Crystal Beach

Crystal Beach is a shoreline community along Lake Erie's northern bank with sandy beaches and shallow swimming areas for water activities. The waterfront stretches for several kilometers with public beaches, picnic grounds, and green spaces throughout the residential area.

The settlement began in the mid-1800s as a resort town and grew around a major amusement park that operated for nearly a century. After the park closed in the late 1980s, the focus shifted back to the beach and residential development along the water.

The shoreline has long served as a gathering place where residents and visitors share meals, celebrate together, and participate in seasonal festivities. The water and sandy shores shape how people spend their leisure time and connect with their community throughout warmer months.

The location is accessible year-round and most enjoyable on warm days when water temperatures are suitable for swimming. Pay attention to the rocky sections of shore and wear water shoes, as the bottom can be uneven and slippery in places.

A paddle-wheel steamer once ran between Buffalo in neighboring New York and this shoreline, connecting both sides of the water. This service was one of the popular ways to cross the international boundary and explore the region.