The New Engineer It! exhibit at the Imagination Station in Toledo.
The Blade
Buy This Image
Here’s a sampling of popular summertime activities compiled by Columbus Dispatch staff members:
THEME AND WATER PARKS
CEDAR POINT, SOAK CITY, CHALLENGE PARK
Description: With 75 rides, including 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more rides and coasters than any park in the world; the 18-acre Soak City water park has slides, inner-tube rivers and a wave pool. Cedar Point and Soak City border Challenge Park, which features rides, go-carts and miniature golf. Castaway Bay, only minutes from Cedar Point, offers 237 rooms and suites and a large water park that features a water coaster, body slides, a wave pool and more.
Location: 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky (Erie County).
Open: open daily, operating hours vary through Sept. 5; weekends only Sept. 9 through Oct. 30.
Admission, Cedar Point: $46.99 for those age 3 and older, 48 inches or taller; or $21 for senior citizens 62 and older and those age 3 and older, less than 48 inches tall in shoes; free for children 2 and younger; military, evening, combo and group rates available.
Challenge Park: open daily, operating hours vary through Sept. 5, weekends only Sept. 9 through Oct. 30 (call for details).
Admission: prices vary per activity.
Soak City: open daily May 28 through Sept. 5, operating hours vary.
Admission: $31.99 for those age 3 and older, 48 inches or taller in bare feet; or $17.99 for senior citizens 62 and older and those age 3 and older, less than 48 inches tall in bare feet; free for children 2 and younger; $17.99 after 4 p.m. when Soak City closes at 7 or 8 p.m.
Castaway Bay: indoor water park resort open year-round.
Admission: $29 day passes; free for children 2 and younger; availability based on occupancy, call 419-627-2500 or visit www.castawaybay.com.
Parking: $10; $15 for oversized vehicles requiring more than one space.
New attractions: WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall tower on the Cedar Point beach that will spin riders almost 30 stories high. Seated in two-passenger swings, riders will rotate in a circular motion as the swing ascends the rower. At the top, the ride will reach speeds of 25-30 mph, flaring out at amost 45 degrees from the tower; and Pink’s Hot Dogs, a Hollywood legend for more than 70 years, will open its first franchise east of Las Vegas on the Cedar Point Midway.
Least-busy days: Tuesday through Thursday.
Wheelchair access: A guide for disabled guests is available at the park operations office.
Information: 419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com.
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Description: An indoor water park including slides, pools, a dumping bucket, a lazy river and an outdoor pool area.
Location: 4600 Milan Rd., Sandusky (Erie County).
Open: year-round.
Admission: must be an overnight guest; various rooms and suites available.
Parking: free.
Least-busy days: midweek May and September.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information/reservations: 419-609-6000, 1-800-641-9653, www.greatwolflodge.com.
KALAHARI RESORTS
Description: An indoor water park including a large wave pool, two indoor surfing attractions, a lazy river, tube rides, body slides and family raft rides as well as the Safari Outdoor Adventure Park — including rope courses, zip-line tours, climbing walls, Zanzibar Grille and an animal park.
Location: 7000 Kalahari Dr., Sandusky (Erie County).
Open: year-round, operating hours vary; water park availabilty to nonguests based on resort occupancy; call first.
Admission: $39 to $45, all-day admission includes indoor and outdoor water park for age 3 and older, free for children 2 and younger, spectator pass available for $10, evening discounts available; check website for availablitiy; Safari Outdoor Adventure Park admission is $24.95.
Parking: free; valet parking $12 a day.
Least-busy days: Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Where to buy tickets: for nonguests, at the waterpark entrance when available
Information: 419-433-7200, 1-877-525-2427, www.kalahariresorts.com.
MONSOON LAGOON
Description: A three-story slide, an interactive water-play area, go-carts, a miniature golf course and a bumper-boat pond are among the park’s attractions.
Location: 1530 S. Danbury Rd. N., Port Clinton (Ottawa County).
Open: daily, operating hours vary May 28-30, June 4-5, June 9 through Aug. 28 and Sept. 3-5; call for details.
Admission: water park, $15.95, or $9.95 for senior citizens 62 and older, free for children 2 and younger; mega-tickets, including all activities, $20.95; late-afternoon discounts available.
Parking: free.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Where to buy tickets: at the gate and at participating AAA offices.
Information: 419-732-6671, 1-866-732-6671, www.monsoonlagoonwaterpark.com.
OUTDOOR MUSIC
CENTENNIAL TERRACE
Description: An intimate outdoor venue with a seating capacity of about 1,000.
Location: 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, near Toledo (Lucas County).
Performances: June 11 (4 p.m.): Blues & Jazz Festival featuring Janiva Magness, Tony Monaco, Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle; June 17 (8 p.m.): Eric Church; July 7 (8 p.m.): Umphrey’s McGee; July 24 (7:30 p.m.): Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks; 7:30 p.m. (Aug. 5): the Happy Together Tour featuring Flo & Eddie of the Turtles.
Parking: free to $5, depending on show.
Tickets: $20 to $47.50 at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com.
Information: 419-885-7106, www.sylvaniarecreation.org.
MUSEUMS
ARMSTRONG AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Description: A museum chronicling Ohio’s contributions to the history of space flight including the accomplishments of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.
Location: 500 Apollo Dr., Wapakoneta (Auglaize County).
Open: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and holidays Memorial day through Labor Day.
Admission: $8, or $7 for senior citizens 60 and older, $4 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and younger.
