Family Fun

Hours are Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Admission to the museum and most exhibits is free, though special exhibitions or events may require purchase of a ticket.
2445 Monroe St., Toledo
419-255-8000 or 800-644-6862, www.toledomuseum.org

Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo is recognized as one of the world’s most complete zoos, and one of the region’s top family destinations. It boasts over 6,000 mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates representing over 750 species, and innovative exhibits also get you up close to many of your favorites.

Each year, nearly one million people visit the zoo to experience the wonders of the natural world, stroll the scenic grounds and explore the historic WPA-era buildings. Zoo highlights include the Arctic Encounter, the Africa! exhibit, Nature’s Neighborhood children’s area and more.

The Toledo Zoo is known for being at the forefront of many conservation efforts, working to preserve endangered and threatened species--from butterflies and birds to crocodiles and elephants. The zoo participates in dozens of important breeding programs that are helping to ensure a future for some truly amazing species.
2 Hippo Way, Toledo
419-385-4040, www.toledozoo.org

Imagination Station
Ready to experience the unexpected? Explore the exciting? The Imagination Station – Toledo’s hands-on science museum – promises to immerse visitors of every age in a multi-sensory experience that’s as fun as it is educational.  Defy gravity as you ride the High Wire Cycle 20 feet above the atrium; or visit the Learning Worlds designed to focus on a specific science genre – Energy Factory, Mind Zone, Water Works, Little  Kidspace, and more. A number of special exhibits and events are planned throughout the year.

One Discovery Way, Toledo
419-244-2674, www.imaginationstationtoledo.org

Sandpiper Boat
The 100-passenger canal boat replica cruises upriver past elegant estates and yacht clubs or down river toward Lake Erie.

Lunch and dinner cruises, ecological and historical tours and educational field trips are available. Special cruises include Discover the River Cruises, Fall Color Cruises, Sunset and City Lights Cruises and Halloween Boat Rides for Kids.

Jefferson Ave. and North Summit Street, (Promenade Park), Toledo
419-537-1212, www.sandpiperboat.com

Toledo Botanical Garden
Originally consisting of 20 acres donated by George P. Crosby to the City of Toledo, Toledo Botanical Garden now encompasses more than 60 acres of beauty, tranquility and opportunities for exploration and reflection. It is currently a public/private partnership between Metroparks and the non-profit Toledo Botanical Garden Board, Inc. in collaboration with the City of Toledo.

A living museum for plants, Toledo Botanical Garden’s notable gardens include shade,  perennial, English border, aquatic, herb, rose, dahlia and grass, among others.

Special events include the Crosby Festival of the Arts (June 24-26), summertime jazz concerts, and Heralding the Holidays (Dec. 2-4), a seasonal celebration showcasing the numerous resident artistic guilds.
5403 Elmer Dr. Toledo
419-536-5566, www.toledogarden.org

Tony Packo’s Café
Tony Packo’s is famous for its Hungarian-style hot dogs. for its hot dog buns signed by movie stars, other celebrities and U .S. Presidents and for its frequent mention by Toledo’s Jamie Farr on the TV series M*A*S*H*.

In addition to the flagship eatery, Packo’s has a location across from Fifth Third Field, home of the Toledo Mud Hens, and at some of The Andersons stores in the Toledo area.
1902 Front St., Toledo
800-366-4218, www.tonypackos.com
 

The Butterfly House
Hundreds of live butterflies from North America, Central America and Asia can be seen in a beautiful indoor garden setting. Open May 1 through Sept. 30 and weekends in October.
11455 Obee Rd., Whitehouse
419-877-2733,www.butterfly-house.com 

Sundance Kid Drive-In
The drive-in, located across from Pearson Park, features two first-run films on two screens April through October. The 50’s style drive-in has all the nostalgia and the best in FM Stereo sound. Our concession stand will make your mouth water with all your favorites and the Butch Cassidy Canteen, an outside concession wagon, serves up carnival favorites.

