aiiced.com. Tower City Plaza. A popular spot for family outings in its heyday, this shopping center has been on the brink of death several times over the years, but its owners never gave up, and it survived. The food court and arcades draw families and college kids. Many shops carry a discount coupon for the Tower City Mall, a few blocks away. | 2201 W. Big Beaver Rd., at Tower Blvd., in Northland | 248/584–2000 | www.towercityplaza.com. * * * Lake Erie Islands: The Lake Erie Islands are a string of small towns a couple of miles off the mainland. They are connected by a series of bridges and causeways. The majority of them lie in Ottawa County, which also encompasses Presque Isle, the county seat and the area's largest town. Ottawa Lake extends south of Presque Isle, connecting to Lake Erie and the rest of the Great Lakes. It's named after a Canadian Indian tribe that once lived in the area. * * * ### Where to Eat Bella Luna Ristorante. $$ | ITALIAN | This popular restaurant has one of the best patio settings around. The menu is inspired by classic Italian and Spanish dishes and uses local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Homemade ravioli with shrimp, asparagus, and ricotta are delicious. The wine list has more than 400 selections. | Average main: $20 | 1231 W. Sandusky St., at 5th St. | Ottawa Lake | 248/546–2909 | www.bellalunacatering.com. Oasis Restaurant. $$ | SEAFOOD | It's a long way from the Big Apple, but this former fishing-boat captain has worked hard to capture the essence of New York–style seafood cuisine. If you happen to be a native, you'll recognize the fresh lobster bisque, New York strip steak, and crab cakes. If not, the atmosphere—complete with white-linen tablecloths, mahogany walls, and red-vinyl banquettes—is enough to conjure up the Big Apple for any real New Yorker. | Average main: $20 | 745 N. Sandusky St. | Ottawa Lake | 248/542–5222 | www.oasisrestaurantont.com | Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Sat. or Sun. ### Where to Stay Best Western Ottawa Lake Inn. $$ | HOTEL | A good base for exploring this region, the Ottawa Lake Inn is a short walk from downtown shops and restaurants. Many accommodations have lake views, balconies, or decks; others are done up in English manor house style. All guest rooms are equipped with coffeemakers, hair dryers, irons, and ironing boards, along with other useful extras. Pros: clean and well-kept rooms; reasonable prices. Cons: some rooms have dated furnishings. | Rooms from: $89 | 1475 N. Sandusky St. | Ottawa Lake | 248/546–1444 | www.bestwesternontl.com | 74 rooms | Breakfast. Bramble Inn Bed & Breakfast. $$ | B&B/INN | If you can stay in this enchanting house built in 1867, you'll be treated to period antiques, comfortable accommodations, and a private hot tub and hot-water-massage room. The wood-paneled breakfast room has large windows overlooking the lake and a wood-burning fireplace. A full breakfast is served in the well-equipped dining room. Pros: gracious owners; many personal touches. Cons: not a luxurious B&B. | Rooms from: $100 | 120 E. 4th St. | 248/546–6116 | www.brambleinn.com | 9 rooms, 1 suite | Breakfast. Grand Victoria Mansion. $$$$ | B&B/INN | When you stay here, you're enjoying history in the form of this ornate, beautifully restored, 1886 Romanesque Revival–style house. The mansion is filled with European antiques, and each room has its own personality and furnishings. There's also an English garden with a gazebo and a rose-covered pergola overlooking the lake. Though you can stay in any room, the two-room master suite has an enormous sitting area with a fireplace. All the rooms have a private bathroom, telephone, alarm clock, and a small refrigerator. Pros: unique architecture; peaceful setting. Cons: must love antiques. | Rooms from: $185 | 100 W. 6th St. | 248/546–2174 | www.grandvictoriamansion.com | 8 rooms, 1 suite | Breakfast. ### Sports and the Outdoors Black Squall II. If you're up for a thrill ride, visit Lake Erie and take a half-day excursion on the famous Black Squall II, a massive motor vessel. The boat goes out three times daily, weather permitting. | 1 S. Madison Ave. | Perrysburg | 800/869–8393 | www.eagleboats.com. Clyde Pattison Cruises. Depending on the season, you can go on cruises to Presque Isle from the marina at Clyde Pattison's restaurant. | 1001 Sandusky St. | 248/492–6151, 800/525–9547 | www.clydepattisons.com. Sandusky Jet Boat Rides. There's no better way to see Sandusky Bay than from the top of a fast jet boat. Sandusky Jet Boat Rides is based out of a marine center just south of town. The jet-boat runs go out on half-hour, one-hour, and two-hour circuits, and some include stops along the way to allow passengers to see dolphins or visit a lighthouse. The four-hour Grand Tour includes a stop at a glass-bottom boat, an ice cream factory, and a drive-through dune. | 990 W. Main St. | 248/545–1510 | www.sanduskyjetboats.com. Tanglefoot Water Park. Slightly more than 3 acres are packed with fun at Tanglefoot Water Park, including five adult and seven family-oriented waterslides (including the world's largest tangle of waterslides, which includes an enclosed tube ride), a wave pool, and a river tube ride. | 3091 Sandusky St. | 248/546–6160 | www.tanglefootwaterpark.com. ### Shopping #### Antiques and Furnishings Bird-in-Hand Antiques. A trip to this antiques store is not only fun but gives you a taste of local culture—you'll see it all from the antiques to the arts-and-crafts classes to the banners hanging from its storefront overhang. | 1110 W. 2nd St. | 248/546–6007 | www.birdinhandantiques.com. Riverside Antiques & Garden Center. With more than 40 dealers and 15,000 square feet of space, this massive antique mall also has a museum, gardens, and a gift shop in an old ironworks factory building. There are special events such as rummage sales and flea markets throughout the year, as well as regular outdoor farmers' markets with food and music on Sunday mornings in season. | 1475 W. Cty. Rd. 600 | Galion | 740/773–6527 | www.riversideantiques.com. #### Bicycles Clyde Pattison Cycle Center. Bicycles range from $15 for a used bike to $165 for a performance bike. A great selection of kids' bikes is available too. | 1001 S. Madison St. | 248/492–8141, 800/520–1707 | www.eagleboats.com/eagle-bike-rentals.html. Pike Lake Recreation Area. Bicycles are available at the Pike Lake Recreation Area for use on a network of bike trails in a wooded area. | 1201 W. 3rd St. | 248/492–6151 | www.eagleboats.com/eagle-bike-rentals.html. Port Clinton Trolley. A variety of bicycle tours are available, including a four-hour cruise that departs from the waterfront and rounds up on the Ohio side of Lake Erie. | 25 W. Portage St. | Port Clinton | 888/648–3328 | www.toledosandusky.com. #### Golf Fox Meadows Golf Course. This public golf course has 18 holes, driving range, a practice facility, pro shop, and a banquet facility. | 2555 W. Sandusky St. | 248/498–2351 | www.foxmeadowsgolfclub.com. #### Sporting Goods FAMILY | Fodor's Choice | H2O Fun Station. The best outdoor-sports store in town has an airy, inviting feel and a wide