Parking: free, on-site.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 419-738-8811, www.armstrongmuseum.org.
IMAGINATION STATION
Description: A hands-on science and learning center also featuring a simulation theater.
Location: 1 Discovery Way (corner of Summit and Adams streets), Toledo (Lucas County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $9, or $8 for senior citizens 65 and older, $7 for children 3 to 12, free for children 2 and younger.
Parking: nearby surface lots.
Special exhibits: “Bodies Revealed,” featuring 10 human specimens and more than 150 organs, which helps tell the story of how the body works (through Sept. 18).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 419-244-2674, www.imaginationstationtoledo.org.
TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART
Description: The main museum covers 41/2 acres on two levels, with 45 galleries; the Glass Pavilion features five galleries.
Location: 2445 Monroe St. at Scottwood Avenue, Toledo (Lucas County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: free, fees charged for some special exhibits.
Parking: $5.
Special exhibits: “Frank Stella: Irregular Polygons,” featuring one of each of Stella’s 11 compositions for the Irregular Polygons series (1965–66), along with preparatory drawings and the 1974 print series “Eccentric Polygons” (through July 24); “The Baroque World of Fernando Botero,” featuring 100 of Botero’s paintings, sculptures and drawings (through June 12); “Selections from the 18th-century Galleries,” highlighting 16 masterworks by European artists of the 18th century, including Blind-Man’s Bluff by Jean-Honore Fragonard, The Washerwoman by Jean-Simeon Chardin and The Mill at Charenton by Francois Boucher (through June 19); “The Dramatic Image: Baroque Prints of the 17th Century,” featuring a wide range of styles and techniques by leading European artists of the period (through July 31); “The Egypt Experience: Secrets of the Tomb,” featuring more than 150 objects spanning 3,000 years (through 2011).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 419-255-8000, 1-800-644-6862, www.toledomuseum.org.
SPORTING EVENTS
BASEBALL
TOLEDO MUD HENS
Description: The Detroit Tigers’ Class AAA affiliate is an International League rival of Columbus the Clippers.
Location: Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo (Lucas County).
Home games: June 7-10 vs. Gwinnett; June 11-14 vs. Rochester; June 22-23, vs. Columbus; June 24-27 vs. Louisville; June 30-July 1 vs. Columbus; July 2-3 vs. Indianapolis; July 9-10 vs. Columbus; July 14-17 vs. Scranton/Wilkes Barre; July 26-29 vs. Norfolk; July 30-Aug. 2 vs. Syracuse; Aug. 8-9 vs. Indianapolis; Aug. 10-11 vs. Louisville; Aug. 20-21 vs. Louisville; Aug. 24-27 vs. Buffalo; Aug. 28-29 vs. Indianapolis; Sept. 4-5 vs. Columbus.
Admission: $9, or $7 for senior citizens and children 3 to 12; free for children 2 and younger.
Parking: various lots near the stadium.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: available at the Mud Hens office, 419-725-4367; at the park; or online.
Information: 419-725-4367, www.mudhens.com.
GOLF
U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Description: Established in 1903, Inverness Club has played host to several memorial major tournaments, beginning with the 1920 U.S. Open.
Location: Inverness Club, 4601 Dorr St., Toledo (Lucas County).
Dates: July 25-31
Admission: tournament badges $130 and $260; free for those 17 and younger with accompanying adult
Parking: free (included in tournament badge)
Tickets/information: 419-536-2011; www.2011ussenioropen.com
MOTOR SPORTS
MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE
Description: A comprehensive motorsports facility, Mid-Ohio features a permanent road-racing circuit with a 2.4-mile, 15-turn, and a 2.25-mile, 13-turn circuit.
Location: 7721 Steam Corners Rd., Lexington (Richland County).
Events: June 24-26: Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio; July 8-10: Honda Super Cycle Weekend; July 22-24: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days; Aug. 5-7: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge/The Honda Indy; Sept. 9-11: NASA Championships; Sept. 16-18: EMCO Gears Classic.
Admission: $10 to $110, depending on event; free for children 12 and younger when accompanied by an adult.
Parking: free, non-infield.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: available by calling the track office, 1-800-643-6446, or online
Information: 1-800-643-6446, 419-884-4000, www.midohio.com.
HARNESS RACING
RACEWAY PARK
Description: Originally built for auto racing, it now has 5/8th-mile track for harness racing.
Location: 5700 Telegraph Rd., Toledo (Lucas County).
Season: Saturdays and Sundays (post time 7 p.m. Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday) through Sept. 18; simulcasting daily
Admission: Saturdays: $2, or $1 for senior citizens, free for youths 12 and younger; Sundays: $1
Parking: free
Wheelchair access: yes
Tickets: available at the gate; 419-476-7751
Information: 419-476-7751, www.racewayparktoledo.com
ZOO
TOLEDO ZOO
Description: More than 9,000 animals representing more than 800 species live on the 70-acre grounds.
Location: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo (Lucas County).
Big attractions: Phase one of the new elephant facility in the “African Savanna,” including three African elephant; “Nature’s Neighborhood” children’s zoo with goats, exotic birds and insects; “Arctic Encounter,” with underwater viewing of polar bears.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Admission: $11, or $8 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 2 to 11, free for children younger than 2.
Parking: $6, $10 for vehicles that take more than one space.
Wheelchair access: yes; rental: $5, or $20 for motorized scooter; single-stroller rental: $3.50, or $5 for wagons.
Information: 419-385-4040, www.toledozoo.org.