Discover the charm of Conneaut, Ohio in winter—from dramatic Lake Erie views and the historic West Breakwater Lighthouse to a delightful small-town Christmas Jeep parade, scenic hikes, and a relaxing lakeside Airbnb hot tub experience.

A Lakeside Arrival

After stuffing ourselves with Thanksgiving turkey, we decided our next adventure needed a change of scenery—so we returned to the beautiful Lake Erie coast. This time, our travels took us to Conneaut, Ohio, the northeastern-most city in the northeastern-most county in the state. Drive just twenty minutes east and you’ll find yourself in Pennsylvania.

Wanting to treat ourselves, we splurged on an Airbnb perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Erie. By the time we arrived—around 5:30 PM—it was already dark, but the view was still breathtaking. The house sat along a narrow one-lane road hugging the cliffs, with nothing but the sound of wind and waves crashing beneath us. Eerie? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely.

The lakeside cottage itself was gorgeous. The entire front wall was windows, giving us a panoramic view of the lake no matter where we stood. And perhaps the best part: the place had a hot tub.

Conneaut’s Christmas Jeep Parade

But just as we got there, Maggie got a notification on her phone from Facebook — Conneaut’s annual Christmas Jeep parade was starting right then at the local high school.

I’ll be honest: I was skeptical. We had just driven nearly three hours, it was freezing, and a small-town parade didn’t seem like it could outshine a steaming hot tub under the winter sky. But as Maggie reminded me—we are Adventure With Whimsy. And nothing screams whimsy like a small-town Christmas parade.

So, back in the car we went.

We arrived just as the parade kicked off, greeted by glowing floats, a string of Jeeps covered in twinkling lights, and the local high school marching band. Kids tossed candy while shouting “Merry Christmas!” and one Jeep even flung rubber ducks into the crowd—much to Maggie’s delight. (No, she does not own a Jeep. Yes, she was thrilled anyway.)

The whole event oozed small-town charm and set the perfect tone for the holiday season.

The West Breakwater Lighthouse

The next morning, after soaking in the sunrise from our window-lined Airbnb and grabbing a quick breakfast, we geared up for the chilly weather and made our way to Conneaut Township Park, home to the best views of the West Breakwater Lighthouse.

It was about 30°F that morning, which meant we shared the entire beachfront with maybe two other brave souls. The wind along Lake Erie can be brutal—and with a winter storm rolling in, the sky was blanketed with heavy gray clouds and choppy dark waves that created a moody, atmospheric beauty.

We wandered along the bluffs, snapped photos, and tried to get as close as possible to the lighthouse. Though the cold eventually chased off the wind (to Maggie’s disappointment, as she had hoped for dramatic wave-crash shots), the hike remained stunning.

Because of Ohio’s ongoing drought, parts of the beach had dried up more than usual, revealing extra shoreline—and, strangely, what can only be described as a tire graveyard. Dozens upon dozens of tires half-buried in sand and mud. Why they were there, I’ll never know, but they made for an unexpected discovery.

After about an hour and a half of exploring and taking photos (shoutout to my photographer wife), we headed back to the car in search of our next stop.

A Surprise Stop at Malek Metropark

On the drive back to the Airbnb, we passed Malek Metropark, a small local park that piqued our curiosity enough to pull over.

Compared to the large metroparks in Columbus, Malek is tiny—but it’s charming, clean, and scenic. The park features a short storybook trail, which tells a children’s story through a series of signs spread along the path. Though clearly designed for little adventurers, it’s still cute and well done.

The trail itself is short and straightforward, but it does offer several peaceful overlooks of small marshes scattered throughout the park. It’s the kind of spot perfect for a quiet stroll before lunch. Once we finished exploring, we stopped at a nearby Italian restaurant called Biscotti’s. The restaurant was intimate, cozy, and—most importantly—delicious. After filling our bellies, we returned to the Airbnb and finally sank into that glorious hot tub.

Final Thoughts

Conneaut may be a small town, but it’s steeped in tradition, holiday spirit, and natural beauty. The Christmas parade, festive decorations, and cheerful music drifting from storefronts created the perfect seasonal atmosphere. And while winter made the beachfront dramatic and mysterious, we’re already excited to return in summer to fully enjoy that gorgeous shoreline.

And when we do? You can bet we’ll be booking that same lakeside Airbnb. The view alone was worth the trip—but the hot tub definitely didn’t hurt.

Quick Tips for Visiting Conneaut, Ohio

• Stay: Splurge on a lakeside Airbnb—especially one with a hot tub.
  
• Best Lighthouse View: Conneaut Township Park offers the easiest access.
  
• Weather Warning: Lake Erie winds are no joke—bundle up, especially in winter.
  
• Hidden Gem: Watch for unexpected finds along the beach (like the tire graveyard!).
  
• Food: Biscotti’s is a fantastic local spot for pasta, pizza, and warming up.
  
• Holiday Season: If you visit around the Holiday, check for the annual Christmas parade or other local events on Facebook —you won’t regret it.

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