Sandusky, Ohio, offers a whole world of excitement, history, and entertainment, from iconic amusement parks on the shores of Lake Erie to deep history and state parks. You can visit a museum that traces the history of the maritime industry on the great lakes, relax alongside a serene bay, or thrill to haunted houses, roller coasters, and waterslides.

You can do some hiking, biking, and outdoor adventuring, and you can see quirky museums and living history sites. Check out the 10 best things to do in Sandusky while you're on holiday with the family.

  • 1

    Cedar Point

    Ride more than a dozen thrilling roller coasters

    Cedar Point
    • Couples
    • Families

    Cedar Point is one of the most iconic amusement parks in the world, boasting superfast, record-setting roller coasters, games, food, and fun for the whole family. Whether you're thrilling to the 18 legendary coasters, including the Millennium Force, or grabbing some candy floss, a funnel cake, or fries at the local food stands, you're sure to have a great day out.

    Besides the rides, you can play to win a gigantic stuffed bear for your beloved, relax on the lazy river, take in some live entertainment, or visit the sports complex with its trampolines, rope courses, football fields, and other sports-themed entertainment. The park is on the shores of the lake, just minutes from city centre.

    Location: 1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Open: Hours vary by season

    Phone: +1 419-627-2350

    Map

    photo by Vlastula (CC BY-SA 2.5) modified

  • 2

    Kalahari Resorts

    Ride the waterslides, head for a rope course, or see exotic animals

    Kalahari Resorts
    • Couples
    • Families

    Kalahari Resorts features an indoor and outdoor water park with thrilling attractions for adults and kids, including waterslides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and a safari adventure park. The primary reason people visit is the massive collection of water rides, and these alone can occupy you and your family for days at a time.

    The Safari Outdoor Adventure Park, however, offers a whole different set of thrilling activities, including a zip line, climbing wall, and ropes course. You can also take the kids to see the Safari Adventures Animal Park with its collection of exotic birds, camels, and other animals that will excite and thrill. It's just a 13-minute drive south of city centre.

    Location: 7000 Kalahari Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Phone: +1 877-525-2427

    Map

    photo by Paul Frederickson (CC BY-SA 2.5) modified

  • 3

    Merry Go Round Museum

    Check out a restored, historic New York carousel

    Merry Go Round Museum
    • Families
    • History

    The Merry Go Round Museum is a popular stop in Sandusky that offers a look at historic and nostalgic merry-go-round horses, artefacts, and memorabilia. The museum was first inspired in 1990 following the release of a series of postage stamps, and it has since acquired a vast collection of fun and unique attractions.

    The artefacts include antique, hand-painted carousel horses, restored portions of merry-go-rounds, a miniature carousel exhibit, photos, and documents. You can check out a fully restored carousel from New York and visit the gift shop for a unique souvenir. Best of all, it's right in city centre Sandusky.

    Location: 301 Jackson St, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Open: Hours vary by season

    Phone: +1 419-626-6111

    Map

    photo by Midwest1.9 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 4

    Great Wolf Lodge

    Race down a 4-story tube waterslide at pulse-pounding speeds

    Great Wolf Lodge
    • Families

    Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park offering traditional and tube slides, entertainment events, and magical family adventures to thrill adults and kids alike. For many, the standard and traditional waterslides are plenty, but the 4-story tube slides that allow you to race at lightning speed with a friend are a heart-stopping thrill.

    The lodge also has tonnes to offer besides water rides. MagiQuest magic adventures for the family offer excitement throughout the park, live entertainment shows will get you singing and dancing, and the park even offers fun events like craft times and pajama parties. It's only 10 minutes south of city centre.

    Location: 4600 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Open: 24/7

    Phone: +1 800-641-9653

    Map
  • 5

    Maritime Museum of Sandusky

    Learn about pirates on Lake Erie and the Sandusky Bay

    Maritime Museum of Sandusky
    • Families
    • History

    The Maritime Museum of Sandusky offers a wealth of interactive exhibits dedicated to exploring the entire maritime history of Sandusky Bay over the years. The exhibits depicted are focused on topics like shipwrecks, the fishing industry, and even piracy on the bay and Great Lakes. The museum is noted for housing artefacts from the famed Convict Ship, a floating prison that came to rest in Sandusky.

