When it comes to a fun vacation that offers plenty of adventure, food, and shopping it’s a Put-In-Bay kind of getaway but I’ve got some surprises for you!
14 Unexpected Finds on Put In Bay
Get to Put In Bay via Port Clinton & Jet Express. By the way, my Ferry ride to Put In Bay was hosted by Jet Express!
Travel from Port Clinton to Put In Bay one of our favorite island destinations in Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands.
The island is full of outdoor activities, adventure, and a vibe that is just all happy.
Jet Express + 14 Unexpected Finds On Put In Bay
Take the Jet Express over, it leaves every 1/2 hour, and rent a golf cart, it’s time to paint the island red!
Your car does NOT travel with you on Jet Express if you are in need of a ferry for you and your car, Miller Ferries is who you need to ride with!
Jet Express lets you off right in the heart of the island, and Miller Ferries puts you about 2 miles out of town. However, you can access the town by your car, golf cart, walking, taxi, or bus!
Return Trips + 14 Unexpected Finds on Put In Bay!
Even though we have been to Put In Bay before, it never gets old and we never stop discovering things.
Actually, each time we go, we find more to love and the weather is always incredibly warm and welcoming.
If adventure is your middle name and discovery is your close relative, you can uncover 14 unexpected finds on Put In Bay.
Exactly where Is Put In Bay?
You might want to know where Put In Bay is and that is a relative question.
Put In Bay is a village that is on South Bass Island which is in Put In Bay Township, and it is Ottawa County Ohio, and yes that is the USA! The island is accessible by Ferry/Boat.
From May until October tourism rules supreme. In fact, tourists take over the island because it’s not only beautiful but it’s fun!
Some will stay the night while others will take the absolute last Jet Express Ferry back to the mainland and regret they didn’t stay overnight!
Whether you are simply a day visitor or overnight visitor, arriving by Jet Express or Miller Ferries prepare to discover 14 unexpected finds on Put In Bay!
Golf Cart Rentals + 14 Unexpected Finds on Put In Bay
Golf carts are predominant and create chaos in parking, but they are so much fun to drive.
To be honest, I can’t imagine being on South Bass Island without a golf cart, and driving a car would not be on my top 10 of want-to-dos while here!
Golf Carts can:
- Park easy
- Allow you to park where you didn’t think possible
- Make it easier to take photos
- Are easier to get in and out of to sightsee and discover
21 + Crowd – Discover the Weekend Party
Have you heard that this island is a popular destination known for partying with the 21+ crowd?
Let me give you the flip side to this tail: weekdays are a great time to take the family, as it is fairly calm.
We have been here 2x without issue, and those that are there to party, do not interfere with our travel.
Plenty of couples, retired folks, and families frequent the island, and if you want to know where to stay with a family to be away from the ‘party scene’ you want to read my article on the Best Boutique Hotel In Put In Bay.
Discover the 14 Unexpected Finds On Put In Bay
Leave the Jet Express area and head past Perry’s Monument, and you will head to the dead end. You’ll find this unexpected set of painted graffiti rocks.
No. 1 of 14 Unexpected Finds On Put In Bay: Graffiti Rocks
You will be traveling from Perry’s Monument towards East Point Preserve.
Along the way, there are a lot of nice homes to ogle at and you can practice your golf cart driving skills!
What to expect at No. 1 of 14 unexpected finds in Put In Bay? Simple rocks painted. You may or may not find the same images I have as things change and the waters wash away the graffiti. So just look for the road and area, and you are sure to stumble upon these.
Now below where the boys are standing, there are SNAKES, so beware!
No. 2 of 14 Unexpected Finds in Put In Bay: Island Hardware
Visit the Island Hardware if you are looking for some cool tees, hats, and household decor (souvenirs) they have them, it surprised me.
Of course, the hardware has a plethora of regular hardware things too!
No. 3 Happy Holidays Gift Shop is also in the same plaza
Yep, even with just a small population, there’s a gift shop and if you are lucky enough to find them open you will find adorable holiday ornaments and the like!
