9 Fun Summer Destinations in Lake County

Lake Erie Beaches
If you had stood at what is today Headlands Beach State Park over 200 years ago, you would have been standing in Lake Erie. Prior to 1827, the area was underwater, but the construction of a breakwall at the mouth of the Grand River led to the beach’s formation.

Today, Headlands Beach is Ohio’s largest, spanning over 35 acres of sand and 4,000 feet of shoreline. The uniquely created environment supports dunes, coastal marshes and woodlands, providing habitats for wildlife, as well as a perfect destination for visitors seeking beachfront fun, opportunities for bird-watching and other outdoor recreation. Summer highlights include events like sand sculpting on July 12, with world-class artists crafting enormous sand creations over the course of the week. Just a short drive away, Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park — part of the Lake Metroparks system — offers additional on-the-water fun and gets busy as temperatures rise.     

“We know that on a Tuesday, if it’s 85 degrees, we’ll be very busy,” says Paul Palagyi, executive director of Lake Metroparks. “Once it hits that 90-degree mark, then our parking lot is full, and people are parking up in the village. There’s a big difference between 85 and 90.”

This summer brings a new swim area for dogs, as well as the usual swimming, sunbathing and other beach activities. Last year, phase one of a path, which will eventually connect Painesville Township Park to Fairport Harbor, opened to the public. This summer, phase two continues, with the goal of adding 1,000 more feet of trail by autumn. 

Also located along the lake, Willoughby’s Osborne Park is undergoing a major shoreline improvement project, with the first phase set to be complete in December 2026. The $9.3-million project aims to improve public lake access at the 46-acre park by building a cobble and sand beach, as well as creating accessible pathways, viewing areas and cascading steps down to the waterfront, transforming the park into a destination.

“We just see this as a great opportunity for our community,” says Tom Thielman, economic development director for the city of Willoughby. “It’s just going to be a feather in the cap for Lake County and for the shores of Lake Erie.”

Wineries
Driving down the quiet road to Madison’s Vincent William Winery feels like escaping to a remote lakeside retreat. And there’s a good reason for that. The 16,000-square-foot lakeside manor was originally intended to be a private home before the plans fell through and owner Michael Profeta purchased it in 2015. 

After working on the structure for eight years, he transformed it with his own personal vision and touches — from the Italian-inspired speakeasy in the basement to the handcrafted wooden accents that decorate the winery’s interior. 

“I’m not trying to become an award-winning winemaker in the region,” Profeta says. “[I’m] just trying to make some good wine, give people an experience and leave something for my kids.”

Opened in 2024, the space features an elegant dining room and bar, an open kitchen, a spacious outdoor patio overlooking Lake Erie, rooms for overnight stays as well as a spa and a pool and hot tub, which are open for hotel guests.

Another recent addition to Lake County’s Grand River Valley region is Fossil Creek Wine, which brothers Kevin and Don Jacobson founded in 2019. (They are also the ones who designed and constructed their winery’s rustic tasting room that opened in 2024.) Located on a 14-acre property close to where the siblings grew up, the winery pulls from the pair’s childhood memories of exploring the area and searching for fossils along the creek bed.

The exterior of the tasting room features a two-story deck that overlooks the surrounding woods and ravine. Visitors can relax outside while enjoying locally produced wines,  including the winery’s own German-style riesling, as well as small plates and appetizers.

Also located in the Grand River Valley region, Cask 307 offers a laid-back yet upscale atmosphere for sampling unique wine varieties. Originally started as a tasting room, Cask 307 now focuses on producing small-batch wines — like the popular bourbon barrel chardonnay and the fumé  blanc — as well as a rotating menu of cocktails and beer from the local Double Wing Brewing Co.

The food menu is on the smaller side but shines with offerings like artisanal flatbreads, sandwiches and appetizers such as warm focaccia bread with an oil dip. In the summer, visitors can lounge on the pet-friendly patio or take a stroll through the wildflower fields.


Family Fun
One of the biggest draws for summer fun in Lake County is Mentor Rocks, a free weekly concert series held at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater. Between June 3 and Aug. 26, attendees can see a wide range of artists perform each Tuesday night starting at 7 p.m.

Visitors can sprawl out on the 4-acre lawn and see family-friendly acts while enjoying a meal or drink from the 13 food trucks that roll in each week. This year’s lineup includes national headliners like Gavin DeGraw and Eli Young Band, as well as world-class tribute bands that emulate the sounds of Linkin Park, Journey, Maroon 5 and more.

“We’ve been pretty lucky so far. The bands we’ve had have all delivered,” says Ante Logarusic, who serves as communications officer for the city of Mentor and helps organize the summer concert series. “Now, we’re drawing bands from Canada. We’re drawing bands from across the U.S., from Los Angeles to New York. We’re also bringing in international bands.”

For those seeking quieter fun, head to Fairport Harbor Creamery to enjoy a sweet treat and a round of miniature golf. The creamery is known throughout Fairport Harbor for serving up classic ice cream with a unique twist. The shop makes its own sauces and mix-ins in-house and even offers boozy varieties for the 21-and-older crowd. The recently added nine-hole miniature golf course provides some extra fun for families either before or after they dig into their ice cream.

Any family-friendly tour of Lake County should include a visit to Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. The park offers hands-on, educational experiences for kids that allows them to milk cows, visit with baby animals, watch live sheep-herding and shearing demonstrations and more. 

“The mission of the Farmpark is, very simply, to teach people where their food and fiber comes from,” Palagyi says. “We get a lot of Lake County kids who don’t necessarily understand where their food comes from.” The Farmpark is open year-round, with each season offering a different way to learn. “In the summer, it’s a growing season. So, we have a lot of things that we can show people. …” Palagyi says. “It really depends on the time of year what you can go and see.”

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Cask 307
cask307.com

Fairport Harbor Creamery
fairportharborcreamery.com

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park
lakemetroparks.com

Fossil Creek Wine
fossilcreekwine.com

Headlands Beach State Park
parks.ohiodnr.gov

Lake Metroparks Farmpark
lakemetroparks.com

Mentor Rocks
mentorrocks.info

Osborn Park 
willoughbyohio.com

Vincent William Winery
vincentwilliamwine.com