Romance doesn’t have to be all wine and roses. In fact, Mr. Locke and I find that simply spending time together doing things that we love to be romantic. When it comes to Sandusky, OH, looking for romantic things to do isn’t hard at all. In fact, the city is filled with romantic fun. From couples massages to scenic views to spending a day riding on a golf cart, here are our favorite romantic things to in Sandusky!
Okay, plus maybe a little wine.
Disclosure: We were graciously hosted by the fine folks at Lake Erie Shores & Islands to give you the scoop on romantic things to do in Sandusky! All opinions are my own!
Romantic Things to Do in Sandusky: Take a Stroll on a Theme Park Beach
In Sandusky, Cedar Point is one of my favorite places to visit no matter what time of year. In summer, the thrill rides give me a good dose of adrenaline rush. And in fall, HalloWeekends is definitely my favorite special event.
If you’re not staying on property, you may not know that Cedar Point has an absolutely gorgeous beach, free to use with valid park admission. You can sit on the sand or take a beach towel and hop in the water if you like. For me, I love looking for heart-shaped stones when I walk along the water’s edge.
Sandusky for Couples: Get a Couples Massage
After an ambitious day of sightseeing, there’s nothing that says romance like a couple’s massage. And recently opened, Spa Catawba is the ideal place. The ambiance is so calming and we enjoyed 60 minutes of relaxing time together while our therapists made us feel ready for the drive home. Ahh….
If you’d like a little more than a couples massage, ask for the Romantic Massage package. You’ll receive champagne and a sweet treat before or after your massages.
Romantic Things to Do in Sandusky: SegWave Your Way around the City
I love learning about a city’s history. And, if given the choice to walk around or use a Segway, you know I’m choosing the latter. Last month, we had the pleasure of touring the city with Sandusky Segwave and it really was a fun time.
Our two-hour tour (they offer a 60 minute tour as well) highlighted the beautiful architecture and memorable locations that downtown has to offer.
Not that this was romantic, but we did stop by the Cholera Cemetery. In the mid-1800’s, 11 percent of Sandusky’s population passed away from cholera while over half of its residents fled the area. But, it’s details like this that we learned during our Segway tour that I’ll remember forever.
Okay, back to the romance.
Romantic Things to Do in Sandusky: Enjoy a Free Concert at the Park
If you like free concerts, you’ll definitely want to check out the fun bands at Jackson Street Pier. And, if you’re visiting during the week, make sure to check the schedule for Thursday Party at the Pier Concerts.
Take your lawn chairs or a blanket, make a picnic lunch or grab some food from one of the restaurants and enjoy the water view plus a great concert. Now, that’s romantic.
Find Your “Romance Side” at a Merry-Go-Round Museum
If you love carousels like I do, checking out the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Downtown Sandusky is a must. It’s filled with both exquisite horse and menagerie displays, but what I truly found fascinating was learning the history of decorating a carousel horse.
The side facing the outside of the carousel is called the “romance side” and will be much more ornate than its opposite. So cool!
Romantic Things to Do in Sandusky: Spend the Day at Put-In-Bay
There’s just something about an island vibe that really amps up the romantic factor for me. And in Sandusky, taking the Miller Ferry to Put-In-Bay and South Bass Island is right where it’s at. During our visit, we rented a golf cart from E’s Golf Carts (right near the ferry exit) and spent the day cruising around the island at a leisurely pace.
During our day there we checked out Heineman Winery and the World’s Largest Geode, trekked across the street to the Family Fun Center (the Butterfly House is gorgeous!) and took a tour of Perry’s Cave, and then made our way to Perry’s Monument for a beautiful view of Lake Erie.
Truly, Put-In-Bay is worthy of its own post, so that will be on the site later. When it’s live, I’ll link it here.
Sandusky for Couples: Where to Eat in Sandusky
Downtown Sandusky has plenty of places to dine, but if you drive a few minutes away, there’s good food to be had as well. Here’s where I suggest:
Zinc Brasserie – One of the classic restaurants in Downtown Sandusky, it’s the first place I’ve ever tried ice wine and I’ve been hooked ever since. The French-style menu is heavy on seafood, so if you’re a fan you’ll definitely find something delish to dig into.
Sandusky Bay Pancake House – For breakfast, this is my new favorite place. Its pancake menu is huge, os if you can’t make a decision, try the cinnamon swirl variety. I can’t not mention the Bloody Marys – they’re huge!
Hidden Beach Bar – It was given this name for a reason. Just down the road in Marblehead, it really is a hidden gem for locals. The view is fabulous and the bar-style menu very good.
OH Taco – Connected Hotel Kilbourne in Downtown Sandusky, it’s laidback vibe melds well with its creative, latin fusion menu.
Crush Wine Bar – A great choice for dining in Downtown Sandusky. You’ll find everything from charcuterie to homemade Italian dishes, a full bar, and lovely atmosphere. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends.
Romantic Things to Do in Sandusky: Where We Stayed
Sandusky has gorgeous hotels and B&Bs, for sure. Add in the boutique hotels and spots at Put-In-Bay and the choices are plentiful. If you like chain hotels, you really can’t go wrong with Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Clinton/Catawba Island. It’s close to the Miller Ferry and only a quick hop to the freeway.
We loved our spacious room and the comfy bed. Plus, it had free breakfast for guests each morning, such a bonus. The view from our window was gorgeous no matter what time of day, too.
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