The Jet Express runs hourly during the summer from the Jackson Street Pier in downtown Sandusky to Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island — the most popular of the Lake Erie Islands and a famously rowdy summer resort. The crossing takes about 25 minutes and the boat doubles as a city bus for islanders.
Put-in-Bay itself is a small village built around a busy waterfront strip of bars and restaurants. The 352-foot Perry's Victory Memorial column commemorates the 1813 naval Battle of Lake Erie; the observation deck has a clear view across to Canada. A day-trip even if you only have one day in Sandusky.