South Bass Island – getaway for a day, a week or a month

Escaping to the islands has such a romantic sound, and yet it’s such an easy and inexpensive thing to do for those in the Midwest and central Canada. The Lake Erie Islands, roughly half-way between Cleveland and Detroit/Windsor offer something for vacationers of every stripe.

To list all the attractions and activities available would require a book, which incidentally is available for free from Lake Erie Shores and  Islands website.  But, for the purposes of this article, we are going to focus on just one of the islands – South Bass Island, also commonly referred to as Put-in-Bay. Even focusing on just one of the nine islands, it will still be impossible to list everything there is to do in this one article, but we’ll hit some of the highlights.

Getting there

A twenty minute ferry ride from Catawba Island, Ohio will get you there, via the Miller Ferry. A single adult fare is only $6.50 and you can take your own bike for $2 or your car for only $15. Miller Ferry has been transporting visitors and residents to the islands since the early 1900’s. You can go online and get island coupons or purchase Playcation packages from their website.  

Once on the island, do as many locals do and rent a golf cart when you get off the boat. Two rental companies are immediately adjacent to the Miller dock when you land, and there are many more rentals located around the island. Last time I was there, I rented from E’s Golf Carts, just to the right as you leave the ferry.  Rest assured you’ll get a great rate from this family-run business, whether you opt for a 2, 4, 6, or 8 seater.

If you drive your car and find a parking spot downtown, chances are you’ll want to leave it parked. In that case, look for the bright yellow Poe’s Pedicabs. These bicycle-powered versions of the rickshaw cruise around the downtown area, and are a great way to get around. The super comfy carriages can hold three passengers, and the drivers are well-versed with interesting info about the Put-in-Bay area. You’ll get unobstructed views and door-to-door service. If you’re lucky, you might even get local school superintendent Steve Poe as your driver. You can connect with Poe’s Pedicabs via Facebook or email.

Attractions

Fascinated by lighthouses? Make a hard left as you leave the ferry and in a quarter mile you can see the South Bass Island Lighthouse. Operated from 1897 until 1962, the property is now owned by Ohio State University.  Its giant fourth order Fresnel lens is now on display at the Lake Erie Historical Society Museum (definitely worth a visit.)

Even taller than the lighthouse is the iconic symbol of Put-in-Bay, the Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial.  A Doric column, rising 352 feet above Lake Erie, it’s the first landmark you’ll notice approaching the island from any direction. Presently, the monument is cloaked with scaffolding at the uppermost elevation while it is being refurbished for the coming bi-centennial commemoration of the War of 1812. Inside and outside the visitor’s center, park rangers put on a wealth of interesting programs to help you grasp the role this area played during the war.

Looking for tons of good family fun? Head over to Perry’s Cave on Catawba Avenue. From the “War of 18 Holes” miniature golf, to the rock climbing wall to sifting for gems, there’s lots to do outdoors. Inside, be sure to see the Butterfly House with hundreds of lively beauties before descending into the fascinating Perry’s Cave. The cave is a whopping 208 feet long by 165 feet wide with an underground lake. See their website for  money-saving package deals.

For more attractions like the world’s largest geode and a captivating wintertime display, continue reading into the wineries section (even if you are traveling with children.)

Winery tours

Two excellent winery tours offer something for everyone. Besides being able to sample some of the best Lake Erie wines, these two offer other attractions to interest the younger members of your family.

Right across the street from Perry’s Cave is the Heineman Winery & Crystal Cave. The Crystal Cave is just that – a descent into a cave with walls, ceiling and floor lined with beautiful blue crystals. It’s acknowledged as the world’s largest geode and was discovered in 1897. The crystals range from 8 to 18 inches in length.

Upstairs, Heineman’s Winery offers a tasting bar, a shaded wine garden, winery tour and a gift shop. The winery was founded in 1888 and today it’s run by third and fourth generation Heineman’s. During prohibition, Heineman’s survived, while 17 other wineries folded, by producing grape juice and by giving tours of their Crystal Cave. Today, they control 50 acres of grapes on South Bass Island and continue to produce an excellent selection of Lake Erie’s finest wines.  Shipping only to addresses in Ohio, they still manage to crush, bottle and ship 40,000 gallons of their award-winning wines to people state-wide.

