While traveling to Put-in-Bay from Port Clinton or Sandusky, passengers can experience Lake Erie from the Jet Express' top deck in a thrilling fashion. The northern Ohio islands on Lake Erie have a pleasant breeze that gives the impression of being on vacation right away.
Because it offers activities for all types of vacationers, the community of Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island is arguably one of the top resort locations in the state for residents and tourists from adjacent Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Canada.
Although though South Bass Island is only 3.5 miles long, Put-in-Bay makes it the most well-known of the group of islands. In Ohio, visiting the village is a fantastic day trip or weekend escape. A historic or boutique hotel or bed-and-breakfast on the island is where many visitors extend their vacations.
As Put-in-Bay is a small region, eateries and attractions are usually close by. Make sure to have a perch sandwich, a Lake Erie specialty, at the Boardwalk restaurant or one of the quaint restaurants in Put-in-Bay.
The best way to get around Put-in-Bay is to leave your car at the ferry docks and rely on golf carts, bicycles, and walking rather than taking a car on Miller's Ferry (Jet Express allows walkers). The majority of activities are free or just cost a minor admission fee, and all the attractions are conveniently located.
This selection of the top things to do in Put-in-Bay will help you organize your trip.
1. Perry's Victory & World Peace Monument
One of the top attractions on South Bass Island and one of Put-in-most Bay's famous sites is the Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial and monument. The National Park Service is in charge of the 352-foot-tall monument, which you really must see while you're there. The monument honors troops who took part in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
The Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is open on weekends in October and from May through September. One of the nicest things to do on the island is to climb to the observation deck at the top of the tower. You can observe everything going down below and enjoy a stunning view of Lake Erie. The monument often hosts special events as well as regular activities guided by rangers.
Make sure to visit the visitor center, which contains information and displays about the area's and the monument's history. One of the nicest places on the island to enjoy an evening stroll along the Lake Erie beach is the boardwalk that circles the monument.
2. Travel via train
When you first arrive at Put-in-Bay, the Tour Train provides a full overview of the island's layout and a picture of the variety of things to do there. Every 30 minutes, the hour-long train excursion departs.
You pass through five locations along the way, including the Lake Erie Nature & Wildlife Center, Perry's Cave Family Fun Center, and Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial. At any of the stations, you are free to get off the train and spend some time exploring. When you're ready to go on to the next place, just board the next train.
3. Have a look at Perry's Cave Family Fun Center
Perry's Cave Family Fun Center is one of Put-in-top Bay's destinations for families. A day or several days can be readily filled with a variety of activities. A tour to Perry's Cave's caves is among the best things to do. The 208-foot-long tunnel corridor is covered in stalactite and stalagmite formations, making it an Ohio Natural Landmark.
In addition to the cave excursions, the complex offers free admission to the Antique Automobile Museum, miniature golf, gemstone mining, a rock wall, a fort maze, and the Butterfly House, which is home to numerous exotic butterfly species.
Even if you are only using a golf cart to explore the island, a quick stop at the auto museum is worthwhile. It is kept on the site in a barn and has unique items like a popcorn car. The gift shop is also fascinating because it offers unusual and instructive products like science kits and jewels.
4. See Sunsets in South Bass Island State Park
On the other side of Put-in-Bay from the major area of activity is South Bass Island State Park. With cabins and campgrounds on-site, the park provides a more calm and natural escape from the tourist hubbub in the downtown village. The park has a bathing area and a boat launch.
One of the best locations to go on the island is South Bass Island State Park, which offers a breathtaking, unimpeded view of a Put-in-Bay sunset. There is a green area with benches for sitting and seeing the waterfront.
Explore the ruins of the former Victory Hotel by driving through the campsite area while you're at the park. In the late 1800s, it was the biggest hotel in the world. The resort was destroyed by fire in 1919, but ruins like the former swimming pool and other artifacts may still be seen today.
5. Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center,
The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center's modest structure is home to some of Put-in-most Bay's fascinating sights. A teacher founded the initial conservation center, which has since been kept to inform tourists about the island's distinctive ecosystems.
A wildlife viewing window and exhibits featuring the typical birds of the Lake Erie Islands, natural history facts, and local geology have been added to the nature center's 900 square foot extension.
Make sure to check out the live animal display to see the local amphibians and reptiles. See the wall painting created by neighborhood artist Janet Stearns in the large mammal display if you appreciate or collect wildlife art.
The interactive exhibits will teach you about bee pollination and local monarch butterfly tagging. The taxidermy collection featuring native animals and North American species is most noteworthy. Learn more about the variety of fish in the area's Lake Erie waters by looking at the wall of fish, which includes species like walleye and perch. The island's vegetation and fauna are displayed on the nature trail in the backyard.
6. Lighthouse on South Bass Island
At the southernmost point of the island stands the South Bass Island Lighthouse. Go around the lighthouse and stand by the water to observe Lake Erie boaters. For a picnic lunch, there is a cozy park area with benches. There are just a few hours at the lighthouse, and excursions are only offered on specific days of the week.
Get a seafarer's perspective of Lake Erie and the islands close to South Bass by ascending the stairs to the lighthouse's highest level. The antique building has lovely architectural characteristics that make for stunning pictures. On the National Register of Historic Places is the lighthouse. Everybody who is a fan of lighthouses must see it.
The Kids Love Put-in-Bay Trail in Put-in-Bay is home to a number of free family-friendly activities. At Shores & Islands Ohio, you may obtain a trail map that shows all the places.
