Overnight in Marblehead – The Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast
Put-in-Bay is a little Ohio village on South Bass Island in Lake Erie that’s about 2.5 by 5 miles wide and is the crown jewel amongst the Bass Islands. We went to this place in June of 2025. From Pittsburgh, the best way to get to Put-In-Bay is –
- Drive to Miller Ferry which takes about 3 hours
- take the 20min Ferry to Put-in-Bay – You can take your car in the ferry
- Ferry runs every 30 min during summer
- Round trip Cost – $18/person and $46/car
Where to stay – Although you can visit Put-In-Bay on a day trip from Pittsburgh (6 hours of driving), we chose to stay in a cute Bed & Breakfast in Marblehead. Coffee/Tea/juice and a variety of snacks are also available at this place throughout the day and are conveniently placed close to your room.
Put-in-Bay offers a variety of lodging options, including hotels, resorts, condos, and vacation rentals. Popular choices include the Commodore Resort, Put-in-Bay Resort & Conference Center, and the Put-in-Bay Condos.
Ferry to Put-In-Bay – We did not take the car into Put-In-Bay. There is a parking area near the Miller Ferry dock – $10/Day. We got on to the ferry which was not crowded on a Tuesday morning. The view of Lake Erie and the island from the ferry was impressive.
Getting around in Put-In-Bay – Here are a few options –
- Walk – From the ferry dock, downtown Put-in-Bay is about 2 miles
- Rent a golf cart – for 2 people $12/hour
- Drive in your car if you brought it along and parking is not a problem.
We rented a golf cart as it was 88°F in June and too hot to walk. When you get off the ferry, walk up the ramp, and then to your right a few meters and you will come to a golf-cart rental place which rents hourly.
Things you can do in Put-In-Bay –
- Visit South Bass Island Lighthouse – Located in the southern end of the island
- Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial – within walking distance of city center
- Downtown Put-In-Bay
- Put-in-Bay Winery and Heineman’s Winery (Crystal Cave) – We skipped this
South Bass Island Lighthouse – We drove in the golf cart to the lighthouse which is about 0.2 miles from the dock and at the southern end of the island. The Lighthouse was first lit in 1897 and was in operation until 1962. Tours to the lighthouse are offered on Fridays and Saturdays, from 11am-4pm from June-August. Since we went there on a Tuesday, we were only able to see the lighthouse from outside.
Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial – This memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace among Great Britain, Canada and the U.S. The Memorial, a Doric column, rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world.
We first stopped by the park’s Visitors Center which gives you a lot of information about the Battle of Lake Erie and how the victory was achieved.
A replica of Commodore Perry’s longboat that was used during the ‘Battle of Lake Erie’ is on display outside the Visitors Center for viewing.
To visit the Observation Deck of the memorial, time slots must be reserved and tickets purchased in the Visitors Center. Tours to the observation deck are every 15 minutes and tickets cost $10/adult. You have to climb 37 steps to an elevator, which is located within the Memorial’s rotunda.
On the day we visited, we could not visit the Observation deck as it was closed due to excessive heat.
Downtown Put-In-Bay – We parked our golf cart near the Boardwalk and walked around the area lined with colorful bars, restaurants, park with fountain, gazebo. We had lunch in one of the restaurants.
We spent about 3 hours here before we took the 4pm ferry back to Marblehead.
Marblehead Lighthouse – This lighthouse was located less than 7 miles from our hotel and is part of Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. The park grounds are well-maintained and provide a peaceful atmosphere for leisurely strolls. Visitors can explore the lighthouse, enjoy picnic areas, and take in the natural beauty of the Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay.
The Lighthouse was built in 1821 and is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the American side of the Great Lakes. It stands 49 feet tall and has guided sailors since its opening in 1822. Visitors can climb to the top during the summer season (Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day) for a small fee. We paid $3/person for the tour which runs from 12pm-4pm.
Marblehead Lighthouse Museum – Located next to the lighthouse, the Marblehead Lighthouse Historic Society operates this museum in the restored Keeper’s House. The Keeper’s House was the residence for 16 lighthouse keepers and their families, starting in 1880. The museum displays photographs and artifacts relating to the history of the lighthouse and the nearby community of Marblehead.
