Cedar Point, the world's coaster capital in Sandusky, Ohio, promises big fun for thrill-seeking families and little fun for the youngest park fans.

Cedar Point, a 364-acre Lake Erie peninsula near Sandusky, Ohio, has attracted traveling families since 1870, when the famous themepark first opened as a Midwestern bathing beach. In 1900, businessman George Boeckling assumed control of the property and added a variety of hotels and amusement rides. Over the next century, Boeckling’s lakeshore destination became one of the world’s most electrifying theme parks.

Today, Cedar Point boasts an impressive collection of 75 rides that includes a remarkable 17 world-famous roller coasters. When you compare these whopping numbers to the park’s affordable admission (around $47/day), it is easy to see why Cedar Point has been rated “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today magazine for the past 8 years.

Cedar Point = Roller Coaster Capital of the World

All season long, roller coaster afficionados flock to Cedar Point in order to test their nerves against the park's record-breaking collection of twists, turns, loops and screws. Cedar Point’s coasters range from kid-friendly to death-defying, so thrill-seekers of all ages and tastes are likely to find a coaster that suits their needs.

Carrying two trains of standing passengers (yes, we said standing), Cedar Point’s Mantis climbs 145 feet before descending at an angle of 52° into a massive 119-foot-tall loop. With speeds reaching up to 60 miles per hour, Mantis is one of the fastest stand-up roller coasters in the world.       

If “no guts, no glory” is the motto you live by, then test your nerves on Cedar Point’s Millennium Force – the coaster by which all others are measured. This 6,595-foot steel scream-machine climbs 304 feet before plunging 80° into a series of heart-stopping tunnels and turns.     

Standing at an unprecedented 420 feet tall, Top Thrill Dragster is Cedar Point’s most ambitious coaster to date. This speed-demon simulates a stratospheric drag race by using an advanced hydraulic cable system to launch riders from 0 to 120 miles per hour in under 4 seconds! After climbing the 420-foot-tall inverted hill, riders plummet back to earth at breakneck speeds just before crossing the finish line.   

For anyone who loves the throwback thrills of riding the pine, Cedar Point has two of the best wooden coasters in the country. Blue Streak, the park's oldest coaster, is filled with thrilling but modest hills that give off serious air time while the mammoth Mean Streak drops riders 161 feet before crossing its own structure a record nine times!

Younger riders will get a kick out of Cedar Point’s kid-friendly coasters too. Woodstock Express, Jr. Gemini and Wildcat are all less aggressive adventures designed with both you and your junior thrill seekers in mind.  

Cool Off in Cedar Park's Frontier Town

For those hot summer days, Cedar Point’s Frontier Town has three wild water thrill rides that will leave you and your family soaked.

Shoot the Rapids – the park’s newest water attraction – brings riders on a 2,100-foot Appalachian adventure through misty canyons and forlorn tunnels before sending their boats skimming down two monstrous hills into churning rapids. For only 25 cents, non-riders can try to soaking their friends and family with blasts of water from the observation deck.       

Thunder Canyon sends white water rafters on a wild 1,600-foot canyon expedition that features waterfalls, rapids and other surprise soakers that leave everyone on board drenched.

After riding Shoot the Rapids and Thunder Canyon, why dry off? Hop on Snake River Falls where after an 80-foot, 50-degree plunge, your boat will create a massive wall of water big enough to splash anyone caught standing on the observation bridge! 

Lights, Camera, Action at Cedar Point Live Shows

In addition to exciting thrill rides, Cedar Point also has a great line up of shows and performances for your whole family to enjoy.

After defying gravity on Cedar Point’s coasters, teens will love seeing skateboarders, rollerbladers, and BMX riders flip high in the air and perform stunts of their own in All Wheels Extreme.

For younger children and fans of Schultz’s Peanuts, Everyone Loves Snoopy is an ice skating spectacle starring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts family.

If your family loves sizzlin' country music, then the Palace Theater’s Grand Ole Country is a must-see. This afternoon live concert nails all of country’s greatest hits from the days of mountain music and honky-tonk straight up to today's modern country favorites.

For anyone enjoys playing the popular Rock Band video game, Rock Band Live blends the energy of a live rock concert with the participation of a video game. If you think your Rock Band skills are truly up to par, arrive 30 minutes prior to each show time for a chance to steal the spotlight in Rock Band Live.

This is a really big park so you'll want to plan your time carefully. Here is a comprehensive listing of Cedar Point Shows and show times.

Soak City & Challenge Park

Guests who plan on staying longer than 3 days may want to take advantage of Cedar Point’s Soak City and Challenge Park.

In addition to a collection of water slides, Soak City features a splash zone and relaxing lazy river. The Challenge Park is home to pay-as-you-go activities like mini-golf, go-karts, and a daring zip chord ride.

Costs for Soak City and Challenge Park are not included in your Cedar Point admission. Please visit Soak City and Challenge Park online for more information including hours of operation and a price guide.    

Cedar Point Trip Planning Details

Cedar Point is open daily from mid-May through the week after Labor Day. Between Labor Day and Halloween each year, the park is open only on weekends.

Admission to Cedar Point for 2011 is $46.99 for visitors over 48”, $21 for visitors over the age of 62 or under 48”, and $36.99 for military personnel. Tickets may be purchased online or at Cedar Point's ticket office.    

For guests who choose to stay at any one of the park’s on-site accommodations, Cedar Point offers discounted admission, early entry to the park, and a variety of multi-day park packages.

For more information regarding accommodations and other attractions in Sandusky, please read FTF's round up of Cedar Point area hotels in Ottawa County, Ohio.