Tanks for the Memories: Points for Sandusky!

Getting inspired to do a little cruisin’ of your own? Ready to hit the road for a weekend ride to a place you’ve never been before? We can show you the best trips in your neck of the woods and you won’t even have to stop to fuel up. Each week, we pick a starting city and plan a getaway to some of the most charming, energetic, and just plain fun places that you’ll only need one tank of gas to reach. When it’s all over, you’ll be able to say…TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

Starting City: Cleveland, OH Destination: Sandusky, OH

Miles: about 65

The summer is in full swing and it’s the perfect time to hang out with kiddos before they’re back to school and homework. Memories pop up from summer like lightning bugs at dusk, and so you should take a trip to a place that lends itself to this easily. If you’re in Cleveland and need a place to go with maximum entertainment value and a minimal number of, “Are we there yet?”s, head west to a vacation in Sandusky, Ohio.

Source: wikipedia.com

The city was founded in 1818 and played an important part as a stop in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. It used to be a center of paper-making in the early 20th century. After the war the tourism industry in the area began to grow and was bolstered by the steamship and railroads passing through the area. Public bathhouses, parks, theaters, and more were constructed and the area soon earned the nickname of “Vacationland.” Of course, Sandusky can’t be said nowadays without the mention of the world-famous amusement park Cedar Point far behind.

Cedar Point, opened in 1870, is known as both “America’s Roller Coast” as well as “Roller Coaster Capital of the World”. Thrill seekers come from around the globe to ride the 16 roller coasters and take part in its 71 rides, 2 water parks, 2 marinas, several resorts, and endless fun. Personally, I will never forget riding the Millennium Force for the first time, climbing that hill and my heart racing! For the kids that aren’t tall enough to ride the big coasters, Planet Snoopy is a fun park themed around your favorite Peanuts comic characters. A little further inland, Kalahari Resorts is a water park resort that has lodging, restaurants, shopping, and more, perfect for kids and kids at heart.

Source: lakesandshores.com

If you want to continue your thrills, Sandusky Speedway holds several events through the summer with both stock cars and modified racers. And if you want to slow it down, there are options like the Lagoon Deer Park, with several international animals to pet and feed, and the Firelands Winery, with tastings and tours of its facility and unique growing region. Sandusky is a great port to launch more adventures from if you’re keen on traveling to the popular islands of Lake Erie. Kelley’s Island and Put-In-Bay are among several of the islands that have their own events going on as well as the North Shore. Fishing is a big draw for people from all over the country, as the lake has abundant amounts of walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass, and there are several spots to launch boats as well as charter one for the day.

Sandusky is proudly celebrating its bicentennial in 2018, and several events are in the works. Don’t think that all of Sandusky’s creative spirit lies in the past. New traditions are being made with the inaugural year of Dragons and Bacon Fest, a fundraising event where teams can race 40-foot dragon boats on the lake while their shore-bound friends listen to bands and eat delicious bacon. If that doesn’t sounds like fun, I’ve been misled on what “fun” is. If you’re looking for a destination that’s packed with all the fun only summer can handle, make a point to head to Sandusky!

What's your favorite amusement park, Cruisers?

STRETCH YOUR LEGS: If you’re headed to Sandusky over Father’s Day weekend, take a detour through Avon, Ohio to visit its annual Duck Tape Festival. Avon is where the first duct tape was produced, and every year they celebrate this wonderful adhesive tape by showcasing its many useful and maybe not-so-useful applications. There is a fashion show with duct tape clothing, craft booths with duct tape crafts, and a parade with floats made entirely out of flowers… no, I’m kidding; they’re made of duct tape, too. Waddle over to Avon for its Duck Tape Festival! LEARN MORE: http://www.ci.sandusky.oh.us/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandusky,_Ohio

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