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19 Best & Fun Things To Do In Sandusky (Ohio)

The city of Sandusky is an unsung gem in Ohio.

Lying along the Sandusky Bay, it offers guests a great time out on the water and on land.

These are 19 of the best and most fun things to do in Sandusky, Ohio.

1. Lagoon Deer Park

Lagoon Deer Park

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Lagoon Deer Park is a great place to interact with animals in Sandusky, Ohio.

There are animals from different continents here, and you can feed them by hand.

Lagoon Deer Park also has terrific fishing opportunities.

At the Lagoon Deer Park petting zoo, you can interact with friendly deer, emus, peacocks, and sheep.

For fishing, you can catch perch, bullheads, and white bass.

Be sure to explore their gift shop for fun souvenirs as well.

Going to Lagoon Deer Park is great if you’re looking for fun family activities.

Hours for the petting zoo vary and fishing varies based on the season.

There’s an adult petting zoo for $9 and a child petting zoo for $5.

Address: 1012 Martins Point Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

2 Castaway Bay

Castaway Bay

Castaway Bay

If you love waterparks, going to Castaway Bay is definitely one of the best things to do in Sandusky.

The awesome slides should thrill even the most experienced water park lovers.

The best part is that it’s an indoor water park, so you can go any time of year.

Water slides at Castaway Bay range from suitable for toddlers to perfect for adrenaline addicts.

There’s also a great wave pool to cool off in.

This is all part of a great resort, which also includes a humongous arcade.

Castaway Bay is one of the most exhilarating Sandusky attractions.

You can see just how much entertainment an indoor water park has to offer.

Between the slides, wave pool, and great Caribbean design, Castaway Bay truly has it all.

Address: 2001 Cleveland Rd W, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

3. Maritime Museum of Sandusky

Maritime Museum of Sandusky

Maritime Museum of Sandusky

The Maritime Museum of Sandusky is a fun place to learn about the city’s maritime legacy.

This museum appeals to guests of all ages, with exhibitions that show just how important ships have been in shaping history.

It’s an impact that can be felt throughout this city and beyond.

So many seafaring and water-based topics are discussed at this great museum.

Some of the things to see here include exhibitions on shipwrecks, boat manufacturing, and ice harvesting.

There’s even an exhibit focused on the Underground Railroad and Sandusky’s part in it.

The Maritime Museum of Sandusky is one of the top tourist attractions for history lovers in Sandusky.

Visit this weekend, as they’re open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission costs $7 for adults and $6 for children younger than 12 and seniors, ages 62 or older.

They’re also a Blue Star museum, giving lower admission to active military members.

Address: 125 Meigs St, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

4. Firelands Winery

Firelands Winery

Firelands Winery

If you’re into romantic activities, the best place to go in Sandusky is Firelands Winery.

Considered among Ohio’s best wineries, Firelands Winery turns great local grapes into fantastic wine.

Come for a tour and tasting so you can see just how distinct their product is.

There’s amazing history to the name.

The Firelands name comes from Connecticuters, resettling in Ohio amidst the Revolutionary War, who had a love for wine-making.

The tradition has proudly continued, with Fireland wines having earned plaudits from plenty of wine lovers.

Fireland Winery is a great place for a hot date or fun with friends in Sandusky, Ohio.

After taking a tour, be sure to check out their shop and take home a bottle of the wine you like best.

Current winery hours are Wednesdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 917 Bardshar Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

5. Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge

Another one of the greatest places to go if you’re into indoor water parks is Great Wolf Lodge.

While that’s not the only part of this Sandusky attraction, it’s definitely a huge selling point.

Some of the slides here are pretty next-level, especially Alberta Falls.

Other attractions at the Great Wolf Lodge are the Northern Lights Arcade, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and MagiQuest, which make this resort feel like an amazing fantasy realm.

If you get hungry, you’ll have plenty of options.

Hungry As A Wolf is a great choice if you’re craving pizza.

