Marblehead

Getting there

Marblehead is about an hour east of Toledo and 1½ hours west of Cleveland. From Sandusky it takes about 20 minutes.

By boat 1 Kelleys Island Ferry, 510 W Main Street, ☏ +1 419-798-9763, fax: +1 419-798-8009, [email protected]. The schedule varies depending on the season, but generally a ferry runs once an hour. Check website for current prices.

Boat launch Dempsey's Access, CR 136 (Bayshore Rd.) at CR 140. East Harbor State Park, N. Buck Rd. (off SR 269) +1 419-734-4424 Mazurik Access, Northshore Blvd. (off SR 163)

Marinas Anchors Away, 5925 Saylor Rd. +1 419-734-1395 Bay Point Marina, 10948 E. Bayshore Rd. +1 419-798-4434 Marina Del Isle, 6801 E. Harbor Rd. +1 419-732-2587 South Beach Resort Marina, 8620 E. Bayshore Rd. +1 419-798-5503 Tibbels Marina, 6365 East Harbor Rd. (SR 163), +1 419-734-1143

By car From OH 2, exit at OH 269 and head north. The northern terminus of OH 269 is at the exit of East Harbor State Park. From Port Clinton, follow OH 163 east. OH 163 circles the peninsula.

By plane Toledo Express Airport (TOL IATA) Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE IATA)

See

1 Johnson's Island Prison Cemetery (Off Gaydos Rd.). Important Civil War officers prison was on-site. It is only the cemetery has been preserved, but it is worth a visit particularly for those interested in history. (updated May 2017) The Keepers House, 9999 E. Bayshore Dr. Built in 1822, it was the residence of the first three lighthouse keepers. 2 Marblehead Lighthouse, 110 Lighthouse Drive, ☏ +1 419-734-4424. May 29-Aug 31: M-F 1-4:45PM; June-Oct: Second Sa of the month 10AM-3PM. Climb to the top for a great view. There is also a mini-museum in the Keeper's House 3 Train-O-Rama, 6732 E Harbor Rd, ☏ +1 419-734-5856, fax: +1 419-660-0133, [email protected]. Memorial Day-Labor Day: M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1-6PM; Labor Day-Memorial Day M-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Large display of an operating multi-gauge model railroad. $6/5/4 (Adults/Seniors/Children 4-11). (updated Jan 2018) 4 Fort Firelands. Replica frontier fort. Houses the Museum of Flint and Stone (updated Nov 2018)

Do

Monsoon Lagoon Water Park & Family Fun Center, 1530 N. Danbury Rd, ☏ +1 419-732-6671. (SR 269). Call for hours. Seasonal.

Beaches East Harbor State Park Beach, 1169 N. Buck Rd. (off SR 269)

Fishing charters Sportsman Charter Services, East Harbor State Park Marina, +1 419 798-4720 Tibbels Charter Service, 6965 East Harbor Rd, ☏ +1 419 734-1143.

Lakeside Chautauqua The village of Lakeside[1] is a gated community (June-Sept) on the north shore Marblehead Peninsula. It is one of three remaining Chautauqua communities in the United States. Chautauqua was a movement started in the 1800s to provide adult education on important issues as well as entertainment. Today Lakeside is a vibrant community which offers family-oriented entertainment, concerts, and recreation, lectures and clubs throughout the summer. The village has a number of restaurants, shops, churches, parks and businesses within. Visitors are welcome to purchase a day pass. Others choose to stay longer - the village has cabins, houses, and a hotel with rooms for rent for a day, week or even the entire summer.

Buy

Just for Ewe, 9523 East Harbor Rd (W State Rte 163), ☏ +1 419-798-5151, [email protected]. F Sa noon–4PM. Yarn shop, clothing, gifts, souvenirs, and gifts $18-46. (updated Apr 2026) Furry Paws & Fancy Stuff, ☏ +1 419-635-6369. Grooming and pet products. (updated Jan 2019) 1 Marblehead Lighthouse State Park Gift Shop, 110 Lighthouse Dr (At Marblehead Lighthouse State Park), [email protected]. Memorial Day to Labor Day noon-4PM. Gift shop with lighthouse and local gifts. Also available online all year. (updated May 2022)

Eat

Mels Crows Nest Restaurant and Lounge, 2170 N. Buck Rd, ☏ +1 419-734-1742, [email protected]. (updated Apr 2026) 1 Bruno's Pizzeria, 726 W Main St, ☏ +1 419-798-1000. M–Tu Closed; W–Su 11AM–8PM. $8-21. (updated Apr 2026)

Drink & nightlife

1 Canoe Club Wine Bar, 5831 E Harbor Rd, ☏ +1 419-960-7030, [email protected]. 4PM–9PM (closed W). (updated Apr 2026) 2 Hidden Beach Bar, 530 Hidden Beach, ☏ +1 419-734-2818, [email protected]. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Jamestown Tavern, 902 W Main St, ☏ +1 419-798-5615. M–Th 4PM–midnight; F 4PM–2:30AM; Sa noon–2:30AM; Su noon–midnight. (updated Apr 2026)

Sleep

Hotels Fountain Inn, 225 Maple Ave, ☏ +1 419-798-4461, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Apr 2026) Majestic Motel, 8629 E Northshore Blvd, ☏ +1 419-798-4382, [email protected]. $50-140. (updated Apr 2026) South Beach Resorts Hotel, 8620 E Bayshore Rd, ☏ +1 419-798-4900, [email protected]. (updated Apr 2026) 1 Surf Motel, 230 E Main St, ☏ +1 419-732-3938. (updated Apr 2026) Hotel Lakeside, 150 Maple Ave, ☏ +1 419-798-4461. (updated Apr 2026)

Campgrounds East Harbor State Park, Northeast part of Ottawa County on the north part of Catawba Island, off of Route 63, on the shores of Lake Erie. 365 electric sites, 205 non-electric sites, showers, flush toilets, dump station, launch ramp, camp store, pet camping, two Rent-A-RV units on full-service sites, two deluxe camper cabins, dock rentals, restaurant, marina, fishing, hunting, 7-mile trail, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe courts, playground equipment and a 1,500-foot sand beach.

Go next

Johnsons Island. The island is accessible by car from Marblehead. During the American Civil War Johnson's island was used as a POW camp. The cemetery is the only part of the island open to the public, and there is a $2 charge to use the causeway. Cedar Point Amusement Park is just across the bay from the eastern part of Marblehead. If possible, take a private boat to one of the marinas on the island and bypass all of the traffic. Kelleys Island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Marblehead. Huron Sandusky Port Clinton