Did you know there are islands in Northern Ohio?
You can experience an island getaway to South Bass Island, also known as Put-in-Bay, on Lake Erie.
There are a variety of ways to spend time on the island, depending on your interests and who you’re traveling with.
You can easily catch vacation vibes whether you visit the island for a few hours or spend a few days on your next getaway.
I’ve previously visited Put-in-Bay Island with friends, friends with kids, and most recently with my son.
I’m sharing more about the top things to do on Put-in-Bay Island during your visit, compiled from several of my visits so that you can choose your own adventure.
This article is written in partnership with Shores and Islands Ohio. All opinions are my own. This article contains affiliate links.
Common Questions About Put-in-Bay Island
Let’s start with a few popular questions about Put-in-Bay Island, aka PIB.
How Big is Put-in-Bay Island?
Put-in-Bay Island is approximately 1.5 miles wide and 3.5 miles long.
Why is South Bass Island called Put-in-Bay?
Put-in-Bay is the name of the village and township on the island, but most people refer to the island as Put-in-Bay instead of South Bass Island.
The most common story for how it got its name is that sailors referred to “put in the bay” as a safe harbor for their ships.
How do you get to Put-in-Bay Island?
Put-in-Bay Island is accessible seasonally by ferry or plane.
Are vehicles allowed on Put-in-Bay Island?
Put-in-Bay Island allows cars, unlike Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan.
You can drive your own vehicle on the island, but a golf cart is way more fun due to the island’s low speed limits.
Ferry Service to Put-in-Bay Island
We typically take the Miller Ferry from Port Clinton to Put-in-Bay Island.
Miller Ferry and Jet Express both offer ferry service to Put-in-Bay Island from Port Clinton.
The Miller Ferry ride from Catawba Island (5174 Water St, Port Clinton) is less than 20 minutes to Put-in-Bay Island and offers free parking for daytime and overnight guests.
You can enjoy the views with indoor or outdoor seating or stay inside your vehicle during the ferry ride,
The Jet Express ferry ride from 49 Jackson Street, Port Clinton is 30 minutes and charges for parking for daytime and overnight guests.
Jet Express also offers ferry service from downtown Sandusky at 239 Bayview Ave.
Fun Facts about Put-in-Bay Island
There are around 200 people who live on the island year-round.
There’s only one of the following on Put-in-Bay Island:
- One gas station (Put-in- Bay Gas Station, also known as Dynagard)
- One grocery store (Island General Store)
- One hardware store (Island Hardware)
- One United States Post Office, but mail carriers don’t deliver mail on the island because all residents have a PO Box
- One school on the island (Put-in-Bay School)for grades K-12 (for students from South, Middle, and North Island)
Golf Cart Rentals on Put-in-Bay Island
We rented a golf cart from E’s Put-in-Bay Golf Carts (2132 Langram Rd.), which is conveniently located near the top of the Miller Ferry Lime Kiln Dock.
They have a free parking area available if you bring your vehicle, or you could easily walk from the Miller Ferry dock to their rental site.
You can rent their two-person, four-person, and six-passenger golf carts by the hour or by the day.
It’s recommended that you reserve your cart online one day in advance. (Be on the lookout for a discount code on their website too)
They also offer a package that includes round-trip tickets on the Miller Ferry and golf cart rental.
You must be 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license to rent/drive the golf cart, and all the same rules apply for golf carts as for motor vehicles.
Keep in mind that no open containers or alcohol consumption is allowed while driving the golf cart.
My son was old enough to drive the golf cart, which also made exploring the island even more fun for him.
Carts must be back 30 minutes before the last Miller Ferry leaves Put-in-Bay, so take note of the ferry schedule that day.
Parking on Put-in-Bay Island
The island has a mix of free parking; some downtown businesses offer free parking to their customers, and there are many paid parking areas in Put-in-Bay Village too.
Make sure you pay attention to all of the parking signs on the road.
Golf carts must stay on paved roads on the island, and be on the lookout for parking signs downtown and yellow curbs. I warn you as the girl who learned her lesson the hard way with a $50 parking ticket.
In my defense, when we parked our golf cart, we were next to 10+ other golf carts in the same illegal spot…What I didn’t know was that they also received tickets.
They will take a picture of your golf cart license plate, and your cart rental will be notified. You can pay the ticket online. Learn from my mistake and use that money on ice cream instead.
On Delaware Avenue, angle parking is for 4-passenger golf carts only.
If you have a 6- or 8-passenger golf cart, you need to find another parking area. (Don’t risk a parking ticket)
Visit Perry’s Victory Monument & International Peace Memorial
93 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial is part of the National Park Service.
