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.
“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.
