Ashtabula

Ashtabula is a commercial, historical, and recreational center in Ashtabula County in Northeast Ohio, roughly equidistant from Cleveland and Erie, Pa. As of 2018 census, the population is about 18,000. The name Ashtabula comes from the Lenape language, where it means "Always enough fish to be shared around".

Get in

By car

• U.S. Route 20 - Runs through town from southwest to northeast.
• Ohio State Route 11 - Runs north of town toward the south ending near Youngstown, OH.
• State Route 45 - Runs from the south, west outside of town, ending north at Lake Erie.
• State Route 84 - Runs from southwest through town ending north at Lake Erie.
• State Route 531 - Runs west to east, north of town along Lake Erie.
• Interstate 90 - Main Interstate running southwest to northeast 6 miles south of town. Best route to travel to Cleveland to the west and Erie, PA. and Buffalo, NY. to the east.

By bike

• 1 Western Reserve Greenway Trail, 2773 Ohio State Route 307 (Austinburg Trail Head), ☏ +1 440 576-0717. West Ave in Ashtabula to SR 307 in Austinburg. Trailheads are at Old Austinburg Road, 2 miles east of SR 45 off Austinburg Road, Woodman Avenue in Ashtabula, and Lampson Road. The 43-mile mostly shaded and rural paved bike trail runs to Champion Avenue East in Warren. The trail is paved and good for hiking, biking, rollerblading in summer, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter. There are 6 trailheads and parking lots along the trail. 

Get around

By car

Driving is the best way around town.

• City Taxicab & Transfer Co. 1753 W Prospect Rd, ☏ +1 440 992-2156.
• Premier Transportation 6710 N Ridge Rd W, ☏ +1 440 466-1515

By bike

At only 7 square miles, it is possible to walk or bicycle to locations within Ashtabula.

See

Architecture

• 1 Ashtabula lift bridge (West Fifth Street bridge) (in Ashtabula Harbor). This Bascule lift bridge was created in the early- to mid-1900s to accommodate marina traffic and Conrails (now Norfolk Southern) iron ore freighters. It is still in use as the main gateway to Lake Erie from the Ashtabula River. At night it is beautifully illuminated with bright blue lights that reflect in the water making the harbor glow. (updated Mar 2019)
• 2 Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse. End of Ashtabula Harbor breakwall. Established in 1836 but now not in operation. The best way to see the lighthouse is by boat since it is on a long breakwall that could be treacherous to walk. There are no tours of the lighthouse.  
• 3 Kent State University at Ashtabula, 3300 Lake Rd W, ☏ +1 440 964-3322, ashtabula@kent.edu. A regional campus of Kent State University. Notably this branch allows students to major in viticulture and enology and produces a Kent State label wine in conjunction with local vineyards. (updated Mar 2019)

Museums

• Ashtabula Maritime & Surface Transportation Museum, 1071 Walnut Boulevard (at Point Park in Ashtabula Harbor), ☏ +1 440 964-6847, info@ashtabulamaritimemuseum.org. Memorial Day-August: F-Su noon-5PM; September: Sa-Su noon-5PM. Displays tell about Lake Erie and Ashtabula Harbor history. Adults: $5, 6-16 years: $3, Children under 6: free. (updated Mar 2019)
• 4 Hubbard House UGGR Museum (Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard), 1603 Walnut Blvd (Walnut Blvd. and Lake Ave, Ashtabula Harbor), ☏ +1 440 964-8168, info@hubbardhouseugrrmuseum.org. Mem.-Labor Day: F-Su 1-5PM; or by appointment. Closed Mon and holidays. Restored home of William and Catharine Hubbard, the only northern terminus of the Underground Railroad that can be toured. Adult $5, child $3, senior $4. 
• Olin Covered Bridge Museum, ☏ +1 440 998-0025. Off SR 84, south on Dibble Road to Dewey Road, Ashtabula County's only museum of covered bridges. Memorabilia, artefacts, and educational displays. Hours - June 1 to October 31. W Sa Su 1-5PM. 

Do

Nature

• 1 Walnut Beach, Walnut Blvd. & Lake Ave. Public beach (lifeguard until 6PM, kid and pet friendly) accessible by a boardwalk. Sand dunes, walking trail, wetlands, sports facilities (tennis, basketball, and volleyball). 
• 2 Lake Shore Park, ☏ +1 440 964-3819. Lake Road and Manola (east of SR 11). Public park with a public beach, pavilions and picnic areas, playground, a boat launch, and disc golf site. 
• Point Park, Walnut St. Public park with camping that overlooks Ashtabula harbor and river, as well as the coal conveyor, shipping docks, and lift bridge. In the park see the Hulett ore unloader and Merchant Marine Memorial. (updated Mar 2019)
• Saybrook Township Park (SR 531, 2 miles west of SR 45.). Public park with picnic pavilions, playground, baseball diamond, and trail to a small, unguarded beach. (updated Mar 2019)

Fishing

• Taylor Made Charters, ☏ +1 330 719-1803. River Marina, - Walleye and Perch fishing. Lake Erie May 1 thru December 1. 

Events

• The Harbor Buzz. This generally refers to all activities in Ashtabula Harbor during the summer, including Car Shows, Beauty Pageants, Eating Contests, Raffles, Street Performers, and Stage Performers. (updated Mar 2019)

Golfing

• Chapel Hills Golf Course, toll-free: +1-800-354-9608. Austinburg Road east of SR 45, 18-hole course. Driving range also available. Open April - October, Dawn to Dusk. 

