Things To Do In Sandusky Ohio

There are plenty of things to do in Sandusky Ohio! Below are 13 of the best things to do in Sandusky, Ohio. Read on to discover our pick of the crop!

About Sandusky

The city of Sandusky is the County Seat of Erie County, Ohio. Sandusky is situated on the shores of Lake Erie and it is in the northern area of the state, roughly midway between Toledo (45 miles west) and Cleveland (50 miles east).

Sandusky has a vacation feel about the place. It is a small, but very popular town. A lot of the historic buildings have been lovingly restored and opened up as bars and restaurants. Some of the food that is served in these establishments are local foods and produce.

Map of Things to Do in Sandusky

Castaway Bay

This is an indoor water park with a Caribbean feel. It has rides and slides that are suitable for all ages. This waterpark is open all year round and it has rides and attractions like a wave pool, lagoons, and tube slides. There are also small splash pools that are suitable for younger members of the family and a 50-person hot tub. It isn’t just the water that attracts people here, there are also Caribbean-themed games and crafts to enjoy. There is also a huge arcade center.

• Address: 2001 Cleveland Road, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-627-2500 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Castaway Bay’s Grand Re-Opening Weekend 2022

Cedar Point Amusement Park

Cedar Point Amusement Park is located on the shores of Lake Erie and is considered one of the best places to visit in the state of Ohio. This amazing park has rollercoasters and attractions suitable for all the family. Cedar Point boasts an incredible 18 roller coasters and other popular thrill rides such as Power Tower and Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling.

As much as we all (well, most of us) enjoy the thrill rides, there are also gentler rides including the lazy river ride and the water pool. There is also a sporting complex, which includes areas like rope courses, trampolines, and soccer fields.

• Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-627-2350 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Firelands Adventure Tours

This is a guided bus tour that is a great way to explore Sandusky and the wider area. These daily tours depart from Jackson Street and take visitors around the downtown area, historical landmarks, and the more relaxed areas of Sandusky like the parks. This tour is for two hours and it gives visitors an opportunity to learn more about the area’s rich history. The bus tour is fully ADA-compliant.

• Address: Jackson St Pier, 301 W Shoreline Dr., Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-734-9283 | Website | Facebook 

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center

Ghostly Manor is the place to be if one is looking for adventure. There are plenty of things to do for visitors of all ages. There is the Escape Room where visitors must solve the clues in a room. This sounds easy enough, but these clues must be solved before the time runs out! There is also Wizard’s Journey Miniature Golf. The Ghostly Manor Thrill Center also has an arcade, roller skating, a bounce house, and a 4D theater.

• Address: 3319 Milan Road, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-626-4467 | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

Goodtime I Island Cruises

Goodtime I Cruises is one of the best ways to enjoy the stunning Lake Erie coastline. These cruises operate in the high season, starting in May and finishing in October.

Day excursions are also offered to people who want to visit the Islands that surround Sandusky. The day cruise takes you to Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay, and you are can get off and stay for a few hours if you wish. Island-hopping cruises are also available.

• Address: 109 West Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-625-9692 | Website 

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is a water park with water slides at the park including Otter Run and Totem Towers. These are more traditional water slides, however, there is also the four-story Alberta Falls tube slide and this is not for the faint-hearted.

The lodge also offers other activities such as crafts, entertainment, and pajama parties. MagiQuest is an action-adventure game.

Another exciting thing to look out for is the wolf print waffles that are a great complement to Breakfast. Visitors can stay at Great Wolf Lodge where there are plenty of rooms available for families.

• Address: 4600 Milan Road, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-609-6000 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Kalahari Resorts Water Park

Kalahari Resorts Water Park is a very popular indoor and outdoor water park. This park also has plenty of things for adults to do, not just the kids. It has the best of everything and is in the perfect location for people who are staying here. The main jewel in the crown is the huge collection of slides and rides. A visitor could spend days here and still have things to do.

Maybe you would enjoy the Safari outdoor adventure area and a break from being in the pool. There are plenty of activities available in this zone including ziplining, wall climbing, and rope courses. There is also the animal park that has animals such as camels and birds.

• Address: 7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 877-525-2427 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Maritime Museum Of Sandusky

The Maritime Museum is the place to visit to learn more about the rich history of Sandusky Bay. The museum is very educational but fun. The Museum boasts exhibitions of Pirates, shipwrecks, and commercial fishing fleets. There are interactive displays about the history and influence that it has had on the entire region.

There is also an underground railroad exhibit that shows the role it played in the development of the wider area. This railroad was used to transport slaves across Lake Erie into Canada. There is also a replica of a boat called the Sharpie. These boats were used for the fishing industry and also played a role in freeing slaves. The Museum is open throughout the year.

• Address: 125 Meigs Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-624-0274 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Merry-Go-Round Museum

The Merry-Go-Round Museum was an idea that was dreamt up over 30 years ago, following the series of Carousel stamps that were introduced in 1990 by the US Postal Service.

This Museum has grown in size and stature over the years and has become a mainstay in Sandusky. There are displays and artifacts on show that include painted carousel horses and miniature carousels. There is also a fully renovated New York carousel, plus a unique gift shop that visitors can browse around.

• Address: 301 Jackson Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-626-6111 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area

Pickerel Creek Wildlife area is about 20 miles from Sandusky. It is an easy drive and it is also worth the drive. This wonderful wildlife area has been restored with lots of various wildlife and wetlands. There are plenty of boardwalks to use and this area is some of Northern Ohio’s Most protected forest and wetland zones.

There is an observation tower and from this viewpoint, visitors can see all the wildlife like migrating birds and deer.

• Address: 3451 County Road 256, Vickery, Ohio 43464
• Phone: 419-547-6007 | Website 

Sandusky by Bike

Sandusky is one of the easiest places to travel around and explore by bike. There are a few bike rental places in the town and they are very easy to find. There are traditional push bikes available from Paddle & Climb and electric bikes from Sandusky Pedego as well. 

Sandusky Pedego offers guided bike tours that are also available for first-time visitors. Most of the attractions in Sandusky also have facilities for people who wish to use bikes and store them safely.

Sandusky Speedway

If you want a fun night out, then the place to be is the Sandusky Speedway. There are a variety of cars on show from old-style stock cars to the more modern style of racing cars. Throughout the season, there are opportunities for visitors to go into the pits and see the mechanics at work. The racing season is between April and October. It is advised that visitors who wish to go and see a race check out the schedule on the website.

• Address: 614 W. Perkins Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 419-625-4084 | Facebook 

The Jet Express

Sandusky is the perfect launchpad for a visit to the local Islands. Jet Express offers a ferry service to the islands so people can explore the available water sports and visit the lighthouse. The Islands also have restaurants, so no one needs to go hungry. These popular Islands are a big draw for people who visit the area. It is strongly advised to do some research about how to get the best out of the trip, pick a day, and then book your tickets in advance, due to the huge numbers in the summer season. It should also be pointed out that there is also an opportunity to do some birdwatching on the Islands.

• Address: 101 W. Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870
• Phone: 800-245-1538 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Places to Stay in Sundusky

• Kalahari Resorts
• Hampton Inn (Sandusky Central)
• South Shore Inn
• Best Western Plus
• Great Wolf Lodge  

Let’s Go To Sandusky, Ohio!

Have you visited Sandusky while on your travels? What was your favorite thing to do? Do you think we have captured the spirit of Sandusky, or do you know of any hidden gems that we may have missed? We would love to hear from you!

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