Come to Great Wolf Lodge this weekend if you’re looking to get a major dose of entertainment in Sandusky.

Whether you want to blast off the water slides or try for an arcade high score, there’s so much quality stuff to do here.

You can also enjoy other Sandusky attractions while staying in one of their suites.

Address: 4600 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

Visiting other parts of Ohio? Why not check out some of the things to do in Cleveland & some of the things to do in Cincinnati?

6. Follett House Museum

Follett House Museum

Follett House Museum

At Follett House Museum, you can get a great glimpse of downtown Sandusky and other areas.

You can unearth so much noteworthy history about the area.

The Follett House Museum does a remarkable job of compiling history within each of its four stories.

Situated in a Greek Revival-style house, this library-operated museum teaches about life for different people in Sandusky in the past.

This includes families, business owners, military members, and inmates.

The greater Erie County area is also delved into.

You can really see just how major this seemingly small city really is.

To see how the Sandusky of today reached its status, come to the Follett House Museum.

There’s no cost to take a tour.

However, you will need to book ahead of time and have no more than six people in your group.

Address: 404 Wayne St, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

7. Toft Dairy & Ice Cream Parlor

Toft Dairy & Ice Cream Parlor

Toft Dairy & Ice Cream Parlor

Among the top things to do in Sandusky is getting a frozen treat at Toft Dairy & Ice Cream Parlor.

This shop has become a deserved institution among locals.

In business for more than a century, Toft’s appeals to anyone who loves ice cream.

The Toft’s story starts not with an ice cream parlor but with a dairy.

This modest farm grew into a gargantuan operation.

However, even with the increased size, they’ve kept up their integrity.

Their milk is all sourced from local farmers, which makes their ice cream taste so much better.

Some of the best flavors on their roster include cherry vanilla, rocky road, and double chocolate almond.

Places like Toft’s Ice Cream Parlor make Sandusky one of the most fun travel destinations in Ohio.

Eating here is what to do in Sandusky to see just how great ice cream can be.

Toft’s Ice Cream Parlor is open every day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Address: 3717 Venice Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

8. Merry-Go-Round Museum

Merry-Go-Round Museum

Merry-Go-Round Museum

If you stop and think about it, a merry-go-round is a pretty fascinating thing.

How exactly did this attraction, of going around in circles on carved horses and other animals while music plays, become so popular?

The Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, Ohio goes into the fascinating history of the Merry-Go-Round.

Sightseeing families can have a blast at the Merry-Go-Round Museum.

Tours teach you all about the story behind these beloved attractions.

There’s also the fully operational Allan Herschell Carousel, a restored merry-go-round that’s been brought back to its original beauty.

This city is full of places to visit focused on unique histories, like the Merry-Go-Round Museum.

Visiting here is what to do if you want to bring yourself back to your childhood and show your kids a wonderful time.

Getting in is $6 for adult visitors, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children, between ages four and 14.

Address: 301 Jackson St, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

9. Ghostly Manor Thrill Center

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center

If you’re in Sandusky near Halloween and want spooky things to do at night, check out Ghostly Manor Thrill Center.

This complex offers spooky entertainment as you lurk through their haunted house.

Not looking for something quite so scary?

There are lots of other things to do here.

Haunted house lovers consider the Ghostly Manor Haunted House among the best in the nation.

It really feels like you’re going through a haunted mansion, and the “ghosts” that pop out can definitely turn your hair white if you’re easily scared.

Try your wits at the center’s Escape Room and enjoy some friendly competition at the arcade and miniature golf course.

Anyone looking for fun things to do in Ohio should come to Ghostly Manor Thrill Center.

It also has rollerskating, bounce houses, and a motion theater.

For tourist attractions with plenty of fun things to do in Sandusky, come to Ghostly Manor Thrill Center.

Address: 3319 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

10. Rusty Wallace Racing Experience

Rusty Wallace Racing Experience

action sports / Shutterstock

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to be inside a NASCAR vehicle as it whizzes around a track at triple-digit speeds?