Admission prices are $8 per adult and $3 each for children 6-12. (Children ages 5 and under are free.)
4500 Navarre Ave., Oregon
419-691-9668, greateasterntheatres.com

Green spaces
Metroparks of the Toledo Area
Metroparks of the Toledo Area preserves many of Lucas County’s most unique natural and historical features, from Ohio’s only “moving” sand dunes to the 35-room Georgian colonial home of an auto baron.

• Locally, Pearson Metropark, located at 761 Lallendorf Rd., Oregon, is one of the last remaining stands of the Great Black Swamp, a notorious forest that once blanketed much of northwest Ohio. The thick woods and location close to Lake Erie make Pearson a favorite stopover for a wide variety of migrating birds.

Buildings, shelters, bridges, ponds and a garden with a waterfall were built by workers enrolled in Depression-era work programs, such as the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps.

Park attractions include a pedal boat concession, sledding hill, a “Window on Wildlife,” playground, ball diamonds, tennis courts, fishing and an 1800s Black Swamp cabin.

Open 7 a.m. until dark every day; extended hours for winter recreation.
Metroparks of the Toledo Area
419-407-9700, www.metroparkstoledo.com
 • Maumee Bay State Park at Cedar Point and North Curtice roads along the Oregon-Jerusalem Township border offers a two-mile elevated boardwalk plus an observation tower amidst swamplands, marsh, scenic meadows and woods that are teeming with wildlife and birds. The park features lakeshore and inland beaches, a marina and a conference center and resort hotel that also has a golf course and rental cabins.

419-836-1466, www.maumeebaystateparklodge.org.
  • Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area. With more than 2,000 acres of prime habitats and more than 300 species sighted in the past, Magee Marsh is a birding “hot spot.” A handicap-accessible boardwalkwinds through marshlands reminiscent of what was once the Great Black Swamp. Birders gather and compare sightings at the Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center and an observation tower.

13531 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor
Magee Marsh, 419-898-0960, www.friendsofmageemarsh.org.
• Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, located at 14000 W. SR 2. The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1961 to preserve habitat for migrating birds. Staff at the refuge also manage Cedar Point and West Sister Island refuges. The three refuges together now protect approximately 9,000 acres of habitat and some of the last remnants of the Great Black Swamp in the heart of the Lake Erie marshes.

Ottawa Refuge has been designated as a site of regional significance in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. In 2002, “Birders World” readers voted the refuge as one of their Top 15 favorite spots to see birds, and the American Bird Conservancy has identified the refuge as an Important Bird Area.
419-898-0014, fws.gov/midwest/Ottawa
• The Wood County Park District oversees several park facilities in the county, including Cedar Creeks Preserve, a 42-acre tract located east of Walbridge where Woodville Road (SR 51) crosses Walbridge Road. The park is an excellent example of the former Black Swamp that once covered a large portion of Northwest Ohio and includes hiking trails, a footbridge, picnic tables, restrooms and an information kiosk.
419-353-1897, woodcountyparkdistrict.org

• The Sandusky County Park District operates 10 facilities, including the 93-acre Wolf Creek Park, 160-acre Blue Huron Reserve, the Mull Covered Bridge, the 310-acre Creek Ben Farm and others. White Star Park, located south of Gibsonburg on SR 300, has a quarry up to 40 feet deep that is used by scuba divers throughout the region as well as for non-power boating and fishing; a beach with changing rooms and a concession stand, and a campground located across from the park’s main entrance that has electric and water hookups and primitive campsites on a reservation basis.

In addition, the park offers picnic tables, grills, well water, restrooms, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, playfield, nature trails, mountain bike trails, shelters, day camp area and more.

419-334-4495, 1-888-200-5577, www.lovemyparks.com

 • East Harbor State Park, 1169 N. Buck Rd off SR 269 in Marblehead, on the shores of Lake Erie. The park has unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping are popular while nature enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of waterfowl, shorebirds and other species of wildlife found in the park’s scenic wetlands.

