off topic -- cedar point

[disneynewbeemom]

We are headed to Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio for five days in June. Has anyone ever taken the ferry to Put in Bay Island? Are there things to do there for a 7 and 9 year old boy?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

First of all, I wouldn't venture over on a weekend. The place can get pretty wild.

We looked into it last summer but decided against it because my kids, 4 and 9 at the time thought they might be bored.

There is a butterfly farm a winery and park, plus you can rent golfcarts and bikes.

Go under www.put-n-bay.com and it will give you lots of info.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

Hi-
I would make that an adult on excursion. We used to go a couple times a year as my parents have a summer home on Lake Erie and it was a nice long weekend trip. Since having kids we have not gone, it is alot of partying all the time especially that time of year. In Port Clinton they have a African Safari place and then if you head over to Marblehead, they have some sort of dino park, but I have never been as I have a very girly DD5, that wouldn't be interested. Cedar Point has a lot of things to do and if you like to fish, they have family friendly charters in Port Clinton, that cater to little ones too.

 

[Tam1067]

We went there last Memorial Day weekend. We were there during the day and left before dinner.

The town is full of bars and drunk people. Many of the shops sell R rated t-shirts and sexually explicit items. Even the candy store/ice cream shop had some edible underwear one of my kids pointed out to me. I did not feel unsafe on the island, but I also did not feel it's a child friendly town.

We had lunch at a pizza place downtown. It was fine, and they had a kids' menu. However, most of the spots in town are bars, so dining options which do not revolve around alcohol are fairly limited.

There is a national historical site for the memorial there (Perry's Monument I think it's called) but my kids were not interested in the War of 1812, so that held no interest for them. You can go to the top of that tower and see the lake and surrounding area, but we did not do that.

You can rent a golf cart. My kids liked riding around on that.

We also went to a cave which is not in the town--it's closer to the ferry dock. The owners of the cave have lots of activities for kids including "mining" for gems, buying a geode and having it cut open to reveal the insides, a maze, and a butterfly house. This area of the island is actually nice for the kids and can keep you occupied for two or three hours if you do everything. You will not see the massive alcohol consumption that's on the other side near the town. The owner was also very, very nice to my kids. It seems he has attempted to create a child friendly place in the midst of the debauchery on the other side of the island.

Another cave exists at a winery just across the road from the place I described above (sorry I can't remember names!). We toured that cave, too, (it's actually a huge geode) but we skipped the winery because the kids were with us.

If you do go, go early, go to the cave, drive around if you wish, and then get out of there before the evening. On the return ferry, you will see people going the other way, all getting ready to party.

And be mindful that many of the golf cart renters are also drunk. One of the women in the cart in front of us threw up while we were driving back to the ferry. She apologized to us when we caught up to her... but that gives you an idea of the place.

 

[deva]

I agree with PP's - Put-in-Bay is not really for kids. As others mentioned, not really much for kids to do and very much the party place in the summer.

 

[geishagirl81]

I live 45 minutes away from the area and go all of the time. Put-in-Bay is beautiful, and relaxing. The night-time can get pretty crazy, but you won't be out with kids anyways. Rent a golf cart and tour the Island, we did that with my son last year. Eat lunch outside on the marina. Shop the boutiques. Give the kids a ride on the carasoul (sp?) with beautiful antique horses. Step into a huge geode/mini cave. Just relax. I love Put-In-Bay. Take Kelly's Ferry. Cheaper and a better ride, more relaxed. Get the overall theme for the day, he-he. The Perry monument I think may be closed right now. Honestly, if you go on a weekday, you won't encounter too many partiers. And also the drunks also board the Jet Express Ferry, so another reason to avoid it.

Sandusky also has awesome h20 park hotels. I've done them all and Kalahari is the very best. So much fun.

 

[Princess Pudding Pop]

I would suggest taking the ferry to Kellys Island rent a golf cart early in the morning 10am not sure when they sell out but in the summer it could be quick. Its very laid back just drive around for the hours you rent the cart.

We went with 4 little girls & 4 adults and rode around all day, went to the beach collected shells, the huge quarry we used to swim in the 80's now off limits - a little hike to get to but its huge, go see the glacier grooves, bought squirt guns and filled them up at bathrooms restaurants and had a blast, singing songs loudly. Wave to each person we passed everyone was so nice.
Probably the best fun we ever had together. If someones hat or sunglasses blew off and we stopped to let that person go get it as soon as they got off and walked a few steps my one cousin would take off, then backed up to let whomever on. This went on all day. We were peeing our pants over that.

