Cedar Point is one of our favorite family getaways and a place we’ve visited again and again over the years. Known as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, it has plenty for thrill-seekers, but there’s also so much more to enjoy — family rides, shows, Lake Erie views, seasonal events, and of course, HalloWeekends in the fall.
Quick Facts
- 📍Location: Sandusky, Ohio
- ⏱️Time Needed: Full Day
- 💲 Cost: Varies by date — check Cedar Point’s website for current ticket prices
- 🅿️ Parking: Separate fee — check current pricing before your visit
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May through October
What to Know Before You Go
- 📱 Download the Cedar Point app before your visit for ride wait times, maps, and park information.
- 🎢 Check height requirements ahead of time if you’re visiting with kids.
- 👟 Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll do a lot of walking.
- 🎒 Bring a small bag: I use a small Nike crossbody/travel bag at Cedar Point because I can take it on most rides, and for rides that require a locker, it fits easily inside one. [Shop the bag I use]
- ☀️ Weather can change quickly along Lake Erie, so check the forecast before you go.
- 📅 Weekends, especially Saturdays, can be much busier than weekdays.
- 🅿️ Save your parking spot: Cedar Point’s parking lot is huge. Take a photo of your row or drop a pin on your phone before heading into the park. One year, I took my kids and a friend and we couldn’t find the car at the end of the day. We were exhausted, the kids were scared, and it turned into a much more stressful ending than it needed to be.
- 🎃 Visiting during HalloWeekends? Crowds and the overall experience can be very different depending on the day and time you visit.
Why I Recommend It
No amusement park compares to Cedar Point for us. The rides are some of the best in the world, and we’ve gone almost every year. My son is a total thrill-seeker and has ridden every roller coaster in the park, and I’ve ridden all of them except the new TT2.
Cedar Point has also been a great place for my daughter at different ages. When she was younger, HalloWeekends was especially fun because there were plenty of activities and smaller rides for her. Of all the fall events we’ve attended, HalloWeekends has been our favorite.
🎢 Favorite Rides & Attractions
- Gemini — My #1 favorite ride at Cedar Point. It’s such a classic. The first drop is big enough to be exciting, you get to race the train beside you, and the line is often shorter than some of the newer coasters — which means we can usually ride it again and again.
- Iron Dragon — One of our family favorites. It gives you just enough of that stomach-drop feeling to be exciting, but it’s still gentle and fun compared with Cedar Point’s bigger coasters.
- Millennium Force — That slow climb to the top builds so much anticipation, and then the huge first drop is equal parts terrifying and fun. It’s one of those rides that still feels exciting no matter how many times you’ve ridden it.
- Steel Vengeance — intense, fast, and one of the best in the park.
- GateKeeper — fun and smooth, with amazing views near the entrance.
- HalloWeekends activities — especially fun when kids are little.
Cedar Point HalloWeekends
HalloWeekends is one of our favorite times to visit Cedar Point and probably the most fun fall event we’ve ever attended as a family. When my daughter was younger, she loved the daytime Halloween activities, decorations, and smaller rides that were perfect for her age. As the day goes on, the park completely changes and becomes much more intense, with scare zones, haunted attractions, and costumed characters throughout the park.
If you’re visiting with younger kids, I recommend going earlier in the day so they can enjoy the family-friendly side of HalloWeekends before the scarier nighttime activities begin. Saturdays are usually the busiest, so Thursdays and Sundays are better choices if you have flexibility.
One thing to know before you go is that some indoor activities may cost extra, and only children age 10 and younger are allowed to wear costumes. If someone in your group wants to avoid being scared, Cedar Point also sells No Boo necklaces, which signal to roaming scare actors to leave that person alone.
For 2026, HalloWeekends runs Thursdays through Sundays from September 17 through November 1.
Tips for Visiting Cedar Point with Kids
- 🎠 Don’t assume Cedar Point is only for thrill-seekers. There are plenty of smaller rides and family attractions for younger kids.
- 📏 Check height requirements before your trip. It helps avoid disappointment once you’re in line.
- 🗺️ Plan around the kids’ rides first. Cedar Point is huge, so it helps to know which areas have the most age-appropriate attractions.
- 🎃 HalloWeekends is especially fun during the daytime. Younger kids can enjoy the decorations, activities, and family-friendly Halloween fun before the scarier nighttime atmosphere starts.
- 😴 Build in breaks. A full day at Cedar Point can be exhausting for little ones.
Is Cedar Point Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Cedar Point has been one of our favorite family getaways for years, and it’s a place we continue to go back to as my kids get older. There’s enough variety that we’ve enjoyed it during completely different stages — from smaller rides and daytime HalloWeekends activities when they were younger to the bigger roller coasters they love now.
If you’re visiting with kids, my biggest advice is to plan ahead, check height requirements, and give yourself a full day. And if you’re considering a fall trip, HalloWeekends is still one of our favorite times to visit. 🎃
Have you been to Cedar Point? What’s your favorite ride?