Ashtabula[1] is a commercial, historical, and recreational center located in Ashtabula County in Northeast Ohio. As of 2000 census, the population is 20,962.
U.S. Route Number 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.
Bascule Lift Bridge - Located in Ashtabula Harbor. This 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 beautifuly illuminated with bright blue lights that reflect in the water making the harbor glow.
The Harbor Buzz - This generally refers to all activities in Ashtabula Harbor during the summer.
Activities include
Car Shows
Beauty Pageants
Eating Contests
Raffles
Street Performers
Stage Performers
Ashtabula Farmers Market, Ashtabula Harbor. This festivity/market is the culmination of several local farms and co-ops offering fresh organic produce. The streets bustle with activity as street vendors and local merchants bring products and services on the sidewalk to capture pedestrian traffic.
Walnut Beach, Walnut Blvd. & Lake Ave. Public beach accessible by a boardwalk; also in the area are sand dunes, a walking trail, wetlands, and sports facilities (tennis, basketball, and volleyball). The beach has a lifeguard until 6pm and is kid and pet friendly.
Lake Shore Park, Lake Road and Manola (east of SR 11), 440-964-3819, [2]. Public park with a public beach, pavilions and picnic areas, playground, a boat launch, and disc golf site.
Point Park, Walnut Street. 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.
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.
Western Reserve Greenway Trail, West Ave in Ashtabula to SR 307 in Austinburg, 440-576-0717, [3]. 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 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.
Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse, End of Ashtabula Harbor breakwall, [4]. 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.
Ashtabula Marine Museum / Great Lakes Marine and Coast Guard Memorial Museum, 1071 Walnut Boulevard at Point Park in Ashtabula Harbor, 440-964-6847, [5]. Displays tell about Lake Erie and Ashtabula Harbor history. Hours: Memorial Day-August: F-Su 12-5PM; Sept: Sa-Su 12-5PM. Admission: $4 Adults, $3 6-16 years, Children under 6 free.
Hubbard House UGGR Museum, in Ashtabula Harbor on the corner of Walnut Blvd. and Lake Ave., 440-964-8168. [6]. Only northern terminus of the Underground Railroad that can be toured. Found in the restored home of William and Catharine Hubbard. Open: Mem.-Labor Day: F-Su 1PM-5PM; or by appointment.; Closed Mon and holidays.
Olin Covered Bridge Museum, off SR 84, south on Dibble Road to Dewey Road, 440-998-0025, [7] - Ashtabula County's only museum of covered bridges. Memorabilia, artefacts, and educational displays. Hours - June 1 to Oct 31. W,Sa, & Su 1PM-5PM.
Chapel Hills Golf Course, Austinburg Road east of SR 45, 1-800-354-9608, [12] - 18-hole course. Driving range also available. Open April - Oct., Dawn to Dusk.
Harbor Golf Club, Lake Road West, 440-964-5825, [13]. 18-hole course. Now public course but once was the private course for the Ashtabula Country Club. Scenic rolling hills and natural landscape. Reservations recommended.
Western Reserve Greenway, Austinburg Trail Head, 2773 Ohio State Route 307, 440-576-0717, [14]. A 43-mile, mostly shaded and rural paved bike trail that runs north-south from Ashtabula to Warren, Ohio. There are 6 trailheads and parking lots along the trail.
Albinos Meats, 2316 Lake Ave, (440) 997-0791. Fresh meats, must pre-order.
Ashtabula Towne Square (Ashtabula Mall), 3315 N. Ridge East, (440)998-2020, [15]. With a new owner and renovations came a name change to the mall, still bringing customers to stores in the mall some inwhich include JC Penney, Sears, Super K-Mart, Dunhams Sports, a food court, and more than 65 specialty shops and services,visit the site for more information,
Ashtabula Recreational Unlimited (ARU) Marina & Campgrounds, 1420 Great Lakes Avenue, 440-992-9445, [33]. Fishing and boatramp. Located on the Ashtabula River upstream of the lift bridge. Open May 1 - Nov. 1. Kid and pet friendly.
Brockway Northcoast Marina & Campgrounds, 347 W. 24th St., 440-998-6272, [34]. 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, 440-964-2956. Lake Erie front campground with private beach and walking trail. Open May 15-October 15.
