Kelleys Island, Put-In-Bay & more: Lake Erie Islands travel guide 2021

PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio — Summer has come early this year to the Lake Erie islands, which are already experiencing large numbers of visitors seeking fun in the sun.

And why not, after the year we’ve had?

Easy to access but a world away, the Lake Erie islands are the ultimate leave-it-all-behind destination.

Ohio’s half of Lake Erie includes as many as 36 islands, with three receiving the vast majority of attention: South Bass (home to Put-in-Bay), Kelleys Island and Middle Bass.

Put-in-Bay, also known as South Bass Island, attracts the most interest, for better or worse.

Last year, a small coronavirus outbreak on the island generated media attention from across the state and beyond, dealing a major blow to the community’s tourism economy.

This summer, the island is promising a rebound – launching a new marketing campaign, emphasizing the island’s commitment to safe, family-friendly fun. (See related story: More than booze and bars: New Put-in-Bay marketing campaign promotes family-friendly, weekday trips)

Rest assured, however, that the island’s well-known party atmosphere on the weekends will still be available for those who want it.

Or consider a quieter alternative to Put-in-Bay:

* Kelleys Island offers lots of options across its 2,800 acres, from a terrific state park to a small downtown featuring a dozen-plus places to drink and dine.

* Middle Bass Island, quieter still, is easily accessible from the mainland and nearby Put-in-Bay. Attractions here include one of Ohio’s newest state parks.

* Finally, North Bass, accessible only by private boat or airplane, features a remote four-bedroom house for rent, owned by the state.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your 2021 Lake Erie island escape:

What: Lake Erie’s most populous island has about 400 year-round residents, with up to 750,000 temporary guests arriving for day visits or overnight stays from late spring through fall. It’s about 3 miles off the mainland near Port Clinton.

Getting there: The Miller Ferry runs numerous daily trips to the island, leaving its Catawba Island dock on the mainland as early as 6:30 a.m., with return trips as late as 9 p.m. The trip takes approximately 20 minutes, and drops guests on the south end of the island, about 2 miles from downtown Put-in-Bay. Bus and taxi transportation, bike and golf cart rentals are available when you disembark. Ferry prices are $16 round-trip for adults, $3 children 6-11, under 6 free. A bicycle is $5 and a car is $38. Information: millerferry.com

The Jet Express runs trips from both downtown Port Clinton and Sandusky, transporting passengers to downtown Put-in-Bay. Port Clinton trips take approximately 25 minutes, with departures as early as 8:30 a.m. and return trips leaving the island as late as 12:15 a.m. Fares are $35 round-trip for adults, $15 for ages 12-16, $6 for ages 6-11 and free for under 5. The Jet Express doesn’t transport cars; bikes are $10.

The Jet Express this weekend is restarting service from downtown Sandusky, which was suspended in 2020. From downtown Sandusky, Jet Express passengers can travel to Cedar Point ($10 adult round-trip), Kelleys Island ($34), Put-in-Bay ($40) and from Kelleys Island to Put-in-Bay ($24). For schedules and more information: jet-express.com

Griffing Flying Service also takes passengers to Put-in-Bay, Kelleys, Middle and North Bass islands from Erie-Ottawa Airport. Fares are $95 round-trip. Information: flygriffing.com

Top attractions:

* Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is a 352-foot-high Doric column built a century ago to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Ere during the War of 1812 and to celebrate the long-standing peace among the U.S., Canada and Great Britain. The visitors center and grounds are open, although the observation deck atop the column remains closed due to the pandemic. Information: nps.gov/pevi

* South Bass Island Lighthouse, in operation between 1897 to 1962, is owned by Ohio State University, which is offering tours for small groups of registered guests on Friday mornings through August; cost is $5. The grounds are open daily, dawn to dusk. The lighthouse is at the far southwest tip of the island, 2368 Langram Road. Information: go.osu.edu/lighthouse

Ohio State also runs the Aquatic Visitors Center, 360 W. Shore Blvd., with live fish and other exhibits on the Lake Erie ecosystem, plus a fishing pier where kids 15 and under can fish for free. Tours of the center are available Tuesday mornings. Cost is $5 and registration is required. Information: go.osu.edu/avc

Also: On Mondays and Thursdays, Ohio State offers tours of Gibraltar Island, just off Put-in-Bay, where the university runs a summer research program; cost is $10 for the tour, plus $6 for water taxi. See go.osu.edu/gibraltar

* Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center, 255 Meechen Road, recently completed a building expansion and renovation, adding a new live animal exhibit that includes turtles, snakes and frogs. The center is open daily through Labor Day, weekends in May and September. Admission is $3 adults, $2 seniors and children 6-11. Information: lakeerieislandswildlife.com

* Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum, 25 Town Hall Place, includes exhibits on the War of 1812, the island’s tourism history, fishing and more. Currently on display: a special exhibit honoring the centennial anniversary of the 1919 fire at the Hotel Victory, once one of the largest hotels in the U.S. Open daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $7. Information: leihs.org.

* Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, 979 Catawba Ave., offers a 208-foot-long cave to explore, plus Butterfly House, putt-putt golf, gemstone mining, a rock wall, antique car museum and more. Admission prices vary. Information: perryscave.com

* Crystal Cave, the world’s largest geode, is on the grounds of Heineman’s Winery. Tours of the cave helped save the winery from demise during Prohibition. Daily tours are $10, $5 children 6-11. Information: heinemanswinery.com

* Kimberly’s Carousel, 160 Delaware Ave., was built in 1917 and features a perch to ride on, among other animals. The ride should be operating by mid-June; tickets are $3, available at the Carriage House next door. Information: carriagehousepib.com

* South Bass Island State Park is just 33 acres, but its size packs a punch, with terrific scenery on the southwest corner of the island. Among the amenities here: a small, stone beach; public launch ramp; kayak and jet ski rentals; plus a 135-site campground that includes four cabents (cabin-tents) to rent. Information: parks.ohiodnr.gov

Also on Put-in-Bay: Parasail rides, kayak and jet ski rentals, nature trails, Adventure Bay go-kart track, plus five swim-up bars.

Major events: Put-in-Bay Pyrate Fest, June 25-27; 4th of July Fireworks, July 4; Bash on the Bay 4, featuring Blake Shelton and Keith Urban, Aug. 25-26; and more. See visitputinbay.com

Where to stay: Put-in-Bay has hundreds of overnight options, from hotels to condos, cottages to camping, at multiple price points (but all expensive on the weekends). Among the possibilities: Anchor Inn Boutique Hotel, Ashley’s Island House, Getaway Inn at Cooper’s Woods, Bayshore Resort.

Dining and drinking: You’ll have to stay for weeks to try all the possibilities here. Among the favorites: Goat Soup & Whiskey, 820 Catawba Ave.; The Forge, 451 Catawba Ave.; Mossbacks Island Grill, 371 Catawba Ave.; and The Boardwalk, 341 Bayview Ave. Or check out the chamber’s Foodie Trail, featuring more than two dozen places to eat and drink.

More information: visitputinbay.com, shoresandislands.com

What: At about 4.5 square miles, Kelleys is the largest U.S. island in Lake Erie, nearly twice the size of South Bass. About a quarter of the island is parkland.

Getting there: The Kelleys Island Ferry makes the 20-minute trip from Marblehead multiple times daily, starting at 7 a.m., with return trips as late as 11:30 p.m. on weekends. Fares are $22 roundtrip for adults, $18 seniors, $14 children 5-11, $36 for cars, $8 for bikes. Information: kelleysislandferry.com

The Jet Express also travels to Kelleys, from Sandusky.

Top attractions:

* Kelleys Island State Park is a real beauty, with a small, sandy beach, several terrific hiking trails and the famous glacial grooves, created by massive ice sheets that scoured the bedrock 18,000 years ago. Information: parks.ohiodnr.gov

* Charles Herndon Galleries and Sculpture Garden, 114 Laylin Lane, features the works of native Clevelander Herndon, who uses often materials from the island for his creations. Information: charlesherndon.com

* Kelleys Island History Museum, 224 Division St., features exhibits about quarrying, wine production, fishing, island medical care and more. Information: kelleysislandhistorical.org

Also: Monarch Butterfly Box, Caddy Shack mini golf, kayak rentals, bike rentals and more.

Major events: KI’s Got Talent, July 10; Film Fest, July 23-25; Arts & Craft Fest, Aug. 7. Information: kelleysislandchamber.com

Where to stay: Options include 31-room Kelleys Island Venture Resort, A Water’s Edge Retreat, the Inn on Kelleys Island, plus condos, cottages and 129 scenic campsites at Kelleys Island State Park.

Dining and drinking: Favorites include the Village Pump, 103 W. Lakeshore Drive, Island House Restaurant, 131 W. Lakeshore Drive, and Kelleys Island Wine Co., 418 Woodford Road.

More information: kelleysislandchamber.com, shoresandislands.com

What: Middle Bass is the sleepy cousin of nearby South Bass and is often used as an overflow outpost when Put-in-Bay is at capacity. It’s the former home of the historic Lonz Winery, which was purchased by the state in 2000 and turned into a park.

Getting there: Miller Ferry operates a ferry from its Catawba Island dock to Middle Bass, operating several times daily. Fares are $21 round trip for adults, $6 children 6-11. Bikes are $7, cars are $51 (reservations required for vehicles).

You can also travel to Middle Bass from Put-in-Bay aboard the Sonny-S Boat Line. For a schedule and fares: middlebassferry.net

Top attractions: Middle Bass Island State Park includes what remains of the Lonz Winery, including an open-air pavilion with lovely lake views, and a 184-slip marina available for day and overnight use. Information: parks.ohiodnr.gov

Major events: Middle Bass Island Music Festival, July 17. Information: facebook.com/mbifest

Where to stay: Options include condo and house rentals, plus primitive camping at the state park.

Dining and drinking: J.F. Walleyes, 1810 Fox Road, with entertainment and the Blue Lagoon pool; Middle Bass General Store, 940 Fox Road; and St. Hazards Resort, 1233 Fox Road.

More information: facebook.com/middlebass

What: The state bought most of North Bass Island in 2003, converting it into state parkland. The northern-most of Lake Erie’s U.S. islands, it’s not easy to get here, accessible only by private boat or plane.

There are no restaurants or stores here, but the island is open for primitive camping, backpacking, hunting and fishing.

In 2018, the state finished renovated a four-bedroom, Civil War-era house on the island, which it rents for overnight stays. Information: parks.ohiodnr.gov