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
  • 🌍 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.

By bike

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

See

Architecture
  • 🌍 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)
  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 Kent State University at Ashtabula, 3300 Lake Rd W, ☏ +1 440 964-3322, . 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

Do

Nature
  • 🌍 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). 
  • 🌍 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

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

Buy

Eat

Budget

Mid-Range

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. 
  • 🌍 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

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Bed and Breakfasts

Camping

Connect

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


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