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Published January 2021

Are you looking for things to do and ways you can support local businesses this winter, but not sure what is available? Check out the WHAT’S OPEN button on our home page and also available at the top of every page under TRAVEL UPDATE. Here, you will find an updated list of things to do, places to shop, restaurants offering both in-person and carry-out dining options, and more, available throughout the winter season in Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands.

If you’re not ready to brave the cold, but are looking for indoor things to do that will keep you active, we’ve got a couple of suggestions.

INDOOR PLAY: Things to do with kids

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center– Kids can expend some of that pent-up cabin fever energy with a skating rink, arcade, mini golf, and XD-3D theatre. The skating rink even allows scooters and has trainers available for new skaters. The family fun center is available seven days a week. The bounce houses and playground area are currently reserved for groups and parties only.

Great Wolf Lodge – Great Wolf Lodge offers a variety of family-friendly activities both for overnight and day guests. Water park day passes are available (purchase online) from 10 am-8 pm daily. The 33,000 sq. ft. indoor water park features a lazy river, four-story fort, giant tipping bucket, and more. In addition to the huge Northern Lights Arcade, Great Wolf offers a MagiQuest game, where players treasure hunt and unluck secret puzzles and clues throughout the resort by using a magic wand.

Jungle Junction – Operated by Bellevue Recreation Department, this huge indoor playground is three levels of climbing fun, with slides and air cannons throughout. There is also an adjacent toddler play area. Jungle Junction’s winter schedule is Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 11 am-5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, Noon-6 pm. The facility can be reserved for private play during non-open hours as well, for groups up to 10 persons.

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Another excellent indoor water park option is the park at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, open daily and offering slides and fun for all ages. This authentically African-themed water park features 173,000 sq. ft. of thrilling slides, a water coaster, lazy river, a wave pool, and special areas just for kids. Families can rent private cabanas which offer such amenities as comfortable loungers, mini-refrigerators, flat-screen televisions, and food & beverage service. Additionally, the resort has a huge arcade area which features such attractions as laser tag, virtual reality games, bowling, and more. Weather permitting, you can also visit the outdoor zoo area! A number of onsite restaurants are available to keep you well-fed, including the all-new Sortino’s Italian Kitchen.  

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Sandusky Children’s Museum – This museum built especially for kids is filled with fun, interactive, science-based activities. Everything in the museum in hands-on and offers a great complement to home school lessons, or just educational fun for curious kiddos. The Sandusky Children’s Museum is located in the basement level of the Marketplace at the Cooke and is open Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5 pm.

INDOOR PLAY: Things for adults and teens

Cedar Downs/Cedar Lanes/Cedar Links/Lazer Runner – Enjoy bowling, golf simulator, axe-throwing, and laser tag, along with an arcade and off-track horse race betting. Currently closed on Wednesdays, check online for daily hours.

Cedar Point Sports Center – Take advantage of the indoor walking track, available to the public at no-charge, Monday-Thursday from 10 am-4 pm. This raised, rubberized track is available for walking, jogging, and running. The family entertainment center, which includes an arcade and ninja challenge course, is currently available by reservation only for small groups. The rock-climbing walls will be available in February.

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center – Older patrons of Ghostly Manor Thrill Center can enjoy one of the country’s scariest haunted houses, indoor miniature golf, and a challenging escape room. Or be a kid again with a spin on the skating rink floor!

Noble Axes/Noble Pins – The sport of axe throwing is steadily growing in popularity throughout the country! Try your hand at throwing an axe at a target, or visit Noble Pins across the hall for grown-up arcade games such as duck pin bowling, skee-ball, pinball, and virtual reality games.

Open Way Yoga – While the yoga studios in Sandusky, Huron, and Norwalk are currently closed to in-person classes until spring, you can practice all levels of yoga from the comfort of your home with Open Way Yoga. Check out the online class schedule and register here.

Paddle & Climb – Harness up and tackle a three-story indoor rock wall and shop a selection of fine outdoor apparel and accessories. Reservations are required to access the climbing wall currently. When the weather warms up, rent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to enjoy on Sandusky Bay.

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Star Lanes at the Harbor, Port Clinton and Twin Star Lanes, Sandusky – Bowling is available seven days a week at both facilities. Glow bowling is offered on Friday and Saturday evenings after 6 pm. The Port Clinton center also features laser tag and an arcade.

Find even more suggestions when you click the WHAT’S OPEN button on our home page, or click to find out what’s open on the TRAVEL UPDATE available at the top of every page.