419-734-4424, 1-866-664-6727, www.dnr.ohio.gov/parks/parks/eastharbor.htm or www.eastharborstatepark.org

• Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, 110 Lighthouse Dr., Marblehead Marblehead Lighthouse, one of Lake Erie’s best known and most-photographed landmarks, is one of Ohio's newest state parks. The grounds surrounding the lighthouse offer excellent picnicking and views of Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island. Tours are offered on summer weekdays after Memorial Day until the Friday before Labor Day and on the second Saturday of the month May through October.

A museum, located in the Keeper's House and operated by the Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society, is open whenever the tower is open.
419-734-4424 ext. 2, dnr.state.oh.us/parks

Schedel Arboretum & Gardens
The Schedel Arboretum was home to Joseph and Marie Schedel for more than 50 years before opening to the public in 1991.

The arboretum has more than 17 scenic acres that border along the Portage River the Ohio Turnpike, just outside of Elmore. See gardens of nearly 20,000 annuals, roses, perennials, irises and lilies, including a Japanese garden complete with Torii, waterfall, pools, lanterns, bridges and a pagoda. A number of special exhibits and events are planned throughout the year, including exhibits in the Trellis Gallery, which has become a showcase for local artists. Group tours of the grounds and mansion are available by appointment.

Regular hours May-October, Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. Closed Mondays.
19255 W. Portage River South Rd., Elmore
419-862-3182, schedel-gardens.org

Religious sites
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
The grotto at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Genoa is constructed of “tufa,” fossilized vegetation found in the “blue hole” at Castilia, O. A ground-level statue of a praying Saint Bernadette Souberious looks up admiringly at Our Lady. The grounds include a small altar, an adjoining bell tower of tufa, arches and outdoor Stations of the Cross in hand-carved Italian bronze.
204 S. Main St., Genoa, 419-855-8501
Our Lady of Toledo Shrine

Our Lady of Toledo Shrine is a place of prayer, quiet reflection and healing. All faiths are welcome. The garden and well are open during daylight hours.
655 S. Coy Rd., Oregon
419-697-7742

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral
Visitors will be moved by the beauty of the cathedral’s Old World style, and by the visual strength of its symbol as the primary church of Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo. The cathedral is Spanish Plateresque in design – the only one of its kind in North America. Thousands have been inspired by the graceful beauty of its piers and arches; by the richly decorated nave ceiling with scenes from Old Testament, the half-domed apse embellished by frescoes in the Keim process, and by one of its most striking gems, the Rose Window, which sparkles and radiates in the changing light of the eastern sun.
2535 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo
419-244-9575, www.rosarycathedral.org

Sorrowful Mother Shrine
The Sorrowful Mother Shrine features 120 acres of wooded splendor, plus 40 points of interest including grottos, Sorrowful Mother Chapel, Pieta Outdoor Chapel, plus the Stations of the Cross. Founded in 1850, the original shrine is the oldest place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary in the Midwest.

Cafeteria, picnic area and gift shop available. Handicap accessible. There is no cost, however freewill offerings are accepted.
4106 SR 269, Bellevue
419-483-3435, www.sorrowfulmothershrine.com

Country Lane Tree Farm
Built in 1883 the Country Lane Tree Farm, which is still a working agricultural and animal farm, is a local favorite for educational and family entertainment, spring through the Christmas holidays.

Farm animals to see and pet, hayrides, corn mazes, barrel train rides, a craft barn, snack shop and much more await visitors.
3525 N. Bolander Rd.
Genoa, OH 43430
419-461-1298, www.countrylanetreefarm.com

African Safari Wildlife Park
Come for a day of fun, education and entertainment at African Safari drive-through safari, home of more than 400 of the world’s most beautiful and exotic animals.

Safari fun also includes camel and pony rides, entertaining and educational animal shows, pig races, a gift shop, picnic facilities, a snack bar and café and grill.

