Plenty at Port Clinton

Ohio

Attractions

Nature & Outdoor Excursions

Food & Drink

Accommodations

Family Fun

Fishing

Discover everything there is to see and do at one of Ohio's most popular beach towns.

A sidewalk stretches along the Lake Erie beaches of Port Clinton, where there are park benches for watching the waves and sunsets, and a walkable downtown is peppered with boutiques and dining destinations. A silver lining of the pandemic is Meals on Madison — a pedestrian-only hot spot with picnic tables, Adirondack chairs and space to gather for live music and outdoor dining.

“Now, it’s an outdoor entertainment area all summer long,” Bauer says, noting activities that include farmers market Sundays to weekday children’s activities. “Port Clinton is the quintessential beach town where you can park in one place, go to the beach — it’s all right there along the coastline.”

Eat Local:
Bootleggers Waterfront Grille & Bar is where to go for locally caught fish and brew — and priceless views. A bamboo bar, cocktails, beach and a view of the lake and islands is what makes Docks Beach House (docksbeachhouse.com) a must. For a taste of Lake Erie, order yellow perch and a side of house-made onion rings at Jolly Roger’s Seafood House. Downtown, pair a pint with a shepherd’s pie or corned beef and cabbage at McCarthy’s Irish Pub (mccarthysirishpubpc.com) or enjoy a glass of wine or cocktail with lunch or dinner at Rosie’s Bar & Grill (rosiesbarandgrillpc.com).

Much To Do:
The western basin of Lake Erie is known for having the world’s best walleye fishing — and Blue Sky Charters (blueskycharters.net) will help you cast off. Nothing will compare to the pics you’ll snap at African Safari Wildlife Park (africansafariwildlifepark.com), which offers drive-through or walkable experiences with animal encounters. Ever paddleboard with a goat? Hop on at Portage River Paddling Co. (portageriverpaddlingco.com), where you also can take out a kayak, canoe or pedal boat, or take a guided tour from Port Clinton to Oak Harbor.

Tuck In:
Beachfront Resort (beachfrontresortpc.com) sits behind 1,500 feet of lakefront beach and is minutes away from the Jet Express. For a historic, classic stay, check out the Island House Hotel (port-clinton-ohio-hotel.com), built in 1870 during the time when Commodore Perry hailed a victory over the Royal British Naval Fleet to secure the passage of Lake Erie. The Resort at Erie Landing (erielanding.com) is a campground, RV park and a place to get a family cabin.