Put-in-Bay Ohio on South Bass Island
Put In Bay Online is your one-stop resource for Put-in-Bay, Ohio information! We offer everyone’s favorite downloadable and online Island Guide with listings for Put-in-Bay hotels and resorts, vacation homes and cottages, and waterfront condo rentals. Furthermore, there is a ton of vacation information at your fingertips. Take a look around and see why this popular Lake Erie island is the Midwest’s hottest summer staycation destination. Hundreds of thousands of individuals, families, friend groups, bachelorettes, and corporate meeting planners call Put-in-Bay Ohio their vacation home during the summer. Every weekend is a different theme on the island so check out our Event Calendar to find the right one for you!
When you plan your vacation to Put in Bay, this website is Your Island Resource. Whether you are looking for relaxed family attractions on the island or a fun outing to the downtown Put-in-Bay bars and restaurants, you will enjoy your visit here. Put-in-Bay is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 vacation destinations on Lake Erie and in Ohio. We annually appear in magazine “top 10” lists for a best small city or best island getaway. Recreational boaters and tourists alike consider Put-in-Bay to be the Key West of the North. Have you discovered our island yet? If not, we invite you to read more about our destination and plan your visit, lodging, golf cart rentals, and relaxing vacation to this island paradise!
There's so much to do at Put-in-Bay!
South Bass Island isn’t called the Key West of the Midwest for no reason. Just a short drive from Cleveland and Sandusky, Put-in-Bay island is the ideal weekend getaway for all ages. Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, Butterfly House and Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial are just a few of the great family friendly Put-in-Bay attractions found on the island. Jet skis and kayaks are also available to rent for the whole family. For those looking for some of the best nightlife in the state? Look no further than the downtown area of Put-in-Bay. The best bars are found around Derivera Park and they are all within walking distance. With so many upcoming events all summer long one will always have something to do!
Whether you are coming from Toledo or Detroit, South Bass Island is just a short trip away. With Put-in-Bay ferry boats leaving from multiple cities on the mainland the island is easy to reach. The Jet Express has two ports, one leaving from Sandusky and one from Port Clinton. The Miller Ferry’s dockage is found on Catawba Island. If you wish to take your vehicle to your vacation rental home on the island, this ferry is they way to go. The Miller Ferry also offers passage to and from Middle Bass Island and Kelley’s Island. You can even fly over the Great Lakes into Put-in-Bay Airport from Sandusky if you wish. Visit Put-in-Bay today!
PUT-IN-BAY ONLINE GUIDE
Check out all of the Hotel and Resort rentals on the island! We can help you find the right fit for your group.
Need a vacation or a family getaway? Check out all of our holiday homes and waterfront condo rental options!
Make your reservation to rent a golf cart today! Most seat from 2 to 8 passengers. Busy weekends often sell out weeks in advance.
Coordinate the boat schedule with what is going on at Put-in-Bay to plan your perfect weekend or midweek island visit!
Put-in-Bay Lodging
Your Island Resource!
Don’t Forget a Put-In-Bay Golf Cart Rental
Catch a Put-In-Bay Event
Put-in-Bay Vacation Planning
Discover the Best in Put-In-Bay Hotels and Put-In-Bay Condos
Put-in-Bay Lodging
We can help you find the perfect Put in Bay vacation rental or summer rental home, hotel or Put-in-Bay resort. If you are looking for upscale, we can even help you find a brand new Waterfront Condo or a bed and breakfast. No matter if you want to be on one of the Lake Erie Islands or the shores of Port Clinton, Ohio. Planning a weekend away from home? You have come to the right place. Boaters can find information about dockage at public and private marinas.
After traveling to the island on one of the Put-in-Bay ferry boats such as the Jet Express or Miller Ferry from Port Clinton or Sandusky, you will find various modes of transportation from taxis to foot power. Furthermore, the most popular method of getting around is to rent golf carts, mopeds, or bicycles to explore this Lake Erie Island paradise. Be sure to visit Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. Here, guests can learn about the history of the island, the War of 1812, and the Battle of Lake Erie. Perry’s Monument is a testament to Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory and the everlasting peace between Great Britain, Canada and their American counterparts following this war. The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society has a museum located near Town Hall, with several exhibits about Perry and the war.
