Overview
Kelleys Island is an island and with a small village on its southern shore in Erie County, Ohio. The entire island has been designated a National Historic District. It is home to about 300 people (2019), and has several beaches for swimming.
5 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kelleys Island
Inscription Rock
A boulder covered in native petroglyphs. The petroglphys can be difficult to view looking down, angling your view from a lower position can make them more apparent. Please do not throw coins on the rock.
Charles Herdon Sculpture Garden and Art Gallery
A sculpture garden created by a former professor of the Columbus College of Art and Design. Wait outside until greeted for access to the indoor art gallery. The indoor gallery contains artwork for sale.
Kelley's Island War Memorial
A memorial in a small public park downtown. The park offers drinking water, as well as a small playground.
Monument to the Unknown Soldier
A small monument in the island cemetery.
Glacial Grooves State Memorial
The world's largest accessible glacial grooves, embedded with fossils that are 350-400 million years old. Located on the north side of the island, the grooves can be viewed from a walkway and stairs. The wavy trough is 4…
Kelleys Island State Park
The park features hiking trails, camping, boat launch ramp, fishing, summer programs, picnic sites, and a sandy swimming beach. Nature in the park includes an Alvar ecosystem - scarce outside of Scandinavia, and rare pla…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Toledo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CLE Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Cleveland — 46 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 54 mi away (major hub). Directions
Kelleys Island can be reached by ferry from Sandusky or Marblehead Peninsula, by airplane or private boat.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Inscription Rock, Kelley's Island War Memorial, Kelleys Island Historical Museum
- Lunch Seaway Marina
- Afternoon Kelleys Island State Park, Charles Herdon Sculpture Garden and Art Gallery
- Evening Kelleys Island Wine Company
Day 2
- Morning Monument to the Unknown Soldier, North Pond State Nature Preserve
- Afternoon Glacial Grooves State Memorial, Scheele Preserve
- Evening The Island House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Fare is hallmarked by freshwater seafood from the lake and fried side dishes. Most pubs also offer a number of sweets and desserts, as well as a salad, hummus platter, or other basic vegetarian option. Keep in mind that nearly every eatery is also a pub, so the atmosphere of each place tends to change a bit after early dinner time, though things rarely get rowdy.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The island is sparsely-populated, with a small village on the south side of the island, residential areas on the east side, a limestone quarry on the west side, and a State Park on the north side.
Ferries from the mainland dock at the village several times/day during prime tourist season. This season lasts from late spring to early fall. Visiting in the winter is difficult as the lake freezes over and becomes impassible. Off season travel should only be attempted if you secured lodging in advance and are solely interested in the winter scenes on the island, as nearly any lodging, restaurants, attractions, or businesses in general will be closed.
History
During the Ice Age, receding glaciers carved glacier grooves across the island. Kelleys Island was first inhabited by the Native Americans, creating Inscription rock on the southern shore sometime during the 1640s.
By the early 1800s, the first white settlers arrived, but were unable to stay due to a variety of mishaps. By the 1820s the first permanent settlers established themselves. By the 1830s the first quarry opened, and by the 1840s the first winery opened on the island. The use of the island stone destroyed most of the vast glacial grooves, outside of a small preserved area.
Get in
Kelleys Island can be reached by ferry from Sandusky or Marblehead Peninsula, by airplane or private boat.
By boat
By plane
Go Kelleys Island Municipal Airport (Kelleys Island Landing Field)
The General aviation airport on Kelleys Island. Some charter flights are available to and from the mainland. The only real way to reach the island during the winter season.
Get around
The island has many miles of paved roads if you ferry your car to Kelleys Island. However the island is small enough that Golf Carts are a popular way for locals to get around, and are available as rentals. Those looking to save money and take things slowly often choose to traverse the island on foot or bicycle.
See
Most of the historic sightseeing attractions on the island lie along its southern bank, or near the island center.
See Kelleys Island Historical Museum (Kelleys Island Historical Association)
Exhibits include the Himmelein House, commercial fishing artifacts, Estes school, island churches and wineries, fossils, Indian artifacts and Shays locomotives. Also offers access to a historic church building and garden.
See Kelley's Island War Memorial
A memorial in a small public park downtown. The park offers drinking water, as well as a small playground.
Do
Ohio's largest island is full of adventure for all ages. It has 600 acres of state park lands, 17 miles of coastline, beautiful wildflowers, nature trails, a fossil-filled quarry, and wetlands which are admired by nature-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The north half of the island is far less developed than the southern shore, and is where most of the natural activities are.
Do Glacial Grooves State Memorial
The world's largest accessible glacial grooves, embedded with fossils that are 350-400 million years old. Located on the north side of the island, the grooves can be viewed from a walkway and stairs. The wavy trough is 400 ft long, 35 ft wide, and up to 10 ft deep carved by glaciers pressing large stones along the bedrock. Partially accessible to those in wheelchairs.
