Compiled by

ELLEN KOLMAN

and TESSA WHITE

ASHTABULA and LAKE COUNTIES

AC&J Scenic Family Train Rides, located at the Jefferson Depot. 440-576-6346. www.acjrscenic.net.

Agricultural Heritage Museum at the Ashtabula County Antique Engine Club grounds, Route 322, Wayne Township. Look up www. ashtabulaantiqueengineclub.com for more information.

Andover Showplace, 33 Public Square, Andover. For tickets and information call: (440) 251-3864.

Ashtabula County Metroparks-Western Reserve Greenway Trail. From West Avenue in Ashtabula to Trumbull County. Hours are dawn to dusk.

Ashtabula Marine Museum, 1071 Walnut Blvd., Ashtabula Harbor. Year-round tours available by appointment. For info, call 440-964-6847. Gift shop available. Pictorial history of the Ashtabula Harbor, marine artifacts, boat models, actual pilot house from the Thomas Walters, a model of the Edmund Fitzgerald, from noon to 5 p.m. Fri., Sat. and Sun., from Memorial Day to August, and noon to 5 on Sat. and Sun. only in Sept. Admission for adults $4, kids 6-16 $3, under age 6 free. Museum is handicapped-accessible.

Biscotti’s Family Winery, 726 Whitney Road, Conneaut; 440-599-5555.

Buccia Vineyards, 518 Gore Road, Conneaut; 440-593-5976. www.bucciavineyard.com. Bed and breakfast available.

Conneaut Historical Railroad Society Museum, 363 Depot St., Conneaut. 440-599-7878. Open daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day, noon to 5 p.m. Donations welcome; gift shop available.

Conneaut Area Historical Society's Museum, Mill Street behind Crazy Dave’s Restaurant, across the tracks from the railroad museum, open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Hours are noon to 5:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Museum houses many Conneaut area displays and memorabilia. Donations welcome.

Corks Wine Bar, 4084 Erie St., Willoughby. 440-918-9463 or www.corkswinebar.com.

Debonné Vineyards Inc., 7743 Doty Road, Madison. 440-466-3485 or www.debonne.com.

Debonné Vineyards’ Brewery. Take a look at the brewery from the glass floor at the new tasting bar; appreciate the beautiful murals, and best of all, taste the different beers that are available.

Emerine Estates Winery, 5689 Loveland Road, Cherry Valley; 440-293-8199. www.emerineestates.com.

Farinacci Winery Ltd., 3951 Route 307 W., Austinburg. 440-274-2300 or www.farinacciwinery.com.

Ferrante Winery and Ristorante, 5585 Route 307, Geneva; 440-466-6046. www.ferrantewinery.com.

Finish-American Cultural Center and Museum, 1330 W. 8th St. in Ashtabula Harbor (two blocks south of Bridge Street).  View and hear the story of Finn Heritage and various cultural traditions regarding the displays- related to this historic district.  Visit the newly built log home (2006) and find out when the Finns built them in this country and their arrival in America.  New exhibits change throughout the seasons.  (many gift items in sales, t-shirts, Finn playing cards and FinnFest commemorative coins.) View thestained-glass crest sign, fashioned by local artist,Larry Kaufman.

TOUR GROUPS Welcome.  Visit during FinnFunn Day July 17, noon to 5 p.m.  Open daily,  1 to 5 p.m. Others by appointment. FMI: Elsa Shepard 998-2061/or Linda Riddell, 964-2519.  Center: 964-5790 /www.faha-ashtabula.org 

Geneva-on-the-Lake, the famous “strip” on Lake Road.

 Jennie Munger Museum, 5685 Lake Road., hours are noon to 4 p.m., open Wed. to Sat.

 Lakehouse Inn Bed & Breakfast and Winery, 5653 Lake Road, Geneva-on-the-Lake

 Old Firehouse Winery, 5499 Lake Road, Geneva-on-the-Lake.

Grand River Cellars, 5750 Madison Road, Madison. 440-298-9838 or www.grandrivercellars.com.

The Finnish American Cultural Center, 1330 W. Eighth and Joseph, in the Ashtabula Harbor. 440-964-5790. The Finnish Cultural Center is open 1 to 5 p.m. on Fri., Sat. and Sun. through the summer, at other times by appointment, 440-964-5790 or 440-998-2061. www.fahaashtabula.org. New this summer: a new Finnish costume on display and Finnish ear threads (earrings) in the sales area.