Well, your high-speed fantasy can become a reality when you’re in Sandusky.

Visit the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience for top entertainment at top speeds.

These are legitimate NASCAR vehicles, fashioned with motors likely more powerful than every car you’ve ever owned.

You can choose between riding along with a trained driver or handling the wheel yourself.

The Driving Experience offers up to 50 laps, while the Ride Along Experience offers three or five laps.

Rusty Wallace Racing Experience has numerous locations in the eastern United States.

It’s one of the most awesome places to see in Sandusky, Ohio.

For fun at top speeds, come to Rusty Wallace Racing Experience.

Traveling to other areas of Ohio? Why not check out some of the things to do in Columbus, OH & some of the things to do in Dayton, Ohio?

11. Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point

Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point

Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point

A massive component of the massive Lake Erie Birding Trail is the Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point.

This Huron, Ohio park offers plenty of great encounters with nature.

Come at the right time, and you can have a whole new appreciation for birds.

The best time to see birds at Eagle Point is during migration in the spring.

However, you can see great birds throughout the year here.

You can also go on hikes and take out a canoe or kayak.

If you really love the environment at Eagle Point, you can camp overnight.

Great attractions like Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point let you see just how gorgeous Ohio is.

It might also inspire you to see more of the Lake Erie Birding Trail.

There are so many incredible things to see here, and that’s not just including the birds.

Address: 3435 Cleveland Rd W, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

12. Sandusky Segwave Tours

Sandusky Segwave Tours

kipgodi / Shutterstock

A nice day in Sandusky shouldn’t be wasted inside.

However, walking around on foot can get a little tedious.

That’s why we recommend going on a Sandusky Segwave Tour.

These tours let you see different important parts of Sandusky via Segway.

For a couple of hours, you’ll be wheeling around, taking in their different parks and getting excellent views of Sandusky Bay.

Don’t let a lack of Segway experience scare you off.

Every experience starts with a lesson, and it’s pretty easy to catch on.

Activities like Segwave Tours expose you to areas you might otherwise never know about.

They’re also just great for getting out of your comfort zone while having fun in this city.

Reserve a trip with them to find wonderful places to visit in Sandusky.

Address: 107 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

13. Goodtime Lake Erie Cruise

Goodtime Lake Erie Cruise

Goodtime Lake Erie Cruise

To really see the splendor of Lake Erie and immerse yourself in all kinds of fun, take a ride with Goodtime Lake Erie Cruise.

This is a Sandusky experience ideal for romance and family thrills.

Check out their cruises, and find the right one for you and your group.

If you love wine, you can take the Wine Wednesday Cruise.

The Daytime Island Hopping Cruise is ideal if you’re looking for family outings.

Should you want to cut loose on the dance floor, there’s the Friday Night Party Cruise, great for getting your boogie on.

A Goodtime Lake Erie Cruise can provide you with great times, ones that can form lasting memories.

They’re a family-operated company, and cruises are offered between May and October.

Buy tickets online so you can guarantee a spot on an awesome cruise.

Address: 109 W Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

14. Lions Park

Lions Park

Lions Park

A wild feline isn’t going to pop out and devour you at Lions Park.

Instead, it offers lots of free things to do in Sandusky.

Come to this great park for delightful outdoor activities.

Lions Park is especially nice to visit in the warmer months.

In addition to its waterfront location, there’s also a splash pad and places to fish.

You can also play basketball and enjoy a picnic, with help from their grills.

Great Sandusky attractions can be as simple as a nice outdoor area like Lions Park.

Spending time is what to do when you just want to have some old-fashioned fun.

Lions Park is open between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day of the week.

Address: 533 Winnebago Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

15. Sandusky Speedway

Sandusky Speedway

Sandusky Speedway

The Rusty Wallace Driving Experience takes place at Sandusky Speedway.

If you don’t feel like being inside a racecar but are still looking for some high-octane fun, get tickets to a race.

