Fun things to do near Cedar Point?

[Our 2 Princesses]

We are going to be camping near Cedar Point for a couple days next month and going to the park just one day. We have 2 dds 11 and 7 and were wondering what other fun things we could do while we are there. Also, is there an outlet mall anywhere close? Thanks!!!

 

[garada3]

We are from that area - I spent summers during college working at Cedar Point. In fact it is where I met DH

It is my favorite amusement park while WDW is my favorite theme park!

I know that when we travel we like to check out local eating establishments rather than chain stuff so I thought I'd share our favorites for pizza and ice cream, just don't try to have both at the same meal. We return to northern Ohio at least once a year and both are on our must do list!

For pizza:

Chet and Matt's
1013 E Strub Rd
Sandusky Ohio 44870

A great local piiza joint decorated with signs, equipment and uniforms of local and Ohio teams. The best thin crust pizza! The specialty pizzas are wonderful our fav is chicken alfredo but the traditional varieties are great too. We especially love the lunch buffet and the opportunity to try many styles, all you can eat for a decent price. Call for specifics:
(419) 626-6000

For ice cream:

Tofts
You will see this brand at other locations, but please go to the Venice Road location. We always order small waffle cones and it truly is hard to finish the entire thing! I always ask for 2 flavors in the cone, last time is was coconut cream pie and caveman chocolate

Toft Dairy Ice Cream Parlor - Sandusky

Some people drive by the Toft Dairy on Venice Road and assume it is just a manufacturing facility. Residents living in the area or regular vacationers who spend summer weekends on this part of Lake Erie only make this mistake once. The Ice Cream Parlor located here is not a closely guarded secret. In the summer, over 3500 people may visit in one day. Toft's ice cream is available throughout the region but the company parlor is a favorite destination for it's famous gigantic scoops. Maybe the proximity to the Tofts ice cream supply makes the scoopers less fearful of running out. Toft's makes sixty eight flavors and fifty one are available here for dipping at any one time. The company had the foresight to place wooden school chairs with desk arms in the back, so customers can sit and study their choices before they make a big decision.
3717 Venice Rd. - Route #6
Sandusky, OH
419/625-5490

Open everyday 8 a.m to 11 p.m. (summers) (9 a.m./ 10 p.m. off season)

What sort of activities are you looking for?

As far as outlet shopping, I don't think there is anything real great nearby. There used to be one near Rt 250 and the Ohio Turnpike (20 years ago). Not sure if it is still there. My relatives in the area go to Birch Run in Michigan for an outlet day!

Go Buckeyes!

 

[candeeapril]

there are also day trips to the Lake Erie Islands...or Cedar Points water park(Soak City)..no outlet malls but we have some decent stores in the area plus almost every restuarant you can think of...we have passes and are actually going up there today(only 20 min drive)... have fun and enjoy the rest of your day at America's Rocking Roller Coast

 

[Stucas]

theres also http://www.africansafariwildlifepark.com/ . Its a drive through Safari and theres also a walk through part. I haven't been there yet but it says its only 17 miles from Cedar Point (its in port clinton) but my mom and I are making a trip out there from Jersey in August. My sister is doing an internship with the zoo this summer.


-Lauren

 

[DreaGirl]

theres also http://www.africansafariwildlifepark.com/ . Its a drive through Safari and theres also a walk through part.

-Lauren

This is what I was going to suggest. It is a fun afternoon.

 

[Chelley00]

We love taking the ferry out to the island. Also, there are quite a few wineries in the area that offer tasting, music etc.

 

[HayGan]

For pizza:

Chet and Matt's
1013 E Strub Rd
Sandusky Ohio 44870

A great local piiza joint decorated with signs, equipment and uniforms of local and Ohio teams. The best thin crust pizza! The specialty pizzas are wonderful our fav is chicken alfredo but the traditional varieties are great too. We especially love the lunch buffet and the opportunity to try many styles, all you can eat for a decent price. Call for specifics:
(419) 626-6000

We must have hit this place on a bad day because it was some of the worst pizza any of us had ever had! My DH (who will eat about anything) thought it was terrible. My kids each took about 2 bites and wouldn't eat any more. You could tell that it was a very popular place but none of us could understand why

Cedar Point is also our favorite amusement park. It is a blast! You and your family will have lots of fun!

 

[cleverclovers]

Only one day at Cedar Point? Wow! If you're a coaster lover you might want to invest in a second day. Yeas I know tickets are pricey, but it's well worth it because of the lines.

(I live less than 20 miles from CP by the way).

Other places? Kalihari indoor water park on 250?

DON'T miss Toft's ice cream. But DO bring a BIG appetite.

The mall on 250 isn't anything spectacular. Needs updating. A strip mall is developing down the road on 250. Has a Sam's club, Kohls, etc.

Sandusky has a merry-go-round museum in its' downtown area. Never been there but told it's nice.

If the weather turns bad (it IS northern Ohio after all) there are two movie complexes. One behind the mall and one near WalMart - both on Rt. 250.

Hope this helps. HAVE FUN!

