☀️Get SUNNY with the 2025 Lake County, Ohio Summer Bucket List
Take a copy of the Summer Bucket List wherever you go!
Experience Lake County through a new lens this summer! Find your next adventure on our 2025 Summer Bucket List!
Planning a summer trip can be a daunting task and we want to make your weekend getaway the smoothest one yet! We went ahead and put together our Summer Bucket List, packed with things to do right near Cleveland, OH in Lake County.
Check out our top recommendations of some of our most popular attractions and destinations in our area; this way you can get to the beach, the wineries, the museums, and the trails that much quicker!
1) Visit Headlands Beach State Park, Ohio’s longest natural sand beach, and let the lake serenade you with its gentle waves while hunting for beach glass. Local’s Tip: Soak up a magical sunset or, if you're an early riser, chase a sunrise that paints the sky in vibrant hues.
2) Rent a kayak or paddle board at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park and experience Lake Erie on the water or climb to new heights on the Lake Erie Bluffs Tower in Perry, OH!
3. Sing Happy Birthday to the historic Fairport Harbor Lighthouse while getting a panoramic Lake Erie and Fairport Harbor view and exploring the marine museum.
Local’s Tip: Recharge with a freshly brewed coffee and a delectable crepe at Julbean’s before you embark on your climb.
4) Kick off the unofficial start to summer with the Folk and Country Fest in Fairport Harbor, and then sing along all summer long with more live music at the Lighthouse.
5) Take a selfie in your sunnies at one of our 15+ Sunny Spots and tag us #SunnySpotsTourLC for a chance to win free Lake County swag.
6) Share a meal with your four-legged BFF on a Paw-some Adventure to a pet-friendly winery.
Local’s Tip: Get tickets for Woof, Wag & Wine Trail and visit three wineries offering samples, snacks, signature drinks, and treats for the pups!
7) Visit Ohio’s Largest Estate Winery, Debonné Vineyards & sample award-winning wines or dive into one of their world-class beers at Double Wing Brewery.
Local’s Tip: Escape to the patio & enjoy the live music and a game of bocce!
8) Watch the fireworks light up the sky after the thrill of a Midwest League Champion Lake County Captains baseball game.
Squire’s Castle in Willoughby Hills
9) Get your pass for the Ohio Distillery Trail, starting at Seven Brothers, Doc Howard's, or Lake Erie Distillery. Ask for a tour to get a sneak peek behind the scenes
10) Share a beer and deep-fried pickles at the Carousel Barge on the Grand River at Pickle Bill’s and then dive into the Fisherman’s Catch with Lake Erie Perch and Walleye at Brennan’s Fish House across the street!
Local’s Tip: Charter a Fishing Boat that morning for a chance to have your own catch cooked for you there!
11) Stroll through Historic Downtown Willoughby during the Willoughby Artsfest in July. Witness streets brimming with artists, performers, and vibrant displays of creativity.
Local’s Tip: Visit Arabica Coffee House for an afternoon pick-me-up, a delightful sweet treat, or one of our favorite panini sandwiches.
12) Explore Squire’s Castle, built in the 1890s, located in North Chagrin Reservation in Willoughby Hills, and then picnic on their lawn.
13) Discover a mansion along the shores of Lake Erie where you can stay the night at the boutique inn or relax on the patio with a glass of wine at Vincent William Wine.
14) Catch a tour and ride through our Fairport Harbor “beach town” on a golf cart with a homemade milkshake from Fairport Harbor Creamery.
15) Enjoy free live music Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays throughout the county all summer at community concerts in Madison Village and Perry Park, to Painesville, Mentor, Concord, and Willoughby.
Local’s Tip: View the music schedule at TourLakeCounty.com/Events
16) Wander among 18 larger-than-life sculptures at The Holden Arboretum, the largest arboretum in the U.S., while viewing the limited-time, Forest Forms, an outdoor sculpture exhibit by artist Huelani Mei.
Holiday Inn Express Madison
17) Attend Ohio’s largest outdoor free music festival at Painesville’s Party in the Park this July.
Local’s Tip: Make a stop on the Lake County Taco Trail while downtown for a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine🌮
18) Pack a picnic and enjoy dinner on the beautiful lawn before watching a performance at Ohio’s premier barn theater, Rabbit Run Theater, one of Ohio’s last barn theaters, located on the shores of Lake Erie in Madison, OH!
19) Experience a day of faith, family and fun--for FREE, at The FEST in Wickliffe. This one-day festival features more than just music - inflatables, rock walls & the Performance Dogs of Ohio.
20) Book an overnight at the Madison Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn and create your own tour of Northeast Ohio’s Grand River Valley wine region with their shuttle service.
Local’s Tip: Plan your visit during one of the live music, arts, comedy, or special events in the area. Check out TourLakeCounty.com/GRVWineEvents
21) Eat a ‘Homewrecker Hot Dawg’ at Scooter’s World Famous Dawg House! Don’t forget the fresh cut fries & vinegar.
22) Take a free tour of the President’s House from the 1800s when you visit the James A. Garfield National Historic Site.
23) Shop a local boutique! Find your next winery weekend outfit at Blank Boutique in Concord, self-care essentials from Helicopter Daughter in the Matchworks Building, or gifts for friends and family from Sophia’s Boutique in Painesville Twp.
24) Fresh-squeezed lemonade, funnel cakes, 4H, and competition await when you visit the Annual Lake County Fair! Celebrate America 250 and get a General Edward Paine bobblehead on Saturday, July 26th!
25) Awaken to the sounds of birds, not trains or traffic, when you and the family spend the weekend at Standing Rock Farms in Madison, OH. Kids can run free, mornings start with coffee on the porch. Spend the day hiking wooded trails, fishing in peaceful ponds, and gathering around the fire pit as the sun sets.
26) Meet the local farmers offering fresh fruits and vegetables at a weekly Farmer’s Market in Mentor, Fairport Harbor, Painesville, Madison, Eastlake or Willoughby.
27) Spend an afternoon with family at Patterson’s Fruit Farm when you pick-your-own fruits, dive into the sweets at the bakery, and play the day away at their free playground! Open year-round!
28) Celebrate the longest day of the year at M Cellars' Summer Solstice party featuring live music, delicious food trucks, and the unveiling of their latest summer wine release.
Are you interested in joining our list of attractions in Lake County, OH? Email elyse@tourlakecounty.com to learn more about how to partner with the Lake County Ohio Visitors Bureau!