Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park named one of Lake Erie's seven best beaches

Fairport Harbor beachgoers take a swing before their swim.
Photo by John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

The beach at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park was named one of Lake Erie's 7 best beaches by The Plain Dealer.  Travel writer Susan Glaser wrote the following in her article Lake Erie's 7 best beaches are calling.

Located across the Grand River from Headlands Beach, Fairport Harbor’s public strand is protected by a breakwall, which calms the waters and makes this a perfect spot for families with young kids. 

It’s also the perfect spot to bring Spot — it’s one of a handful of public beaches in Ohio that allow dogs (the doggie swim area is at the far eastern end of the beach). Other amenities include volleyball courts, a playground, kayak and paddleboard rentals. The Lake Metroparks also offer sailing, paddleboard, kayak and jet ski lessons.

Parking is $2 for Lake County residents, $3 for nonresidents.

Lifeguards: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.

Concession stand: Yes.

Nearby: Climb to the top of the 60-foot lighthouse for lovely views, then check local maritime history inside the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum at the mouth of the Grand River. The museum is open 1-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays; admission is $4 for adults, $2 ages 6-12. Information: www.ncweb.com/org/fhlh.

Staying overnight: Nearby Painesville offers a trio of bed-and-breakfast inns: Fitzgerald’s Irish Bed and Breakfast, Rider’s Inn, and Bank Street Bed and Breakfast. For a longer stay, consider renting a home in Fairport Harbor (fairportharbor.org).


Getting there: Take I-90 east to Ohio 2 east to the Fairport Harbor/Richmond Street exit. Head north on Richmond Street, turn right on High Street and continue to the beach entrance, about 35 minutes from downtown Cleveland.


Information: http://bit.ly/lmp_fhlp  or 440-639-9972.