10 Things to Do in Oak Harbor That You Shouldn't Miss

February 12, 2018 Randal Brittian

Oak Harbor is a village in Ottawa County, Ohio, United States. Oak Harbor is 30 miles east of Downtown Toledo. The population was 2,759 at the 2010 census. It lies a short distance southwest of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, one of two nuclear power plants in Ohio.
Restaurants in Oak Harbor

1. Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums

1337 Hayes Ave, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, OH 43420-2701 +1 419-332-2081
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 255 reviews

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is dedicated to 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes. The site houses their 25-acre wooded estate, known as Spiegel Grove; their 31-room Victorian mansion; the presidential library; a museum that was completely renovated in 2016; the tomb; and a mile of paved walking trails. There are fees to tour the museum and the home. Use of the presidential library, which has a massive genealogy and local history collections, is free. The first floor and and part of the second floor were restored in 2012 to look as it did when Rutherford and Lucy lived there. Nearly all of the furniture, paintings and artifacts in the home belonged to and were used by the couple and their family. The museum was renovated in early 2016 and includes interactive exhibits that tell the story of Rutherford and Lucy, the issues they faced and what they thought about those issues. Sit at a replica of the Resolute Desk - the original was given to President Hayes and still sits in the Oval Office of the White House - try on a Civil War soldier's haversack and more. The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is America's first presidential library and the forerunner for the federal presidential library system. The facility is celebrating its centennial in 2016. The site is open seven days a week most of the year. From January through March, it is closed on Mondays. It is also closed on Christmas, New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter and Thanksgiving. Hours on federal holidays are noon to 5 p.m.

Reviewed By Amusementparkguy - Pataskala, Ohio

This was my first time to visit the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. I was more than impressed. There are many things to see. The guides through the house are very knowledgeable. The house itself is stunning. The museum has many artifacts about President Hayes and his family. The grounds are beautiful. There is lots of historical facts and piece on the grounds. It is a definite must-do experience.

2. Schedel Gardens and Arboretum

19255 W Portage River South Rd, Elmore, OH 43416-9743 +1 419-862-3182
Excellent
76%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 40 reviews

Schedel Gardens and Arboretum

Reviewed By kazoo987 - Toledo, Ohio

This arboretum is breathtaking. The variety of trees,annuals, perennials,bonsai,ornamental vegetables and kitchen gardens are amazing. You can walk the grounds at your leisure of just sit and enjoy the views. Allow about 2 hours to enjoy all of the sights. The swans in the lake are a nice addition to the location. A great place for a wedding or outdoor event.

3. Liberty Aviation Museum

3515 E State Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452-2618 +1 419-732-0234
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 185 reviews

Liberty Aviation Museum

The Liberty Aviation Museum is a newer "working" museum that opened in July of 2012 at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport (PCW Carl Keller Field) in Port Clinton, Ohio. Our museum consists of our B-25 Mitchell, WWII bomber "Georgie's Gal" built in 1945, recently restored by Aero Trader out of Chino, CA. Ground vehicles include a 1941 Dodge ambulance, 2 Jeeps, German 37mm AA gun, German Horch Truck, German Field Kitchen, German Kubel, 3 BMW Motorcycles, Tiger Tank Replica, Hetzer Tank Replica, Panther Tank Replica (currently undergoing restoration away from the museum), & 2 WWII PT boats under current restoration (The PT-728 Thomcat is currently on display while restoration work is being completed in the museum's new hangar expansion. The sister boat, the PT-724 is currently on display outside by the museum's second hangar. The PT-728 Thomcat will be available for boat experiences when restoration is completed. We have many items that are on rotating display that may not always been on display throughout the year during your visit. Please contact us if you are interested in viewing a specific item. On permanent display within our galleries is the WWII service uniform of actor Clark Gable. The museum also has 3 screen worn uniforms from the actors who played Col. Klink, Col. Hogan, & Sgt. Schultz from the TV show Hogan's Heroes. Also, throughout the year we have many events such as big band hangar dances, Ford Tri-Motor rides, WWII era B-25, B-17, C-47, & AT-6 aircraft rides, Waco Biplane rides, concerts, books signings, car shows, and more. Please visit our website for more information!

