Three Day Trip Sample Itinerary
In need of a weekend vacation? Maybe a mid-week getaway? Shores & Islands Ohio is here for you! This trip takes you all across the region, hitting a mixture of the well-known spots and the hidden treasures.
Arrival: Start your trip with a visit to The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums at Spiegel Grove. The 19th President of the United States’ 25-acre wooded estate is home to a Victorian mansion, museum, presidential library, and tomb. The museum exhibits include interactive components and shares the story of President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes while nearly all the artifacts and furniture in the 31-room Victorian Hayes Home are original to the Hayes family.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch in downtown Fremont before traveling to the next stop.
Afternoon: Choose your afternoon adventure! Pick between Seneca Caverns, with a guided tour through the cave to see unique formations and Ole Mist’ry River, or Historic Lyme Village, a 19th century village with sixteen buildings including an 1880s Victorian mansion, one-room school, and more.
Take a short break to check in to your hotel and freshen up for dinner.
Dinner: Settle in for a relaxing evening at Firelands Winery. As one of Ohio’s oldest wineries, pair a wine tasting with your meal. Be sure to stop by the gift shop on your way out!
Morning: Rise and shine - it’s time to visit the islands!
Spend a day on Put-in-Bay by taking the Miller Ferry or Jet Express to the island. While there, you can learn about the island with a narrated tour aboard Island Transportation’s Tour Train. Other popular attractions include Heineman’s Winery and Crystal Cave, Butterfly House at Put-in-Bay, and the visitor’s center at Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at The Keys or Boathouse Bar & Grill before shopping.
Want to explore two islands? Goodtime I Lake Erie Island Cruises offers a daytime island-hopping cruise to see the destination from the water with stops at Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay. Lunch can be served for onboard dining too.
Evening: No matter which way you explore, return to the mainland for dinner at Small City Taphouse and dessert Sandusky Scoops in downtown Sandusky. Jackson St. Pier is a great spot to watch the sunset.
Morning: Before you return home, spend a little more time in Port Clinton. Walk a little on the wild side at African Safari Wildlife Park. With giraffe, zebra, a rare albino alligator, and more, this park offers educational programming plus walk thru and drive thru safaris. Interact with artists at The Arts Garage. Here, visitors can see artists in action and walk through a small exhibition space in the former city service building.
