☕The Lake County, OH Tea - Local tips you won’t find on ChatGPT
From hidden favorites to can’t-miss stops. Lake County locals share the insider knowledge that makes a visit even better!
Matt
Founder and Wine Maker of M Cellars
What’s the first place you take out-of-town guests when they visit Lake County?
I'm a foodie and we have our favorite spots such as Pranzo and of course our business M Cellars just outside lake county.
Describe your perfect day in Lake County.
Spend the day on Lake Erie and dinner at one our fave Downtown Willoughby restaurants.
What’s something you always recommend to first-timers?
Go check out our wine region, the Grand River Valley! M Cellars and yes, I'm biased.
Where do you go when you need to relax or recharge?
I love going to hit one of lake counties beautiful golf courses or spend some time on Lake Erie in the summer or Chapin Forest in the winter.
What makes Lake County special to you?
It's been a great community to raise our young family in.
Sophia
Marketing and Events Manager, WWLCC of Commerce
What’s the first place you take out-of-town guests when they visit Lake County?
I love taking out-of-town kids to Lake Farmpark for a unique and unforgettable experience that is both educational and hands on. Where else can someone learn how to milk a dairy cow, shear a sheep, and get a wagon ride from a 2,000 lb draft horse? Out-of-town adults always enjoy spending an afternoon sampling spirits at one of the many wineries and distilleries throughout the Grand River Valley.
Describe your perfect day in Lake County.
My perfect day in Lake County would begin with a beachside hike at Lake Erie Bluffs or the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve with my adventurous beagle mix, Gatsby. While he diligently sniffs every blade of grass, I enjoy keeping my eyes peeled for snakes basking on the sunny pathways and birds fluttering in the canopy above. In the afternoon, I would take my trusty horse, Zephyr, for a scenic trail ride at the Girdled Road Reservation to watch a breathtaking sunset. As an avid equestrian, I appreciate that there are so many local opportunities for horseback riders.
What’s a Lake County event or tradition you look forward to every year?
A Lake County tradition I look forward to every year is the Rabbit Run Theater summer series. I can always count on a thoughtful, entertaining performance by a passionate cast and crew at “the barn.” Enjoying a staple Dairy Queen dilly bar under the whimsical magnolia trees at intermission has become a special highlight of the evening.
What’s a local business or hidden gem that deserves more love?
A hidden Lake County gem is the Mentor Rocks summer concert series! Locals can enjoy free concerts funded completely through private sponsorships at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater every Tuesday evening throughout the summer. National acts have included LeAnn Rimes, Parmalee, Soul Asylum, and more!
Chris
President, Lake County NAACP
What’s a local business or hidden gem that deserves more love?
I must say Flavor Around the Square — they have excellent, and I mean excellent, Western omelettes. The food is fresh, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the owner is one of the friendliest and most community-minded people you’ll meet. It’s the kind of place that feels like home the moment you walk in.
What’s a Lake County event or tradition you look forward to every year?
Every year, I look forward to the Lake County NAACP Freedom Fund Scholarship Banquet. It’s our biggest fundraiser and one of the most inspiring events of the year. The funds we raise go directly toward helping our youth further their education. It’s powerful to see the community come together to invest in the next generation.
What makes Lake County special to you?
What makes Lake County special is the unity we share. It may not always be perfect, but the good here always outweighs the bad. The people are caring, resilient, and committed to making our community stronger — and that’s what makes Lake County home.
What’s a local tradition that brings the community together?
Every year, I look forward to the friendly competition between the Lake County clergy and the Lake County law enforcement teams. It’s a great time of fun, fellowship, and community connection. I especially enjoy working with Lt. Toby Burgett, who brings great spirit and energy to the event.
Justin
Co-chair of the Fairport harbor Arts & Culture Alliance
Describe your perfect day in Lake County.
Lake County is overflowing with nature, local businesses, and great events, so my perfect day would be full of variety. I’d start in Kirtland at Penitentiary Glen, part of Lake Metroparks, with a ride on the Lake Shore Live Steamers — miniature trains that are just as fun for adults as they are for kids. Afterward, I’d stop by the Wildlife Center, hike through the gorge, or let the kids explore the natural play area.
All that activity calls for lunch at Scooter’s Dawg House in Mentor. They’re famous for their massive portions of fresh-cut fries — a size small easily feeds a family of four! My go-to order is the bacon cheese dawg, a footlong hot dog smothered in cheese and bacon bits.
To walk it off, Fairport Harbor is the next stop. I’d explore the local shops, play a round of mini golf, and climb the steps of the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse for an amazing view. Then it’s time for some fun with Harbor Carts — renting a street-legal golf cart with Bluetooth speakers to cruise around town, stopping by the river to see the fisherman, checking out the marinas and freighters, and playing a quick game of volleyball on the beach.
Dinner would be at Sunset at the Harbor, where the pier stretches into Lake Erie and you can watch boats and jet skis go by. Their walleye sandwich with homemade tartar sauce is a must-try. I’d end the night at The Lyric Bistro and Events Center, catching live music — whether it’s jazz, open mic, or a local band — in their warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Where do you go when you need to relax or recharge?
For me, it’s always the water. As a Fairport Harbor resident, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is the ultimate recharge spot. The shallow water is perfect for kids, the clean sand is great for lounging, and the smell of charcoal grills instantly puts you in summer mode. The park has everything — lifeguards, concessions, kayak and paddleboard rentals, volleyball, picnic shelters, and it’s framed by two iconic lighthouses. On the right weekend, you’ll even catch a free concert or event happening next door.
What’s a Lake County event or tradition you look forward to every year?
Harboritaville is hands down my favorite. It’s the final show of Fairport Harbor’s free summer concert series, held right around Labor Day, and it’s a full Jimmy Buffett tribute party. You’ll find live trop rock bands, limbo and costume contests, food trucks, vendors, and, of course, frozen margaritas. It’s the perfect way to wrap up summer with family and friends by the beach.