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Communities Back to our Home Page. Ashtabula/Saybrook With a rainbow of cultural, historic and shopping attractions, the City of Ashtabula keeps visitors hopping from place to place. Ashtabula's Main Avenue winds its way downtown where you can peruse many of the shops, dine at a quality restaurant or see a one-of-a-kind War Memorial. Visitors will also find many restaurants and affordable accommodations along Route 20. Ashtabula Mall, east of the city limits is also found off Route 20, where you can hunt for bargains and try out the latest fashions in the many shops. Traveling along Lake Avenue and to the west, you'll also find more eateries, a branch of Kent State University, a hospital and the Ashtabula Arts Center. Those seeking a connection with history will want to visit the historic harbor district. Home to the Hubbard House, the Great Lakes Marine & Coast Guard Museum, and the Finnish American Cultural Center. The district also features many quaint shops, eateries and taverns. Bed & breakfast accommodations are adjacent to Point Park, which features a lovely view of Lake Erie and Ashtabula Harbor. During the summer the entire area bustles with activity. Just west of the historic harbor district is Walnut Beach where you can splash in Lake Erie or take a walk along the shoreline. Walnut Beach is also the site of a phenomenal fireworks display annually. Held the Saturday after the Fourth of July. Lakeshore park is also a great place for fun in the sun, picnics, or disc golf. Trailed watercraft can be launched at the park for a fee. Saybrook is located just west of the city, where visitors will find golf courses, cottages, lakeside condominiums and a popular shopping plaza. Harpersfield/Austinburg Filled with abundant natural beauty and turn-of-the-century charm, the regions of Harpersfield and Austinburg offer a stunning view into the past. One of Ashtabula County's first settlements, Harpersfield boasts the longest covered bridge in Ohio. The bridge is situated in the Ashtabula County Metropark, where families can gather and picnic at one of the pavilions. People of every age are drawn to the Grand River, whether for canoeing, kayaking, fishing or simply to see its natural splendor. Silhouetted with vineyards, the rolling hills around Harpersfield are home to several award-winning, family-owned wineries. Visitors will also have the opportunity to discover the magnificent architecture of the century homes located throughout the Harpersfield/Austinburg region. Austinburg is a combination of quaintness and modern conveniences. Visitors will find a gem shop, dance hall and a prominent private school nestled in the warmth of a small town atmosphere. At the I-90 Austinburg exit, the latest modern conveniences are available to the traveler, including fast food restaurants and diners featuring homemade entrees, national chain hotels and motels, and the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Geneva Follow the warm Lake Erie breezes to the northwest corner of Ashtabula County, and you'll find the hometown treasure of Geneva. Geneva's century-old charm is sure to delight every visitor. Shoppers will find everything from antiques to hardware, as well as an elaborate Christmas store. People of every age will love treating themselves to an old-fashioned fountain soda. Golfers will enjoy teeing off at one of the area's challenging golf courses. One of the county's most popular festivals, the Great Lakes Medieval Faire takes place each summer in Trumbull Township, south of Geneva, where visitors can step into Olde England for a variety of entertainment including Jousting Knights. Burrowed around the township are many enchanting bed and breakfasts as well as scenic campgrounds. Convenient accommodations and restaurants can also be found right off I-90 at route 534. Geneva is also a prime location for farming and grape-growing, making the region home to several area wineries. Each harvest fills the many farm markets and roadside stands with an abundance of fruits, vegetables and flowers. The city of Geneva celebrates the grape harvest each year with the Grape JAMboree. Held on the last full weekend of each September, this festival draws hundreds of thousands of people with a variety of entertainers and grape products including scrumptious grape ice-cream. Geneva-on-the-Lake Just north of Geneva is Ohio's first summer resort, aptly called Geneva-on-the-Lake. Since 1869, this resort-town has been a favorite spot for visitors seeking to relax, play and have good old-fashioned family fun. Geneva-on-the-Lake's place in history is evident in the Jennie Munger Gregory Museum, where the Ashtabula County Historical society is housed, and continues with the families who return year after year to rent cottages, fish and enjoy "The Strip." A mile-long collection of convenient, affordable arcades, fun houses, restaurants, miniature golf courses and dance halls, the Strip is family entertainment at its best. To enhance summer fun, bumper boats and go-karts have recently been added to the well-loved amusement park and waterslides. One of the county's two state parks is also nearby, where visitors will find a natural beach, hiking trails, marina, cabins and several places for those family picnics. Geneva-on-the-Lake offers a variety of accommodations. Whether you wish to stay at one of the cabins or cottages, a bed and breakfast or motel, your visit is sure to leave you with many fond memories. Conneaut Situated along Lake Erie's shoreline in the northeast corner of Ashtabula County is Conneaut; a region named by