Do Kelleys Island State Park
The park features hiking trails, camping, boat launch ramp, fishing, summer programs, picnic sites, and a sandy swimming beach. Nature in the park includes an Alvar ecosystem - scarce outside of Scandinavia, and rare plants such as the vulnerable Lakeside Daisy. Remnants of abandoned quarry operations can also be seen.
Do Scheele Preserve
A nature reserve on the Island's east side with a single trail. The beginning of the trail is a low difficulty and usually a good place to spot birds. The end of the trail is often difficult to pass through as it is frequently obstructed by debris and mud. The trail ends on a beautiful white sand beach.
Buy
Because everything must be shipped to the island, most general goods are somewhat more expensive than on the mainland, and selections are limited. There is however, a good deal of general outdoor gear branded with the island name sold at various shops, which can double as souvenirs. If you tend to pack lightly, consider at least stocking up on essentials before setting out. There is no pharmacy on the island, so plan to bring enough medicine for the duration of your trip.
Shop Kelley's Island Market
A general store for basic goods such as toiletries, food, and movies. Has an ATM.
Eat
Fare is hallmarked by freshwater seafood from the lake and fried side dishes. Most pubs also offer a number of sweets and desserts, as well as a salad, hummus platter, or other basic vegetarian option. Keep in mind that nearly every eatery is also a pub, so the atmosphere of each place tends to change a bit after early dinner time, though things rarely get rowdy.
Eat Seaway Marina
A marina that offers a variety of amenities including laundry, restrooms, golf cart rentals, and fuel. The main building has a convenience store, and a cafe serving coffee, breakfast, and deli items.
Drink
Nearly every restaurant on the island doubles as a pub, serving refreshing drinks on the warm summer days of the tourist season. Several bars exist in the village, and Kelleys Island Brewery produces several varieties of ale and lager at their facility west of the village.
Drink Kelleys Island Wine Company
Rustic indoor and outdoor setting, dining options, special events, catering, and wines. Has a cantina next door that specializes in blue agave tequila. Horseshoe pit, arcade, volleyball, cornhole, and gift shop also available. Has some cute goats in their backyard, with feed available from their gift shop.
Drink The Village Pump
A downtown pub. Has good hours. Servings can be rather large. Specialties include perch and their "Brandy Alexander", a creamy drink.
Drink Captain's Corner
A lively pub with good hot food.
Drink Kelley's Island Brewery (Kelley's Island Brewpub)
Has a wide variety of microbrews and desserts.
Drink West Bay Inn
A restaurant and bar in a remote part of the Island. Not actually an Inn.
Drink The Island House
Focuses on spirits and desserts. Has some higher end meat and cheese options for food.
Sleep
Stay Kelleys Island State Park
45 non-electric, 82 electric sites, showers, flush toilets, volleyball court, six miles of hiking trails, North Pond Nature Preserve, North Shore Nature Preserve, picnic areas, a picnic shelter, launch ramps, fishing, 100-foot swimming beach and hunting. Has two yurts with lake views that can be rented.
Stay safe
Despite its low population and remoteness, Kelleys Island still has a police department and an emergency medical service, however the island lacks a proper hospital. Undeveloped areas of the island get poor or no cellular service, making dialing 911 hard or impossible. Let someone know your travel plans if you go out alone.
When a sidewalk is available use it. Walking on the road is punished by a $100 fine from the island police.
The bedrock on Kelleys Island is very close to the surface, and often bare patches of it are exposed in parks. This rock can be slippery, especially after rain or near the lake. Always pay attention where you're stepping, especially near cliff edges.
Lake Erie is volatile and can be dangerous. Be careful while swimming, especially alone. There is no lifeguard at the public beach, and riptides do occur, so have a buddy and know how to deal with one should you find yourself caught in one.
Don't enter the abandoned buildings in the woods. Most haven't been maintained since the 1930s, and they are battered often by the temperamental weather of Lake Erie.
It is possible to walk to the island in the winter over frozen waters, but this should never be attempted. The frozen over lake is treacherous, and the ice is often not as thick as it seems. Falling through even once would mean certain death, as there will be nobody to help you warm up, even if you do manage to escape the frigid waters. When elderly locals talk about doing this back in the day, they almost always qualify it by mentioning how stupid and suicidal it was of them to even try this.
Go next
- Cedar Point - This amusement park is visible from the south shore.
- Sandusky - The largest nearby mainland city.
- Marblehead - A common port for ferry rides to and from the island.
- Cleveland - One of the largest cities on the lake.
- Toledo - The Glass City on the southwest shore of Lake Erie
Nearby
Marblehead
City / town · 24 listings · 4 mi away
Lakeside
City / town · 9 listings · 4 mi away
Catawba Island
City / town · 25 listings · 7 mi away
Middle Bass Island
City / town · 12 listings · 7 mi away
Put-in-Bay
City / town · 33 listings · 7 mi away
Cedar Point
Park · 5 listings · 10 mi away
Sandusky
City / town · 50 listings · 10 mi away
Port Clinton
City / town · 36 listings · 13 mi away
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