Overview
Put-in-Bay is a resort village 3 mi offshore of mainland Ohio on Lake Erie. Put-in-Bay is a village on South Bass Island, but the name commonly is used to refer to the entire island. A summer resort since the mid-1800s, the town is the hub of tourism among the Lake Erie Islands, with its numerous taverns, wineries, restaurants, and hotels. Along with the festive atmosphere of downtown Put-in-Bay, there are key pieces of American history to discover here, relaxing outdoor activities, and natural splendor. This island resort community is also close to a plethora of mainland parks and attractions, including the world-renowned Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky.
4 sights · 3 things to do · 4 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Put-in-Bay
Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial
This 352-foot (107 m) tall memorial commemorates Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's September 10, 1813 naval victory over British ships in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. Construction of the monument began in 19…
Crystal Cave
The world's record, largest geode in the world. Located under Heineman's Winery on South Bass Island. Crystals in lengths of up to 18 inches, inside of this geode, that one can stand up in.
Ohio State's Stone Laboratory
Tour the Aquatic Visitors Center, participate in hands-on work of a scientist, or check out the view from the South Bass Island Lighthouse tower. Also houses Cooke Castle. Many additional educational options are also ava…
Perry's Cave Family Fun Center
20- to 30-minute tours of the island's largest cave, a War of 1812-themed putt putt course, a 4,000-square-foot butterfly house with over 500 different types of exotic butterflies, a giant human maze, gemstone mining, an…
Put-in-Bay Tour Train
Board the Tour Train to see the island while learning fun facts and history along the way.
DeRivia Park
Lakeside park with a children's play area.
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.
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 48 mi away (major hub). Directions
- TOL Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport, Toledo — 51 mi away. Directions
The island is a popular destination for personal watercraft and offers both public and private marinas available to dock watercraft.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $27–$180 a night (typical $114), from 4 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $5 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$270.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, DeRivia Park
- Lunch The Boardwalk
- Afternoon Ohio State's Stone Laboratory, Kayak the Bay
- Dinner Topsy Turvey
- Evening Beer Barrel Saloon
Day 2
- Morning Crystal Cave, Perry's Cave Family Fun Center
- Lunch Chicken Patio
- Afternoon Put-in-Bay Tour Train
- Dinner The Boathouse Bar & Grill
- Evening Level 2 Nightclub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are numerous eateries in the village. Many are located along Delaware & Bay View Avenues in Downtown Put-in-Bay, but others are scattered throughout the island.
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 primary industry of Put-in-Bay is tourism. The tourist season runs roughly between April and October.
There are approximately 500 full-time South Bass Island residents, most of whom remain on the island over the winter. Supplies and perishables are flown to the island during the winter months along with the mail, parcels and bank employees who staff the island's only bank (for one day a week) until the spring. The island has a single school that is used for all classes – grades kindergarten through 12 – and also serves the educational requirements of the residents of nearby Middle Bass and North Bass islands.
Get in
By boat
The island is a popular destination for personal watercraft and offers both public and private marinas available to dock watercraft.
Ferries from the mainland originate from Sandusky, Port Clinton, and Catawba Island. Ferries run several times/day during the prime tourist season, daily during spring/fall as weather allows. The Jet Express and Miller Boat Line are the primary carriers, carrying cars and cargo as well as passengers. Parking on the island is very limited and vehicles are not recommended.
Go Miller Boat Line
Ferry takes you 3 miles from Catawba Island to the southern tip of South Bass Island, where bus or taxi to Downtown Put-in-Bay (2 miles away) is available. Golf cart and bicycle rentals are also nearby. Limited free daytime and overnight parking is available, other parking is paid by the day. Docks and ferries are wheelchair-accessible. Ferries are mostly open-air with a trip time of 18 minutes each way, departing every half-hour from 7AM-7PM Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, with expanded times to 8 or 9PM on weekends and during mid-summer peak times; less-extensive service is available in spring and fall. Season passes are available, along with service to Middle Bass Island. Motor vehicles can also be accommodated but are not recommended due to limited on island parking. (see below).
Go The Jet Express
The Jet Express is the fastest and most comfortable way to get directly to Downtown Put-in-Bay in any weather condition, with connections from Port Clinton, Kelleys Island, and Sandusky. These aluminum-hulled catamaran-style vessels feature both indoor and outdoor seating and are handicapped-accessible. Season passes and island-hopping tickets are also available.
Place Downtown Port Clinton
The 12.5-mile trip takes 25 minutes each way, and runs from 8:45AM to 10:30PM or midnight from May to October. Parking is free for under 30 minutes, or $2/hour ($12 per 24-hour max), or $36 lost-ticket maximum. A long-term lot is available for a one-time in/out fee of $10. AAA & AARP discounts are available.
Place Downtown Sandusky
A 17-mile trip each way, this trip takes 45 minutes with a stop en route at Kelleys Island. Ferries run from about 9:30AM to 9PM or 12:30AM Memorial Day Weekend to mid-September. Free daily parking is located at Jackson Street Pier, overnight parking is $5/night from the City of Sandusky.
By plane
There is a good airport on the island (2870 x 75 feet) offering charter services:
Go Put-in-Bay Airport
A public airport with a 2870-foot asphalt runway connects Put-in-Bay to the rest of the world year-round. No fuel service is available.
