What to Do at Cedar Point If You Don't like Roller Coasters

Media that covers amusement parks and water parks have bestowed plenty of accolades upon Cedar Point, the world-famous roller coaster park in Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Point has been recognized by Amusement Today as having some of the friendliest employees in the amusement industry, as well as one of the "Best Outdoor Night Show Production[s]." CoasterBuzz.com, which is one of the most popular sites on the internet devoted to roller coasters, identified Cedar Point as offering one of the best themes in an amusement park, as well as some of the best food to be found on any park midway. Both CoasterBuzz.com and Amusement Today have named the coaster park winner of their "Best Capacity" awards, determined by how quickly and easily park guests make it through the rides' lines, and Cedar Point took the top prize for both media outlets as well, "Park of the Year" on CoasterBuzz.com and "Best Amusement Park in the World" for the ninth consecutive year in Amusement Today.

Theme Parks Magazine bestowed Cedar Point with their top awards for "Best Value", "Favorite Park for Thrills", and "Best Seasonal Event" for the park's HalloWeekends, as well as naming it "America's Favorite Amusement Park" for the second year running.

Even park traditionalists have bestowed awards upon Cedar Point, with NAPHA (The National Amusement Park Historical Association) giving the park the number three position in their "Favorite Traditional Amusement Park" category.

But all of the celebrated attention aside, what is there to do at the world's biggest, baddest roller coaster park if you don't like roller coaster? Surprisingly, there is a lot!

Cedar Point has a long main midway, with food, shops, and some of the most exciting roller coasters around, but it also has some rides for those with tamer tastes. The Calypso and the Matterhorn are spinning fair-type rides. Dodgem is the park's old school bumper cars. There are Cadillac and Turnpike cars on track that riders drive themselves, a Sky Ride that gives outstanding views of the entire midway and beyond, a carousel, and one of the most unique rides at Cedar Point, Cedar Downs. Cedar Downs is a racing carousel, where the horses move backward and forward and the pace is twice that of an average carousel. For the kids, and those adults who don't ever want to grow up, Campy Snoopy is a must-stop!

When visitors have done the main midway, they can walk the Frontier Trail, where a tube ride down Thunder Canyon can provide a drenching by waterfall if they so desire, or they can hop aboard the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad for a ride back to Frontiertown. In Frontiertown, a giant Wave Swinger and some more drive 'em antique cars keep non-coaster lovers entertained, and if it's only the big roller coasters that turn you off, the Cedar Creek Mine Ride is one of the most enjoyable coasters at the park. It's got a unique and fun theme and a couple of exciting drops and turns, without the stomach-churning feel of the larger coasters.

When heading back to the main midway, don't walk it. Take the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad, where you will pass through Boneville and see some of the most unique scenery in any theme park.

Off to the side of the main midway, you will find the lane that Disaster Transport is on. Not really a coaster, but with coaster type turns and drops, Disaster Transport isn't on a track. It's a bobsled, and riders are pulled down through the series of turns and curves in a gravity-induced freefall. This is another great starter ride for those who fear coasters. The real draws on this midway though are the two rides that offer you the most impressive views of the park and Lake Erie. The Space Spiral takes you up and turns you around for a 360 degree aerial shot, and the Giant Wheel, a one hundred and fifty foot Ferris Wheel gives you striking views of Cedar Point and the surrounding water. Once you have worked your way through the surprising number of things to do other than roller coaster riding, a breathtaking look at it from above may be the perfect way to end your visit.

Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, Ohio, which is about midway between Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio. Ticket prices vary depending on height and age, and range from $11.95 to $69.95. Operating hours vay, but can be found on the website at www.cedarpoint.com or by calling the info line at 419-627-2350. Cedar Point is located at One Cedar Point Drive in Sandusky, Ohio.