THEME PARKS
Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores Waterpark
1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky (Erie County)
Steel Vengeance makes its long-awaited debut at Cedar Point this summer. The “hyper-hybrid” coaster comes as a reinvention of the Mean Streak, introducing a smooth steel track — and record-breaking 200-foot drop — to the wooden structure that last saw riders in 2016.
More than 150 rides, shows and attractions offer plenty more to enjoy at the 364-acre amusement park. Or guests can cool off at the adjacent water park, Cedar Point Shores, where extreme slides and meandering pools cater to splish-splashers of all ages.
Admission: $72 for 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 for children 3 to 6.
Information: africansafariwildlifepark.com, 419-732-3606
BOTANICAL GARDENS/ZOOS
Toledo Botanical Garden
5403 Elmer Drive, Toledo (Lucas County)
Annuals, perennials, 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 concert series 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 additions. 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 residents Additional cost for concerts.
Information: toledozoo.org, 419-385-5721
OUTDOOR MUSIC AND DRAMA
Centennial Terrace
5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania (Lucas County)
Nothing says summer like an outdoor 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 band — on July 7; blues guitarist Buddy Guy with special guest Jonny Lang 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: varies by event
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 will bring 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 will perform on multiple stages during the three-day festival at the 500-acre facility. Camping is available and lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.
Admission: $229 for 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: Community,” 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 Block Party on July 7 are also on tap.
Admission: free; prices vary for special events
Information: toledomuseum.org, 419-255-8000
Mazza Museum
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 Sept. 6 performing on the stage, located just outside the stadium. And there are fireworks following most weekend games. Cost: $40 at the gate.
The next home games are May 26-28 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 high-speed 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 Pier, 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 Sail coincides with 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 day-sail 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-goers in recent 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: $8 for single-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, for 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
Metroparks Toledo
16 locations in Lucas County
Howard Marsh Metropark in Jerusalem Township is the latest addition to the sprawling Metroparks Toledo system. The 1,000-acre wetland opened on the shores of Lake Erie this spring, offering 6 miles of water trails for canoeing or kayaking and 5 miles of trails for hiking.
Other parks offer myriad options for recreation: Visitors can kayak the Maumee River at Middlegrounds Metropark, hike more than 50 miles of wooded trails at Oak Openings Preserve or tour the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve Metropark.
Admission: free
Information: metroparkstoledo.com, 419-407-9700
WINERIES AND BREWERIES
Father John’s Microbrewery
301 W. Butler St., Bryan (Williams County)
A renovated church makes for an interesting brewery experience in downtown Bryan. The facility was originally built by Methodists in 1895, spent some time as a Baptist church and, in 2013, re-opened as a brewery under John Trippy, who retained plenty of its religious roots.
Religious-themed brews include the Black Friar Oatmeal Stout, Bad Habit IPA and Heaven & Earth Citrus Wheat.
Information: 419-633-1313, fatherjohnsbrewery.net
Mon Ami Historic Restaurant and Winery
3845 E. Wine Cellar Road, Port Clinton (Ottawa County)
Mon Ami ranks among the oldest wineries in the region, occupying the building built in 1873 by the Catawba Island Wine Co. It was acquired in 1937 by the the Mon Ami Champagne Co., which began operating in Sandusky shortly after the repeal of the 18th Amendment.
Visitors today can soak in the history and atmosphere with wine, food and live entertainment on Thursday through Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
Information: monamiwinery.com, 419-797-4445
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