About Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Welcome to Put-in-Bay Paradise!
If you have visited Put-in-Bay, Ohio before you’re probably still talking about your vacation here and have some fond memories of a fabulous Put-in-Bay retreat at one of your favorite Put-in-bay Hotels, or the memory of one of our fabulous Put-in-Bay Sunsets on the west shore of Put-in-Bay, walking down a village lane and smelling the fine food, or singing along downtown to a popular duo at one of the famous Put-in-Bay bars such as Mr. Ed’s Bar & Grille on Delaware Ave. But if you’re new to the island, you’ll want some Put-in-Bay information, from THE island guide!
A favorite pastime is sightseeing South Bass Island on a 4-, 6- or 8-person golf cart available for rent from the Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Depot, Island Club Golf Cart Rentals, or the Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Center, all located downtown and mid-island. If you are staying at the Island Club or Put-in-Bay Condos, each has its own private put-in-bay golf cart rentals for guests only. Moped and bicycle rentals are available and a fun way to get from place to place.
You will feel like you are truly in the Key West of the North, a literal Margaritaville! Plan ahead for a beautiful sunset celebration while dining at a Put-in-Bay restaurant overlooking the boaters in historic old downtown. Inexpensive Put-in-Bay Taxis are available to get you anywhere you want to go.
Attractions – What to Do
If you have never been here before, you are in for a real treat. The initial ride over from Port Clinton/Catawba to the island is fun all in itself! The Miller Ferry and Jet Express are the main two boats that get you to and from the island. There is a Put-in-Bay attraction for every person. Put-in-Bay is most famous for its nightlife, but that’s far from all we’ve got going on. The most important piece of Put-in-Bay information is that there is something here for everyone! We have some of the finest freshwater fishing here. Whether you are an avid Perch fisherman or looking for the excitement of catching Walleye as they cross a beautiful sandy flat in the Lake Erie islands, think about your fresh seafood dinner at one of our fine Put-in-Bay restaurants. Enjoy a relaxing trip on a fishing charter or a kayak rental in the bay off Put-in-Bay harbor.
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, is a site worth visiting from anywhere in the United States, but certainly regional travelers from Cleveland, Detroit, Sandusky, and Toledo have no excuse to miss it. In fact, Put-in-Bay and the surrounding waters were hosts to the Battle of Lake Erie, which played a pivotal role in the War of 1812. Historical reenactments often take place on the monument’s lawn by the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society.
If you’re coming with the family and little ones you’ll want to check out some of the fun-filled family friendly island attractions on your Put-in-Bay vacation. This includes Perry’s Cave which is a certified family fun center. Perry’s Cave has cave tours, mini golf, a butterfly house, rock climbing, a maze, and more! We also recommend checking out the South Bass Island Lighthouse, which is located left of the Miller Ferry Island drop-off.
DeRivera Park sits right in the heart of downtown, as a remarkable testament to the island wanting to preserve its natural beauty even in the center of the main commercial area of the town. The South Bass Island State Park offers great camping and shoreline fishing. There are so many Put-in-Bay attractions that no matter what time of the season you come here, there is always something going on.
The Put-in-Bay calendar of upcoming events is filled from April to October with special Put-in-Bay events and festivals. Pyrate Fest is one of our most famous events, and we also get quite a crowd for Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day! We even have two special weekends to celebrate YOU our customers, the Spring Fling, and the Fall Ball! Be sure to book these early as they are island favorites! Many people come to the island just to hear and see the incredible Mike “Mad Dog” Adams show weekends at the historic Roundhouse Bar.
Business groups can use the event calendar to plan productive business conferences or meetings, while working in a fun Middle Bass Island Marina excursion, partaking in a scavenger hunt, or touring Put-in-Bay photos and art galleries. View All Attractions
Accommodations – Where to Stay
Put-in-Bay is a very fun place and can be as relaxing, romantic, or wild as you want it to be. There are accommodations in Put-in-Bay for every type of traveler. We have some of the most extravagant waterfront condos, hotels, motels, Put-in-Bay resorts, and rental homes with beautiful tropical landscaping and free-form pools with swim-up bars. We also are a popular location for Put-in-Bay Bachelorette Parties. Some of the places make you think you are in an oasis on a tropical island in the Caribbean. You may find it hard to believe you are really in Put-in-Bay Ohio, that’s why this is the best vacation destination in the Midwest! The Put-in-Bay information on this site will help you find the best place to stay!
Put-in-Bay lodging resort options are varied, from hotels to bed and breakfasts and everything in between. There are some fabulous full-service resorts in Put-in-Bay and beautiful vacation rental homes as well. They are spread out around the island. The resorts offer great vacation packages in some cases for families and for romantic getaways. The smaller guesthouses offer a cozier setting. Visit our Put-in-Bay accommodations section to find the best put-in-bay resort or home rental that suits your needs. View All Accommodations
Put-in-Bay Boating and Marinas
It is difficult to think that someone could watch the sunset on the beautiful, serene waters surrounding Put-in-Bay without wanting to get closer. Whether for a ride to neighboring islands offshore like Kelleys Island, a sports fishing charter into the waters of one of our great lakes, or a daytime Jet Ski ride. You can privately charter a craft, join a small group, plan a sunset sail, or sign on with a large group… whatever you choose. Many choose to go on a Lake Erie fishing charter to catch bountiful Lake Erie walleye, perch, and small-mouth bass. The waters around Put-in-Bay are beautiful. The romance and adventure of the islands are here for the taking and lakeside sunsets are free for the viewing. Stick around on a Sunday, and you can even see the antique car parade in the afternoon pass right by the boaters at the boat docks. Boating & Docking Services
Places to Eat & Drink in Put-in-Bay
No doubt about it, for a 2 by 4-mile island, Put-in-Bay sure has a lot going on with food and drinks. The last count was over 40 eating and drinking establishments, with more opening each year! One thing you can bank on while here in Put-in-Bay is fresh local seafood! Outside dining seems to be the favorite because those restaurants come with a view. Some have a beautiful view of the sunset, others have a view of Put in Bay harbor and downtown Put-in-Bay such as at Mr. Ed’s, which can get interesting the further into the evening you stay. There are many restaurants off the beaten path. Ask a local where to eat, everyone has a favorite place here or a place they would love you to go try. Plenty of bars and great entertainment are yours to enjoy at Put-in-Bay. Take a walk toward The Boardwalk and find one that suits you and enjoy the surroundings. Some bars have local bands and music almost all day and night, others have a calm and quiet atmosphere with a tranquil view of the Put-in-Bay waterfront. Find The Best Restaurant
Ready to start your vacation to Put In Bay? Want to visit Put-in-Bay for yourself? The sooner you book, the sooner you can get on a Put-in-Bay ferry! So what are you waiting for?
Put-in-Bay Ferry Service
Vehicles Going to Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island)
* Reservations are not required. Vehicles are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.
* Vehicles can round trip within the same day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. However, because of heavier traffic, we are not able to round trip a vehicle within the same day on Saturday, Sunday, or a Holiday Monday.
Vehicles Leaving Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island)
* During Spring & Fall Schedules -Vehicles must be in line before 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday and in line before 3:00 pm on Sundays and Holiday Mondays in order to be guaranteed passage off Put-in-Bay.
* During Summer Schedules -Vehicles must be in line before 6:00 pm Daily in order to be guaranteed passage off Put-in-Bay.
