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A Put-in-Bay Getaway

Spend the Day at Put-in-Bay
When people think of Ohio, I can almost guarantee that they don’t think shoreline and islands. I guess that’s one of Ohio’s best kept secrets- though it’s not really a secret since we  Buckeyes try to tell everyone how great Ohio really is. I know I try to do my part to convince people they need to come for a visit.

One of my favorite places in the state is South Bass Island and the small, bustling  island town of  Put-in-Bay. More than 700,000 visitors explore the island each year and for the past three years, I’ve made visiting a priority.  I just can’t pass up a chance to visit Put-in-Bay. I’ve visited with my family, my parents’ and this year, with my teen daughter and two of her friends. We made a day of it and we girls had a great time.

To get to South Bass Island, we boarded the Miller Ferry in Port Clinton. I’ve ridden the Miller Ferry since I was a child so it only seems natural that I would return with my own family. It doesn’t hurt that they also offer the lowest fares to the island and free parking for the vehicles you leave on the mainland. If you choose, you can take your vehicle to the island as well. Miller Ferry will transport cars, trucks, bikes and motorcycles. While we were waiting to board, we watched a delivery truck drive off the ferry.

From May until mid-September, ferries depart from Catawba every half hour beginning at 6:30 a.m. and head back at 7:00 p.m. with additional hours offered on the weekend. The girls were excited to board the ferry and sail off across the lake but, we made one mistake- we forgot that it is cooler on the lake with the breeze and we’d failed to pack sweatshirts or light jackets. We won’t forget next time.

When we got off the ferry, we walked up the hill towards the Island Bike and Cart Rental building to pick up our island transportation.  I’m sure there are times when you may find a full-size vehicle helpful on the island, but for most visitors, a golf cart or bikes are more convenient. Parking is limited and it’s a lot easier to get around with a golf cart. If you’re headed to the island with plans to stick to downtown Put-in-Bay, you may opt to ride the bus or take a taxi, as  everything is easily walkable for most people. You’ll find both the bus and taxi at the top of the hill as you exit the ferry.

The Old Forge Cafe & Creperie in Put-in-Bay
We didn’t arrive until early afternoon and the girls and I were starving. Our first stop was to a fairly new restaurant, The Old Forge Cafe and Creperie. The restaurant opened last year and offers a unique dining experience. The building that was once a blacksmith shop, has undergone extensive renovations and the transformation is impressive. The space is amazing and the food…oh my goodness….just take my word for it and order the Crazy Sam savory crepe. My mouth waters just thinking about it.  If you spend the night on the island, you may want to pop in to try the breakfast menu which I’ve heard is pretty incredible. I just can’t imagine anything better than what I ate for lunch.

The Butterfly House at Put-in-Bay
After we stuffed ourselves at The Old Forge, we decided we should try to work off some of that food, so we headed towards Perry’s Cave Fun Center. We could have played mini-golf, toured an antique car museum, climbed a rock wall, panned for gems, played laser tag, made our way through Fort Amazin’ or toured the cave, but the girls choose to head to The Butterfly House to browse in the gift shop and walk through the 4,000 square foot butterfly aviary. Visitors aren’t allowed to catch the butterflies but the girls really wanted one or more of the 800 butterflies in the room to land on them. They tried to coax the butterflies to land on them, but it just didn’t happen. Goofing off on Put-in-Bay
When we’d had our fill of butterfly watching, we headed to The Chocolate Museum and to the cafe for some ice cream. We were surprised by the huge scoops! Even with the cooler temperatures, our ice cream was melting and dripping on us before we could finish our one scoop cone!

Things to see on South Bass Island
The girls spent quite a bit of time shopping downtown in Put-in-Bay for sweatshirts since they were cold but the island has so much to offer; great restaurants, homes to tour, museums, monuments, a lighthouse, a stone beach, the state’s smallest state park, kayaking, the list goes on and on. We certainly didn’t have time to see and do everything in one afternoon. Besides, we really wanted to get out of town and sit and enjoy the shoreline.