Open through Dec. 4 (subject to change). Open daily rain or shine.
267 S. Lightner Rd., Port Clinton
800-521-2660, www.africansafariwildlifepark.com

Castaway Bay
The Caribbean meets Sandusky at this resort destination for vacationers. With its tropical theme, guests at Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay feel like they have just landed on an island paradise upon entering this lush indoor waterpark resort. Castaway Bay features 237 hotel rooms and suites including family-oriented units, a 38,000-square-foot indoor waterpark with water activities for all ages, a day spa, fitness center, arcade, a craft and child activity center, restaurants, retail shops and adjacent marina.
2001 Cleveland Rd. (US 6), Sandusky
419-627-2500, castawaybay.com

Cedar Point, Soak City & Challenge Park
Voted “The World’s Best Amusement Park” for 13 years running, Cedar Point has more than 150 rides, shows and attractions on 364 acres. The park features the world’s largest collection of roller coasters – 17 in all, along with more than 50 other rides.

New for 2011 is WindSeeker, a beachside thriller that will take riders almost 30 stories in the sky and spin them around with nothing between their feet and the ground below. Families with young children will find plenty to enjoy at Cedar Point, with four areas designed for little ones, including Planet Snoopy, with seven rides and special live appearances by Peanuts characters.

Park visitors also thrill to “All Wheels Extreme” performances by stunt bikers and skateboarders; high-energy live musical shows; and “Starlight Experience,” which transforms the Frontier Trail into a sparkling wonderland of lights and music.

In September and October, HalloWeekends are another reason to scream at Cedar Point. Coaster thrills combine with spooky chills and monstrous fun for little ones in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Open May 14-Sept. 5, daily; and weekends Sept. 16-Oct. 30 for HalloWeekends.

Soak City
Splish splash till your heart’s content at Soak City, an 18-acre waterpark next to Cedar Point. The park includes Splash Zone, a huge bucket and multi-story play area; Breakers Bay half-million gallon wave pool; rafting fun on Zoom Flume; body slides, tube slides, and inner tube rivers. Choo-Choo Lagoon and Tadpole Town offer big fun for little ones. For adults, there’s Bubbles Swim-Up Bar a special area with a hot tub. Soak City guests can also enjoy the sandy Cedar Point Beach on Lake Erie. Open May 28-Sept. 5. www.cedarpoint.com.

Challenge Park
Located between Cedar Point and Soak City, Challenge Park activity complex features the RipCord Skycoaster, two high-speed go-kart tracks, two 18-hole miniature golf courses and Skyscraper, a thrilling ride that spins riders in a circular motion 16 stories above the ground at speeds of 55 mph.

Admission to Cedar Point or Soak City not required. Each attraction has a separate fee.

Open daily May 14-Sept. 5 and weekends through Oct. 30.
1 Cedar Point Dr., (off US 6), Sandusky
419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center is a year-round, multi-attraction amusement center that offers thrills and expanded holiday entertainment.

Ride the fastest and tallest virtual roller coaster in Ohio in the XD 4D theater or brave the yearround, nationally ranked haunted house. After Halloween, Ghostly Manor transforms to a North Pole Adventure with the Christmas Wonderland 3D Family Walk Thru. Take the ultimate “Snow Ride” with awesome thrills and chills and don’t miss the annual Christmas Light Show. Call for hours.
3319 Milan Rd. (US 250), Sandusky
419-626-4467, ghostlymanor.com

Glacial Grooves
The world’s largest accessible glacial grooves, these scars in the limestone bedrock were carved 18,000 years ago by the ice sheet that covered part of North America. Open year-round during daylight hours.
Division Street, Kelleys Island
ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/nw08

Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge is an all-suites, full-service, family destination indoor waterpark resort featuring a Northwoods atmosphere and family-friendly amenities including a 41,000-square-foot indoor entertainment area featuring a grand-scale waterpark, spacious outdoor pool, arcade, fitness room, kids’ arts and crafts center, family restaurants, , gift shop and performing Great Clock Tower.
4600 Milan Rd. (US 250), Sandusky
800-641-WOLF (9653), greatwolf.com

Kalahari Resort
Once you cross over the bridge, you’ll feel a world away at Kalahari resort.

Surf indoors 365 days a year or take on the Zip Coaster uphill water roller coaster at America’s largest indoor waterpark.

