Things To Do In Port Clinton Ohio

Port Clinton Ohio is known as the Walleye Capital of the World. It is located on the shores of Lake Erie, in Ottawa County. Things to do in Port Clinton are often centered around the Lake and Portage River.

About Port Clinton

Port Clinton is located at the mouth of the Portage River on Lake Erie. This area offers swimming, windsurfing, or just relaxing on the beach. Charter boats and walk-on head boats are available for fishing trips.

Port Clinton is located between Toledo and Cleveland, making it a great base for vacationers! Ferries from Port Clinton cross Lake Erie to South Bass Island, where Put in Bay is located.

Port Clinton is family-friendly, but we enjoy visiting as a couple. There are so many adult-friendly activities here.

Map of Things to Do in Port Clinton

Ottawa County Visitor’s Bureau

If you need help planning your time in Port Clinton and surrounding areas, the Ottawa County Visitor’s Bureau should be your first stop! With various brochures, maps, discount coupons, tips, advice, and more.

• Address: 770 SE Catawba Rd, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-734-4386

Fun Photo Ops in Port Clinton

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

During your visit, look out for the photo opportunities, including ‘Wylie Walleye’, usually located in the parking lot of the Arlington Inn, but he is on a trailer, so may change location at times, and on New Year’s Eve, he is placed in Downtown Port Clinton.

A mural on the bridge side of the Clinton House depicts key moments in the town’s rich history. The mural, designed to resemble a postcard, with ‘Greetings from Port Clinton’ in large letters, was painted by Toledo artist Ken Dushane.

The big chair is usually near Dock’s Beach House. It may change location, but is always nearby.

Lake Erie Beach

No visit to Port Clinton is complete without visiting the beach on the shores of Lake Erie, where visitors can swim, rent equipment, and dine. Here are some of the things you will find there:

North Coast Beach Fitters are located by the beach access point. Here you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, chairs, tents, beach games, inflatable docks, and more.

• Address: Waterworks Park, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-635-7333 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Dock’s Beach House Bar and Grill has a lakefront patio or on the beach, where guests can relax, possibly see Put in Bay on a clear day, or watch the amazing sunsets in the evenings. Freshly caught fish is served among many other dishes, and a selection of cocktails is also available. There is another giant chair here, so be sure to snap a photo!

• Address: 252 West Lakeshore Drive, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-732-6609 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Jet Express runs regular ferries from Port Clinton to Put in Bay. The journey time is between 45 minutes and one hour. The first departure is at 8.30 am, there are varying return times, depending on the day. Check out the Ferry Schedule for more information.

• Address: 3 Monroe St, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 800-245-1538 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Photo credits: Cindy Gordon of VisitOhioToday.com

Port Clinton Lighthouse

Port Clinton lighthouse was built in 1896 and placed at the entrance of the Portage River, where it remained for 56 years. The light was decommissioned in 1952, and for more than 60 years it stood on private property. Restoration of the lighthouse began in 2014 by the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy. A replica Lightkeeper’s Boathouse, located near the lighthouse, features historical displays and artifacts, keeper’s rowboat, and gift shop. The new lighthouse sits on the shores of Lake Erie.

• Address: Waterworks Park, E. Perry St. (SR 163)Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-504-8869 | Website

Jolly Roger’s Seafood House

Jolly Roger’s is the ideal place for a quick and tasty meal to enjoy along with the view from the outside eating area. Guests can watch the fresh fish being fried, from beginning to end. Online ordering is available.

• Address: 1715 E Perry St, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-732-3382 | Facebook

Port Clinton Fish Co

Port Clinton Fish Co. has been owned and operated by the Stinson family since 1976. They catch the fish they sell and are happy to supply restaurants with large orders, or a family looking to buy dinner for the evening! This is a seasonal business, they open in March each year.

Be sure to grab some of the freshest Walleye, Perch, Shrimp, Scallops, or any other fish in stock if you are staying in a rental nearby!

• Address: 2 Madison Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-732-3101 | Website

Catawba Island State Park

Catawba Island State Park offers access to Lake Erie. Activities available here include motorboating, fishing, and swimming. This State Park is an impressive 10 acres and it also has picnic sites and a pavilion.

• Address: 4049 E. Moores Dock Rd, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-734-4424 | Website | Facebook

Video of Catawba Island State Park

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is a family-owned business, operating out of Port Clinton since 1960. This business is located on the shoreline of Lake Erie in Downtown Port Clinton.

Fisherman’s Wharf is home to the largest Bait and Tackle store in Northwest Ohio. It also has the largest Sportfishing Fleet in downtown Port Clinton, Fisherman’s Wharf has four six-man charter boats and walk-on head boats also offer fishing trips.

• Address: 83 N. Madison St., Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 
• Phone: 419-734-9002 | Website | Facebook

Portage River Paddling Company

At Portage River Paddling you can spend an hour, or the whole day! They have single and double kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and stand-up paddle boards.

You can go Paddleboarding with Goats, try your hand at Gem Mining, or learn how to Axe Throw. Fun on the river for the whole family.

• Address: 3134 W Harbor Rd, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-707-2285 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

African Safari Wildlife Park

African Wildlife Safari Park offers you the opportunity of a Drive-Through Safari. Not only will you get up close and personal with the land animals, but if you look up you may see mallards, bald eagles, Canadian geese, and killdeer, among other birds.

• Address: 267 S Lightner Road, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 800-521-2660 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Video of the African Safari Wildlife Park

Liberty Aviation Museum

The Liberty Aviation Museum showcases functioning historical aircraft and vehicles mainly from WWII. You can take a ride in a vintage helicopter or aircraft. The museum holds regular events throughout the year.

• Address: 3515 East State Road, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
• Phone: 419-732-0234 | Website | Facebook

Video of the Liberty Aviation Museum

Marblehead Lighthouse State Park

Located on the shore just outside of Port Clinton (approximately 12 miles), Marblehead Lighthouse State Park features a museum and a lighthouse. The lighthouse is open for tours. The grounds surrounding Marblehead Lighthouse offer excellent picnicking with scenic Lake Erie views. There are 77 steps to the top of the Lighthouse.

Tour tickets are only available on-site with cash on the day of your visit. Tours start at noon; the last tour leaves at 3:40 pm. 

• Address: 110 Lighthouse Drive, Marblehead, Ohio 43440
• Phone: 419-743-4424 | Website | Facebook

Video of Marblehead Lighthouse

Let’s Visit Port Clinton!

Have you visited Port Clinton? Did you try out any of our suggestions, or maybe you discovered your own hidden gem? We would love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience!

Experience the Peninsula offers a great variety of tours around the Port Clinton and Ottawa County area. If you would like to see the sights with a guide, be sure to check out their website!

If you enjoy traveling, we have lots of Ohio destinations to recommend! Are you an adventure seeker? Do you prefer nature reserves? For the more daring of our readers, we have even compiled a list of the 7 most haunted houses in Columbus Ohio!