While Starbuck's may have released the Pumpkin Spice Latte and there is Pumpkin Beer everywhere, I am not ready to say goodbye to Summer 2016 just yet. I have set my bucket list to complete before our weather changes to fall. We will start on the east side and head over to the west. If you have a chance, I highly encourage you to take advantage of being outdoors and active before we need our jackets.
Headlands Beach, Mentor
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Public beach in Mentor and Painesville Township. The longest natural beach in Ohio Outdoor recreation option with a mile-long natural sand beach, fishing, hiking & picnicking.
Love Headlands Beach as a Fairport Harbor native — I spent so many summers at both our beach in town along with Headlands. Perfect to have a cookout and lay out to get some sun. This beach is absolutely big enough that you can feel secluded from the locals or large groups.
Squire’s Castle
"A point of historical interest is the remains of the gatehouse erected by Feargus B. Squire (1850-1932). Squire, vice-president of Standard Oil Company began assembling a country estate in the Chagrin Valley in the 1800s, gradually acquiring 525 acres. He built a gatehouse of stone quarried on the property, eight miles of gravel roads and a pond, but sold the property in 1922. Three years later it was purchased by the Cleveland Metropolitan Park Board as the heart of North Chagrin Reservation." — Clevelandmetroparks.com
Looking for the perfect place to be outdoors and take plenty of beautiful pictures for your Insta? This is it! Squire's Castle is an awesome place to pack a picnic and walk down the path. When else will you be able to eat in a castle?
Whiskey island
Volleyball courts can be reserved when hosting an event in Wendy Park. Otherwise, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Whiskey island is somewhat of a hidden gem of Cleveland. There are outdoor grills and picnic tables for free to use daily along with multiple volleyball courts. This is the perfect place to watch the sunset. Yes! dogs are allowed. Following signs for Wendy park will get you to the parking. There is a small restaurant with an outdoor patio as well.
If you haven't had the chance to kayak or paddleboard this summer yet there are two awesome spots in Cleveland you can still have a chance to do that!
41 degrees North
"For those who prefer to paddle at their own pace, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at in the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation in Lakewood, Ohio. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm Sat & Sun 9am-6pm" — http://kayak41north.com/rentals/
Great Lakes Watersports
"Providing jet ski, boat and kayak rental on the West Bank of the Flats with the current owners for 8 years. A family business employing our children, relatives and friends!" — http://www.glwatersports.com/Pages/aboutus.aspx
Both places you have the option to rent by the hour you can make reservations, I believe, and also walk-ups are taken depending on availability.
Did I miss one of your favorite Cleveland summer time spots? Please comment and let me know! I would love to try to add it to my bucket list if not for this year, then for next!
