
The holiday season is fast approaching, and now is the perfect time to start planning for some enchanting family fun. With events like the Christmas Connection in Northeast Ohio, A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage in Columbus, A 19th Century Holiday Guided Tour near Cincinnati, and many more, you have tons of great options no matter which corner of Ohio you call home. Here are some events to look forward to as you plan for the holidays in Ohio.
605 N. Market Ave., Canton, OH 44702
Featuring former members of The Temptations, The Miracles, and The Contours, A Motown Christmas puts a soulful spin on your favorite classic holiday tunes. This family-friendly performance will be held on November 17, 2022, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. at the gorgeous Canton Palace Theater, and is sure to have you dancing in the aisles. Bring the whole family for a memorable night of music, choreography, and fun surprises to kick off the holiday season in style.
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Settle in for an evening of holiday music, spectacular acrobatics, and unforgettable performances when you attend Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on the University of Akron campus. Featuring performers from around the world, a spectacular stage set, and an original score mixed with holiday classics, this show is sure to dazzle audience members of all ages. The show kicks off on December 6, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., with 20 unique acts leading you through an evening of holiday wonder, whimsy, and delight.
250 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
Enjoy sweet, holiday-themed fun for the whole family when you attend Holiday Cookie Camp with the Kids at Mitchell Hall on the Columbus State Community College Campus. Learn how to dazzlingly decorate holiday treats from chocolate-dipped pretzel rods to sweet sugar cookies, then finish off the event by sampling some of your creations paired with a delicious mug of hot chocolate. The fun starts on December 10, 2022, at 11 a.m., with instruction from chef Shawnie Kelley.
1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, OH 44135
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Get a head start on your holiday shopping while enjoying plenty of attractions and activities for younger family members when you visit the Christmas Connection in Cleveland. The event will take place November 18-20, 2022, at the International Exposition Center, with hundreds of vendors selling gifts for even the hardest to shop for people on your list. The kids will love visiting Santa Land, where they can meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves. There's even a Sugar Plum Shoppe featuring thousands of pre-wrapped, affordable items perfect for kids with their own shopping lists.
34 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Turn back the clock and enjoy a true holiday classic for all ages with A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage at the Palace Theater in Columbus. This new touring show brings A Charlie Brown Christmas to the theater stage with all of your favorite characters and songs. The show starts at 6 p.m. on November 27, 2022, the perfect family activity to wrap up Thanksgiving weekend this year.
160 Easton Town Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43219
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Get ready for a night of dazzling lights, shopping, entertainment, and family fun with Easton's Grand Illumination at the Easton Town Center. There will be live music, costumed characters, holiday decorations, and plenty of fun activities for the youngest members of the family. The evening is highlighted by the Grand Illumination at 7 p.m. when more than 2 million lights will be turned on simultaneously to light up Easton Town Center. Easton's Grand Illumination will take place on November 18, 2022, from 6-9 p.m.
650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Prepare to be amazed by incredible illusions and marvelous magic for the whole family with The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati. This fun, fast-paced show has delighted audiences around the globe, featuring some of the world's most talented illusionists and magicians. The show starts at 7:30 PM on November 25, 2022, ideal for an evening of family fun after a day of Black Friday shopping.
11500 Lebanon Rd., Sharonville, OH 45241
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The Heritage Village Museum is a living history museum that will transport your family to a different era, and the holiday season is an excellent time to visit. The museum will host A 19th Century Guided Holiday Tour, which will take your family throughout the historical Heritage Village to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season while learning how holiday traditions have evolved over centuries. Tours leave every hour on November 30 – December 3 and December 7-9, 2022, from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Where will you be celebrating the season in Ohio this year?

Pierogi are delicious dumplings originating in Poland but also popular in Germany and Eastern Europe. They're stuffed with a range of fillings such as potatoes and cheese, sauerkraut, and ground meat. You don't have to be Polish to enjoy pierogi — especially on October 8th! It's National Pierogi Day, the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to this satisfying comfort food. You could buy some pierogi and prepare them at home or visit a Northeast Ohio restaurant in celebration.
1979 West 25th Street #E5, Cleveland, OH 44113
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Pierogi Palace is a vendor inside West Side Market in Cleveland. It's a great place to get your pierogi fix after doing your weekly produce shopping. The pierogi here are huge; two or three could make a complete meal. Choose from multiple fillings such as mushroom and artichoke hearts, classic potato, and crab meat.
Pierogi Palace sells their pierogi individually, so you can purchase as many as you like. They're all on display in a glass case, and the employees pack them to order. If you need suggestions for cooking and preparing them, just ask.
