More on Middle Bass Island
The ying to Put-in-Bay’s yang, Middle Bass Island is an ideal destination to escape the frenzy of the mainland and take advantage of the quiet side of island life.
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“The island is so peaceful, and everybody is so nice. There’s a lot of natural beauty,” says Michelle Brunner, a painter and Middle Bass Island seasonal resident. “There’s so many places that are fun to see.”
One such destination is East Point Preserve (lakeerieislandconservancy.org), an 8-acre property on the island’s northeastern peninsula, where more than 120 species of birds and 30 species of plants and trees have been identified.
“Taking a bike and riding around the island — that’s the best way to do it,” Brunner says, pointing to the Historic Lonz Winery (ohiodnr.gov) as one of her favorite destinations. The castle-like structure opened for self-guided tours in 2017 and houses several historical exhibits, as well as a cafe called the Island Grind that’s open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The site also hosts the island’s annual free Middle Bass Music Fest, which this year is July 15 from noon to 7 p.m.
Those looking for a destination to eat, shop or stay the night can find it all at J.F. Walleye’s (jfwalleyes.net). Catch a basket of Lake Erie walleye bites to nibble by the pool or grab a drink and relax with some live entertainment. Condos are available for those looking to extend their stay, while a boutique offers the perfect destination to snag a souvenir.
For a true slice of island life, head to Middle Bass General Store (mbigeneralstore.com) and grab a seat on the patio of this local hot spot while sharing a mouthwatering pie from Uncle Joe’s Pizza.