Reviewed By Bigo1952 - Findlay, Ohio

Did not know this museum existed. I thought it was very nice with some interesting aircraft and military equipment. Had a lot of neat items. Still expanding so it will be very good soon.

4. Sea Breeze Charters

9055 W State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449-9325
Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 88 reviews

Sea Breeze Charters

Reviewed By h w - Carmel, Indiana

Captain John provided a wonderful experience for the 5 of us! We had a great time thanks to Capt. John and caught some great walleye! Jim

5. Metzger's Marsh Wildlife Area

12235 Bono Rd, 13 miles East of Toledo, off of State Route 2, Curtice, OH 43412-9437
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Metzger's Marsh Wildlife Area

Reviewed By FromSea2ShiningC - Mansfield, Ohio

We lived in Toledo for a couple of years, and were looking for a good fishing spot. Someone told us about Metzger's Marsh, and just like the fish we caught, we were hooked! It's a little bit of a drive from Toledo, but well worth it! It's right off of State Route 2, and is a good way to see Lake Erie (especially if starting from the Eastern side of the state/Cleveland driving West towards Toledo on SR2.) My 2 favorite things about this place is the fishing pier, and the wildlife. Besides one time in the Winter when we visited and it looked like the Arctic (a MUST SEE at some point in your life!!!,) we've always viewed plenty of wildlife, especially birds. We took our dog on a leash on the pier and he loved it! Some people had camping chairs that were fishing off of the pier, and others sat on the edge with their feet dangling over. It would not be safe for little kids, as there is no railing. You would have to carefully watch them/hold their hand if walking out to the end of the pier. People have always been friendly here, and it's always fun to ask the fisherman if they've caught anything today. One of the fishermen said he had caught catfish, sheep heads, and sunfish. He did say a guy had caught a huge bass earlier in the day. Another fisherman said he sometimes catches walleye right off of the pier. There's a boat ramp area and channel that the boats can go out into Lake Erie. They go in/out right by the pier. There's also a walking path to the left side of the pier where you can go down to the water and explore. There are muskrat huts throughout the marsh. We saw cranes, red winged black birds, white swans, Canadian geese, and much more. There is a camping area close to the water. There is a yacht club nearby as well. It's a neat place that you will love if you like fishing and/or nature.

6. Packer Creek Pottery

103 E 8th St, Genoa, OH 43430-1627 +1 419-855-3858
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 2 reviews

Packer Creek Pottery

Reviewed By Linda T - Powell, Ohio, United States

Packer Creek Pottery in Genoa, Ohio is an amazing shop selling hand crafted (In Ohio) pottery...plates, bowls, mugs, serving dishes, trivets, etc. ALL the patterns are so colorful and beautiful, and the selection is fantastic. Keep in mind, this pottery is high quality and hand painted by local artisans. The prices reflect the amount of talent and effort put into each piece.

7. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

14000 W State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449-9485 +1 419-898-0014
Excellent
60%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

This 8,000-acre refuge is home to hawks and other wetland birds.

Reviewed By bill0925 - Westland

We visited the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. Visitor center is open until 4. Friendly helpful staff inside. We drove the 7 mile route and saw: 2 eagles, 3 rabbits, a boat load of geese, a few swans and an assortment of ducks, song birds, etc. pretty windy that day so I think that reduced the number of eagles.

