After a long day of driving across Indiana, waking up to a view of Lake Erie felt like a small victory — a new state at last! I was thrilled, though my American friends seemed less moved by my enthusiasm for Ohio. I’m not sure why; maybe to them, Ohio is just…Ohio. But to me, it felt like a milestone after last night, and the lake outside the window had a quiet charm. Before anyone else stirred, I slipped out of the apartment and went for a walk. There wasn’t much to see exactly, but there was something calming about the stillness of the lake.
early morning at Lake Erie @Ohio
We had to check out of our beautiful lodgings at SolStay by 10 a.m., but after our late arrival the night before and a bit of morning indecision, we didn’t hit the road until closer to 11. There had been talk of going canoeing or squeezing in a quick game of table tennis, but in the end, we settled on something simpler: coffee on Cedar Point.
table tennis @SolStay
Cedar Point stretches out along a long, narrow peninsula on Lake Erie and, at first glance, seemed like the perfect spot for a relaxed breakfast. I was already imagining sipping coffee next to the beach, watching the morning light glint off the water. But as we followed the navigation, a skyline of roller coasters loomed in the distance — and then suddenly, the road split into what looked like twenty toll booths.
That’s when it clicked: the entire peninsula is Cedar Point — a massive amusement park. Just to get onto the grounds would cost us $37 in parking alone. Definitely not what we had in mind for a quiet morning by the water.
Backing out wasn’t an option — it was one of those roads that feels like a one-way funnel — so we rolled up to a toll booth, asked how to escape the peninsula, and made our exit. So much for beachside coffee.
Instead, we decided to head straight for Niagara Falls and find something to eat along the way. The drive would take us across a big stretch of Ohio, and I was curious to see what the state had to offer.
One unexpected stop was Cleveland, which happened to be right on our route. We made our way to the West Side Market, a lively indoor market that reminded me of the one in Riga. I’m not sure if there’s a shared immigrant history here, but something about the layout, the bustle, and the available food made the connection feel real.
West Side Market @Cleveland
Structurally, though, they couldn’t be more different. Cleveland’s market is housed in a solid brick building, sturdy and rooted, while the market halls in Riga are repurposed airplane hangars from WWII, more airy and almost flimsy by contrast, but full of charm in their own way.
inside @West Side Market
Strolling through the market confirmed my feeling of recognition. There was something undeniably familiar about it all. The first hall wasn’t focused so much on produce, but rather on food stalls and local specialties — everything from fresh pastries to hot meals being served up on the spot. The actual produce was mostly sold next door, in a separate section.
It all had a cozy, lived-in feel, the kind of place where locals know exactly which vendor to go to for their favorite cheese or cut of meat. For a quick stop, it left quite an impression.
so many cakes @West Side Market
produce hall @West Side Market
Cleveland didn’t look like Chicago from the highway, but it was pretty in its own way. I’m glad we stopped and didn’t just pass through Ohio without seeing anything. I think I would have enjoyed exploring the city more. The visit to the market gave it some character.
one last look @Cleveland
We decided to visit the covered bridges of Ashtabula County on our way to Niagara Falls. You can find a map of all the bridges online. Not quite The Bridges of Madison County — which are in Iowa by the way — but covered nonetheless.
Our first stop was the West Liberty Covered Bridge in Geneva. It was so thoroughly unspectacular that we didn’t wake the kids or even bother taking a photo. Disappointment reigned supreme instead, so we headed to the coast of Lake Erie again to explore Geneva-on-the-Lake. Because who wouldn’t want to visit “Switzerland” while in Ohio?
Personally, I didn’t find it worth the stop, even if the town was buzzing with tourists. It seems to trade on some “nostalgic beach bum charm“. The kids disappeared into an arcade while we grabbed coffee and walked to the lake. And honestly, sitting by the turquoise water, doing nothing at all, was the best part.
Geneva-on-the-Lake @Ohio
After the disappointment with the first bridge, we had two more directly on our route. I decided I didn’t want to repeat the Indiana mistake and get distracted, so the bridges had to be right there or we’d skip them altogether. Thankfully, the Historic Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge was exactly on our path — and it turned out to be an absolute highlight. You can even see us driving through it here.
Historic Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge @Ashtabula
The second bridge we passed (only a slight detour) was the Olin Covered Bridge in Plymouth. Another beauty and definitely worth the short detour before we got back on the road toward Niagara Falls.
Olin Covered Bridge @Plymouth
We crossed another beautiful bridge in Tonawanda just before arriving in Niagara Falls. It turned out to be a day full of bridges, and most were well worth the stops. Yours, Pollybert
crossing the Niagara river @Tonawanda
