15 Best Things to Do in Put-in-Bay, Ohio: The Ultimate Guide

Put-in-Bay, Ohio, is a little Lake Erie island destination that packs a whole lot of fun. With nightlife and parties, outdoor activities, and family-friendly adventures, there’s something for every interest and every kind of traveler. After visiting South Bass Island and Put-in-Bay a few times, I’ve come up with a list of the best things to do in Put-in-Bay, Ohio.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you could likely do all of the things on this list within two or three days. Put-in-Bay isn’t that big of a place, and it feels even smaller when you drive around on a golf cart. There aren’t many cars on this island and the main form of transportation is the golf cart. It’s all part of the island’s charm.

Wondering how long you should spend in Put-in-Bay? Well, you could make a day trip to Put-in-Bay, but that’s awfully ambitious and you’d miss out on some of the nightlife. A weekend in Put-in-Bay is a good amount of time, though three days in Put-in-Bay is best.

I know some people that spend a whole week in Put-in-Bay and more time to soak it all in. No matter how much time you have, this Put-in-Bay travel guide will help you make the most of your trip.

Getting to Put-in-Bay (and Getting Around)

Even though Put-in-Bay is an island only accessible by boat (or plane, though this is not necessary), it’s really easy to get to Put-in-Bay. Leave your car on the mainland as people mostly get around by foot or by golf cart.

Travel to Put-in-Bay by ferry. There are a few different ferry services, although our favorite is the Miller Ferry. Leave your car at one of the free parking lots in Catawba Island, Ohio (which you can drive to) and take the Miller Ferry over to South Bass Island, aka Put-in-Bay.

Here’s our complete guide for getting to Put-in-Bay, which outlines all of the ferry services and transportation. Now, let’s talk about once you get over to the island. It’s time to rent a golf cart.

Best Things to Do in Put-in-Bay: Rent a Golf Cart

Trust me, it’s a whole experience to rent a golf cart in Put-in-Bay! It’s one of the best things to do in Put-in-Bay. There are golf cart rental agencies all over the island.

We found it easiest to rent one directly from our hotel, Bayshore Resort, though I list several companies in our Put-in-Bay golf cart rental guide. You can pick up a golf cart in downtown Put-in-Bay, and there’s another golf cart rental company at the southern end of the island near the Miller Ferry dock.

Where to Stay in Put-in-Bay

Now that you’ve sorted out transportation, it’s time to plan your hotel stay. Our favorite place to stay in Put-in-Bay is the Bayshore Resort. I’ve been there twice now and thoroughly enjoyed the facilities and convenience of this hotel.

While there are many accommodation options for all kinds of trips and travelers, everywhere from campsites to party hotels to family-friendly properties, Bayshore Resort is a laidback and relaxed place to stay that feels a little more mature. There’s a tiki bar on site, but you aren’t able to bring in your own alcohol in order to discourage wild parties.

It’s home to the only swimming pool on the island that isn’t public. Every other hotel’s swimming pool is public, meaning that you can hop from one to the next. At Bayshore Resort, only its guests can use its facilities, meaning that the pools are quieter and not crowded.

Things to Do in Put-in-Bay: Go Bar Hopping

One main reason why visitors flock to Put-in-Bay is for the party vibes. After all, Put-in-Bay is known as the “Key West of the north” for good reason. There are all kinds of bars, patios, nightclubs and pubs serving up beer, cocktails and slushy drinks.

Take a walk down Delaware Street at Catawba Avenue in downtown Put-in-Bay to go bar hopping. Mojito Bay is one of my personal favorites. This is an outdoor tiki bar complete with sand and swings around a circular bar. They serve delicious frozen cocktails and also offer live music from time to time.

Another fun place to check out is the Beer Barrel Saloon. They boast having the world’s longest bar (405 feet, 10″ long), and this was even verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Who said that swim up pool bars were only at tropical resorts in the Caribbean? MIST Pool Bar at the Commodore Resort has a swim up bar with handcrafted cocktails. It’s open to guests of the resort as well as visitors (21+). There are lounge chairs and cabanas to relax, and DJs spin tunes all weekend long. Every night, there’s an evening lights show, too.

