Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial

 Perry's Victory & International Peace honors all who fought the Lake Erie Battle in the War of 1812, celebrating peace for Britain, Canada, and the U.S.

At dawn on the morning of September 10, 1813, a lookout spotted six vessels to the northwest past rattlesnake island. Immediately Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry made preparations to sail forth to engage the British. Just before the engagement opened Perry hoisted his battle flag inscribed "DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP" and the Battle of Lake Erie began.

Before the day ended, Commodore Perry had defeated and captured a British squadron of warships and secured control of Lake Erie for the United States. This victory enabled General William Henry Harrison to conduct a successful invasion of Western Upper Canada.

Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, but in equal part it is here to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S.

Crystal Cave

Discovered by workers in 1897 while digging a well for the winery 40 feet above, Crystal Cave is the world's largest geode. The walls of this cave are covered in strontium sulfate, a blueish mineral called celestite. These crystals range from 8 to 18 inches long. The original cave was much smaller than what appears today, as crystals were harvested and sold for the manufacturing of fireworks.

Owned and operated by Heineman Winery, Crystal Cave helped save the family-run winery from demise during Prohibition. Tours of the cave helped pay the bills, while other wineries on the island closed.

Tours of the cave and Heineman Winery are offered for $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 to 11. Tours are offered seven days a week from early May until late September. Monday through Saturday, tours of the cave begin at 11 a.m. and continue throughout the day until 5 p.m. On Sunday, tours begin at 12 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m.

Perry’s Cave

The cave lies 52 feet below the surface of South Bass Island in Lake Erie. The discovery of the cave, in 1813, is credited to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the battle of Lake Erie. The cave is 208 feet long by 165 feet wide. View stalactites, stalagmites and cave pearls on the cave's walls, ceiling and floor created by heavily encrusted calcium carbonate deposits from centuries of water dripping from the ceiling. The temperature remains in the vicinity of 50° year-round.

A rare Underground Lake is also located in the cave. The water level rises and falls with that of Lake Erie, indicating subterranean connections. Recent findings reveal that after Perry's men became ill, they used the fresh cold water from Perry's Cave Lake to drink. The luxurious Victory Hotel, once the largest hotel in the world, also used the water from the cave's lake. The hotel burned in 1919 and its ruins are visible at the South Bass Island State Park.

Descending from the shop area, tours are at frequent intervals. The average tour takes 15-20 minutes, but you may need to allow longer because our courteous and knowledgeable guides talk to you, not at you. Light wrap and comfortable walking shoes with rubber soles are suggested.

Butterfly House

War of 18 Holes Miniature Golf

Put-In-Bay Winery

Put-In-Bay Winery, located in Put-in-Bay, Ohio near Sandusky and Port Clinton was proud to open its doors for business on South Bass Island in May 2009. Visitors from nearby Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and around the world come to visit our winery exhibit.

Our winery exhibit, which follows the grape from the moment the seed enters the ground, through its journey to the bottle, completes itself in a spectacular peaceful wine tasting room and gift shop. Visitors sample island wines and varietals grown around the region, finding delicious new choices and new favorites. Enjoy a glass of wine while relaxing in our wine garden or on the front porch of the Doller House Estate with its wonderful view of the Put-In-Bay harbor.

The relaxing experience is perfect for a convenient getaway from the upbeat island entertainment at anytime of the day. From sun up to sun down, the Put-In-Bay winery is here to serve you with first class service

Heineman Winery

The Heineman Winery was founded in 1888 by Gustav Heineman, an immigrant from Baden, Germany, the grape growing region of that country. The Lake Erie Islands were already noted for quality grapes as a result of ideal soil conditions and the long growing season because of the tempering effect of Lake Erie.

By 1900, Heineman's was one of 17 wineries on Put-in-Bay. The passage of the Volstead Act creating the Prohibition of Alcohol in 1919 was catastrophic to the Island's grape and wine industry. Most of the wineries failed and the vineyards fell into disrepair. Heineman's survived under Gustav's son, Norman, by selling unfermented grape juice and providing taxi cab service to and tours of the Winery's caves.

Today the third, fourth and fifth generations of Heinemans, Louis, Edward and Dustin share the family wine making tradition. The Heinemans and other local growers cultivate 50 acres of grapes on the island. This gives the winery "vine to wine" quality control year after year. The Lubrusca or native grapes are grown on South Bass. The two major varieties are Concord and Catawba. These are used to produce two grape juices and many of the wines including the most popular, Pink Catawba. Ives, Delaware, and Niagara are other examples of Labrusca grapes grown on the Island.

Wines produced from a single grape and that carry the name of the grape are called Varietal, that is, made from a single grape variety. Other wines are created when two or more varietals are blended and given names like Sauterne or Burgundy to denote their classical heritage.

Adventure Bay

Dive in and play around in the water or really do it up with reserved seating. Set up camp on the pool deck or live it up in one of the cabanas. Reserved guests enjoy the benefits of their own server, bottle service, and plenty of places to lounge. Besides fruity cocktails and beer, Adventure Bay has a full menu. Choose from pizzas, paninis, and salads. They update their menu every summer.

For a change of pace head into the arcade. Challenge your friends to air hockey, Golden Tee Golf, and other classic games. Win tickets and turn them in for awesome prizes. The go-kart track is fully modernized. The carts are all electric so that annoying buzzy sound is gone. Another great way to get your competition on. Head back to pool afterwards and relax with a drink.

It’s easy to spend the whole day at Adventure Bay. When it’s time to finally change out your swimsuit head into downtown Put-in-Bay, choose from friendly neighborhood bars like Frosty.

Historical Society & Museum

Situated right next to the historic Put-in-Bay Town Hall, lies the island’s Historical Museum. The museum is operated by Lake Erie Islands Historical Society. Founded in 1975, the mission of the Historical Society is to preserve and educate the local community and visitors of the island’s rich history. The museum includes four buildings of over 6,000 square feet. Also on the grounds is a Research library and the historical archives. The society hosts programs, seasonal events, tours, and lectures throughout the year.

Looking for a way to take home a piece of Put-in-Bay while supporting a great cause? Be sure to stop in the museum’s Resale Shop. Here you will find unique second-hand items of the locals for bargain prices. We only take the best items in great working condition, so you will want to be sure and stop by. All proceeds benefit the Historical Society.