the Seneca Indians meaning, "Where snows remain later." Each winter transforms this region into a scene of crisp, serene whiteness, but it is also a place where visitors can experience peace and quiet relaxation amidst beautiful natural surroundings throughout the year. Conneaut is also a place to experience history and culture. Hike through the woodlands as the Seneca Indians did and experience the region's timeless beauty. Step into a railroad depot built in 1900 to view locomotives and displays in the railroad museum. See a concert, exhibit, or antique car show at the Community Center, once a Finnish Meeting House. Or drive right into the 1950s at an old fashioned drive-in featuring root beer floats and turkey sandwiches. Along Conneaut's expansive shoreline, visitors will find a number of beaches and picturesque parks where they can experience the adventure of recreational sports or enjoy the peace of strolling along the beach. Conneaut Harbor contains marinas with all the latest conveniences as well as an array of premium restaurants. Conneaut Creek winds through the region, a favorite of those who enjoy the challenges of angling. Conneaut's golf courses will challenge and delight golfers of every level. Those who wish to set up camp here will find a number of campgrounds to fit their needs. Wine lovers can sample vintages at Conneaut's three local wineries. For lodging, visitors will find a variety of bed and breakfasts and a national chain hotel to complete a perfect stay. Kingsville Old fashioned charm and modern conveniences coincide in the friendly community of Kingsville. Located east of Ashtabula and west of Conneaut, many of the county's covered bridges can be found here, along with a pizza parlor housed inside an authentic covered bridge. At Kingsville's heart is a lovely town park where families gather and days of old come to mind. Visitors will also find places to golf, camp, roller skate and bowl. Those who enjoy old-fashioned fare will want to stop at one of the local farm markets for crisp, crunchy apples or a freshly baked pumpkin pie, while home chefs will delight in a natural food and bulk food store located in the area. Travelers will find modern conveniences at I-90 and Route 193, where a variety of motels and restaurants offer the comforts of rest and food. Grand Valley Characterized by natural splendor and rural charm, this region is made up of six small communities, Colebrook, Hartsgrove, Orwell, Roaming Shores, Rome and Windsor. Visitors to this region can visit a general store complete with penny candy and pickles from the barrel or take an unusual look at our US Presidents at an unique museum in the area. In Orwell, a museum hosts an annual antique car show. Windsor opens its arms to pilgrims from all over the globe coming to visit the world's largest statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Servants of Mary Center for Peace. The region is best known for its scenic beauty. There are plenty of woods in the area for hunting, fishing and camping throughout the year. The serenity of the region becomes especially poetic in winter when the snows fall and holiday spirit fills the air. Local Christmas tree farms provide fragrant evergreens to help make for a perfect Christmas. Jefferson At the center of Ashtabula County lies Jefferson, a place where the spirits of justice and history fill the air. This bustling community serves as the county seat and offers museums, resources and festivals to keep visitors on the go. The spirit of the rails lives on in Jefferson, where visitors can take a ride on the AC&J "High Grade" passenger train during the summer and fall, or take one of the special mystery train rides offered throughout the year. The Jefferson Depot also offers a view into the past with its displays and guided tours. The Depot is also the site of an annual strawberry festival each summer; and, each winter, warm the air with their Christmas festivities. Visitors to Jefferson will also find the world's only Victorian Perambulator Museum, as well as a historical landmark honoring Joshua Giddings, a great abolitionist. Jefferson is also home to a number of craftspeople, where one can find unique gifts such as ornately engraved glassware and eggshells or stop at a favorite basket shop just south of the town. The county fairgrounds burst with entertainment each August during the county fair and, in October, serve as the central site for the county's Covered Bridge Festival. Local restaurants greet residents and visitors alike with the friendly, hometown spirit that makes Jefferson a great place to visit. Pymatuning The southeastern part of Ashtabula County boasts one of the region's most popular vacation spots, Pymatuning Lake. Surrounded by cabins, beaches, picnic pavilions and the charming village of Andover, this 17,000 acre man-made lake attracts nature lovers throughout the year. The region offers numerous hunting and fishing opportunities for the sportsperson, while campers will find a variety of premier campgrounds to choose from. The warm summer months bustle with festivities. The Andover Street Fair, Pymatuning Lake Festival, Andover Arts and Crafts Fair and the Antique Engine Club offer an array of festivities to keep people coming back. One of the nation's last remaining drive-in theaters offers weekend entertainment, not only with movies, but popular flea markets and antique car shows as well. Shoppers of every variety will delight in the ambiance of Andover Square. Antiquers will want to make the trip to nearby Williamsfield, where they'll also find a variety of goods made by skilled Amish craftspeople. |