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Upcoming Island Events
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Put-in-Bay Opens For Season 2021
April 2 - October 24 -
Put-in-Bay Bachelor-Bachelorette Weekend
April 2 - April 4 -
Put-in-Bay Pajama Party
April 17 -
Whiskey Light
April 17 @ 2:00 pm - 11:59 pm
Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rental Service
Be sure to reserve your Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rental in advance BOOK NOW!
VisitPutinBay.org recommends Put-in-Bay Golf Carts for all your rental needs! Wheels, where you want them —right in downtown Put-in-Bay across from the ferry dock. Put-in-Bay Golf Carts is the island’s largest golf cart rental agency with over 300 golf carts. Put-in-Bay Golf Carts is also Put-in-Bay’s only overnight golf cart rental service that offers the island’s newest rental fleet featuring the Club Car & EZ-GO brand carts. Golf carts are the island’s preferred method of transportation and are offered in 2, 4, 6.& 8 passenger configurations. Put-in-Bay Golf Carts offers only gas-powered carts that perform at the same speed all day long and do not slow down like electric golf carts. Golf Carts may be rented hourly, daily, or overnight for extended stays.
Important information you need to know about your Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals
VisitPutinBay.org recommends using Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals for getting around the island, with a little over a thousand golf carts for rent, and some days over 5000 people, reserving in advance is strongly recommended! Their golf carts are among the newest golf cart rentals on the island and are respected brand names such as EZ-GO and Club Car. Put-in-Bay golf carts are offered in several seating configurations that will seat 2,4,6 & 8 people.
Put-in-Bay golf carts are available to be rented by the hour or daily and are the island’s only overnight golf cart rental service. Golf carts are gasoline-powered and unlike other rental agencies who operate electric carts designed for a few rounds of golf a day, these golf carts run the same speed for days with no recharging inconvenience. Fuel is included in the Golf Cart Rental rates so no need to refuel!
Golf Carts are licensed motor vehicles and all traffic rules and laws apply to a golf cart the same as a car. This includes open container and driving under the influence.
You must possess a driver’s license to operate a Put-in-Bay Golf Cart. Children or unlicensed drivers are NOT permitted to operate the vehicle and are subject to citation and or arrest if seen doing so.
Overloading, or permitting more than the number of people your golf cart is rated for is prohibited. If you are observed with more than the number of people the golf cart is rated for, the driver may be cited and the golf cart confiscated.
Any attempt to tamper with the speed control device on your Put-in-Bay Golf Cart will result in a minimum fine of $50.00. Golf Carts are set to operate at approximately 18 miles per hour for a safe driving experience.
Strollers, luggage, and coolers are permitted on the golf carts as long as they do not interfere with the safe operation and seating of all occupants. Open containers of alcohol are not permitted on golf carts at any time anywhere.
Put-in-Bay, Ohio maps are available when you pick up your Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rental. Be sure to pay close attention to return times as closing hours vary by dates.
Put-in-Bay Rentals & Other Vehicles
Aside from golf carts, Put-in-Bay offers several other types of vehicles for rent including Bicycles, Mopeds, Scooters & the new FAT TIRE E-Bikes which can run up to 25 miles on a single charge. All of these can be found at Put-in-Bay Golf Carts main location. Put-in-Bay Rentals are a great way to see the island at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals
- All
- Attractions FAQs
- Camping FAQs
- Event FAQs
- Golf Cart FAQs
- Hotel & Resort FAQs
- House Rentals FAQs
- Put-in-Bay FAQs
- Restaurant FAQs
- Shopping Questions
A weekend visit to Put-in-Bay can get somewhat pricy if you come by yourself but that’s rarely the case! When divided amongst friends staying with you lodging is comparable to other vacation getaways in Ohio. Many lodging options offer discounts, packages, and deals mid-week. It’s best to call the Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau for the latest info at 888-742-7829 They often have information about last-minute cancellations and specials!
Of Course! Known as the bachelor and bachelorette party capital of the north coast, there is no place that packs more fun than Put-in-Bay Ohio to host your party! The key is booking your accommodations early as you want to make sure your group is IN TOWN and not stuck in rustic cabins that require a taxi in and out of town! For home type rentals the Put-in-Bay Villas are modern 4 & 5 bedroom homes located right in town! The island’s most popular hotel & swim-up bar the Put-in-Bay Resort is another favorite! Book early by calling the central reservation center at 888-742-7829
Yes! While summer weekends tend to be more of an adult crowd, Sunday thru Thursdays are packed with families, kids & corporate meeting groups. Put-in-Bay is an exciting Ohio Vacation option for an all-ages family getaway. There are some great things to do for kids on the island as well as some incredible sights and experiences from water activities to go-carts!
