Ohio Parks

I'm spending 6 days in Cleveland next summer. besides Cedar Point and Geauga Lake, are there any other parks worth going to? Is PKI too far and is Kennywood worth the drive?

Yes, Kennywood is most definitly worth the drive. If you don't go, you're banned from riding coasters for life!;)

PKI is far, but too far depends on what you're willing to drive. I'm sure an Ohio Coaster lover can be more accurate, but I believe it is about a 4 hour trip or more from Cleveland, is that correct?

Kinda hard for a day trip on your vacation, as Kennywood is maybe 2 or 3 hours away, and doing both PKI and Kennywood on vacation as day trips could get tiring.

Remember, Strickers Grove is up there, but only open on very select days, so if you'll be in the area, it is an option, even if it is a drive, for a rare credit.

All 3 big Ohio parks are worth going to, but like I said, it depends on the drive. There seemed to be some other stuff around Sandusky to do, like a haunted house, and then there is the lake and all. Plus plenty of indoor water parks, and its not too aweful far from Cleveland.

Cleveland also seems to have plenty to do, as there is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the normal city stuff to do. Regardless of what you do, have fun above all!

Thanks. How far is Kennywood from Sandusky, because im probably going to stay at the Radisson there... after all, they have Castaway Bay...

As for PKI, i think that i'd probably stay at a hotel nearby for a night or two before or after staying at CP...

how far is Cinninati North to Kennywood?

Kennywood is definitley worth it. Bare in mind that it is approx. a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive from Sandusky to West Miflin if everything clicks, less depending upon where in Cleveland you will be staying. There are a lot of smaller parks in the area,such as Wyandot Lake in Columbus, Waldameer in Erie,PA, Conneaut Lake,PA not to mention Geauga Lake, which would be your closest.

If you are really feeling adventurous, you could also consider Kentucky Kingdom or Holiday World. You can use Expedia.com to get routes and times to the various parks.

Well, according to Mapquest...

From Cedar Point to PKI is 215.64 miles, about 3 hours 43 minutes.

From Cedar Point to Kennywood is 185.77 miles, about 3 hours 14 minutes.

From PKI to Kennywood is 275.82 miles, about 4 hours, 23 minutes.

Hope all that helps...

Keep in mind, if you've never driven through Ohio, and I mean no offense to anyone who may live in Ohio, but the trip between any of these parks is going to seem much longer than it really is because some of the highways between the parks are SO boring. I-71 comes right to mind. Once you leave Colombus, all the scenery is about the same until you get to PKI and the road is pretty much absolutly straight with no surprises. *** Edited 10/11/2004 2:48:12 AM UTC by Coaster Lover***

I would make it a point to hit KW and CP then play it by ear depending on time for the rest but I'd try PKI for a third park. Those three parks are a must for a coaster lover. Then if you have time hit CLP and GL, you could do that in a single day.

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Coaster Lover said:

Keep in mind, if you've never driven through Ohio, and I mean no offense to anyone who may live in Ohio, but the trip between any of these parks is going to seem much longer than it really is because some of the highways between the parks are SO boring. I-71 comes right to mind. Once you leave Colombus, all the scenery is about the same until you get to PKI and the road is pretty much absolutly straight with no surprises.

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Yeah I think once you go south of I-76 on I-71 its boring, the rest of the trip for the most part is flat farm land except for the 15 minutes through Columbus. Then I think its fair to say PKI has one of the worst parking lots as far as the flow of traffic is concerned. *** Edited 10/11/2004 3:05:17 AM UTC by Snap43***

Keep in mind, if you've never driven through Ohio, and I mean no offense to anyone who may live in Ohio, but the trip between any of these parks is going to seem much longer than it really is because some of the highways between the parks are SO boring. I-71 comes right to mind.

If you start at PKI and go south to Dollywood, the scenery is a lot more interesting. Just don't go on blasting days. ;)

hmm...

Maybe i could stay in Columbus... that seems central to everything pretty much. although that early entrance thing for staying in a cedar point resort is quite appetizing.

how far is it from GL to CLP, and how far from each to Columbus?

If you are going to be in Columbus, why not make a stop at Wyandat Lake?

Isn't the sea dragon (i believe its called) an exact replica of the Beastie at PKI?

Or am i wrong?

And, plus, i am not really the one for water parks... although i do like space bowls and boomerang rides and water coasters... and any clear or half-open slide...

But i have quite a paranoia for those completely enclosed ones in single tubes... claustrophobia... ehem...

