Put in Bay Frequently Asked Questions

Put in Bay Ohio offers adults, families, and conventions many options for a relaxing vacation. Put-in-Bay's most frequently asked questions may be found along with answers at putinbayreservations.com. If your questions are not answered here just e-mail us at our contact form.

How far in advance should I make lodging reservations?
How do I get to Put-in-Bay?
What is the weather like?
Do your hotels have a minimum stay?
Can I bring alcohol to my hotel room?
Do I need a driver's license to rent a golf cart?
Can I walk from bar to bar with a drink?
Do the docks take reservations?
What if I miss the last ferry?
Do I need advance reservations for the ferryboats?
What time do the bars close?
What bands are playing?
Do I need my car on the Island?
Does Put-in-Bay have a school?
Is there a grocery and a place to buy beer and wine?
What is your operating season?
How do you get back and forth from the Island in the winter?
How old do I have to be to rent a moped?
How far are you from Cedar Point?
Where is the best place to eat?
How many people live on the Island in the winter?

How far in advance should I make lodging reservations?

It is suggested that you make you reservations very early in the year especially if your stay involves a weekend. Hotel rooms are limited on the Island and booking early will help insure you get the dates you want. You may book on-line by visiting our Put in Bay Hotels Lodging page and selecting the hotel of your choice, or stop by our Put in Bay Cottage Rentals page for a home rental of your choice.

 

How do I get to Put-in-Bay?

We have one high-speed passenger-only ferryboat operator that services the Island. The Jet Express link may be found on our transportation section.

 

What is the weather like?

The weather at Put-in-Bay is much like all of northern Ohio coastal communities. In spring and fall a light jacket our sweatshirt is recommend for evenings. Island dress is casual. Current weather and a 10-day forecast may be found in our weather section. Just remember, it NEVER rains in our great restaurants and bars!

 

Do your hotels have a minimum stay?

On weekends our hotels require a two-night minimum. On holiday weekends there is a three-night minimum. There is no minimum stay requirement Sunday thru Thursday nights where Sundays are not on a holiday weekend.

 

Can I bring alcohol to my hotel room?

Yes, all of the hotels featured on www.putinbay.com permit you to bring your own beverages to the privacy of your own room or rental home. You may not bring your alcoholic beverages into any of our bars or poolside bars as they are considered part of the liquor permit premises. There is no need to bother bringing beer and wine from the mainland as we have carryouts here on the Island with prices comparable with those on the mainland. There is no liquor store on the Island.

 

Do I need a driver's license to rent a golf cart?

Yes! Golf Carts are treated as licensed motor vehicles on the Island. All traffic laws apply including open container laws as well as drinking and driving. Delaware Carts rents to licensed drivers over the age of 18 (see putinbayrentals.com). For those under 18 but holding a valid license, a parent or guardian may rent a golf cart for your use.

 

Can I walk from bar to bar with a drink?

NO! As anywhere in Ohio, we have an open container law. No alcoholic beverages may leave a liquor permit establishment. This is strictly enforced.

 

Do the docks take reservations?

The city docks are on a first come first serve basis for boat dockage. Duggan's dock accepts reservations, and they may be made by calling 419-285-4900

 

What if I miss the last ferry?

This is not recommended! Trying to find a last minute hotel late in the evening can be difficult if not impossible.

 

Do I need advance reservations for the ferryboats?

No! Our ferryboat services can transport as many as 300 people per trip and have numerous boats. Arrive early for your trip to Put-in-Bay!

 

What time do the bars close?

As a general rule, most downtown bars close around 1:30 am. There are three late night bars on the Island, The Skyway, Dailey's Tavern, and the Brewery.

 

What bands are playing?

Check our entertainer pages for your favorite entertainer!

 

Do I need my car on the Island?

We recommend you do NOT bring a car to the Island. Aside from the expense associated with transporting your vehicle, parking is very limited on the Island. Waits to get a car on or off the Island can run as long as four hours. Hotels located on the lodging page of this site are located in town and just a short walk from most attractions. Golf Carts, Bicycles, Mopeds, and Taxi's may be reserved on our island transportation page and are readily available.

 

Does Put-in-Bay have a school?

Yes! Put-in-Bay has a k-12 school that is located in the downtown area.

 

Is there a grocery and a place to buy beer and wine?

Yes! There is a full service grocery on the Island on Catawba Avenue. There is a drive thru with beer and wine located next to the Boathouse Bar and Grill on Hartford Avenue.

 

What is your operating season?

Our season starts April 1st and our last big weekend is the Halloween weekend the last weekend in October. Off-season activities include walleye and perch ice fishing.

 

How do you get back and forth from the Island in the winter?

When the ferryboats stop running, there are several charter airlines that fly in and out of Put-in-Bay. When there is a cold winter, a few brave soles drive their vehicles, snowmobiles and 4 wheelers across the ice to the mainland.

 

How old do I have to be to rent a moped?

You must be 18 years of age to rent or operate a moped.

 

How far are you from Cedar Point?

Both ferryboat lines can be reached from Cedar Point in about 20 minutes.

 

Where is the best place to eat?

That is a tough one! There are a wide variety of great dining choices on the Island that serve an even wider variety of food. While touring the Island, stop in and look over the menus to determine your choice!

 

How many people live on the Island in the winter?

There are about 480 full time residents on the Island.

 

For each Put in Bay hotel or cottage you can check the Website, take a virtual tour, check availability, and make a reservation... all on one site! If you need further lodging information or have questions about all that goes on at Put in Bay we suggest you click on our sublinks below. These links will fill you in on all there is to do on Put-in-Bay. For help with other activities, check out the Put-in-Bay Travel Guide. If you need direct help on home and condo rentals call 216-898-9951. If you would like information on hotels call 1-888-PIB-STAY (888-742-7829).

We also provide you information on Dining, Restaurants, Put in Bay Bars & Pubs; a list of Frequently Asked Questions; an exciting Events Calendar; information on Transportation options for Getting Here via ferries; and a jam-packed list of Attractions & Things To Do.

Our primary goal is to help you find the Putinbay accommodations that fit your needs on the beautiful Lake Erie Island village of Put in Bay also known as South Bass Island. Take your time and explore the various rental properties we have to offer. Put-in-Bay has something to offer for everyone and we hope you visit our island paradise. For information on other islands or the mainland, please visit the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau. If you need more in-depth information on Put n Bay lodging, simply check on the Web site of the property you are interested in. Off-island lodging and reviews can be found on TripAdvisor.com. So choose your favorite Put in Bay Lodging and we will SEE YOU AT THE BAY, Put in Bay Ohio.

Need more information?

SEE YOU AT THE BAY!!!

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