From November to March much of Put-in-Bay is closed. The ferries either stop running or run a very limited schedule. Lake Erie freezes over, and for the winter months, the island becomes a sleepy community of under 500 residents. Reservation arrivals begin for the year in early April, when fishermen and bachelor & Batchelorette parties flock to the island, from all around the country to take part in the walleye hatch.
Yes! During selected parts of April, September, and October you may be able to book a one night stay on weekends. All hotels require a 2 night (some are 3 night) stay on weekends. Sunday thru Thursdays, hotels will accept single night stays unless there is a special event. The hotels, resorts & home rentals located in the downtown area book p first, as everyone wants to be near the main strip. It is best to call the central reservation center at 888-742-7829 for the most current information.
The most popular hotel is the new Put-in-Bay Resort. The hotels in the downtown area sell out first as it is where the majority of people want to stay. For rental homes, the Put-in-Bay Villas located downtown are the most luxurious and all have either 4 or 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms and are the only modern rental homes on the island.
The Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau Maintains a list of package deals, discounts, and promotions for Put-in-Bay Hotels Here
Ranked by the Best Of The Bay Awards they are:
- The Boardwalk
- The Fish Shack
- Mossbacks
- The Boathouse Bar & Grill
- The Goat Soup & Whiskey
With so many options for food, there are even more options for types of entertainment. We suggest checking the Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau website where you will find the most comprehensive entertainment schedule for Put-in-Bay
Put-in-Bay Pizza Company and Lesters Taco Shop are the two most popular venues for late-night restaurant food at Put-in-Bay. Both Deliver and the Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau Website has phone numbers for both.
Put-in-Bay restaurants are privately owned and typically open and close at the start and end of the season. Topsy Turvey and Reel Bar are generally open all or part of the offseason. It is always best to call in in doubt. The Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau maintains a list of contact numbers on their website.
The Put-in-Bay schedule of events is kept pretty much up to date! Simply look for the dates you are planning your vacation for an overview of what is happening!
The most popular events at Put-in-Bay are the ones you have an interest in! Everyone has different tastes but by past event history here are some of the more popular events at Put-in-Bay
- Official Spring Fling Season Opener Party at Put-in-Bay Resort
- July 4th Fireworks and Concert in July
- Pirate Fest in June
- Historical Weekend in September
- Oktoberfest in October
- Fall Ball Customer Appreciation Party At the Put-in-Bay Resort
The best part about the Put-in-Bay experience is that there are no tickets, it is a completely free visit if you want it to be! Some attractions have fees, but visiting the island is FREE! The only expense you have is getting here!
Put-in-Bay Events are released late season the year prior. A complete list of things to do at Put-in-Bay is generally complete and finalized by February.
The easier question is what is there NOT to do! Put-in-Bay has everything from on-island to mid-air and even activities high above the ground! Zip across the water on a Put-in-Bay Jet Ski Rental, Travel to the top of the moment, or to the bottom of Perry’s cave. Fly high above the island with Put-in-Bay Parasail, Bi-Plane Rides, or helicopter rides.
The events themselves are generally free of charge. “Events” at Put-in-Bay generally are themes for a particular week or weekend. Enjoying the displays re-enactments, music and vendors displays generally cost nothing. Some events that feature food & beverage such as Oktoberfest may have a small fee associated with the event.
For the most part, all of the events published here are family-friendly. Some events that run later into the evening may begin family-friendly and move to a more adult crowd later in the evening. If you have a specific question it’s best to contact the Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau.
Golf Carts are treated as licensed motor vehicles on the Island. All traffic laws apply including open container laws as well as drinking and driving. Put-in-Bay Golf Carts rents to licensed drivers over the age of 18. For those under 18 but holding a valid license, a parent or guardian may rent a golf cart for your use. A safe way to treat golf carts laws is that generally speaking any law that applies to a motor vehicle applies to a golf cart. This includes parking, safe operation and driving rules.
You must be 18 years of age to rent a golf cart. A valid drivers license is required. If you are a licensed driver but under 18 a parent or guardian may rent a golf cart for you. Reservations are suggested and may be made here
Golf Carts are rented hourly, daily, and Put-in-Bay Golf Carts rents overnight. Rental rates are always less expensive when you book online as the rentals when you get off the ferry are often much more expensive. The Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau offers a $5 discount coupon on their website. Reservations for the lowest rates should be made here
Yes there are a few we have listed below. Many events in Put-in-Bay are held on weekends when most people have time off work to visit the island. Midweek is relaxed and permits more exploration of the island. However, there is always something to do. Some midweek events include:
- Nature Camp
- Art In The Park
- Wild Tuesdays
- Junior Sail Regatta
There are several websites (including this one) that offer great information about the island Ohio’s Put-in-Bay is an island directory and the Put-in-Bay Information site also has a wide variety of information. For Put-in-Bay Lodging Information the Put-in-Bay Hotels, Resorts & Home Rentals Site is a great place to start!
