Top Things to do in Lake County
Top Hotels in Lake County
- 1. Hampton Inn Madison
- 2. Best Western Plus Mentor-Cleveland Northeast
- 3. Red Roof Inn Cleveland - Mentor/ Willoughby
- 4. Comfort Inn
- 5. Wingate by Wyndham Mentor OH
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Cleveland-Mentor
- 7. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison, an IHG Hotel
- 8. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Painesville - Concord
- 9. Steele Mansion Inn & Gathering Hub
- 10. Residence Inn by Marriott Cleveland Mentor
Things to do in Lake County, Lake County: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Lake County, United States including North Chagrin Reservation, Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Chapin Forest Reservation, Girdled Road Reservation, Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve, Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve, Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Center, The Holden Arboretum, Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve.
Restaurants in Lake County
1. North Chagrin Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By Z5329UVgregm - Cleveland, United States
This is an exceptional metro park, easily accessible with a beautiful paved all purpose trail, bridle trails and off pavement hiking trails for all ability levels. The historic squires castle is a must see and a wonderful setting for a picnic. An extremely well maintained and clean park, enjoy.
2. Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I went to Penitentiary Glenn Reservation in Mid-November for a good walk. This is one of my favorite parks and I used to volunteer here. There are many well maintained trails here, but I had never hiked the entire Rabbit Run Loop Trail…what a great hike. This trail is mostly unimproved, has two creek crossings, and takes you into nooks and crannies of the park the other trails miss. Good footwear is a must. My walk was just at 3 miles from the parking lot with a fair amount of up and down. Highly recommend.
3. Chapin Forest Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I went to Chapin Forest Reservation on Friday October 31st and Monday November 2nd with the goal of hiking all the trails. It had been many years since I had been here, and I forgot how unique the various rocks and geological formations were. This is a large park with over 6 miles of trails…more if you count the connectors… and two entrances. The main entrance to the park is off rt 306 and there is another entrance off Hobart Road. This park had quite a few people in it, but I was able to have alone time walking the trails too. Most of the trails are crushed stone but most all have some up and down. There are a few trails such as the Lucky Stone Trail that have sections that are more rugged, and I was glad I had on my hiking boots as it had been raining all morning. On Friday I started at the first parking area on the 306 entrance and stitched together the Sone cutters, Quarry, Turkey, and Lucky Stone loop trails for a hike of just under 4 miles. The only place I had to backtrack was the Turkey Trail as it connects the Quarry and Lucky Stone Trails together. The Stone Cutters trail is short, leading to a creek where you can see evidence of the stone blocks being cut out of the stream bed. The Quarry Trail has great views going all the way out to Lake Erie and the Fall color was excellent. The lucky Stone Trail takes you through some cool geological formations. Nice hike. On Monday I parked at the Hobart Road entrance and made a hike out of the Beach Woods, Whispering Pines, and Arbor Lane trails of just over 2 miles. This is a nice walk with only moderate up and downs. Most of the paths here are also crushed gravel but the short Whispering Pines trail is unimproved and there were quite a few trees over the path. A windstorm over the weekend may have contributed and it also took away most of the fall leaves too. I prefer the section off route 306.
4. Girdled Road Reservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Bobo185 - Chardon, United States
I visited Girdled Road Reservation on two days in mid-November. My goal was to get in a good walk and hike all the trails. This park is for more serious hikers as there are steep descents and accents on the trails. Each of the three parking areas have at least one trail that is fairly flat and stays up on the ridge. The harder trails descend into the valley. The trails were well groomed and marked and I saw very few people during my walks. The first day I parked at the Radcliff road entrance and combined the Green Darner, South Meadow Loop, and Oak Leaf Loop Trails for a nice walk of just over 4 miles with a total altitude change of 299 feet. This route only requires you to down and back up once. The second day I parked at the Skok Meadow entrance. I combined the Skok Meadow, Creek Crossing, part of the Oak Leaf, Chickadee, Valley View Overlook, and Surveyor’s Loop Trails for hike just under 5 ½ miles. This route requires you to go up and down the valley 2 ½ times with a total altitude gain of 526 feet…you will feel the burn on the last climb out. There is a cool swing bridge crossing on the Creek Crossing Trail and lots of little waterfalls to see. Great park for walking and getting into shape while enjoying great views.
5. Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By SammyFarkas - Cleveland, United States
I always hike here sometimes because it is VERY CLOSE to my house and there are a lot of trails and I LIKE GETTING A WORKOUT in because there are a lot of numerous trails in this establishment and it is a public area for everyone
6. Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Ringo-Rango - Columbus, United States
My friend and I had a beautiful few hours eating lunch and relaxing in our chairs at the beach. It was rocky, pebble size, but easily walked with water shoes. It was clean and not crowded on a Friday. Very nice boardwalk that gave us the ability to walk over the marshy area. Unspoiled beauty.
7. Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Center
8. The Holden Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
The Holden Arboretum is 3,500 acres of the most beautiful gardens and natural areas in Northeast Ohio, including the Holden Wildflower Garden, featuring Ohio native plants; the Holden Butterfly Garden, which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; the 20-acre Layer Rhododendron Garden and the 4.5 acre Paine Rhododendron Discovery Garden; and collections of lilacs, viburnums, crabapples and conifers. Admission to the Arboretum includes the Murch Canopy Walk and the Kalberer Emergent Tower, which are open from April 1 through Nov. 1. Guided walking tours of the grounds are available from April through May, and tram tours are available May through October. Winter activities include snowshoe hikes in January and February, weather permitting.
Reviewed By kimsX7442XV - Cuyahoga Falls, United States
Nice area to walk around with all the trees, plants and ponds. Decorated very nice for Halloween. The canopy walk was nice and the Emergent tower had breathtaking views of the area and you can see Lake Erie. With COVID you do need to purchase your tickets online. The canopy walk and tower only allow a certain number of people on them at one time.
9. Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is a family-oriented science and cultural center devoted to agriculture, farming and country life. Visitors can experience milking hands-on with our dairy cows. Machine-milking is also demonstrated. Learn how cheese is made and on weekends and during special events you even may help make ice cream the old-fashioned way! Discover pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits and even a turkey In the Well Bred Shed. Horse- or tractor-drawn wagon rides are the mode of transportation throughout the park. Meet dozens of breeds of livestock including llamas, alpacas, chickens, pigs and goats in the Barnyard. The arena is home to the horses at Farmpark. We have all sizes including draft horses, light horses and miniatures. Explore the Plant Science Center which houses the Great Tomato Works hydroponic exhibit, and a greenhouse. Watch the border collie at Farmpark help to keep the sheep together as they move from one end of the field to the other in our sheep herding demonstrations (offered mid-April through mid-October, weather permitting). The fleece from the sheep is used for its fibers to make sweaters, fiber-art, and other wearables. Watch the sheep be shorn and touch the fleece and feel the lanolin on your fingers during sheep shearing demonstrations (offered mid-May through Memorial Day). Discover modern and antique tractors and farm equipment used on the farm in the Farm Technology building. Harvest activities take place in Field Crop. Discover corn fields, wheat fields, and learn how apple cider is pressed and taste apple butter seasonally. See hands-on how the soil is tilled, wheat and corn fields are cared for and harvested by the farmer. Put your sense of direction to the test as you wind your way through a multitude of twists and turns through a three-acre corn maze. The maze is open daily mid-August through mid-October, weather and field conditions permitting.
Reviewed By LSQRD1 - Kent, United States
This is a great place for animal lovers of all ages. There are some really nifty play areas for kids including a unique water features. Many different animals to see and friendly staff. A local gem.
10. Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
It's a natural destination! Escape to the tranquility of nature and explore the beauty of an unspoiled beach and miles of hiking and water trails. Located on the shores of Lake Erie, just 30 minutes east of Cleveland, you'll find 450 acres of green space with 1-1/2 miles of shoreline with rare dune plants, a riverine marsh and mature oak bluff. Over 150 species of birds have been recorded, making this a top birding location. Electric carts are available on a first come basis for the handicapped. Call 440-205-3625 in advance to reserve.
Reviewed By ElaineAndGreg - Chesterland, United States
We visited national parks, state parks, and other preserves, and for a city park the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve is astonishing. It's a little less than a square mile in size, but boasts a nature preserve, excellent walks, forest paths, a marsh, and great views on a Great Lake. Mentor Lagoons is, paradoxically, both easy to get to and a little hard to find. You basically want to take State Route 615 north from Route 2 or Interstate 90. About 2 miles north of route 2, you'll go straight north instead of to the west and you'll more or less snake your way through a nice residential neighborhood. I had no trouble finding it based on the signs and dead reckoning, but use your GPS in a pinch. When you get there, there are essentially two parts. You'll cross over a small bridge and see a marina to your left (west) and a smaller parking area along the marsh to your right. I though I might be in the wrong place as it almost looks like a small industrial park, but don't worry, you'll be in the woods shortly. Go to the right and park. There's an excellent, smooth path along with a stand with a map of sorts. Take the path north. From there you have lots of options. I wanted to see the lake on a nice fall day. The path isn't paved, but it is very, very well-maintained and level, although there is a slight incline. From there you can go to the lake, take forest trails, or walk along the edge of the huge marsh. It isn't crowded, but I came across a number of nice dog owners and other out just for a nice walk. The park is light on amenities - there are a few picnic tables, and not much else, but the paths are very nice. I walked along the lake, which was fun although a little difficult with the sand and stones. If you want an easier lakeside walk, there is an excellent path about 100 feet inland. You can also walk through some woodland trails, which I liked, although they can be a little muddy (this is a wetlands area, after all). This is beautiful park and amazing for one that is essentially one of a suburban town. If you want a pleasant walk and some nice views (and don't need lots of amenities) this is for you. If you want to grab something to eat either before or afterwards, you are only 10 minutes or so from countless restaurants in Mentor itself.
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