Sandusky, OH Road Trips

Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center - East, 125 E. Water St., Unit 1 W (downtown Sandusky), ☏ +1 419-625-2984, toll-free: +1-800-255-3743. (updated Apr 2025)

The main attraction is of course Cedar Point, but the surrounding area along the lake offers plenty to see. By going west toward Catawba Island (which is accessed by a land bridge), you will find plenty of historic sites like the Marblehead Lighthouse from where you can see Cedar Point, or picnic, fish or watch the lake boat traffic and enjoy the coolest breeze in Ohio. Johnson Island has a Civil War Cemetery at the site of a Civil War Officers prison compound. The area is littered with historic sites. The older cemeteries in Sandusky and on the islands are also very interesting for those who appreciate stone carving. Often overlooked is the beach at Cedar Point, one of the nicest and cleanest beaches on Lake Erie. It is adjacent to the Breakers Hotel at Cedar Point and outside Cedar Point fence. Seldom, if ever crowded. 1 Cooke-Dorn House (Elutheros Cooke House), 1415 Columbus Ave, ☏ +1 419-627-0640. A three-story mansion that features a ruby and cranberry glass collection, antique furnishings, a garden, greenhouses and a gift shop. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Follett House Museum, 404 Wayne St. Sandusky Library’s local history museum with four floors of exhibits featuring Johnson’s Island Civil War Prison Camp, Cedar Point and many other artifacts that shaped local life. 3 Maritime Museum of Sandusky, 125 Meigs St.

Sandusky and the surrounding areas are hopping from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tourists travel from all over the Great Lakes and Midwest Regions to visit Cedar Point and many other amusement venues, and for boating, fishing and island hopping on the nearby Lake Erie Islands. If you are planning to fish and are not familiar with the area, keep in mind that although you catch some fish from the shore, those with the big catches are fishing offshore. Charter boats can provide everything you need except a license, for about $100 per person per day or more. They, and the "head boats", have navigation equipment and sonar equipment to find the fish at spots the boat owners are familiar with on the lake. Head boats are not quite as fancy and take more people, but prices are as low as $35 per head. 1 Castaway Bay, 2001 Cleveland Rd W, ☏ +1 419-627-2106. An indoor water park operated by Cedar Point outside the main park. , 2 Kalahari Resorts. , 3 Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky’s Water Park. - located in Sandusky Wild Irish Rose Charters LLC, 613 Bimini Dr, ☏ +1 419-357-4625. The Goodtime I, ☏ +1 419 625-9692. The Goodtime I Departs from Sandusky daily on an island hopping cruise. 4 ColossalCon. Annual anime convention held at Kalahai Resort. Notable for being more party themed then most anime conventions, due to being held in a water park. (updated Jan 2017) Ohio Bike Week. (updated Dec 2018) 5 Erie Sand Barrens State Nature Preserve. (updated Nov 2018) 6 Osborn Metropark. (updated Dec 2018)

Sandusky, being on the North Coast of Ohio offers some of the finest fresh water seafood available. The fresh water perch and walleye available in the area are fantastic. Other local favorites include turtle, white bass, pickerel and frog's legs. At the west edge of Sandusky is Toft's Dairy. They have a large ice cream parlor with great milk shakes and sodas. Demore's Offshore Bar & Grill, 302 W Perkins Ave, ☏ +1 419 624-4491. Great seafood. Dianna's Deli & Restaurant, 3002 Milan Road, ☏ +1 419 625-9100. Great food. Ribs, chicken, pasta. Open 24/7. $6-12.. 1 Tofts Dairy & Ice Cream Parlour, 3717 Venice Rd. Dairy products since 1900. Located at the west edge of Sandusky. They put the "cream" in ice cream. Open year around, selling numerous dairy products manufactured on site. They also offer a limited variety of soups and sandwiches between 11AM and 5PM on weekdays. If you appreciate great ice cream this will make your day! Best bang for the buck. A small in a cup or a cake cone is $2.40 and bigger than most places' large. The Lunch Box, 3708 Columbus Ave, ☏ +1 419-626-3825. Located in downtown very near the many boat docks in downtown Sandusky. The finest perch sandwiches and dinners are served with many traditional tasty favorites such as reubens, monte cristos, burgers, and grilled chicken sandwiches. After 11AM ask about the lunch specials that are a great value. Breakfast available all day. Hours are Sunday–Thursday 6:30AM to 3PM with Friday/Saturday hours 6:30AM to 8PM. The Original Margaritaville, 212 Fremont Ave, ☏ +1 419 627-8903. (Route 6).