Scheeffs East Point Nature Preserve on South Bass Island
Before we headed back to the dock to catch our ferry back to the mainland, we stopped at Scheeff’s East Point Nature Preserve for a nature walk/photography workshop with Chloe from the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy. She walked us through the preserve to several beach areas, pointing out interesting flora and fauna along the way. The girls had their heart set on spotting a water snake on our walk and though Chloe tried to find one for us, we left without a sighting.

We did however, get a few great pictures and I learned a lot more about the conservation efforts to ensure that natural areas on the island remain protected and preserved. Our day proved that not only is Put-in-Bay fun for the family and multigenerational trips, but it also makes a fun day out with teen girls! If only our day hadn’t gone by so quickly.

Have you been to Put-in-Bay? What are you waiting for?

Related Posts:
Best of the USA: Put-in-Bay
A Family Friendly Getaway to Put-in-Bay
Traveling to Put-in-Bay via Miller Boat Line
Bay Lodging Resort in Put-in-Bay
Take a Ride on the Put-in-Bay Tour Train
Educational Family Travel: Visit Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial
Kayak the Bay for Active Family Fun
Things to do: Put-in-Bay, Ohio A Delightfully Lazy Day on Put-in-Bay 

Looking for more things to do in Ohio? Check out my Ohio Bucket List for ideas.

© 2014 – 2015, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Definitely would rent a bike to tour all around the island, then find a place to relax along the shoreline and take in the beauty of Lake Erie! Would also like to get a Raspberry Basil Mojito at Goat Soup and Whiskey’s.

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  4. Summer’s winding down, and this is the perfect time of year to head over to the island. The kids have always wanted to go to the caves!

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  8. The first thing I would do is take in the beautiful surroundings! Oh and find somewhere that has awesome food to try!!

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  23. Love PIB!.going next Monday and so looking forward go it!. Good luck all, thanks for the opportunity!!!

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  25. Visit the ice cream shop!
    I went here as a kid during one of the many (ever year) summer trips to Ohio to see our extended family!

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  33. Looks like a gorgeous location. I just love any chance to spend time at a butterfly garden. I had the chance to even visit one while visiting Malaysia. Thanks for sharing this hidden gem.

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  36. Put-In-Bay was my FAVORITE spot to be every summer when I was growing up!!! I have some of my best memories from that little island. My Dad owned a boat and we would literally live on it the week of my birthday and we’d head straight to Put-in-Bay Island. It is a beautiful place filled with loads of things to see and do and lots of good food.

    I’d LOVE to be able to take my kids there one day. In fact Thursday was Lighthouse Day and I thought about the lighthouse there.

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  40. I have to admit that I never would have thought shoreline and islands. You really opened my eyes about the things to do in Ohio. Thanks!

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  48. My boss went there last year and loved it. I wish we lived closer to OH to make it a doable trip. I know if we head to the midwest, we’ll be taking a jaunt there!

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  57. I’ve never been, but you had me sold at Chocolate Museum. My daughter would love the butterflies though. Looks like there is a little something for everyone in the family.

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  65. I’ve never been to Put-in-Bay, so I’d want to check out the sites! Oh, I think the VERY first thing I would do is go get the bikes!! 🙂

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  67. the four of us love riding bikes together, so that’s the first thing we would do….i can imagine how scenic and fun it would be!

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  69. I have not been up there since I was 14 or 15! I know my kids would love to see the lake, ride the ferry, and I would love the bike tour! It’s on our list but we have 2 under 5 which might make it more of a challenge:)

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  71. We would probably want to have that authentic experience that riding bikes around the bay would offer.

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  72. We have never been to Put-in- Bay, so I think we would want to jump on the bikes and ride around to get a feel of the area and see where everything is and some sites!

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    • #1. feel my mind and body relax ! I love camping on PIB and ease of getting around with
      “$3” taxi service. The GRAND Music is wonderful and I so want to try the pretzels at the Round House !

      Reply

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