Best Cocktails and Mocktails — Patina Porch

Sip garden-fresh cocktails and mocktails with sunset views over the marsh at this laid-back Sandusky gathering spot.

Best Plunge — Saunagoose Cleveland

A new Scranton Peninsula retreat brings Scandinavian sauna culture and cold plunges to Cleveland’s Flats.

Best Buzz — Strawberry Shots at the Groove Bar & Grill

Kelleys Island’s iconic strawberry shots have drawn visitors for more than 30 years — and they’re still made to order, berry by berry.

Best Island Tiki Cruise — Put-in-Bay Floating Tiki

A six-passenger tiki boat brings laid-back cruises, island views and vacation vibes to Lake Erie.

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Best Chef — Darian Bryan

From Jamaica to Buffalo, Chef Darian Bryan is serving bold, vibrant flavors at three distinct dining experiences.

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How a Cleveland-Area Designer Made This Catawba Peninsula Vacation House Feel Like Home

For a family spending summers on Ohio’s Catawba Peninsula, designer Summer Alaedeen transformed a stark, open-plan house into a comfortable retreat with clever seating, layered color and spaces designed for both entertaining and everyday family life.

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Flea-Market Finds Spark Creative Ideas

A morning at Huron’s Lakefront Market becomes a lesson in seeing the possibilities in vintage finds, handcrafted goods and overlooked objects — with local makers Christine and Randy Crawford along for the creative adventure.

Best Fruit Carver — Chef Lin Repko

At Sandusky’s Rockin’ Ranch, chef Lin Repko transforms ordinary produce into extraordinary works of art, continuing a fruit-carving tradition rooted in her Thai family.

Best Breakfast Poutine — SoLo on Main in Port Stanley

A Port Stanley restaurant puts a fresh morning spin on a beloved Quebec classic.

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Save the Date to Create

Search for your next upcycle project at these fall markets and craft fairs across the Lake Erie region.

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Best Tiny Bookstore — Millie Magoo’s & The Fine Print

Head to Lakeside Chautauqua for a charming new bookstore filled with good reads, mahjong sets, puzzles and plenty of reasons to linger.

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