Overview
Ashtabula is a commercial, historical, and recreational center in Ashtabula County in Northeast Ohio, roughly equidistant from Cleveland and Erie, Pa. As of 2018 census, the population is about 18,000. The name Ashtabula comes from the Lenape language, where it means "Always enough fish to be shared around".
6 sights · 7 things to do · 16 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ashtabula
Ashtabula lift bridge
This Bascule lift bridge was created in the early- to mid-1900s to accommodate marina traffic and Conrails (now Norfolk Southern) iron ore freighters. It is still in use as the main gateway to Lake Erie from the Ashtabul…
Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse
End of Ashtabula Harbor breakwall. Established in 1836 but now not in operation. The best way to see the lighthouse is by boat since it is on a long breakwall that could be treacherous to walk. There are no tours of the …
Kent State University at Ashtabula
A regional campus of Kent State University. Notably this branch allows students to major in viticulture and enology and produces a Kent State label wine in conjunction with local vineyards.
Ashtabula Maritime & Surface Transportation Museum
Displays tell about Lake Erie and Ashtabula Harbor history.
Hubbard House UGGR Museum
Restored home of William and Catharine Hubbard, the only northern terminus of the Underground Railroad that can be toured.
Olin Covered Bridge Museum
Off SR 84, south on Dibble Road to Dewey Road, Ashtabula County's only museum of covered bridges. Memorabilia, artefacts, and educational displays. Hours - June 1 to October 31. W Sa Su 1-5PM.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Apr. (climate data from nearby Cleveland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ERI Erie International Tom Ridge Field, Erie — 35 mi away. Directions
- CLE Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland — 63 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ashtabula Harbor Lighthouse, Lake Shore Park, Ashtabula Maritime & Surface Transportation Museum
- Lunch Lakeway Restaurant
- Afternoon Saybrook Township Park, Chapel Hills Golf Course
- Dinner JDs Pizza
- Evening Harbor Perk
Day 2
- Morning Ashtabula lift bridge, Hubbard House UGGR Museum, Walnut Beach
- Lunch Luigi's Pizza & Wings
- Afternoon Point Park, The Harbor Buzz
- Dinner Lunch Box
- Evening Crow's Nest
Day 3
- Morning Kent State University at Ashtabula, Olin Covered Bridge Museum
- Lunch Tony's Deli
- Afternoon Taylor Made Charters
- Dinner Whippy Dip
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- U.S. Route 20 - Runs through town from southwest to northeast.
- Ohio State Route 11 - Runs north of town toward the south ending near Youngstown, OH.
- State Route 45 - Runs from the south, west outside of town, ending north at Lake Erie.
- State Route 84 - Runs from southwest through town ending north at Lake Erie.
- State Route 531 - Runs west to east, north of town along Lake Erie.
- Interstate 90 - Main Interstate running southwest to northeast 6 miles south of town. Best route to travel to Cleveland to the west and Erie, PA. and Buffalo, NY. to the east.
By bike
Go Western Reserve Greenway Trail
West Ave in Ashtabula to SR 307 in Austinburg. Trailheads are at Old Austinburg Road, 2 miles east of SR 45 off Austinburg Road, Woodman Avenue in Ashtabula, and Lampson Road. The 43-mile mostly shaded and rural paved bike trail runs to Champion Avenue East in Warren. The trail is paved and good for hiking, biking, rollerblading in summer, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter. There are 6 trailheads and parking lots along the trail.
Get around
By car
Driving is the best way around town.
- City Taxicab & Transfer Co. 1753 W Prospect Rd, +1 440 992-2156.
- Premier Transportation 6710 N Ridge Rd W, +1 440 466-1515
By bike
At only 7 square miles, it is possible to walk or bicycle to locations within Ashtabula.
See
Architecture
See Ashtabula lift bridge (West Fifth Street bridge)
This Bascule lift bridge was created in the early- to mid-1900s to accommodate marina traffic and Conrails (now Norfolk Southern) iron ore freighters. It is still in use as the main gateway to Lake Erie from the Ashtabula River. At night it is beautifully illuminated with bright blue lights that reflect in the water making the harbor glow.
Museums
See Hubbard House UGGR Museum (Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard)
Restored home of William and Catharine Hubbard, the only northern terminus of the Underground Railroad that can be toured.
Do
Nature
Do Walnut Beach
Public beach (lifeguard until 6PM, kid and pet friendly) accessible by a boardwalk. Sand dunes, walking trail, wetlands, sports facilities (tennis, basketball, and volleyball).
Do Point Park
Public park with camping that overlooks Ashtabula harbor and river, as well as the coal conveyor, shipping docks, and lift bridge. In the park see the Hulett ore unloader and Merchant Marine Memorial.
Do Saybrook Township Park
Public park with picnic pavilions, playground, baseball diamond, and trail to a small, unguarded beach.
Fishing
Events
Do The Harbor Buzz
This generally refers to all activities in Ashtabula Harbor during the summer, including Car Shows, Beauty Pageants, Eating Contests, Raffles, Street Performers, and Stage Performers.
Golfing
Buy
Eat
Budget
Eat Luigi's Pizza & Wings
Pizza and wings for takeout or delivery.
Eat Salvato's Pizza
Pizza, salads, and subs.
Mid-Range
Eat Capos Pizza III
Sells pizza, pasta, wings, and grinder sandwiches. Also sells wine and craft beer.
Eat Guyreino's Deli
An Italian deli that sells sandwiches and pizza.
Eat Kardohely's Family Restaurant
A family style American restaurant.
Eat Main Moon
Chinese take out and dining
Splurge
Eat Alessandro's
Authentic Italian dining.
Eat Lakeway Restaurant
Seafood and Italian dining.
Eat Moys Special Occasion Restaurant
Chinese take out and dining,
Drink
Drink Harbor Perk
Coffee house that roasts its own coffee.
Sleep
Budget
Stay Ho Hum Motel
Mid-range
Bed and Breakfasts
Camping
Stay Luoma's Surfers Point Camping
Lake Erie front campground with private beach and walking trail. Open May 15-October 15.
Go next
Youngstown, Erie, and Cleveland are around an hour away from Ashtabula.
Nearby
Geneva-on-the-Lake
City / town · 16 listings · 8 mi away
Conneaut
City / town · 9 listings · 13 mi away
Chardon
City / town · 13 listings · 29 mi away
Mentor
City / town · 16 listings · 31 mi away
Middlefield
City / town · 9 listings · 32 mi away
Burton
City / town · 9 listings · 33 mi away
Willoughby
City / town · 15 listings · 35 mi away
Meadville
City / town · 9 listings · 37 mi away
My experience
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