If you have never had the opportunity to spend some hours on and around Lake Erie – then I have to tell you that you are missing out on some of the best Ohio has to offer in the summer!
Epic things to do around Lake Erie:
- Be on the lake!
- Explore the little towns along the coast
- Explore the Lake Erie Islands
- Ride the Roller Coasters at Cedar Point
Go Jump in the lake! Besides swimming the best hours spent on Lake Erie include boating, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and fishing. If you are lucky enough to have a boat that you use on Lake Erie than you are living your best life! If not, there are plenty of options - take a tour, parasail, or rent a boat or ride the ferry or the jet express out to the Lake Erie Islands.
If you sail, there are all kinds of races throughout the summer to participate in. From Bay Week (hosted by Put-In-Bay Yacht Club and I-LYA) to Labor Day’s Green Island Race (hosted by Port Clinton Yacht Club). It is always fun to check out the many yacht clubs along the lake and a great way to challenge your sailing skills.
Lake Erie is known as the Walleye capital of the world and is a popular fishing destination. Additionally, people fish for the Lake Erie perch. You can fish off your boat or off a fishing charter boat. One of our favorite charters is with COPA – you can find out more at www.captaincopa.com. Do not forget your sunscreen and Ohio fishing license! There are even several restaurants in the area that are willing to clean and cook your fish for you for dinner! And if you did not catch any fish – the good news is is that somebody did, and you can still purchase it for dinner at many of the local restaurants.
There are so many cute little towns along the coast. Some of my favorites are Catawba Island and Port Clinton. Catawba Island is part of the Ottawa county peninsula and is technically not an island as the name implies; however, that does not mean it isn’t a perfect little get-a-way! There are plenty of places to grab a meal and a drink and listen to music – Twin Oask Brewing www.twinoast.com , Gideon Owen Winery https://www.facebook.com/gideonowenwinecompany/, The Orchard, Catawba Brewing Company, Crabby Joe’s, or Crow’s Nest. For breakfast and a latté or lunch check out Rudder’s. There is a golf course on Catawba Island and plenty of Lake Erie shoreline to enjoy. And from Catawba it is a short drive to Marblehead and Port Clinton.
Marblehead lighthouse is the star attraction in Marblehead, although there is also East Harbor State Park, Rocky Point Winery, and the Kelly’s Island Ferry Boat Line. The Marblehouse Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the USA side of Lake Erie. The Keeper’s House, the Lifesaving Station and the Lighthouse are open 7 days a week from 12-4 from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There is a $3.00 fee (cash only) to climb to the top. It is epic and worth the stop even if you just walk the grounds. Visit them at https://marbleheadlighthouseohio.org.
In Port Clinton grab breakfast and coffee or lunch at Coffee Express and some fried Lake Erie Perch or Walleye at the iconic Jolly Rogers. On the shore, enjoy the views from Dock’s Beach House and some shopping around the little downtown area.
You may also choose to include Cleveland in your trip and enjoy a baseball, football or basketball game, the Cleveland Zoo, the Cleveland Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
There is lots of fun to be enjoyed on some of the Lake Erie Islands such as South Bass Island and Put-In-Bay, North and Middle Bass Islands and Kelleys Island. You can reach the islands from the Miller Ferry on Catawba Island - www.millerferry.com - or from the Jet Express at https://www.jet-express.com in Port Clinton. You can pay extra to take along your own bike too if you wish.
Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island is a popular visitor destination and offers the most activities. Once on the island, you can rent golf carts or bikes – although reservations are strongly recommended on the weekends! But who does not love to just ride around the island and enjoy looking at the homes, history, and water views – especially from your seat on a bike or golf cart! There is also a bus available from the Miller ferry drop off point to the downtown area. If you take the Jet Express, it drops you off right downtown. There are caves to explore and a state park campground as well. You should plan to spend a little time soaking up history at the Perry Monument and International Peace Memorial. Often there are park rangers on hand to answer questions and sometimes they will do demonstrations. Recently, we watched two “soldiers” in period costume explain their outfits and weapons and then they fired their weapons for everyone to hear. There is also a beautiful park and playground between the downtown street and the shoreline.
Stroll along the marina area too and marvel at the vast array of boats. Many times, in the summer, the boats will be rafted off each other 4 and 5 boats deep!
Put-In-Bay is known for its exciting nightlife and it certainly comes alive as the sun goes down. There are many restaurants and bars downtown but also shopping and plenty of family friendly ice cream, and candy stops as well. Some of the popular restaurants and watering holes include Frosty’s pizza (check out the backyard without kids or enjoy the family special inside with the kiddos), Put-In-Bay Winery, Put-In-Bay Brewery, The Round House Bar and chicken BBQ, and the Boardwalk, which houses several restaurants and bars and is right along the water next to the marina. Have a drink in the Upper deck and enjoy the views!
If you are planning to take your kids along with you to Put-In-Bay, be sure to check out my friend’s blog which will help you identify some great kid-friendly options at https://whatshouldwedotodaycolumbus.com/kid-friendly-put-in-bay-11-things-to-do-with-your-kids/.
Kelly’s Island is the largest and is dominated by natural areas. It is perfect for those who love nature, bird watching and the quieter side of life. You can rent a golf cart or bike and explore the world’s largest glacial scoring, find Native American pictographs carved in limestone, or hike miles of trails at the state park before heading downtown to enjoy a little shopping and refreshments at the local restaurants. You can camp here but there are no hotels, although there are some seasonal cottage rentals and B&B’s.
Middle Bass Island features the historic Lonz Winery as part of its state park with exhibits in the old wine cellars. Middle Bass is known for its flowers, lake views, marinas, wildlife refuge and historic district.
North Bass Island is a known for its state park where visitors can enjoy primitive camping and seclusion. This island is only accessible by plane or private watercraft.
Among the other islands, most uninhabited, are Ballast Island, Starve Island, Sugar Island, Rattlesnake Island and Green Island. Whatever you choose, an Ohio summer is just not complete without a few days exploring and relaxing on the Lake Erie Islands!
If you are an amusement park enthusiast you will not be disappointed by Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the world, the 364-acre park is located on a peninsula along the shores of Lake Erie. There are many other rides and a kiddie park as well. And Soak City, the water park, is right next door. Due to the popularity of the area, you will find plenty of other attractions and activities in Sandusky. From go-karts to mini golf and everything in-between, it is a family friendly destination. www.cedarpoint.com. We watched the Fourth of July fireworks that were over Cedar Point from the opposite shore in Marblehead.
If you are from Ohio and have never spent any time on the shores of Lake Erie can you really call yourself an Ohioan? You must check it out! However, you choose to spend the day (or the week) along www.cedarpoint.com the shores of Lake Erie or on the Lake itself enjoying watersports and boating, you are sure to have an epic time!