Everything on the island is just steps away from your hotel or cottage. Explore South Bass Island State Park and walk along the beautiful shores of Lake Erie. First, check out the boats in the harbor from DeRivera Park. Then, enjoy some family fun at Perry’s Cave with a round of mini golf and savor a tasty ice cream cone at Dairy Isle. There are also many other family and historical attractions in and around downtown Put-in-Bay. Don’t miss the Boardwalk Restaurant for some great walleye or lobster bisque!
Your Island Resource!
Use this Put-in-Bay Ohio guide to find places to stay, places to shop, places to eat, places to party, places to hold a meeting, and places to get married. Before starting your morning, or after a long day of sightseeing, you will need food! Many guests enjoy grilling out at their rental home or condo and dining al fresco. Others enjoy the many and varied food offerings in Put-in-Bay. Restaurants and bars are plentiful across the island, with most conveniently located downtown. They are open to all types of groups, from casual dining to upscale.
Resort casual is the normal dress code with sandals and shorts being recommended. Stop by the Boardwalk for their world famous lobster bisque or visit the delicious and brand new Swipe Right Pizza out next to Joe’s Bar. Also, Mr. Ed’s is always a fan favorite for fun and entertainment during the day or night, from MIST Pool Bar nestled in the back to The Green Room Night Club upstairs. Above all else, please make sure to call a Put-in-Bay taxi for safe and quick travels at night. Moreover, as it gets very dark at night, you can see many stars out over the lake.
Don’t Forget a Put-In-Bay Golf Cart Rental
By far the most popular (and most fun) way to get around this Lake Erie island is driving a Golf Cart Rental at Put in Bay. With this simple and easy four-wheeled transportation, guests can get the most of their North Coast Adventure. Head out to the Put-In-Bay Airport and view the island from the skies with a helicopter ride. Then drive downtown and learn about Oliver Hazard Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.
Circle the DeRivera Park to find and enjoy some exceptional food at one of the fine Put-In-Bay Restaurants. Cart over to one of the Put-in-Bay Jet Ski Rentals or Kayak providers for some exciting fun. No matter what you do, you will see more and do more with a Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rental!
Catch a Put-In-Bay Event
Throughout the season, there are so many great Put-in-Bay Events to choose from that people often have to make multiple vacation visits! These range from family-friendly fun to rocking concerts with national acts. To start each season a little early, the island hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in March. Many of our local island friends from the Cleveland and Toledo areas come to celebrate this greenest of days at Put n Bay.
Island Club’s big Spring Fling Customer Appreciation Party and the Whiskey Light Party kick off the year’s festivities. The annual Pyrate Fest in June is a very popular Put-In-Bay Event for families where pirates descend upon the island for a weekend of swash buckling and mischief. National holidays are also huge draws and Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and July Fourth weekend are always packed. Come watch some fireworks!
And in the Fall, October in Put-in-Bay may be slower than the busy summer but it is not to be missed!!! The Original Putinbay.com Fall Ball Party, Island Oktoberfest, Local Wine Fest, and Halloween Bash end the season with a bang every weekend in October. Definitely check out our full Put-in-Bay Event Calendar to find the event perfect for you!
Put-in-Bay Vacation Planning
This Put-In-Bay guide should give you all the information you need to make your trip as fun as possible. We provide driving directions from major cities to the ferry boat docks on the mainland. Cars have limited parking on the island but you can bring one if you need to. Taxis and golf carts are plentiful alternative options.
Find unique gifts and souvenirs at the many island gift shops including nautical wearables at Misty Bay Boutique. If you can’t find the information you are looking for on our events or group tours pages, please contact us. We will be more than happy to share all of the Put-In-Bay, Ohio 43456 information that you want or need. We are just an email or phone call away!
Ohio’s vacation hot spot is here in the Lake Erie Islands at Put-in-Bay. We also are a popular location for seasonal Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties due to the legendary nightlife. The island has played host as an Ohio vacation getaway for couples, singles, families, and business retreats for over a century. Originally it was by steam ship out of Detroit but nowadays it is on a ferry from Port Clinton.
For such a small island, fortunately there are many family friendly activities for all ages. The old is with the new. This is evidenced by our recent historical reenactments. Many are done by the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society. Other great Ohio destinations can be discovered at the great Ohio Tourism Website which lists many other Ohio destinations. We hope to see you soon at the Bay!