Buy

Ashtabula Harbor Commercial District

• Ashtabula Farmers Market, 1105 Bridge St (Ashtabula Harbor), ☏ +1 440 992-8362. Street vendors and local merchants bring products and services on the sidewalk, several local farms and co-ops offer fresh organic produce. 
• 1 Ashtabula Towne Square (Ashtabula Mall), 3315 N. Ridge East, ☏ +1 440 998-2020.  

Eat

Budget

• JDs Pizza, 2238 E Prospect Rd, ☏ +1 440 998-2113. 
• Luigi's Pizza & Wings, 5345 Main Ave, ☏ +1 440 992-1554. Pizza and wings for takeout or delivery (updated Mar 2019)
• Lunch Box, 1837 E 51st St, ☏ +1 440 992-5124. Take out, fast food (updated Mar 2019)
• Tony's Deli, 3523 State Rd, ☏ +1 440 998-6968. 
• Whippy Dip, 2448 W Center St, ☏ +1 440 998-2663. Ice Cream. 
• Salvato's Pizza, pizza, salads, and subs, 1810 E Prospect Rd, ☏ +1 440) 998-6477.

Mid-Range

• Capos Pizza III, 1205 Lake Ave, ☏ +1 440 964-6677. Sells pizza, pasta, wings, and grinder sandwiches. Also sells wine and craft beer. 
• Deb's Diner, 3214 State Rd, ☏ +1 440 997-0066. 
• Guyreino's Deli, 1033 Lake Ave, ☏ +1 440 964-3663. An Italian deli that sells sandwiches and pizza. 
• Kardohely's Family Restaurant, 1730 W Prospect Rd, ☏ +1 440 992-2300. A family style American restaurant. 
• The Little Pie Shop & Cafe, 5050 Lake Rd W, ☏ +1 440-536-4095. 
• Main Moon, 1030 Lake Ave ​, ☏ +1 440 998-6681. Chinese take out and dining (updated Mar 2019)

Splurge

• Alessandro's, 6540 Lake Rd W, ☏ +1 440 964-5766. Authentic Italian dining. 
• Hil-Mak Seafood Restaurant, 449 Lake Ave, ☏ +1 440 964-3222. 
• 1 Lakeway Restaurant, 729 Lake Ave, ☏ +1 440 964-7176. Seafood and Italian dining. 
• Moys Special Occasion Restaurant, 2339 West Ave, ☏ +1 440 964-6877. Chinese take out and dining, 

Drink

• Harbor Perk, 1003 Bridge St, ☏ +1 440 964-9277. Coffee house that roasts its own coffee. 
• Crow's Nest, 1257 Harmon Rd (Take Rt.11 until it ends), ☏ +1 440 964-2696. 

Sleep

Budget

• Cedar's Motel, 2015 West Prospect Road, ☏ +1 440-992-5406, toll-free: +1-800-458-2015. 
• Edge-O-Town Motel, 2328 North Ridge East, ☏ +1 440 992-8527. 
• Ho Hum Motel, 3801 N. Ridge West, ☏ +1 440 969-1136. (updated Mar 2019)

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1831 Austinburg Rd, ☏ +1 440 275-2020. 
• Red Roof Inn, 1860 Austinburg Rd, ☏ +1 440 275-2711. 

Bed and Breakfasts

• Campbell Beachhouse, 7256 Lake Rd. West, ☏ +1 740 967-1717. Lakefront ranch home (updated Mar 2019)
• Gilded Swan Bed & Breakfast, 5024 West Avenue, ☏ +1 440-992-1566, toll-free: +1-888-354-SWAN (7926). Victorian style bed & breakfast. 
• Michael Cahill Bed & Breakfast, 1106 Walnut Boulevard, ☏ +1 440 964-8449. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 
• Peggy's Bed and Breakfast, 8721 Munson Hill Road, ☏ +1 440 969-1996. Adjacent to the Western Reserve Greenway Trail. 

Camping

• Ashtabula Recreational Unlimited (ARU) Marina & Campgrounds, 1420 Great Lakes Avenue, ☏ +1 440 992-9445. Fishing and boatramp. Located on the Ashtabula River upstream of the lift bridge. Open May 1 - November 1. Kid and pet friendly. 
• Brockway Northcoast Marina & Campgrounds, 347 W. 24th St, ☏ +1 440 998-6272. Pool, hot tub, fishing, boating. Located right on the Ashtabula River with access to Lake Erie. 
• Luoma's Surfers Point Camping, 5654 Lake Road West (0.7 mile west of SR 45 on SR 531), ☏ +1 440 964-2956. Lake Erie front campground with private beach and walking trail. Open May 15-October 15. 

Connect

• 1 Ashtabula Library, 4335 Park Ave, ☏ +1 440 997-9341. Offers public computers and WiFi. (updated Nov 2018)

Go next

Youngstown, Erie, and Cleveland are around an hour away from Ashtabula.

Routes through Ashtabula

Cleveland ← Mentor ←	W  E	→ Conneaut → Erie
Cleveland ← Mentor ←	W  E	→ Conneaut → Erie
END ←	N  S	→ Jct W E → Youngstown