Grand River Winery, 5750 S. Madison Road, Madison. 440-298-9838.

Harpersfield Covered Bridge Metropark, west of Route 534, south of Route 307, Harpersfield, Geneva.

Harpersfield Vineyard  Winery, 6387 Route 307, Geneva. 440-466-4739. www.harpersfield.com. Bed and breakfast “The Vineyard Suite” available.

Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum,  1603 Walnut Blvd., Ashtabula. 440-964-8168. The museum is open beginning Memorial Day weekend on Friday (1 p.m.- 3 p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.), through Labor Day weekend. The last tour on Saturday and Sunday is at 4:30 p.m. After Labor Day, please call the number above to book a tour (minimum of 10). www.hubbardhouseugrrmuseum.org.

Indian Museum, Technical Center, Building B, 25 Public Square, Willoughby. www.indianmuseumoflakecounty.org or 440-951-3813.

Jefferson Depot 19th Century Historic Village, 147 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson. For more information, call 440-576-0496 or 440-858-2261 or www.jeffersondepotvillage.org

Jefferson Historical Society, 42 E. Jefferson St., Jefferson. 440-576-2681.

Laurello Vineyards, 4573 Route 307 E., Geneva; 440-415-0661.

Maple Ridge Vineyard, 6326 Dewey Road, Madison. 440-298-3290.

Markko Vineyard, 4500 S. Ridge Road W., Conneaut. 440-593-3197.

Noema Gems, 1788 Mill St., Austinburg, Mon., Wed., Sat. and Sun. 440-275-3211.

Ohio Wine Producers, 822 N. Tote Road, Austinburg. 440-466-4417.

Old Brick Historical Society, 7358 Route 45, Orwell. By appointment. 440-437-5175.

Old Mill Winery, 403 S. Broadway, Geneva, 440-466-5560. www.theoldmillwinery.com.

South River Winery, 6062 S. River Road, Geneva; 440-466-6676. www.southrivervineyard.com.

Tarsitano Winery, 4888 Hatches Corners Road, Conneaut; 440-224-2444. www.tarsitanowinery.com.

Virant Family Winery, 541 Atkins Road, Geneva; 440-466-6297. www.ohiowines.org.

Walnut Beach Nature Trail, Walnut Beach, Ashtabula Harbor. Enjoy a stroll through the grasslands, which also includes observation decks.

Western Reserve Model Railroad Museum, 7471 Unit L, Tyler Boulevard, Mentor. See its ever-expanding O- and S-gauge layouts and much more. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, and 3 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. www.wrmrrm. org.

CLEVELAND 

Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive in University Circle, Cleveland, 800-317-9155. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Offers planetarium programs to gems and jewels, and interactive computers where you can learn about Earth and space, and live animal shows. Visitors, including families with children, can catch a show in the Shafran Planetarium.

Admission: $7 for adults, 19 years and older; $5 for seniors, college students with ID; and ages 7 to 18; $4 for ages 3 to 6; and free for ages 2 and under. Tickets to the Shafran Planetarium shows are $3 per person.

“Planet e.” Visitors can activate controls and “fly” around planets in the solar system, feel the vibrations of an earthquake and walk through a simulated underground cave. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; until 10 p.m. Wednesdays.

Video Theater. Continuous live film footage on a large screen from NASA, including tests, readying and launches of shuttles.

Live Animal Shows, 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in the front lobby, and 3:30 p.m. at the Murch Auditorium in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center and Woods Garden.

Cleveland Health Museum, East 89th Street and Euclid Avenue, across from Cleveland Clinic, University Circle, Cleveland, 216-231-5010. Admission: $4.50 adults, $3 students and seniors, and free for children 3 and under. www.healthmuseum.org.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way (from I-71 or I-90, exit at West 25th Street), Cleveland, 216-661-6500. Located on 168 wooded acres, the zoo is home to 3,000 animals, representing more than 600 species, many of which are endangered. Info at clemetzoo.com or call 216-635-3366. Admission: $6 adults, $4 children, and 2 and under are free. 216-661-6500.

Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, 216-694-2000.

