Northwest Ohio activities and attractions
5/19/2013Here are some of the “can’t miss” festivals that visitors to northwest Ohio should check out this summer:
Port Clinton Walleye Festival: May 23-27, this festival is a youngster at only 3 years old as the shores of Lake Erie in this neat little town are overrun with kids, a parade, educational programs, food, fishing and a lot more; free; walleyefestival.com.
Ohio Bike Week: May 31-June 9, ear plugs are optional at this rip roaring motorcycle-centered party in Sandusky along the Lake Erie shore; the event itself is free, but there are charges for concerts and other activities; 419-502-0022; www.ohiobikeweek.com.
Old West End Festival: June 1-2, a popular mix of an art fair, home tour, and parade that draws tens of thousands of people to the lovely neighborhood just west of downtown Toledo; free, except for the home tour; www.toledooldwestend.com. While you’re there, check out the nearby Toledo Museum of Art’s free “Crossing Culture” Australian aboriginal art exhibit.
47th Annual Crosby Festival of the Arts: June 29-30, the endless beauty of Toledo Botanical Garden is featured in this celebration of art and nature; Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Drive; admission $8 for adults, children 12 and younger are free; 419-536-5566, www.toledogarden.org.
Lagrange Street Polish Festival: July 12-14, a celebration of Toledo’s Polish tradition with ethnic food, beer, and a pierogi-eating contest; in the Lagrange neighborhood in North Toledo; general admission $4 on July 12 and 13, and $2 July 14, with children 8 and younger free; www.polishfestival.org.
The Great Mohican Pow-Wow: July 12-14 and Sept. 20-22, celebrate the lifestyle of native Americans during these two events; Mohican Reservation, 23270 Wally Road, Loudonville; admission $8 for adults for one day, $14 for a two-day pass, and $21 for a three-day pass, $4 for a one-day pass for children ages 6-12, $6 for a two-pass and $9 for a three-day pass, pre-schoolers, free; 740-599-5720; www.mohicanpowwow.com.
Balloonfest: Aug. 9-11, hot air balloon flights, a classic car show, parades, and other activities mark this festival in Findlay, also known as the Flag City; free; www.flagcityballoonfest.com.
German American Festival: Aug. 23-25, one of the state’s oldest ethnic festivals includes traditional German music and foods, a Hummel lookalike, and lots of beer from all over the world; Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon; admission $7 per person; www.gafsociety.org.
Milan Melon Festival: Aug. 31-Sept. 2, the only summer foods that outrank corn on the cob and strawberries are melons, which are celebrated for the 55th year in downtown Milan; free; 419-499-2498. www.milanmelonfestival.org.
Black Swamp Festival: Sept. 6-8, kind of a miniature version of the massive Ann Arbor Arts Festival only with much better music and food (and it’s not in Michigan); downtown Bowling Green; free; www.blackswamparts.org.
Here is a rundown of events and activities in Northwest Ohio this summer:
■ WATER PARKS
CEDAR POINT, SOAK CITY, CHALLENGE PARK
Description: With more than 70 rides, including 16 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 boasts a water coaster, body slides, a wave pool and more.
Location: 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky (Erie County)
Open: Daily, operating hours vary through Sept. 2; weekends only Sept. 6 through Oct. 27
Admission, Cedar Point: $54.99 for those age 3 and older, 48 inches or taller; or $29.99 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; online, military, evening, combo and group rates available
Challenge Park: open daily, operating hours vary through Sept. 2, weekends only Sept. 6 through Oct. 27 (call for details)
Admission: prices vary, call for details
Soak City: open daily May 25 through Sept. 2, operating hours vary
Admission: $32.99 for those age 3 to 61, 48 inches or taller in bare feet; or $18.99 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
Castaway Bay: indoor water park resort open year-round
Admission: $25 day passes, or free for children 2 and younger; availability based on occupancy; call 419-627-2500 or visit www.castawaybay.com
Parking: $15; $20 for oversized vehicles requiring more than one space; preferred parking $25 for spaces close to the gate
New attractions: GateKeeper roller coaster, featuring a track that flies above the main entrance of the park and passing through front-gate portals for near-miss excitement
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
Information/reservations: 419-609-6000, 1-800-641-9653, www.greatwolf.com
KALAHARI RESORTS
Description: The indoor/outdoor water park includes 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 and an animal park.
