Lake Erie Adventures

May means one thing on the north coast... boats go in the water. Before you back that trailer down the ramp, make sure you're ready. We've got the checklist that'll get you to the islands and back safely. ⚓

If you've never been to one of the Lake Erie pirate festivals, I need you to put it on your list right now. Like, this summer. Both Port Clinton and Put-in-Bay go full pirate every year in June and July, and the energy is something you really have to experience to believe. Costumes, cannons, live music, rum, boats everywhere -- it's one of those weekends where you look around and think "how did I not know about this sooner?"

Northwest Ohio's Lake Erie shoreline has earned that title, and every May, birders from around the globe show up to prove it. Daily tallies of 120+ species are common. You might not even need binoculars.