Put-in-Bay

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.

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.

• Miller Boat Line

  phone: +1 419 285-2421
  address: 5174 E Water St, Port Clinton
  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).

• The Jet ExpressThe 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.

• Downtown Port Clinton

  phone: +1 419 732-2800
  address: 3 N Monroe St, 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.

• Downtown Sandusky

  phone: +1 419 609-9930
  address: 101 W Shoreline Dr, 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:

• Put-in-Bay Airport

  phone: +1 419 285-3371
  address: Langram Road
  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.

• Dairy Air

  phone: +1 419 341-1305
  address: Langram Rd
  Picks up as far as Detroit.

Nearby airports with national and international commercial airline service include:

• Erie–Ottawa International AirportThe closest airport geographically.

• Toledo Express Airport

• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Given the small size of the island, golf carts, bicycles and mopeds are the most convenient way to get around the island and are available in several locations. 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, though 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/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.

• Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial

  phone: +1 419-285-2184
  address: 93 Delaware Ave
  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. Small fee ($3) to take elevator to observation deck, which has views of the surrounding islands and southern Canada. Visitor Center features displays, a video theater, and gift shop.

• Crystal CaveThe 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.

• Perry's Cave Family Fun Center

  phone: +1 419-285-2283
  address: 979 Catawba Ave
  20-30 minute tours of the island's largest cave, a War of 1812 themed putt putt course, a 4000 square foot butterfly house with over 500 different types of exotic butterflies, giant human maze, gemstone mining, antique car museum, rock climbing wall, and two gift shops.

• Ohio State's Stone Laboratory

  phone: +1 419-285-1800
  address: 878 Bayview Dr
  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 available.

• Put-in-Bay Tour Train

  phone: +1 419-285-4855
  address: 2071 Langram Rd
  Board the Tour Train to see the island while learning fun facts and history along the way.

• DeRivia Park

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

• The Country House

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

  phone: +1 419 285-5665
  address: 218 Hartford Ave
  A nautical-themed family-friendly establishment with sandwiches, fresh perch, and walleye chowder. Often has live music.

• The Boardwalk

  phone: +1 419 285-3695
  address: Bay View Ave
  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.

• Chicken Patio

  phone: +1 419-285-4595
  address: 234 Delaware Ave,
  Unique wine-based BBQ sauce and outdoor seating with a view of the central village.

• Topsy Turvey

  phone: +1 419 285-4511
  address: 361 Bayview Ave
  Everything here is home made 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.

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

• Beer Barrel Saloon

  phone: +1 419 285-BEER
  address: 324 Delaware Ave
  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.

• Level 2 Nightclub

  phone: +1 419 285-5555
  address: 436 Catawaba
  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.

• Put-in-Bay Winery

  phone: +1 419-285-3343
  address: 392 Bay View Ave
  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 5 island wines while relaxing in the wine garden or enjoying the harbor view from the front lawn.

• Bird's Nest Resort

  phone: +1 419-285-6119
  address: 1371 Langram Rd
  The Bird's Nest is in a quiet spot with amenities including a swimming pool, play area, fish cleaning facilities, picnic tables, and grills. One of the few lodgings that allow pets on the island. Open May through September.

• Grand Islander Hotel

  address: 432 Catawba Ave
  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 servicing to an older, mature crowd.

• Islander Inn

  address: 225 Erie St
  The Islander Inn is Put-in-Bay's 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.

• South Bass Island State Park

  phone: +1 419 285-2112
  address: 1523 Catawaba Ave, Put-in-Bay
  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.

• The Commodore Resort

  phone: +1 419 285-3101
  address: 272 Delaware Avenue

• Put-in-Bay Waterfront Condos

  phone: +1-216-898-1105
  address: 1240 Tri-Motor Drive
  Poolview and waterfront vacation rental assistances. 26 beautiful waterfront guest condos with multiple rooms, private decks.Fully furnished units, all linens included, pool access, golf cart rentals onsite.

• Ida Rupp Public Library

  phone: +1-419-285-4004
  address: 281 Concord Ave
  Offers free Wi-Fi and public computers

• Put-In-Bay Post Office

• Go to Cleveland
• Catch a ferry to Kelleys Island
• Catch a ferry to the mainland and visit Sandusky or Port Clinton