Experience 12,000 years of history along Lake Erie. Visit the Lake Erie Islands, coastal marshes, prairies, rivers, and waterfalls. Follow tales of early shipping and sailing at maritime museums, restored freighters, and lighthouses. Learn about the Western Reserve, the Underground Railroad, and the War of 1812 at historic sites and museums.

Federal Highway Administration, America’s Byways
Length
293 mi / 471.5 km
Time to allow
Take eight hours to drive the byway or three to four days to experience the stops along the way.
Fees
None

Who looks after this road

  • Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail – Ohio Department of Transportation · their site
  • Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail App · their site
  • Convention & Visitors Bureau of Great Toledo · 800-243-4667 · their site
  • Lake Erie Shores and Islands West · 800-441-1271 · their site

We publish 13 places that sit on this road, listed in the order you meet them. This is not a route and not a drive time — it is the names, so you can put them into whatever navigation you already use.

“Off” is a straight line from the place to the road, rounded. It is not a driving distance, and the road itself is a simplified centre line, so treat a mile or two as noise.

  1. Toledo Zoo & AquariumOHon the roadAnimals

    Some early aquarium closures listed for specific dates

    Hours
    Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; Thu-Fri 10am-8pm (fall listing)
    Season
    year-round

  2. Lake View CemeteryOH3 miles off

    No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.

  3. ClevelandOHon the road

    In our guide: 2 animal attractions · 2 parks

  4. Greater Cleveland AquariumOHon the roadAnimals

    Open for general visitation 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day 'with very few exceptions'. Closed to the public on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Christmas Eve; open on most other holidays including MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4, Labor Day, Veterans Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. No last-admission time is published. Housed in the Powerhouse building. Seasonal after-hours events (for example Pumpkins & Piranhas, 5:30-8 p.m. with last admission 7 p.m.) are separately ticketed and some nights are passholders-only or sensory-friendly. Questions: 216.862.8803 x7700.

    Hours
    Daily 10-5
    Adult
    19.95
    Child
    13.95
    Season
    year-round
    Parking
    Paid lot directly in front of the Powerhouse, usually $3-6 per car, paid on exit, credit card only; limited street parking nearby

  5. Cleveland Metroparks ZooOH3 miles offAnimals

    Hours
    10am-5pm Apr-Sep; 10am-4pm Oct-Mar
    Season
    year-round

  6. Memphis Kiddie ParkOH3 miles offFun park

    small kiddie park; 2026 schedule posted on site

    Season
    Seasonal

  7. Great Wolf Lodge SanduskyOH2 miles offFun park

    indoor water park resort

  8. Castaway BayOHon the roadFun park

    indoor water park resort

  9. Sandusky (Cedar Point)OH1 mile off

    In our guide: 3 animal attractions · 2 parks

  10. Cedar PointOH2 miles offFun park

    HalloWeekends 2026 fall event

  11. Cedar Point ShoresOH2 miles offFun park

    summer water park next to Cedar Point

    Season
    Seasonal

  12. Kelleys IslandOH4 miles off

    No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.

  13. Put-in-Bay, South Bass IslandOH4 miles off

    No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.