Centrally located along the shore of Lake Erie in Ohio, Geneva-on-the-Lake welcomes vacationers from around the country for family-friendly fun and relaxation. From a day spent at the beach to riding go-karts with your whole family, the area offers many opportunities for quality time. Best of all, many Geneva-on-the-Lake vacation rentals are often available right on the water to keep you close to all the action. Check out the most exciting kid-centric things to do in this lakefront community.

1. Bask on the Beach

At the heart of Geneva-on-the-Lake, Geneva State Park features 698 acres of space to adventure and relax with your family. Its location on the shores of Lake Erie offers swimmers and sun-worshipers an expanse of beach to while away a summer day, while marshes and estuaries offer a chance to explore. Bring along some snacks, roll out your beach blanket, and enjoy a stunning sunset over the water from a breathtaking vantage point on the 300-foot-long guarded beach, or give the kids a pail, and let them search for shells and beach glass along the sandy lakefront.

2. Take to the Trail

Hike back into history with your family along the Western Reserve Greenway Trail. This peaceful, paved trail is a maintained part of the Underground Railroad in Ashtabula County, and several markers provide the story of the heroic efforts of abolitionists who helped lead slaves to freedom. Rest on one of the multiple benches along the trail before wending your way through canopies of trees and alongside verdant farmland. Choose a section to take on, and enjoy educational exercise with the whole family.

3. Ride the Waves

Head to Best Coast Water Sports, and get your motors running and the wake rolling with a jet ski rental. While drivers must be 21 to operate the craft, children can ride as passengers, and convenient jet ski docks make loading and unloading easier. For a slower paced tour on the water, consider renting paddle boards for the whole family and enjoy an afternoon spent learning a new water sport. On-site instructors help you get the hang of it, and beginners appreciate the calmer waters of nearby Cowles Creek, which is where the boards launch.

Find the perfect Geneva-on-the-Lake vacation rental on Tripping.com. Tripping.com is the world's #1 vacation rental search engine with over 10 million properties!

4. Kayak Lake Erie’s Shoreline

Bring along your kayaks, or rent them when you arrive at Geneva-on-the-Lake, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Lake Erie’s coast and surrounding creeks and estuaries. Tandem kayak rentals make it easy to introduce even little ones to a lifelong love of paddling. Several species of birds and other wildlife line the creek beds and shore, offering impromptu lessons as you float along.

5. Put Away a Perfect Putt

Gather up your group, and head to Allison’s Mini Golf for 18 holes of hilarity at the nation’s oldest continuous operation mini golf course. A true blast from the past and a charming family-owned operation since 1924, this fun pastime features ridiculous greens that challenge everyone, and an on-site concession stand offers a full menu of delicious treats – including meatball sandwiches, nachos, and Italian sausage to satisfy even the hungriest PGA-wannabe.

6. Spend the Day at Play

Appeal to everyone’s vacation bucket list with a visit to Adventure Zone family amusement center. Boasting people-pleasing standards, such as bumper boats and go-karts, this fun spot is located smack dab in the middle of the resort area on Lake Road. Dare to take on the 60-foot zipline that sends you flying out across the park, or climb to the top of the rock wall. Tinier tots delight in the maze-like turns of the Kids’ Krawl, and Adventure Zone even offers golf cart rentals that make getting to the Strip easy and fun.

7. Drop a Line

Set an early-morning alarm and leave your Geneva-on-the-Lake vacation rental for a chartered fishing boat tour, or head to the docks and drop your line in for a more relaxed morning spent in nature. Multiple charter options are available for rent, and some even include lunch and optional fish cleaning to take the mess out of the morning’s catch. If you’re lucky, you can catch walleye, perch, bass, trout – and sometimes even salmon – alongside family memories.

8. Stroll the Strip

As the pulse of Geneva-on-the-Lake, the Strip (also known as Lake Road) offers all the throwback fun of a family vacation circa 1945. This four-block run along the shores of the lake features everything from an exhilarating 750-foot water ride that offers a quick cool-off for the whole family to souvenir shops, hamburger stands, and even a Fascination parlor where you can play a 1920s game based loosely on tic-tac-toe with rolling balls. The bright lights along the thoroughfare beckon and provide an exciting summer evening for everyone in your family.

9. Become a Pinball Wizard

A mainstay on the Strip since the 1950s, Eddie’s Arcade offers families a trip back in time with its row of pinball machines. Teach your kids the ways of the flipper before heading on over to more modern gaming machines. This retro gaming room is attached to a diner-style grill, letting you soak up the atmosphere along with fries and burgers. Jukeboxes on each table spin mid-century tunes, taking everyone back to the days of sock hops and rock ‘n roll.

10. Strap on Snow Shoes and Grab Your Skis

While the lights of the Strip dim and the jet skis are put away when fall rolls around, winters in Geneva-on-the-Lake offer snow-sports enthusiasts miles of trails for treks, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile adventures. Off-season pricing can make Geneva-on-the-Lake vacation rentals a budget-friendly option, and the lack of crowds alongside acres of wide-open nature provide the perfect opportunity for family bonding.


Ready to go? Check out these amazing Geneva-on-the-Lake vacation rentals on Tripping.com.