Sandusky Travel and Things to Do Guide

A prime year-round tourism destination in the Midwest, with nearly 11 million visitors each year, Shores & Islands Ohio consist of several communities boasting close to 120 miles of coastline, including the islands of South Bass (Put-in-Bay), Kelleys, and Middle Bass. Meeting venues in Shores & Islands are abundant and range from the largest indoor water park resort in the Midwest to a tranquil nature-themed property with breathtaking views and an award-winning Tom Fazio-designed golf course. Not to mention the area's top attraction, Cedar Point Amusement Park, one of the best amusement parks in the world.

Shores and Islands Ohio is centrally located between Cleveland and Toledo and is easily accessible by the Ohio Turnpike; Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), only 55 miles to the east; and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), just under 100 miles to the west.

Shores and Islands offer hundreds of hotels, including Kalahari Waterpark Resort & Convention Center in Sandusky, which features 890 rooms and 215,000 square feet of meeting space; Sawmill Creek Resort & Conference Center in Huron, which has 239 rooms and over 35,000 square feet of meeting space; and Grand Islander Inn/Niagara Event Center on South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay), offering 50 rooms and 8,184 square feet of meeting space.

Unique venues for group functions include The Culinary Vegetable Institute in Milan, which can host banquets of 100 and offers exclusive group team-building options; The Brown Welcome Center at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens in Elmore, which features state-of-the-art audio/video technology and is surrounded by a magnificent 17-acre arboretum and gardens; and The Sandusky State Theatre in Sandusky, which offers banquet seating for 210 or theater seating for 300 in the State Room. Two other unique sites are the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, whose Parker Room offers seating for up to 50 and free rides on the carousel, and the Firelands Campus of Bowling Green State University in Huron, which can host up to 500 people.

Dining venues with space to accommodate groups include Chez Francois in Vermilion, a French-inspired, Zagat-rated restaurant that can host functions in its Parisian, Riverfront, and Touche rooms; Gideon Owen Wine Company in Port Clinton, which allows groups of up to 280 and can host events on the lawn, in the loft, or in the wine cellar; and Crush Wine Bar in Sandusky, a full-service restaurant with a wine bar concept that’s great for intimate meetings of up to 80 people.