Forecast: Fri - Scattered Thunderstorms/Wind. High: 77 Low: 58 Sat - Few Showers/Wind. High: 65 Low: 54
TOURISM IN FAIRPORT HARBOR
Finnish Heritage Group Tours The Finnish Heritage Museum gallery has changing exhibits throughout the year telling the story of Finnish heritage and various cultural traditions by displaying artifacts and providing information relating to this important history. Arriving here in the mid to late 1800's, Finns brought with them their customs, work ethic, religious and moral beliefs. Tour the museum gallery and hall of fame and experience a Finnish Coffee Table. More
Fairport Harbor Motor Coach Tours
The Fairport Harbor Tourism Council offers step-on guide service for your motor coach tour with a Historical Tour of the Village of Fairport Harbor. Enjoy our two lighthouses, museums, and one of Lake Erie's best beaches where one can swim, kayak, play sand volleyball, picnic and more. More
Fairport Harbor Tourism Guide
Fairport Harbor may be the last great jewel left untarnished on the crown of Lake Erie's best places. Our tourism guide contains information on our attractions, museums, parks and annual events. A pdf is downloadable from this site. More
Fairport Harbor Lighthouse & Marine Museum
The Fairport Harbor Marine Museum is the first Great Lakes lighthouse marine museum in the state of Ohio, as well as in the United States. It was founded in 1945 by the Fairport Harbor Historical Society, which is devoted to preserving and perpetuating the historic tradition and sentiment in Fairport Harbor and the Great Lakes area. More
Swim, kayak & picnic at a Lake Erie beach. Parking pass available. Park is open year-round from daylight to 1/2 hour after sunset. Lifeguard on duty and concession stand open June thru Labor Day, weather permitting. Click here for more information.
Some of the Lake Metroparks activities are:
Adventure Camp for kids
Sailing Camp
Boat Camp
Kayak Rentals - Call (440) 639-9972 for availability
Rubber-Band Airplane Fly-In
Pirate Triathlon/Kayak Triathlon Spirit of American Youth Boating Education Program
Ohio's Largest Lake Erie Yellow Perch Fish Fry. Presented by the Lake County Visitors Bureau, the Lake County PERCHFEST™ brings a weekend of great food, live entertainment, “just for kids” activities, a perch fishing tournament and more!
September 10, 11 & 12, 2010.
FAIRPORT MARDI GRAS
Come and have fun with us at Fairport Mardi Gras!
P.O. Box 1118
Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
(440) 352-0806,
Rides, games, food and fireworks at the beach on Fourth of July weekend. Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park. Open noon to 11 p.m. daily, July 1-5, 2010. Parade July 1, fireworks July 5.
Photo Credits: Karen Langford
LIGHTHOUSES
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
Fresnel Lense
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
West Breakwater Lighthouse
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
Fairport Harbor Historical Society Marine Museum and Lighthouse Tower www.fairportlighthouse.com
129 Second Street, Fairport Harbor
(440) 354-4825
Located at the mouth of the Grand River, the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum is the first Great Lakes Lighthouse Marine Museum in Ohio and in the United States. A spiral staircase leads to the top of the 60-foot sandstone lighthouse, built in 1871. The adjacent museum features lighthouse lenses, relics from Native American settlements along the Grand River, and artifacts pertaining to life
on the Great Lakes. Gift shop. Admission charge. Special tours by appointment. Museum Hours: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Legal Holiday , 1-6 p.m. Open from the Saturday before Memorial Day through the third weekend in September.
Fairport Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse
Best viewed from Lake Metroparks Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park or the Fairport Harbor Port Authority at the end of Water Street. Parking fee. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes to walk the rocky breakwall, weather permitting. Lighthouse is not open to the public.
FINNISH HERITAGE MUSEUM
Finnish Heritage Museum
Photo Credit: Lake County Visitors Bureau
In 1885 a group of 25 Finns arrived in Fairport and founded the first permanent Finnish settlement. By 1900 the number of foreign-born Finns in Fairport came to 700. To this day, Fairport’s population has a strong Finnish heritage. The museum has rotating exhibits and a coffee/gift shop, featuring private-label coffee and nisu, Finnish coffee bread flavored with cardamon. Admission charge. Group tours available; call to arrange day and time.
Museum Hours:
Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.,
Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Memorial Day through mid-November,
Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. Memorial day through mid-December.
WALKING TOUR
Historical Walking Tour of Fairport Harbor
(440) 358-9294
Learn about the history of the village, the Indians, the pioneers and early settlers, the Underground Railroad, landmarks, buildings, businesses and legends. Tours depart at 2 p.m. each Saturday from the Finnish Heritage Museum, Memorial Day through September. Donations accepted. Group tours by appointment (minimum charge $50).
SHOPPING
Finnish Treasures Gift Shop
316 High Street
Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
(440) 478-5485
A unique shopping experience! Imports from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Estonia. Beautiful Littala glassware, handmade wall hangings, rugs, Kalevala Koru jewelry, Finnish knives, linens, imported coffee, foods and nisu, dolls, books, music, vases, candlesticks, handcrafts and more. Open noon daily, closed on Mondays.
OTHER RESOURCES
Fairport Harbor Tourism Council (440) 354-3620 ext. 9
Lake County Visitors Bureau
Find other local points of interest and helpful information at www.lakevisit.com.
Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
Fairport Harbor is a stop on the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, a 293-mile national scenic byway from Conneaut to Toledo. This signed route links historical museums, natural areas and other places to explore the rich history, charm and beauty of our Great Lake.
2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 21
Community Concert at Veterans Park Gazebo
7-9 p.m. Presented by the Fairport Harbor Tourism Council. Featuring Tony Fortunato & the Emperors of Swing Band. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music.
September 10-11-12, 2010
PERCHFEST
Catch Ohio's Largest Lake Erie Yellow Perch Fish Fry. Presented by the Lake County Visitors Bureau, the Lake County PERCHFEST™ brings a weekend of great food, live entertainment, “just for kids” activities, a perch fishing tournament and more! Visit www.perchfest.net.
Village of Fairport Harbor
220 Third Street Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077
Phone: (440) 352-3620 Fax: (440) 352-8872
