Everyone Plays at Shores & Islands Ohio
Located on the northern shores of Ohio, America’s Sports & Family Fun Capital offers world-class sports facilities, exciting attractions and the best venue for water sports.
Introduction
SHORES & ISLANDS OHIO
Shores & Islands Ohio is America’s Sports & Family Fun Capital where everyone comes to play! Whether it’s kicking back with toes in the sand or kicking the winning goal, you will discover the region is an extraordinary year-round location to combine sports travel with a family vacation. There are numerous entertainment options to enhance your experience including Cedar Point and the Lake Erie islands.
Looking for fun activities nearby? Known as the roller coaster capital of the world, Cedar Point Amusement Park is the place to go for adrenaline-soaked thrills. Explore the outdoors on Kelleys Island, where you can hike the coastal trails, kayak near the cliffs or visit the Glacial Grooves State Memorial.
Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island is an iconic place to explore. Check out The Boardwalk to enjoy some delicious food, or head to Massie Cliffside Preserve for beautiful sunset views. Don’t miss the African Safari Wildlife Park, the Midwest’s only drive-thru safari. You can feed exotic animals from your car, letting giraffes and zebras munch straight from the food cup in your hand.
CODY CARSON
Sports Tourism Manager
Telephone: (419) 625-2985
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Get a Planner’s Perspective
Don’t just take our word for it, hear what these planners had to say.
“After 2020 events were cancelled due to Covid, we were able to get multiple events rescheduled on Lake Erie. Without the assistance of Shores & Islands Ohio and the City of Sandusky these events could not have happened and much revenue would have been lost!”
— Bill Taylor, Senior Director of Operations Fishing League Worldwide / Major League Fishing
Find Your Perfect Shores & Islands Facility
Facility Spotlight
LAKE ERIE
Sports Covered: Water sports, triathlons
One of the biggest attractions of the region, Lake Erie is an ideal spot to host a sporting event. The lake offers several natural venues for different water sports. The tributary rivers serve as courses for canoe and kayak competitions, while the open water provides a good setting for power boating and sailing events. Several bass and walleye fishing tournaments have been held at the lake every year. The shore is also the perfect location for triathlons, where athletes can enjoy both the land and waters of Lake Erie.
CEDAR POINT SPORTS CENTER
Sports Covered: Volleyball, basketball, wrestling, futsal
The Cedar Point Sports Center is an exciting indoor recreational facility located a few short miles from Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky. This 145,000 square foot sports complex features 10 full-size basketball courts which convert to 20 full-size volleyball courts. One of these courts is a championship arena with retractable seating. Other features include a full-service café & concessions, second-story mezzanine with an indoor walking track, event & meeting spaces, and a family entertainment center that includes climbing walls, an arcade, and a “ninja warrior” course.
SPORTS FORCE PARKS
Sports Covered: Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, football
Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center is a premier outdoor sporting facility located just minutes from Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky. This multipurpose venue features nine synthetic turf fields to host a wide variety of sporting events including baseball, softball, soccer, football and lacrosse tournaments. Every member of the family will enjoy the park’s bungee trampoline, high ropes course, mini-golf, and two playgrounds. An action-packed tournament experience, top-notch food and beverage options and thrilling amenities come together to bring SPORTS.FAMILY.FUN. to life.
ERIE METROPARKS
Sports Covered: Baseball, soccer, softball, cycling, running
The Erie MetroParks consist of 12 parks that cater to different recreational events. Osborn MetroPark is home to soccer fields, trails, tennis courts, pickleball courts and a nine-hole disc golf course. Eagle Point is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing and offers several trails for running or walking events.
KALAHARI RESORTS AND CONVENTIONS
Sports Covered: Wrestling, cheerleading, gymnastics
Located in Sandusky, Ohio, this versatile sports venue is the area’s largest convention center. The Kalahari Resort features 215,000 square feet of flexible space, with spaces ranging from executive boardrooms to an expansive ballroom. Each space has state-of-the-art A/V and communications technology, wireless internet, varied lighting, house sound and background music. The venue has the capacity to accommodate up to 5,000 people.