To the west of Sandusky Ohio, across the Lake Erie bridge, is a medium-sized maritime community with some of the best restaurants, hotels, and fishing in all of Ohio.
Port Clinton, Ohio, is the county seat of Ottawa County (named after the Ottawa Tribe) and the second largest tourist destination in Northwest Ohio.
Over the past 30 years, Port Clinton and its surrounding areas have become a popular destination for upper-class individuals who enjoy the weather, view of the lake, fishing, and fine dining that Port Clinton has to offer.
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Walleye Capital
Port Clinton is often labeled “the Walleye capital of the world” due to the population of the popular gaming fish.
The fish is so popular and important to the economy that the city of Port Clinton has created two events that bear its name: The Walleye Festival and The Walleye Drop.
The Walleye Festival is the first large festival in the area and is sort of seen as the beginning of summer. The Walleye Drop is held every New Year's Eve in downtown Port Clinton. Sure, it is a knockoff of New York City’s ball-dropping ceremony, but the locals enjoy it.
Although Walleye is the most popular fish around Port Clinton, it certainly is not the only option. Port Clinton is home to some of the best fishing in all of the Great Lakes.
Yellow Perch, White Perch, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and many other freshwater fish can be found in the lake and local fishing holes. These popular fish are served fresh in many of the local restaurants.
History and Development
Port Clinton does not have the history of Sandusky but still has a story to tell. Much of its history is tied to the lake since it had one of the first harbors in the area and, at one point, had a large ice-making industry.
Through most of the 19th century, Port Clinton grew slowly and did not see much development until the mid-20th. The popularity of Cedar Point aided in its development, as did the commercialization of Kelley’s Island and Put-in-Bay.
Now, it has become a booming summer town with a population increase of almost 500% during the summer months.
In one of my discussions with the owner of the popular fine-dining restaurant and winery Mon-Ami, she said that Port Clinton and the surrounding area see an increase in population from 7,000 people to 250,000 people.
Port Clinton’s main claim to fame is the Battle of Lake Erie. The battle was an important victory for the United States during the War of 1812. Commodore Perry is memorialized by a monument on Put-in-bay.
Surrounding Areas
Port Clinton is surrounded by a few other hotspots in vacationland:
- Catawba Island: Located right next to Port Clinton and not really an island, Catawba is the location of Mon-Ami Winery, Catawba Island Brewery, The Jet Express Miller Boat Line, and many other attractions.
- Lakeside-Marblehead: I haven’t figured out what to call this area. Some call it Lakeside, some call it Marblehead, and some call it Danbury since it is located in Danbury Township. It is the home of the Marblehead Lighthouse and has become a getaway for the wealthy. Johnson’s Island can be accessed by road in this area.
- Oak Harbor: A bit further out but still considered Ottawa County, Oak Harbor is a small community known for its large nuclear power plant.
Port Clinton Dining
If there was one thing that draws me to this area, it is the dining. Port Clinton and the surrounding areas have some of the best food in the area. The dining can range from sports bar burgers to fine dining.
While I am a big fan of the food in Sandusky, I have no qualms in saying that if you want the best food in the area, visit the restaurants in Port Clinton.
The best restaurants do not stay open all year, but as long as you are traveling to the area during the summer months, you will be able to grab a great bite to eat.
As I stated before, Port Clinton is where many wealthy businessmen come to for the summer. The lake shore offers great views and a relaxing atmosphere to vacation. Due to their presence, there are many fine-dining restaurants available.
Mon Ami, 1812, and Cielo Grande are just a few upscale options. It is also home to my favorite restaurants in the area, including Sandusky Cleats.
Port Clinton Ohio Hotels
Port Clinton has the food but lacks the lodging of Sandusky. Due to Sandusky’s high volume of tourism and Port Clinton’s high volume of summer homes, there are not a ton of options in the area to stay.
While there are some excellent resorts in the Marblehead area and some well-known chain hotels inside of Port Clinton, getting a hotel in this area will require some research because they are known to fill up fast.
Regardless, there are some excellent places to stay in the area. If you want to experience the beauty of the area, then focus on looking into bed and breakfasts or hotels with a different theme.
Enjoy The Lake
Whether you are coming into town for business, fishing, the islands, or Cedar Point, I hope you enjoy staying in this wonderful area. The folks here love their hometown and take pride in their community. They are some of the friendliest people you will meet.
If you are staying in this area, then do your best to make time to enjoy the lake. There is more to the area than the islands and Cedar Point. Lake Erie offers its own adventure.
Grab a charter and a fishing pole, and catch some walleye!