Huron offers scenic waterfront living with a vacation vibe
The Huron Lighthouse is a point of pride among the community, signifying Huron as a prominent port along Lake Erie and Huron River. The city’s easy access to water makes it a recreation destination for both full-time and summer residents. “We are a coastal town with a small-town feel, but we offer a lot. We have private beach communities, public marinas and charming shops and restaurants,” says Kerri Hensel, a real estate agent with Simply Better Realty who has over 20 years of experience and lives in Huron. “I love living where I feel like I’m on vacation. Everywhere you go in town you get glimpses of the lake.”
Recreation on Lake Erie, Huron River and in city parks
With both Lake Erie and Huron River in the area, water recreation is around every bend. Public marinas are found throughout the city – Huron Boat Basin is the largest one, with over 120 boat slips and a floating dock. “The state of Ohio put a fish cleaning station by the public boat ramp, so the area attracts a lot of professional fishing tournaments,” Hensel says. Huron Boat Basin also has a public amphitheater that regularly hosts live music and movie nights in the summer. Nickel Plate Park is a sandy beach area along the lake that has a fishing pier, beach volleyball courts and an outdoor ping-pong table. Beachgoers can swim at their own risk or rent kayaks and paddleboards. On the other side of the river, Lake Front Park is another beach with a gazebo and picnic tables.
Andrew Fabens Memorial Park operates as a sports complex with 9 baseball/softball fields, five tennis courts and two batting cages. There’s also a playground and natural trail for walking and biking. Three public golf courses are located in Huron: Thunderbird Hills has two 18-hole courses, and the other is with the Sawmill Creek Golf Club. The Cedar Point Amusement Park is about 10 miles west near Sandusky, with roller coasters, an 18-acre water park and live entertainment.
Nature preserves are found on each side of Huron. Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve is a 472-acre area west of the city that has about 2 miles of hiking trails exploring its wetlands, swamps and marshes. To the east is Old Woman’s Creek, an estuary and non-swimming beach used for birdwatching.
A variety of housing styles with water views, spanning decades
Most homes in Huron are found in quiet communities with easy access to the water. “Our summer population swells. We have a lot of people come from Cincinnati and Columbus and have second homes,” Hensel says. Properties come in a wide range of housing styles and are accompanied by front lawns and driveways. Minimal traditional single-story homes and ranchers are common, built between the 1940s and 1960s. There are also single-story homes built from the 1990s to 2010s with New Traditional architecture such as front gables and stone accents. Colonial Revivals are another popular housing type with simple vinyl exteriors.
According to Hensel, Old Plat is a historic neighborhood in Huron filled with multistory Victorian homes with pointed roofs and front porches. Prices range from $125,000 to $500,000, depending on property age and condition. “It’s still pretty affordable, compared to Ohio’s other waterfront towns,” Hensel says. Multistory riverfront homes with private water access cost around $750,000 to $920,000. These houses tend to have front porches and resemble Cape Cods. There are also a handful of resort-style condo communities with units going for $200,000 to $300,000.
The CAP Index Crime Score in Huron is 2 out of 10; compared to the national average of 4.
Shops and restaurants along Main Street and U.S. Route 6
Main Street’s commercial corridor is dotted with shopping and dining. Harbor House Bar & Grill specializes in upscale American and seafood dishes, while Huron Pizza House serves specialty pies. As Main Street travels north, some eateries become backed by the river. “We have bars and restaurants right on the water, so you can pull up on your boat to the dock and have a cocktail or something to eat,” Hensel says.
Commerce Plaza is a shopping center along U.S. Route 6 that has Cornell’s Food for groceries and an Ace Hardware. Berardi’s Restaurant is family owned and serves traditional, home cooked meals. Farther west, where Route 6 meets Cleveland Road, there’s a commercial corridor with a handful of fast-food eateries like McDonald’s and Long John Silvers. For national retailers and big-box stores, Sandusky has a Walmart Supercenter, Sams Club and Home Depot, all about 10 miles from the city.
Celebrating the community through annual events
Huron River Fest is the city's most popular event, taking place in July. Festivalgoers can listen to live music, enjoy carnival rides and try out multiple food vendors. There’s also a parade and fireworks show. The annual All Classics Festival is in August and showcases vintage boats and vehicles. In December, Huron WinterFest celebrates the holidays through carriage rides, a tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa.
Getting educated in Huron City public schools
The Huron City School District serves over 1,170 students. Woodlands Elementary School earns an A-minus grade from Niche. McCormick Junior High and Huron High School both receive B grades. Students at Huron High can participate in internships and work-based learning through Tiger Trek, the school’s career exploration program.
Bowling Green State University’s Firelands campus is located just west of the city.
Traveling around Huron by bike, golf cart or car
Huron’s sidewalks and bike paths are pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly. “We are a golf cart community. You can take your golf cart from one end of the city to the other,” Hensel says. There are also multiple commuter routes for those who use a car. U.S. Route 6 travels east and west and can be used to reach Cleveland, while Ohio state Route 2 travels to Toledo – both head to Sandusky, about 10 miles west.
The Firelands Regional Medical Center is the closest general hospital, located in Sandusky. The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is roughly 44 miles away.
