First to Travel

29/05/2025

Check out our NEW Lake Superior Guide and find fun and exciting places to explore!
Whether you love hiking scenic trails, kayaking through sea caves, or exploring lakeside towns with fresh-caught seafood, artisan shops, and a warm welcome; Lake Superior promises an unforgettable adventure.

Click here to view the guide https://firsttotravel.com/lake-superior

22/05/2025

This last week, thanks to Shores & Islands Ohio, we got to attend the Ohio Media Marketplace with some amazing regional vendors. We were also invited back to Cedar Point to get a sneak peek at all the exciting updates for 2025.

What stood out to us this year? 🎢 New rides. 🍟 Mouth-watering food.

New this year will be the opening of Siren’s Curse - the tallest & fastest tilt coaster in North America and the full opening of Top Thrill 2.

Rides are really cool - but if you’re like me (Chris), I’m not a huge ride aficionado so I’m always on the lookout for other great activities. One of the real standouts for us is the food and dining opportunities.

We loved being able to see pizzas and Italian fare being prepared fresh at Hugo’s Italian Kitchen, and it was so fun to eat freshly made sweets at French Quarter Confections—which are to die for by the way. There were so many choices!

🎥 Watch our short video for just a taste of the thrills and flavors at the Roller Coaster Capital of the World! 🎢

We want to thank Cedar Point for inviting us, providing tickets and parking, and giving us the inside scoop about the exciting direction they are taking. Thank you also to Shores & Islands Ohio for setting up this Ohio Media Marketplace event which included a ton of amazing regional vendors.

14/05/2025

Spring is in the air, and so is warmer weather. Many of our favorite lakeside companies are now reopening for the summer season. Be sure to check out the following:

- Lake Erie Adventure Company
- The Boardwalk and The Upper Deck
- Red’s Lakehouse Restaurant and Bar

01/05/2025

Looking for somewhere to celebrate your mom for Mother’s Day weekend? Quarry Hill Orchard’s 9th Annual Spring Bloom event is May 10. Explore fruit trees, purchase local bouquets of flowers, and attend one of their spring workshops. You can also enjoy local produce, coffee from Floral Fox Coffee Bar and sweet treats from Hometown Bakery!

Learn more about the event at: https://quarryhillorchards.com/special-events/spring-bloom/

21/04/2025

Boating season is here and with it comes the Catawaba Island Boat Show! The show is from April 25-27 and features live entertainment, local cuisine, and family-friendly activities. The event is open the public and has over 75 vendors. Including one of our personal favorites: The Boardwalk and The Upper Deck and their famous lobster bisque!

Learn more here: https://catawbaislandboatshow.com/

15/04/2025

Have you checked out our latest guide to the Great Lakes? Explore Lake Superior and all the beauty, food, and adventure it has to offer! You can also watch a video from Overland Pioneers that gives an overview of the grandeur of the Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota coasts.

Learn more at https://firsttotravel.com/lake-superior

03/04/2025

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons in northern Michigan is immersed in over 100 years of history. One of the largest historic preservation and adaptive reuse developments in the country, the former hospital is now a thriving business community and gathering place.

Take a Guided Historic Tour, explore the trails or relax on the beautiful front lawn or Piazza. Home to quaint, one-of-a-kind shops, a winery, brewery, and diverse collections of eateries, The Village is a place to live, work, play, shop, dine and explore.

Learn more at https://firsttotravel.com/the-village-at-grand-traverse-commons

20/03/2025

If you’re seeking a cozy getaway look no farther than 1890 Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast. A historic Sandusky century home built in 1890, boasting guest rooms filled with character and unique stories to explore. The B&B is open year around and just a short walk to the shops, dining and island ferries of Sandusky’s historic downtown waterfront.

Learn more about the stunning B&B here:
https://firsttotravel.com/1890-queen-anne-bed-and-breakfast

04/03/2025

Looking for something indoors to do this weekend? Travel back in time to the days of passenger boats, commercial fishing, and ice harvesting on Lake Erie at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky! Learn about boat-building, Ohio’s wetlands, shipwrecks, and Sandusky’s role in the Underground Railroad.
Read more about the museum at:
https://firsttotravel.com/maritime-museum-of-sandusky

20/02/2025

Northeast Ohio has an incredible collection of vineyards and hosts the Grand River Valley’s Annual Ice Wine Festival. The festival runs the entire month of March and include some of our favorite wineries in the area, such as:
Cask 307
Debonne Vineyard
Grand River Cellars & Restaurant
Red Eagle Distillery
South River Winery
You can find more details and purchase tickets here:
https://wggrv.com/event/ice-wine-trail-2-2/

17/02/2025

Watch the final episode of our series following Scott's journey racing vintage sports cars despite battling cancer. We worked with Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island to produce this three-episode documentary about the Put-in-Bay Car Races and the inspiring story of one of the race’s longtime competitors. Despite facing surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, Scott's determination to continue racing through his battle with cancer is a true testament to perseverance.

We all have someone in our lives who has fought cancer. This series is dedicated to honoring the bravery of those who’ve fought with everything they have and to remembering those we’ve lost along the way.

We encourage you to share Scott’s journey to inspire and support others who are facing their own battles.

Join us as we experience the Put-In-Bay sports car races through the inspiring story of one of the race’s longtime competitors and a proud Put-In-Bay native....