Roller Coasters in Ohio

There are a lot of roller coasters in Ohio to talk about, mainly due to two big Cedar Fair parks – Cedar Point and King’s Island. There used to be one more big park, but Geauga Lake has been closed since 2007. Other than that, we’ve got a solid midwestern selection of kiddie parks, a zoo park, a farmer’s market, and some family fun centers. Since I’m writing this after most parks have closed for the season, make sure to check hours and prices before you visit! Mine will be out of date.

Click on each coaster’s name below for a video of the ride! Ride all the roller coasters in Ohio from bed!

Cedar Point

Cedar Point is a park I’ve covered pretty extensively, though it’s been a couple of years now. Right now, this Sandusky roller coaster mecca on the shores of Lake Erie has 16-17 roller coasters in its lineup. (That 17th one is the Top Thrill Dragster currently being retooled into Top Thrill 2.) They’ve got the unparalleled Steel Vengeance, over-300′ Millenium Force, twisty Maverick, inverted Raptor, over- 200′ Magnum XL-200, retro racer Gemini, dive coaster Valravn, Gatekeeper wing coaster, and the floorless Rougarou. On the tamer end, we have the old-style suspended Iron Dragon, classic Blue Streak, the Cedar Creek Mine Ride, a basic Corkscrew, a new Wild Mouse, and the kids’ Woodstock Express and Wilderness Run.

Cedar Point is a big park with much more than just a ton of roller coasters. Non-coaster rides include a high swings right on the beach, a lovely Sky Ride right down the beautiful midway, a couple of great water-raft rides, and even a themed boat tour. They’ve got a classic carousel plus a racing carousel, a big Ferris wheel, a Power Tower, and plenty of spinning flat rides. There are two robust kids’ areas, a separate water park, plus a marina on one side and a beach on the other. Since Cedar Point is on a peninsula, the views from all these super-tall roller coasters are amazing! Cedar Point even has its own hotel, the vintage Hotel Breakers.

Admission

Since we’re in the off-season, the website doesn’t list daily ticket prices. A couple of years ago, it was in the $75 range for a day ticket at the gate and around $50 for a sale price online. (Always look for online discounts!) Currently, a season pass is around $125, if that gives you any idea. They also have a summer-only pass for $99, which leaves out all their Halloween weekends.

Admission for the water park is a separate fee, as is daily parking, which is around $30, I think. Definitely look into your season pass options here. Cedar Point is a park you can spend several days at to see everything! Plus, if you add the All Park Passport to your season ticket, you can tack on Kings Island, below.

Kings Island

I’ve also written a lot about our second big park in Ohio, Kings Island near Cincinnati. In Kings Island’s selection of 14-15 roller coasters, we’ve got epic rides on The Beast, Orion, and Diamondback. Plus, there’s the inverted Banshee, Mystic Timbers with its “shed show”, indoor Flight of Fear, fun Backlot Stunt Coaster, and the suspended shuttle Invertigo. On the tamer end is the Adventure Express mine coaster, the classic Racer, the suspended Bat, and three kids’ coasters – suspended Flying Ace Aerial Chase, wooden Woodstock Express, and tiny Great Pumpkin Coaster. A 15th coaster called Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers is a family shuttle ride set to open in 2024.

Other rides in the park include a tall swings ride, water raft rides, a swinging pendulum, a fun Eiffel Tower-themed observation tower, many spinning flat rides, and a very large kids’ area. There’s even a train that serves as transportation between King’s Island and its water park next door. Like Cedar Point, Kings Island is a beautiful park, with lots of gardens and flowers and an attractive main street.

Admission

Also like Cedar Point, Kings Island doesn’t have their daily ticket prices posted since it’s in the off-season. Right now, you can get a Winterfest ticket for $30, which includes a beautiful holiday light display, but I don’t think all the rides are open. Not long ago, it cost $80 at the gate and around $40 online, but look for those prices to be higher in 2024. Parking is an extra $30 but the water park is included in daily admission.

Honorable Mention: Geauga Lake

Though long closed, I’ll give a quick shoutout to Geauga Lake in Aurora, which operated between 1887-2007. This longstanding park ended its run with 8-10 roller coasters (two closed in 2006) and most of them looked impressive, at least in theory. Many were destroyed, but some were relocated and you can still ride them. Here’s a video ranking all the coasters from Geauga Lake.

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has a proper little amusement park attached to it, which includes two smaller roller coasters, the wooden Sea Dragon and a spinning wild mouse called Tidal Twist. Other rides include a Ferris wheel, train, carousel, a boat ride, and several spin-in-a-circle flat rides. The train and carousel, plus a 4D theater is open on the weekends right now. The rest is closed for the season.

Admission is $30 and under just for the zoo – all rides cost extra, either $2 per ride, or with an unlimited rides wristband that seems to cost $9-15, depending on what is currently open. Zoo admission costs less for Franklin County residents, military, and AAA members, though I think the rides cost the same for everyone. Parking is an extra $10.