Spa Kalahari and Salon, Candy Hut, Ivory Coast Lounge, Great Karoo Marketplace Restaurant, Zakanaka Kids, Madagascar Indoor Mini Golf, Safari Adventures and much more await. Catch some rays at Kalahari’s outdoor pool complex from Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting). Call for day pass information.
7000 Kalahari Dr. (off US 250), Sandusky
877-KALAHARI (525.2427), KalahariResorts.com

Monsoon Lagoon Waterpark & Resort
Monsoon Lagoon waterpark and family entertainment complex features aquatic adventures including six waterslides, a lazy river, an adult pool with swim-up Tiki bar, and Adventure Island Tree House with 17 levels.

Miniature golf, bumper boats, grand prix cars and a gaming arcade round out a day of family fun. Open May 28-Sept. 5.

Routes 2 & 269 (1530 N Danbury Rd), Marblehead
419-732-6671, monsoonlagoonwaterpark.com

Seneca Caverns - Registered Natural Landmark
Go caving at “The Caviest Cave” where you can walk natural stone steps and pathways through “the earth crack” and past the Ole Mist’ry River. Pan for gemstones at Seneca Mining Company.

Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; May and September through mid-October, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
15248 E. Twp. Rd. 178 (off SR 269 S), Bellevue
419-483-6711, senecacavernsohio.com

S.S. Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship
In the shadow of the Toledo skyline, moored alongside the rolling landscape of International Park, a splash of history and romance await aboard the S.S. Willis B. Boyer.

Upon her launching in 1911, the ship, then called the Col. James M. Schoonmaker, was proclaimed “The World’s Largest Bulk Freighter.” She maintained her crown as “Queen of the Lakes” from July 1, 1911 to April 14, 1914, establishing multiple cargo records for iron ore, coal and rye cargoes.

Now celebrating its hundredth year, the Boyer serves as a floating testament to Toledo’s rich maritime heritage. Retired in 1980 and opened as a museum in 1987, visitors will be awed by the massive engine room, posh officer's dining room, stainless steel galley and the captain's quarters. The Boyer opens for the season May 1 and remains open until October 31.
International Park, 26 Main St., Toledo
419-936-3070, www.willisbboyer.org

Toledo Firefighters Museum
Tales of firefighting 150 years ago come alive at the Toledo Firefighters Museum.

Located in the “Old Number 18 Fire House,” the display includes many large pieces of vintage firefighting equipment, including an 1837 Neptune – Toledo’s first fire pumper. Lovingly restored by Toledo firefighters, the hand-pulled, hand-operated Neptune required a 20-man crew and could deliver about 300 gallons of water per minute.

In addition, visitors will see sweat sticks used to sweep lather from horses, fire gongs, antique fire toys, vintage uniforms and more.
918 Sylvania Ave., Toledo
419-478-3473, www.toledofiremuseum.com
 

Brandville School
The Historic Brandville School, built in 1882, has been refurbished and now houses the Oregon-Jerusalem Historical Society. Local history memorabilia, artifacts and a Civil War collection, including the refurbished 19th century oil painting of the 1864 Volunteer Light Artillery Group, are featured.

A replica of a carriage house was constructed at the complex to display the Oregon-Jerusalem Historical Society’s growing display. The first floor houses a replica of a local general store, while the second floor has vignettes of a doctor’s office and a living area displaying sections of a bedroom and a parlor. Farm implements are also on display, in addition to a one-horse sleigh and many tools and devices used by local tradesmen in bygone eras.
Open 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Thursdays (excluding holidays). Call to arrange tours for groups of four or more. No charge; donations accepted.
1133 Grasser St., Oregon
419-693-7052, www.ojhs.org

Historic Genoa
The Town Hall looms over the village of Genoa, its bell tower visible for blocks. Originally built as the Genoa Opera Hall, it was constructed in 1883 and housed its first performance in 1886. The building immediately became the hub of activity in the village and council meetings are still held there.

