L_B_2015_04_

For boaters, downtown access is easy — and free — via the Portside

Docks at Promenade Park, just steps from Imagination Station, a riverside

science center where even grown-ups may unleash their inner daredevil

by riding a high-wire bicycle 20 feet above the ground.

Directly across the Maumee River, in International Park, a row of

waterfront restaurants called The Docks is the hottest spot in town, with

dockage for diners and great views of the downtown Toledo skyline.

“On a nice day it’s just packed,” says Don Smith, owner and president of

Brenner 75 Marine, with three area locations. “From a boating standpoint,

it’s by far the busiest area. And they’re all very nice restaurants.”

Offering a mix of atmospheres and cuisines, the colorful eateries

include The Real Seafood Company, Zia’s Italian Restaurant, El Vaquero

Mexican Restaurant and the nautically themed Forrester’s on the River.

DIVE INTO THE PAST

The newest star on the Toledo waterfront — and of great interest to

boaters — is the $12-million National Museum of the Great Lakes,

which opened last spring on the north end of the Marina District, a

half-mile down the Maumee River from The Docks. It’s adjacent to the

Toledo Skyway Marina, with 20 dock spaces set aside for visiting boaters.

From birch-bark canoes, old luxury liners, rum runners, and the

Underground Railroad to wartime activity such as the War of 1812 and

Air Force pilots training in World War II, the museum showcases all five

Great Lakes — Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Together,

they contain 84 percent of all the surface fresh water in North America

and more than one-fifth — 21 percent — of the world’s fresh water.

It’s hard to miss the 617-foot-long ore carrier, Col. James M.

Schoonmaker, moored on the east bank of the Maumee adjacent to the

main museum. Beautifully refurbished and transformed into a museum

ship, it ranked as the world’s largest bulk freighter — hailed as the

“Queen of the Great Lakes” — when it was launched in 1911. (It was

known in later years as the Willis B. Boyer.)

Open for touring during the warmer months, usually May through

PHOTO COURTESY OF USFWS

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

❱❱ Free public docks are located at Toledo’s

downtown riverfront at Promenade Park,

near Imagination Station and the Grand

Plaza Hotel. Boats may stay overnight,

but there’s no security and no showers,

restrooms or other facilities for the more

than 50 slips. They’re used mainly by

boaters walking around downtown or

attending Toledo Mud Hens baseball

games.

❱❱ The Docks Restaurants off er short-term

docking (no water or electric) for boaters

stopping by for a meal.

❱❱ Open May 1 to October 15, the Toledo

Skyway Marina by the National Great

Lakes Museum reserves 20 of its

70 docks for visiting boats (30- to

50-footers, docking only); 2014 rates

were $1.30 per foot. 419-691-2628

❱❱ At Maumee Bay State Park, dock rates

are: $62 for Sunday through Thursday

nights and $82, Friday, Saturday and

holiday weekend nights. Docks cannot be

reserved online. 800-282-7275

❱❱ Brenner 75 at Harrison Marina is one

of Toledo’s best-known marinas, with

docking, storage, gas and ship’s store.

419-729-1676; BRENNER75.COM

❱❱ Two yacht clubs located near the Toledo

Zoo are the Maumee River Yacht Club

(419-382-3625) and Toledo Sailing Club

(419-382-5841).

❱❱ Other yacht clubs on the Maumee include

Indian Hill Boat Club (419-893-9265),

Toledo Yacht Club (419-726-3485), and

Bay View Yacht Club (419-729-0731).

Skyway Marina

PHOTO COURTESY OF DESTINATION TOLEDO

LAKELANDBOATING.COM | APRIL 2015 5 3

POC_Toledo_APR15.indd 53 3/2/15 12:38 PM