Stricker’s Grove

Stricker’s Grove is a fairground in Ross, on the outskirts of Cincinnati. There are two proper wood roller coasters here, the Teddy Bear and the Tornado, but the park isn’t open most of the time. It seems it’s usually open on July 4, a family day in August, Labor Day in September, and a “Customer Appreciation Day” in October, plus some extra days during a 4H fair in July. Check their Facebook for all events.

Besides the two roller coasters, there’s a train, a classic Ferris wheel, round up, gliders, tilt-a-whirl, scrambler, pirate ship, and a small drop tower. There’s also mini-golf and a few more just-for-little-kids rides. Admission looks to be around $18, at least it was during the last Customer Appreciation Day on Oct. 9.

Memphis Kiddie Park

The small Memphis Kiddie Park in Cleveland hosts 11 rides, almost all of which are for riders under 50 inches. One of those is the Little Dipper, a super cute 1950s kiddie coaster. All the rides are super cute, and hail from the early ’50s. But only the carousel and the train allow adults/all heights.

Each ride costs 1 ticket and each ticket costs $3. Strips of 10 tickets cost $28 for a little savings. And there are books of 25 and 110 tickets, and tickets never expire. There’s also a mini-golf course attached and it looks like the small parking lot is free.

Tuscora Park

Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia is another kiddie park, with 8 rides plus a mini-golf course. One of the rides is the Little Dipper kiddie coaster. (This one from the 1990s.) Other rides include a small Ferris wheel, a train, swings, all the small spinning rides you might expect. The rides are nestled in a larger park with three pools, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, ball courts and more.

Ride tickets are $1.50 each, or get a book of 12 for $10. Mini-golf is $4.

Sluggers & Putters

There’s a place called Sluggers & Putters in Canal Fulton (kinda near Canton) that has a kiddie coaster called Little Dipper. (I guess all the kid’s coasters in Ohio are called “Little Dipper?”) Besides two mini-golf courses and batting cages, they have outdoor laser tag, go-karts, bumper boats, an arcade, and 9 amusement rides including the coaster, mostly for kids. At least it’s mostly outdoors!

Rides are priced individually (the Little Dipper is $6 by itself) or get a day pass for $35 and under. The day pass includes almost everything except the batting cages and arcade.

Howard’s Apples Farm Market

It’s true! There’s a little roller coaster at Howard’s Apples Farm Market in Chagrin Falls, and it’s called the Little Dipper too. While the market is open every day, the roller coaster is only open during Farm Fest, which this year ran from Sept. 23-Oct 29 on the weekends.

Besides the Little Dipper, there are several games and mazes. For $5, you get a wristband, unlimited rides on the coaster, a bucket of apples, and access to all the activities.

Scene75 -Dublin

There’s a Scene75 indoor entertainment center near Columbus with one of those spinning, figure-8 coasters called Nuclear Rush. Mainly an arcade, there is also indoor go-karts, blacklight mini-golf, laser tag, a motion theater, and a laser shooter theater ride. The only proper amusement rides seem to be the roller coaster and a small drop tower.

Every attraction costs credits and Nuclear Rush costs $7 on its own.

Scene75 – Dayton

There’s another Scene75 in Dayton. It’s basically the exact same setup, only this small roller coaster is called Tsunami and it looks a little more involved than a simple figure-8 layout. Otherwise, it’s very similar but with an extra carousel, mini-golf course and some sand volleyball.

Again, each attraction carries its own cost, which you can put on a card. But I can’t see what the cost is on this one. I imagine it’s the same as the other Scene75 coaster.

Funtimes Fun Park

The Funtimes Fun Park in Alliance is one of those batting cages/go-karts/mini-golf places with a few proper rides, including the Serial Serpent family roller coaster. This is one of those dragon/wacky worm models. Otherwise, there’s a Musik Express, a tilt-a-whirl, a teacups-like ride, and bumper cars and bumper boats.

The Serial Serpent is $5.50 on its own, or as part of one of any number of day passes. The cheapest option is a $12.50 Sunny Saver pass for just the rides or you can pay up to $35 for unlimited all-day access.

Water Parks in Ohio

There are three big water parks in Ohio – the ones attached to Kings Island and Cedar Point most notably, but also one attached to the Columbus Zoo. There are also several indoor options and about a million of those 2-slide, city-run pools. I’m sure if I kept looking, I’d find even more of them! I forget how big Ohio is and that it not only borders a great lake, but has several smaller lakes to play in besides.

• Soak City at Kings Island has a whopping 22 slides, 4 kids’ areas, 2 wave pools, and a lazy river. the water park is included in daily admission for the rest of the theme park, somewhere in the $50-90 range. Parking is an extra $30.
• Cedar Point Shores in the back of Cedar Point in Sandusky has 19 slides, 4 kids’ areas, two lazy rivers (one less lazy), a wave pool, an activity pool, and a sandy rest area. Admission to the water park is separate from the theme park, and I think it’s around $50 these days – maybe more, the website doesn’t currently list prices. Parking is an extra $30 as well.
• Zoombezi Bay, attached to the Columbus Zoo, features 14 slides, 2 kids’ areas, a wave pool, an activity pool, and a challenge course. Plus there are two lazy rivers – one for adults only with a swim-up bar, and one “adventure” river with waves. Tickets are $45 and under, plus $10 parking.
• Kalahari Resort in Sandusky has an indoor water park with 8 slides, 3 kids’ areas, a lazy river, a wave pool, a FlowRider, activity pools, and indoor and outdoor spa pools. The website says non-guests can book the waterpark online, but it didn’t work for me, so it may not be open to outside guests after all.