8467 Memphis Avenue, Brooklyn, OH 44144
Mom's Pierogies is a takeout restaurant known for traditional Polish pierogi. You can order your pierogi either boiled or fried. Their takeout menu includes a Pierogi Meal with four potato cheddar pierogi, caramelized onions, sour cream, and two sides. The cucumber salad and potato salad are both delicious side options.
Mom's Pierogies also sells frozen pierogi. In addition to their classic potato cheddar variety, they have mushroom and cheese, potato cheddar jalapeno, sauerkraut, and breakfast pierogi. The breakfast pierogi are stuffed with sausage, cheese, and scrambled eggs, and they're a crowd-pleaser.
13046 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44111
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Beer and pierogi pair together so well, which is probably why Der Braumeister serves both. This German restaurant has a great selection of German and Eastern European beers you can't find anywhere else in Cleveland. Grab a pint, then order a round of pierogi. Here, they are made with ricotta cheese and served with applesauce and sour cream.
The pierogi here are a starter, so you may want to order an entree too. The chicken paprikash is a tried and true favorite, as is the potato pancake Reuben.
12859 Brookpark Road, Parma, OH 44130
If you want to go out to eat for National Pierogi Day, then Dick & Alice Sausage and Pierogi Haus is a great choice. This casual, welcoming restaurant serves all of the polish favorites, plus a few unique twists. Guests love Moons Over Parma, a pierogi dish consisting of beer braised pierogi, pepperkraut, crispy pork belly, and Flaming Cheeto dust.
The Polish sausage at Dick & Alice is incredible and the perfect pairing for pierogi. Try the Buffalo chicken, Asian Persuasion, or Cleveland Standard sausage, and add on two pierogi for an extra $3.
2207 West 11th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
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For a gastropub-like atmosphere, head to The South Side for your pierogi fix. This American restaurant has an awesome patio, great service, and a varied menu. Their pierogi are on the "Sharable" menu, and indeed, they are a great dish to share with friends at the bar. Served with rosemary garlic butter, they're a bit unique but not too far a departure from traditional pierogi.
You can order a larger portion of pierogi as an entree, too. Or, start with the pierogi and follow up with some tacos, chicken and waffles, or shrimp and grits. Pierogi heat up well, so having leftovers is never a bad thing.
5728 Pearl Road, Parma, OH 44129
If you're in the Parma area, stop by Das Schnitzel Haus for your pierogi meal. This festive German restaurant serves classic, house-made potato-and-cheese pierogi with grilled onions and sour cream. They also have other German favorites like sauerkraut balls and potato pancakes.
Don't leave Das Schnitzel Haus without ordering dessert. Even though it's National Pierogi Day, you have to try their handmade strudels. The cheese is incredible, as are the apple and cherry options. The German chocolate cake is delicious too.
1404 West 29th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
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What do you get when you combine good music and pierogi? You get Jukebox, a unique Cleveland restaurant. Guests can select songs to play on the jukebox and enjoy their meal on a spacious patio, weather permitting. They have several options for vegans and those following gluten-free diets.
Jukebox has a whole menu section dedicated to pierogi. Fillings include potato and cheese, potato and bacon, sweet potato black bean, and Buffalo chickpea. You can also choose your dipping sauces, with options including creamy dill, stadium mustard, and house ranch. Add a side of kraut for good measure, and dig in while listening to your favorite band.
20 North Main Street, Hubbard, OH 44425
With a name like Lena's Pierogi House, you can bet this place serves some incredible pierogi. They serve the classic options daily but have specialty "Daily Pierogies." On Fridays, try the Sweet Cottage Cheese pierogi. The Buffalo Chicken variety is also incredible whenever it's featured.
In addition to pierogi, Lena's sells some other delicious German and Hungarian fare. Guests love the Hungarian Platter, which comes with cheddar pierogi, cabbage rolls, mashed potato, chicken paprikash, and slaw. The Kielbasa and Kraut Hoagie is also great and served with a cheddar pierogi on the side. Lena's sells frozen pierogi you can prepare at home too.
Where will you celebrate National Pierogi Day in Northeast Ohio?

From haunted houses to immersive experiences to real sites with a ghostly history, October has a plethora of fun and spooky things to see and do. But it's hard to know where all the best Halloween events are if you've just moved to a new area. Ohio is full of spooky destinations you won't want to miss. Here are some of our favorite haunts, tours, and other Halloween events near Northeast Ohio, Columbus, and Cincinnati.
