Visiting Toledo and Northwest Ohio

Ohio’s Black Swamp, the southwestern shore of Lake Erie and the Toledo Metropolitan area are all part of Northwestern Ohio. The Oak Openings Region, also part of NW Ohio, is the state's most diverse ecosystem. Oak Openings features black and white oaks along with grassland prairies. Port Clinton, Sandusky and Norwalk near the Lake Erie shoreline are buttoned down for winter. Although it’s off-season for the beach and water sports, winter is ideal for birding and fishing. Known as the Walleye Capital of the World, Port Clinton and Sandusky are great places to take advantage of fishing Lake Erie. Its winter remember a warm jacket, the wind gusts off Lake Erie are chilling.

Caribou Creek, Manitoba Tubs and Soak’n Oak Springs – its Sandusky in winter. Known for Cedar Point and its roller coasters, Sandusky is also home to year round waterpark fun at Great Wolf Lodge. Grab your swimsuit and beat the winter blahs with a getaway to Sandusky. An hour from Cleveland, an hour and a half from Canton / Akron and two and a half hours from Columbus – it's worth the drive to enjoy the 84 degree weather inside Great Wolf Lodge Water Park.

Halloween may be past, however Ghostly Manor in Sandusky is a must see and be thrilled destination year round. Ghostly Manor opens February 3rd after its holiday wonderland. Ranked as one of America’s best haunts, make your way through the old mansion - if you dare. If you don’t dare, Ghostly Manor also features Skateworld and the XD 4D Theater for family fun and entertainment.

Ohio's winter is ideal for birding along the shores of Lake Erie. Western Lake Erie marshes include Maumee Bay State Park and Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area. Kitty Todd Nature Preserve and Maumee State Forest are prime viewing spots in the Oak Openings Loop region. The seventeen Lake Erie Islands feature the only Ohio habitat where the Great Gray Owl and Baird’s Sparrow have been spotted.

Remnants of massive marshes and wet prairies remain in Sandusky Bay, which can be seen by travelers over the State Route 2 Bay Bridge. Hosting large populations of migrating birds, Sandusky Bay is one of Ohio’s prime birding areas. The Port Clinton Lakefront Preserve, Little Portage State Wildlife Area and Willow Point State Wildlife Area are near Sandusky Bay. With 313 bird species spotted near Port Clinton and Sandusky, this is a great winter getaway.

Ohio’s Maple City, Norwalk, also calls itself the best little city in Ohio. Mid-way between Cleveland and Toledo, Norwalk is a cross roads for Ohio as well as Detroit to the north. Although you’ll have to wait for May, Norwalk is just 20-miles south of Cedar Point Amusement Park. Also home to America’s Race Track, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park is on State Route 18 just outside Norwalk. Plan now for an April 14th getaway to the raceway's Test-n-Tune, launching the 2012 season.

Toledo and Northwest Ohio Hotel Map