 

[rkwells]

I am also planning a trip to Cedar Point in August. Right now I am trying to find an interesting place to stay. This is a 7 hour drive so I am thinking 3 to 4 nights and would like to enjoy some of the natural beauty along lake Erie. The official CP Hotels are not for me. Last year we went to Northern Wisconsin and stayed at an AmericInn in Ashland that was right on Lake Superior. It was a decently priced, clean, family oriented with a small indoor waterpark and to top it off also included a pretty decent continental breakfast. Oh, and did I mention the breathtaking view? We really enjoyed it. Does anyone have any similar suggestions within say 20-25 minutes driving distance to CP?? Thanks!

 

[candeeapril]

there are 3 indoor water parks in the area..Great Wolf Lodge(no great outdoor scenery but nice hotel), kalahari (also no great view but very nice), Castaway Bay(owned by Cedar Point and in on the Bay) all have websites so check them out...as for hotels w/ great view the Cedar POint ones are actually very scenic. have fun maybe we'll see you there

 

[GoofyMomInOhio]

I grew up near Cedar Point and worked there for 6 years. We love Toft's and Chet & Matt's Pizza (the buffet and different varieties of pizza are awesome). I'd like to suggest the Marblehead/Lakeside area. Marblehead has a nice lighthouse where you can see Cedar Point right across the water. There are ferry docks in Marblehead that go to the islands. Lakeside was recently featured in Family Fun magazine and is fun to visit. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[GlennandAnn]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but can someone recommend somewhere in Sandusky to go out to dinner? We were at Cedar Point last year, and the restaurants in the hotel just weren't what we were looking for. We'd like to go out for dinner our first night there. It doesn't have to be super nice, but we're not looking for pizza. Italian, maybe a family type restaurant?

TIA, Ann

 

[cleverclovers]

It's on Rt. 250 near the mall. But I suggest you call for reservations. It's usually a busy place.

 

[cgcw]

We'll be at Cedar Point next week with about 20 friends. There are some great ideas in here so I just wanted to say thanks.

 

[Nascia]

These suggestions are great. We'll be there the 2nd week of August. Not to hijack but we can't decide between GWL or Kalahari. Is one better (cleaner, bigger, service) than the other? Our group of 6 will have mostly older kids/ teens. Is the waterpark included with the reservation or is it extra? Thanks.

 

[firsttimedisn]

I've only been to Great Wolf Lodge with a toddler but from what I read, Great Wolf Lodge is better for little ones and Kalahari is supposed to be a bit better for older kids/teens. From everything I saw while we were researching, Great Wolf Lodge had much better deals so that might sway you as well.

As for local restaurants, I would strongly recommend Phil's Inn in Port Clinton. It's not huge and not much to look at. Kind of between a couple of hotels and easy to mix, but GREAT spaghetti & meatballs. They make their own sauce and it's a sweeter spaghetti sauce. You won't leave hungry!

 

[candeeapril]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but can someone recommend somewhere in Sandusky to go out to dinner? We were at Cedar Point last year, and the restaurants in the hotel just weren't what we were looking for. We'd like to go out for dinner our first night there. It doesn't have to be super nice, but we're not looking for pizza. Italian, maybe a family type restaurant?

TIA, Ann

IMO skip Olive Garden and go to Danny Boys it'sa family owned Italian restuarant and their subs are awesome...I haven't had a bad dish yet.. Ohh I'm hungary...maybe that's what we'll have for dinner

 

[candeeapril]

These suggestions are great. We'll be there the 2nd week of August. Not to hijack but we can't decide between GWL or Kalahari. Is one better (cleaner, bigger, service) than the other? Our group of 6 will have mostly older kids/ teens. Is the waterpark included with the reservation or is it extra? Thanks.

Both are themed very nice and rooms are clean and beautiful...My kids are 4 and 6 when we went to Kalahari there were hieght restrictions on some of the slides and my kids couldn't do as much, however in the summer they have a huge outdoor area too....it's great for older kids and bid kids like me IMO I think Kalahari has more things to do..indoor putt-putt, decorate your own pottery, huge arcade. Yes waterpark is included in reservation. You can actually check in early even if room isn't ready and use water park.. also after check out you can use water park until 10:00pm that night. My suggestion is to pack a seperate water park bag so you can have that ready to use. have a great time

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Taking a boat out to some of the local islands would be my suggestion. I spent my summers exploring the north coast of Ohio, and it's lovely (don't suppose there are any Pat Dailey fans on the Dis?).

Put-in-Bay is a lot of fun. There's putt-putt and parks and caves and wineries and the world's largest geode. It's also got a good night life for those not traveling with kids. I'd recommend it to just about anyone.

Kelly's Island is not quite as fun, but it has some okay restaurants, a couple wineries, and the "glacial grooves"...which are not quite as interesting as they may sound.

 

[Leader of the Club]

theres also http://www.africansafariwildlifepark.com/ . Its a drive through Safari and theres also a walk through part. I haven't been there yet but it says its only 17 miles from Cedar Point (its in port clinton) but my mom and I are making a trip out there from Jersey in August. My sister is doing an internship with the zoo this summer.


-Lauren

OH! Oh! Do not miss this place! We just loved it. We have been there twice. My advice would be to go early in the day, near opening time so that the animals are HUNGRY! HeeHeeHee!