Yes, carts are full of fuel when you depart and the fuel usage is included in the rental rates. There is no need to refuel and golf carts will run for several days on a tank of fuel. It is best to book your golf cart in advance at Put-in-Bay Golf Carts to ensure availability.
All of the Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Company carts are gas-powered. There are a few electric carts on the island but they are not in high demand as they are battery powered, start slow and just get slower as the day goes on.
For the most part yes. A good rule of thumb is to stay on paved roads, out of parks or Federal Monument property, off docks, and pay close attention to signs indicating private roads or property.
Yes, Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals may be driven at night and are equipped with headlights, taillights & turn signals as a car is. Golf Carts should not be operated at any time by anyone who has been consuming alcohol.
Yes, you can, however, please remember that as a licensed motor vehicle, you may not have open containers of alcohol on a golf cart at any time. This includes while you are stationary or moving.
No. Golf carts on Put-in-Bay must be inspected by the Put-in-Bay Police Department, titled “island use only” and have license plates. This process is time-consuming and inspections and title services may not be available during peak times. There are fees associated with inspections, titling, and licensing the golf carts.
Yes! Quite a few and a wide variety from Antiques to Clothing and Put-in-Bay Branded memorabilia. Most shops are located in the downtown area near Put-in-Bay Resort Hotel. Stores to shop are open daily in season.
Yes, we have maps that are produced by the Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau and are available at the time you pick up your golf cart rental or you may download an island guide & map free by visiting the Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau
The island is about 4 miles long a 1.5 miles at its widest point. There are roads that basically circle the island. Without stopping at any of the attractions, you can circle the island in less than 1.5 hours.
No, we do not. There is no approved safe way to secure a child car seat in a golf cart to any DOT or Motor vehicle standards. You are welcome to bring your own but for liability reasons, we cannot provide them.
The History Of Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals
Nobody really knows for sure the date the first golf cart arrived at Put-in-Bay but circa 1971 Ralph & Joan Zickafoose began the first commercially ran Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals shop on the island. Their fleet consisted of about 18 Yamaha Golf Carts that were all white in color and had no frill such as roofs or lighting.
Located on a dirt lot in the center of Put-in-Bay they rented their carts from 10 AM to 6 PM daily along with a fleet of over 200 Schwinn bicycles. Those who visited Put-in-Bay might remember the old blue lean-to building that occupied the property where today’s Edgewater Hotel sits.
Shortly thereafter, the State Of Ohio Approved licensing of Golf Carts for “Island Use Only” at Put-in-Bay and Kellys Island also located in Lake Erie. At Put-in-Bay, several other companies began to operate including one at each of the Put-in-Bay Ferry docks. Many bought electric golf carts but soon learned that the electric golf cart was impractical for use as a transportation vehicle due to the batteries wearing down quickly.
Chan Stevens was one of the first to offer gas-powered golf carts for rent at his Bay Carts location in downtown Put-in-Bay and his son was the first to offer Moped Rentals at Put-in-Bay.
In 1996 Mark Mathys purchased the property from Ralph & Joan Zickafoose when they retired and relocated to Florida. The following year he began construction of the Edgewater Hotel which would be one of the first modern Put-in-Bay Hotels with private bathrooms on the mains strip of downtown.
Mathys kept the golf cart rental and expanded it to over 300 golf carts. Put-in-Bay Golf Carts was the first golf cart rental to pioneer overnight golf cart rental with modern gas powered golf carts that included seat belts, headlights, taillights, and modern safety features.
Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals Grow In Size
As the number of Put-in-Bay Rentals grew so did the size of golf carts. from 2 passenger carts came the addition of rear seats to many carts to increase seating to 4 people. Soon thereafter stretch carts seating 6 and 8 passengers began to appear at Put-in-Bay and were a perfect fit for families to enjoy. Windshields and even some enclosures became commonplace.
As the popularity of golf cart rentals grew, many Put-in-bay Residents soon were seen driving highly customized versions that featured modern stereo systems, custom paint, life kits, and fancy wheels. Today’s golf carts are quieter, smoother, and the safest they have ever been and are one of the most popular ways to see the Put-in-Bay Attractions at your own pace. Many communities have adopted Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rental procedures and policies to permit operation in other parts of Ohio and the United States.
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