7. Take a hike in the Massie Cliffside Preserve
See some of the local wildlife by going for a little walk along the nature paths at Massie Cliffside Preserve in Put-in-Bay. Park benches are located close to the cliffs in the 11-acre preserve, making it a great place to unwind while taking in the breathtaking views of Lake Erie. With its short length and level terrain, it is also a simple hike for families with young children.
@perryscavepib Perry’s Cave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Attraction and Amusement
— Sylvia Tourstein (@tourstein) June 25, 2021
Put-In-Bay, Ohio, USA Sylvia 4-star = amazing This family fun center you can spend 1 hour to half a day enjoying all the activities for all ages. Couple of free things or individually $6-10 or get a combo ticket & save pic.twitter.com/TrWSBsy1iq
At the conclusion of the little hiking walk, there is a fishing dock. The location is a rest area for non-motorized boats and kayaks on the Lake Erie Islands Water Route. Birdwatchers frequently visit the preserve to see the unique birds that migrate through the region.
8. Aquatic activities and swimming
Water activities are among the most well-liked things to do when visiting Put-in-Bay and South Bass Island because they are encircled by the stunning Lake Erie. On both sides of the island, there are several spots where you may rent kayaks and jet skis. If you're feeling particularly daring, try your hand at parasailing or paddleboarding.
There are two beaches on South Bass Island, albeit the majority of the shoreline is rocky. At South Bass Island State Park, there is a small beach with limited access to Lake Erie for swimming.
At the end of Delaware Avenue, near Perry's Monument, is the Village of Put-in-Bay Beach. There are kid-friendly play areas, picnic tables, and barbecues at this sandy beach.
9. Aquatic Visitors Center & Historic Fish Hatchery
Put-in-Bay is known for more than just its tourist attractions; some of the most extensive biological research being conducted on Lake Erie takes place there. The Historic Fish Hatchery & Aquatic Center offers tours that educate visitors about conservation up close.
You may learn about native species of Lake Erie as well as those that pose a threat to the ecology, such Asian carp, from the interactive exhibits. Even exhibits of live fish are available. Children under 16 can rent fishing equipment at the center and fish from the pier if you are going with them.
A good free activity on the island is the Aquatic Visitors Center, where you can take tours and include youngsters in interactive activities like using microscopes to learn about the biodiversity that exists in Lake Erie.
You can get a behind-the-scenes look at how researchers are addressing the problems affecting the waterways and wildlife on Lake Erie because the center is administered as a research facility by the Ohio Sea Grant and the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
10. Using a golf cart to explore
In Put-in-Bay, golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation. Nevertheless, beyond their practicality, the carts are a fun way to explore independently and see a lot of the area while you're there. Many spots on the island offer golf cart rentals, which are often rented by the hour or the day.
Although it is equally common to rent bikes, the island's establishments favor carts. One of the most tranquil ways to enjoy your vacation is to simply set off and drive the island's quiet roads, where you may come across historic barns and coastal views. Make sure to visit the little Chocolate Museum where you may purchase an ice cream cone and look at vintage marketing materials for the chocolate business.
Even newcomers can feel at ease in the carts because driving a car is not recommended on the island. Strangely, South Bass Island's golf course does not permit the use of golf carts.
11. Practice your swing at Saunders Golf Course
Saunders Golf Course is the only golf course in Put-in-Bay. As there are no tee times necessary, the nine-hole course is a fun way to spend time outside while on the island. It is accessible to everyone, and clubs can be rented.
The quick Par 3 course is simple to walk and requires little time, making it simple to fit in with other daytime activities. Anybody on the island has access to the golf course, however visitors who stay at the property's cottages are given free, unlimited use of the facility.
12. See the historical museum of the Lake Erie Islands.
The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum's priceless items will appeal to history buffs. The museum is home to artifacts and records pertaining to the islands' maritime heritage.
There are many more islands that make up the Lake Erie Islands, but during your time in Put-in-Bay, you will undoubtedly hear references to Kelleys, Middle Bass, and Gibraltar. The museum offers an opportunity to learn about the rich history of Lake Erie and offers a more detailed look at the island region.
13. Visit the Chocolate Museum to satisfy your sweet need
At Put-in-Bay, the little Chocolate Museum is a unique and fascinating excursion. There are historical chocolate exhibits and a good collection of chocolate-related items. You will see old chocolate tins and boxes that have undergone changes over time.
Go into the Chocolate Cafe next door once you've had your fill of chocolate history to fill up on chocolate-related sweets and ice cream. The café sells well-known chocolate treats such beltway mints, turtles, and truffles in addition to pastries and cakes that go well with a cup of coffee.
14. Crystal Cave
Another cave system, Crystal Cave, is located in Put-in-Bay and is well-known for its enormous crystals and geodes. Those who are interested in science like to observe the crystals because some of them are up to three feet broad. The largest geode in the world was found in Crystal Cave.
In 1897, as they were excavating a well, laborers found Crystal Cave. The original cave's crystals were taken out and used to make pyrotechnics, but the remaining elements have been conserved and guarded over time so that families can still enjoy them.
The mineral celestite, which has a blueish tint along the tunnel walls, is one of the cave's distinctive characteristics. Although celestite is not frequently seen and is frequently utilized in fireworks, Crystal Cave offers a good opportunity to see it in its native state. Daily tours of the cave are available from May through September.