Headlands Beach—Cleveland

Cleveland. Home of The Cleveland Orchestra—the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—Museum of Natural History and Museum of Art—the Browns...Guardians...Cavs—great food and so much more.

But...beach? The idea of a beach does not immediately jump into my mind when I think of Cleveland.

However...

Headlands Beach State Park is fantastic.

With a mile-long sandy beach along the shore of Lake Erie, the Headlands attracts families and picnickers as well as people (like my husband and me) who like to hike at the adjacent state nature preserve or stroll along for no particular reason than to cuddle up to some waves and water.

It is a pleasure to watch kids frolic in the waves or to look skyward to see kites flying above. Often there are giant sand sculptures that boggle the mind. I’ve never gone to the Headlands in the winter, but summertime is perfection.

According to the Headlands website, “Erie” means wildcat and is the tribal name given to the lake by the Indians who lived in the area until 1655.

This state park originally opened in 1953 under the name “Painesville Beach State Park” (it changed to Headlands State Park in 1955). It closed several years later when Lake Erie’s giant waves and undertow proved to be too dangerous, but it fired up again in 1967 with improvements that included plenty of (clean) restrooms, parking lots, changing areas, and concessions booths (closed during the Pandemic).

Best of all...it’s free. Just pack up a picnic, bring beach chairs and blankets, and wear a hat and sunscreen. The Headlands is a great place for a relaxing afternoon.