Firelands Winery, 917 Bardshar Rd (Off US 6), ☏ +1 419-625-5474. Hours vary. Louie's: The favorite watering hole of the Cedar Point Staff. It's located just off Cedar Point Drive. On busy nights, patrons are required to show a Cedar Point employee ID. Small City Taphouse, 202 Columbus Ave, ☏ +1-419-502-0099, [email protected]. (updated Nov 2019)

During the tourist season (no doubt due to Cedar Point), accommodations can be higher priced and rooms may be hard to come by. The main tourist season begins in early June, after most schools have finished for the summer, and doesn't end until late August when schools resume classes. Econo Lodge Inn & Suites South, 3309 Milan Rdd, ☏ +1 419 626-8720. Outdoor pool. $55-313. (updated Apr 2026) 1 South Shore Inn, 2047 Cleveland Road, ☏ +1 419-626-4436, toll-free: +1-800-860-4436, [email protected]. Three minutes from Cedar Point. Family owned and operated. (updated Apr 2026) Best Western Plus Sandusky Hotel & Suites, 6011 Milan Rd, ☏ +1 419 627-9595. Indoor pool area. $76 (Feb 2022). (updated Feb 2022) Fairfield Inn & Suites Sandusky, 5410 Milan Road, ☏ +1 419 621-9500, fax: +1 419-621-9500. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sandusky, 1515 Cedar Point Dr, ☏ +1-419-624-1515. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Hotel Breakers, 1 Cedar Point Dr, ☏ +1 419 627-2106. Historic, family-friendly turn-of-the-century hotel located at Cedar Point. Offers packages with Cedar Point tickets. (updated Jun 2021) Battle of the Indoor Water Parks, Sandusky boasts many indoor water parks/resorts that draw families from all over the Great Lakes states: 3 Castaway Bay, 2001 Cleveland Rd (U.S. Rt. 6), ☏ +1 419 627-2106. Caribbean theme with palm trees, huts and inland lagoons, Ten water slides, water coaster, wave pool and toddler’s pool. Also located in the hotel is a day spa. Offers packages with Cedar Point admission tickets.

A popular way of traveling during summer is by ferry, many companies offers day cruises and excursion trips to the Lake Erie Islands. Some of the larger companies includes Jet Express, that runs daily ferries during summer to and from Kelleys Island, Cedar Point and South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay). Additionally, Owen Sound Transportation Company runs the largest passenger ferry along the Lake Erie, the MV Jiimaan, between Leamington, Pelee Island and Sandusky. Most ferries arrive at 1 Sandusky Ferry Terminal, located at 101 West Shoreline Dr at the northern end of Jackson St. Shelby Street Boat Launch, 101 Shelby St. ☏ +1 419-621-1059. Host to many fishing tournaments. Castaway Bay Marina 10 Harbor Parkway. ☏ +1 419-626-3611 Cedar Point Marina 1 Cedarpoint Dr. ☏ +1 419-627-2334 Lyman Harbor at Lyman Harbor, 1615 First St. ☏ +1 419-625-9626 Safe Harbor Sandusky, 1 Huron St., ☏ +1 419-627-1201 On the Ohio Turnpike (I-80): Take Exit 118(7) and follow the signs west on U.S. 250. Take Exit 110(6A) and follow State Route 4 north. 2 Sandusky Station (SKY), 1200 N Depot St (Located in the area is south of city center in a mainly residential area.), ☏ +1 419 627-5900. The waiting room is not generally open, but on nights with more than the usual riders, the police unlock the well-maintained passenger waiting room. You may want to call about 20 minutes before your arrival to double check. (updated Nov 2018) Train operator: Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America.

Driving is easy and pleasurable. Ferries to the islands leave from downtown Sandusky, Catawba Island, Marblehead and Port Clinton to the west. If you are just pleasure driving, consider going west along the lake to Marblehead, Catawba Island and Port Clinton. These are more scenic areas with plenty of tourist attractions. Be on the outlook for bicycles and pedestrians during the day and after dark. Traffic and drinking while driving laws are strictly enforced. Pedestrian traffic is prohibited on the Cedar Point causeway (and is very impractical). Sandusky Perkins Area Ride Connection (SPARC), ☏ +1 419-627-0740. The SPARC offers three routes to various stops around the city of Sandusky and Perkins Township including the Sandusky Mall, museums, stores, and area businesses. [1] , to view a schedule. Rides are $1/person; exact change required. Deviation routes up to 1/2 mile are offered with a 24-hour advanced reservation. There are several taxi companies offering transportation throughout the city and most offer call ahead service.

If swimming on Lake Erie, have a buddy nearby who can help if needed.