This blog was published in 2022 and updated in 2024.
The Marblehead, Ohio, area on Lake Erie is typically bustling from April to October, but once the main tourist season has ended, you may be wondering, “What’s there to do in Marblehead in the winter?”
Fortunately, several area establishments, from restaurants to museums to indoor water parks, remain open year-round. Here is a sampling of places to go during the winter months in and near Marblehead, ideal for resort-style retirement.
Restaurants 
Latitude Cafe
306 W. Main St.
Marblehead, OH 43440
419-702-7004
Open daily 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located just minutes from the Lake Erie shore, the Latitude Cafe is a cozy, sit-down restaurant offering all-day breakfast and lunch options. Some of their menu items include:
- Hotcakes
- Belgian waffles
- French toast
- Omelets
- Perch sandwich
- Bacon cheeseburger
- Grilled chicken sandwich
- Patty melt
In addition, the Latitude Cafe also offers specialty dishes at different times throughout the year, such as cinnamon swirl pancakes, ham and swiss quiche, chicken and waffles, and roast beef stack. For the latest events or happenings at the Latitude Cafe, check out their Facebook page.
Jamestown Tavern
902 W. Main St.
Marblehead, OH 43440
419-798-5615
Open 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. M-Th; 4 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. F; noon — 2:30 a.m. Sat; 1 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. Sun
The Jamestown Tavern is a popular area pub and restaurant with a great variety of alcoholic beverages, including draft, domestic, and premium beer, and wine. Food available on their menu includes:
- Pizza
- Subs
- Salads
- Wings
- Quesadillas
The Jamestown Tavern is a busy spot year-round for more than just food and drinks, with regularly scheduled live music, euchre tournaments, and special events for holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo. In addition, diners often gather to watch big sporting events together, like NCAA College Football Championship games, Browns football games, and more.
Red's Lakehouse Restaurant & Bar
9268 E. Bayshore Rd.
Marblehead, OH 43440
419-702-7047
Open 4 – 9 p.m. Thu; 11:30 a.m. — 9 p.m. Fri-Sat; 11:30 a.m. — 4 p.m. Sun; closed Mon-Wed
Red's Lakehouse is Marblehead's go-to eatery, where you can experience the history and culture of the area. Newly opened in 2023, Red's was voted Best New Restaurant of Lake Erie in the same year, according to Lake Erie Living Magazine. Enjoy a wide variety of cocktails and an elevated pub menu with family and friends. Menu items include:
- Lobster bisque
- Red walleye
- Roasted chicken paprikash
- Perch dinner
- Big Jim burger
- Blackberry watermelon margarita
- Stonefruit sangria
- And more!
Attractions 
Rocky Point Winery
source: ohio.org
Rocky Point Winery/Red Fern Inn
111 W. Main St.
Marblehead, OH 43440
419-967-5344
Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. M-Thu; 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fri-Sat, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun
Established in 2014, Rocky Point Winery is located in the historic Marblehead Schoolhouse building in downtown Marblehead. It operates the five-star The Red Fern Inn on the second and third floors of the building. Rocky Point is known for six local wines and carries 50 other labels in season; there is also a full bar with food options.
Rockey Point Winery hosts events year-round, including:
- Library book club “Sips and Series”
- Paint and sip classes
- Whiskey and/or wine tastings
- Pizza on the Peninsula
Rocky Point offers a wine club membership for wine enthusiasts, which includes one Rocky Point Winery bottle every month, complimentary cheese trays, discounts on wine, and special event pricing.
Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky
4600 Milan Rd.
Sandusky, OH 44870
800-641-9653
Great Wolf Lodge is a family-friendly indoor water park located in nearby Sandusky with on-site lodging, dining, attractions, and meeting spaces. The waterpark includes several fun features, including:
- Four-story fort treehouse
- Lazy river
- Water playground
- Water slides
- Hot tub area (adults only)
Great Wolf Lodge also puts on various events such as yoga, dance parties, arts & crafts, storytime, and character appearances. Day passes are available for those not staying in on-site lodging.
Kalahari Resorts Sandusky
7000 Kalahari Dr.
Sandusky, OH 44870
877-525-2427
Kalahari Resorts is also located in Sandusky and is among America’s largest indoor water parks. In addition to the water park, there is an on-site convention center, dining, attractions, spa and salon, and arcade.
Kalahari covers 173,000 square feet and features the following:
- Wave pool
- Raft ride
- Water slides
- Lazy river
- Swim-up bar
- Hot tub/spa area
- Water playground
When you’re done swimming for the day, you can choose from multiple restaurants and food stations or pamper yourself with a massage, salt therapy, facial, or manicure/pedicure. Day passes are available if you’re not looking to stay on-site overnight.
Museums 
Liberty Aviation Museum
3515 E. State Rd.
Port Clinton, OH 43452
419-732-0234
Established in 1991, the Liberty Aviation Museum is a non-profit, accessible museum comprised of two hangars filled with aircraft, vehicles, and historical artifacts. There is also an on-site diner, the Tin Goose Diner, which was originally built in 1949 in Elizabeth, New Jersey (it was later restored and moved to the Liberty Aviation Museum).
The museum’s collection includes:
- Ford Tri-Motor (1929)
- B-25J Mitchell Bomber (WWII)
- Military Jeeps
- 1947 Flxible Bus (support vehicle for Goodyear Blimp)
- Boeing PT-17 Stearman (WWII)
Note from the museum: As the Liberty Aviation Museum is a working museum with flying aircraft, the actual aircraft present at the museum at any given time can vary depending upon air show touring schedules, visiting aircraft from other museums and private collections, special events, and other factors.
Maritime Museum of Sandusky
source: sanduskymaritime.org
Maritime Museum of Sandusky
125 Meigs St.
Sandusky, OH 44870
419-624-0274
Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fri-Sun
The Maritime Museum of Sandusky is located near Sandusky and contains exhibits and artifacts highlighting the Sandusky Bay area’s rich maritime history. The museum’s contents cover topics like:
- Passenger boats
- Commercial fishing
- Ice harvesting
- Boat-building
- Ohio’s wetlands
- Shipwrecks
In addition, there is an Underground Railroad Exhibit that explores Sandusky’s role in the Underground Railroad and the struggles of freedom seekers who crossed Lake Erie in the mid-19th century.
The museum also hosts a Historical Program Series, with events on various topics throughout the year. You can view their upcoming events by clicking here.
Interested in Finding More Things to Do in Marblehead?
Check out this blog on Things to Do in Marblehead, Ohio, for more ideas. We’ve included information on Lakeside Chautauqua, the Marblehead Lighthouse, Kelleys Island State Park, and more. You can also visit the Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands website to see upcoming events throughout the local area.
