Ohio’s Wackiest Water Park Will Make Your Summer Complete
The Watering Hole in Port Clinton, Ohio, is a unique combination of a water park and a safari zoo, offering a variety of attractions for the whole family.
What are your summer plans? Chances are, they include a water park or two. Fortunately, Ohio is home to several impressive water parks. All you have to do is take your pick. There's one water park in Port Clinton, however, that's unlike any other. The Watering Hole, also known as Monsoon Lagoon Waterpark, is both a safari and water park, making it the perfect place to take the whole family.
Check it out:
Tucked away in Port Clinton, you'll find a little-known water park called The Watering Hole—which isn't exactly your average local watering hole.
It's located at 1530 S Danbury Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452.
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All the classic water park attractions are featured here, including multiple large water slides for thrill seekers...
The water park is open from June - August. Hours of operation vary according to day and special events. Click here for more information.
...a pretty epic splash pad the little ones will absolutely love...
The Kids Tree House (pictured above) also features four small water slides.
...and a lazy river you can leisurely float down.
Tickets for just the water park portion of The Watering Hole are $25.
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The Watering Hole also features a large snack bar with plenty of seating where you can grab lunch.
You'll find pizza, burgers, salads, fries, ice cream, soda and more here.
There's even a swim up tiki bar in the adult's-only area. (Because kids aren't the only ones having fun here.)
Enjoy frozen daiquiris, kids virgin daiquiris, beer, wine and snacks.
And if you really want to splurge, you can rent a private cabana for the day.
The cabanas feature a private shaded area, comfortable seating, wifi, a ceiling fan, electrical outlet and more.
After you've dried off, (or before you dive in), there are go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf and other family fun activities on site you'll want to check out.
Please note: The go-kart race track closes at approximately 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. for a required refueling and safety check.
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But what really makes this water park stand out is the fact that it's attached to a zoo.
You can buy tickets for just the zoo ($12 at the door or $9 online), or you can purchase a Mega Ticket for $35, which includes admission to all parts of the park.
Be sure to visit the giraffes, zebras, kangaroos and more before heading home.
For tickets, rates and other information, click here.
The Watering Hole is located at 1530 S Danbury Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Have you ever been here before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!
Almost frozen in time, Medina, Ohio is a picture perfect getaway just south of Cleveland. Fortunately for locals and visitors, it's just barely south of the snowbelt, too, meaning trips through town are pleasant and easy almost all year-round. With gorgeous architecture, local shops, and a pace of life that's more relaxed, no visit to Medina is uneventful. Pack just enough road trip snacks to keep you satisfied... you'll want to keep your appetite intact for the area's fantastic restaurants!
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When it comes to hidden gems in Northeast Ohio, Medina is a community that's worth writing home about. When the community was founded in 1818, early settlers wanted to pay homage to their New England roots. As a result, they immediately established a Village Green. Today, Historic Medina Square has blossomed around the green space at the center of town. Though an early fire reshaped the community and introduced locals to the gorgeous brick facades that now line its streets in the historic district, the old school New England atmosphere still permeates the town. Its atmosphere ironically shaped the personalities of many famous figures, from Amos Ives Root to Ryan Matthew Dunn.
When venturing into Medina Square, you'll likely come from State Route 18 if you take I-71 or I-77. If you do, you absolutely must stop by the Medina Antique Mall. With 52,000 square feet of space, you could truthfully spend almost all day in this one spot. Its various shelves are lined with treasures, ranging from ancient to vintage. You never know what you're going to find here! With solid concrete floors, though, you'll want to carefully select your footwear. The wrong shoes will have you feeling tired before you even get into town!
Whatever you opt for, make sure it's appropriate for hiking, too. The Medina County Park District serves this area, and Lake Medina is hidden just north of Route 18. It once provided water to local residents, but nowadays the 100-acre lake is simply a pretty hiking spot. It's almost never busy, so you might have the whole area to yourself! Its hiking trails are surprisingly sprawling, so it's also easy to spend a few hours immersed in nature here.
From Lake Medina, you'll only travel on State Route 18 for a short distance. You'll want to wind your way south to Smith Road, which will help you avoid the traffic and casual Sunday drivers that seem to love slowly cruising from stoplight to stoplight. On Smith Road, you'll find Sweets & Geeks. Part candy store, part collectable store, part toy store, this is one of those unique local businesses that has something for everyone. It's a great stop if you're looking for nostalgic and hard-to-find sweets, but they've got modern delicacies like dehydrated candies, too. You might want to set a budget for this spot... they've got so much food and merch that it's easy to go wild!
While you're on the south side of town, you might consider swinging by Black Cat Books & Oddities before you visit the Square. This cool local bookshop spans two full houses, and you'll find classics, modern releases, and local authors among their shelves. In addition to jam-packed bookshelves, you'll also find oddities, bookish merch, stickers, and bookmarks. There are two parking lots right at the two houses, so you won't have to carry your purchases too far.
