Visitor Information

Lake Erie Islands Regional Welcome Center

770 S.E. Catawba Rd.

(St. Rt. 53 North)

Port Clinton, Ohio 43452

For help in planning your visit, call the travel counselors at the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau at 1-800-441-1271 or 419-734-4386, or stop by the Lake Erie Islands Regional Welcome Center, a state-of-the-art facility offering interactive exhibits and regional information. 

Stop in for: 

• Discounted Tickets to Attractions & Ferry Boats
• Free Maps & Brochures                       
• Updated Event information
• Lodging Locator assistance               
• Direct phone connection to many lodging facilities
• Weather Forecasts & Fishing Reports
• Bird sightings
• Public Restrooms
• Children's Play Area
• Plenty of parking for RVs and Boat Trailers

Available Discount Tickets: 

• African Safari Wildlife Park
• Butterfly House
• Jet Express to Put-in-Bay
• Island Fun Pack
• Lakeside
• Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay
• Monsoon Lagoon Waterpark & Family Fun Center
• Schedel Arboretum & Gardens

Back to the Wild(TM) Wildlife Rehabilitation & Nature Education Center, 4504 Bardshar Rd. Castalia, Ohio 44824. 419-684-9539. Back to the Wild, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that operates a wildlife rehabilitation center in northwest Ohio. Its primary mission is to rehabilitate and ultimatley release into their natural habitat injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife. Contact them for open house dates.  Website

Black Swamp Bird Observatory, 13351 West State Route 2, Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449. 419-898-4070. Black Swamp Bird Observatory, located at the entrance to Magee Marsh and Crane Creek State Beach on State Route 2 between Maumee Bay and Port Clinton, is open year-round and features a gift store filled with books, maps, local art, clothing, jewelry, gifts, toys and more. BSBO is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to research and education with ongoing programs throughout the year that are open to the public. Visit our web site or call for more information.  Website

Cooke Castle, Gibraltar Island, the building is on the Register as a National Historic Landmark. These web pages tell some of the story about this historic building, Gibraltar Island, and Jay Cooke.  Website

Elmore Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 179, Elmore, Ohio 43416.  419-862-3362. Take a step back in time and enjoy a feeling of yesteryear.  Friendly merchants offer personal service at unique shops and antique emporiums.  Festivals and events, historic sites and beautiful gardens draw visitors year round to this riverfront village.  Website

Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 14, Genoa, Ohio 43430. 419-855-2001. Historic architecture styles, one-of-a-kind shops, local artisans and the charm of small-town America await the visitor to this rural village.  Enjoy the grotto, park and several historic landmarks including the restored Opera House.  Website  e-mail

Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 783, Kelleys Island, Ohio 43438, 419-746-2360.  Discover the lush greenery of this enchanting island that offers something for everyone - historic buildings and museums, dining, shopping and nightlife, nature trails and beaches, glacial grooves and more. It's all there for you to enjoy!    Website  e-mail

Lakeside Association, 236 Walnut Ave., Lakeside, Ohio 43440.   419 798-4461, Toll Free 1-866-952-8374.  This "Chautauqua-style" resort is open to the public. Stroll the grounds. Visit the shops and eateries. Enjoy world-class entertainment and family-rated movies. In addition to weekly passes, daily, 6-hour and 2-hour passes provide easy access. Overnight accomodations and banquet facilities available.  Website
 

Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 5681 E. Harbor Rd, Suite C, Marblehead, Ohio 43440. 419-734-9777.  The oldest operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes and breathtaking waves greet the visitor in this Lake Erie village.  Friendly accomodations abound along with hometown restaurants, shops, scenic waterfront parks and ample fishing. A slice of true Americana!  Website  e-mail  
 

Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, 178 W. Water St., Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449. 419-898-0479.  Quaint shops, historic buildings and cozy local restaurants characterize this former logging town located on the banks of the Portage River.  The annual Apple Festival, held in October, draws thousands of visitors.  Holiday celebrations are also held throughout the year.  Website

Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, Toll Free 1-800-Buckeye. Your stop for information on all that ther great Buckeye state has to offer! Call or log on for your free copy of the 2007 Official State Travel Planner - "Ohio ... So much to Discover!"  Website
 

PIBTV - Put-in-Bay Television, P.O. Box 15, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456.   The island's only video news, feature and entertainment source, including sports, weather and entertainment. Take an island tour. Book a room online. Listen to "Radio Put-in-Bay." Watch music videos from your favorite island entertainers. Enjoy LIVE TV direct from your favorite island getaway - Put-in-Bay! Just click on the Website to enjoy PIBTV!

Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, 110 Madison St., Port Clinton, Ohio 43452, 419-734-5503.  The Walleye Capital's downtown spirit and small-town charm draws visitors again and again.  Historic buildings, shops, restaurants and entertainment about while festivals celebrate the heritage of this small port city.  Website

Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 250, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456, 419-285-2832. Leave the car at the dock, hop a ferry and put an island in your life! This one-of-a-kind island paradise offers shopping, entertainment and dining just steps from your door! Historical attractions, vineyards and family fun complement the nature of this charming island.  Website

PutinBay.com, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456, 216-210-7285, Your complete on line guide to Put-in-Bay lodging, hotels, attractions, golf carts and ferry boats. Put-in-Bay offers fun for the entire family. Explore and plan your next Put-in-Bay Island getaway today!  Website

Sandusky-Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau, 4424 Milan Rd. Suite A, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Toll Free 1-800-255-ERIE.  Website

South Bass Island Lighthouse, End of Langram Road, past the Miller Boat Line dock. Tours of the Lighthouse are offered by The Ohio State University Wednesdays 10 am-noon from June 23 to August 19. Tours are $4 for ages 12 and older and $2 for children ages 6-11. Contact OSU at 419-285-1800 or visit the Website.

Real Estate Services

Heather Durbin-Ross, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452, 419-680-2572. As a life long resident of this area I am familiar with the shores of Lake Erie.  If you are looking to purchase real estate in this area, I AM HERE FOR YOU!  In today's competitive market, timing is everything.  Many good homes are sold before they are advertised.  Beat other homebuyers to the hottest new homes, by calling Heather now!  Website E-mail

Local Newspapers

Lakefront News, 172 East Perry St., Port Clinton. 419-734-1280. Your resource for maps, schedules, events, attractions, accomodations, art galleries, restaurants, and boating in the Ohio Lake Erie Vacationland, including all Lake Erie Islands in the western basin.  Website  e-mail

Put-in-Bay Insider, P.O. Box 240, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456. 419-707-1038. Keep up on lastest with the Put-in-Bay Insider. This free, local newspaper features island specials, entertainment schedules, menus and more. Available at the Lake Erie Islands Regional Welcome Center and on South Bass Island.

News Herald, 115 W. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. 419-734-7500.The News Herald is published daily except for Sundays. Website

Sandusky Register, 314 W. Market St., Sandusky, OH 44870, 419-625-5500, toll free 800-466-1234. Website

Funcoast.com Your entertainment guide for Sandusky and the Lake Erie Shores and Islands.

The Beacon, 205 S.E Catawba Road, Suite G, Port Clinton, OH 43452  419-732-2154. The Beacon is published every Thursday and is circulated free to the public. It serves the communities of Port Clinton, Marblehead, Lakeside, Oak Harbor as well as Catawba, Danbury, Portage, Erie, Bay, Benton-Carroll and Salem Townships in Ottawa County. Website

The Put-In-Bay Gazette, P.O. Box 384, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456. 419-285-3645.The Put-In-Bay Gazette is published monthly. e-mail  

Local Services 

Kim L. Sutter, Wedding Officiate, P.O. Box 92, Clyde, OH 43410. 419-547-8148, Reverend Kim L. Sutter, a Non-Denominational, Ordained Minister, Authorized and Licensed to solemnize marriages within the State of Ohio. The ceremony can be traditional, non-traditional, large or small. The ceremony or renewal can be performed at a location of your choosing, as long as it is within the State of Ohio.  Website