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Put-in-Bay

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The village of Put-in-Bay [1] is on South Bass Island, just 3 miles offshore of mainland Northwest Ohio in Lake Erie. A summer resort since the mid-1800's, the town can be considered 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 conveniently located near a plethora of mainland parks and attractions, including the world-reknowned Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky.

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial

[edit] 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 Middle Bass and North Bass islands.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By sea

[edit] Ferries

Two commercial ferry lines serve Put-in-Bay:

  • Miller Boat Line, 5174 E Water St, Port Clinton, OH 43452 (Follow Route 53 N to the end on Catawba Island.), ☎ +1 419 285-2421/+1 800 500-2421 (), [2]. 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. Free daytime and overnight parking is available. 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 accomodated (see below). Fare: $6.50/person each way; Children 6-11: $1.50/person each way; Children under 6: Free; Bicycle: Additional $2 each way.  edit
  • The Jet Express, ☎ +1 800 245-1JET (1538) (), [3]. 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 ships feature both indoor and outdoor seating and are handicapped-accessible. Season passes and island-hopping tickets are also available.  edit
    • Downtown Port Clinton, 3 N Monroe St, Port Clinton, OH 43452 (At the bend in Route 163.), ☎ +1 419 732-2800. 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 with a $10 per 24-hour maximum. A long-term lot is available for a one-time in/out fee of $10. Fare: $28 round-trip; Children 6-12: $4 round-trip; Children under 6: Free; Bicycle: Additional $6 round-trip.  edit
    • Downtown Sandusky, 101 W Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870 (Follow Columbus Avenue to the end, turn left on Water Street, then right on Jackson Street, and finally take a right on Shoreline Drive.), ☎ +1 419 609-9930. 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. Fare: $36 round-trip; Children 6-12: $10 round-trip; Children under 6: Free; Bicycle: Additional $8 round-trip.  edit

[edit] Dockage

Besides ferries, there are both public and private marinas available to dock watercraft.

[edit] By car

  • There is no way to drive to Put-in-Bay, but 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 $6.50/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. Visit their website, email, or call for details before planning your trip. Parking on the island is VERY limited and bringing a car is not reccomended. Once on the island, golf carts are used as transportation.

One popular alternative is to come as a passenger abord the Jet-Express (see listing above) The Jet-Express departs from Port Clinton Ohio, Sandusky Ohio, and recently added Loraine Ohio as a departure point. The Jet-Express also is the only ferry boat service that offers inter island transportation to Kelly's island. All Jet-Express arrivals are in downtown Put-in-bay thus eliminating the need for a taxi or bus ride into town. Ample secure parking is available at all Jet-Express departure points.

[edit] By plane

Nearby airports with national and international commercial airline service include:

  • Toledo Express Airport, (IATA: TOL, ICAO: KTOL), 11013 Airport Hwy, Swanton, OH 43558, Phone: +1 419 865-2351. 69 miles/2 hours away by car.
  • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, (IATA: CLE, ICAO: KCLE, FAA LID: CLE), 5300 Riverside Dr, Cleveland, OH 44135, Phone: +1 216 265-6030‎. 76 miles/2 hours away by car.
  • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, (IATA: DTW, ICAO: KDTW), John D Dingell Dr, Detroit, MI 48242, Phone: +1 734 942-3550‎. 102 miles/2.5 hours away by car.

Put-in-Bay has one small airport with only charter service:

  • Put-in-Bay Airport, (FAA LID: 3W2), Langram Rd, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, Phone: +1 419 285-3371. 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.

Charter services to Put-in-Bay:

  • Dairy Air, Langram Rd, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456, ☎ +1 419 341-1305/+1 800 647-0837. Picks up as far as Detroit.  edit
  • Griffing-Sandusky Airport, 3115 Cleveland Road, Sandusky, OH 44870, ☎ +1 419 626-5161 (). Service to all of the Lake Erie Islands from Sandusky and Port Clinton airports.  edit

[edit] Get around

  • Golf Carts, Bicycles and Mopeds are the most convenient way to get around the island and are available at Delaware Rentals [4] , Island Bike and Cart Rental,and Park Bike and Cart.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorating 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 352 ft (107 m) tall and 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. Small fee ($3) to take elevator to observation deck, which has views of the surrounding islands and southern Canada. The monument will close August 1, 2009 so that $7.6 million of economic stimulus funds can be spent on it for much-needed repairs. It will reopen spring of 2010.

[edit][add listing] Do

Besides the scenery, the village is a known party hang-out. Large numbers of boaters congregate here in summer.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Typical tourist bric-a-brac and t-shirt shops are plentiful here.

[edit][add listing] 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.

