The Sandusky center is about the area of Miami Park and the area of Sandusky Amtrak Station.
To enjoy the outdoors and all the city has to offer, from theme parks to water parks and outings in and around Lake Erie, the best time to visit depends on what you have planned for your vacation itinerary. The fall season is an ideal time for a Sandusky vacation when cooler temperatures prevail, there are plenty of upcoming Halloween festivities, colorful fall foliage is on display, and reasonable hotel rates are the norm.
During the summer, temperatures are on the rise along with the humidity. but lying on the beach or going fishing on Lake Erie can't be beat for fun in the sun. The downside is that the theme parks are crowded, lines are endless, and prices are higher than in the fall. Winter can bring temperatures in the 20-degree range, and there is the chance for snow, but prices are lower and the crowds are minimal.
Great Wolf Lodge has one of the best group discounts going. With a group friendly rating of 10.0/10 and an impressive average group discount of 30.5 percent, guests get their money's worth when planning an event. Your total comfort is the focus. Each suite's décor creates a relaxing atmosphere. The suite features a pull-out sofa, TV, free Wi-Fi, microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker. While guests are only nine minutes from Cedar Point, Great Wolf Lodge offers its own entertainment with an indoor water park with slides and rides and a constant 84-degree temperature. A fitness center, multiple dining options, children's spa, restaurant, and café round out the amenities.
Rodeway Inn Cedar Point North offers AAA rate for a king suite or the two-person guest room with whirlpool. AARP members also enjoy a senior rate for a guest room or one-room suite. A stay at Rodeway Inn means comfort and convenience with modern décor, TV, in-room safe, coffee maker, and complimentary breakfast. Guests can relax at the indoor heated pool, connect with free Wi-Fi, and savor a cup of free coffee before heading out for business or to take advantage of the hotel's convenient location to nearby attractions.
If Cedar Point is the main focus of your vacation, Econo Lodge North is the perfect place for quick access. The hotel is only a 4-minute drive to the park where fun, thrills, and excitement are the focus on the many rides and roller coasters. Start each morning with the complimentary continental breakfast, free coffee, and a dip in the pool before heading out to enjoy area attractions. After a day of exploring Sandusky's many places to go and things to do, return to a clean and comfortable room with amenities that include cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and pay-per-view movies.
Budget Host Inn lives up to its name offering quality comfort at reasonable prices. The inn is also approved by AAA for additional savings. Guests can expect excellent service and comfortable rooms with amenities that include an in-room safe, Jacuzzi, and cable TV with HBO. A seasonal pool will keep you refreshed, a complimentary breakfast will keep your energy levels up, and the wireless Internet will keep you connected. For guest convenience, a coin laundry is available. Budget Host Inn is also pet-friendly, so bring along your four-footed friend. Nearby, guests have access to restaurants, shopping malls, golf, and area amusement parks.
When planning a vacation itinerary for Sandusky, there's no limit to the fun and excitement, with plenty of opportunities to please children and adults. With a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, each day can be an adventure.
The city's reputation for theme parks is well-known, with attractions such as Cedar Point, Soak City, Castaway Bay Water Park, Monsoon Lagoon, Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, and the water parks at Kalahari Resort and Maui Sands.
Nearby, wildlife abounds at the African Safari Wildlife Park and Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area, or if you prefer hiking or sunbathing along the shores of Lake Erie, grab some sunblock and head to East Harbor State Park.
Museums are always a favorite, with displays and exhibits of a city's past and present, and Sandusky is no exception. The Merry-Go-Round Museum is a popular destination for a look at one of American's favorite pastimes. The Sandusky Maritime Museum, Follett House Museum, and Marblehead Lighthouse State Park offer additional excursions into Sandusky's history.
Lake Erie is beautiful and a favorite spot for vacationers. You have your choice of activities, whether you choose to experience the ultimate in relaxation lying on the beach along the banks of the lake or casting a line from a charter boat. There are ample opportunities for scheduling a fishing charter excursion, renting a boat for a leisurely ride, taking a sunset dinner cruise, or exploring the depths of the lake while snorkeling or scuba diving,
For additional outings, there's pedal-to-the-metal racing at Sandusky Racetrack, up-close observation of wildlife at Lagoon Deer Park, sailing on Lake Erie, and wine tasting at Firelands Winery. If you want to take to the sky for a bird's eye view of the lake and the surrounding area, schedule a parasailing adventure and be a part of nature.
If you're interested in the science and the stars, the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center is just an hour's drive away in Cleveland. Take the tour offered once a month from April to October and learn about Ohio astronauts, space technology, the International Space Station, current launches, and much more.
Now that you can see what Sandusky has to offer, what are you waiting for? The city has a nice choice of affordable hotels offering quality in comfort, convenience, and guest satisfaction throughout every season. Whether you're driving to Sandusky or flying in to Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland just an hour away, Sandusky's convenient location provides travelers with quick and easy access to nearby attractions.
With its diverse seasonal climate, water parks galore, roller coasters that puts the "scream" back in high-speed excitement, wildlife to see, a lighthouse to explore, museums and their contents to ponder, and Lake Erie for beach activities and water sports, Sandusky has everything necessary for a vacation where memories are made that will last a lifetime.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Sandusky, OH excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Erie
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | November 30, 2025 | $116.00 | $68.00 |
| December 1, 2025 | August 31, 2026 | $144.00 | $68.00 |
| September 1, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | $116.00 | $68.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Sandusky, OH from an actual visitor's perspective.
