By Karen Shadrach
One of the best summer adventures is a trip to an amusement park, and we are very fortunate to have one of North America’s premier parks in nearby Sandusky: Cedar Point.
The 151-year-old park boasts 70 amazing rides including 17 world-class roller coasters, plus areas filled with attractions and rides for kids and families.
Good-Day Tips
If your grandchildren are still young and shorter than 48 inches, you will be mostly limited to kiddie land rides. Cedar Point has four children’s areas, each packed with the rides that kids love: Planet Snoopy, Kiddy Kingdom, Camp Snoopy and the Gemini Midway Area.
Your grandkids will also enjoy riding with you on the Sky Ride gondola along with Snoopy’s Express Railroad and Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad trains. For a day at Cedar Point, we take along a wagon, both to carry our luggage — diaper bag and changes of clothing, food treats and extra water — plus to pull the young kids around if they get tired.
Remember to pack sunscreen and hats for all. Arrive early to beat the crowds, and plan meal times earlier or later than normal. Since Cedar Point has so much to see and do, we reserve a room at Hotel Breakers once a year. It is pricey but worth it, especially if you have younger children. Being able to go back to an air-conditioned room on a hot day and a comfortable room to take a nap makes the price worthwhile. Also, you can change into bathing suits to go to the hotel pools, Cedar Point Shores Waterpark or to stay on the beach and swim in Lake Erie, which is right outside your door. Staying in the hotel includes park discounts. After a swim and nap, the kids are ready to re-enter the park in the evening when the weather is a lot cooler. The park is magical with the rides lit up at night.
Small & Fun
If Cedar Point is too much for your little one, try Memphis Kiddie Park in Cleveland’s Brooklyn neighborhood (opening May 21). Delighting young children and their parents/grandparents since 1952, it’s a favorite for the 6-year-and-under crowd. Riders must be shorter than 50 inches tall and able to sit up on their own without assistance.
The park is small and easy to walk around, and parking is free. This 11-ride park is home to the Little Dipper, which is the oldest operating steel roller coaster in North America. Tickets are purchased for each ride instead of buying an expensive all-inclusive entry ticket. Also, ride tickets never expire. If your little one gets tired, or the weather suddenly changes, you can return for another visit and your tickets will be valid.
Lines are usually short and you can stand and watch in close proximity to easily view your little rider to wave or to take pictures. Older siblings (or you) can ride along on the merry-go-round, Little Dipper or the train, which travels around the perimeter of the park. Adjacent to the rides is an 18-hole mini-golf course that grandkids of all ages love to play. The park-like setting has plenty of shade, too.
No outside food is permitted in the park, but you can buy hot dogs, drinks, popcorn and funnel cakes at the concession stand. We go early when the park opens, then leave and go out for lunch or have a picnic at Cleveland Metroparks Big Creek Reservation just east of the Kiddie Park.
All of the sights, sounds and special treats make taking your grandchildren to an amusement park an exciting adventure. Create special memories at a nearby amusement park this summer.
