About Shores & Islands Ohio
Shores & Islands Ohio is a freshwater coastal destination made up of communities throughout Erie and Ottawa counties along the southern shore of Lake Erie in northern Ohio.
The region brings together waterfront cities and villages, Lake Erie islands, small towns, rural communities, beaches, natural areas, and some of Ohio's best-known visitor attractions. Sandusky, Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island, Huron, Vermilion, Marblehead, Lakeside, Catawba, Oak Harbor, and other communities are all part of the Shores & Islands Ohio region.
From Lake Erie recreation and island getaways to amusement parks, historic sites, local dining, arts, events, and outdoor experiences, each community contributes something different to the destination.
Where is Shores & Islands Ohio?
Shores & Islands Ohio is located along Lake Erie's southern shore in northern Ohio and encompasses Erie and Ottawa counties. The destination includes mainland communities such as Sandusky, Huron, Port Clinton, Marblehead, and Oak Harbor, as well as Lake Erie island communities including Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island, and North Bass Island.
Visitors can experience the region as one destination while choosing from communities with distinct settings, attractions, events, and personalities.
What does Shores & Islands Ohio mean?
Shores & Islands Ohio is both the name of the regional visitor destination and the tourism brand used to promote Erie and Ottawa counties together. For more than 20 years, the Erie County Visitors and Convention Bureau and Ottawa County Visitors Bureau have collaborated to market the two-county region as a unified Lake Erie destination.
That regional approach helps visitors discover experiences across community and county lines. A Shores & Islands Ohio trip might include an amusement park in Sandusky, an island getaway, a lighthouse visit in Marblehead, waterfront dining in Port Clinton, and outdoor recreation elsewhere along the Lake Erie shore.
Connecting the Region Through Destination Marketing
Destination marketing connects travelers with the places and experiences found throughout Shores & Islands Ohio while supporting the businesses and communities that make up the region.
Destination marketing efforts include:
- Promoting Erie and Ottawa counties as one travel destination.
- Connecting visitors with accommodations, attractions, dining, shopping, events, and outdoor recreation.
- Supporting meetings, group tours, sporting events, and other group travel.
- Providing visitor information through SHORESandISLANDS.com and Shores & Islands Ohio welcome centers.
- Supporting tourism industry partners through marketing, destination information, education, and engagement.
- Working with media, travel professionals, event organizers, and other organizations to increase awareness of the region.
Mission
Enhance the destination's economic vitality through collaborative promotion and creation of memorable experiences that increase visitor engagement, thus enhancing the region's quality of life.
How does Shores & Islands Ohio work with Greater Sandusky Partnership?
Shores & Islands Ohio and Greater Sandusky Partnership (GSP) are integrating operations to better connect destination marketing with regional economic development, business growth, workforce, and community initiatives. Shores & Islands Ohio will continue as the destination brand used to promote Erie and Ottawa counties to visitors.
Greater Sandusky Partnership is a regional chamber and economic development organization serving the Greater Sandusky Bay Region. Bringing the organizations' work together creates stronger connections between the visitor economy and broader efforts to strengthen the region as a place to visit, live, work, and invest.
More detailed information about the integration, including organizational changes and implementation, is available in the latest partnership update.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shores & Islands Ohio?
Shores & Islands Ohio is the regional destination and tourism brand for Erie and Ottawa counties along Lake Erie in northern Ohio. The region includes mainland and island communities, attractions, accommodations, dining, events, outdoor recreation, and other visitor experiences.
Where is Shores & Islands Ohio?
Shores & Islands Ohio is located along the southern shore of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. The region encompasses Erie and Ottawa counties and includes communities around Sandusky, Port Clinton, the Marblehead Peninsula, and the Lake Erie islands.
Is Shores & Islands Ohio a city?
No. Shores & Islands Ohio is a regional destination made up of multiple communities across Erie and Ottawa counties. Sandusky, Port Clinton, Huron, Marblehead, Lakeside, Oak Harbor, Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island, and other communities are part of the region.
What communities are part of Shores & Islands Ohio?
The Shores & Islands Ohio region includes communities such as Sandusky, Bay View, Castalia, Huron, Milan, Vermilion, Port Clinton, Catawba, Lakeside, Marblehead, Elmore, Genoa, Oak Harbor, Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island, and North Bass Island, along with additional communities throughout Erie and Ottawa counties.
Explore All Communities
Is Sandusky the same as Shores & Islands Ohio?
No. Sandusky is one community within the larger Shores & Islands Ohio region. Shores & Islands Ohio includes communities throughout Erie and Ottawa counties, including mainland destinations and Lake Erie islands.
Are Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island part of Shores & Islands Ohio?
Yes. Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island are part of the Shores & Islands Ohio region. Other Lake Erie island communities within the destination include Middle Bass Island and North Bass Island.
What is the relationship between Shores & Islands Ohio and Greater Sandusky Partnership?
Shores & Islands Ohio and Greater Sandusky Partnership are integrating operations to connect destination marketing with broader regional economic development. Shores & Islands Ohio will continue as the destination brand used to promote Erie and Ottawa counties to visitors.
