Huron, Ohio – What to See, Eat and Do

When I was a kid, a local news station in Ohio featured segments called “One Tank Trips.” A popular anchor would travel around the state, seeing what cool things he could find using only one tank of gas. I loved watching those segments, and I still love the concept! I took a one tank trip of my own to Huron, Ohio, which was named one of America’s coolest small towns by Budget Travel magazine in 2015. After spending a weekend exploring this adorable little town I can totally see why!

What to See

Nickel Plate Beach–  I was very impressed by the beauty and cleanliness of this soft sand beach! You can see the Huron Lighthouse across the water and relax as boats sail by in the distance. Nickel Plate has everything you need for an entire day at the beach including picnic tables, grills and plenty of play areas in the connecting park. Snap a picture with the Lake Erie Love sign while you’re there!

Huron Boat Basin– I was lucky enough to stay at an Airbnb overlooking the boat basin. This is the heart and soul of the town, where the boats are docked and people gather. There is an outdoor amphitheater that features live music in the summers.

Huron Pier- No visit to Huron is complete without visiting the pier and taking a leisurely stroll down to see the lighthouse. This art deco style lighthouse reflects design trends that were poplar during its construction in the 1930s. The entire pier is about a mile long, with an observation desk about 3/4 of a mile down. The final part of the walk is a little more difficult, along a path of large rocks. There are great spots for fishing all along the way and plenty of room to sit and rest. If you can, visit at sunrise or sunset for some truly memorable views.

What to Eat

i-5’s Bar and Grill- Not only do they serve walleye and perch fish tacos, i-5’s sits right on the boat basin. The patio is the place to be, directly across from the docked boats. They have a fun drink menu, and live music on the weekends. It’s the perfect place for a summer evening by the water!

Marconi’s Italian Restaurant– Marconi’s has a large menu, packed with Italian favorites and house specialties. The best part of the meal though, may be the fresh bread loaves served to start! I was surprised by the long and diverse wine menu, exactly what I would hope for at a nice Italian restaurant. If the weather is nice, enjoy your dinner on the pretty patio, it’s decorated with tons of flowers and a little fountain.

Berardi’s Restaurant– For a traditional taste of Huron, Ohio make sure you stop at Berardi’s. If you can make it past the case of delicious looking homemade pies and cookies, their menu is full of fresh, homemade comfort food. Their fries were made famous at the family’s Cedar Point french fry stand in the 1940s. Don’t even think about passing up on a plate of them!  For dinner, the yellow perch is a popular choice, along with the creamy cabbage and noodles.

Pied Piper– It’s not summer on the lake with out some ice cream, and Pied Piper has some of the best in Huron. It’s within walking distance of the boat basin, making it the perfect stop before an evening walk by the river. They have tons of choices (even dairy free flavors!) but according to the locals the Nut Dip is not to be missed.

What to Do

Play in the water at The Paddle Shack on Nickel Plate Beach. Rent kayaks, inflatables and paddle boards for an afternoon of fun on the water! Don’t be shy to try something new, the staff is super friendly and will answer all of your questions. They also rent beach chairs, umbrellas and games for those who would prefer to stay on land.

Go bird watching at Old Women Creek State Nature Preserve or Sheldon’s Marsh. Both of these special preserves offer hiking trails and the opportunity to see pristine landcapes. The 2 mile long trail at Old Women Creek features an observation deck overlooking one of Lake Erie’s last natural estuary areas (a transition area between land and sea with different habitats). At Sheldon’s Marsh, nearly 300 species of birds have been spotted across its 472 acres. The 1 mile paved trail makes for an easy walk among the natural beauty.

Buy some herbs at Mulberry Creek Herb Farm. Although it was closed for the month of August, the owners were extremely accommodating and let us shop and explore. Mulberry Creek has a huge assortment of herbs and vegetable plants, including many hard to find varieties. They also specialize in fairy gardens, and adorable examples were set up all over the grounds. I even ended up purchasing a banana tree, and was given lots of helpful tips for how to care for it and produce bananas at home!

Visit the Fine Art and Food Fest.  Local artists come together to share their talents at this festival, a favorite in the city of Huron. We enjoyed looking at nautical photographs and paintings, jewelry and metal crafts. There was a huge bakery stand with all sorts of breads, cakes and desserts for sale. The best part though was meeting the artists and hearing the inspirations for their work.

So there you have it, my favorite things to do in Huron! This little city has so much to offer, it is a perfect way to spend a weekend exploring the natural beauty Ohio has to offer. If you have a chance to visit, make sure to take advantage of all these opportunities and get to know this special place.