Ohio - Lake Erie Islands
Take a car ferry out to one of these resort islands in the lake and leave your cares behind
Current Land Conditions
All the fun of a genuine shore vacation is closer than you think. Nearly seven million people visit the Lake Erie Shores & Islands each year, solidifyng its position as one of the most appealing vacation destinations in the Midwest. From Top-Thrill coasters to unspoiled natural coastlines, the Lake Erie Shores & Islands offers year-round fun and relaxation for the whole family.
With a mainland area that spans from Vermilion, Ohio to Genoa, Ohio and inland, plus Kelleys, Middle Bass and South Bass islands, the Lake Erie Shores & Islands boasts more than 150 miles of freshwater coastline and some of the greatest attractions around: Cedar Point amusement park offers more rides and roller coasters than any other park on the planet, and has been voted "Best Amusement Park in the World" for ten years in a row by Amusement Today readers. Besides exhilarating rides, Cedar Point provides quality family entertainment including live shows, PEANUTSTM characters on ice, an Extreme Biking show and numerous games of skill. Often overlooked though, is Cedar Point's differentiating feature of being located on a peninsula surrounded by beautiful Lake Erie. From the incredible coastal scenery at 420 feet in the sky to the pristine sandy beach, Lake Erie truly does offer MORE to Cedar Point's guests. Read more about Cedar Point.
Islands have always been an appealing escape, and Ohio’s Lake Erie Islands are no exception. Middle Bass Island has a tranquil atmosphere and refreshing natural landscape that lures visitors to its shore for carefree, relaxing getaways; conversely, South Bass Island, often referred to by its village name Put-in-Bay, offers unparalleled adventure around every corner. Kelleys Island, the largest of the three, offers a combination of the exquisite natural beauty with a milder blend of adventure and attractions. Explore more about the Lake Erie Islands.
Waterpark Capital of Ohio? Absolutely! Not counting Lake Erie - the area’s largest natural water park - the Lake Erie Shores & Islands boasts four indoor and two outdoor water play lands. Great Wolf Lodge, Castaway Bay, Kalahari and Rain all combine lodging, entertainment and aquatic fun under one roof and attract visitors year-round with 80º temperatures. The indoor waterparks offer more detail.
Known as “the Walleye Capital of the World” this region also brings in anglers seeking yellow perch, smallmouth bass, steelhead trout and many other species. Fishing is productive year-round and can be enjoyed from a variety of shoreline locations or through charter captains or walk-on head boats that make the experience easily available for all ages and levels of experience.
Tens of thousands of anglers head here each year to take home impressive catches. In fact, more fishing licenses are sold here than any other place in Ohio! Create your own fish story in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands.
History and educational opportunities for enrichment are plentiful, and the variety of experiences is dizzying! Only a few miles separate a 135 year-old Chautauqua community, the birthplace of Thomas Edison, a former U.S. President’s home and various museums, animal adventures, historic sites, cultural entertainment and underground caves. The list of things to see and do goes on and on.
Plan your getaway to the beautiful Lake Erie Shores & Islands today!
WHERE TO STAY LODGING
The Lake Erie Shores & Islands offers numerous lodging options with various levels of amenities. A complete and comprehensive list can be viewed in entirety on the lodging chart pages under Where to Stay; however, by using this convenient Lodging Search option, you can narrow your options based on your preferred amenities. If you find that your search has not yielded enough options for you, please return to the search fields and re-define your search by minimizing your amenity choices or go directly to the lodging charts under Where to Stay. We look forward to your visit.
Niagara Guest House
681 Langram Rd.
419.285.7447
King or queen beds, porch, patio, couples only, close to area attractions and free pools, 18 yr. minimum, wireless internet
Maple Cottage Inn
571 Catawba Ave.
419.285.4144
Close to downtown, quiet, clean, cozy, cable TV, Victorian décor
Harbour Town Guesthouse B&B
5725 Liberty Ave. (US 6)
440.935.2113
Casually luxurious, West Indies inspired decor, exotic furnishing, beach nearby, pets permitted
Longhouse B&B
1589 Put-in-Bay Rd.
419.285.5664
Quiet, wooded setting, queen beds, TV
Jeanne’s B&B
745 Langram Rd.
419.285.8353
Located within walking distance to town, cable TV, “home-town friendly,” queen beds, golf cart rental on-site
