Destination Guide

Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island) and Middle Bass Island, Ohio
The Lake Erie Shores and Island Region

Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island), Ohio

The Miller Ferry trip to Put-in-Bay is a leisurely 20 minute trip and you will land at the Lime Kiln Dock at the southern end of Put-in-Bay, two miles from town. If you choose to visit the island for just the day, you may wish to leave your vehicle parked in a free lot on the mainland and come aboard as a foot passenger. Near the dock on Put-in-Bay you will find several means of transportation for rent including golf carts, bicycles, cabs and buses. There is a two mile bike path between the dock and the town. Put-in-Bay is 3.5 miles long and has flat, scenic roads. Miller Ferry also transports cars, motorcycles, motor homes, boats and trailers to Put-in-Bay and to Middle Bass Island.

Middle Bass Island, Ohio

The Miller Ferry trip to Middle Bass Island takes 40 minutes and along the way you can view several Lake Erie islands including Kelleys Island; Mouse; Green; Starve; Rattlesnake; Ballast; Middle Island; Canada; Pelee Island; Canada. You will closely follow the west shore of Put-in-Bay (South Bass) for a close up view of the "Benson Ford" - a privately owned home that was the bow of a Great Lakes freighter and was featured on the Travel Channel. Some Middle Bass lodgings will provide transportation, contact them in advance. Miller Ferry also transports cars to Middle Bass. Middle Bass is two miles long with flat roads and minimal traffic. For more Middle Bass information visit www.MiddleBass.org. 

Leave Your Worries Behind in the Wake of the Ferry....

"Once I board the boat, I feel my tensions roll off my shoulders..." This is what visitors tell us time and again. The lake breeze, surrounding islands, the tradtional ferry trip - there is something about an escape to an island that makes us feel a bit more removed from every day stress.  So here's an important tip: Once you board a Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay or Middle Bass, take a deep breath....relax.... You're on "Island Time".

Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island are open year round and are accessible by ferry, private boats, public and private plane. On Put-in-Bay most attractions and lodgings open for the season in the spring and remain open through October. If you plan to visit Put-in-Bay or Middle Bass during the spring or fall, we recommend that you contact attractions and accomodations for hours,  locations, admission fees, policies etc. More information about Put-in-Bay can be found on the Put-in-Bay Chamber web site www.VisitPutinBay.com, details about Middle Bass can be found at www.MiddleBass.org. For more area travel choices, visit Lake Erie Shores and Islands at www.ShoresandIslands.com.

Information Sources

Put-in-Bay Chamber    www.VisitPutinBay.com
Lake Erie Shores and Islands   www.ShoresandIslands.com
Discover Ohio   www.DiscoverOhio.com
Toledo Visitors Bureau   www.DoToledo.org
Lake Erie Firelands Tourist Council   www.LakeErieFirelandsTouristCouncil.com
Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce  www.PortClintonChamber.com
Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce  www.MarbleheadPeninsula.com
Cleveland Visitors Bureau   www.PositivelyCleveland.com
Lorain Visitors Bureau  www.VisitLorainCounty.com
Sandusky County Visitors Bureau  www.LakeEriesFavoriteNeighbor.com
Ohio Travel Association  www.OhioTravel.org