South Bass Island State Park & Oak Point State Park

South Bass Island State Park & Oak Point State Park are STATE PARKS! 

I saw this with CAPS because like Marblehead Lighthouse, I've been here a million times and never realized it was an official state park. Oh the things you learn!

For this post I would like to highlight some of the things we like to do. You can spend a weekend or an entire week in this area and have PLENTY of amazing things to do. There is an official website which I will include next, but here is a short (with lots of pictures) opinion based post about why you should take this vacation and what you can do while you are on this vacation. Shores and Island Website Click Here, but for the fun of a trip with your partner, family, or friends... Let's call this....

VACATION AT THE SHORES

Where to stay... while there are many cities and places to stay. 

We always recommend Port Clinton, Ohio and stay at the Waterfront Condominiums: 

Pros: Private beach, private pool, private playground, parking spot, mini kitchenette, walking distance to coffee and restaurants, AND as if that is not enough... walking distance to the Jet Express (the ferry to take you to the islands).

Cons: No laundry and stairs if you are not ground level (I had to list something!)

List of things to do with the kids!

A trip to the islands is always a great idea, just the ride alone is fun for the kids (although loud). We sat inside because of the stroller, but sitting up top is prime seating! As you can see, the ride was a hit!

Renting a golf cart is the ONLY thing I INSIST that you do. First, small island but walking end to end would waste your day. Do your research BEFORE you make the trip, a day or so before you head out and then you can walk to that shop for the best deal. We have a detachable "car seat" stroller so we used it two years in a row for the littles.

We also just enjoyed driving around the island and seeing everything in our golf cart.

There is also a good website including a map of the area. This area, also related to the Marblehead Lighthouse is such a great family vacation spot. In this post, I want to show you some of the highlights of this trip versus discussing the "park portion." Fun fact, Oak Point is the SMALLEST state park in Ohio. It is about the same size or smaller of your neighborhood park. It is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and sights and things to do around the island.

Here are some sneak peaks of sights from around South Bass Island... including Oak Point State Park.

One of the newer things we did on our last trip was take the boys to the butterfly house and in the caves, which E really enjoyed. Highly recommend!

"South Bass Island is dotted with collapsed caverns, which formed from the unique combination of the island’s layered dolomite bedrock, and the ever present lake water. Perry’s Cave is one of the few that has remained with its roof intact, and one of the largest, at 200 feet long and 165 feet wide. The cave is more than 50 feet below the land surface. A rare underground lake deep within the cave rises and falls with the lake level. In addition, located on South Bass Island, Oak Point State Park is Ohio's smallest state park," according to the OhioDNR website. "At just 1.5 acres and close to Put-In-Bay, it offers amenities for boaters, anglers, and lake watchers."