8. The Jet Express

3 Monroe St, Port Clinton, OH 43452-1008 +1 800-245-1538
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 214 reviews

The Jet Express

Traveling at speeds up to 40 mph, the Jet Express Ferry whisk you away on a quick 12 ½ mile, 25 minute voyage from Port Clinton, Ohio to downtown Put-in-Bay, Ohio or on a 17 mile, 45 minute voyage from Sandusky, Ohio to downtown Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island, Ohio. Best of all, your scenic Lake Erie voyage features friendly, knowledgable crew and an opportunity to view all 12 U.S. islands and numerous Canadian islands. Stylishly appointed passenger lounges, featuring cushioned seats and carpeted decks provide for MAXIMUM passenger comfort! While, thrilling open-air seating is available providing for MAXIMUM passenger excitement! First level indoor seating (no stairs to climb) is available and handicap accessible. The Jet Express is designed with passenger comfort and convenience as a top priority! • Lowest fares per mile • Kids 5 & under ride FREE! Exclusive late-night service ensure that you won’t miss any of the island excitement.

Reviewed By MimiAdvise - Bethesda, Maryland

The jet express is a simple way to travel to desirable destinations and island hopping. There is ample parking, simple ticket purchasing and convenient schedules and departure locations. The ticketing & boarding stations, the vessels, the departure and drop off locations are all clean, convenient, and easily accessible. Ride itself is scenic and enjoyable!

9. Wine Flight

332 Rice St, Elmore, OH 43416-9422 +1 419-862-9086
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 3 reviews

Wine Flight

We are your final destination for wine and craft beer. Wine Flight brings the best of both worlds together by offering a bar and a retail shop. We are inspired by aviation and we want to make you feel comfortable during your flight with us. We offer quality, unique, wine and craft beer at affordable prices. We’ve made the wine and craft beer buying experience fun, simple, and interactive. Looking for the perfect gift or bottle of wine? Our friendly and trained staff will help you find the perfect wine or craft beer for your occasion, food pairing, and preference.

Reviewed By findwine - Herndon, Virginia

Recently opened wine (and craft beer) tasting store in downtown Elmore. The store is nicely decorated and great configuration. Plenty of signs to assist with wine purchasing. Excellent wines at great prices. They are boutique wines, so prepare yourself for not recognizing them, but you'll be happy to get to try them. The owners have put considerable time and expense to get this place correct from the start. They even have around 9 craft beers on tap and many others to purchase. Nice bar area, different tables and chair layouts, and a great outdoors area with table, chairs, umbrellas, and a long gas firepit. They have several nice appetizer menu type items. Staff all very helpful and friendly. Bathrooms are large and well decorated - as in - they are not just your average bathroom. MANY wines. They have wine flights and glasses too. Try the wine or beer (for free) prior to purchasing. I loved the "Flight" theme. Everything is new and smells (and is) clean. The owners (Rebecca and Tony) certainly take pride. I hope this place prospers for a long time. Went there twice in two days and brought people. They loved it as well. They even have craft sodas (but remember this is Elmore, so it's "pop").

10. Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

13531 W. Sr 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449-9480 +1 419-898-0960
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

Magee Marsh Wildlife Area

Raptors stop by in early spring, while late spring brings the arrival of songbirds.

Reviewed By travelerdebBaltimore - Baltimore

Very exciting for all levels of bird watching or nature enthusiasts. You could spend weeks in this area soaking it all up. Never know exactly what you will find as results are effected by weather. The initial "store/visitors center" at the entrance will answer questions and has a few things for sale-books t-shirts, hats and cold drinks. There is a bunch of feeders in the back which are fun to watch. While inside the store you can walk to the back of the store and see the birds too. Continuing down the road a few miles, is the big visitor center. It has flush bathrooms, bird displays, brochures, t-shirts, etc. There is a nice walking path near it and a small pond. The boardwalk is another few miles in. It has a lot of shade and some open areas, long with an observation tower. You can easily spend days meandering. There are lots of people who are more than willing to assist with questions. We purposely did not go during the biggest week due to the crowds. We went the week after and the crowds weren't bad. Occasional bottlenecks. Bring food and drinks, nothing around area. Several bald eagles nests with young. Free activity.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.