Kelleys Island

Kelleys Island [1] is an island and city in Erie County, Ohio. The island is sparsely-populated, with a small village on the south side of the island, a limestone quarry on the west side, and a State Park on the north side. Ferries from the mainland dock at the village several times/day during prime tourist season.

Get in

Kelleys Island can be reached by ferry from Sandusky or Marblehead Peninsula, by airplane or private boat.

• Kelleys Island Ferry Boat 510 W. Main St., Marblehead, Ohio 1+ 419-798-9763 http://www.kelleysislandferry.com Offers passenger and vehicle ferry service between Kelleys Island and Marblehead runs daily year-round, weather permitting. During peak season, ferries run every half-hour and offer late night service on weekends. There is a parking fee at the Marblehead dock. Rates of the Kelleys Island Boat Company (each way) are $9.50 for adults, $6 for children, $15 for autos, $4 for bicycles, and $8 for motorcycles as of 2013.
• The Jet Express 101 W. Shoreline Dr., Sandusky, Ohio 1+ 800-245-1538 http://www.jet-express.com Offers passenger-only ferry service from downtown Sandusky, Ohio to Kelleys Island aboard hydro jet catamarans. Ferry operates daily during summer and weekends spring and fall.
• Griffing-Sandusky Airport and Flying Service 3115 Cleveland Rd., Sandusky, Ohio 1+ 419-626-5161 http://www.griffingflyingservice.com Offers service to Kelleys Island with prior reservations.
• Erie Ottawa Regional Airport 3255 E. State Rd., Port Clinton, Ohio 1+ 419-734-6297 http://www.portclintonairport.com Offers service to Kelleys Island with prior reservations.

Get around

The island has many miles of paved roads if you ferry your car, though many choose to travel by foot, bicycle, or golf cart.

See

Ohio's largest island is full of adventure for all ages. It has 600 acres of state park lands, 17 miles of coastline, beautiful wildflowers, nature trails, a fossil-filled quarry, and wetlands which are admired by nature-lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. There is also a popular downtown district that offers shopping and entertainment, as well as dining and drinking establishments.

• Glacial Grooves State Park (Kelleys Island). The world's largest accessible glacial grooves, embedded with fossils that are 350-400 million years old. Located on the north side of the island, the grooves can be viewed from a walkway and stairs. The wavy trough is 400-feet long, 35-feet wide, and up to 10-feet deep carved by glaciers pressing large stones along the bedrock. Free.

• Inscription Rock, a boulder covered in native petroglyphs. Near the ferry dock at the south end of the island. Free.

• The ruins of an old winery can be seen half-way between the State Park and the Village.

• Kelleys Island Historical Museum, Division St., Kelleys Island, ☎ 419-746-2399. Exhibits include the Himmelein House, commercial fishing artifacts, Estes school, island churches and wineries, fossils, Indian artifacts and Shays locomotives.

• Kelleys Island State Park, 920 Division St.,, ☎ 419-734-4424. The park features hiking trails, camping, launch ramp, fishing, summer programs, picnic shelter, and sandy swimming beach.

• Kelleys Island Wine Company, 418 Woodford Rd., ☎ 419-746-2678. Beautiful indoor and outdoor setting, dining options, special events, catering, and wines. Horseshoe pit, volleyball, cornhole, and gift shop also available.

Drink

Several bars exist in the village, and Kelleys Island Brewery produces several varieties of ale and lager at their facility west of the village.

Sleep

• Kelleys Island State Park, 920 Division St., 1+ 419-746-2546 http://www.ohiostateparks.com 45 non-electric, 82 electric sites, showers, flush toilets, volleyball court, six miles of hiking trails, North Pond Nature Preserve, North Shore Nature Preserve, picnic areas, a picnic shelter, launch ramps, fishing, 100-foot swimming beach and hunting.
• Kelleys Island Venture Resort 441 W. Lakeshore Dr., 1+ 419-746-2254 http://www.kiventureresort.com 30-room hotel with private balconies and decks.