Cedar Point and Ohio question

My parents and I want to do a family vacation thing in the next few months. I'd like to go to Cedar Point, as I enjoyed it thoroughly last summer. However, neither my mom nor my dad are roller coaster people. My question is, what else is there to do in that rough area? My thought was that while I was at Cedar Point, they could go to another attraction in the area. I know it somewhat defeats the purpose of a 'family' thing but we'd still be able to spend time with each other. Does anyone have any ideas on anything that would appeal to non-roller coaster fans?

Well the last time I was at CP in 2000, my family and I took one day and took a boat to put-in-bay. Its a small Island just a few miles from Cedar Point, you can take a boat to get there from Cedar Point itself I believe, but we took one from another place because it was cheaper. While im not big on tourist attractions, I will admit it was pretty neat. You rent golf carts to drive around the Island, which was a lot of fun. There are shops, small resturants, and stuff like that. They also have this historic 320 foot tower that was like from some war era or something...that was neat to go up because you could barely see the CP skyline looming WAY off in the distance. If your looking for something to do that will take up a good part of the day, I would Recommend Put-in-Bay.

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Kennywood Park, America's finest traditional amusement park.

10 miles south in Milan, there is the birthplace of Thomas Edison. Along with his home, there is a substantial museum complex covering his history and Ohio history. http://www.milanohio.com/

A few more miles south in Norwalk, there is the world famous Norwalk Raceway Park, home of the IHRA (International Hot Rod Association). During the summer on friday and saturday, one can see actual dragsters race at 300+ mph. http://www.norwalkraceway.com/home.html

Put-in-Bay (South Bass Island) is a great place for hanging out and shopping during the day, and partying and drinking during the night. The Perry Monument that stljason1 is talking about is the Oliver Hazzard Perry monument, a war hero from the War of 1812. http://www.put-in-bay.com/

Cedar Point has more than just coaster...their award winning shows and attractions cater to guests not able or willing to conquer the coasters. While you're taming the monsters, your parents can catch a show at the Red Garter Saloon. They could even have a picnic on Dragster's Bleachers watching people get the bejezus scared out of them. Whatever you end up doing, have fun and take lots of pictures.

-Seth
(...man, I sound like an ambassador for North Central Ohio)

All suggestions sound very reassuring that I just might get my wish! The Put-In-Bay sounds like something the parents would love. Thanks!

THE african saffarie is just outside the gates.

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TOP THRILL DRAGSTER I await your coming see you on may 4

I'm going to CP May 3..!!!!!! Hooray for Longaberger!
*** This post was edited by S00perGIR 4/14/2003 3:35:04 PM ***

Vipper: Just a real quick warning about Put-In-Bay. I dont know what kind of people your parents are, however, Put-In-Bay in recent years has attained a sort of college spring break attitude throughout the summer. During the evenings, the place turns into a drunken madhouse with college age women flashing everyone and other general "naughiness". While many people might like that sort of thing (not the worst thing in the world :)), it is also fair to warn you of an island that has the worlds longest bar.

As for daytime activities, there is plenty to do if you get a golf cart or some bicycles and just cruise around the island. There are some really neat caves on the island, including the option of going in the world's largest known geode. Add to that two very fine winerys, some beautiful scenery, and the Oliver Hazard Perry memorial and you can definately make a DAY of it.

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Bob Hansen

Operation Wicked Twister
Goal: Lose enough weight (50lbs) to ride Wicked Twister in 2K3
Progress: 25 pounds since 1-1-2003

My mom is like the Longaberger queen. However, from what I hear, Dresden is a bit of a distance from Sandusky so I didn't think that would be a possibility.

The Merry-Go-Round Museum is on the corner of Jackson Street, Sandusky. I went there last year and am going again this year when I go to Cedar Point. Not the most interesting musuem, but it features some nice carousel animals and band organs.

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~*Grab the brass ring!*~

Stay at Hotel Breakers and then they can lounge on the beach all day, it is a very nice beach.

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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.

FYI for you Longaberger fanatics out there. Dresden is much closer to Columbus than Sandusky. You would be better off making that an aside from Wyandot Lake.

Kick The Sky said:
Vipper: Just a real quick warning about Put-In-Bay. I dont know what kind of people your parents are, however, Put-In-Bay in recent years has attained a sort of college spring break attitude throughout the summer. During the evenings, the place turns into a drunken madhouse with college age women flashing everyone and other general "naughiness". While many people might like that sort of thing (not the worst thing in the world :)), it is also fair to warn you of an island that has the worlds longest bar.
As for daytime activities, there is plenty to do if you get a golf cart or some bicycles and just cruise around the island. There are some really neat caves on the island, including the option of going in the world's largest known geode. Add to that two very fine winerys, some beautiful scenery, and the Oliver Hazard Perry memorial and you can definately make a DAY of it.
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Bob Hansen
Operation Wicked Twister
Goal: Lose enough weight (50lbs) to ride Wicked Twister in 2K3
Progress: 25 pounds since 1-1-2003

LOL. I had no Idea. When I was there in 2000, it seemed like a peaceful retirement place for the most part (except for the world's longest bar) although I was there in the daytime, and there were almost nobody at the bar.

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Kennywood Park, America's finest traditional amusement park.

Maybe you can stay in Great Bear Lodge, it's the world's largest indoor Waterpark. It's in Sandusky I think.
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Jay Vending the Best Amusement Park Job

My friend's family owns a hotel on put-in-bay called the Islander Inn. It is an awesome hotel, and reasonably priced. Not to mention all the cool stuff on the island, The Beer Barrel Salloon (the longest bar in the world), and perry's monument (after Oliver Hazard Perry). The Sandusky Mall isn't that great though. Oh well.

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Well, I used to be able to see TTD from my house, then I moved.
Life's not fair.

S00perGIR said:
I'm going to CP May 3..!!!!!!Hooray for Longaberger!

Too bad opening day is May 4th.

We had a pleasant and relaxing time at Kelley's Island...the boat ride across the pond was fun (and fast, LOL). But over there we rented some bikes, toured the island and the trails through the woods, checked out the touristy stuff. Not sure if your parents are into that kind of stuff, but it was a nice day AWAY from the crowds at the Po!nt...;)
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Acronymphomania (n): the socially unacceptable love of heights, and acronyms
CB slacker (n): someone posting topics already covered because they're *working*

I think SOOperGIR is referring to the "private event" at CP on that day.

Haha Airtime Man. You got no idea.

From my exprience, Kelley's Island is a lot calmer than Put-in-Bay. It has a really good ice cream place and a mini-golf course(kelley's island). As stated before, Put-in-Bay is like a party island, with a winery and a really really long bar.

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LeWiS

If your parents don't mind a bit of a drive, they could leave you and go over to Cleveland for the day. It's just over an hour as I recall. I don't really know what the attractions are there other than the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, but a Cleveland guidebook could probably help.

Regarding Put-In-Bay...

I've heard about the wild nightlife there. But I've been there several times with my family (note: that means my parents!) and by day the place is quite 'family-friendly'. We always left before sundown, so I don't know how wild it gets. But by day you can visit the restaurants, shops, monument, and wineries. Neat place, actually.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.