We all love the Museum, the Zoo, the Library and the other cultural institutions that make residents of our area proud. As we celebrate the 419, the City Paper would like to cast a spotlight on shops, restaurants, landmarks and out-of-the-way places that help make the Glass City shine brightly.
Boyd’s Retro Candy Store
954 Phillips Ave.
419-720-7387
boydsretrocandy.com
It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when you visit Boyd’s. The colorful ambiance and old time feel of the store brings the kid out in everyone. The variety of candies on sale are nostalgia for your taste buds, from long ago treats to modern favorites. Head to Boyd’s and remember how good the past can taste.
Commodore Perry Statue
Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg
historicperrysburg.org/perry.htm
The memorial statue standing at the end of Louisiana Avenue in Perrysburg has seen quite a few alterations over the years. The original marble monument, put on display in Cleveland in 1860, was moved to Perrysburg in 1937. By 1997 the statue had deteriorated, leading to a new bronze duplicate being put up in its place. Since then, the memorial to the hero of the Battle of Lake Erie has become an area trademark. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll through recently renovated Riverside Park and an evening of shopping and eating in Downtown Perrysburg.
Fort Meigs
29100 W River Rd., Perrysburg
419-974-4121
fortmeigs.org
Over 200 years have passed since the British Army’s failed attempt to capture Fort Meigs, and the land still reverberates with the memories of the battle. Since the Fort was reconstructed in the 1960s (and painstakingly rebuilt in the early 2000s), Fort Meigs has been a hub for history buffs. The museum features a remarkable variety of historical artifacts and a ton of special events are held year round. Wanna see a demonstration of blacksmithing? Head for Fort Meigs!
Fossil Park
5705 Centennial Rd., Sylvania
419-882-8313
olanderpark.com/olanderpark/fossil-park
Kids and their parents can experience the thrill of searching for evidence of extinct life at this unique site. Featuring a five acre quarry, that is completely ADA accessible, participants are welcome to dig with their bare hands to unearth fossils from different species of prehistoric life. Better still, visitors can keep whatever
fossils they find on their dig.
Hensville
N St. Clair St.
419-725-4367
hensvilletoledo.com
The return of the Mud Hens for the 2021 season is reason to celebrate, and the hub of dining, nightlife and entertainment that surrounds Fifth Third Field has been a boon to downtown for years. Visitors can grab a bite or a beverage from Holy Toledo Tavern or Fleetwood’s, enjoy some beautiful views of the city skyline from the rooftops, grab Mud Hens swag at the Swamp Shop and find a unique and
memorable place for events at Hensville.
Hollywood Casino Toledo
1968 Miami St.
419-661-5200
hollywoodcasinotoledo.com
Thrills are available 24/7 at the Casino, with over 100,000 square feet of floor space featuring thousands of slot machines and over 50 table games. Currently health regulations mean that the poker room is closed, which saddens card sharks, but other games are still up and running. And if you’re looking for a nice place to dine, Final Cut Steak and Seafood offers some excellent fare Wednesdays through Saturdays.
Imagination Station
Online Programs
1 Discovery Way
419-244-2674
imaginationstationtoledo.org
The joy of learning never stops, even if the doors are closed for the time being. As of this writing, Imagination Station has yet to reopen, but kids of all ages can still get their science on with the Station’s wide variety of online programming. The center offers monthly Virtual HomeschoolWorkshops that can be joined via the Imagination Station website, along with a variety of virtual workshops and events. The KeyBank Discovery Theater, a new laser-projected movie house featuring a 58-foot wide screen, will open to the public soon.
Maumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park Rd., Oregon
419-836-7758
maumeebaylodge.com
Sitting at the edge of Lake Erie, Maumee Bay is a nature lover’s dream, with hundreds of species of birds to see and a rich landscape of meadows and marshes to explore. Maumee Bay has you covered with campgrounds, a full resort, cabins to rent and a golf course.
Metropark Bike Trails
Various locations
419-407-9700
Metroparkstoledo.com
-adventures/bicycling
Challenge yourself with a brisk ride through the scenic vistas of Toledo’s Metroparks. The miles of trails connect a variety of parks, from Chessie Circle, connecting North and South Toledo, to Wabash-Cannonball, which connects Side Cut, Fallen Timbers and Oak Openings Preserve. Looking for a more rugged riding experience? Beachridge Trail at Oak Openings is an 11-mile trail full of challenging obstacles for mountain bikers, built entirely by volunteers.
Side Cut Metropark
1025 W River Rd., Maumee
419-360-9187
Metroparkstoledo.com
The wellspring from which Toledo’s Metroparks began, Side Cut is a beautiful and serene location. The first Metropark, Side Cut gets its name from an extension of the Miami and Erie Canals that connected them to Maumee. Three of the original canal locks were preserved in the 1930s by WPA workers, who also built many of Side Cut’s signature shelters. Side Cut is popular with fishing enthusiasts, but visitors of all ages find joy in its playgrounds, picnic areas and, in the winter, an excellent sledding hill.
Tony Packo’s
1902 Front St.
419-691-6054
tonypacko.com
There may be no eatery that screams “Toledo” more than Tony Packo’s. Opened in 1932, the brand was made famous by the Toledo’s own Jamie Farr in the classic TV series M*A*S*H. The number of locations has expanded and the walls are lined with the autographed hot dog buns, but the core of the enterprise that began on Front St. remains the same: Darn good Hungarian hot dogs, served in a relaxed, classic setting.
Veteran’s Glass City Skyway
I-280
During the day, the Skyway bridge is a sight to behold, an engineering marvel since it originally opened in 2007. But at night the bridge truly comes alive, with the lone pylon housing hundreds of LED lights with a myriad of color combinations, visible from around the Toledo area. The perfect merging of artistic form and function, and a fitting tribute to the community it serves.
