if you’re OK with a little bit of a woodsy walk between the two.
Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known spots that visitors would enjoy?
👀A recent "hidden gem" we can't go a few weeks without is the the chocolate-dipped, fruit-topped popsicles at Mmm Yummy located in the square in Downtown Painesville.
🍍Our girls love trying new fun toppings like pineapple or cheesecake bites while I stick with my go-to frozen strawberry with double chocolate dip, chocolate sprinkles, and fresh strawberries on top.
What advice would you give first-time visitors to make the most of their trip?
🔗First-timers; check the events calendar on our website and plan your trip around an outdoor festival, seasonal events at local farms or free community concerts. The best piece of advice I have is to check that events page - and follow us on social media too ofc 😁
🎶Live music outdoors on a summer evening is a great way to get immersed into our communities while relaxing, keeping everyone entertained. Some of our favorites include Mentor Rocks & Painesville Party in the Park.
🩴If your family loves the beach like we do, plan a weekend to Fairport Harbor during one of the many summer events hosted in town and at the historical Lighthouse.🍦 This small town offers family fun all day from the beach to mini-golf, ice cream, arts and crafts and historical tours.
Are you interested in joining our list? Email elyse@tourlakecounty.com to learn more about how to partner with Tour Lake County!
