Summer Fun, Ohio Style
Continuing my “series” on Ohio’s Amusement Parks . . .
If Geauga Lake is Ohio’s little known gem, then Cedar Point would be our Crown Jewel.
Located on the shore of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Cedar Point is the best theme/amusement park in the world. No, you don’t have to take my word for it. Just ask the folks at Amusement Today, Coaster Grotto and American Coaster Enthusiasts, to name just a few. The Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel with their Top 10 shows will be happy to fill you in on that as well.
No, there are no fairies, ducks or mice to be seen here. What makes Cedar Point the best theme park around is the fact that they focus on the meat and potatoes of amusement parks–the thrill rides.
When it comes to thrills, Cedar Point also recognizes that the coaster is king. Occasionally a new non-coaster thrill ride comes in, but you can bet at any given time the folks at Cedar Point are planning a new coaster to shake, rattle and roll you! This is why Cedar Point proudly and accurately proclaims itself to be the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.”
From the historic Blue Streak to the new Maverick, Cedar Point’s coasters are certain to leave you breathless.
Add to that the fact that the Magnum XL-200 and Millennium Force consistently battle it out to land at the top of every Theme Park publication’s list of best steel coasters in the world, and you’ve got the perfect destination for tens of thousands of thrill seekers from across the country.
Unlike Kings Island and Geauga Lake, which both have a central tower, Cedar Point has another coaster. You can see the Top Thrill Dragster from all over the park. (Heck, this thing is so big I’d be surprised if you couldn’t see if from Canada.) At 420 ft. Top Thrill Dragster is the second tallest coaster in the world, topped only by Six Flags’ Kingda Ka. I don’t know about you, but I have a sneaking suspicion Six Flags simply waited for Cedar Point to spend the time and money to work out all the kinks on this incredible design, then they simply came in and added a couple of feet to steal the world record out from under Cedar Point.
Top Thrill Dragster-Cedar Fair Promotional Photo
Kingda Ka-Six Flags Promotional Photo
Cedar Point is also the home of Soak City, another water park. Soak City is huge, which I guess accounts for the fact that there is a separate admission for this park. (Unlike King’s Island and Geauga Lake, which both include the water park in the regular admission.) You can easily spend the entire day here. My suggestion is that you make your Cedar Point trip at least a two day. I know people who spend four days here minimum–two for Cedar Point, one for Soak City and one on the Lake Erie Beach.
For an unusual thrill, try my favorite Cedar Point ride. No, it’s not a coaster, though I do love those. It is Cedar Downs Racing Derby. Yes, it’s a carousel. But, I promise you, it’s like no other carousel you have ever tried. You will actually need to hold on to your horses as you and your companions race around the “track.” The horses are 4 across. The ride spins at an amazing pace for a carousel. You must be 48″ tall to ride and in the end–one of you wins!
The accommodations at Cedar Point are excellent and hotels in the entire area are accustomed to catering to Cedar Point visitors.
As with Kings’ Island, if you are going to go more than once in a season, it is best to buy a season pass. With a season pass you can attend all the Cedar Fair parks as well, so Kings’ Island and places like Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun are all available to you.
Adult $ 41.95
Junior (under 48″) & Senior (over 62 years) $ 11.95
There are special two-day and two-park passes, as well as other discounts available. See the website for details.
Directions
Click HERE for mapquest directions from Columbus.
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