Lovely people, you find shopping stores around the hotel and we enjoyed the restaurants as well!
The beach view!
Cedar Point was awesome and the club (restaurant) was good food and fairly reasonable
It seems that there are more businesses in one place then usual, I love it.
Cedar Point!
The Culver's restaurant was very good!
We had no problems with the city of Sandusky.
It is wonderful, anything and everything you need is at your fingertips. Food, mall, grocery store, Sandusky Bay and 11 miles from Norwalk home of the Pontiac Nationals
Cedar Point! We come every year with our family.
Lots of opportunities for eating and playing
Sandusky is beautiful!
Very nice stay , I'd stay here again.
We were in Sandusky for Cedar Point which didn't disappoint. There are a few other local attractions.
There is a lot of variety for food and entertainment!
The Sandusky waterfront restaurant and bars are a great draw for guests. We really enjoyed our time.
It was ok.
We played at Cedar Point Sports Complex. Stores, gas stations and restaurants are all real close. Made it an easy stay for us.
The best restaurants ever, especially The Roadhouse! We like the fact that everything is close by.
Convenient to food and shopping!
Thirsty Pony and bowling alley were cool!
There were plenty of places to eat and shop.
Close to everything.
Cedar Point!
Lots of restaurants and attractions. Lighthouses, animal refuges, fish hatcheries.
Visited Cedar Point!
Loved the location to the lake, great restaurants, but best of all was our hotel experience, wonderful staff!
We visited Goofy Golf, Ghostly Manor, Sandusky Mall and Movie Theater. We ate at Raising Cane's, El Grand Patron Mexican restaurant and Capizzi's Pizza.
We visited Goofy Golf.
We went to the Merry Go Round Museum and it was amazing. They show how the horses are made from beginning to end. There are all kinds of animals even dragons. You can ride on a very fast merry go round inside. It made us feel like little kids again. Very well put together displays and very clean. Nice gift shop. We also went to the Dockside Cafe for the fabulous walleye tacos. We also had entertainment from musician Scott Stiert who is from Norwalk. He always puts on a great show. We loved looking at the older homes with the great architecture. It looks like a great place to live and vacation.
The Sports Complex and amusement parks
Cedar Point!
Summit Motorsport Park in Norwalk. State of the art drag racing facility.
We had a lot of fun at Cedar Point and the restaurants we went to!
I liked how easy it was to get through all the traffic to get to Hotel Breakers. It was my first time there so I thought I was gonna get lost but it was extremely easy and people were extremely helpful along the way.
Cedar Point is an absolute blast. A must go for any rollercoaster lover. Shore House Tavern was a great place to eat and hang out. Just south of Sandusky, Seneca Caverns was an adventure I won't forget.
Things are close, nice people.
The nice lakeview!
We were in Sandusky for a baseball tournament. There were plenty of restaurant options, shopping and entertainment.
You will not go hungry on Milan Road!
A fun town to host Bike Week!
Nice!
Visited waterparks.
Shopping and restaurants!
Toft's ice cream is wonderful.
There is much to see and do in and around the city, not to mention the historical value.
Close to Cedar Point!
Cedar Point
We enjoyed the access to restaurants, retail stores and other entertainment facilities outside of the two main attractions which were Cedar Point and Put-in-Bay.
Restaurants and food available nearby.
Cedar Point is awesome!
Soak City was great!
Soak city was great!
Cedar Point
Room cleans comfy, staff friendly. Enjoyed the area. Kelley's Island and Put-In-Bay was very nice. I will return to Sandusky to visit again.
Nice parks at waterfront.
Cedar Point and Sports Force Park rocked!
Cedar Point!
There were a lot of restaurants to choose from. There was also a nice shopping area with plenty of stores for your every need. While some roads were being reconstructed, I had no problems getting around.
There are many restaurants to choose from and of course, Cedar Point is located there.
Fantastic city for visit with the family.
Sandusky is the best!
Clean, quality standards, efficient maintenance personnel. very helpful. Baseball complex was nice.
The variety of restaurants right there on the strip.
Nice waterside. Plenty of historic sites and entertainment!
We went to watch a gymnastics meet at Kalahari Convention Center.
Hotel is close to shopping and food and things to do.
Lots of shopping!
Plenty of shopping to do and places to see for all ages!
The rooms very nice and spacious, Staff was great! Lots of things to see a do. Entertaining city
We came for a volleyball tournament and didn't see the city.
Cedar Point on Lake Erie.
Close to Cedar Point and the sports facilities.
Went to Cedar Point had a great time. Went bowling very pleasant people.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Love that there is a lot of shopping close by.
Love that there is a lot of shopping close by.
Love that there is a lot of shopping close by.
Cedar Point
Hotel was nice; nothing was too far away. The city itself was nice and the water isn't too far away; a lot of good scenery, sidewalks, walking paths downtown by the water. Watching the boats was a great experience
It was impressive, clean and quaint!
The only place we visited was the Sandusky Yacht Club. Our family wedding there was fantastic!
We were there for a softball tournament and therefore, we did not spend much time in Sandusky. However, it would be great to return and better explore the city.
Enjoyed going to the Cedar Point Amusement Park. The boys loved it.
Sandusky is a nice city with plenty of activities and forms of entertainment.
Shopping Mall and park and Cedar Point Amusement Park.