For a stay in Ashtabula, you can focus on different interests: maritime history, culture, outdoor activities or a visit to the market. Options range from a paved trail for pedestrians and cyclists to collections, arts programs and rentals in Historic Ashtabula Harbor. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ashtabula, these themes can provide a helpful starting point for deciding what you want to focus on during your trip.
Experience Ashtabula Outdoors
The North Shore Trail is a 5.2-mile paved, multi-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists. Its length, surface and intended users give the trail a clear profile for planning. If you’d like to include a walk or bike ride in your stay, it’s a specific option. Its stated length also helps you account for the route as a distinct part of your day’s plans, rather than treating it as a brief stop.
Harbor Yak in Historic Ashtabula Harbor offers another way to spend time outdoors. The outfitter rents kayaks, boats, paddleboards and hydro-bikes, and has been operating since 2017. The range of watercraft offers different ways to enjoy the waterfront. Schedules vary by season, so it’s a good idea to check current times before making plans.
Explore Maritime History
The Ashtabula Maritime & Surface Transportation Museum is located in Ashtabula’s original lighthouse keeper’s house. It displays more than 25,000 historical objects related to shipping, railroads, Hulett unloaders, the Titanic, the Navy and the Coast Guard. The collection therefore covers several aspects of shipping and transportation. The museum parking lot is also home to the world’s first electrically welded steel ship. It was built in Ashtabula Harbor in 1914. The house, collection and ship offer different points of interest for anyone exploring the city’s maritime and industrial history.
The Ashtabula Harbor Commercial District is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hubbard House in Historic Ashtabula Harbor is also listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s register. The Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum in Ashtabula was built by William and Katherine Hubbard. Together, these places point to different aspects of the area’s heritage: a commercial district and a museum built by the Hubbards. Those interested in cultural history can explore them as topics in their own right, alongside the museum’s maritime history.
Plan Your Visit Around Art and the Market
The Ashtabula Arts Center is a nonprofit organization covering several art forms. It offers year-round programs in theater, dance, music and visual arts; individual programs vary. This range makes the center a cultural destination distinct from historical collections. If you’re planning your trip around art or theater, it’s worth including the relevant programs and dates in your plans.
The Ashtabula Farmers’ Market is an outdoor market. Vendors offer local vegetables and fruit, baked goods, herbs, honey, maple syrup, plants and arts and crafts. The selection combines food with gardening and handmade items. Since the selection and vendors may vary by season, it’s best to think of the market as a changing selection rather than a fixed list of products. A visit to the market adds another way to discover Ashtabula alongside its cultural and historical attractions.
The attractions differ in both subject and format, and these differences can help you sort out your priorities. For seasonal schedules and changing programs, check the relevant dates before planning your days.
Explore more destinations: Geneva-On-The-Lake, Conneaut, Austinburg Township, North Kingsville
Return to the main travel overview: Ashtabula County.