Back in the downtown area, you’ll want to devote a couple hours to take the Doller Estate and Put-in-Bay Winery tour.  The historic DollerHouse is a victorian, Italianate mansion built on a beautiful estate overlooking the lake and Gibraltar island. On the first floor, you’ll find Put-in- Bay Winery. Whether you choose to sample your wines on the front lawn or in the wonderful garden out back, you’re sure to enjoy your time there. The winery has only been open since 2009, but they feature a rich, warm and inviting tasting room along with wine- themed gifts for sale.

A tour of the DollerHouse also includes a tour of the superbly done Island Life  Museum. You’ll be able to actually go inside the last remaining ice house on the island and see how ice could be cut from Lake Erie in winter, and actually stored inside for up to two years. Amazing.  Their winter life section also includes an original ice-sail boat that would whisk across Lake Erie’s smooth ice at speeds over 100 m.p.h.  That’s insane; but, truth-be-told, I’d have loved to try it.

DollerHouse is also the site of a great many catered corporate and private parties.

Stopping to eat

All those fresh air activities are sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, if there’s anything Put-in-Bay is lacking, it’s not great restaurants. If you drive to Put-in-Bay, you’re sure to see the billboards advertising The Boardwalk  and their “Ohio’s best” lobster bisque.  Not just marketing hype, this is a signature dish of hearty bisque with full size pieces of lobster meat. If the weather is pleasant, sit outside on the picnic benches and enjoy all the action of the marina.

 Right across the street, also in the downtown area, is Mossback’s Island Bar & Grill with great perch and walleye dinners, cool drinks and a great air-conditioned view of the waterfront.  A block away is Tipper’s Seafood and Steak House, a really large restaurant & buffet where  I loved their half-pound basket of Walleye Bites. Attached to Tipper’s is the Beer Barrel Saloon. The “Barrel” holds the Guinness World Record for longest permanent bar in the world at 405’ 10” long.  With 160 bar stools and 56 beer taps, this place quenches a lot of thirsts each week.

For a quieter meal, just down Delaware Street, you’ll find Pasquale’s Café. Stop here for a great breakfast, lunch or dinner from their large menu. I’d recommend their tomato, spinach & bacon omelette for breakfast. Yummy!

If you are mid-island, around Heineman’s or Perry’s Cave, proceed just a little further and try Goat Soup and Whiskey. Their claim to fame is “home of the original perch taco.” Whether for lunch or dinner, if you like Lake Erie Perch, you’ve got to try these. You can order the perch either fried or grilled and the special “pali-wali secret sauce” makes this a gourmet treat. Downstairs you’ll find the Chocolate Cafe & Museum for coffees, ice cream, gelato, and oh yeah, chocolate candies.

Accommodations for the night

By now you should be well-fed, well- tired and ready for a place to spend the night.  Hope you planned early. Accommodations can fill up months in advance, so it never hurts to think ahead.  Your opportunities run the gamut on Put-in-Bay from a state run campground, to B&B’s, motels, resorts and private homes.

If you’ve got a group coming together for a reunion or possibly a corporate retreat, you seriously should consider renting a home for a week. Many wonderful homes and cottages are available at more than competitive rates.

I had the opportunity to stay at Casual Cape & Guest House on Mikes Drive in the East Point section of the island. A welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, this beautifully decorated home is in a quiet and private neighborhood setting. Here, the only singing you’ll hear will be from the birds who call Put-in-Bay home.  A quick, under 10 minute bike or golf cart ride and you can be back downtown.

Casual Cape is an unusual home with two master bedrooms upstairs, each with its own private bath. Downstairs are another two bedrooms and another bath.  Two screened porches complement the nautical themed kitchen and living room. The place is fully air-conditioned and comes complete with a well-equipped kitchen as well as a handy washer and dryer.  The entire 1,800 sq.ft. home, which sleeps 12, is  located on an acre of well-maintained lawn with off-street parking available .

Reading through their Guest Book, it’s evident that this has been the site of many wonderful family get-togethers as well as many quiet getaways. Owner’s David and Jill Warga, take great pride in this property and if you have a need for a large, comfortable home, this would be a wonderful choice. Click here for a photo tour of the home and the guest house.

Need more ideas or assistance?

For help locating accommodations, attractions or events, check out ShoresAndIslands.com or stop by one of the two Lake Erie Shores and Islands Welcome Centers. The two centers are located at 4424 Milan Rd., Suite A (US 250), Sandusky, OH 44870 (phone  800-255-3743) and 770 SE Catawba Rd. (SR 53), Port Clinton, OH 43452 (phone 800-441-1271.)

