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.
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.
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. 
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!
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.
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.
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!
#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 !
We would probably want to have that authentic experience that riding bikes around the bay would offer.
Fingers crossed
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:)
I’ve yet to go to Put-in-Bay, but I’ve always wanted to, so I would love to take my family there.
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!
I would love to walk in that water and see the Nature Preserve!
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!! 🙂
This looks like a great place that you could spend a couple of days. We have never been but would love the chance.
The Chocolate Museum!!!!
What a cute town. Would love to tour around by bike!
I’ve always wanted to check out Put n Bay and Ill be going back to that area next month. Hope to win!
I’d go to visit my sister in law! 🙂
Last time I was at Put in Bay was for a babymoon when I was 7 months pregnant. Would be fun to go as a family.
The Chocolate Museum
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.
A CHOCOLATE museum?! I will have to talk my husband into a visit! Sounds like a great family vacation!
WOW I would want to just stay in the butterfly house!! I love butterflies!
Oh wow, who knew Ohio was so cool! This is a place I think my family would enjoy.
Reminds me Presque Isle in PA! Sounds like a fun place.
Count me in for another who did not think shorelines when thinking of Ohio.
I have never been to Put-In-Bay so I think i’d like to ride around and check things out.
I never think of shorelines when I think of Ohio. I always forget that the Great Lakes dip into Ohio. Put-In Bay looks like a great place for the entire family!
Add me to the list that didn’t know Ohio had such gorgeous shoreline!
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!
My daughter’s been down there a couple of times and she says it’s lots of fun too. One day I’ll be able to check that out!
I want to rent a golf cart and putter around the island 🙂
I love butterflies, but CHOCOLATEEEEEE!! 🙂
I was wanting to visit Ohio this summer, but never got that chance. Maybe next summer!
What a beautiful place! thanks for sharing.. butterfly aviary.. chocolate factory and all that lush green all around. I would love to visit!
Would love to go to Put-in-Bay!! Looks wonderful and sounded very fun! (And delicious!)
Love PIB and the Islands of Lake Erie. So much to do and see as a family or with friends. Thanks for sharing your experiences! ~Sharon
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!
Eats some yummy crepes at The Old Forge Cafe and Creperie!
We would like to play mini golf.
What a fun place to visit. And a great giveaway.
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.
The kids would love Perry’s Cave Fun Center and I would like to see Perry’s Monument.
This looks like a great place to visit with the family!
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.
We love lake Erie islands!
Want to check out everything there!
I have never been but it sounds like a great romantic weekend getaway spot!
I’d like to head to the Boardwalk for some lobster bisque!
have a meal and take in the view
No better place to be on a warm, sunny day!
I’ve never visited but sure looks like a fun place!
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!
I love Put-in-Bay it’s like being somewhere far away from Ohio life but it’s only a couple hours away!
Love PIB!.going next Monday and so looking forward go it!. Good luck all, thanks for the opportunity!!!
I have lived in Ohio my entire life and have never been!
For as many times as I have been to that part of Ohio, I have NEVER been to Put-in-bay. Sure would be a fun trip.
Never been here before would love to go
We would go bike riding first!
I am actually going there this weekend! I am looking forward to Mojito Bay!
See the sites!
Rent a bike!
Ride our bikes around the island and sightsee!
Would love to go! We have only been there once before.
What an awesome prize package!
Great article… makes we want to be there today! 🙂
I’d love to take my daughter to the butterfly house. She is 2 years old and loves to see them.
My boys want to go to put in bay. This would be a great
I love little, out of the way places like this (and the midwest is FULL of them!) Thanks for adding a new spot to my travel list!
We would go ride the carousel and get ice cream! Love Put-in-Bay!!!!
The first thing I would do is take in the beautiful surroundings! Oh and find somewhere that has awesome food to try!!
I loved visiting the Heineman Winery Tour and Crystal Cave on our last visit!
I’ve never taken my kids or husband, this would be fun!
Hope to win! Sight see and people watch first and then stop for lunch!
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!
I think I’d like to try out some of that amazing sounding food first, and then maybe Perry’s monument. 🙂
The Butterfly House … My daughter loves butterflies!
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.