Cedar Point, Ohio
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Cedar Point is heralded as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” and that it is—but it’s so much more. Its location overlooking beautiful Lake Erie makes it the crown jewel of what locals affectionately refer to as “Vacationland” for its myriad campgrounds, family attractions, and miles of shore for all manner of water fun. With so much to enjoy, Cedar Point makes for an excellent destination in a rented RV, which will double as your family’s hotel and transportation to and from the park. Here’s everything you need to know about Cedar Point and the broader Sandusky, Ohio area to make the most of your RV rental and create an unforgettable family.
Cedar Point touts itself as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” and it’s a title they easily defend year after year. One of its most popular roller coasters, Millennium Force, became the world’s first “giga-coaster,” when it opened in 2000 with heights over 300 feet and speeds of up to 93 miles per hour. The Top Thrill Dragster launches riders from 0 to 120 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds and sends them up a straight-up launch 420 feet into the air. It’s all over in 17 seconds, but it’s well worth the wait. These are just two of the park’s 18 coasters with something for thrill seekers of any age.
Of course, the coasters themselves aren’t the only rides worth checking out at Cedar Point. There are another 18 thrill rides that range from the tame Wave Swinger, a low-to-the-ground swing carousel, to the unbelievable WindSeeker, which takes riders over 30 stories above the park for incredible views of Lake Erie while in the seat of a dangling swing. For a full list of the dozens of great rides at Cedar Point, visit their website.
Cedar Point is a family destination and offers plenty of fun for the entire group. Kids love the park’s Camp Snoopy: a collection of Peanuts-themed attractions designed for little ones. Get a picture with Snoopy and Charlie Brown, or head to the Snoopy Bounce for some active fun. There are tons of vehicle-themed rides that put kids behind the wheel of everything from dune buggies to space-age rockets.
The Camp Snoopy area is also home to a whole collection of classic midway rides that the kids will love and parents will appreciate with a sense of childhood nostalgia. The roto-whip, “rock spin and turn,” and carousel are a taste of classic Americana suitable for all ages. Learn more about Camp Snoopy and the rest of Cedar Point’s kid-friendly activities here.
You could spend an entire week at Cedar Point, but you’ll need at least two days to really enjoy both the main park and Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, an 18-acre aquatic wonderland. The waterpark has all the classic hallmarks of any water-based theme park, like the Breakwater Bay wave pool, Cedar Creek lazy river, and excellent splashpads and playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
The real star of the show are the waterslides. Cedar Point never shies away from the thrills, and Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is no exception. There are family friendly slides like Storm Surge, which puts a whole group onto a raft to head down the slide together, or Riptide Raceway: a multi-track slide where guests race to the bottom on their own rafts. The Lake Erie Nor’easter is a dark waterslide which is really three slides in one. And, the most thrilling of them all is Point Plummet, where guests stand in place at the top of the slide before the trap door beneath them drops them straight down for a rush like no other. For more info on the rides and also the cabana rental services and dining options at Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, visit the park’s website.
Cedar Point prides itself on a true sense of showmanship, and the park’s many seasonal events and shows mean there’s always something new to see at the park. Throughout the year, special events like the Frontier Festival put a special costume onto the whole park, transforming guests and transporting them deep into the past… or someplace spookier. The most popular special event at Cedar Point is the park’s Halloweekends, which turn the entire park into a haunted house during the month of October.
The park is also home to plenty of live entertainment when you’re ready for a break from the rides and the lines. Shows like Bands in Residence and Cedar Point on Tap headline the entertainment offerings, and talented musicians and dancers can be found throughout the park putting on ad-hoc shows. Kids will love the Charlie Brown’s Funtime Frolics show, a live show with all of the Peanuts gang. Check out a list of the park’s events here, and the shows on offer here.
Cedar Point is a unique theme park as it sits right on the water, and thrill seekers will be rewarded with great views of Lake Erie from every coaster in the park. But, if you want to get up and close with Lake Erie, the park also facilitates many lakeside activities perfect for a day away from the excitement of the park to relax and unwind. Cedar Point Beach is a great place to catch some rays and swim in the beautiful waters of Lake Erie—but it doesn’t stop there.
Guests love taking cruises aboard the Jet Express, which takes visitors out on a full-day experience to Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay. Prefer to go it on your own? Rent a WaveRunner to explore the coastline on your own. And, for views that even roller coaster riders will envy, reserve a parasailing tour of your very own. Learn more and book your reservations for these great excursions on Cedar Point’s website.
A quarter mile off the Ohio Turnpike and just a few short minutes from Cedar Point, Sandusky Milan RV Park just might be the perfect home base for a Cedar Point vacation. Enjoy a shady RV campsite with full hookup, and when you’re ready for a break from the action at Cedar Point, lounge in the beautiful pool area.
Even closer to Cedar Point is Camp Sandusky and its 100 full hookup RV sites. There are two swimming pools here, plus Wi-Fi throughout the campground. Kids will love the huge playground and the bunny farm, and grownups will appreciate the pancake breakfasts available on-site to fill the family up before a day riding the coasters.
Cedarlane RV Resort is a huge RV resort located in Port Clinton just outside of Sandusky. Their 300 RV sites can accommodate even the biggest rigs, and their amenities are bar none. Three heated pools, a gift shop and convenience store, and a full-service poolside tiki bar are among the highlights of this fun and exciting resort.
Gotta Getaway RV Park in Bellevue, Ohio is just a little farther away from Cedar Point than the other parks on this list, but the unique atmosphere is worth the trip if it appeals to you. This simple resort offers level, shady RV sites around a pond where you can add some great sunfish and crappie fishing into your vacation mix.
The Resort at Erie Landing is a new RV resort and campground in Port Clinton that offers everything you’d need for a vacation in its own right, let alone a place to stay while exploring everything the Cedar Point area has to offer. Enjoy a marina on the Portage River with easy access to Lake Erie, plus a rec center with spa, indoor and outdoor pools, racquetball courts, and a bar and café.
There are so many dining options inside Cedar Point, it will be hard for the whole family to agree on what to eat—but that’s okay! Most of the park’s restaurants allow guests to grab their food and find a place to eat together, so if mom wants Chick-fil-a and dad has his sights set on a walking taco, everybody can get what they want. The park has both a variety of chain favorites like Starbucks, Quaker Steak & Lube, and Auntie Anne’s, as well as special favorites like French Quarter Confections, The Dragon’s Inn, and Mufflehead’s Beach Bar. For a complete list of available dining options inside the park, check out Cedar Point’s dining webpage.
When your day takes you outside Cedar Point, Sandusky offers many restaurants representing a variety of cuisines. Looking for pizza? The Brick Oven Bistro is a popular spot. Mekong Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine is very highly recommended. DeMore’s Offshore Bar & Grill is a great seafood and pub food spot, and Dockside Café is a favorite for fish tacos.
For a longer list of great dining options in Sandusky and throughout the area, visit the Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands tourism website.