One key unlocks it all – Longboat Key

The holidays are over and many snowbirds will be looking to get out of the frigid climes. Everyone expects the people of Cleveland and Buffalo to start heading south, but this winter, we can probably also include a good number of folks from D.C., Virginia and even North Carolina as well. So where do you head?

Florida is the obvious destination for most of those who want to stay stateside, but just where in this huge, wonderful state will you land. A not-so-well known area near Sarasota could be your special destination.

Just like a magical key is used to unlock a treasure chest, so Longboat Key is your ticket to a magical vacation. Just 12 miles from downtown Sarasota, this pristine barrier island sits on the west coast of Florida. North of Cape Coral and south of Tampa, it’s a relaxed location – close to whatever attractions you fancy, but out of the traffic and the hustle of typical vacation destinations.

For starters, if you are looking to relax and unwind for a week or even a weekend, you’d be well advised to check out the charming Sandpiper Inn. On a secluded stretch of beach, each ground-level apartment offers a glimpse of the ocean from your own private patio outside your front door. Each room is extremely spacious and offers wi-fi, cable TV and DVD player, as well as all the vacation kitchen necessities. It’s a great base of operations as you explore the surrounding area. A large cabana, a small pool and a waterfall all provide great places to relax outdoors. Contact Richard and Mary Lou, the innkeepers to see if they have availability for your selected dates.

What to do while you’re there:

Shopping Walk across the street to some neighborhood shops or drive 13 minutes south to St. Armand Circle where you’ll find over 100 boutique shops just made for wandering. With the feel of an elegant European marketplace, you could spend hours here.

Cruising With all the water around you, you can’t possibly spend all your time on land. Contact Jimmy Seaton with Liquid Limousine Charters and spend an unforgettable cruise on the Sarasota Bay. Whether you prefer watching birds, nature or seaside real estate; a sunset cruise can’t be beat. Jimmy can also arrange land and air limos as well. He’s the perfect host for that special evening on the water.

Fishing You’ve got the whole Gulf of Mexico at your doorstep; why not grab a rod and cast out to see what you’ll be able to bring ashore? Oh, you didn’t bring your surfcasting rod. No problem, Captain Mark Gore can handle everything you need. Coming from three generations of hunters and fishermen, Mark’s family offers complete service hunting and fishing sessions. He provides everything from your fishing license to your rod and reel. Learn to catch your own bait with a cast net, and then spend the morning hauling in one fish after another.

Maybe you prefer your fish behind glass. If so, the Mote Aquarium is a quick drive and an afternoon of fun. From the Shark Zone to the Dolphin Lagoon, you’ll meet them all. You’ll get up close and personal with giant sea turtles, harmless stingrays and manatees. In the laboratory, you’ll see marine research being done first hand. When you’ve finished walking the building, go outside, down the sidewalk and enter building number two. The fun goes on and on.

Dining For yet others, chances are you’d rather just see your fish on a plate, artfully prepared and placed in front of you – for dinner. Longboat Key will be a dream come true for you. The number of “not-to-be-missed” dining establishments is so long, you’ll need a few days just to make the rounds.

I’d start at the aforementioned St. Armand's Circle and stop in for lunch or dinner at Columbia Restaurant. Columbia is Sarasota’s oldest restaurant, celebrating its 50^th anniversary back in 2009. Their sister restaurant in Ybor City is the oldest restaurant in the state and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. From October through May, you’ll get to feast on their famous Stone Crabs, fresh from the Gulf. Try them Carioca style for the authentic Latin spices. Also be sure to try their 1905 salad, named “One of America’s Top 10 Best Salads.”

Just south of the Sandpiper, you’ll find PattiGeorge’s on the opposite side of Gulf of Mexico Drive. This rustic restaurant is perched right over the Sarasota Bay with a wrap-around view of the water. The menu is extensive, with more influences than you'd expect to find in a local establishment. Select from their Italian, Asian and exciting Caribbean and Latin American dishes. Award-winning chef and proprietor, Tommy Klauber brings years of experience from France, Amsterdam and then Aspen, before opening PG’s in Longboat Key. If the weather outside is too hot, or there’s a touch of inclement, this indoor dining spot is where I’d want to spend my evening.

