Cedar Point

State: Ohio. Type: amusement park on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky. Opened in 1870, making it the second-oldest operating amusement park in the U.S. 364 acres; 18 roller coasters, tying for the most in North America. Owned by Six Flags following its 2024 merger with previous operator Cedar Fair.

Cedar Point occupies a narrow Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio, and traces its roots back to 1870, making it one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the United States. Over a century and a half it grew from a simple lakeside recreation spot into a major roller-coaster destination, tying for first in North America with 18 roller coasters and holding the distinction of being the only amusement park in the world with five coasters exceeding 200 feet in height. The park won the Golden Ticket Award for Best Amusement Park in the World for sixteen consecutive years between 1997 and 2013, and individual rides such as Millennium Force and Steel Vengeance regularly rank among the world's best steel coasters. Ownership passed from longtime operator Cedar Fair to Six Flags after their 2024 merger. The park draws roughly 3.44 million visitors a year, consistently placing second among seasonal North American parks, and operates on a seasonal schedule from spring through early November rather than year-round.

Cedar Point sits on a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio, at 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870. Sandusky is on Ohio's north-central shore, roughly midway between Cleveland and Toledo.

Sandusky has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers, moderated somewhat by Lake Erie, and cold winters with lake-effect snow potential; the park's operating season (spring to early November) avoids the coldest months entirely. Lakefront winds can make even warm days feel breezier at the park than inland.

Weekdays and the shoulder parts of the season (May, September, October) tend to see lighter crowds than peak summer weekends, based on the park's seasonal operating pattern from early May to Labor Day being its core high season. Visiting outside July and early August, when schools are out nationwide, is generally the best way to avoid the longest lines.

Cedar Point opened in 1870 on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, making it the second-oldest operating amusement park in the country. Over the following century and a half it added rides in phases, eventually becoming known especially for record-setting roller coasters; it holds the distinction of being the only park in the world with coasters in all four recognized height classifications and the only one with five coasters over 200 feet tall. Between 1997 and 2013 it won the amusement industry's Golden Ticket Award for Best Amusement Park in the World for sixteen straight years. The park was long operated by Cedar Fair, which itself grew into a major North American park operator, before Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags in 2024, making Cedar Point part of the combined Six Flags portfolio.

The park's core draw is its roller coaster lineup, including record-recognized rides such as Millennium Force and Steel Vengeance, alongside dozens of other coasters and flat rides spanning all major thrill categories. A separate area, Cedar Point Shores, operates as a water park within the resort on its own seasonal schedule. Beyond rides, the park includes midway games, seasonal shows and dining options spread across its 364-acre peninsula site.

Highlights include Millennium Force and Steel Vengeance, both ranked among the world's best steel coasters, plus a lineup that gives Cedar Point coasters in all four standard height classifications. Cedar Point Shores water park operates as a separate, seasonally-timed attraction within the same resort property.

Cedar Point sits on a peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio, generally reached by car via Ohio's Route 2/SR 250 corridor; the park is roughly an hour from Cleveland and a similar distance from Toledo. There is no on-site commercial airport; visitors typically fly into Cleveland Hopkins International Airport or Detroit Metro and drive the remaining distance, then use the park's own parking facilities.

Cedar Point's 2026 season opens Saturday, May 9, and runs through Sunday, November 1; Cedar Point Shores water park operates May 23 through August 31 within that window. Daily operating hours vary through the season and are published on the park's official calendar; confirm the specific day's hours on sixflags.com/cedarpoint before visiting.

As of research, single-day tickets started near $52 when purchased online in advance, with gate-day pricing considerably higher (reported around $105); season passes started around $99. Confirm current pricing on the official Six Flags Cedar Point ticketing page, since amusement park pricing changes frequently and often varies by date.

A full day, or two days for the most avid coaster riders wanting to cover the entire ride lineup and the water park, is the typical plan; a single day is workable if focused on headline coasters only.

Cedar Point operates its own on-site resort-style lodging as part of the broader property, and the wider Sandusky area has additional chain hotels along the Route 2/6 corridor for visitors who prefer to stay off-property. Camping options are also available in the Sandusky area for a lower-cost alternative to hotel stays.

The park itself has a wide range of in-park dining, from quick-service midway stands to sit-down options. Outside the park, Sandusky offers a mix of casual chain and local restaurants along its main commercial corridors, with a seafood and lake-town character reflecting its Lake Erie location.

Cedar Point Shores water park sits on the same peninsula as part of the resort. Downtown Sandusky and the Lake Erie shoreline are a short drive away, and the wider Lake Erie Islands region (including Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay) is accessible from Sandusky-area ferry docks for visitors extending their trip.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Detroit Metropolitan Airport are the nearest major commercial airports, each roughly one to two hours away by car; a rental car is the most practical way to reach the park, since there is no direct rail or transit line to the peninsula.

Follow all posted height, health and safety restrictions at individual rides, since Cedar Point's coasters include some of the tallest and fastest in the world. Stay hydrated and use sun protection given the park's large size and long walking distances between attractions, especially in peak summer heat. For any emergency, dial 911 or alert the nearest park staff member.

Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and a portable phone charger are practical for a full park day; a light jacket is worth packing for cooler evenings or lake breezes, especially in the shoulder season.

Buying tickets online in advance is generally cheaper than paying at the gate, and visiting on a weekday or in the shoulder months (May, September, October) usually means shorter lines than peak summer weekends. Arriving at opening helps get ahead of crowds on the park's most popular coasters. Because the park is large, planning a rough ride order in advance can save walking time.

Dial 911 for any emergency. The park's general contact number, as commonly listed, is (419) 627-2350; confirm current guest-services contact details on the official Six Flags Cedar Point site before visiting.

Cedar Point (Six Flags) - https://www.sixflags.com/cedarpoint

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.