Built in the Gothic revival style, the structure features eight ornamental chimneys, and a hand-carved sandstone mask of Dionysius, the Greek God of theater, which rests over the main entrance. The Town Hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, houses the mayor’s office and the village council chambers on the first floor. The second floor is used by Genoa’s Civic Theater.

Genoa Privy, built to serve as Genoa’s first school, is believed to be the only brick outhouse on the National Register of Historic Places.
Downtown Genoa
www.genoaohio.org

Elmore Depot & Matti Heckman Log House
The Elmore Historical Society purchased 1860s Elmore Depot in 1981, along with 2.5 acres of land. The society undertook an extensive renovation, and the building now houses memorabilia from Elmore’s past.

The Society also owns and maintains an 1840s log house; Matti Heckman, who taught third grade to many in the area, lived in the house. In 1983, society members dismantled, relocated and rebuilt the Heckman log house, adding an elaborate flagstone fireplace and porch, and furnishing it with artifacts from its era.
Rice Street, Elmore
419-260-1282
www.elmorehs.tripod.com

Woodville Historical Museum
Woodville Historical Museum, operated by the Woodville Historical Society, features materials and artifacts documenting the rich history of the small village located on the banks of the Portage River about 20 miles east of Toledo.

Among the items on display is a collection of Native American artifacts believed to go back thousands of years, pictures of early Woodville, a complete collection of school yearbooks and copies of the local newspapers from 1927 through 1978.

Museum visitors can learn about the 1900s oil boom, Indians in the Woodville area, lime plants, early schools, the Lake Shore Electric rail system that once traveled between Toledo and Cleveland and more.

Open March through December, Wednesdays and Fridays 2 – 4 p.m. Additional hours: June through August, Wednesdays 6 – 8 p.m. and by appointment.
107 E. Main St., Woodville
419-849-2349

Northcoast Veterans Museum
The Northcoast Veterans Museum is a tribute to those who have served in the uniformed service of the United States, especially those who have lost their lives in combat or training.

The dramatic and colorful military displays include weapons, uniforms, pictures, memorabilia, military accessories, tents and first aid from the Civil War to present. The museum is also working on a collection of books that details information about Ohio veterans.

Open 5:30 – 8 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Memorial Day, July 4 and Veteran’s Day. Group tours by appointment.
Williams Park, 411 North Main St., Gibsonburg
419-332-5912 or 419-332-4812
www.gibsonburgveteranmemorial.org

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center
Original White House gates lead the way to the nation’s first presidential center and museum, – a tribute to 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes.

The facility is built on 25 acres of the President's beloved “Spiegel Grove” estate and includes his 31-room Victorian mansion, museum, library and burial site. The exhibit galleries house nearly 1,800 artifacts on permanent display, including exhibits devoted to President Hayes’s military service, his political roles and details of his personal life.

A number of special events and exhibits are presented, including “Croquet: A Sport Story” (through Aug. 1); “CIVIL WAR: Battlefield and Homefront” (April 12 – Jan. 19, 2012); Verandah Concerts/Ice Cream Socials, an Independence Day concert; Civil War Re-Enactment (Oct. 1-2); the Hayes Train Special (Nov. 27 – Jan 8, 2012) and Sleigh Rides in Spiegel Grove (Dec. 27-31), among others.
Corner of Hayes and Buckland Avenues, Fremont
800-998-PRES (7737). www.rbhayes.org

Pemberville highlights
Pemberville’s historic Pember-Furry House and One-Room School take visitors back in time to the 19th century. Believed to be the community’s oldest existing building, the Furry House was built by village founder James Pember, and eventually was home to long-time residents Jacob H. Furry and his daughter, Minnie.

Featuring unique architectural details and authentic period furnishings, the house sits adjacent to the One Room School, where Pemberville’s youth learned “readin’ and writin’” at the turn of the century. Admission is free; these highlights are open by appointment from spring through fall.
324 E. Front St., Pemberville
419-287-3274

While in town, check out the restored railroad depot (circa 1881), with railroad and Pemberville memorabilia on display. Open May through October by appointment (419-287-4114) and during community events.