Biergarten at the Boathouse celebrates Oktoberfest everyday! This beer garden features German food and beer, cocktails, and an outdoor patio. There are plenty of games to keep you entertained, like cornhole and ping pong.

Last, slightly off the beaten path, you’ll find Joe’s Bar and Restaurant. Considered to be Put-in-Bay’s “dive bar”, this unpretentious gastropub is at the far end of Catawba Avenue away from the main bar crawl. However, it’s worth venturing out for the delicious bar food, pub games, and a place to escape the crowds to a more laidback environment.

Things to Do in Put-in-Bay: Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial is a Doric column that represents the peace between the United States, Canada and Great Britain. It also honors those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.

You’re welcome to visit the Rotunda at the base of the memorial for free anytime during opening hours. There are 123 names of the American soldiers, sailors, marines, and militiamen who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie carved into the walls in the Rotunda. The floor has a stone memorial to mark the final resting place for six officers (three American and three British).

One of the best things to do in Put-in-Bay is travel up to the observation deck at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. The tours take place every 15 minutes (there’s an elevator and 37 steps to the top), and you should reserve a time slot in advance. It costs $10 to visit the observation deck at the time that I’m writing this article.

The views from the observation deck are spectacular. Look out to the neighboring islands between the United States and Canada, the world’s longest undefended border. You may even spot some birds like Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures. Be careful as it can get quite windy at the top.

Things to Do in Put-in-Bay: Go Kayaking to Gibraltar Island

Kayaking in Put-in-Bay is another fun activity that we really enjoyed. Justin and I rented kayaks from the outfitter, Kayak the Bay. We rented kayaks on the spot and took them out on the water for a couple of hours, which was the perfect amount of time.

There are some very cool rock formations around Gibraltar Island that are worth checking out. Paddle over to Gibraltar Island, an uninhabited island that you’re only able to tour on specific occasions with Ohio State University.

After kayaking around Gibraltar Island, we paddled along the edge of South Bass Island towards Benson Ford, the home built using the front of a ship. There are some pretty amazing views of this from the water. I’ll also describe how you can go on a tour of Benson Ford by land on rare occasions later in this article.

Things to Do in Put-in-Bay: Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center

Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center lives up to its name – it’s a fun attraction that the whole family can enjoy. There are activities for kids and kids at heart, plus some really unique gems as well.

I’m going to highlight the two attractions that I’ve personally visited, Perry’s Cave and the mini putt course. Then, I’ll list some other reasons to visit Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center, too.

Perry’s Cave

Ohio is home to quite a few caves, and Perry’s Cave is one you need to visit if you love exploring underground. It’s a registered Ohio National Landmark. Descend 52 feet below the surface of Put-in-Bay on your tour of Perry’s Cave.

You can only visit Perry’s Cave on a guided tour, and tours last about 15 to 20 minutes. Justin and I loved learning more about the history of the cave, discovered by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry back in 1813. See stalactites and stalagmites up close. Remember to wear running shoes and bring a sweater as it’s always a bit cooler down in the cave.

War of 18 Holes Miniature Golf

There’s a miniature golf course at Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center. Challenge your friends to a round of mini golf and learn some historic facts about the War of 1812 from informational signs as you play. Some interesting features on this mini golf course include a waterfall cave and a covered bridge.

Other Attractions at Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center

Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center offers combo tickets so you can experience three or five attractions for a lower price. Some other activities and attractions include the butterfly house, gemstone mining, a rock wall, an antique car museum, and Fort aMaze’n. The antique car museum is free for everyone to visit, so you may as well take a look while you’re there (especially if you’re interested in old cars!).

Visit Put-in-Bay Wineries

Put-in-Bay is home to two wineries: Heineman’s Winery and Put-in-Bay Winery. Why not pay both of them a visit? A trip to the wineries is one of the top things to do in Put-in-Bay.

