Nana's Beach House Guidebook
Sightseeing
Great place to see wildlife and learn about the Lake Erie ecosystem. Enjoy the scenery by car or on foot.
18 locals recommend
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
14000 OH-2Great place to see wildlife and learn about the Lake Erie ecosystem. Enjoy the scenery by car or on foot.
The fastest way to Put-In-Bay. This ferry docks in downtown PIB, so you're right in the heart of it as soon as you get there. It also offers late night service back from the island, so you can stay late. You can take bikes onboard, but it does not ferry cars, so you'll need to rent bikes or golf carts when you get the island.
44 locals recommend
Jet Express
3 Monroe StThe fastest way to Put-In-Bay. This ferry docks in downtown PIB, so you're right in the heart of it as soon as you get there. It also offers late night service back from the island, so you can stay late. You can take bikes onboard, but it does not ferry cars, so you'll need to rent bikes or golf carts when you get the island.
This is the ferry to take if you want to bring your car to Put-In-Bay. Located a little further away on Catawba Island, it's reasonably priced and drops off near the airport on PIB. If you take this ferry, make sure to reserve a golf cart ahead of time or it's a long walk to downtown PIB.
35 locals recommend
Miller Ferry
5174 Water StThis is the ferry to take if you want to bring your car to Put-In-Bay. Located a little further away on Catawba Island, it's reasonably priced and drops off near the airport on PIB. If you take this ferry, make sure to reserve a golf cart ahead of time or it's a long walk to downtown PIB.
Located in downtown Marblehead, this is the only ferry to Kelley's Island. You can take your car or bikes on this ferry and there are golf cart rentals available on the island. It drops off near downtown, but if you don't bring your own transportation, it's a bit of walk to most of the attractions.
11 locals recommend
Kelleys Island Ferry
510 W Main StLocated in downtown Marblehead, this is the only ferry to Kelley's Island. You can take your car or bikes on this ferry and there are golf cart rentals available on the island. It drops off near downtown, but if you don't bring your own transportation, it's a bit of walk to most of the attractions.
Just to the west of the Ottawa Wildlife Refuge, this is another view of Lake Erie with a large public beach. There are more trails for walking (or hiking) along with bike trails. Another great way to see all the natural beauty of Lake Erie.
35 locals recommend
Maumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park RdJust to the west of the Ottawa Wildlife Refuge, this is another view of Lake Erie with a large public beach. There are more trails for walking (or hiking) along with bike trails. Another great way to see all the natural beauty of Lake Erie.
City/town information
Port Clinton is your gateway to fun, fishing, and food! You'll find ferries to the Lake Erie Islands, head boats for fishing (some are even walk-on), and all the tasty treats Vactionland has to offer. Meal on Madison is an evening hub of activity where you can walk to many restaurants and bars, check out the shops, and enjoy live music on the weekends.
28 locals recommend
Port Clinton
Port Clinton is your gateway to fun, fishing, and food! You'll find ferries to the Lake Erie Islands, head boats for fishing (some are even walk-on), and all the tasty treats Vactionland has to offer. Meal on Madison is an evening hub of activity where you can walk to many restaurants and bars, check out the shops, and enjoy live music on the weekends.
If you're looking for more lakeshore to explore, check out Sandusky, Ohio. It's home to Cedar Point Amusement Park and Kalahari Indoor Waterpark. Check out downtown to find more food and shops on the waterfront and the Carousel Museum of Art and History.
11 locals recommend
Sandusky
If you're looking for more lakeshore to explore, check out Sandusky, Ohio. It's home to Cedar Point Amusement Park and Kalahari Indoor Waterpark. Check out downtown to find more food and shops on the waterfront and the Carousel Museum of Art and History.
Visit the quaint town of Marblehead to get to the Kelley's Island Ferry, walk the shops, and see the historic Marblehead Lighthouse. Enjoy views of Cedar Point Amusement Park from across the bay.
9 locals recommend
Lakeside Marblehead
Visit the quaint town of Marblehead to get to the Kelley's Island Ferry, walk the shops, and see the historic Marblehead Lighthouse. Enjoy views of Cedar Point Amusement Park from across the bay.
A classic stop when you're in the Western basin of Lake Erie. You'll have to catch a ferry to get there, but enjoy the Island Life while you're here. Full of restaurants and wineries, you can still find fun for the whole family. Go in the World's Largest Geode at Heineman's Winery or check out Perry's Cave to get a taste of history. Highly recommend a golf cart to cruise the entire island to take in the beautiful homes and scenery.
135 locals recommend
Put-in-Bay
A classic stop when you're in the Western basin of Lake Erie. You'll have to catch a ferry to get there, but enjoy the Island Life while you're here. Full of restaurants and wineries, you can still find fun for the whole family. Go in the World's Largest Geode at Heineman's Winery or check out Perry's Cave to get a taste of history. Highly recommend a golf cart to cruise the entire island to take in the beautiful homes and scenery.
Smaller than Put-In-Bay, but just as much fun. Visit the beach on the north side of the island for a beautiful shallow beach. A must-stop is the Village Pump for perch and brandy alexanders. Cruise the island on bikes, golf cart, or car to get great views of Marblehead, Put-In-Bay, and the beautiful homes.