Here is a glacier groove's while i'm at it

At Put in Bay I would worry about the drunks on the roads, my DH was t-boned near downtown and the car he was in was totaled out, hit by a drunkdriver. Its a party island for sure, think mardi gras I cant even recall how many people were flashing there goodies in the bars eww.

We've also taken our nephew who was 7 at the time. Went to a cave, perry's monument, drove around, i think they have a area to pan for gems near the cave. Didnt have alot of fun but thats because i was there with my husband and his parents

 

[disneynewbeemom]

Is there a beach we could go to near Sandusky and spend the day?

 

[Soon2B4]

I live about 40 minutes away. I do believe there are beaches in the area without going to the islands, but keep in mind that the water will probably be cold. If I recall you said June and I think the water hits 75 in August. That being said, the water now is around 33 and June is probably in the 60s. Cedar Point does have it's own outdoor water park that you can pay for separate from the park itself. There is the Animal park mentioned previously. I don't recall as I type this your ages, but you also have the option to drive to Cleveland for the day if you run out of things to do. There is the Great Lakes Science Center, Rock Hall, and Tribe games.

Put-in-Bay during the week and day is fine. I went 2x this past summer with my 2 yo and it was just fine. There were a lot of families, but it was daytime and a weekday. The Boardwalk has really good lobster bisque and a lobster sandwich. They often have a band that plays tropical summery music to enjoy while looking out at the water. I would definitely go the website suggested to make sure they aren't having any special when you want to go. The islands are pretty much closed in the winter so they celebrate things in the summer at off times.

 

[Soon2B4]

Oh, we also took the Miller Ferry over to Put-in-Bay. The cost is much less than the Jet Express. Once you cross over, you have the option of renting a golf cart as soon as you get off or taking a bus to town. I think the bus is $2 a person each way. For us it is cheaper to take the bus since we spend most of our time in town. You can also take your car over, but I don't recall the cost of that.

 

[Deffenm]

If you would like a beach check out East Harbor State Park. When you are sitting on the beach you can see Cedar Point. They also have a big blow up slide that kids can go down (for a fee, I think $1 per slide or $10 unlimited). My kids love the beach. The state park is between Marblehead and Port Clinton. Marblehead has a cute light house that is free to tour. My kids climbed it last year and had fun. Our favorite things to do in the area are to go to Bergmans fruit stand (best peaches), Lake Erie Popcorn Company (Port Clinton) - the popcorn company is right off the water and there is a bridge that raises when boats go through that my kids love to sit on a bench, eat popcorn, and watch, and Cheese Haven (lots of cheese and meat). There is also a public beach in Port Clinton with a nice size park across the street. You could spend the day in this area and in my opinion is much better then going over to Put in Bay. You could also check out Masson Lagoon which is a small water park, with miniture golf, and go -carts. It is by the fruit market. We go up to the lake several times a year and love it. If you have any other questions let me know. Have fun! OH yeah, Sandusky also has Toft's ice cream which my kids love.

 

[scoobndolliesmom]

We live about an hour and a half away. If you are taking the kids I would go during the week. We took the kids during the week and had a lot of fun and also went over to kelleys Island. On the weekend the kids went home with the grandparents and we had an adult weekend. We have also been to East Harbor and enjoyed it there as well. Have fun!

 

[Manda]

I would suggest taking the ferry to Kellys Island rent a golf cart early in the morning 10am not sure when they sell out but in the summer it could be quick. Its very laid back just drive around for the hours you rent the cart.

Totally agree with this. I much prefer that island. The glacier grooves are amazing and the island is beautiful. Very nice place to spend the day.

 

[JackJack08]

Not a good place for kids! Bars, drunks and a lot of skin! I'm just sayin'.......

 

[sdoll]

I second Kelley's Island. My grandparents had a cottage there when I was a kid. I loved it. Its getting commercialized but not like Put n bay.

 

[ltl engine]

Wow!! I am shocked by the replies, we always go to Put In Bay--and love it. We ususally go early AM and return by 5:00 so maybe that's the difference. Its a nice boat ride for the kids. They love the golf carts (yes, you really need to rent one w/ kids), and there is a park in the center of town. Perry's monument has a great view of the lake. The cave is cool on a hot day and as someone else mentioned they have a bunch of other kids activities. There is a small beach on the other side of the island but if you bring sandwiches or snacks its a good area to unwind. We also like to watch the small planes fly in/out of the airport. We usually don't go in the bars--well, since they are bars & we have kids. Also we take the boat from Sandusky not Port Clinton since it puts you right into town