Location: 7000 Kalahari Dr., Sandusky (Erie County)
Open: year-round, operating hours vary; water park availability to nonguests based on resort occupancy; call first
Admission: varies, check website for availability; Safari Outdoor Adventure Park admission is $24.95
Parking: free; valet parking $12 a day
Least-busy days: weekdays
Where to buy tickets: for nonguests, online (highly recommended) and at the water park entrance when available
Information: 419-433-7200, 1-888-451-5248, www.kalahariresorts.com
MONSOON LAGOON
Description: A three-story slide, 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 25-27, June 1-2, June 8 through Aug. 25 and Aug. 31-Sept. 2; call for details
Admission: water park, $16, or $10 for senior citizens 62 and older, free for children 2 and younger; Do It All Pass, including all activities, $17.50 Monday through Thursday, $22 Friday through Sunday (height restrictions)
Parking: free
Where to buy tickets: at the gate
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 14 (8 p.m.): “Weird Al” Yankovic; July 9 (8 p.m.): Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson; July 10 (8 p.m.): Doobie Brothers; July 18 (8 p.m.); Aug. 2 (8 p.m.) Trace Adkins; Willie Nelson; Aug. 4 (6 p.m.): Tesla; Aug. 8 (7:30 p.m.): Happy Together Tour 2013 featuring the Turtles, Flo & Eddie, Chuck Negron
Parking: free to $5, depending on show
Tickets: $25 to $71.50 at www.etix.com or Toledo’s Stranahan Theater box office: 419-381-8851
Information: 419-882-1500, www.centennialterrace.org
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
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
Information: 419-738-8811, www.armstrongmuseum.org
IMAGINATION STATION
Description: The hands-on science-and-learning center also features 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: $9.50, or $8.50 for senior citizens 65 and older, $7.50 for children 3 to 12, free for children 2 and younger
Parking: nearby surface lots
Special exhibits: “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body,” breaks down the processes of bodily functions through animatronics and hands-on exhibits (through Sept. 2).
Information: 419-244-2674, www.imaginationstationtoledo.org
TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART
Description: The 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 (hours will change July 1; call ahead)
Admission: free; fees charged for some special exhibits
Parking: $5
Special exhibits: “Crossing Cultures: The Owen and Wagner Collection of Contemporary Aboriginal Australian Art from the Hood Museum of Art” features 120 indigenous works of art from Australia spanning five decades (through July 14); “Prints by Australian Artists: The Bicentennial Folio,” spotlights the works of 25 Australian artists (through July 21); “Patterns on Paper,” explores the evolution and use of patterns to enhance visual pleasure (through July 21); “Witness to Hunger,” photographic exhibition (June 28 to Aug. 9).
Information: 419-255-8000, www.toledomuseum.org
SPORTING EVENTS
Baseball: TOLEDO MUD HENS
Description: The Detroit Tigers’ Class triple-A affiliate is an International League.
Location: Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo (Lucas County)
Home games: May 19-21 vs. Syracuse; May 31-June 3 vs. Louisville; June 6-7 vs. Columbus; June 17-20 vs. Lehigh Valley; June 21-24 vs. Pawtucket; July 3-4 vs. Columbus; July 5-7 vs.Indianapolis; July 8-10 vs. Louisville; July 26-29 vs. Buffalo; July 30-Aug. 2 vs. Durham;Aug. 3-5 vs. Columbus; Aug. 10-11 vs. Indianapolis; Aug. 13-16 vs. Norfolk; Aug. 17-20 vs.Gwinnett; Aug. 28-29 vs. Indianapolis; Aug. 30-31 vs. Columbus
Admission: $9, or $7 for senior citizens and children 3 to 12; free for children 2 and younger
Parking: nearby lots
Tickets/information: available at the Mud Hens office, 419-725-4367; at the park; or online, www.mudhens.com
Golf: MARATHON CLASSIC
Description: A showcase for some of the best female golfers on the LPGA tour.
Location: Highland Meadows Golf Club, 7445 Erie St., Sylvania
Dates: July 15-21
Admission: weekly grounds admission, $50; daily tickets Monday through Friday, $15; Saturday and Sunday, $20; free for those 17 and younger with accompanying adult
Parking: $5 daily, or $10 weekly parking pass; Lot B located at Centennial and Brint
Tickets/information: 419-531-3277; www.marathonclassic.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 (Morrow County)
Events: June 14-16: Diamond Cellar Classic; June 28-30: Mechanics Bank Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio; July 12-14: Buckeye Superbike Weekend; July 19-21: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days; Aug. 2-4: Honda Indy 200; Aug. 16-17: Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200
Admission: $20 to $45, depending on event; free for children 12 and younger when accompanied by an adult
Parking: free, non-infield
Wheelchair access: yes
Tickets/information: available by calling the track office, 1-800-643-6446, or online; 419-884-4000, www.midohio.com
Harness racing: RACEWAY PARK
Description: Originally built for auto racing, it now has a 5/8-mile track for harness racing.
Location: 5700 Telegraph Rd., Toledo (Lucas County)
Season: Saturdays and Sundays (post time 6 p.m.) through Sept. 15; simulcasting daily
Admission: free
Parking: free
Wheelchair access: yes
Tickets/information: available at the gate; 419-476-7751; www.racewayparktoledo.com
TOLEDO ZOO
Description: More than 8,000 animals representing more than 700 species live on the 74-acre grounds.
Location: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo (Lucas County)
Big attractions: Wild Walkabout: Wonders from Down Under brings the fascinating natural world of Australia to zoo visitors. The adventure starts with a walk-through wallaby exhibit and continues with dingoes, cassowaries and more. In the Reptile House, check out the huge saltwater crocodile, along with some of Australia’s deadliest snakes. Or relax in the Museum of Science with a Great Barrier Reef exhibit showcasing the intrigue of Australia’s coastal waters.
Wild Walkabout will be open from May 24 to Sept. 2.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, till 6 p.m. weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day
Admission: $14, or $11 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 2 to 11, free for children younger than 2
Parking: $7, or $15 for vehicles that take more than one space
Information: 419-385-4040, www.toledozoo.org