Best of Lake Erie — Readers' Picks

From best hot spots and hiking destinations to fine dining, wineries, cheap eats, waterpark, boutique and more, get the scoop on all of the best places to plan your next dinner date, family outing, weekend getaway, or extended vacation.

Best Seasonal Show — The Orchard on Catawba or Gideon Owen Wine Co.

These sprawling venues offer year-round fun on Catawba Island in Ohio.

Best Picnic — Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery

Relax and recharge with a unique vintage picnic experience amid the beautiful lavender fields of Waterford, Ontario.

How to Create a Timeless, Year-Round Vacation Home

S&H Blinds & Floors offers tips to turning a summer lake house into a cozy space to welcome family and friends during any season.

Erie Flood of 1915

Discover how a massive tube saved Erie, Pennsylvania.

Best Cat Cafe — Purrista Cat Cafe

Discover a one-of-a-kind destination in Erie, Pennsylvania, where you can sip on a warm latte and mingle with adorable adoptable cats at this charming and cozy cat cafe.

Best Chocolate Concoctions — BonBonBon

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a taste of Detroit as you discover an array of unique, artfully crafted treats.

Best Fountain — Whistling Gardens

Witness a modern marvel of garden design with a visit to a breathtaking water theater in Wilsonville, Ontario, where an intricate fountain show dances to music in a tribute to classical artistry.

Nautical Trading Co. Brings Old Treasures to Lake Erie Shore

Discover this Port Clinton, Ohio, shop that finds, restores and sells salvaged ship parts.

Best Multigenerational Vacation Spot — Maumee Bay State Park

Discover a perfect family getaway on the shores of Lake Erie in Oregon, Ohio, where a variety of lodging options and endless activities ensure a memorable vacation for every generation.

Best Pickle Shot — Reel Bar

Quench your thirst for something new and quirky with a legendary island favorite served on Put-in-Bay.