20 Beach Towns Within Driving Distance of Cincinnati to Visit this Summer

Put-in-Bay, Ohio

Distance: 4 hours
Less than a five-hour drive from Cincinnati, Put-in-Bay offers an island getaway experience. You’ll have to take a ferry to reach the island, but once you're there, the recreational opportunities are boundless — explore a cave, go parasailing or jet skiing and tour the island by helicopter or train. While Put-in-Bay offers an extensive list of attractions, one of the most popular has to be Perry’s International Peace Memorial, an observation deck where you can see the Detroit, Toledo and Cleveland skylines from an observation deck.

Geneva, Ohio

Distance: 4 hours
Established in 1869 as a public picnic grounds, Geneva-on-the-Lake has been a recreational destination for generations of Ohians. Today you can enjoy fishing, boating and swimming at the nearby Geneva State Park, shoot a round at one of the in-town golf courses and explore a selection of arcades, restaurants, nightclubs and wineries. If traveling with kids, be sure to visit Adventure Zone, a family fun center featuring a zipline, go karts, bumper boats, mini-golf, batting cages and more.

Huron, Ohio

Distance: 4 hours
Situated on the south shore of Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo, Huron is the ideal place for a weekend getaway on the water. The beach town boasts beautiful parks with scenic views of Lake Erie, plus public beach access. Additional attractions include the Huron Lighthouse (maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard), a mile long fishing pier and an amphitheater hosting weekly events that overlook the municipal marina.

Kellyes Island

Distance: 4.5 hours
Take a ferry to the largest freshwater American island in Lake Erie. Once there, swim at a sandy beach, rent a bike or kayak, go on a wine tasting, go scuba diving and fish from various piers or boats. Be sure to check out the Glacial Grooves State Memorial — the largest and most breathtaking example of glacial grooves in the world.

Marblehead, Ohio

Distance: 4 hours
Sitting on the tip of Marblehead peninsula, dividing Lake Erie from Sandusky Bay, and 20 miles from Cedar Point amusement park is the small village of Marblehead. This quaint lakefront hamlet is in a region known as "vacationland" for its sport fishing and boating community during the summer months. Marblehead also has a functioning lighthouse that has been in operation since 1822.

Sandusky, Ohio

Distance: 4.5 hours
Sitting on Sandusky Bay, this large beach town occupies 26 miles of Lake Erie’s shoreline. After exploring the popular amusement park Cedar Point, visitors can relax on the mile-long Cedar Point Beach, set sail from the marina or hang out at one of the many parks and piers scattered across the city.

Oregon, Ohio

Distance: 3 hours
Just east of Toledo, this beach town claims one mile of shoreline on Lake Erie. Visitors can swim on the sandy beaches of Maumee Bay State Park, bike along the “Oregon Trail” or relax at one of three regional parks.

St. Marys, Ohio

Distance: 2 hours
Located in Western Ohio, St. Marys is an unlikely beach town. Grand Lake St. Marys alongside the town was once a man-made reservoir designed to supply water for the Miami and Erie Canal, but it has since become an Ohio State Park and recreational area. The park offers a grand total of four public swimming beaches, along with five public launch ramps. In town, you can find a mini-golf course, swimming pools, splash pads and a variety of antique and specialty shops.

Port Clinton, Ohio

Distance: 3.5 hours
Commonly referred to as the “Walleye Capital of the World,” Port Clinton upholds its namesake with several marinas and fishing charters dispersed throughout the town. With plenty of quaint restaurants and shops in the downtown area, along with a lighthouse, unique parks, a nature preserve and a sandy beach, this good ol’ fishing town has something to offer everyone who visits.

Vermillion, Ohio

Distance: 3 hours
Bordering both Lake Erie and the scenic Vermillion River, Vermillion is a quintessential beach town. The historic downtown features a plethora of waterfront restaurants, marinas and old-timey storefronts, giving the town a vintage feel. A sidewalk connects downtown to Main Street Beach, where you can see the historic Vermillion Lighthouse and watch the sunset from the beach's observation platform.

Waynesville, Ohio

Distance: 45 mins
This small town in Southwest Ohio lays claim to Caesar Creek State Park, including its 1,300-foot public beach and fully stocked marina. A walk around town will charm you with dozens of independently owned and operated antique stores, home-style restaurants and specialty shops.

Maysville, Kentucky

Distance: 1 hour
Step back in time in Maysville, Kentucky, a small town located along the Ohio River. Celebrate the arts in many different ways in this quaint historic town by enjoying a show at the famed 1889 Washington Opera House. You can head over to the Russell Theater and enjoy an Art Deco experience in a place that once hosted a red carpet event for Rosemary Clooney (whose hometown is Maysville) at the opening of The Stars are Singing. For some history, walk around and discover Underground Railroad sites, or do a tour and tasting at the Old Pogue bourbon distillery, open since 1876.

Fairport Harbor

Distance: 4 hours
Off the shores of Lake Erie, this charming harbor town boasts one of the most beautiful public beaches in the state. Visit the historic Marine Museum and Lighthouse, grab lunch at one of the many beachside restaurants and explore the quaint shops before heading out on the water. With boating ramps, a fishing pier, several marinas, plenty of public swimming area and canoe/kayak access, Fairport Harbour offers endless opportunities for recreation.

Madison, Indiana

Distance: 1 hour
Madison, Indiana sits along the Ohio River and is known for being the country's largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District. There are tons of tours offered throughout the town: take a tour on a carriage, a walking tour through downtown, even a ghost tour of some particularly spooky spots. Celebrate the arts at any of the music venues in Madison or head over to the arts and culture district. Grab a beer at one of the many breweries and relax by the river.

Brookville, Indiana

Distance: 1 hour
This small town has lakefront park only an hour from downtown Cincinnati that offers camping, hiking and boating in addition to a beach that you can kick back and relax on. Brookville also has a fair share of shops, street festivals and historic sites in its downtown area.

Craig Beach Village, Ohio

Distance: 4 hours
Craig Beach Village sits on the shore of Lake Milton in between Youngstown and Akron. It is home to the sandy Lake Milton Beach, and features a boat club, boat ramp and two golf courses. Moreover, it is only a five-minute drive from Lake Milton State Park, where visitors can spend a weekend boating, fishing, hunting, hiking and swimming.

Bay Village, Ohio

Distance: 4 hours
This beach town spans five miles along Lake Erie's wooded southern shore. Bay Village is famous for the Huntington Beach and Reservation, a 103-acre park on Lake Erie that offers fishing, swimming, boating, sailing and paddlesports, along with picnic areas and trails for hiking and biking.

Logan, Ohio

Distance: 2.5 hours
Hocking Hills State Park, located in Logan, has five different sections within the 9,000+ acres of land to explore. Millions of guests embrace the forest year-round by hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and camping on one of the 200 campsites in the area. The Hocking County Lake is a massive draw for fishermen, it also features a public boat launch, beach and picnic areas.

Mentor, Ohio

Distance: 4 hours
Perched off the shores of Lake Erie, Mentor-on-the-Lake contains four parks within its small lakeside community, two of which sit directly overlooking the lake. It is only a short drive from Headlands Beach State Park, the longest natural beach in Ohio.

Russells Point, Ohio

Distance: 2 hours
This Northwest Ohio waterfront town is situated on Indian Lake. It offers a marina, camping resort, yacht club, a roller rink and access to the Indian Lake State Park beaches.