    In addition to its wealth of exhibits and artefacts, the museum hosts guest speakers and educational programmes all year long. The gift shop offers items related to pirates and lighthouses, as well as replica postcards from days gone by. It's located right in the heart of city centre Sandusky.

    Location: 125 Meigs St, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Open: Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed Sunday–Friday)

    Phone: +1 419-624-0274

    Map
  • 6

    Castaway Bay

    Relax on a lagoon, ride waterslides, and enjoy a massive hot tub

    Castaway Bay
    • Couples
    • Families

    Castaway Bay is an indoor water park with a Caribbean theme that offers rides, slides, lagoons, and activities to thrill adults and kids of just about every age. The park offers everything from standard slides and relaxing lagoons to a wave pool and a 50-person hot tub. Kids can even enjoy a special splash area just for children.

    In addition to the splash and wet areas, you can sign up for craft events, enjoy Caribbean games and entertainment events, or head to the 6,000-square-foot arcade to play video games. The Park is located right along Sandusky Bay on Cleveland Road.

    Location: 2001 Cleveland Rd W, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Phone: +1 419-627-2106

    Map
  • 7

    Sandusky Speedway

    Catch a thrilling muscle car race or let the kids ride in a racing car

    Sandusky Speedway
    • Budget
    • Families

    Sandusky Speedway offers a thrilling racing experience for spectators and participants that covers everything from kids' bikes to stock cars. This racetrack shows races that involve hobby cars, modded hot rods, stock sports cars and muscle cars, street cars, kids' bike races, and other kinds of racing. You don't have to just be a spectator here, however.

    The speedway also offers real rides in racing cars for kids. Regular Fan Appreciation Nights reduce the admission fee, and you can even download an app that allows live timing and scoring right on your smartphone. The speedway is just 8 minutes from city centre to the south.

    Location: 614 W Perkins Ave # 1, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Phone: +1 419-625-4084

    Map
  • 8

    Shoreline Park

    Swim, fish, and just kick back on the shores of Lake Erie

    Shoreline Park
    • Adventure
    • Families

    Shoreline Park is a recreation area that offers a playground, picnic areas, fishing, and food stands where you can grab a meal while relaxing the day away. The kids will love swinging and climbing on the playground rides, and adults can try for a big catch in the waters of Lake Erie.

    Lake Erie is a popular destination for swimming and freshwater sports, and Shoreline Park offers a peaceful and enjoyable way to enjoy all that the lake has to offer. Pack a picnic lunch or grab one from the concessions area and enjoy a day out with the family. It's located in the city on the shores of the lake.

    Location: 411 E Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 419-627-5884

    Map
  • 9

    Cooke-Dorn House

    Take a walk into Sandusky's storied past

    • Budget
    • Families
    • History

    The Cooke-Dorn House historic site offers stunning Greek Revival style architecture as well as artefacts and furnishings authentic to its 1878 origins, and a serene tended garden. The house offers free admission and has not only changed hands over the years, but was actually completely disassembled and rebuilt at its current location.

    The home is the property of the Ohio Historical Society and a member of the Old House Guild of Sandusky, which has kept all of the original furnishings, decor, and contents intact. Walking in here is like taking a trip into Sandusky's earliest days.

    Location: 1415 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Friday from noon to 3 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

    Phone: +1 419-627-0640

    Map
  • 10

    Ghostly Manor Thrill Centre

    Shoot mini-golf, have a 4-D adventure, or play video games all day

    • Couples
    • Families

    Ghostly Manor Thrill Centre offers a wide range of strategic adventures, outdoor sports, an arcade, roller skating, and entertainment for the whole family. You can spend all day in the arcade playing video games while the kids hit a bounce house and hop around. The whole family can take in a lifelike adventure in the 4D cinema or try out an escape room-style scenario.

    The mini-golf course is themed after a fantasy wizard adventure and takes you through creative obstacles like waterfalls as you try to make par. The centre is just 8 minutes south of the heart of city centre Sandusky.

    Location: 3319 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

    Open: Daily from noon to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 419-626-4467

    Map