ON THE ROAD

With airfare prices skyrocketing, traveling by car looks enticing. BY LAURA

WATILO BLAKE

Amish Country

Distance from Cleveland: 74 miles

The appeal: cultural experiences, shopping, dining

Where to start: Berlin, OH

Key summer event: Holmes County Fair, Aug. 7-12

Quirky roadside attraction:

World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, Sugarcreek, OH

Where to stay: Carlisle Inn, Sugarcreek

More info: visitamishcountry.com

In Ohio’s Holmes County, horsedrawn buggies outnumber cars and a commitment to simplicity, tradition and faith guide daily life. A deep dive into the area’s 30,000-strong Swiss-German Amish community starts in Berlin, a charming small town filled with quaint shops and homestyle restaurants. The Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center depicts the struggle for religious freedom in Europe and exile to America.

Niagara Parkway

Distance from Cleveland: 218 miles

The appeal: wine, theater, natural wonders and family fun

Where to start: Niagara Falls, ON

Quirky roadside attraction: The largest floral clock in the world, Niagara Falls, ON

Where to stay: Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Key summer event: Canada Day, July 1

More info: visitniagaracanada.com

Ontario’s Niagara Parkway, which stretches from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake offers an unforgettable approach to one of the most mesmerizing wonders in the world — Niagara Falls. When the late-afternoon sun is shining, a perpetual rainbow dances on the misty water droplets rising from the thundering chasm straddling the U.S. and Canadian border. The excitement builds until you’re standing at the edge of Horseshoe Falls at Table Rock Welcome Centre feeling the spray on your skin and the cool wind produced by the sheer force of the Niagara River spilling 180 feet over the brink. There’s plenty more in Niagara Falls to keep the whole family happy for days, from a Journey Behind the Falls to the soaring birdseye view from Skylon Tower.