Nearby airports with national and international commercial airline service include:
Get around
Visitors should seriously consider leaving their cars on the mainland. It is so much easier and more convenient to travel around the island with a golf cart, by bicycle, or by moped, which are available for rental at several locations on the island. Put-in-Bay Golf Carts are available with 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-passenger configurations. Taxis and old-school buses meet the Miller Boat Line ferries, which dock at the old Lime Kiln dock on the south side of the island. The taxis and buses take travelers approximately 2 miles to Put-in-Bay, past the airport, for a small fee.
Cars are permitted on island roads, although speed limits are low and parking is very limited. From mid-March to late-November, you can get your car there from the mainland for $15 one-way on the Miller Boat Line (see listing above), located at the end of Route 53 on Catawba Island. Each person traveling with the vehicle also pays the normal fare of $7 per person one-way. Reservations are not required, even on weekends, and vehicles are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Besides cars, they also take motorcycles, trailers, RVs, and other vehicles. During heavier traffic periods, there can be restrictions on bringing your vehicle to or from Put-in-Bay.
See
See Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial
This 352-foot (107 m) tall memorial commemorates Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's September 10, 1813 naval victory over British ships in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. Construction of the monument began in 1912 and it opened to the public on June 13, 1915. It is made up of 78 layers of pink granite, topped with an eleven short ton (10 metric ton) bronze urn. The remains of six naval officers, three British and three Americans, were interred beneath the floor of the monument's rotunda. For $3, take an elevator to the observation deck, with views of the surrounding islands and southern Canada. Visitor Center features displays, a video theater, and gift shop.
See Crystal Cave
The world's record, largest geode in the world. Located under Heineman's Winery on South Bass Island. Crystals in lengths of up to 18 inches, inside of this geode, that one can stand up in.
See Perry's Cave Family Fun Center
20- to 30-minute tours of the island's largest cave, a War of 1812-themed putt putt course, a 4,000-square-foot butterfly house with over 500 different types of exotic butterflies, a giant human maze, gemstone mining, an antique car museum, a rock-climbing wall, and two gift shops.
Do
Buy
Typical tourist bric-a-brac and t-shirt shops are plentiful here.
Shop The Country House
Eat
There are numerous eateries in the village. Many are located along Delaware & Bay View Avenues in Downtown Put-in-Bay, but others are scattered throughout the island.
Eat The Boathouse Bar & Grill
A nautical-themed family-friendly establishment with sandwiches, fresh perch, and walleye chowder. Often has live music.
Eat The Boardwalk
Enjoy great views of the waterfront with generous portions of Lake Erie perch and walleye, Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab, shrimp, burgers, or their famous lobster bisque.
Eat Chicken Patio
Unique wine-based BBQ sauce and outdoor seating with a view of the central village.
Eat Topsy Turvey
Everything here is homemade and popular with locals. Located within the original Wharfside tackle and bait store, the back bar faces the water and provides a picturesque view of the bay.
Drink
There are many watering-holes in the village, many with live musical entertainment.
Drink Beer Barrel Saloon
Live entertainment weekends and most weekdays during the summer. Home to the world's third-longest bar at 405 feet, 10 inches (longer than the height of Perry's Monument!) Also home to Tipper's, offering everything from large (but more expensive) seafood and steak entrees to pasta and sandwiches at moderate prices. A salad bar is available, with luncheon buffet 11AM-4PM, seafood buffet on Fridays after 5PM, Prime Rib Buffet on Saturdays after 5PM, and breakfast buffet from 7AM-10:30AM Saturdays and Sundays.
Drink Level 2 Nightclub
Level 2 is Put in Bay's only true nightclub with a DJ 7 nights a week. The club has 3 VIP rooms, a light show, and lots of people.
Drink Put-in-Bay Winery
It is possible to take a guided wine-tasting tour of the Valentine Doller Mansion and experience island life as it was in the 1800s. Sample five island wines while relaxing in the wine garden or enjoying the harbor view from the front lawn.
Sleep
Stay Grand Islander Hotel
The Grand Islander Hotel is in downtown Put-in-Bay and is home to the Splash! swim-up bar and the Level 2 nightclub. Splash! is the world's 5th largest swim-up bar, and features 97 seats in the water and live entertainment on the weekends serving an older, mature crowd.
Stay South Bass Island State Park
This is the most economical way to stay on the island. The family campground features 125 non-electric sites, and 10 full service sites with electric, water and sewer hook-ups. The campground offers flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Pet camping is permitted on designated sites. A youth group camp is available by reservation for organized groups. Four cabents, combining the best features of a cabin and tent, are available through a lottery system for weekly rental from Memorial Day to the last weekend in September. A separate lottery is held for rental of the rustic cabin located near the park office. Contact the Catawba Island park office for lottery details. A picnic shelter, picnic areas, launch ramp, fishing pier and small stone beach area are also available. South Bass Island is accessible by ferry from Port Clinton or Catawba Island.
Go next
- Go to Cleveland
- Catch a ferry to Kelleys Island
- Catch a ferry to the mainland and visit Sandusky or Port Clinton
Nearby
Middle Bass Island
City / town · 12 listings · 0 mi away
Catawba Island
City / town · 25 listings · 5 mi away
Kelleys Island
City / town · 30 listings · 7 mi away
Lakeside
City / town · 9 listings · 8 mi away
Marblehead
City / town · 24 listings · 9 mi away
Port Clinton
City / town · 36 listings · 12 mi away
Cedar Point
Park · 5 listings · 15 mi away
Sandusky
City / town · 50 listings · 15 mi away
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