End of Summer 2025

Summer 2025 comes to an official close in a month (who knows if the weather will sync up with the calendar), so along with your summer reading list take time to schedule an outdoor summer outing or two.

Here are 5 hot ideas.

1. Explore Lake Erie islands

You don’t need a private boat to visit the four Lake Erie islands, including Pelee Island in Canada. Ferries depart multiple times daily from Port Clinton and Marblehead for South Bass and Kelleys islands, and more limited ferry schedule from Port Clinton to Middle Bass Island and Sandusky to Pelee Island.

Can’t decide which island to visit?

If you’re looking for lots of activities – shops, restaurants, museums and the like – head to South Bass, home of Put-in-Bay, often fondly called the “Key West of the North.” The party vibe is strong on weekends, but weekdays are less crowded and more family-friendly.

A must-see – which you will see long before your boat docks – is the 352-feet Perry’s Victory and International Peace Monument. You can access the observation deck via an elevator (for a fee) with a national park service ranger or visit the Visitors Center (free) and learn all about the Battle of Lake Erie and the “Don’t Give Up The Ship” spoken by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

An attraction that just reopened after a year-long renovation is the Aquatic Visitor Center.

According to Cleveland.com:

“The renovated center features two floors of exhibits, nearly doubling the public space to more than 10,000 square feet. Exhibits include numerous tanks and runs with live animals including long nose gar, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch and walleye, plus lake sturgeon and sea lamprey. The previously endangered Lake Erie water snake will also be on display. As in years past, children under age 16 will be able to fish for free from center’s pier with provided equipment.”

Kelleys Island’s downtown is smaller than PIB and overall a quieter island and home to Kelleys Island State Park, an excellent place to swim and explore the glacial groves, and many birdwatching sites. Middle Bass Island is even smaller, home to Middle Bass Island State Park and a few restaurants.

Also quiet and laid-back is Pelee Island, where you get a touch of Canadian hospitality and rural life. (Don’t forget your passport.)

Though you can bring your car on most of the ferries, the best way to tour all four islands is to rent a bike (or bring your own for an extra charge on the ferry) or golf cart. Almost every turn on the flat island terrains will give you a lakefront view.

2. Swim in the Great Lake

The North Shore has several beaches for swimming, a few with lifeguards, but be sure to check the state’s water quality updates before you go.

Nearby beaches include Huntington Beach in Bay Village, Lakeview Park Beach in Lorain, Main Street Beach in Vermilion, Nickel Plate Beach in Huron and East Harbor State Park in Marblehead (photographed above). If you really want embrace the outdoors, consider pitching a tent at East Harbor or another favorite park.

3. Ice Cream Stands & Wine Patios

Many ice cream stands (Pied Piper in Huron, Romp’s in Vermilion, Honey Hut at Huntington) are seasonal so make sure you get your fill before they close. And while most wineries are year-round, many have outdoor patios and pavilions featuring live music during the warm months.

The state has so many wineries that there’s now seven wine trails to explore.

4. Lorain County Fair

Begun in 1846 and located in Wellington, the Lorain County Fair is Ohio's second largest county fair.

The fair runs from Aug. 17 to Aug. 24 and is a great place to get your fill of farm animals, fair fare and family-friendly entertainment and contests. For some families, attending the fair is an intergenerational tradition, maybe for you a one-and-done.

5. Solo Nature Outing

As summer 2025 winds down, maybe the woods are calling to you. There are plenty of trails to choose from in the Lorain County Metro Parks, The Nature Conservancy and other nearby local and state parks.

Maybe add “forest bathing” to your walk, which is basically paying attention to all your senses.

Here are some DIY tips for forest bathing from Forestry England:

• Turn off your devices to give yourself the best chance of relaxing, being mindful and enjoying a sensory forest-based experience.
• Slow down. Move through the forest slowly so you can see and feel more.
• Take long breaths deep into the abdomen. Extending the exhalation of air to twice the length of the inhalation sends a message to the body that it can relax.
• Take in your surroundings using all of your senses. How does the forest environment make you feel? Be observant, look at nature’s small details.
• Sit quietly using mindful observation; try to avoid thinking about your to-do list or issues related to daily life. You might be surprised by the number of wild forest inhabitants you see using this process.

You could also spend a “Sabbath Day” at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma, which welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds. Two upcoming “Sabbath Days” are Aug. 23 and Sept. 16.