The park was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
It also celebrates long-lasting peace between the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led the victory in the Battle of Lake Erie, and you can learn more about him and the war inside the visitor center.
You may notice flags saying “Don’t give up the ship” around the island.
Those words were the battle cry of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry during the Battle of Lake Erie.
The heroic words were first credited to Captain James Lawrence, who was mortally wounded on June 1, 1813, during the engagement between his ship, the US frigate Chesapeake, and HMS Shannon.
Observation Deck Tickets
There is a fee to view the Rotunda, Plaza, and Observation Deck at the Memorial.
Fun fact: the Doric Column for the Memorial is 352 ft above Lake Erie and is located 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world.
Unfortunately, the Rotunda, Plaza, and Observation Deck of the Memorial are currently closed for the 2026/2027 seasons during their rehabilitation projects.
But the Visitor Center and park grounds are still open.
Where are the public beaches located on Put-in-Bay Island?
If you want to spend time at the beach, be prepared; it’s a pretty rocky beach.
It’s still fun to walk along the water and put your feet in Lake Erie, especially on a hot day.
South Bass Island State Park -1523 Catawba Ave
East Point Beach at the end of Delaware Avenue (past Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial) and next to Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve.
Kayak Rentals on Put-in-Bay
Kayak the Bay – 760 Bayview Ave
Popular spots to kayak to are:
- Gibraltar Island
- Past the Benson Ford Ship, Rattlesnake Island, and Green Island.
- Massie Preserve
- East Point Beach
- Middle Bass Island
Relax at DeRivera Park
341 Bayview Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH
This scenic park in downtown Put-in-Bay offers plenty of green space and scenic views of the bay.
The park has a 19 ft-gazebo and a fountain that’s beautiful during the day and when it’s lit up at night.
There are public restrooms, showers, and lockers for boaters nearby to freshen up, and a playground where kids can burn off some extra energy.
This park is also within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and bars.
Ride Kimberly’s Carousel
160 Delaware Ave
All of the horses on the carousel are original and handcrafted by Allen Herschell in 1917.
Carousel all-day passes are $6. Hours are 11 AM – 6 PM on weekdays and 11 AM – 7PM on weekends.
Boating Slips at Village Docks
435 Catawba Ave
Boating slips at Docks A & C are available at Village Docks for daytime use and overnight stays with access to electricity, water, and a large bathhouse.
Visit the Aquatic Visitor Center Put-in-Bay in Ohio
310 OH-357, Put-In-Bay, OH (Closed on Mondays)
The Aquatic Visitor Center is FREE to visit and located inside a repurposed building that was formerly the first Ohio State Fish Hatchery built in 1907.
Visitors can view a variety of fish and amphibians in tanks that can be found in Lake Erie.
Fun fact: Lake Erie is the walleye capital of the world!
The Aquatic Visitor Center is run by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
Visitors can learn about science and the local ecology through hands-on exhibits, displays, and interactive activities.
There are also interesting display cases highlighting birding and fishing in Ohio over the years. Kids will also love the Draw Alive! interactive display.
Be on the lookout for the gorgeous views of the bay from the Aquatic Center too.
Free Fishing for Kids at The Kids Fishing Pier at the Aquatic Visitor Center
Kids under 16 can learn basic fishing skills from staff and use the visitor center’s rods, reels, and bait. You may even see some of the caught fish in one of the center’s aquariums.
*Ages 16+ need a fishing license to fish in Ohio.
Take a Picture at the Giant Put-in-Bay Sign
1523 Catawba Avenue, Put-in-Bay
The giant sign is located at South Bass Island State Park. You can easily park nearby and walk a short distance to the sign area.
While you’re there, stop and admire the scenic views of Lake Erie along the shoreline.
Nature Preserves and More on Put-in-Bay Island
There are several nature preserves on the island if you want to go on a few short hikes.
Dodge Wood Preserve Put-in-Bay Story Walk Trail – 101 Thompson Road
This preserve features an 852-ft looped trail and the Put-in-Bay Story Walk Trail with 17 storyboard posts for kids to engage with.
Jane Coates Wildflower Trail & Ladd Carr Wildlife Woods – 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd – .5 mile out-and-back trail.
South Bass Island State Park – 1523 Catawba Ave – This state park offers a public boat launch, fishing, and picnic areas.
It’s also equipped with electric, full-service, and primitive sites for guests who want to camp from May through mid-October, as well as four cabins and a group camping area.
Oak Point State Park – Bayview Ave – Offers boating, fishing, and picnicking.
Massie Cliffside Preserve – 139-147 Massie Dr. – Cliff habitat on a 11-acre shoreline parcel with a fishing dock.
Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve – 1159-1107 Columbus Ave. – 8.8-acre preserve along Lake Erie that’s great for birding and easy hiking.
