Leaving Bucyrus at 8:00am, We will be taking the Jet Express from Port Clinton to Put-In-Bay. You can choose first-level seating or any of the other decks on the boat. Our private Tour Train and Guide will be waiting for us when we arrive right on the dock.
We will be able to identify our Tour Train Guide by their red or white shirts with the Tour Train Logo on them. Once we are settled on the Tour Train, our Guide will take us on the first half of our narrated island tour. You will have an opportunity for a photo opportunity at the South Bass Island Lighthouse or Perry’s International Peace Memorial Visitor Center. Our Guide will point out lots of interesting sites on the island and you will hear of the rich island history of the early settlers of Put-in-Bay and their agriculture, as well as the importance of the island during the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie. You will learn about the booming tourism industry on the island in the 19th century, not unlike today’s busy season.
Now it is time to stop at our first attraction, Butterfly House and Antique Car Museum. Our Guide will take us to the door of the Butterfly House and escort us in. There, you will be able to walk among the lush foliage and hundreds of butterflies from Malaysia and Costa Rica.
After your tour, you can take some time to shop in the Gift Shop and explore their vast selection of everything from candles to specialty food items, jewelry to garden items, and many fun, entertaining and educational toys. The Gift Shop also sells, Fenton Glass, Belleek Irish Gift ware and other collectibles.
Then stroll over to the Antique Car Museum for a trip down Memory Lane. Put-in-Bay has the highest per capita number of antique cars in the world, and many of them are on display in the Car Barn. Be sure to look for the island’s oldest vehicle: a 1915 Model T Speedster.
By now, you're probably getting hungry, so our Guide will take us to Tipper's Buffet, our Guide will escort us into the restaurant and will tell you when and where they will pick your group up. Usually, we allow two hours for lunch and shopping.
Once back on the Tour Train, our Guide will continue the secy is the oldest family owned/operated winery in the State of Ohio. It was established in 1888. On the tour, yoond half of the Tour with more history of the island. It is now time for our second attraction to tour Heineman Winery and Crystal Cave. The Crystal Cave is famous for being the world’s largest geode and Heineman Winery will learn how grapes are harvested, pressed and bottled. At the end of the tour, each member of the group will receive a token for one sample of wine or grape juice. Take time to enjoy your sample inside the winery tasting room or in the lovely outdoor garden.
We will then visit Perry’s Monument Visitors Center, the train will take us there. Once inside the Visitors Center, you can find a wealth of information on the Battle of Lake Erie, the War of 1812, and the construction of Perry’s International Peace Memorial. Videos and replicas of battleships and flags from the war illustrate the dedication of the monument to the peace between Great Britain, Canada and the United States.
Our island day is almost over. Our Guide will take us back to Jet Express Jet Dock.
Plan to be home on Island time.... when we get there. lol