93 locals recommend
Kelleys Island
Smaller than Put-In-Bay, but just as much fun. Visit the beach on the north side of the island for a beautiful shallow beach. A must-stop is the Village Pump for perch and brandy alexanders. Cruise the island on bikes, golf cart, or car to get great views of Marblehead, Put-In-Bay, and the beautiful homes.
Food scene
Nestled in the middle of Catawba Island, this historic winery offers a wooded setting to enjoy wine and company. Seating is available indoors and out with live music typically playing on the weekend. They offer a full menu, so it's the perfect place for lunch or dinner. The wine tasting room is a fun place to try out a large selection of wines while you wait for a table or by itself.
38 locals recommend
Gideon Owen Wine Company
3845 E Wine Cellar RdNestled in the middle of Catawba Island, this historic winery offers a wooded setting to enjoy wine and company. Seating is available indoors and out with live music typically playing on the weekend. They offer a full menu, so it's the perfect place for lunch or dinner. The wine tasting room is a fun place to try out a large selection of wines while you wait for a table or by itself.
This is one of my favorite places to go in Vactionland. This brewery offers a large amount of outdoor seating in an idyllic setting. Enjoy food and drink at one of their many tables nestled into the landscaping or out on the lawn while you and your party play yard games. Sit back and relax as the kids have plenty of room to run, play, and make friends.
44 locals recommend
Twin Oast Brewing
3630 NE Catawba RdThis is one of my favorite places to go in Vactionland. This brewery offers a large amount of outdoor seating in an idyllic setting. Enjoy food and drink at one of their many tables nestled into the landscaping or out on the lawn while you and your party play yard games. Sit back and relax as the kids have plenty of room to run, play, and make friends.
While it appears to be only a gas station from the road, on the back side is a restaurant and bar with a view of the marina. It's also a convenient place to grab extra snacks and drinks. They also have an ATM inside if you want to get cash.
Wild Wings Marina & RV Park
9055 Ohio 2While it appears to be only a gas station from the road, on the back side is a restaurant and bar with a view of the marina. It's also a convenient place to grab extra snacks and drinks. They also have an ATM inside if you want to get cash.
The closest and ultimate place to get ice cream. They're sundaes are layered and they also offer a variety of icy treats for variety of dietary restrictions, such as lactose-free and low calorie. Incredibly friendly and fast service. They are a cash-only business, so make sure you stop by the ATM before going.
8 locals recommend
Barnside Creamery
10980 OH-2The closest and ultimate place to get ice cream. They're sundaes are layered and they also offer a variety of icy treats for variety of dietary restrictions, such as lactose-free and low calorie. Incredibly friendly and fast service. They are a cash-only business, so make sure you stop by the ATM before going.
Casa Las Palmas
Amazing local Mexican restaurant that's family friendly.
Delicious chili dogs at the Lake! It's located on 163 on your way into Marblehead and also has ice cream...but we always go for the chili dogs.
6 locals recommend
Netty's Chili Dogs
9410 E Harbor RdDelicious chili dogs at the Lake! It's located on 163 on your way into Marblehead and also has ice cream...but we always go for the chili dogs.
Activities
This is a great place for miniature golf and go-karts. There's also Fast Eddies restaurant attached which features a Cameo Pizza, an area staple.
13 locals recommend
Island Adventures Family Fun Center
280 SE Catawba RdThis is a great place for miniature golf and go-karts. There's also Fast Eddies restaurant attached which features a Cameo Pizza, an area staple.
Located in Sandusky, this is your classic amusement park with tons of roller coasters, rides, games, and an outdoor waterpark.
314 locals recommend
Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point DrLocated in Sandusky, this is your classic amusement park with tons of roller coasters, rides, games, and an outdoor waterpark.
Located in Sandusky, this a fun place to go when you want to enjoy the water, but the weather isn't cooperating. It has a large indoor waterpark, but there are also outdoor water rides when the weather is warm.
68 locals recommend
Kalahari Resorts Sandusky
7000 Kalahari DrLocated in Sandusky, this a fun place to go when you want to enjoy the water, but the weather isn't cooperating. It has a large indoor waterpark, but there are also outdoor water rides when the weather is warm.
A fun drive-through and walk-through zoo. You can get really up-close and personal with the animals when you buy food to feed them and roll down your windows.
65 locals recommend
African Safari Wildlife Park
267 S Lightner RdA fun drive-through and walk-through zoo. You can get really up-close and personal with the animals when you buy food to feed them and roll down your windows.
Located in Toledo, this zoo is amazing for all families. It also offers a splash pad, so bring your suit on hot days to help cool off while visiting all the animals. The Aquarium was recently renovated and has beautiful exhibits of tropical fish and sea turtles.
117 locals recommend
Toledo Zoo
Located in Toledo, this zoo is amazing for all families. It also offers a splash pad, so bring your suit on hot days to help cool off while visiting all the animals. The Aquarium was recently renovated and has beautiful exhibits of tropical fish and sea turtles.