A Clevelander’s Guide to Geauga County: 30 Must-Go Spots

Geauga County isn’t all cornfields and farmlands — though there are plenty of both. But don’t count it out as a local travel destination.

Along the scenic, winding roads, you may stumble upon a quaint antique shop, a mom-and-pop diner or a historic downtown strip that’s new to you, but already has a fierce following. 

For those looking for a moment to slow down and escape the bustle of the city, take the 40-minute drive east of Cleveland, and explore some of what the expansive county has to offer within its most populated suburbs and townships.

Alpine Valley

When the Snow Belt shows its teeth, hit the slopes across a versatile group of hills with varying heights and difficulty levels. Then, cozy up in the on-site resort for snacks and hot cocoa. 10620 Mayfield Road, Chesterland, 440-729-9775, alpinevalleyohio.com

Buckeye Chocolate Cafe

Known best for its house-made treats like truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels and its namesake buckeyes, this cozy shop also features both a specialty coffee and all-day food menu that utilize local products and rotate seasonally. Ample seating and board games make it a great spot to spend a long day. 510 Water St., Chardon, 440-286-5282; 8555 Tanglewood Square, Bainbridge, 440-468-6956, buckeyechocolate.com

Cheshire Creamery

Bottled sodas, hot dogs and sundaes in glass bowls with mounds of sauce complement the shop’s old-school interior. But the real star of the menu is its maple waffle cones, infused with syrup straight from Geauga County — Ohio’s maple syrup capital. 14537 N. Cheshire St., Burton, 440-273-8095, thecheshirecreamery.com

Chip’s Clubhouse

Test your putting skills with a quick round of mini golf across this 18-hole course. Bring friends and family for some exciting competition, and keep an eye out for dinosaur mascots as you play. 214 Fifth Ave., Chardon, 440-285-3456, chipsclubhouse.com

Cowboy Food & Drink

Get a true southern experience with Texas-inspired barbecue and other comforting fare ranging from burgers, macaroni and cheese and pot roast. Smoked meats like brisket, pork and chicken are prepared daily, and a rotating cocktail menu spotlights various bourbons and whiskeys. 8586 E. Washington St., Bainbridge, 440-708-1011, cowboyfoodanddrink.com

DS Cakes & Sweet Cafe

When you can’t decide between sweet or savory, this cozy shop bridges the gap with an all-day breakfast and lunch menu alongside its jam-packed display case of scratch-made desserts. Seasonal and occasion-based treats are also available to order in advance. 11130 Kinsman Road, Newbury, 440-564-1106, dscakessweetcafe.com

Eleventhree Brewing

The small warehouse-style brewery and restaurant brings craft beer to a small town, and a selection of appetizers, Neapolitan-style pizzas and lobster rolls keeps bellies full. Its spacious patio with string lights and comfy chairs is a natural gathering space. 211 Cherry Ave., Unit 3, Chardon, eleventhreebrewing.com 

Emmalee’s Second Time Around

True to its name, the home goods shop repurposes secondhand furniture for its second chance. Other antiques bring interest and curiosity to every corner of the space. 12300 Kinsman Road, Newbury, 440-785-7535, facebook.com

Guido's Pizza Haven & Restaurant

This cash-only dining room and spacious event center serves up cult-favorite Italian cuisine in a familiar and welcoming atmosphere. Since the 1960s, the family business has been crafting authentic pastas and pizzas that feel like a slice of home for its local community. 12809 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, 440-729-9666, facebook.com/GuidosPizzaGenerationsCenter 

JC's Restaurant

Take your mulligan more literally at this classic diner and restaurant teeing up golf-inspired dishes across its expansive food menu. Swing by first thing in the morning for The Double Bogey ($10.99), featuring two of everything: eggs, your choice of meat and your choice of pancakes or French toast. Or, challenge yourself to The Hazard ($13.99), a spicy burger with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese and Cajun mayonnaise. 13816 W. Center St., Burton, 440-834-1900, jcs.restaurant 

King Kone

This bright pink ice cream stand has graced its Chardon street corner for more than a decade. Novelty hard-serve flavors and enormous soft-serve sundaes — plus flurries, shakes and slushies — are perfectly nostalgic and decadent. A spacious patio makes it a hot spot for summer nights, but with its season creeping into the winter months, it’s a haven for those with a sweet tooth even when it snows. 10621 Grant St., Chardon, 440-724-7385, king-kone.com 

READ MORE: Ice Cream is a Family Affair for these Chardon Sisters

Maggie’s Doughnuts

The local chain spreads across five locations that maintain the same mom-and-pop feel. A simple yet extensive menu includes classic glazed and chocolate-frosted varieties, and other favorites like apple fritters, crullers, jelly doughnuts and twists. Tarts, stuffed croissants and doughnuts on a stick keep the selection interesting, plus weekly specials like sour cream doughnuts and chocolate cake doughnuts. 301 Center St., Chardon, 440-214-9908, maggiesdonutshop.com 

Mayfield Road Drive-In

Watch movies the old-school way at one of the region’s few drive-in establishments. Load the car with friends, blankets and food and pop the trunk for a nostalgic night under the screens. 12091 Mayfield Road, Chardon, 440-286-7173, facebook.com/mayfieldroaddrivein

Novelty Shop Books

One of the county’s only bookstores is situated in an old barn with shelves stocking a one-of-a-kind selection of used and rare books. Mike Franc, a self-described “bibliophile,” opened the shop in 1984 to share his love of vintage literature with the community and help extend his fellow enthusiasts’ collections. 14948 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, 440-338-5287, noveltyshopbooks.com