605 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH, 44702
This one-day event runs Friday, October 28th, from 10:30 pm to 2 am and is limited to just 30 people, so get your tickets as soon as possible. Taking place at the historic Canton Palace Theatre, this is not a show or a haunt, but a real investigation into possible mysterious and paranormal goings on there, led by paranormal investigators Team S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Photographs and videos are encouraged, and attendees are welcome to bring their own ghost hunting tools, such as temperature and EMF meters, motion detectors, etc.
13463 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
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While this one isn't a scary experience, if you're a fan of horror movies, you'll want to check out this restaurant. With posters and memorabilia on the walls, they serve up dishes inspired by all your favorite scary movies, from the Birdbox Sandwich (fried chicken breast with Cajun mayo, cheese, and maple sauce) to the Pennywise (red waffle sandwich with pepper jack and candied bacon) to Silence of the Lamb Chops, and more. And, of course, there's plenty of "creepy pasta" as well. They also have vegan options like the Ecto Burger, which pairs an Impossible patty with vegan pulled pork, and Children of the Street Corn. Come in for brunch or dinner to get into the Halloween spirit.
256 Mahoning Ave., Warren, OH 44483
Sponsored by the Trumbull County Historical Society, this ghost walk begins at the First Presbyterian Church and guides you through a one-mile walking tour of the historic Perkins neighborhood. Actors portray various members of the Perkins family and relate a variety of fun and chilling tales of the area. Now in its 34th year, the Ghost Walk is a favorite for children and adults alike.
325 E. Iron Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622
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The Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum has a variety of tours and events throughout the year, from tea parties to murder mystery dinners, which allow guests to explore this beautiful and historic 19th-century property. But if you're a fan of the paranormal, the one you'll most want to check out is the Ghost Tour. Happening October 14th and 15th, this guided tour will relate stories of the strange and unexplained things that have happened in the Reeves Museum, along with some old Victorian superstitions. Tours regularly from 7 pm to 10 pm, but if you're really brave, you can take the Midnight Tour!
100 Reformatory Rd., Mansfield, OH 44905
The Ohio State Reformatory is best known as the filming location for the 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption. In October, however, they use the facility in a very different way. Escape from Blood Prison is an intense haunt experience that turns the walls of the reformatory into a waking nightmare. Guests find themselves surrounded by the ghosts of some of the prison's more violent offenders and witness to the horrors that occurred there. Recommended for ages 10 and up, this is a wild ride you won't soon forget.
424 George St., Marietta, OH 45750
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Dating back to 1859, this 23-room mansion is filled with history, including connections to the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. It also has a history of haunted occurrences and spooky happenings. On Saturdays in October, you can take a guided tour of the history and hauntings in this mansion. Or, if you're brave, you can take a flashlight ghost tour on Friday nights beginning at 10 pm.
118 Ridges Circle, Athens, OH 45701
What better way to celebrate spooky season than with a trip to a mental asylum? The Ridges (formerly the Athens Lunatic Asylum) treated patients for over 100 years. In addition to the facilities, there are also three cemeteries, with nearly 2,000 graves of the patients who died there over the years. Tours of the asylum are full of history, mystery, and just a bit of spine-tingling creepiness. The Halloween season isn't complete without a visit.
Hope-Moonville Road, McArthur, OH 45651
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Not a house, not a haunt, just a cool place with a spooky vibe. Formerly a railroad line leading to the town of Moonville, the line no longer runs, and Moonville is a ghost town. The tunnel is one of the only things still remaining. You can hike to it across the remains of the railroad line, and it's a great place to explore and take photos. And legend has it, the tunnel is haunted by the ghosts of railroad workers who died there. If you look closely, you can still see them waving their lanterns.
29100 W. River Rd. (OH-65), Perrysburg, OH 43551
Fort Meigs was a military base during the War of 1812. Now, you can take immersive history tours there and experience the era for yourself. But the last two weekends in October, they have a different sort of tour. Guides will take you back in time to experience a variety of unexplained occurrences that have been reported over the years. Tours are conducted entirely by lantern light, with stories told around campfires. Tours begin at 7 pm, but if you want the full experience, take the 18+ night tour at 8:45 or 9 pm.
What spooky goings-on are you looking forward to experiencing this Halloween season?

Fall is one of the most exciting times of year for festivals in Ohio communities, with celebrations of food, drink, music, history, and so much more on the schedule. Whether you visit an event like Cleveland Oktoberfest in Northeast Ohio, the Mohican Bluegrass Festival near Columbus, or the Ohio Renaissance Festival around the corner from Cincinnati, you're sure to find a place to make memories this fall. You can find information on those festivals and many more in our guide to Ohio fall festivals for 2022.