• Coney Island Park seems to be Cincinnati’s city pool that has grown into a full-fledged water park. There’s a large pool with activity areas including an inflatable challenge course. Added to that are 6 slides and a diving area. Admission is $28 and under. Parking is included with your ticket price.
• Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park in Chardon (kinda near Cleveland) has 4 big slides, 3 kiddie slides, plus a larger kids’ play area, a pool with inflatables and ball games, plus “dry” activities like a jumping pillow, mini-golf, driving range, basketball course, go-karts, archery, and batting cages. Activity passes seem to be in the $25-30 range, but that excludes the last three options, which cost extra.
• There’s a Great Wolf Lodge near Kings Island with 5 slides, 3 kids’ areas, a lazy river, a wave pool, indoor and outdoor activity pools, and a couple of large hot tubs. A day pass costs anywhere from $40-85 for a whole day, or $32-68 for a half day.
• Another Great Wolf Lodge near Cedar Point only has 2 slides, 3 kids’ areas, a lazy river, an activity pool, and hot tubs. Full-day passes cost $35-50 while half-day passes cost $31-45.

• Monsoon Lagoon in Port Clinton (near Sandusky) features a small water park with 2 slides, a big splash tower complex for kids, and a lazy river. They also have go-karts and a small zoo with a ride-through safari. A “wet pass” costs $40, while a “mega pass” for everything costs $45-70.
• Water Works Park in Cuyahoga Falls is a city-run pool with 3 slides, a lazy river, and a lap pool. Daily fees for non-residents are $25 and under.
• Splash Zone Aquatic Center in Springfield has 3 slides (including a bowl slide), a lazy river, a kids’ splash playground and separate toddler spray area, a lap pool, and diving boards. Admission is $8 and under.

• Long’s Retreat in Latham has a lake with 2 long slides into it for only $7. They also have mini-golf, a carousel, go-karts, a kiddie train, inflatables, plus a beach with swimming and canoe and paddle boat rentals.
• Highlands Park Aquatic Center near Columbus has 2 big slides, a toddler pool and spray area, a lazy river, and a lap pool with a diving well. Daily rates are $20 for non-residents.
• Groveport Aquatic Center near Columbus has 2 slides, 2 kids’ areas, a lazy river and diving boards. Day pass rates are $14 for non-residents.
• Wapakoneta WaterPark is a city park with 2 slides, a small splash tower, and a lap pool with diving boards. Daily passes are $8 and under.
• Hiawatha Water Park in Mount Vernon has 2 slides, a kids’ splash tower, and a lap pool. Day passes are $8 and under.
• The Maca Aquatic Center near Akron has 2 slides, a barrel splash zone, a kiddie slide, and a lap pool. Daily admission is $15 and under.
• The City of Uhrichsville Water Park features 2 slides, a kids’ splash tower, and a lap pool. Daily admission is $10 and under.
• The Troy Aquatic Center, north of Dayton, has 2 slides, a kids’ splash tower, a kiddie pool, and lap lanes. Admission is $6 and under.
• Lorain County MetroParks Splash Zone in the way outskirts of Cleveland, has 2 slides, a tot pool, and splash elements. Daily admission is $8 and under.

• The Nelsonville Aquatic Center has 1 slide, a lap pool, and a larger zero-entry pool with spray features. Admission is $5.
• Clearwater Park is a large swimming pool located in the Akron-Canton Jellystone campground. It has 1 big slide, some toddler slides, an inflatable obstacle course and some spray features. The current non-resident daily admission isn’t listed, but it’s $11 for residents.
• Worthington Natatorium near Columbus has 1 slide, hot tubs, lap lanes, and a lazy river, all indoors. It’s in a community center, but you can get a day pass for $8 and under.

• Clay’s Resort in North Lawrence is a Jellystone campground with a small waterpark. It’s mostly a kids’ splash tower, but two of the slides look a little bigger. There’s also a big lake with two huge “wet willie” slides into the lake and inflatable obstacles. To visit for the day costs $43 and under.
• Baylor Beach Park – I’m not sure if this qualifies, but this lake in Navarre has 1 slide into a well-water swimming lake, plus a few small slides and obstacles. There’s also a paddle boat lake and activities like mini-golf, volleyball, and cornhole, a swingset and playgrounds, as well as picnic facilities. The whole thing is attached to a campground. Daily rates are $17 and under.

Did I miss anything? Have you been to any of these parks? What are you looking forward to doing next year? Let me know in the comments below!