Beach Towns: Feast Your Eyes On Ashtabula

Sure, we may think Cleveland’s food scene is pretty impressive. But folks in Ashtabula are cooking up a culinary destination all their own. An hour drive east of Cleveland, the beach town’s Bridge Street corridor is home to a quarter-mile culinary haven with more than 11 restaurants and bars.

Start off your foodie crawl with a stop at the new Cloven Hoof Brewing Co., where you’ll find unique craft brews such as the Dragon’s Blood, made with oak chips that have been submerged in wine for one week.

For a hearty meal, grab a seat at the Rennick Meat Market. Previously featured on the Food Network, it boasts a butcher shop-themed menu with plenty of steaks and sauces — think bearnaise, blackberry port and chimichurri.

When you’ve had your fill, kick your recreation into high gear by heading north to the 28-acre Walnut Beach Park, where you’ll find a wildlife preserve, playground, volleyball courts, basketball courts, picnic tables and skate park all in one lakeside location. Or, simply take in the historic Bascule Lift Bridge at the end of the road.

It serves as a testament to the town’s longstanding history as one of the busiest ports along the Great Lakes and today acts as a community gathering place for events such as the annual Wine & Walleye Festival July 26-28 that includes a lighted boat parade, live music and a wine garden. cityofashtabula.com