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The Portage River in nearby Sandusky is a short 11-mile drive away from Toledo, but the extra effort to get there is worth it. Enjoy the best whitewater rafting adventure as well as kayaking and other water recreation at this popular destination.

Even though its name may suggest something low key and quiet, Frankie's Inner City Lounge is anything but sedate. This is one of Toledo's premier nightlife venues for new and alternative rock and features a powerful combination of live bands and DJs every night of the week. The mood changes from night to night depending on what band or musical theme is on the menu, ranging from guitar bands on Tuesdays, open mic night on Wednesdays and industrial and Gothic music on Fridays. A cool, happening and loud place, Frankie's is not for the fainthearted.

The Toledo Botanical Garden is a benchmark against which similar gardens are measured throughout the country, and with good reason. This is considered to be one of the pioneering gardens because of its dramatically beautiful visual and natural presentation. Fragrant meadows of sunflowers and wildflowers, rose gardens, herb gardens and sharply manicured walkways make spending time here something special for the entire family. Also, the kids will especially love visiting the recreated pioneer garden which many consider to be one of the site's main attractions.

It is a rarity when a city's history is as well preserved as it is at Toledo's Old West End Historic District which is located just outside of downtown and uptown. The district encompasses the area from the Toledo Museum of Art at Monroe Street up to Collins and Central, and from Glenwood Avenue to Collingwood Boulevard. In that remarkable space, there are several historic homes and mansions that still echo the city's marvelous past. Tours of these houses are available Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 5pm. Call ahead or check the website for more details.