Whiskey Island

Whiskey Island is a peninsula at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, where it meets Lake Erie, with views of Cleveland’s skyline and open water. Wendy Park has a beach for walking and stone collecting, sand volleyball, picnic areas and bike trails. Look for the Small Giants statue and watch trains cross the bridges above the industrial waterfront. The marina has a restaurant and bar, with live music in summer. Swimming is not allowed at the beach, but you can launch a canoe or kayak.

A peninsula with a long history

Despite its name, Whiskey Island is a peninsula, not an island. It takes its name from a distillery built here in the 1800s, when the land also included Lorenzo Carter’s farm and streets occupied by Irish immigrants. The area had a hospital for cholera victims during the 1832 epidemic, along with numerous saloons.

The waterfront has changed, but industry remains part of its character. The peninsula is home to a salt mine, rail lines, ore pellets and remnants of the Hulett ore unloaders. These working and historic elements sit alongside the marina, parkland and Lake Erie shore.

The waterfront today

Wendy Park is a place to walk beside the water, collect stones on the beach or play sand volleyball. The beach does not permit swimming, though canoe and kayak launches give paddlers another way to get out on the water. Picnic areas and bike trails add options for a longer visit.

Look for the Small Giants statue and the bridges where trains pass overhead. The marina has a restaurant and bar, with live bands during summer months. For a longer ride, connect the visit with Edgewater Park or the Towpath Trail. The area also has a dog park.