Wood County Historical Center & Museum
Several exhibits at the Wood County Historical Center and Museum help tell the story of the county’s history. More than 30 rooms cover historical elements from the native people of Northwest Ohio, the Black Swamp, Oil and Gas Boom, various clothing and decorating styles, and trends in medicine, politics and government.

The center also offers a variety of special programs and events throughout the year, including a series of Victorian teas, Civil War Encampment (April 16-17), Wood County Heritage Days (June 11-12), Halloween Folklore & Funfest (Oct. 15), and Old Home Holiday Tours (Dec. 3-18).

Open Tuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. From April 2 to Oct. 30, also open Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Closed Mondays and holidays, and in November and January. Special extended holiday hours are available from Dec. 2-18.
13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
419-352-0967, www.woodcountyhistory.org

Fort Meigs State Memorial Park
Fort Meigs is a War of 1812 battlefield in Perrysburg, featuring a reconstructed fort and museum to help bring history alive. Fort Meigs is one of fifty-eight sites within the Ohio Historical Society.

Under the command of future President William Henry Harrison, Fort Meigs helped defend the Northwest Territory against attacks by the British and the Native Americans during the War of 1812.

A replica of America’s largest walled fort, Fort Meigs offers several re-enactments featuring soldiers in period costumes, such as Drums at the Rapids (May 20-21); First Siege 1813 (May 28-29); Memorial Day Commemoration (May 30); Muster on the Maumee (June 18-19); Independence Day 1813 (July 2-4); Life in Early Ohio (Aug. 20-21); Ordinary History, Extraordinary Women (Sept. 23-25); Garrison Ghost Walk (Oct. 21-22 & 28-29); The World at War: Miniature War Gaming Day (Nov. 5); and Holiday Open House (Dec. 11).

Fort is open April – October: Wednesday – Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12 – 5p.m. Museum open year-round.
29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg
800-283-8916, www.fortmeigs.org

Bluebird Passenger Train - Toledo Lake Erie & Western Railway & Museum, Inc.
Board the train in Waterville for a 15-mile round trip on the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway. The trip takes 40 minutes and includes a spectacular view from our 900-foot long bridge over the Maumee River and the old Miami and Erie Canal in Grand Rapids, Ohio.

Call or visit the website for information about the special excursion trains, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Hobo Days, and the Haunted Halloween Trains.
49 N. Sixth St., Waterville
419-878-2177 or 1-866-63TRAIN, www.tlew.org

Canal Experience
Step back in time at the Canal Experience and discover what life was like along the Miami and Erie Canal in 1876.

Learn what canal life was like aboard The Volunteer, a 60-foot boat replica of the time period. A two-mule team pulls the boat while the crew handles the ropes and opens and closes the massive gates of the restored lock. See characters in period attire throughout the park.

Visit Isaac Ludwig Mill, The General Store, Scenic Providence Dam and Lock #44, one of the last functioning 19th century limestone locks. Shelter rental and boat charters are also available.
Providence Metropark, US24 at SR 578, Grand Rapids
419-407-9741, www.MetroparksToledo.com

The Keeper's House at Marblehead Lighthouse
Built in 1822, the historic house was home to Benajah and Rachel Wolcott. It was the residence of the first three lighthouse keepers for the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. This house was built by the same stonemason who built the Marblehead Lighthouse.

Open June to August, Monday-Saturday 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays when the Lighthouse is open to visitors. Check online for additional hours.
9999 E. Bayshore Rd., Marblehead
419-798-9339, thekeepershouse.org

Johnson’s Island Confederate Officers Prison Cemetery & Museum
During the Civil War, the U.S. Army leased 40 cleared acres of Johnson’s Island to establish a Prisoner of War Depot. During the 40 months of its existence, approximately 10,000 men were processed into the stockade. More than 200 graves mark the site. Open year-round, daily dawn-dusk. Gaydos Road. (off Bayshore Road.), Marblehead

