A variety of activities will spice up any vacation in northwest Ohio
There’s simply no excuse for boredom in northwest Ohio, where summertime dishes up a wide variety of recreation, relaxation and high-speed thrills. For the latter, check out Cedar Point’s newest roller coaster, Steel Vengeance, which opened this season.
Whether you’re into sports or museums, concerts or long strolls through the woods, you’ll be able to find somewhere to go and somethingtodoallsu mmer long.
THEME PARKS CEDAR POINT AND CEDAR POINT SHORES WATERPARK 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky (Erie County)
Steel Vengeance makes its longawaited debut at Cedar Point
this summer. The “hyper-hybrid” coaster comes as a reinvention of the Mean Streak, introducing a smooth steel track — and recordbreaking 200-foot drop — to the wooden structure that last saw ridersin2 016.
More than 150 rides, shows and attractions offer ple ntymoreto enjoy at the 364-acre amusement park. Or guests can cool off at the adjacent water park, Cedar Point Shores, wh ereextreme
slides and meandering pools catertospli sh-splashers of all ages.
ADMISSION: $72for Cedar Point, $39 for Cedar Point Shores, with
discounted rates for children and tickets purchased online; parking costs $20 INFORMATION: cedarpoint.com, 419-627-2350
AFRICAN SAFARI WILDLIFE PARK 267 S. Lightner Road, Port Clinton (Ottawa County)
The park, celebrating its 50th season, lets visitors get up close to a slew of exotic animals — think bongos, bison, zebras and more — in walk-through and drive-through safari encounters. Expect several critters to nose up to car windows, probably in search of the cups of feed that safari-goers can take on their treks. Visitors can also ride a camel, feed a kangaroo or pass time in a pen full of bunnies. Educational animal programs run daily. ADMISSION: $23.95, or $15.95 forc h ildren3to6. INFORMATION: africansafariwildlifepark.com, 419-732-3606
BOTANICAL GARDENS/ ZOOS TOLEDO BOTANICAL GARDEN 5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo (Lucas County)
Annuals, perennia ls,art,music — guests can find it all at the
60-acre garden, which last summer came under the umbrella of Metroparks Toledo.
Check out the Artisan Village for classes, demonstrations and events throughout the summer. The 53rd Annual Crosby Festival of the Arts, the premier juried art show in the region, is scheduled for June 23-24.
Or check out Jazz in the Garden, a family-friendly co ncerts eries that begins the second week in July and takes place each Thursday evening July 12 through Aug. 30. Admission to the concerts is $10; free for children 12 and younger. ADMISSION: free INFORMATION: metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/ toledo-botanical-garden/
TOLEDO ZOO AND AQUARIUM 2 Hippo Way, Toledo (Lucas County)
The Toledo Zoo is never short on snuggly-looking faces — or scary, if that’s more your style. Nieve, a 29-year-old Andean bear, is among the latest addition s.She arrived just this spring.
An annual summer concert series returns to the zoo this year, too, with the Barenaked Ladies set to play the amphitheater on June 24.
ADMISSION: $19, or, $16 for those 60 and older and children 2 to 11 (nonresidents); $2 discount for Lucas County resi dentsAdditional cost for concerts.
INFORMATION: toledozoo.org, 419-385-5721
OUTDOOR MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTENNIAL TERRACE 5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania (Lucas County)
Nothing says summe rlikeanoutdoor concert and Sylvania hosts a diverse lineup this summer at Centennial Terrace.
The lineup includes: country bluegrass singer Alison Krauss on June 14; Get the Led Out — a Led Zeppelin tribute ba nd—onJuly 7; blues guitarist Buddy Guy with special guest Jo nnyL ang on July 15; oldies rockers the Beach Boys on July 18; and legendary rock band Styx on Aug. 2.
Those seeking other outdoor venues might want to check
out the Toledo Zoo and Toledo’s Promenade Park for additional summer-concert series lineups. ADMISSION: variesbyevent
INFORMATION: centennialterrace.org, 419-885-7106
COUNTRY CONCERT, JULY 5-7 7103 Route 66, Fort Loramie (Shelby County)
Mark your calendars, country fans: Country Concert once again
w illbring big-name stars to Fort Loramie.
Weekend headliners include Eric Church, Brad Paisley and Toby Keith, who join a lineup of more than 24 country acts that willp erfo rmonmultiples tages during the three-day festival at the 500-acre facility. Camping is available and lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.
ADMISSION: $229f or three days, free for children 10 and younger; single-day admission is $95 to $109.
INFORMATION: countryconcert. com, 937-295-3000
MUSEUMS TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART 2445 Monroe St., Toledo (Lucas County)
The Toledo Museum of Art was voted No. 1 attraction in the state last year by readers of USA Today. Summer events include “Rebecca Louise Law: Commun ity,”an immersive installation incorporating dried and fresh plant material that will begin June 16; “Before Audubon: Alexander Wilson’s
Birds of the United States,” a bird-themed exhibit that will
conclude July 15; and “Celebrating Libbey Glass, 1818-2018,” a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Libbey Glass Co. that runs all summer. Outdoor movies, wine tastings
and the TMA Blo ckPartyonJuly7 arealsoontap.
