South Bass Island The most tourist-oriented of the three islands, South Bass hosts some 1.5 million visitors annually. Beginning your vacation with a visit to the top of the 352-foot Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial gives a spectacular view of all the Lake Erie islands, including those in Canada. Other family activities include museums, a butterfly house, mini-golf, cave tours, wineries, arcades, and of course, shopping. Nightlife at Put-In-Bay offers dozens of restaurants and pubs. Most visitors tour the island on rented golf carts or bicycles.
Middle Bass Island A smaller island than South Bass, Middle Bass is less frequented by summer visitors, therefore less developed and quieter. The shoreline state campground is not as large as on South Bass, but offers the same beautiful lake and shoreline views. Historic Lonz Winery is part of the state park and worth a visit. If you’d like to bring along a boat, a large, modern, state-owned marina is located near the campground.
Kelleys Island The largest of Ohio’s Lake Erie islands, Kelleys is the most family-oriented. Its landscape is dominated by pristine rocky shorelines and pebbly beaches, and deep glacial grooves cut into the bedrock are evidence of massive, mile-thick glaciers that scoured the Great Lakes thousands of years ago. Hike miles of trails at the state park or, as on South Bass, tour the entire island by rented golf cart or bicycle.
MAY 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 37