1289 Edison St. NW, Hartville, OH 44632
The fun begins at Hartville Marketplace for the 17th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival, which takes place on September 24 from 9 am to 4 pm. This family-friendly festival is filled with art, crafts, great food, live entertainment, and fun activities for all ages. Spend your day uncovering unique finds from more than 200 crafts vendors, enjoy various seasonal activities, or watch the kids have a great time playing on outdoor inflatables. Start your holiday shopping early with crafty gifts, or find the perfect piece to decorate your home.
19201 E. Bagley Rd., Berea, OH 44130
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The highly anticipated annual Cleveland Oktoberfest will occur at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds and Event Center from September 2-5, 2022. It's one of the best ways to enjoy Labor Day weekend in the city, with everything from wiener dog races to strongman competitions. Of course, there will be plenty of great beer, traditional German cuisine, and fantastic live music to enjoy all weekend long. Discover the latest beers from the best microbreweries in the Cleveland area, then cast your vote to help crown a Cleveland Oktoberfest champion.
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Fall is a great time to celebrate the harvest of the season, so it would be hard to pick a better time for the Apple Butter & Cider Weekend at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. This event takes place on October 1-2, 2022, from 9 AM through 5 PM. Learn all about how apple butter and apple cider are produced, watch traditional harvest activities, then sample the delicious dishes that result from the process. There will also be a variety of seasonal activities, highlighted by the three-acre Johnny Appleseed Trail corn maze.
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The 24th Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival is a celebration of the pawpaw, North America's largest native tree fruit, taking place on September 16-18, 2022, around Lake Snowden. You will have the opportunity to sample meals that highlight the great flavor of the pawpaw, peruse pawpaw-related works of art, and enjoy tons of family-friendly activities while you explore. Enjoy live music from some of Ohio's best bands all weekend long, and be sure to check out the Kids Central area, which features plenty of fun, hands-on activities for younger visitors. Interested in the agricultural side of pawpaws? This festival also features educational panels on growing, cooking, medicinal use, sustainability, and even the genetics of the pawpaw.
22462 Wally Rd., Glenmont, OH 44628
Head to the scenic Mohican Wilderness campground for a weekend of live music and fun activities for the whole family September 15-17. The 31st Annual Mohican Bluegrass Festival features three days of live music spread across multiple stages, tons of great food from local vendors, and fun crafts from local artisans. Reserve a campsite in advance, and turn the festival into a weekend-long family vacation.
Historic Main Street, Waynesville, OH 45068
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The annual Ohio Sauerkraut Festival is always one of the biggest events of the year in Waynesville, and this year's event will be no exception. The festival takes place on October 8-9, 2022, with booths, vendors, food, drink, and activities all along Historic Main Street in Waynesville. You can try sauerkraut prepared in nearly every way imaginable, including the famous sauerkraut pizza, which tastes much better than it sounds. In addition to providing fun activities for the community, this event serves as a major fundraiser for local non-profit organizations. It even raises money for scholarships given to local graduating high school seniors.
10542 OH-73, Waynesville, OH 45068
Take thyself back to another era when you visit the Ohio Renaissance Festival, which will be open every weekend from September 3 through October 30, 2022. Experience a real-life recreation of a renaissance-era, 16th-century village filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors you've read about in the history books. The village will be filled with unique shops, live shows, fun activities for kids, delicious food, and games for all ages. There will be themed weekends throughout the event, like Fantasy Weekend, Pirates Weekend, Romance Weekend, and Tricks or Treats Weekend, so check the schedule to find the perfect weekend to visit the Ohio Renaissance Festival.
1241 Main St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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Coffee lovers from around Ohio and beyond will meet up for the annual Cincinnati Coffee Festival on October 22-23, 2022. It's the largest coffee festival in the Midwest, with roasters, coffee shops, bakers, and chocolatiers coming together to create a weekend that your taste buds definitely won't want to miss. The event features delicious samples, live entertainment, coffee art, demos related to all things coffee, fun competitions, and plenty of surprises along the way. And this festival isn't just about coffee! Tea and chocolate lovers will also find plenty to enjoy at the Cincinnati Coffee Festival.
No matter which corner of Ohio you call home, there are fun festivals to be enjoyed all year long. So, which festival will you fall in love with this year?

Most people are familiar with frozen margaritas and daiquiris, but have you tried a wine slushie? It's a delicious mash-up of a Slurpee-like consistency combined with your favorite wine to create a deliciously sweet and icy treat. Slushies are an especially delicious way to cool off during the summer.
Try a wine slushie at the following eight spots around Northeast Ohio.