Lake Erie Island Nature And Wildlife Center
255 Meechen Rd.
Open daily from 11 AM- 5 PM
The mission of Lake Erie Island Nature and Wildlife Center is to promote conservation and education about the flora, fauna, and lands of the Lake Erie Islands ecosystem.
$5 per adult, $4 per child/ senior, or $12 for families. Kids under 6 are free.
Be on the lookout for FREE programs every Tuesday for “Wild Tuesdays” from 1-3 PM during the summer. Check the calendar for details.
View the Shiphouse from Captain Alfred Parker Park
1119 W Shore Blvd, Put-in-Bay
You may also notice hundreds of locks along the fence left by couples pledging their love for one another.
The park has benches for viewing Lake Erie, and you can view the Benson Ford Shiphouse from the park.
The Shiphouse is on private property, so the only way to see it is from this park, from the water, or on a tour.
Take a Tour of the Benson Ford Shiphouse
The Benson Ford Shiphouse is positioned on the edge of a cliff overlooking Lake Erie.
In 1924, the Benson Ford was originally a cargo ship for the Ford Motor Company used to transfer iron ore and other materials across the Great Lakes.
It was used for 50+ years before being decommissioned in 1981.
Frank J. Sullivan originally purchased the ship to use as a barge, but after a few years ended up towing the ship structure to Put-in-Bay and used a portion of it as a summer home in 1986.
There was a plan to turn the shiphouse into a bed & breakfast in 1992, but the conditional permit wasn’t approved. It was sold in 1999 to a father and his son, Jerry and Bryan Kasper, who made more recent renovations.
Fun fact: I actually stayed in the Shiphouse with a few other writers back in 2016, and I recommend booking a tour so you can see the inside too. It’s truly one of a kind!
You can also take a virtual tour of the Benson Ford Shiphouse online.
Take Home a Bottle Shaped Like the Benson Ford Shiphouse From Noble Cut Distillery
280 Delaware St, Put-In-Bay, OH
I’m a sucker for a gimmick, and Shiphouse Vodka inside a bottle shaped like the Benson Ford Shiphouse at Noble Cut Distillery was a genius marketing tactic.
Thankfully, the product inside the bottle from Shiphouse Vodka is also really good. I tried a sample in the tasting room before purchasing a bottle.
Staff shared that the vodka is distilled 6 times and filtered 10X through activated charcoal, made with 100% American-grown wheat and corn, and it’s also gluten-free.
Family-friendly Fun on Put-in-Bay Island
Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center – 979 Catawba Ave.
Perry’s Cave offers multiple family-friendly attractions, including a guided tour of a limestone cave dating back to 1813.
Attractions at Perry’s Cave:
- Butterfly House
- War of 18 Holes (miniature golf)
- Gemstone Mining
- Fort aMaze’n
- Rock Wall
- Antique Car Museum
If you want to save money on multiple attractions, consider a Combo Ticket for 3 attractions or a Super Combo Ticket for 5 attractions.
Visit Crystal Cave – Home to the World’s Largest Geode!
978 Catawba Ave
Tours are offered seasonally, 7 days a week, from late April until late October.
Crystal Cave is home to the largest geode in the world, housing celestine crystals up to 3 feet in width.
The cave is located at Heineman Winery, the oldest family-owned winery, which gives you an excuse to try a wine tasting while you’re in the area.
In fact, the cave was discovered by miners who were digging a well for the winery in 1897.
The owners had to pivot and started offering cave tours and unfermented grape juice to keep afloat during Prohibition, while the other wineries on the island closed.
The walls shimmer and sparkle, covered in strontium sulfate, a bluish mineral called celestite, and the crystals can grow anywhere from 8 to 18 inches in length.
Enjoy a Scenic Flight with Put-in-Bay Biplane Rides or Fly Heli Tours & Charters
1494 Langram Rd. (Put-in-Bay Airport)
You can get a bird’s-eye view of Put-in-Bay Island on a WWII biplane or a helicopter ride.
Biplane rides last 15 minutes and include sightseeing, optional aerial stunts, and basic flight lessons.
Helicopter flight times range from 2 to 10 minutes, viewing 2-14 points of interest depending on the flight time.
Enjoy the Views on a Put-in-Bay Train Tour
154 Delaware Ave.
Put-in Bay Train Tour is a 55-minute narrated tour that covers 80% of the island.
You’ll learn about the history and interesting stops where guests can get on and off at step-off locations along the way.
Step-off locations:
- Dollar Mansion & PIB Winery
- Perry’s Cave & Family Center
- Lake Erie Island Nature & Wildlife Center
- Heineman Winery/ Crystal Cave
- Perry’s Monument Visitor Center
Try the Famous Boardwalk Lobster Bisque!
