Cedar Point

We've been going to Cedar Point for about 10 years now, and what a place to visit. It's unofficially known as the roller coaster capitol of the world, and for good reason since it is home to 3 of the top 10 roller coasters in the world as rated by the 2024 Golden Ticket awards. We both agree that Steel Vengeance is the best coaster on the planet - you should give it a try and see if you agree.

• Best time to go - May through mid June and late August. Weekdays tend to be much less busy than weekends. Peak summer season tends to be very busy, and often very hot too. Waits for top rides can exceed 2 hours.

• Where to stay - Hotel Breakers (bottom right picture taken from there) is wonderful since it's on site and overlooking the park and Lake Erie. However it's usually expensive ($200/night+) so for cheaper options you can stay at a cluster of hotels about 2 miles away. South Shore and Super 8 both work, or Breakers Express. If you stay at a Cedar Point hotel you also get hour early entry.

• Best deals to get in - Like most amusement parks, the most economical way to visit is buying a season pass. It's about the same cost as 2-3 days entry at full price. If you are only going a couple days, buy online to save about $20/ticket. Season passholders also get bring a friend and parking discounts.

• Tips to avoid lines - Go to the back of the park early (rides near the main entrance have long lines early and shorter lines late in the day). Early entry is a huge advantage, or real late in the day can be good too. Steel Vengeance often has its shortest waits very late in the day. Also take advantage of rides that reopen after maintenance, or bad weather (many guests leave after a passing thunderstorm).

• What to eat - You certainly can get typical theme park food such as burgers, corn dogs, etc. But they also have a BBQ restaurant, funnel cake battered shrimp, and a French Quarter bakery. One tip is to share the daily meal plan where you can get a new meal every 90 minute.

• What else to do - In addition to coasters, Cedar Point is located on Lake Erie. You don't need to stay at Hotel Breakers to use the beach or go to the bar there. There's also a nice Starbucks that's less busy. Inside the park has train rides, a petting zoo, and live bands in the summer. Just outside the park the Thirsty Pony bar and restaurant serves cheap drinks and great wings if you need something to eat after hours.

You never know what you'll see and we've seen some unique things over the years. One year a storm knocked power out, but the park stayed open without any rides operating. The themed ghost town became a real ghost town with no one in the park. This past trip, we actually saw the Millennium Force coaster get stuck (don't worry they were just testing with no one on it). It will probably take days to get it back to the station!