Heading north of the Sandpiper, you’ll need to set your GPS to find Mar Vista Restaurant. Tucked away along the water’s edge, this unpretentious eatery is where the locals go for great food. The building has been there since 1912 and sports a weathered façade. Don’t let the exterior fool you. Sitting under the twisted trees, you’ll delight in this quiet, charming setting for good conversation and wonderful food. With their 14 slip boat dock, a good number of boaters are liable to head for marker 39 and drop in for dinner. Ask if Chef George Quattromani has any daily specials; but if not, you can’t go wrong with the Parmesan Crusted Flounder. Just the right amount of breading, not overdone, and cooked to tender perfection. Also, take advantage of their extensive wine selection.

Further up, along the Gulf coast on Anna Maria Island, you’ll also want to experience The BeachHouse. Located directly on the beach, the property stretches 650 feet along the sand with a huge covered deck that reaches each end of the building. Chef Will Manson doesn’t make it easy on you when it comes to menu selections. There are so many wonderful entrees that it will take a while to narrow down your choices. If you can’t decide, try the Seafood Medley for a blend of crab cakes, shrimp, fish and scallops. Or, why not try what I’ve always wanted to do, make an evening out of just drinks and appetizers? Their conch fritters, calamari, coconut shrimp and wings won’t disappoint.

A walk in the park With all that great food, you better budget some time for a walk. Two attractions will make that walk seem downright enjoyable. Closest to Longboat Key is the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. For the past 35 years, this garden has literally been growing to perfection. Much of their collection can be found in the greenhouse, including my all-time favorite collection of bonsai trees in their Sho Fu Bonsai exhibit. But outside, be prepared to wander amongst an incredible collection of banyan trees (with their roots-gone-wild), the towering bamboo garden, the hibiscus garden and the first A.D.A. accessible canopy walkway in the US. Plan two to three hours at least to appreciate all that Selby Gardens has to offer.

Another canopy walkway is available about an hour away in Myakka River State Park. This walkway truly takes you across the canopy at tree top level. The seventy-foot tall tower gives you a commanding view of the park and its surrounds. Head further into the park on the seven mile scenic drive and jump on one of two large airboats for a cruise in search of alligators, anhinga and sandhill cranes. One of Florida’s oldest state parks, Myakka is great for hiking, biking or kayaking. Rentals are available at one of two gift shops in the park.

Nestled between the deep, warm waters of the Gulf and the shallow, kayak-friendly waters of Sarasota Bay, you’re guaranteed to find a patch of sugary-white beach you’ll want to return to year after year. Whether you choose to walk, sail, cast, wander, climb or dine; you’ll be glad you tried something new around Longboat Key.

Before you go, check these links to help plan your trip:

http://gobeyondthebeaches.com

http://longboatkeychamber.com/

Some other Florida stories you might find interesting:

Florida Beach Walk is picture of success

Circus is spelled S-A-R-A-S-O-T-A

The ZERO-G weightless flights

Jungle Island - Miami,FL

More flower photo fun in Cincinnati, with a side of fries

Photo courtesy of Eden Park

Yesterday we talked about all the flowers and foliage you could photograph at the Cincinnati Zoo and Biological Park. Today, we’ll make a weekend out of this destination with additional activities not to be missed.

If you didn’t see enough flowers at the Cincinnati Zoo, why not try Eden Park this spring?  Eden Park has a beautiful gazebo to a serve as a focal point. Be sure you don’t miss the Hinckle Magnolia Garden with its great fragrance. The Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Playhouse are also located in Eden Park.

Eden Park is also home to Krohn Conservatory. This architecturally significant structure houses a variety of eco-systems from rainforest to desert. 

When you’ve worked up an appetite with all that walking, head over to Zip’s Café. The Ohio Official State Trip Planner recommends it as one of ten “best dining on a dime” locations. Try their Zip’s Burger for only $4.50. Winner of ten “Best Burger and Fries” awards from CityBeat, they’ve got it down pat.

Zip’s has been making burgers for 84 years now. Zip’s is located at 1036 Delta Avenue in Mt. Lookout Square. Their Web site is http://www.zipscafe.com/

For other dining recommendations, check out the Examiner’s in-town  reviews on other establishments.

http://www.examiner.com/x-36419-Cincinnati-Healthy-Foods-Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/x-10968-Cincinnati-Lunch-Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/x-14369-Cincinnati-Breakfast-Examiner