341 Bayview Ave, Put-In-Bay
The Boardwalk lobster bisque is made from scratch in small batches. There are 36 Maine lobsters used for each batch!
Their Lobster bisque is served in a cup or in a sourdough bread bowl at Boardwalk’s Main Deck and Upper Deck.
The sign in front of The Boardwalk is another great photo spot, sharing the distances to a variety of cities around the world.
Ice Cream and Sweet Treats on Put-in-Bay Island
If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, you can’t go wrong with any of these options.
- Dairy Isle – 213 Bayview Ave, Put-In-Bay
- Sweet Siblings – 258 Toledo Ave., Put-in-Bay
- PIB Candy Bar – 170 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay
Wineries and Breweries on Put-in-Bay Island
There are a few wineries and breweries on the island to check out during your visit.
- Put-in-Bay Winery – 392 Bayview Ave. (Lakefront Winery)
- Heineman Winery – 978 Catawba Ave.
- Put-in-Bay Brewery and Distillery – 441 Catawba Ave.
A Great Meal at The Goat Soup & Whiskey
820 Catawba Ave.
I’ve eaten at The Goat several times, and I always enjoy my meal. It has a great atmosphere and amazing food.
A few recommendations: Crab deviled eggs and Reuben Balls for appetizers, Thai Crunch Salad, and Perch tacos. They also have great mojitos and margaritas.
Swing at the Bar at Mojito Bay
389 Catawba Ave
This is a fun tiki bar where you can literally have sand on your toes and a drink in your hand.
Monday-Thursday, guests under 21 are welcome with a guardian, but if live music is scheduled, the bar returns to 21+.
Guests must be 21+ on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on holiday weekends.
Well-behaved pets on leashes are only welcome on Sundays- Thursdays.
I also have a fun memory here. I auditioned for “The Amazing Race” here with someone I met a few days prior; Shalee from Shalee Wanders, back in 2014.
The producer told us that we had a great audition, but we didn’t hear from them afterwards. That’s ok because we’ve both had some pretty epic adventures since then, and at least we took our shot.
Take a Tour of South Bass Island Lighthouse
2368 Langram Rd.
The South Bass Island Light is a lighthouse that dates back to 1897, marking the passage from Sandusky to Toledo.
The light was deactivated in 1962 and is owned by Ohio State University.
South Bass Island Lighthouse Tours offers free tours where guests can learn more about the lighthouse’s history and can climb to the top of the lighthouse tower for an incredible view.
More Stops for History Lovers
Lake Erie Islands Historical Society– 443 Catawba Ave. – Learn about the island’s history, winemaking, ice industry, road races, Victorian hotels, and more!
Adults $4, Seniors $3, Kids 8-12 $1, Kids 7 and under are FREE. Fire service members and police officers are FREE too!
Hotel Victory Site – 1523 Catawba Avenue – former site of Hotel Victory, which opened in 1892.
It was previously known as the “largest and most handsomely furnished summer hotel in the world” that was destroyed by a fire in 1919.
Visit the Historic Round House Bar
228 Delaware Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH
Visitors 21+ can enjoy a drink at a historic bar that dates back to 1873, formerly known as “Columbia Restaurant.”
The Round House Bar has stood the test of time as a favorite spot for whiskey, beer, and live entertainment.
If you need a family-friendly option, The Dog House is a walk-up food stand located directly behind the Round House Bar. is a great casual option for families who want quick service or a space where kids can hang out.
We enjoyed their root beer floats, coney dogs, and shared their BBQ pork fries.
Drink at the World’s Longest Permanent Bar
324 Delaware Ave.
Beer Barrel Saloon boasts the world’s longest permanent bar, with a counter measuring 405 feet and 10 inches and 160 bar stools.
The bar, dating back to 1989, offers 56 beers on tap and can seat up to 1200!
Last Resort Ladder Co. Firetruck Bar Put-in-Bay
432 Catawba Ave, Put-In-Bay
If you’re looking for another unique bar, grab a drink from a bar made from a firetruck.
You can even earn a firefighter hat if you take the Alarm Shot Challenge and get officially sworn in.
Extend Your Stay on Put-in-Bay Island
Here are highly rated options if you want to extend your stay on Put-in-Bay Island.
- Put-In-Bay Resort and Conference Center – 439 Loraine Ave, Put-in-Bay
- Islander Inn – 225 Erie St, Put-in-Bay
- 2 Queens and Lakeview at Put-in-Bay
- Bayshore Resort at Put-in-Bay – 328 Toledo Ave, Put-in-Bay
- Family Suite at Bayshore Resort Put-in-Bay