For me, this is No. 3 of 14 Unexpected finds in Put In Bay, after all, I didn’t expect to find anything holiday here and it is so awesome! Yes, I am a holiday junkie so this was perfect for me!
No. 4: Travel to Delaware Avenue & Catawba
For those that took Jet Express or that took a taxi from Miller Ferries, you were probably dropped off somewhere between Delaware Avenue and Catawba! Well, open your eyes, as this is Number 4 of my 14 unexpected finds on Put In Bay!
Enjoy the well-manicured landscape architecture along Delaware Avenue & Catawba. Love the florals and green lawns, it’s idealistic small town pretty. I could imagine a movie being filmed here on these main streets!
Plus, if you are coming to the port from Perry’s Monument, or walking from Jet Express, check out Toledo Avenue, and Hartford Avenue, you will really see the island life here. It’s gorgeous, so stop and enjoy!
No. 5 Shopping On Delaware Avenue
Inexpensive but quality tees are quite the find, and I have the greatest find ever right on Mainstreet: Delaware Avenue.
Score fabulous deals on your tees, hats, and hoodies, head to the Shirt Shack on Delaware and you won’t go wrong.
We learned about this store from Angela of the Reel Bar our favorite bar and eatery!
No. 6 of 14 Unexpected Finds on Put In Bay: Weather Rocks
Visit the Weather Rock right at the docks.
No.7 Enjoy the signs, they are built for us ‘Tourists’ who did not drink too much and can get a kick out of them!
Sometimes it’s the little things that mean more than anything else you might find. Discovering 14 unexpected finds on Put In Bay includes some of the small things like these. Really when you step back and enjoy everything instead of just one thing, you see much more.
Slow your road. Enjoy and look!
No. 8 of 14 Unexpected Finds on Put In Bay: Lobster + Margaritas?
For those that absolutely crave, love, and can’t get enough of lobster bisque, well, I’ve found it here on Put In Bay and it’s handmade! Head over to the boardwalk decks!
$5 Margaritas on top of the boardwalk and every sip is justifiably yummy!
No, 9 Hand Rolled Cigars – By Night
So if you are one of those guests staying overnight on Put In Bay, get ready for some serious fun and if you love cigars… seek out hand-rolled cigars.
Yes, you can enjoy a hand-rolled cigar and it’s like you are really on a tropical island lol! Seek out Mojito Bay!
No. 10 of 14 Unexpected Finds on Put In Bay: Late Night Food!
So you partied a bit and now you are hungry! You are in luck because we found food till 3 AM.
Hungry really late at night and just want a sandwich? The Mist has a Subway in the alley open till 3 am!
No. 11: Towards Miller Ferries Port: Kiln Lime and Beyond
Each part of the island has its own ‘distinctive feel and things to adventure through and here we are 2 miles out of the main streets and now traveling throughout the island. We are seeking the South Bass Lighthouse, we saw it on the way in, and now we want to see it up close!
South Bass Island Lighthouse close to Miller’s Ferry landing, if you can read this sign you are going the wrong way, you want to head out of Miller’s Ferry and to the left!
But don’t expect your typical lighthouse which is WHY it lands as number 11 out of 14 unexpected finds on Put In Bay!
Don’t look for a full-blown lighthouse, just look at the top of the building that is there. I suggest an early morning photo opp because 4P sun interferes with photo ops.
No. 14 A Beautiful Church, You’ll Pass right By if you are not looking!
Visit Mother Of Sorrows church and remember to bless yourself and say a prayer anytime you enter a new church you receive a blessing.
Now let’s walk inside. Stop. Say a prayer, accept the blessing and something good always comes your way! But, did you expect a BIG church like this on the inside? See, unexpected and gorgeous!
No. 13: Every great trip needs a stop at a winery!
How about a stop at the Put In Bay Winery? What an absolutely stunning building don’t you agree? I like the contents inside even more!
No. 13: A Germam Biergarten?
Yep so go snag a beer and a pretzel and rest for a few. Yummy fun!
Eat a huge Bavarian Pretzel with cheddar dunking sauce at the Biergarten.
What will your top 14 adventures be? There are more unexpected adventures to discover when you visit Put In Bay! ~ Enjoy.
