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Walking-Distance Entertainment Guidebook

Things to do within walking distance from downtown Sandusky

Parks

Washington Park

Park

View of the iconic Sandusky Clock floral structure
View of the Boy With the Boot sculpture at the center of the park's fountain surrounded by flower beds
View of one of the park's walking paths, with tree shade and a park bench

Directions (from the Jet Express)
200 Washington St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This inviting, well-shaded park is great for long walks amongst scenic surroundings and offers paved walking paths, benches, and a gazebo. In addition to fountains, gardens, and tree sculptures, the park houses iconic Sandusky symbols such as the Boy With the Boot, the Sandusky Clock, and the Red Popcorn Wagon. Located on both sides of Washington Street, this park is surrounded by several historical buildings, providing beautiful architectural vistas. 7-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Jackson Street Pier

Pier, park

View of the Jackson Street Pier sign, with glimpses of Chesapeake Lofts condo building and Good Time I cruise ship in the background
The Pier's walking path perpendicular to the Bay, with bistro tables to the right
The Pier's waterfront viewing area, with swings to the right and park benches and view of the Bay to the left

Directions (from the Jet Express)
233 W Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This lovely waterfront area offers swing seats, benches, and a U-shaped walking path for the enjoyment of the Bay view. This park is also home to outdoor movie showings, concerts, festivals, and various other seasonal events. 3-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Schade-Mylander Plaza a.k.a. Mylander Park

Mini-park

View of the Schade-Mylander Plaza sign, with a glimpse of the Jet Express building in the background
Closeup view of the park's centerpiece fountain
View of the staircase, fountain, and summer greenery against the background of one of downtown's historical buildings

Directions (from the Jet Express)
108 W Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This charming mini-park's centerpiece is a beautiful fountain, which is surrounded by amphitheater-style seating. In the summer a couple of bistro tables are set up, making for a great place to sit down with a beverage or just take a break from a long walk. A gorgeous view of the Bay completes the simple charm of this venue. 2-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Facer Park

Mini-park

View of the Path to Freedom sculpture
View of the gazebo surrounded by greenery, with a glimpse of the Bay in the background
View of the park facing the Bay, with foliage, park benches, and the sculpture from the back

Directions (from the Jet Express)
301-303 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This tiny, delightful mini-park holds a lot of history. Home to the Path to Freedom sculpture, it commemorates Sandusky's important role in The Underground Railroad, which helped slaves make their way to freedom in the 19th century. This waterfront park features a gazebo, a beautiful garden, and benches to sit and enjoy the view. 7-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Shoreline Park

Park

View of the Shoreline Park sign with a write-up about the park, and the view of the Bay in the background
View of one of the park's bridges and a tree-lined pier
View of one of the park's suspended sculptures, of a man sitting and holding rowing oars

Directions (from the Jet Express)
411 E Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Featuring bridges and "floating" suspended sculptures, this pleasant park with paved walking paths is located directly on the water and is a great place to take a walk or have a picnic. The park also offers a covered pavilion with picnic tables, an observation deck, and a playground. 8-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Tours

Jet Express

Island ferries

View of the Jet Express building and ticketing structure

Directions (from the Jet Express)
101 W Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This ferry offers round-trips to Cedar Point, Kelleys Island, and Put-in-Bay. Trips are scheduled every couple of hours or so, depending on time of the season and day of the week. Both inside and outside seating is available, the open decks providing amazing views during the ride.

Goodtime I by Lake Erie Island Cruises

Local entertainment cruises

View of the Goodtime I cruise ship, against the background of the Chesapeake Lofts condo building

Directions (from the Jet Express)
109 W Shoreline Dr, Sandusky, OH 44870
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The Lake Erie Island Goodtime I cruises depart from Jackson Pier and include a menu of daytime and sunset cruises, for families and for adults, with and without island visiting time. The cruises offer live entertainment and various food/beverage purchase options. 2-minute walk from the Jet Express.

South Shore Pedicabs

Carriage tours

View of a pedicab, which looks like a tricycle with a carriage on top of the two back wheels

Directions (from the Jet Express)
305 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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A Pedicab ride is a fun way to tour the downtown Sandusky area. The guide tailors the tour to the client's familiarity with the area and preferences. The Pedicab can also be used as a taxi ride from location to location. Obtaining a tour or a ride is done by either flagging down one of the empty Pedicabs or texting the number on the website. A typical meeting spot for a tour is by the Paddle Bar. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Game / Adventure Venues

Scooter Ding Ding

Scooter rental

View of scooters lined up along the rack

Directions (from the Jet Express)
305 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Scooter Ding Ding has several locations in Sandusky where scooters can be rented via the Scooter Ding Ding phone app. Scooters offer a fun, exciting activity for both older kids and adults. Behind the Paddle Bar is the primary location, but Scooters can also be rented at various other locations throughout downtown Sandusky, including the Shore House Tavern parking lot. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Clubhouse No.3 SportSocial