Just up the street, the charming Medina Farmers Exchange beckons. If you've ever been to the West Side Market in Cleveland, you can envision this spot as a much more condensed version of that landmark. Nowadays, it's a cool market that focuses on local makers and growers. From fresh produce to Keller Meats and pierogies, you'll find all the ingredients needed for a hearty farm-to-table meal. Speaking of tables, this is the first stop on our trip where you can grab a bite to eat. There are a few restaurants on site, including a cafe and bakery if you're just looking for something light. While you're in the building, take some time to drink in the beauty of its architecture. The building has lived many lives since it was rebuilt in 1935, and it's amazing to see how its modern identity has maintained and celebrated its roots as the community's center of agricultural commerce.
From here, you'll venture into the most photogenic part of Historic Medina. On the south end of the Square, Castle Noel and Alien Vacation Mini Golf delight visitors of all ages. Oddly enough, they're two halves of the same business! While the mini golf storefront is exactly what you might expect, Castle Noel requires a bit of explanation. It's a Christmas museum that's open all year-round, and it features everything from intricate window displays to props from movies like Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and, of course, A Christmas Story, which was filmed up in Cleveland. If you're looking for another dose of nostalgia, these cool businesses belong on your bucket list.
In the Square, dozens of local businesses are awaiting your visit. Gift shops, jewelry stores, leather stores, snack centers... you name it, they've got it! I just love walking up and down the street and gazing into the old storefronts. The beautifully decorated windows will take you back to the era of downtown shopping sprees when every store felt beautiful and welcoming. There are also several incredible restaurants and breweries right in the area, so there's something delicious for every type of diner. If you're looking for a snack in the Square, I have to recommend a visit to Sully's. They have some of the best beer cheese in Northeast Ohio, and I'm very serious about my cheeses.
If your legs haven't given up on walking at this point, you have to take a trip out to Root Candles. With 20,000 square feet of shopping space, there's no shortage of locally-produced candles to choose from. And they're simply scentsational! Interestingly, the business is intrinsically tied with the city's identity. Its founder helped modernize the beekeeping industry, and in addition to fueling local industry, his passions also sparked a local love of honeybees. While they may be a coveted rarity in some communities, they're everywhere in Medina!
If you're looking to stay in town, the charming Spitzer House Bed and Breakfast is just a few doors down from Root Candles. (Hopefully you don't mind sharing your room... it's said to be haunted.) Corkscrew Saloon is just down the road, too, so you can admire more architecture while you dine. Truly, the architecture in Medina is next-level. It's gorgeous and indulgent, and it shines throughout and beyond the historic district. Once you get a full dose of it, you can spend some time in the great outdoors at Majestic Meadows' alpaca farm.
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All in all, Medina, Ohio is a gorgeous little town that's jam-packed with family-friendly things to do. You might even visit during a special event at the Square, and if you don't mind the foot traffic, they offer a great way to see all that the city has to offer. The community is picturesque and welcoming, so whether you visit for a day or decide to put down roots, you're going to love your time in Medina.
Looking for one more local attraction to add some oomph to your visit? Mapleside Farms is just one community north, and it's an autumnal wonderland.
This Giant Indoor Amusement Park In Ohio Is Fun For All Ages
Urban Air Trampoline Adventure Park in Dublin, Ohio, offers a variety of indoor activities for all ages, making it a popular destination for fun regardless of the weather.
Here in Ohio, we’re all about fun. Oftentimes, some of our best kid-friendly attractions can be found outdoors. But, when the weather doesn’t allow for it, we look for indoor fun. At the top of the list would be a larger-than-life indoor spot known as the Urban Air Trampoline Adventure Park. There are a handful of locations throughout the Buckeye State, but today, we’ll be focusing on the one in Dublin. Read on and learn why this particular location of this well-known indoor amusement park in Ohio is so popular:
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Ready to have tons of fun in any weather?
Then make the Urban Air Adventure Park your go-to place for adrenaline-fueled adventures.
At its essence, the concept behind the Urban Air Adventure Park is pretty basic:
It is a giant indoor trampoline park where kids of all ages can test their jumping skills.
Urban Air has locations throughout the country, and you'll be happy to hear that Ohio has several to choose from!
Of course, the trampolines are just the beginning of the fun.
Inside, you'll discover a giant obstacle course, slides, challenging courses, and much more. In short, it's one of the most fun things to do in Ohio.
Check out this interesting slide.
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For example, both kids and adults will have fun testing the limits of gravity!
Some of the most exciting attractions include the climbing hill, climbing wall, ropes course, DropZone, and Sky Rider.
If you get hungry while playing here, you're in luck.
Each location features an on-site café, so you and your crew can fuel up with some good food and snacks before a few more hours of adventures!
Have you ever been to this fun indoor amusement park in Ohio? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that coming here is one of the most fun things to do in Ohio? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!