A Day at the 'Bay: Things to do at Put in Bay

I finally had a weekend free, and the only thing I wanted to do was get out in the sunshine and have an adventure. As I said in my Midwest Getaways post, Put in Bay is the perfect destination for a short respite from the daily grind. I grew up enjoying summers on Lake Erie, and as much as people love to hate on it, it's a home away from home for me. So we packed up the bikes and a picnic and headed north with no plan but to wander.

Important island tunes to set the mood!

Getting There:

We caught the Miller Ferry in Port Clinton for our quick trek across the lake to South Bass Island. If you're planning on renting a bike or golf cart for the day you'll find a few options right at the ferry dock, or you can take the old-school bus (literally, an old school bus) into town where you'll find plenty of rentals.

Things to Do:

My favorite thing to do on the island is just to drive/ride around and explore. Check out the cute Victorian homes and fancy lake houses, stop for a picnic in an open field, and see where the island roads take you. Downtown is full of adorable shops, rowdy bars, and island excursions to check out, including kayaking, parasailing, and jet ski rentals. Kids love the playground in the town square and the crystal cave at Heineman's Winery. However! Be warned, there is no public sand beach on the island. There's a small pebble beach at the State Park where kids can swim, but it's less than ideal for laying out a towel and catching some sun.

What to Eat:

There are so many options! We loved the Upper Deck at the Board Walk with panoramic views of the harbor. The service was excellent, the food was amazing (try the Sweet Chili Chicken Wrap with goat cheese!) and the air conditioning felt great. Follow your meal with a flight of local wines at the adorable and friendly Put in Bay Winery, or head to the chocolate cafe & museum for a scoop of ice cream.