Entertainment complex, sport simulators

View of Clubhouse No.3 building, signage, and front entrance

Directions (from the Jet Express)
220 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This unusual venue provides a games-oriented social atmosphere. Sport simulators offering a range of game options (e.g. golf, baseball, basketball, zombie dodgeball), shuffleboard tables, and pinball machines can be played while enjoying a cocktail. A lounge area with couches and TVs is available for watching a ball game. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Noble Axes

Entertainment complex, axe throwing

View of the Noble Axes suspended wooden sign, with an axe at the center of the logo
Interior hallway with entrance to the Noble Pins arcade area
View of the axe throwing stalls, with concentric circles on the walls indicating point values

Directions (from the Jet Express)
127 E Market St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This entertainment complex offers axe throwing, duckpin bowling, arcade games, and a full bar, providing a fun venue for social gatherings. Live music is a staple in the courtyard during summer. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Escape Rooms by Franknicky

Escape rooms

View of the Hubbard House building, which houses the escape rooms
Hubbard House sign closeup, with "Whodini's Escape Rooms" engraved underneath
Escape Rooms by Franknicky's logo, with an image of a shadowed detective wearing a hat and holding a magnifying glass

Directions (from the Jet Express)
134 E Adams St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This escape room venue offers 2 different game themes to choose from, for a fun team adventure of navigating through a labyrinth of logical, physical, and investigative puzzles to win the game. The atmosphere is less formal compared to a typical escape room venue, making for a very enjoyable, more relaxed experience. 10-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Pedego Electric Bikes

Electric bike rental

View of Pedego building and front entrance

Directions (from the Jet Express)
131 E Water St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Pedego offers electric bike rentals, providing a fun, relatively easy, and family-friendly outdoor activity. This is a great way to explore the Sandusky waterfront area and enjoy the scenery, with plenty of nearby parks and bike trails right in the heart of downtown. 4-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Museums

Follett House Museum

Sandusky history museum

View of the Follett House Museum building, with columned front entrance and stair cases on each side of the columns

Directions (from the Jet Express)
404 Wayne St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This museum houses a collection of historic artifacts documenting the history of Sandusky and Erie County. Once based in the Sandusky library's Local History Room, the museum is now located in the former home of Oran Follett - a four-story house built in the Greek Revival style, featuring a "widow’s walk" that offers a panoramic view of Sandusky, with Cedar Point and Johnson’s Island in the distance. 11-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Maritime Museum of Sandusky

Sandusky marine-themed museum

Front view of the Maritime Museum building, with a tower on the right side reflecting the maritime theme

Directions (from the Jet Express)
125 Meigs St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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This museum offers exhibits showcasing the rich maritime history of the Sandusky Bay area, as well as Sandusky's role in the Underground Railroad. In addition, there are two out-buildings, containing Lyman boats that can be boarded, other vessels on display, and the museum's boat-building school and restoration workshop. 14-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Merry-Go-Round Museum

Craft-themed museum

Front view of the Merry-Go-Round Museum building, with its circular facade reflecting the merry-go-round theme

Directions (from the Jet Express)
301 Jackson St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Fun for kids and adults, this museum has a collection of dozens of carousel animals on display, from antique to modern, collected from sources all over the country. Additional activities include a ride on a working carousel with the band organ playing, watching skilled carvers restore and refurbish antique carousel figures in the museum's woodcarving shop, and an exhibit of carving shop tools. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Sandusky Children's Museum

Educational museum for children

Sandusky Children's Museum logo, with an image of a green dinosaur
View of the museum's various exhibits and activity tables
View of the hallway leading to the museum, with a nautical mural reflecting the themes of adventure and discovery

Directions (from the Jet Express)
133 E Market St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Targeted to children from 4 to 14 years old, this museum provides interactive, hands-on learning experiences through a variety of science-related activities. 6-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Art & Culture

Sandusky Library

Public library

View of the Sandusky Library building, showcasing its grandeur and its Jacobean Revival style architecture

Directions (from the Jet Express)
114 W Adams St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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The Sandusky Library is worth a visit even if not borrowing a book. The majestic architecture of this structure, built at the turn of the century, incorporates elements of the Jacobean Revival style in an artful blend of the Classic and the Gothic. That, as well as the grandeur of the interior, warrant spending some time waking around and perusing the bookshelves to take in the ambience. 9-minute walk from the Jet Express.

Harlequins Coach House Theatre

Community theater

View of the Harlequins Coach House Theatre building

Directions (from the Jet Express)
414 Wayne St, Sandusky, OH 44870
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Typically staging 4 plays per year, this community theater showcases impressive local talent in entertaining its audiences. It offers a great way to enjoy performing arts at very reasonable prices, within walking distance from the Sandusky waterfront and many downtown Sandusky restaurants. 12-minute walk from the Jet Express.