Although i would love to go to HW, i think its a bit too far for the time i have. SFKK is even a stretch. ill probably just go to PKI, KW, CLP, GL, and end off with two days @ CP :)

Staying in Columbus seems kind of silly. Halfing the one drive to PKI isn't worth the increased drive times to all of the other places. Also, OSU students will not be in session so it could be kind of boring in Columbus.

ill probably then stay two nights in PKI, leave early the seond day and drive to Kennywood. hit kennywood second day, and stay in kennywood. the next day ill probably pass by CLP and GL, and end in CP, stay at the Radisson for three nights.

How's GL? Can i cover it in 6 hours?

As for CP, is two days too short and is two days for PKI too long?

well, if your going in 2005, geauga lake may seem less this year but i promise you next year holds great things and lots more to do. they are remodling that south side, and it will be open for the 2005 season , obviously not letting out what will be over there, but in an aurora news paper, a woman from cedar fair, head honcho or whatever, said there are big plans for the south side, and for us to keep our ears open. they may end up using the sea world stadiums for shows of their own kind, which has already been hinted at, more flat rides, not sure of any new big attraction yet, but that side will be open, thus making for a giant park to tackle. they have a geauga lake hotel right next to the park about a 1/4 mile which also provides transportation to and from the park, no wasting gas or parking passes. the hotel itself has things to do, and its very nice. i'd say in 2005, you may want to shack up at geauga for a day or two, waterpark is great, and i often find myself in there so long, that i barely have time to go enjoy the rest of the park thoroughly. it seems as people on here dont respect geauga lake and what it will be next year, and especially the years to come. cripes, cedar fair just bought it this year, and people just dont seem to get that. i love the place, i could just go to geauga lake all summer and be absolutely happy. i did this summer, and i will next summer. i have faith in the place. so does cedar fair.

by the way, kennywood is traditional and all, but living next to it, i gotta tell ya, the park is quite small. real small actually. compared to geauga and cedar point, its a hole in the wall. good place, good rides, small park. i walk the whole park like 50 times in 4 hours, if you ride as you walk, cut that down to 30 times in 4 hours. its by no means the smallest park, but definately lots smaller than geauga or cedar point

dont waste your gas money. its in a crappy town anyway. only worth you'll get is thunderbolt, phantom, and exterminator, everything else you can find elsewere. the wood coasters other than thunderbolt are ok, but not worth that kind of drive for ya. they are just old coasters everyone has rid 5000 times. cedar point, geauga lake, pki is your best bet. more for your money, and more money for you to spend! big places, great rides, each has their own unique ride lists, all 3 have rides the other dont, and big ones at that, not just one has a tilt a whirl while the other has a scrambler, no. such as dominator, only floorless in northern ohio, x flight, only flyer up there, millenium, only giga up there, italian job next year at pki, go with those three.

but if your just like mad rider, ride it all then leave, to heck with enjoying the park, then your taking info from the wrong person cause i like to relax and actually enjoy my trips, i hate being on a constant rat race. so take it for what its worth

It takes me three and a half hours to drive to PKI from Cleveland non-stop. I do one day trips every once in awhile but those trips mean missing out on night rides on Beast.

It takes me about two hours to get to Kennywood and the park is highly recommended.

If you have time, Waldameer is about two hours from Cleveland and you can easily spend half a day there. A very nice, yet small traditional park home to the awesome Maurer-Sohne spinning coaster, Steel Dragon.

And though it's out of the way, Conneaut's Blue Streak is a great wooden coaster.

X Factor

when you go to KW make sure you have a buddy... for their woodies.... I didn't know about that when I went! They make you ride with some one else on thuderbolt and jack rabbit.... it kinda sucks when its late on a Wends night and your just stopping for a few hours! I wish I had know that before I went! just a little advise

I'll probably get yelled at for saying this, but I enjoyed SFWoA(GL) more than PKI. I really did love Beast, but that was about the only thing that stood out. I'd just go to PKI for the one day(Making sure to get the night rides on Beast), and move on along to better things. If you do spend 2 nights in Cinci, you have no excuse for passing up Holiday World.

Just my 3 and a half cents.

you wont get yelled at word. i agree, also, i'd bet that geauga next year will be the better place to be aswell. i'm sure you would agree. think about it, when the animals were over there, it was great, giant park, took forever to walk it, people loved it. at first, til sf gets sloppy. but i still liked it anyway. my point is, just imagine it being more rides and attractions and shows, all unique to their location. now that will be excellent.