Discover the Best in Put-In-Bay Hotels and Put-In-Bay Condos
The newest lodging at Put-in-Bay also has the best views of Lake Erie that you’ll find anywhere, not just on the island, but in Ohio! The Put-in-Bay Waterfront Condos have individual balconies, each with a beautiful lake view. There is lots of room and relaxation to enjoy the waves rolling onto the shore from the Lake Erie Islands. The Put-in-Bay Poolview Condos offer the same amenities as the waterfront condos except for the lakefront view. These brand new condos are the Island’s favorite vacation spot and are maintained to provide a luxury experience that other Put-in-Bay lodgings just can’t match.
Smaller groups are recommended to check out the Commodore Resort downtown. Couples should look at the Victory Station Hotel as an option with its great reviews and boutique hotel feel. Either lodging choice will guarantee a good time and put you right in the heart of all the action that is Put-in-Bay Ohio.
To truly experience everything that the island has to offer, we suggest staying overnight in a comfortable home, condo, or hotel room! This website is teeming with great information and suggestions to choose the best places to stay on Put-In-Bay. We feel our vacation destination is among the best getaways in the United States. Come and see why thousands of people annually flock to a tiny island Lake Erie aptly named Put-In-Bay.
COMMON QUESTIONS
ABOUT PUT IN BAY,
OHIO
The most commonly believed reason is that the island has been used by mariners for many centuries, utilizing the protected harbor for safety. Sailors would “put in at the bay” for refuge from Lake Erie storms.
The island of Put in Bay is most commonly accessed via a Passenger Ferry Boat. Ferries departing from Port Clinton, Catawba Island and Sandusky provide water transportation over the great Lake Erie to South Bass Island, where the Village of Put-in-Bay resides.
Yes! The Miller Ferry offers both passenger and vehicle transport from its Port Clinton, Ohio dock. Service is rendered to the Lime Kiln Dock on the southern end of South Bass Island. The Miller Ferry is the only Put in Bay Ferry that offers vehicle transportation to the island.
The most important thing to bring is a great attitude! There are so many great things to do and see on the island that a willingness to have fun is all that is needed. For items that you may truly need, there is a grocery store, convenience store and many shops serving the community and visitors alike.
The island of Put-In-Bay is mainly comprised of solid, dolomite rock. Therefore, the shoreline is rocky with small pebbles and stones. So, while there are beaches, they are not sandy beaches like Florida or Hawaii.
Specials – Win a FREE Weekend!
Each summer, we award a free weekend lodging package to one lucky winner chosen at random from all entries received. Good luck!
Golf Cart Rental
Click here and discover information about the favorite way to get around the Bay. Then fill out a quick form for your golf cart rental!
Island Guide
Find out more about the island with our Island Guide. Print it off and take it with you! Or keep it on your phone as a PDF.
More Things to Do:
Put-in-Bay is chock-full of island attractions and things to do besides bar hopping! You can explore the lakeside South Bass Island Lighthouse, head to Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center for a game of mini-golf or a tour of the Butterfly House, or even rent a kayak if you want. You can also check out the South Bass Island State Park where they have great picnic areas and lake access. Plus, you can rent jet skis or paddleboards!
Put-in-Bay Ohio is home to the Commodore Resort, Island Club Home Rentals, Bird’s Nest Resort, Put-in-Bay Condos, Victory Station Hotel, and plenty of other Put-in-Bay lodging resorts, conference centers, and interesting lodging choices. Lakeview resort hotels with outdoor pools can be found on the island. Poolside tiki bars such as MIST can be found within walking distance of downtown lodgings. Book today!!
Did You Know?
The founder of Put-In-Bay was a wealthy Spaniard named Jose DeRivera. In 1854, he purchased South Bass Island (where the Village of Put in Bay is located), Middle Bass Island, and a couple of smaller rocky outcroppings. DeRivera Park in downtown PutinBay was donated by the village founder and entrusted to remain a park forever.
There is just so much to see and do on the island. From watercraft rentals to a 9 hole golf course at Saunders, there is something for everyone. Getting around is easy too! The best way to see the bay is with a Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rental. In addition to the many things to do, awesome events like the annual Pyrate Fest and Bash on the Bay bring crowds coming to our little slice of heaven.
With so much fun, why leave? Staying overnight on Put-in-Bay is the preferred way to get the most out of your island getaway. The Island Club home rentals and Put-in-Bay Condos offer perfect options for groups. Whether you are traveling with your family or friends, there are comfortable options for everyone. Stay tuned to this site and our Facebook partners for lodging specials throughout the year.