south bass island

I've go up there ever week I have a house up there is amazing the ice in the winter gets so thick u can have fires in it and car races

We visit South Bass Island every year at least once, usually for a long weekend, and have always had a great time. The fun begins with a pleasant ferry ride on Miller Ferry which departs from the northern tip of Catawba Island (not really an island) near Port Clinton, OH. Note that auto access to South Bass Island is limited for visitors but this is not an issue as the most popular alternative is much more fun, renting a golf cart. The ferry disembarks on the southern end of the island while the center of the island’s activity is Put-In-Bay at the north end, so one will want to rent a golf cart from one of the nearby vendors (reservations recommended; a web search of Put-In-Bay transportation will provide links), or if one does not plan to venture too far from downtown and does not mind walking a bit, simply take one of the shared taxis (usually 15 person vans) to downtown for about $3. Other options include bicycle or moped rentals. Once in downtown Put-In-Bay, one will find many restaurants, bars, night clubs, dance clubs, wineries and more to engage adults as well as more family oriented activities nearby such as arcades, the National Park Service’s Perry’s Victory Memorial, the amusements at Perry’s Cave (the cave itself is not worth the time or money), the Butterfly House and the Aquatic Resource Center to name a few. Other opportunities include kayaking, power boat rentals, parasailing and ferry trips to several of the other nearby Lake Erie Islands. If planning more than a day trip, there are many accommodations to choose from including vacation rentals, bed & breakfasts, several smaller hotels and resorts, and even camping at South Bass Island State Park. The prime season for South Bass Island is from just before Memorial Day to just after Labor Day; outside of this season, many of the facilities on South Bass Island are either closed or have greatly reduced hours. We highly recommend a day trip or more to South Bass Island and if you can’t have fun there, you can’t have fun anywhere.

I grew up in Florida, and know how overdone the tourist trade can be. Not here. The island is a get away from the "real world". I loved ever second. The fact the cars aren't encouraged on the island makes even more lovely. I recommend even person go here to just de-stress and focus on enjoying life. :)

The adventure starts on the mainland in Port Clinton, OH with the Miller Ferry ride over to the Island. So much fun. Be sure to bring something to fee the seagulls. Much to do on South Bass Island. Plan to take comfy shoes and take your time!

a few friends and I visited here when it was cold and windy in April and rented a gold cart and it was absolutely beautiful!!! A place I would love to visit every day!!! I wouldn't recommend going in April because everything is closed but you basically get the Island to yourself!! lol

We had a nice time, but found that most of the island was very expensive. After being there for two day, everything that we wanted to do was covered. If your into heavy drinking, it's definitely the place to go. The bands at the bars were top notch. Plenty of bars to hit. The local attractions are nice. Hit the Put in Bay Winery and the Perry Memorial.

I love South Bass Island...even the parts outside of downtown. We go there at least once a year and have been there at different times of the year and there is something for everyone. The parks are nice (except the restrooms are not); there are several places to swim in pools; jetskis to rent; bars to listen to music or just hang out; tons of entertainers; a winery, several marinas and some great restaurants!

We arrived Sunday on labor day weekend, rented a golf cart and headed for our bed and breakfast hotel. The wife wasn't too thrilled on renting a cart when we got there, but she was so happy we had it for the three days two nights we were there. This place is really set up for a party place...I was here 40 years ago and remember that part of South Bass...but now i was more about learning about history, eating in the different restaurants and just traveling around the island. The place is a whole lot bigger now, and more commercial. There is plenty to do, for young kids too.... . it is really fun to travel by golf cart, driving through the town...visiting the Perry Memorial, and traveling the country roads looking at the beautiful homes....On Sundays they have the Antique car parade....and there are a ton of cars here...it's amazing to see so many. this is a very wonderful and relaxing place...i hope you get a chance to visit.

When you talk about visiting an island for vacation, most people tend to think of something tropical or exotic, but South Bass Island is a fun getaway and a great place to spend a day or so on Lake Erie, just a jump and a skip from Canada. With this visit, I’ve spent a total of five days of my life here. This island is a relaxing and pretty place and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.This particular visit, which took place on a Sunday, coincided with the last day of daily ferry service to the island for the 2013 season, so most of the businesses were closing up, and there was an end of season car parade that we enjoyed seeing while eating lunch. Within two months of this visit, the island’s Facebook page showed photos of the island as a winter wonderland. It’s fun to ride the Miller Boat Line ferry over. You can take your car if you’d like, but it costs a lot more and I prefer to rent a bike just up the hill from the ferry dock (they also have golf carts) and explore the island that way. There’s actually quite a bit to do on the island. I never miss visiting Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, which commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie that was part of the War of 1812. There was a nice visitor’s center, which has been redone since I last visited, and you have to go up the 352-foot tower (the world’s most massive Doric column) for the great views of the island and a few surrounding islands. There’s also the Heineman Winery (try their ice wine - it’s kinda expensive but very good); two caves you can tour - Perry’s cave and Crystal Cave, which are nearly across the street from each other; the 1.5 acre Oak Point State Park; browse the touristy shops and restaurants in the small downtown strip; or you can just pedal around and enjoy the scenery.I’ve wondered about staying overnight at one of the island’s hotels someday, but have never done that. I highly recommend visiting South Bass Island and hope I can get back here again sometime!

awesome place to take your family, I recommend as soon as you get there make your way up the hill and rent a golf cart, ( get it for all day) that way you can take your time and explore the island, cheap family memories !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had a nice day on South Bass Island, and the golf carts were a fun way to get around. One issue we found was that much of the waterfront is taken up by private homes. Meaning there are only small sections of the island where you can ride the golf carts along the lake. Most of the time you are riding down your average country road. So it would have been even more great if there were more public open spaces along the water. Some of the places like winery with the cave in it need a good renovation and sprucing up. As many of the places give off the vibe of being there just for people to get drunk and not much else.

this small island has loads of history. It is easily reached on the Miller Ferries from Catawba and you can walk or push bike or catch a bus, or hire a golf cart to get to the village centre of Put-in Bay. There is an awesome playground for children, a lot of variety for food and just fun strolling around

We rode the ferry with our bikes and spent the day riding bikes around the island, stopping in a few stores, and eating lunch/dinner. It was a really fun and relaxing day! It reminds me of Key West but not as big or as tropical.

The Ferry ride to the island, renting golf carts exploring the island and the shops are all alot of fun. It is a summer tradition in our family.

It wouldn't be summer without our annual trip to South Bass Island and the village of Put-in-Bay. The village is lively and colorful and the later in the day, fills with a younger (and livelier) crowd. The middle and other end of the island are more low-key and relaxing...see the lighthouse, visit Goat soup and whiskey. A nice escape and island fun without leaving Ohio.