Overview
Port Clinton, "The Walleye Capital of the World", is a fishing village and vacation spot on the north shore of Ohio. Most visitors to Port Clinton are parking and boarding boats and ferries to enjoy Lake Erie and Lake Erie Islands. It is a very clean and friendly place with plenty of places to sleep, eat and drink. The waterfront is downtown and the activity surrounds the marinas. Ferries leave to the islands frequently. With a population of 6,000 in 2019, it is the only city in Ottawa County. Locals refer to Port Clinton as one of Ohio's quaint drinking villages, with an occasional fishing problem.
2 sights · 13 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Port Clinton
Liberty Aviation Museum
An aviation museum at the Erie Ottawa International Airport with a heavy emphasis on aviation from the 1920s to the 1940s.
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
A popular spot for watching large birds, such as eagles.
African Wildlife Safari
This drive-thru safari has exotic animals, camel and pony rides, entertaining and educational animal shows, pig races, gift shop, picnic facilities, a snack bar and café and grill.
Camp Perry
National Guard Base with one of the largest firing ranges in the world. Often has open ranges for civilian marksmanship.
Monsoon Lagoon Waterpark
Great Lakes Popcorn Co.
Sample more than 30 flavors of popcorn including Vanilla Butternut, Rootbeer, Jelly Bean and so on. The production process is done in front of customers.
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.
- TOL Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, Toledo — 45 mi away. Directions
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 53 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Columbus, head north on US 23 to Ohio State Route 4. At Ohio 2 head West. Exit OH 2 at the first OH 163 exit.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $40–$105 a night (typical $82), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$270.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Bed & Breakfast in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning African Wildlife Safari, Lake Erie Islands Welcome Center, Port Clinton City Beach
- Lunch Tin Goose Diner
- Afternoon Annual Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Festival, FishinFul/Myrmidon Charters
- Dinner Mendoza's
- Evening Mr Ed's Bar & Grill
Day 2
- Morning Liberty Aviation Museum, Monsoon Lagoon Waterpark, Great Lakes Popcorn Co.
- Lunch Jolly Roger Seafood House
- Afternoon Annual New Years Eve Walleye Drop, Sassy Sal Charters
Day 3
- Morning Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Camp Perry
- Afternoon Fast Eddie's Sport's Park, Lakeland Charters
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
Get in
By boat
Ferry
Boat launch
Go Little Portage Access
Go Portage River Fishing Access
Marinas
By car
From Columbus, head north on US 23 to Ohio State Route 4. At Ohio 2 head West. Exit OH 2 at the first OH 163 exit.
From Cleveland, head west on OH 2, exiting at OH 163.
From Toledo, head East on OH 2. For a scenic route, follow Lakeshore Drive (just past the Red Horse National Guard base), or else exit at the OH 163 exit.
By plane
See
See Liberty Aviation Museum
An aviation museum at the Erie Ottawa International Airport with a heavy emphasis on aviation from the 1920s to the 1940s.
See Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
A popular spot for watching large birds, such as eagles.
Do
Plenty to do here. Fishing charters, head boats, ferries, marina's all located downtown on water front. Nice public beaches, parks.
Do Annual New Years Eve Walleye Drop
Do Camp Perry
National Guard Base with one of the largest firing ranges in the world. Often has open ranges for civilian marksmanship.
Beaches
Do Port Clinton City Beach
Fishing charters
Welcome Center
Buy
- Northcoast Canvas, 250 SE Catawba, +1 419-734-5453 Marine upholstery, enclosures, storage and canvas shop.
Eat
Eat Jolly Roger Seafood House
Dine inside, outside or carry-out. Fresh Lake Erie fish, shrimp, soups. Great food! Closed part of winter.
Eat Tin Goose Diner
Classic American diner at the airport.
Drink
Sleep
Budget
Stay Super 8
Mid-range
Splurge
Bed & Breakfast
Camping
Go next
- Catawba Island
- Cedar Point
- Huron
- Marblehead
- Milan Birthplace of Thomas A. Edison, inventor.
- Put-in-Bay
- Sandusky
- Vermilion
Nearby
Catawba Island
City / town · 25 listings · 7 mi away
Lakeside
City / town · 9 listings · 10 mi away
Oak Harbor
City / town · 4 listings · 11 mi away
Marblehead
City / town · 24 listings · 11 mi away
Middle Bass Island
City / town · 12 listings · 11 mi away
Put-in-Bay
City / town · 33 listings · 12 mi away
Cedar Point
Park · 5 listings · 12 mi away
Sandusky
City / town · 50 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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