Heineman’s Winery has the distinction of being Ohio’s oldest family owned and operated winery since 1888. Gustav Heineman, an immigrant from Baden-Baden, Germany, took note that the conditions around the Lake Erie Islands were ideal for growing grapes.

They have their own red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, rose wine and dessert wine. Go for a wine tasting in their beautiful garden. While you’re there, visit the Crystal Cave (more on that in the next section!).

Located on the Doller House Estate, Put-in-Bay Winery is a newer winery on the island that opened in 2009. Take a tour of the house and estate, which also includes a wine tasting. The Put-in-Bay Winery has red wine, white wine, fruit wines, a pink wine, a sweet chocolate wine, rose wine, and sparkling wine.

The Crystal Cave

Crystal Cave in Put-in-Bay is the world’s largest geode. Descend 40 feet below the surface to view a cave covered in strontium sulfate, a blueish mineral called celestite. The original cave was much larger as some of the crystals were removed back in the day, but many remain that range from 8 to 18″ in size.

Fun fact: the Crystal Cave kept the family from failing financially during Prohibition. As Heineman’s Winery could no longer produce and sell wine, the family ran tours of the Crystal Cave and sold unfermented grape juice to stay afloat. Many other wineries at this time went out of business, and Heineman’s Winery was the only one to survive.

South Bass Island Lighthouse

South Bass Island Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building itself doesn’t look like a typical lighthouse, which makes it all the more the reason to visit. The property is beautiful and it’s always free to visit.

Owned by the Ohio State University, the lighthouse itself is rarely open to visitors. However, there are three dates this summer when you can climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse itself. From the top, you can enjoy a pretty panoramic view of Put-in-Bay.

South Bass Island State Park

Did you know that there’s a state park in Put-in-Bay? One of the best things to do in Put-in-Bay is experience the South Bass Island State Park. This natural and protected space offers tranquility and peace from the hustle and bustle of downtown PIB.

There’s a small rocky beach here where you can go swimming. There’s also a campground where you can spend the night. In addition, other activities at the South Bass Island State Park include boating, picnicking and birdwatching (hundreds of bird species have been spotted here).

Tour the Benson Ford Ship House

Benson Ford is one of the most unique houses you’ll ever see! Justin and I came across Benson Ford by accident when we were kayaking. While it may look as though a boat is sitting up on land, this old shipping vessel was cut in half and transformed into a house.

The Benson Ford Shiphouse isn’t only a Put-in-Bay landmark, it’s been featured in MTV Extreme Cribs, Home & Garden TV’s Extreme Homes, the Travel Channel, The British Daily Mirror and other publications. Benson Ford is occasionally open for tours, usually as a fundraising event. Be sure to check their website for any upcoming tour dates.

Things to Do in Put-in-Bay: Have a Beach Day

While I mentioned the rocky beach at South Bass Island State Park, there is a second beach in Put-in-Bay at the end of Delaware Avenue near Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. The one at the state park is a bit larger than the one in town.

I’d say that the state park beach is better for swimming and the downtown beach is better for sunbathing and lounging. Both have shorelines composed of small pebbles. You may be able to find sea glass along the South Bass Island State Park beach if you go looking for it.

Put-in-Bay isn’t exactly known as a beach destination and I’ve always stuck to swimming in the pools here. However, you can have a beach day if you don’t mind a rocky shoreline and some slightly cooler waters that could be quite refreshing on a hot day.

Kimberly’s Carousel

Kimberly’s Carousel is a beloved landmark in downtown Put-in-Bay. It’s an original Allen Herschell Carousel built in North Tonawanda, New York in 1917. It is one of only 100 carousels with wooden horses remaining in the USA.

Joyful and inviting music drifts out into the streets, and the handcrafted carousel horses welcome you to go for a spin. For the young and the young at heart, take a ride on the Put-in-Bay Carousel to experience some of the island’s best living history.