234 W. Main St., Ravenna, OH 44266
At West Main Winery, Brewery & Cider House, all of their libations are made in-house using the finest ingredients from throughout the world. You'll find a variety of slushies to suit your tastes, and they all start as non-alcoholic versions until your favorite wine is added. Try the pomegranate, which uses nectar of the vine pomegranate frappe, mixed with Six Seeds Wine for a refreshing taste of summer. The Very Very Berry, with nectar of the peach mango frappe mix and peach wine, is also a customer favorite this time of year.
109 State Route 44, Hartville, OH 44632
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Named after the year in which the barn it calls home was built, 1875 Winery & Restaurant has plenty of space in which to gather with friends and enjoy a slushie. The barn has three floors of dining area, and the winery and restaurant has two outside patios, two pavilions that sit on a lake, and more. You can even sit up in the silo or by a 24 feet tall, four-sided fireplace or a water wall. While you're there, order a slushie of one of their wines, such as the Drop'd Out, a sweet and fruity pink option, or the Gatsby, a semi-sweet red.
2180 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
CLE Urban Winery, located in the historic Cedar-Lee neighborhood, hand-crafts and bottles their wines onsite from premium grapes. You'll find the winery's atmosphere to be chic and interesting, so you'll be comfortable unwinding with a refreshing Frose Wine Slushie. Order a glass or carafe of three-plus glasses of the slightly sweet drink made with the winery's Rust Belt Rose. Or for some extra refreshment, try the Frose on Vacay slushie, which is topped with a floater of Malibu Coconut Rum. If you'd like some to take home, three varieties of Frose Wine Slushies—Hometown Heroes Peach Chardonnay, Rust Belt Rose, and Buckeye Blackberry Merlot—can be ordered for takeout.
5228 State St. NE, Canton, OH 44721
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You'll find Lost Trail Winery on 13 acres in Marlboro Township on the outskirts of Canton in a setting and building inspired by Adirondack camps in New York. Their wines are made from carefully chosen grapes and then hand-crafted in small batches. Favorites include Kienuka, a sweet wine that will remind you of the grape juice you drank as a child, and the Altitude, a dry Chardonnay with aromas of yellow apple, pineapple, cantaloupe, and more along with tastes of pear and peach. If you'd like to try one of their wines or a wine slushie made for the day from one of their signature wines, you might want to time your visit for when a band is playing to further increase the fun quotient.
6011 Old Route 39 NW, Dover, OH 44622
A wine manufacturing facility, tasting room, and cafe, Hans' Place aims to offer something for everyone on the menu. One of its two outside decks is the perfect place to sit since it creates a natural amphitheater surrounded by hills and woods. Instead of looking out, you look up and see woods and a waterfall, so it's a great spot to take selfies with your friends. Order a white, red, or blush wine, or choose one from the large fruit and berry wines section. Blueberry, blackberry, peach, and strawberry are ideal for ordering as a slushie, either by the glass or pitcher. If you can't decide what you want, try a four- or six-glass flight of two ounces each before ordering.
2637 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Norton, OH 44203
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Winery at Wolf Creek lives up to its slogan of "wine, romance, and a view for miles." The beautiful setting feels like it's a world away, making it the perfect spot to enjoy mostly Ohio-grown wines. Bring a picnic or buy a cheese and cracker basket at the winery, cool off with a slushie, and spread out to enjoy the view. If you'd like to bring your dog along, visit from 5-8 p.m. from May-October, when pooches are welcomed on the patio, food trucks visit, and local rescues are supported.
12251 OH-39, Big Prairie, OH 44611
Sunny Slope Winery has been a part of the community since 1927 and caters to wine connoisseurs as well as those just starting to expand their interest in wine. The small-batch, hand-crafted winery specializes in delicious fruit wines bottled right at the winery. Try the Big Prairie White, a light sweet moscato grape wine, or the peach, strawberry, or plum wines. Each is delicious on its own or in a refreshing slushie.
3950 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44319
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If you're looking to relax with a wine slushie in hand, Nauti Vine Winery's cozy, laid-back atmosphere and great views of the Portage Lakes makes the perfect spot. The menu includes a nice number of reds and whites as well as a rose from Nauti Vine, and additional guest wine selections are also offered. If you need help finding a favorite, you can try three wine tastings for $5. Once you've made your choice, order it in a cold, refreshing slushie in a glass or a tumbler if you're feeling even more thirsty. Head outside to the brick patio on the lake, and enjoy the view along with your slushie and an appetizer like a meat and cheese plate.
Where will you visit to try a wine slushie this summer?