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Situated at the mouth of the Maumee River, Toledo is a major port city of the Great Lakes. A French fort was the first building to be built in Toledo in 1700, but permanent settlement did not occur until after the war of 1812. Toledo was created from the merging of two villages, Vistula and Port Lawrence in 1833.
With the arrival of the railway in 1836 and the development of two canals in the 1840’s, Toledo grew rapidly from a sleepy little town, to a major industrialized city. Oil and gas were discovered in 1844, and the glass industry was established in 1888. The St Lawrence Seaway was opened in 1959 and Toledo became a prominent port with foreign trading connections with special terminals for coal and iron ore.
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SS Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship – 26 Main Street. This ship is permanently docked at the International Park. The 617-foot freighter carried cargo on the Great Lakes for nearly 70 years. The ship was launched in 1911, and since being put on retirement, she has become a floating museum. The vessel has been authentically restored and contains maritime photographs and artifacts that depict the history of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Toledo Museum of Art – 2445 Monroe Street. This museum houses the finest collection of art in the nation. Works by El Greco, Rubens, Degas, Picasso and other masters can be found here. There is a collection, which traces the history of glass over a span of 3500 years. Other features included are medieval ivory, tapestries and manuscripts.
Wolcott House Museum – 1031 River Road. The Wolcott House is a stately mansion, which overlooks the Maumee River. This house has been restored to depict life in the mid 19th century. There are several structures that have been built by the settlers of the Maumee Valley, which are housed at the Museum.
Fort Meigs – 19100 W. River Road. This was the site of an important battle during the war of 1812. General William Henry Harrison’s victory here against the British in 1813 secured the northern territories for the United States and drove the British back into Canada. The fort was reconstructed in 1965 and today there are costumed guides and re-enactments and demonstrations, which will allow you to experience the sights and sounds of military life in the early 1800’s.
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Tony Packo’s Cafe –1902 Front Street. This cafe gained national recognition through the frequent references made by cross-dressing Corporal Max Klinger in the M*A*S*H TV series. The signature item on the menu is the Hungarian hot dog, which is made with sausage and a secret sauce.
Fifi’s – 1423 Bernath Parkway. This is an elegant and romantic atmosphere that is popular with the business crowd. A high-style continental cuisine is served with the emphasis on the French.
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Rusty’s Jazz Cafe – This club has been owned for decades by Midwest legend Rusty Monroe. There is live jazz seven nights a week, home-cooked food and a fireplace where you can roast marshmallows.
Murphy’s Place – Regional and national jazz talent can be seen in addition to the traditional style house jazz band. The menu features a Cajun and steak menu.
The Asylum – This is an alternative nightclub, which offers a diverse selection of live musical performances, regional and nationally prominent acts also play here.
Frankie’s Inner City Lounge – This is a small but popular live music and dance club. The club has played host to bands such as Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins.
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Maumee Bay State Park – The inland lake at the Maumee Bay State Park is where most of the swimming takes place. There are lifeguards, concessions and boat rentals.
Lake Erie – This is a wading beach, which is half a mile long and consists of six coves. Three of these coves are for boaters exclusively and three are protected by buoys but not by lifeguards. There is also a bike trail, a nature center and a two-mile boardwalk.
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Maumee Bay State Park – 1400 State Park Road. This is an 1800-acre park, which includes a lodge, cabins, fully equipped campground, an 18-hole golf course and two swimming beaches.
Toledo Botanical Gardens – 5403 Elmer Drive. At the Botanical Gardens you will find many acres of wildflowers, rhododendron, azaleas and herbs. A special attraction in the gardens is the 1830’s Peter Navarre Cabin. This homestead features a faithfully recreated pioneer garden complete with flowers and vegetables.
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Erie Street Market – 237 S. Erie Street. Here you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the indoor market. There are a variety of things on offer from specialty foods to unique gifts all at affordable prices.
Taste of Toledo Gift Basket – 6833 Angola Road. This specialty gift shop deals in products from Toledo and Ohio. Taste of Toledo Gift Basket has been awarded the national award-winning designs award, which makes these gifts great for corporate or personal gifts. There are also many unique Toledo souvenirs and unique items available.
Unique Little Gift Shoppe – 208 N. Defiance Street. This gift shop carries a wide selection of home decor, every day gifts and collectables, cherished Teddies and much more.
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Toledo Zoo – 2700 Broadway Street. The WPA buildings of the zoo salute Toledo’s namesake in Spain with their rich carvings and romantic archways, which provide an unusual artistic setting for the animals. The zoo houses the continent’s largest aquariums, the Gorilla Meadow, Arctic Encounter and the Hippoquarium. There is also a unique dining experience in the real animal cages at the Carnivore Cafe.
Center of Science & Industry (COSI) – At the science center visitors are encouraged to get involved with the exhibits. There are seven learning worlds where knowledge is gained from hands on experience.
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