WHERE TO STAY HOTELS & MOTELS
Comfort Inn
1723 E. Perry St. (SR 163)
419.732.2929
800.228.5150
Shuttle to Jet Express dock, in-room microwave and refrigerator available
Bayshore Resort
328 Toledo Ave.
419.285.3931
866.422.9746
2 minute walk to downtown, balconies, heated pools, spa, tiki bar, golf cart rentals, in-room microwave and refrigerator, wireless internet
Motel Plaza
4645 Liberty Ave. (US 6)
440.967.3191
800.676.3191
Microwave and refrigerator available
River's Edge Inn
132 N. Main St.
419.433.8000
In-room microwave and refrigerator available
Best Western
351 Milan Ave. (US 250)
419.663.3501
866.274.7786
Meeting room, minutes to Summit Racing Equipment and Motorsports Park, in-room microwave and refrigerator*, wireless internet
WHERE TO STAY VACATION RENTALS
Aunt Jane's II
426 Loraine Avenue
216.898.1105
Large five bedroom home, two full baths, complete kitchen, gas grill, access to pools.
Little Teds Cottages
8390 North Shore Blvd., PO Box 163
419.520.5266
Our cottages are on the shore of Lake Erie in the heart of Vacationland, close to everything including the Islands and Cedar Point. Fully furnished with A/C. Just steps away from our pool and marina.
South Beach Resort Cottages
8620 E. Bayshore Rd.
419.798.5503
18—2, 3 and 4-bedroom cottages, 3 pools, tennis, arcade, sand volleyball, restaurant, marina, whirlpool, Wi-Fi, spa, ADA handicap accessible
Middle Bass Rentals
1810 Fox Rd.
440.823.2990
20 units, daily rentals, open year-round
Blue Sky Rentals
P.O. Box 251
440.552.7112
Lakefront, luxury and island club resort homes on Put-in-Bay; lakefront condos on Middle Bass Island, internet access
WHAT TO DO ACTIVITIES ATTRACTIONS
African Safari Wildlife Park
267 Lightner Rd. (SR 163), Port Clinton
419.732.3606 or 800.521.2660
africansafariwildlifepark.com
This drive-thru safari has exotic animals, camel and pony rides, entertaining and educational animal shows, pig races, a gift shop, picnic facilities, a snack bar and café and grill. Mar 20-May 22, daily 10am-5pm; May 23-Sept 7, daily 9am-7pm; Sept 8-Nov 1, daily 10am-5pm.
Bay Area Bike Rentals
Shoreline Park, Sandusky
419.504.2797 or 419.626.1048
doublesind.org
Tour downtown Sandusky’s waterfront and historic sites via bicycle. Take a suggested scenic tour, grab a picnic lunch and eat in a beautiful park. This is a great family activity and an excellent addition to your vacation. Stay an extra day and tour the beautiful bay waterfront. Affordable, safe, fun. Memorial Day–Labor Day, daily; weekends only in Sept.
The Berlin Fruit Box Company
Samuel Patterson® Baskets
51 Mechanic St. (off SR 61) Berlin Heights
419.588.2081 or 888.905.1858
samuelpattersonbaskets.com
Join us during our 151st Anniversary! Sixth generation family company makes home baskets from Maple, Cherry, Walnut and (new in 2009) Buckeye, plus farm baskets. Production on site includes log veneering. Open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm; gift shop Sat 9am-1pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day.
Castaway Bay
2001 Cleveland Rd. (US 6), Sandusky
419.627.2500
castawaybay.com
With its tropical theme, guests feel like they have landed on an island paradise. Castaway Bay features 237 hotel rooms and suites including family-oriented units, an indoor waterpark loaded with water activities for all ages, a day spa, fitness center, state-of-the-art arcade, restaurants, retail shops, adjacent marina and space for meetings, group events and birthday parties. The 38,000-sqaure-foot indoor waterpark features Rendezvous Run water coaster; a 100,000-gallon wave pool; three 35-foot-tall body slides, Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse, Toddler’s Tide Pool and an 80,000-gallon activity pool.
Cedar Downs/Cedar Lanes
at Quality Inn & Suites
1935 Cleveland Rd. (US 6), Sandusky
419.626.6761 or 800.654.3364
qualityinn.com
Ohio’s first and only off-track gaming and entertainment establishment where you can bet on live horse races from tracks around the country. A state-of-the-art, 32-lane bowling center features automatic scoring, glitter glow bowling and bumper bowling. Food, cocktails, billiards, golf simulator and arcade games available. Off-track gaming daily, 12pm-12am; bowling daily, 4pm-12am.
