BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING
Fun Places to Visit restaurants, retail shops and adjacent marina. 2001 Cleveland Rd. (US 6), Sandusky 419-627-2500, www.castawaybay.com
Soak City
Splish splash till your heart’s content at Soak City, an 18-acre waterpark next to Cedar Point. The park includes Splash Zone, a huge bucket and multistory play area; Breakers Bay half-million gallon wave pool; body slides, tube slides, and inner tube rivers. Choo-Choo Lagoon and Tadpole Town offer big fun for little ones. For adults, there’s Bubbles Swim-Up Bar a special area with a hot tub. Soak City guests can also enjoy the sandy Cedar Point Beach on Lake Erie. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 1 Cedar Point Dr., (off US 6) Sandusky 419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com. Monsoon Lagoon. Continued from page 38
Cedar Point
The ideal location for your family’s getaway, with more than 150 rides, shows, and attractions, Cedar Point will debut the new world-record-breaking GateKeeper coaster in 2013. GateKeeper will be the longest winged roller coaster and boast the longest drop of any winged roller coaster on the planet. Of course, Cedar Point also offers more than 50 other rides from mild to wild, along with “Dinosaurs Alive! on Adventure Island,” an incredible display of 50 moving and roaring life-size animatronic dinosaurs, live entertainment, a wide array of dining options and much more. In September and October, HalloWeekends offer even more screams, as amusement park thrills combine with spooky chills for familyfriendly fun during the day and terrifying nighttime frights. Open May 11 through Sept. 2 daily, then weekends (Fri. evenings, Sat. & Sun.) through Oct. 27. 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky 419.627.2350, cedarpoint.com
Challenge Park
Located between Cedar Point and Soak City, Challenge Park activity complex features the RipCord Skycoaster, two high-speed go-kart tracks, Challenge Golf and Skyscraper, a thrilling ride that spins riders in a circular motion 16 stories above the ground at speeds of 55 mph. Admission to Cedar Point or Soak City not required. Each attraction has a separate fee. Open daily May 10-Sept. 2 and weekends through Oct. 27. 1 Cedar Point Dr., (off US 6), Sandusky 419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com
Ghostly Manor
Experience the scariest haunted house you will ever encounter, ride the fastest virtual roller coaster in Ohio, experience a one-of-a-kind interactive 3D blacklight mini-golf journey or get your heart pumping even more with a whirl around the skating rink. In December, visit the Winter Wonderland walk-thru. Open year-round. Call for hours. Call for hours.
Castaway Bay
The Caribbean meets Sandusky at this resort destination for vacationers. With its tropical theme, guests at Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay feel like they have just landed on an island paradise upon entering this lush indoor waterpark resort. Castaway Bay features 237 hotel rooms and suites including family-oriented units, a 38,000-square-foot indoor waterpark with water activities for all ages, a day spa, fi tness center, arcade, a craft and child activity center,
2013
3319 Milan Rd. (US 250), Sandusky 419-626-4467, ghostlymanor.com
39
Glacial Grooves
The world’s largest accessible glacial grooves, these scars in the limestone bedrock were carved 18,000 years ago by the ice sheet that covered part of North America. Open year-round during daylight hours. Division Street, Kelleys Island ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/nw08
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge is an all-suites, full-service, family destination indoor waterpark resort featuring a Northwoods atmosphere and family-friendly amenities including a 41,000-square-foot indoor entertainment area featuring a grand-scale waterpark, spacious outdoor pool, arcade, fi tness room, kids’ arts and crafts center, family restaurants, gift shop and performing Great Clock Tower. 4600 Milan Rd. (US 250), Sandusky 800-641-WOLF (9653), www.greatwolf. com/sandusky/waterpark
Kalahari Resort
At Kalahari resort, visitors can surf indoors 365 days a year or take on the Zip Coaster uphill water roller coaster at America’s largest indoor waterpark. The resort also offers a spa and salon, Candy Hut, Ivory Coast Lounge, Great Karoo Marketplace Restaurant, Zakanaka Kids, Madagascar Indoor Mini Golf, Safari Adventures and much more await. Catch some rays at Kalahari’s outdoor pool complex from Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting). Call for day pass information. 7000 Kalahari Dr. (off US 250), Sandusky 877-KALAHARI(525.2427), www. KalahariResorts.com/oh
Monsoon Lagoon Waterpark
Monsoon Lagoon waterpark and family entertainment complex features aquatic adventures including six waterslides, a lazy river, an adult pool with swim-up Tiki bar, and Adventure Island Tree House with 17 levels. Miniature golf, bumper boats, grand prix cars and a gaming arcade round out a day of family fun. Open May 25Sept. 2. Routes 2 & 269 (1530 S. Danbury Rd), Port Clinton 419-732-6671, monsoonlagoonwaterpark.com
Seneca Caverns
Go caving at “The Caviest Cave” where you can walk natural stone steps and pathways through “the earth crack” and past the Ole Mist’ry River. Pan for gemstones at Seneca Mining Company. The Caverns are open seven days a Great Wolf Lodge.
Continued on page 40