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.

Best Tram Tours — Lorain County Metro Parks

Hop aboard a free summer tram ride through Lorain County’s Metro Parks for an easygoing tour of forests, wetlands and gardens.

Best Pancakes — Sandusky Bay Pancake House

Stack up pancakes, local ingredients and a playful coffee creation at this Sandusky breakfast favorite.

Best New Boutique — Erie & Main

Erie & Main brings a sophisticated, curated take on Coastal decor to Marblehead, with a mix of reclaimed furniture, nautical art and understated lake-inspired pieces.

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.

Best New Winery — Corkscrew Taphouse Winery + Tasting Bar vs. Monarch Meadow Vineyard

Two new Ashtabula County wineries bring distinctly different personalities to Ohio’s Grand River Valley wine scene.

Best New Eats in Ontario — The Green Room

A new Port Dover hangout blends bistro fare, speakeasy vibes and a stylish setting.

Best Soy Candles — Island Sham Farmhouse

At this Sandusky candle shop, you can blend more than 200 fragrances into a custom scent and choose a vintage or eclectic vessel to make it your own.

Best Pedestrian Connection — Gordie Howe Bridge

The new Gordie Howe Bridge connects Detroit and Windsor with a free cross-border trail for walkers and bicyclists.

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 New View — The Galley

Dine just feet from the water at The Galley, a new restaurant with sailboat views, a big patio and an approachable menu.