  • The Boathouse Bar & Grill, 218 Hartford Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, ☎ +1 419 285-5665 (fax: +1 419 285-7206), [5]. 11am-2am. A nautical-themed family-friendly establishment with sandwiches, fresh perch, and walleye chowder. Often has live music. $5-$12.  edit
  • The Boardwalk, Bay View Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 (On the water at the end of Catawba Ave.), ☎ +1 419 285-3695, [6]. 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. $7-$20.  edit
  • Chicken Patio, 60 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, ☎ +1 419 285-3581 (fax: +1 419 285-7018), [7]. Unique wine-based BBQ sauce and outdoor seating with a view of the central village.  edit
  • Tipper's, 324 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 (Enter from Catawba Ave near the corner of Delaware.), ☎ +1 419 284-TIPS (8477), [8]. Good service and good food for anyone, with relaxed dining during the daytime, and live entertainment at night. The menu includes a little bit of 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 11-4, Seafood Buffet on Fridays after 5pm, Prime Rib Buffet on Saturdays after 5pm, and Breakfast Buffet from 7am-10:30am Saturdays and Sundays. $7-$30.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are many watering-holes in the village, many with live musical entertainment.

  • Beer Barrel Saloon, 324 Delaware Ave, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 (At the corner of Catawba Ave.), ☎ +1 419 285-BEER (2337) (), [9]. 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!).  edit
  • Level 2 Nighitclub, 436 Catawaba, ☎ 1-419-285-5555, [10]. 7PM-2:30 Am. Level 2 is Put in Bay's only true nightclub with a DJ 7 nights a week. Level 2 host's the hottest atmosphere on the island with 3 VIP rooms, the Most clear sound, a dazzling light show, and lots of people. So if your on the island ans tired of the bands playing the same music from one bar to the next, come to level here something different and dance the night away.  edit
  • Blue Marlin Swim up Bar, 439 Loraine Ave, ☎ 888-742-7829, [11]. 10 to 11 pm. Blue Marlin bar & Grill is the islands most popular bar located in the water! Swim up and enjoy the islands only award winning swim up bar and the worlds largest Jacuzzi seating over 60 people. Pool is heated and open from May to mid October.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Bay Lodging Resort, Lakeview Ave, ☎ 1-888-742-7829, [12]. checkin: 3:00; checkout: 11:00. The Bay Lodging Resort offers rooms and suites in a quaint and quiet setting just three blocks from downtown Put-in-Bay. Guest's of Bay Lodging will enjoy the islands only indoor / outdoor swimming pool and full service restaurant and bar. 125 to 375.  edit
  • Grand Islander Hotel, 432 Catawba Avenue, ☎ 1-888-742-7829, [13]. The Grand Islander Hotel is located downtown Put-in-Bay and features 2 of Put-in-Bay's hottest spots, Splash and Level 2. Splash! is The World's 5th Largest Swim-up Bar, and features 97 seats in the water and live entertainment on the weekends servicing to an older, mature crowd. Level 2 is Put-in-Bay's only black ethnic style night club and is located on the second floor of the Grand Islander. 49.00.  edit
  • Islander Inn, 225 Erie St, ☎ 1-888-742-7829, [14]. checkin: 3:00; checkout: 11:00. The Islander Inn is Put-in-Bay's only oldest hotel. Located in the middle of downtown, The Islander features 1 swimming pool and 3 wading pools and the Dizzy Lizard Swim-up Bar, Put-in-Bay's original swim-up bar.  edit
  • Put-in-Bay Resort Hotel, 439 Lorain Ave, ☎ 1-888-742-7829, [15]. checkin: 3:00; checkout: 11:00. Put-in-Bay's full service resort with large heated pool, world's largest Jacuzzi and swim up bar, and the islands only conference center with all rooms and facilities located on site.  edit
  • Edgewater Hotel, 266 Delaware Ave, ☎ 419-285-2724, [16]. checkin: 3:00; checkout: 11:00. Edgewater Hotel is located on the main strip downtown Put-in-Bay across from the park and waterfront and feature suites and rooms, golf cart and bicycle rentals on site. 125.00.  edit
  • Put-in-Bay Villas, 460 Loraine Ave, ☎ 888-742-7829, [17]. checkin: 4:00; checkout: 11:00. Put-in-Bay Villas are the islands newest accomodations featuring 4 bedroom 3 bath rental homes that sleep up to ten people. Large spacious homes with access to the award winning swim up bar and grill at the Put-in-Bay Resort. Varies.  edit

[edit] Get out

  • The Sonny S [18] takes passengers from Put-in-Bay to Middle Bass Island ($5).
  • Cedar Point Amusement Park is in Sandusky. A high-speed ferry [19] takes visitors to downtown Sandusky. Additional transport required to reach park.
  • Go to Cleveland

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