Ninth-largest interactive science museum featuring 300 hands-on exhibits, OMNIMAX films, demonstrations and exciting educational programming to explain interdependence of science, environment and technology, particularly in the Great Lakes Region. Open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Admission: $7.75 for adults, $6.75 for seniors, and $5.25 for youths.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, One Key Plaza, East Ninth Street, North Coast Harbor, Cleveland, 216-781-7625. Using artifacts from the lives of the artists, original films and videos, the latest technology and, of course, music, the museum offers a comprehensive retrospective on rock ’n’ roll’s origins, development, legends and impact on global culture. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Sunday but until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Closed Christmas.

Admission: $20 adults; $14 seniors (60+), $11 ages 9 to 12, and children under 8 are free.

A Christmas Story House, 3159 W. 11th St., Cleveland. Visit the house and street where the famous 1983 movie was shot; museum is across the street.  216-298-4919. www.achristmasstoryhouse.com.

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 10730 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-791-KIDS. Permanent exhibits include Splish! Splash!, Bridges to Our Community and Big Red Barn. The museum also offers a variety of programs, camps and activities year-round for children, from infants to age 8. www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood. 216-593-0575 or www.MaltzJewishMuseum.org.

Hard Rock Cafe Cleveland, 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland. Restaurant: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. For information, call 216-830-ROCK.

International Women’s Air & Space Museum, Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland. 216-623-1111. www.IWASM. org

Lake View Cemetery, “Cleveland’s outdoor museum and arboretum,” 12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 216-421-2665, ext. 3035. Its 285 acres are a treasure chest of discoveries in architecture, geology, sculpture, animal life and horticulture.

Many famous people have monuments there, including President James A. Garfield, Eliot Ness and John D. Rockefeller.

ERIE

Splash Lagoon, indoor water park resort, 8091 Peach St., Erie, Pa. 814-866-2773. Family park with over an acre of  whirlpools, lazy river, 80,000-gallon activity pool, lily pad rope, eight water basketball hoops, Monkey Shines Island, Treasure Island Arcade, Splash Blast and Hula Hopper, all set in a Polynesian setting.

The park is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. There are also a Laguna Grill, Oasis bar, Polynesian party room, surf shop and tanning booths.

Rates vary among hotels. 814-868-9530. www.splashlagoon.com

Erie Zoo, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, located at West 38th St., Erie, Pa. Discover the animals, gardens, children’s zoo, education and conservation. Admission is $6.50 ages 12 and over, $5.50 for seniors, and $3.75 for kids 2 to 11. Train ride is $2. 814-864-4091 or www.eriezoo. org.

CHESTERLAND

Alpine Valley, 10620 Mayfield Road, Chesterland, Ohio’s Premier “Snow Fun” Area. Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and Xtreme Park with a permanant half pipe and rails. Complete with a Chalet, ski and snowboard shop, rental facilities and a great Learning Center Staff. INFO: (440)285-2211, snow line: (440)729-9775, www.alpinevalleyohio.com

KIRTLAND

 The Pine Lodge Ski Center at Chapin Forest Reservation offers cross-country skiers excellent opportunities to enjoy this winter sport. This popular park, located at 10381 Hobart Road in Kirtland, offers approximately six miles of groomed trails that will challenge any ability from Novice to Intermediate. The trails are groomed and renovated at the beginning of each day as weather permits. Two snowmobiles and various pieces of grooming equipment allow Lake Metroparks to offer cross-country skiers some of the best skiing in Ohio. The ski center is opened and staffed when weather, snow accumulation, and conditions warrant (four inches of snow are needed to ski on).  Approximately one mile of lighted trail is lit nightly to accommodate the skiing public, weather permitting. 

MEADVILLE, PA.

Avalanche X Press, “The Thrill of the Hill,” Northwest Pa.’s newest, longest & steepest Snowtubing Resort is located at 15630 Middle Road, INFO: (814)333-2827.

FINDLEY LAKE,

NEW YORK

Peek’n Peak Resort and Conference Center, 1405 Olde Road, Findley Lake, New York, has opened for its 41st winter season. Open at 9:30 a.m., with three trails , two lifts, a six to 24 inch base and packed powder surface. More trails and tubing are due to be open by Dec. 25th. Peek’n Peak with its prestigious RCI Gold Crown Rating is duly appreciated with the diverse amenities that accompany a resort of this caliber. It is truly winter’s perfect playground. INFO: (716)355-4141, info@pknpk.com/  www.pknpk.com