The museum in downtown Marblehead features a scale model of the prison and many artifacts. Open Memorial Day to Oct. 1, weekends and holidays, 1-4 p.m. Contact the Johnson’s Island Preservation Society (jipres@johnsonsisland.org) for special arrangements.
3416 Columbus Ave., Sandusky
www.johnsonsisland.org

Ottawa County Historical Museum
Enjoy historical displays about Ottawa County including exhibits on Native Americans, early life and industries in Ottawa County, military history from the Civil War through WWII, Camp Perry, the “convict ship” Success and more.
126 W. Third St., Port Clinton
419-732-2237

Sandusky County Historical Society Museum
The museum is housed in a Victorian-style home built in 1884 as a wedding present for Carrie June, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David June upon her marriage to Martin Holderman. For many years the home was known as the Holderman home, and remained in the family until 1942.

The Sandusky County Historical Society purchased the property in 1981, enabling the organization to house their various artifacts under one roof. Open April through December; call for hours or to schedule an appointment.
14 Birchard Ave., Fremont
419-332-0303, www.sanduskycountyhistory.org

Merry-Go-Round Museum
The Museum’s “WILD!” exhibit displays rare and unusual carousel animals from several nationally known private collections. Located in the former U.S. Post Office, the museum celebrates the history of carousels, the carvers who made the intricate horses and other animals, and enthusiasts who enjoy them. There are only about 200 original wooden carousels remaining in the U.S. today.

The stone museum, which has a half-rotunda at the front and is listed with the National Register of Historic Places, features a restored 1939 Allen Herschell carousel that offers rides to visitors.

Spring and fall hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12 - 5 p.m. Summer hours are Monday - Saturday. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday noon -5 p..m.
301 Jackson St., Sandusky
419-626-6111, www.merrygoroundmuseum.org

Sauder Village
Connect with the past at Ohio's largest living-history village. Enjoy guided tours, period craftsmen, hands-on activities like arts and crafts and several annual events including Spring on the Farm (May 7), Dairy Days (June 14-19), Focus on Fiber Arts (June 25), Old-Fashioned 4th of July (July 2-4), Fiddle Contest & Summer on the Farm (July 9), Preserving Our Memories (July 15-16), Explore the Crafts (July 22-23), 28th Annual Doll & Teddy Bear Show & Sale (Aug. 6-7), 15th Annual Rug Hooking Exhibition (Aug. 17-20), Barbershop Sing (Aug. 27), Celebrate our Artisans (Sept. 13-18), 35th Annual Apple Butter Making (Sept. 21-24), “All Aboard” Train Event (Oct. 1-2), Fall on the Farm & Scout Day (Oct. 8), 25th Annual Woodcarvers’ Show & Sale & Butchering Day (Oct. 29-30), and Holiday Lantern Tours (Nov. 26, Dec. 2, 3, 9 & 10). Other amenities include a restaurant, inn, campground, bakery and on-site shopping.
22611 SR 2, Archbold
800-590-9755, www.saudervillage.org

Edison Birthplace Museum
Visit Thomas Edison’s 1847 birthplace; tour his boyhood home and see displays of some of his accomplishments as the world’s greatest inventor. The collection includes examples of many of Edison’s early inventions, documents, and family mementors.

Open April, May, September and October, Tuesday–Sunday 1–5 p.m.; June–August, Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 1–5 p.m.; March and November, Wednesday–Sunday 1–4 p.m.; February and December, Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m. and groups by appointment on weekdays. Closed Mondays, January and major holidays.
9 Edison Dr. (off SR 113), Milan
419-499-2135, tomedison.org

Historic Lyme Village
Explore the past as you tour the 16 buildings in this 19th-century village. Tours include an 1880s Victorian mansion, an 1836 farm home, log homes, barns, a one-room school, a general store and more. The village is also home to the Schug Hardware Museum and the National Postmark Collectors Museum and Research Center.

June through August, Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12–4 p.m.; September–October, Sunday noon - 4 p.m.
5001 SR 4 (south of SR 113), Bellevue
419-483-4949, lymevillage.com.