It’s especially exciting if you’ve never seen a car race before.

This track has a pretty storied history.

The inaugural race was held in 1950.

Racing fans continue to recognize Sandusky Speedway as a first-rate track.

You’ll love seeing the different designs of the vehicles and cheering on your favorite competitors.

Sandusky Speedway should count itself among the most exciting places to visit in Sandusky.

Whether you know everything there is about racing or are a total newbie, you can have a good time here.

Races usually occur between April and October.

Adults are charged $12 for admission and children, ages six to 12, are charged $5.

Address: 614 W Perkins Ave # 1, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

16. Kalahari Resorts Sandusky

Sandusky, Ohio might as well just change its name to “Water Park City.”

At Kalahari Resorts Sandusky, you can find another fantastic waterpark.

As with others on this list, this is an indoor waterpark.

Not only that, but this is the biggest indoor waterpark in the entire state.

You can have some fun splashing around with your kids at Coral Cove and careen down Cheetah Race on a mat.

Outdoor water excitement can also be found at Kahalari Resorts.

Safari Outdoor Adventure Park features some quality slides.

There are plenty of places to visit in Sandusky if you love waterparks.

Take a look at your summer schedule and make room for a trip to Kalahari Resorts.

Whether you’re inside or outside, you’re sure to have some aquatic enjoyment here.

Address: 7000 Kalahari Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

17. Cedar Point

Cedar Point

David McGill 71 / Shutterstock

You can’t talk about fun in Sandusky without mentioning Cedar Point.

Theme park devotees hold Cedar Point in the highest of esteem.

It’s not a matter of unearned hype, either.

This is truly one of the greatest places to go for roller coasters and more.

Cedar Point’s coasters are so revered, the park is known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.”

Among their coolest coasters are Steel Vengeance, GateKeeper, and Blue Streak.

However, there are also less-intense rides.

Take a spin on the Giant Wheel for a spectacular view.

Cedar Point offers excitement of the highest order.

It first opened in 1870 and is still an amazing park today.

Get yourself to Cedar Point so you can see and ride more rollercoasters than you can possibly imagine.

Address: 1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

18. Air 1 Airboats

Air 1 Airboats

Air 1 Airboats

Airboats are propeller-guided water vessels, and Sandusky gives you a great chance to experience them.

With Air 1 Airboats, you can cruise down Lake Erie in a very unique way.

You’ll also be near Cedar Point, in case you want to knock two experiences off your itinerary in one day.

A Coast Guard-certified captain leads these tours.

They can be pretty fast, so make sure you’ve got all your valuables on you.

Keep your eyes peeled for the great animals in the areas, such as eagles and foxes, and appreciate the spellbinding landscape as a whole.

Air 1 Airboats gives you an experience unlike any other in Ohio.

It’s both giddying and wondrous.

Tours are available between early May until Labor Day.

Rides are $50 for adults and $45 for children, ages 10 and under.

Address: 2312 River Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

19. Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden

Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden

Nyttend, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden is another awesome place for a Sandusky history lesson.

The first lawyer to work in Sandusky, Eleutheros Cooke, built this house in the 1840s.

It went through many owners over the years and had to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Today, it’s operated by the Ohio Historical Society, and they’ve done a great job of honoring its legacy and the city as a whole.

This building is also made in Greek Revival style, and touring it is great if you’re looking for free things to do.

Information about the establishment comes from a Historical Society guide as well as a video.

This is also known as the Cookie-Dorn House, as the last owners were businessman and wife Randolph and Estelle Dorn.

Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden has been very well maintained and teaches visitors quite a lot.

As mentioned, they don’t charge any admission.

However, you can definitely show your appreciation by donating to the Ohio History Connection.

Address: 1415 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Sandusky

Sandusky, Ohio has lots of great attractions.

From indoor waterparks to Lake Erie experiences to magnificent parks, it’s got everything you need to put a smile on your face.

If you’re with your family, you’re sure to give your kids the time of their life too.

Happy travels!