Lakeside Chautauqua, OH
This season we all had to get a little more creative in feeding our wanderlust. My husband and I decided to pack up our bicycles and take a day trip to Lakeside Chautauqua near Marblehead, Ohio. This charming 1 square mile town is full of adorable cottages, beautiful landscape, charming boutiques and of course, the front row view of Lake Erie.
Business District
The business district is where most of the businesses and restaurants are. It is also near the pier on the lake. Due to this area being popular we are required to wear masks everywhere, however if you are biking or running you are not required to wear a mask as long as you keep 6 feet apart.
Recreation/Activities
Paddle Boarding
Rent a paddle board, kayak or sail boat for 30 or 60 minutes. I never realized how hard it was to balance on a paddle board until I was able to successfully stand for ONLY 3 seconds.
Miniature Golf
Add in some friendly competition with a round of 18 - hole miniature golf. We were required to wear masks throughout our game. They also sanitized all the equipment and had hand sanitizer ready for use.
Grindley Aquatics and Wellness Center
Lakeside goes above and beyond to keep their residents and visitors safe which is why they only allow 60 people at a time in the pool. There is an online reservation system where you can book 30 or 60 minutes of aquatic play. Slots do go quickly so be sure to book your time at the pool as soon as possible.
Restaurants
Lago
Six words: Your Taste Buds Will Thank Me! Seriously, this is a must in my book. We had the beef sliders that came on Hawaiian bread and the grass-fed beef patty was topped with mozzarella, bbq sauce, pineapple and bacon; it was AMAZING. The whole menu is influenced by Hawaiian, Cuban, American, Asian and Mexican cuisine.
Coffee and Cream
If you are a coffee lover then you need to grab a gourmet brew from Coffee and Cream! They had a variety of flavors and options. I went with the Buckeye and I highly recommend.
Ooh La la
Looking for dinning near the water? Ooh La La has various options under the breakfast and lunch categories. We went the the “lunch on the lake” boxed meal which came with a sandwich of our choice (made to order), chips or apple, choice of cookie and a drink. It comes packed in a little box so you can take it to a spot close to the water. We really liked this option.
The Patio
You can not go to Lakeside and not have an ice cream. The Patio has a menu and makes fresh donuts in the morning. The reason we stopped here was to get some Toft’s ice cream.
We weren’t able to dine here on our day trip due to their weekend hours but I wanted to include it so, if you went to Lakeside during the weekend, you could consider this a dining option. I have heard wonderful things on the food by Chef Stacy Maple. They also have an afternoon tea option you can reserve in advance.
Shops
The Fine Print
This one is for the book lovers! The Fine Print offers a wide range of literature for both adults and children. Plus, they carry unique toys kids will love.
Artists-N-Cahoots/Lakeside Store
This is a must see! Featuring art from creatives who volunteer to teach classes at the C. Kirk Rhein, Jr. Center for the Living Arts, Artisist-N-Cahoots takes pride is knowing all the individuals who make the art pieces. Fun fact, many of the artists are from Ohio.
J. L. Wise Clock Maker
This store’s vibrant colors is what drew me inside. They also had adorable accessories and carried the “Life is Good” brand apparel.
Marilyn’s
This store is perfect for taking home some Lakeside swag. You could easily get early holiday shopping done in this location.
Miss Mercedes
“Whimsy you didn’t know you needed!” This store has the cutest home decor, body care products and delicious packaged treats.
Memorial Garden
“Celebrating the circle of life”, Memorial Garden is part of a multi-phased Chautauqua Park development project. The park also includes scenic nature trails, sculptures, water fountains and floral landscaping. It was a great spot to just take a few moments in silence and reflect.
Whether you choose to do a day trip or a weekend get away, Lakeside Chautauqua is a great place to relax and retreat. With panoramic views of Lake Erie, walking trails, recreation and local flair; this small town will most certainly charm you. To plan your trip to the charming Lakeside Chautauqua visit : https://www.lakesideohio.com
***Disclaimer: This episode of “Small Town Charm” was comped by Lakeside Chautauqua. Opinions are Hayliestory’s and were not affected or influenced by the partnership. Small Town Charm is produced by HayRobin Media Productions LLS. Please drink responsibly.***