DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Lake Erie Islands

I found an unbelievable deal on airline tickets ($236 for 4 round trip tix including everything) so I will be heading to Toledo in august.

What info can ya'll give me concerning the Kelleys Island and the bass islands. It'll be me and my three young kids (7,6, and 3) and I may possibly meet up with relatives there. They seem to be afraid of camping though.

Thanks guys!

You can rent bicycles to get around---by far the best way around the island. And you get to drink plenty of wine.

Its been awhile since I was there with the fam. But the bicycles and wine are my most prominent memories of the islands. And Perry's monument and I believe some really big geode, maybe---not sure if that was there or somewhere else.

Oh, and some idiot kid who leapt off the Miller Ferry trying to kill himself when we were headed back to the mainland. He did it twice and both times we had to circle around to rescue his dum bass. Then we had to listen to his boo hooing about how bad his life was since his gf left him---really ruined what is usually a really short boat ride.

I don't think that the idiot kid is part of every trip.

Perry's Monument and the geode (the "Crystal Cave") are on Put-in-Bay. Kelley's has the glacial grooves. http://www.ohiobeautiful.com/g4/glacial-grooves-kelleys-island.html

I haven't been to Kelley's since high school (used to be an annual family outing by boat to Kelley's, Put-in-Bay, and Cedar Point by boat) so I don't know what all they still have, but it was generally stuff like family eating and getting around by bike or golf cart to see the local sites (some pretty impressive homes, nice views of the water, etc).

Been a a few years since I've been to PiB, too. Aside from the monument and the Crystal Cave (which has a winery) mentioned earlier, there's also Perry's Cave, and right in town you can take the kids to play in the park or ride the carousel (if its still there) and maybe get pizza at Frosty's and sweets at the fudge shoppe. There's also a big pool at the Crew's Nest, but you might have to be staying there to use it. My favorite thing to do there was to just ride around on a golf cart on all the small streets and see all the houses and stuff like that. It's a small island so its not difficult to explore. One of the streets, Columbus, I believe, to the west of the monument, dead ends at a nice little sand bar-ish area.

PIB's a good day trip for a family, but the kids will get bored after that. The drinking establishments are what keep adults there for overnighters and long weekends. For the single folks, I don't think there's an easier place to hook up if you have a boat, room or even a campsite. People seem to lose all of their inhibitions on that little island....or so I've heard.

Since you are taking kids I would reccomend renting a golf cart. They are not expensive and will really cut down on the whining about being tired....... you know the kids and wife really dont want to hear that

The Perry monument is on Middle Bass Island,though I believe the observation deck is closed for renovation right now. I would say Kelleys Island will be the most fun for kids though and on the mainland in that area there is abunch of cool stuff to do for a family. Port Clinton,Huron,Sandusky(Cedar Point),Marblehead has become a cool place to spend a couple days with the family. If you guys like to fish,check out Shor-Nuf charters in Port Clinton, they are awesome and almost gauruntee you will come back with full limit of Perch and Walleye.


KING

On the mainland.

Surprised I could even find them on the net, I went to these places as a kid when my grandparents had a cottage at Gem Beach. We're talking 30 years ago.

http://www.trainorama.net/
http://www.africansafariwildlifepark.com/

So I'm wondering if I should just stay on the mainland and just head over to one of the islands for a day-trip. I'm looking for some peace at night. Not a party atmosphere.

I thought the Perry Monument was on South Bass Island (PIB)? Anyone explored Middle Bass Island.

Perry's Monument is most definitely on South Bass. I only ever went to Middle Bass to go to Lonz's, and that was before the accident there.

Kelley's should be much less of a party atmosphere than Put-in-Bay.

PIB is also called Disneyland For Alcoholics. The golf carts on the right side after you hike up the hill from the ferry are the cheapest around $50 a day. A cab will take you anywhere for around $3 or so.

There a motel on the mainland after the ferry, around the bend past the ice cream store for around $60 a night. Cheapest place to stay and you won't have to drive if you have a couple.

While at PIB, two non-alcoholic things not to miss:

The lobster bisque in sourbread bowl at The Boardwalk.

The wine basted chicken at Chicken Patio. Can smell it's goodness the second you step off the fairy.

That chicken is awesome! They've been barbequing it in that same spot since I was a kid.....that's a loooooong time.

Was out there during Memorial weekend and had both, along with some Frosty's pizza.

Gonna be there for an entire week, end of June/first of July.

Lake Erie Browns Backers have an annual get-together/barbecue at PIB, but I'm not sure what weekend this year. Met some cool Dawgs last year with some tricked-out 'party buses.' One bus had add-ons to make it look like a dog... and even raised its right leg (over the rear wheel) to "mark its paking spot!" LMAO.

There have been lots of additions in the past 2-3 years, including a go-cart track and a disc golf course. There's also mini golf across the street from the winery.

HERE'S pretty much all the info you'll need, Dawg.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the info guys! What up Adam!

Haha, no problem, Jay. Have a good time!

Your kids would have the most fun at Kalahari. Its not too far away from Put-in-Bay and its ranked as one of the top indoor waterparks. Thats something you will really want to check out for the kids to have a weekend full of memories. You wont be able to get on all the waterslides in one day. The also have a artificial wave for you to surf on.