I graduated from a small private school located on Strub Road in Sandusky, Ohio. It was the year 2000, and Route 250 was known for four things: Great Bear Lodge, the Sandusky Mall, the Wal-Mart Plaza, and, of course, Sports City.
There were two theaters, Movies 8 and Movies 10, and the arcade Tilt was still going strong with the latest fighting games.
Cedar Point passes cost around 50 bucks, and everyone was excited about the new arrival, The Millennium Force.
A pack of cigarettes cost around $2.50, and the best place to grab a meal was Chilis. At the end of that summer, I went to college and, after five years, returned to a different place.
Route 250 had blown up!
Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Starbucks, and a number of other franchises had sprung up down the main strip.
A huge indoor water park had been constructed, and large department stores had been built. What I once knew as Sports City had been torn down, and in its place were two large shopping centers.
The Sandusky Mall had even seen some changes, with an American Eagle and other popular clothing stores leasing some space.
The first time I drove down that main strip, I couldn’t help but say to myself, “I wish this stuff was around when I was in high school!” Cedar Point and Kalahari had made Sandusky, Ohio into one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ohio.
Sandusky had changed from a manufacturing town to an economy dependent on tourism. The old Ford and GM factories were gone and replaced by other companies.
Downtown Sandusky, once a booming place of industry, was now dormant, and buildings were abandoned. Things had changed.
When I was born in 1981, businesses had already begun moving from Downtown Sandusky to Milan Road in Perkins Township.
The popularity of Cedar Point had forced a change and had outgrown the confines of the small downtown market. By the time I graduated, the factories had shut down and moved south or closed completely.
The area was forced to change, and a small renaissance occurred.
New restaurants began to appear: Crush Wine Bar, Zinc Brasserie, J.Bistro, Hearth Tavern, Water Street Bar and Grill, Hot Dog Tony’s, Volstead Bar, Mr. Smiths’s Coffee House, and Small City Taphouse, along with old favorites such as Cameos and The Lunchbox began to make Downtown Sandusky a hotspot for a business lunch or a night out.
During the summer months, tourists, Cedar Point employees, and locals can be seen walking down the strip to have a cocktail or eat some dinner.
During the winter months, the downtown area is festive and provides a nice escape for the locals.
Sandusky Love
When I was a kid in high school, I couldn’t wait to get out of what I believed to be a “hole,” but when I grew up and got married, I grew to love the area I come from and the people who live here.
While there are going to be jerks everywhere you go, I believe Sandusky is one of the few tourist locations where the people genuinely appreciate what the tourists bring to this area.
Since the local economy depends on tourism during the summer, the businesses cater to them and want to give them the best vacation they could possibly offer.
I remember my trip to Disney World in Orlando. While everyone had a great time, the area is saturated with scams and tourist traps. You are offered discounts if you sit and listen to a timeshare sales pitch.
After you listen to the pitch, you are forced to endure verbal abuse, also known as a hard sell. If you survive the endeavor, you are given a discounted Disney World ticket.
That is not the case in Sandusky.
Sandusky is a small town and behaves as such.
Sandusky Ohio Attractions
For such a small area, Sandusky, Ohio, offers three main attractions: Cedar Point, Kalahari Resort, and the Lake Erie Islands. You may already know all of these attractions, but let me take a moment and give a quick overview of each.
Cedar Point: It seems as though every year, Cedar Point is ranked as one of the top Amusement Parks in the world. Every summer, millions of tourists pack into Sandusky and the local area to experience the attractions for themselves.
Kalahari Resort: It is the largest indoor water park in the world and is a world in and of itself. It is possible to vacation for a week at Kalahari and never set foot outside the building. Although, I wouldn't recommend that.
Lake Erie Islands: Put-in-Bay and Kelley’s Island are two of the popular island destinations on Lake Erie. The islands are a great place to go and have a day with the family exploring the attractions on a golf cart or just partying it up.
Sandusky Civil War History
Here is something that most tourists never really investigate, but Sandusky has an interesting history and one that had a national impact, especially during the Civil War.
During the Abolitionist movement, Sandusky was a major destination for runaway slaves since it was the last stop to freedom.
Many of the citizens took part in the Underground Railroad, and those locations have been preserved. There is a monument erected to honor the bravery of those runaways to freedom. The Underground Railroad is not the only Civil War destination.
The home of General James Birdseye McPherson in Clyde and the Confederate Prison on Johnson’s Island are both interesting destinations to visit during your vacation to one of Sandusky’s attractions.
Surrounding Areas
Sandusky and its surrounding areas are a great place to vacation, but I am barely able to scratch the surface. The areas located around Sandusky have their own unique cultures and attractions. Here is a preview of some of the other areas that would be great for any vacationer to visit:
Port Clinton: Walleye Capital of the world, home of great wines, charter boats, luxury resorts, and five-class restaurants. Port Clinton ranks second behind Sandusky in tourist traffic and is located across the bridge west of Sandusky on Route 2.
Norwalk: The heart of the Firelands and home to one of the best gold courses in the area. Norwalk is the second most populous city in the area. While it does not attract the tourism of Sandusky, it does offer many attractions.
Lakeside Marblehead Peninsula: Located next to Port Clinton is the Lakeside Marblehead Peninsula. 15 years ago, I would have lumped Lakeside and Port Clinton in together, but the little peninsula has established itself as a high-end location for travelers searching for luxury. The Peninsula offers great food, scenery, golf courses, beaches, and, of course, fishing.
Huron: Huron is located next to Sandusky and is another great spot to visit. The residents of Huron are proud of their city and have done a great job in its upkeep. It offers excellent restaurants, premiere July 4th fireworks, and a large festival called Riverfest.
Bellevue: If you like trains, then Bellevue is your place since it is home to the Mad River Railroad Museum. Bellevue offers some affordable places to stay, excellent parks, a handful of great restaurants, and some amazing history.
Clyde: Known for General James Birdseye McPherson, Sherwood Anderson, and Football. Clyde is a bit out there and probably shouldn’t make a list, but I couldn’t resist due to its great 3-par golf course and greasy spoons.
Milan: The Birthplace of Thomas Edison and located just off the Turnpike. You may be staying in this city and not even know it. Milan is a small community that can be missed, but I encourage everyone to take a drive to downtown Milan and visit the birthplace of Thomas Edison. It is located in a beautiful courtyard and presents itself as a throwback to a time when things moved slower and seemed more simple.
Vermilion: A bit of a drive, but I need to mention this gem by the lake. Vermilion is a beautiful location tucked away by the lake that most tourists do not visit. It is a hub for boaters and yachts and tends to cater to the upper-class crowd. Popular restaurants like Chez Francois and The Wine Vault are two examples.
Castalia: Okay, this is actually my birthplace and where I lived for much of my life, so I can’t finish the introduction without mentioning the smallest town in the area. Castalia offers some of the best bluegill fishing around and is known for Cold Creek. Cold Creek never freezes, even though temperatures around here drop below zero throughout the winter. It is also home to one of the best pizza places in the area, Village Pizza House.