Observatory Park

Part of the county’s park district, this 1,100-acre landscape is home to six hiking trails. At night, it shines as one of only 200 International Dark Sky Parks in the world — an international distinction based on the area’s lack of light pollution. It's the ideal space for stargazing, and it's nearly in our backyard. 10610 Clay St., Montville Township, geaugaparkdistrict.org 

Patterson Fruit Farm

This family-friendly market is a local favorite in the fall, but it stays open year-round with a robust selection of local produce, syrup, candles, kitchen goods and dairy products. A daily batch of doughnuts and pies complements other treats like popcorn, chocolate and cider. Pumpkin barrels line the yard each autumn, and a playground and petting zoo keep the kiddos excited. Just a short drive away, the farm offers an interactive, pick-your-own experience from its apple and strawberry orchards. Market: 11414 Caves Road, Chesterland, 440-729-1964; Farm: 8765 Mulberry Road, Chesterland, pattersonfarm.com

Pioneer Waterland

Beat the heat with a day at the water park featuring paddle boats, splash pads and pools. Or, stay dry and take up go-karting, mini golf or batting cages. Hours of operation are weather permitting through Labor Day. 10661 Kile Road, Chardon, 440-285-5200, pioneerwaterland.com

Punderson State Park

Even when summer’s over, this eclectic 741-acre region provides unrivaled views of Geauga County’s autumn beauty, and a manor house and family cottages offer memorable lodging opportunities to really bask in the scenery. Punderson also boasts Ohio’s largest kettle lake, a golf course, hiking trails, unique animal sightings and vast campgrounds, so your stay is always interesting — whether it’s a couple hours or a couple days. 11755 Kinsman Road, Newbury, 440-564-2279, pundersonstatepark.com

Quintealia’s Tea Parlor

Keep those pinkies up for one of the county’s unique ways to start your morning. This quaint tea house offers an elegant daytime service complete with breakfast, small bites and, of course, all the tea — fancy china included. Custom cakes are also available through an on-site bakery, and event spaces are perfectly curated for weddings and showers. 14585 E. Park St., Burton, 440-834-1777, facebook.com/Quintealias 

Rogish Farm

This family farm brings unique crops to the area with annual growing seasons for blueberries, lavender, sunflowers and Christmas trees. It also hosts public events for picking fruits and flowers, plus other special happenings like yoga in the pastures. Days and hours of operation occur on a situational basis, so follow the farm on social media to stay in the know about when visitors can stop by. 8637 Mulberry Road, Chesterland, 440-742-4692, rogishfarm.com 

Salty

This unique therapy experience utilizes a manmade salt cave for a relaxing, hands-free spa day. Massages, saunas and esthetic services are also available. 102 E. Park St., Suite 2, Chardon, 440-286-7258, visitsalty.com

Sharon James Cellars Winery & Restaurant

Tucked comfortably into its rural landscape, this boutique winery crafts sweet and sipable wines that pair intentionally with a small menu of appetizers, pizzas and handhelds. Local music and special events keep the space lively on a regular basis. 11303 Kinsman Road, Newbury, 440-739-4065, sharonjamescellars.com

Silver Skillet Cafe

This homey diner is no-frills and all flavor, serving a classic spread of breakfast dishes and lunch sandwiches to fuel your day the right way. 12650 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, 440-729-0682, silverskilletcafe.com 

Square Bistro

The three-story space’s dim lighting and dark interior create a warm, moody ambiance that’s a perfect setting for date night or a casual meal with family and friends. Fine dining is fused into all parts of an eclectic menu that features upscale handhelds and plates, inventive cocktails and a full sushi bar on the lower level. Daily specials rotate through chef-picked dishes, prix-fixe menus and half-off offers. 205 Main St., Chardon, 440-279-0101, square-bistro.com

READ MORE: Dining Guide: Chardon’s 18 Best Restaurants

The Collective Rose

Cozy, contemporary women’s clothing complements colorful jewelry in an inviting space for trendy yet timeless fashion. A small kids’ crafting table in the back of the store makes it a fun, family-friendly space. 101 Main St., Chardon, 440-286-5576, collectiverose.com

Tris Chic Boutique

The shop offers both a brick-and-mortar and mobile shopping experience for women’s clothing and jewelry, plus fun accessories and home goods. Its event-based boutique trailer brings a curated selection of goods to private gatherings. 12656 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, 440-290-6165, instagram.com/trischicboutique 

Undercover Charm

This cute and kitschy boutique offers themed decor for every season and several major holidays. Open houses and other market events invite the community to share in the vibrant retail experience. 14531 N. Cheshire St., Burton, 440-759-0527, facebook.com 

Versare

This shop emulates the ambiance of a chic Italian cafe, with a robust yet simple coffee list and a fine-tuned food menu. The scratch kitchen concocts a selection of pastries and sweets that changes almost daily, and a small market space sells wine, specialty pastas, coffee beans from local roasters and other Italian-inspired goods. 12777 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, 440-688-4420, versarecafe.com 

Victoria’s Bakery

Whether you’re in search of fresh bread, a decadent pastry or a craft coffee, this rustic bakery and cafe offers it all. On-site gardens provide many of the food ingredients, and a spacious upstairs space is available for private events. 12725 Woodside Drive, Chesterland, 440-467-1619, victoriascraftbakery.com 

Vintage Hollow

Unique sections are dedicated to different vendors and small businesses with a special theme or aesthetic. Each offers its own slew of antiqued goods in the realms of decor, jewelry, postcards, art, trinkets and furniture, right in the heart of downtown Chardon. 109 Main St., Chardon, 440-214-9422, facebook.com/thevintagehollow

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