Ohio Water Parks
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2002
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Ohio Water Parks
Planning to drive from VA to WI in a a week or two with my three children. The Sandusky, OH area is about the midway point, and it seems to be a haven for water/amusement parks. I searched the FT arhives and found a 12 year old thread on water parks, and rather than resurrect that, I thought I'd ask for specific recommendations here.
Can anyone suggest anything specific I should stop and see with children 12, 10, and 7?
Thanks in advance.
Can anyone suggest anything specific I should stop and see with children 12, 10, and 7?
Thanks in advance.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CMH, West Coast
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald
Posts: 2,741
Depending on where you're coming from in VA (I'm assuming DC area, since from anywhere in Southern Virginia it probably wouldn't make sense to go through Sandusky), I would strongly consider taking 70/65 instead of the OH/IN Turnpike. I know it's like 60 miles longer from N. VA, but the Turnpike is really expensive, and I just loathe driving on it.
Indianapolis has a world-class Children's Museum and may be worth a stop. Columbus has a great one as well (COSI) as well as a fantastic zoo (with water park) that wouldn't be too far of a detour from I-70.
Indianapolis has a world-class Children's Museum and may be worth a stop. Columbus has a great one as well (COSI) as well as a fantastic zoo (with water park) that wouldn't be too far of a detour from I-70.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Depending on where you're coming from in VA (I'm assuming DC area, since from anywhere in Southern Virginia it probably wouldn't make sense to go through Sandusky), I would strongly consider taking 70/65 instead of the OH/IN Turnpike. I know it's like 60 miles longer from N. VA, but the Turnpike is really expensive, and I just loathe driving on it.
Indianapolis has a world-class Children's Museum and may be worth a stop. Columbus has a great one as well (COSI) as well as a fantastic zoo (with water park) that wouldn't be too far of a detour from I-70.
Indianapolis has a world-class Children's Museum and may be worth a stop. Columbus has a great one as well (COSI) as well as a fantastic zoo (with water park) that wouldn't be too far of a detour from I-70.
Can you define "really expensive"? And, yes, I'm driving from the D.C. area.
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
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I assume EZ Pass is a valid form of payment along that route. Right?
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
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As for Sandusky, Soak City is owned/operated by Cedar Point. If you want to visit both I think you can get a combo ticket. I have heard both good and bad reviews from friends.
Some of my family really like Kalahari. Not sure if that is because of the features, or because it is indoors and open year round.
I have not been to either personally, but those are the two I hear about most often.
Some of my family really like Kalahari. Not sure if that is because of the features, or because it is indoors and open year round.
I have not been to either personally, but those are the two I hear about most often.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
As for Sandusky, Soak City is owned/operated by Cedar Point. If you want to visit both I think you can get a combo ticket. I have heard both good and bad reviews from friends.
Some of my family really like Kalahari. Not sure if that is because of the features, or because it is indoors and open year round.
I have not been to either personally, but those are the two I hear about most often.
Some of my family really like Kalahari. Not sure if that is because of the features, or because it is indoors and open year round.
I have not been to either personally, but those are the two I hear about most often.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, BA (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,963
Kalahari rocks
I have been to both Great Wolf Lodge and Avalanche Bay in Northern Michigan with my 11 and 13 year old daughters. We have also been to Kalahari.
Kalahari is the only one that I would put in the awesome category. Something for everyone. It is also the one with the best food options.
Kalahari is the only one that I would put in the awesome category. Something for everyone. It is also the one with the best food options.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
I have been to both Great Wolf Lodge and Avalanche Bay in Northern Michigan with my 11 and 13 year old daughters. We have also been to Kalahari.
Kalahari is the only one that I would put in the awesome category. Something for everyone. It is also the one with the best food options.
Kalahari is the only one that I would put in the awesome category. Something for everyone. It is also the one with the best food options.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, BA (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,963
Kalahari has many outdoor features also, but I went in February, so I can't speak to what any of their outdoor attractions are like. Sorry.