ADMISSION: free; prices vary for special events INFORMATION: toledomuseum. org, 419-255-8000
MAZZAMUSEUM 201 College St., Findlay (Hancock County)
The art of children’s books is on display at the Mazza Museum, located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion at the University of Findlay. An estimated 13,000 images representing a wide variety of artistic media comprise the museum’s collection — the largest for children’s book art in the world — which pays particular attention to artists who hold distinctions such as the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Golden Kite Award, Kate Greenaway Medal and the museum’s own Mazza Medallion. Visitors can peruse about 400 images on display, guided, if they choose, by a free app. Consider planning a trip around the Summer Conference, July 16-18, which introduces teachers and curious members of the public to eight artists and illustrators. ADMISSION: free
INFORMATION: mazzamuseum. org, 419-434-4560
SPORTING EVENTS TOLEDO MUD HENS Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo (Lucas County)
The Mud Hens offer fans all the fun of the major leagues without the hassle or expense.
The Hensville Park Concert Series returns this year with the Blues Traveler playing July 7, Blackberry Smoke on Aug. 23 and Montgomery Gentry on S ept.6p erforming on the stage, located just outside the stadium. And there are fireworksfollo wing most weekend games. Cost: $40 at the gate. The next home games are May 2628 vs. Norfolk, June 5-7 vs. Buffalo,
and June 8-10 vs. Norfolk. The Hens take on the Columbus Clippers in Toledo on July 2-3 and Aug. 24-27. ADMISSION: $13, or $11 for senior citizens and children 3 to 12 in the
100 level Monday through Thursday and Sunday and $16 in club level; $16 Friday and Saturday in 100 level and $18 club level INFORMATION: mudhens.com, 419-725-4367
MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE 7721 Steam Corners Road, Lexington (Morrow County)
Drivers start their engines all summer at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, one of several tracks that welcome grandstand spectators in northwest Ohio. The Honda Indy 200 is slated for July 27-29,
and the Mid-Ohio Challenge, of Nascar’s Xfinity Series, is slated for Aug. 10-11. Spectators can catch vintage grand prix and motorcycle events in June and July. Those looking for high-speed thrills also might want to check
out the Toledo Speedway in Lucas County, Oakshade Raceway in Fulton County or Attica Raceway Park in Seneca County, to name just a few of of the region’s highspeed options.
ADMISSION: varies by event; children 12 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult.
INFORMATION: 419-884-4000, midohio.com
FESTIVALS AND FAIRS FESTIVAL OF SAIL Jackson Street Pi er,Sandusky (Erie County)
The world’s largest rubber duck heads for Sandusky on July 12-15. “Mama Duck,” as the monster quacker is known, joins several
historic tall ships set to dock there for the annual Festival of Sail. At nearly six stories tall, the festive fowl will fit right in.
The Festival of S ailcoin ci deswith Sandusky’s bicentennial. In addition to an opportunity to board
the ships, attendees can expect food, music and the usual festival staples.
ADMISSION: $20 for multiday onboard tour passes; $65 for daysail passes
INFORMATION: festofsailsandusky.com, 1-888-718-4253
GERMAN-AMERICAN FESTIVAL Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Road, Oregon (Lucas County)
The German-American Festival, Aug. 24-26, pitches itself as the region’s “oldest, largest and greatest ethnic festival” and, drawing an estimated 30,000 or more festival-go ersinrec ent years, it’s a difficult point to argue. It’s one of many festivals worthy of note in and around Toledo. Festival-goers should expect plenty of beer and traditional German fare, of course. Don’t
miss the live glockenspiel, whose lederhosen-bedecked performers come out every hour on the hour.
ADMISSION: $8fors ingle-day, free for children 12 and younger when accompanied by an adult
INFORMATION: germanamericanfestival.net, 419-691-4116
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES KELLEYS ISLAND About 4 miles north of Marblehead (Erie County)
Visitors can find both recreation and relaxation on Kelleys Island: Think fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching, or ,f or the less outdoorsy, dining, imbibing and enjoying a summertime breeze. The glacial grooves on the north
side of the island are one attraction worth checking out. They’re recognized as a National Natural Landmark and measure an impressive 400 feet long, 35 feet wide and 10 feet deep. ADMISSION: The Kelleys Island Ferry leaves from Marblehead, with one-way adult fares at $10, or $8.25 for senior citizens, $6.25 for children 5 to 11; $10 for parking. Jet Express leaves from Sandusky, with one-way adult fares at $20, $7.50 for children 12 to 16, $3 for children 6 to 11; with free daily parking. Information and departure schedules: jet-express. com, kelleysislandferry.com. INFORMATION: 419-746-2360, kelleysisland.com